---CHAPTER IX: Phone Calls (Part 2)---

//Third Person PoV//

An Italian man wearing a blue military uniform searched around the remains of the burnt rope ladder in the tunnel within the basement.

"No...

It isn't here, after all. Where did I hide it,again...? Was it on the 3rd floor, maybe?

Maybe not. Ugh, I'm really anxious now. But if I calm down, I'll remember...

There was another one that I hid with America. And then... um..."

Suddenly, he heard someone shout, "I found you, Venezianooo!!!"

"... What?"

Italy looks up to see Romano and Spain, above him at the supposed-to-be exit.

"Ro--Wh-why?!" Italy asked, shocked that his brother and his friend are there.

"Good thing the front door wasn't opening, so I was just loitering around here. I finally found you! What the hell have you been up to?" the older brother asked.

Spain looked below and gave a sigh of relief. "Ita! Thank God! You can't stay there all alone. Where are the other guys?"

"What--what are you doing here?! We didn't ask you to come here!" Italy told them, exasperated.

"What did you do with the clocks? Did you break all of them?!" Romano asked.

"---!!

How--how did you know about that?" Italy answered his question with another question, obviously confused as to why Romano knew.

"Answer me! Did you break the last clock?!"

Italy was taken aback. "It can't be... You weren't supposed to know about that... What are you even doing here in the first place?"

"Romano, I know you're happy to see him, but don't get too excited..." Spain tried to hold back the younger man.

"Veneziano! I'm coming there right now, so don't move!!" Romano said.

Italy waved his arms, motioning them to leave, a frustrated expression on his face. "N-no!! Don't come here, no matter what!! Go home!! What are you doing here?! How--how did you know?!"

Romano was silent for a while, but then spoke softly, "......Try saying my name."

Italy furrowed his brows, but answered, "R-Romano..."

"No! Say my full name!!" the Southern Italian ordered him.

"......Italy.

Italy Roma...no...", he replied slowly.

Romano gave a warm smile. "Yeah, that's right. I'm Italy, too!

I don't know everything you remember, but I do plan on carrying at least a little of that burden on my shoulders!

You haven't been alone all this time! You've...broken quite a few clocks, haven't you?"

"Y-yes... but..."

"The flow of time got fixed. That's why we were finally able to get here. Not just us, you know? The others are also coming to help you guys." Spain added.

Romano took a deep breath. "I fiiiiiinally found you. I've been trying to find you for ages--couldn't find you--the phone wouldn't work, and sometimes I felt these shocks, like half of me had disappeared, every single time--You--IDIOT!!!", he shouted.

"(I wasn't able to bear it... That's why several of my memories flowed to Romano and hecame looking for us...)

(Why did they have to come here...? Why...? Even if something happens to me, if my brother is here--)

(No. I've already had too much of the first time and I'm getting confused. I have no idea what I should do.)" Italy started to panic internally.

Romano noticed his brother's silence, "Veneziano?"

"I'm sorry, Romano. I have to go. I'm sorry, but... just go home!" the younger brother told him and walked away.

"Ack! YOU BASTARD!!

Wait!!" Romano exclaimed as he was about to climb down the rope ladder.

Spain stopped him from descending, "Whoa!! No, Romano! I'll try going down the ropes first, and you just wait here, okay?"

"Can you really use this ladder? I can't seethe bottom very well..." Romano said, trying to adjust his eyes to the darkness below them.

"I think it's okay? Though I can't see it very well, either. The boss will go down first, so wait just a moment!" Spain said.

The Spaniard slowly climbs down the rope ladder.

"It's fine. The ropes aren't even rotten..."

He failed to notice the ladder was burnt halfway, causing himself to fall down.

"Spain?! A-are you okay?!" Romano asked after hearing a loud thud.

Spain winced in pain and rubbed his bottom. "Ugh... ow... Oh, no, the ropes are burnt halfway down... I hadn't noticed... Ooh, ow."

"H-hey!!" Romano called out.

"Romano."

"Yeah?"

"I'm so glad Ita is all right." Spain said, smiling.

"... Hn."

The Spaniard then stood up and spoke, "I'll see if I can find something to use instead of the ladder. Wait just a moment."

"All right. Don't take too long, or I'll get down this, anyway. A-and...b-be careful..." Romano said shyly.

Spain grinned upon hearing the Southern Italian's words. "Oh! Are you worried about me? That makes me so happy! I'll be right back, so just wait right there."

--=========----=======-----

//Reader's PoV!//

"Okay, honey~ We told you want you wanted to know! Now, tell me what fabulous name I've been bestowed?~" 2P! Romano piped up.

"Flavio. Flavio Vargas." I told him, smiling a bit. His character is so drastically different from Romano. His cheery mood's rubbing off on me a little.

"Flavio, hmm?~ It's fantastic! I think it really suits me, hon!~"

Luciano groaned. "Ugh. You fancy bastard, don't act so gay. It's revolting."

"Excuuussee me, voi poco cazzo?! What's his name anyway, honey?" he cussed at his brother then turned to me.

"Luciano Vargas." I replied.

Flavio flicked his hair to the side. "Hmph. His name sounds substandard!"

"Say that again, cazzo cagna?!" Luciano dared Flavio, his temper lost.

As the two Italians bickered, 2P! America went beside me and placed an arm over my shoulders.

"Well, while those two are busy bitching each other, tell me my name!" he told me.

I faced him and spoke, "Allen Jones, or Al Jones..or just Al, if you like."

"Heh. Al, huh? Sounds good. Call me Al, from now on, doll." he winked at me.

Oliver took a break from looking for the spell and chimed in, "Ooh! But I think 'Allen' is a lovely name for you, dear~"

"No way. Don't call me that!" Allen told him.

"Hahaha! 'ALLEN'! 'ALLEN'!" 2P! Canada teased.

Allen thumped the Canadian's head. "Shut the fuck up. What's your name, anyway?!"

"He's Matthieu Williams. 'Matt' for short." I answered.

"That's a gay na--oof!" Allen got cut off when Matt punched his stomach.

The other 2Ps went huddled closer to us, excluding the two pairs of brothers who are in the middle of a fistfight.

I decided to just point and tell which name belonged to whom.

"Nikolai Braginski." I said, pointing at the large Russian chugging down another bottle of vodka.

He just placed his bottle on the table and mumbled a "hmm"

After that, I pointed to the Chinese man beside him who was smoking opium. "Wang Zao."

"Zao, huh?" he said whilst blowing smoke.

"Kuro Honda." I pointed at the Japanese man who just stared blankly at us. Probably silently judging.

I turned to the scar-faced Spaniard, "Andres Fernandez Carriedo."

"Ooh~ It's so long." Flavio commented.

"That's what he said." I said unconsciously. To my surprise, Allen and I said it at the same time. "Hey!~" the red haired American smirked and gave me a thumbs up--before he got uppercut by Matt. I held back a giggle.

"Gilen Beilschmidt. Or just Gil." I told 2P! Prussia.

He just hung his head low and sighed, "It's such a nice name. So nice it does not deserve a lowly sap like me. Then again, names are useful when writing tombstones or---"

"--Tch. Don't start on that again, bruder." 2P! Germany interrupted.

"Lutz." I said, pointing at him.

I walked over to the chair by the fireplace where Oliver was in a serious mood, scanning his spellbook.

"Oliver Kirkland." I said as I placed a hand on his shoulder.

He looked up to face me and gave a smile, "I already know that, poppet~ Actually, I think I want you to call me 'Ollie' if you feel like it!"

I tilted my head and gave a puzzled smile, "Sure. If you say so..Ollie."

"Ah. You may sit anywhere you like, poppet. I'll just be here searching for that spell." he told me, motioning me to leave him be for the time being.

I nodded and went over to sit on a chair and observe the others. Luciano and Flavio were done bickering. The latter was already admiring himself at one of the weird mirrors in the room while the former was polishing his knives.

Allen and Matt got tired of kicking each other's butts. Allen was munching on what I assume to be a veggie burger. Matt, on the other hand...was---is he gulping down maple syrup?! I... I am not sure. I don't need to pry.

Kuro was tending to his katanas, while beside him was Lutz who was reading a lewd magazine out in the open.

Francois was sleeping on the floor, an unlit cigarette in between his fingers.

Seeming to have run out of vodka, Nikolai was just staring blankly at the wall. Maybe thinking of how it'd be better if he had more vodka. Zao was beside him, still puffing out opium. I waved my hand in front of my face to waft to smoke away from me.

Gil was sulking in a corner, while Andres was beside him, cleaning his gun with a piece of cloth.

Breaking the silence, I spoke up, "You know...you guys don't need to kill the 1Ps--"

"Uh huh. Listen, ragazza, no matter how many good things you enumerate about those 'First Players', you won't be able to change our minds." Luciano said, looking at me from the corner of his eye.

I shook my head. "No. No... I meant... You guys don't need to kill the 1Ps to mean anything or to have purpose."

Eyebrows were raised. They did not say a word, but seemed to have shifted their eyes on me. I fidgeted a little, but continued speaking.

"You see...back in the world where I was from...you guys actually have a ton of fans."

"I knew I was really fabulous!!~" Flavio beamed.

The others looked at me, hinting that I continue. "Well...you may not know this, but you guys...are actually really loved by your fans. They draw beautiful fanarts, formulate theories about what you're like and what you may be like, cosplay as you guys--and even write really long fanfictions about you guys!"

They were a bit taken aback at what I just said. Allen finished his veggie burger and spoke in an irritated tone, "Doll. We didn't plan on hurting you, but tell us anymore of them lies and nonsense--and your face just might get acquainted with my bat."

I gulped at the thought. "I'm not lying. In all honesty, you guys have a large fanbase. Some people even prefer you guys more than the 1Ps. They all find you interesting and actually admire you all a lot." I said, starting to smile sincerely as I explained.

Francois opened an eye and spoke groggily, "Hard to believe."

The other 2Ps nodded.

"I...well..." I started mumbling, unsure of how to convince them.

They started to lose interest and turned away. Luciano clicked his tongue at me and spoke, "Tch. Stop bothering us with your shi--"

"--2P Northern Italy is considered bossy, naughty, and particulary moody." I cut him off.

"The fuck?! I am not!" he retorted.

Flavio laughed, along with Lutz. "Honey, that is sooo true!~ How did you know?", the blonde Italian asked.

"Actually...whenever I have spare time...I read about you guys." I admitted.

"Che. It doesn't mean anything. You're just making that up." Luciano huffed.

A bit annoyed at him for not believing me, I walked up in front of him, looked at him straight in the eyes and spoke confidently, "2P Italy takes control of what he has and will manipulate what he does not. He can be short tempered and impatient when angered. He has a severe fascination with throwing knives and is stated as being particularly gifted when it comes to their use."

Luciano's magenta coloured orbs widened as I spoke. It seems that he is starting to realise I wasn't lying.

I turned to the others and gave bits of info that I have on them.

"Lutz is sloppy, arrogant and boastful, but can be very loyal.

Kuro is cold and judgemental, but is really good in martial arts and various sword forms.

Allen's really good in baseball. He's a vegetarian. He also likes to pick fights with Matt. Matt, on the other hand, is a strong fighter and usually wins against his brother. He hunts, not animals, but poachers---"

"You...what are you?" Matt asked me all of a sudden. It seems that they are quite puzzled as to why I know all these.

I smiled. "I'm a Hetalian. I'm one of your fans."

"You mean to say, that there are other people like you--who actually--wait!" Allen stopped for a moment but continued, "...doll, you're our fan?"

"Hmm? I thought you like those 'First Player' idiots?" Nikolai pointed out.

I shrugged. "Just because I like them, doesn't mean I don't like you guys--well, as fictional characters. I mean, as much as I wanted to fangirl about you real life 2Ps...I wasn't given the welcome I expected. You guys practically abducted me!"

They all seemed amused by this. "Sorry, honey, but it was necessary. We've planned for this for so long. And besides..." Flavio trailed off.

"In your world, we may be 'well-accepted'...but in this world, where it matters...we aren't." Zao continued for him.

I looked away. I haven't thought of that. Might as well tell them what's on my mind.

"Well, that may be so... I-I just thought, well, if fans are able to like both the 1Ps and the 2Ps...people could might as well do that here, too. I mean, it was uncalled for the 1Ps to banish you all...but isn't it the same to do it in their case? Can't this be worked out in some other way?"

Luciano gave a sarcastic laugh. "Ragazza, you know very well that it's not that easy. Maybe you're forgetting that...", he suddenly threw a knive that flew past me and hit the wall behind, "...that we are dangerous people. Those bastards won't allow us to do anything."

I shook a bit, gave a heavy sigh and spoke softly, but audible for them to hear, "...But it doesn't mean that you guys couldn't live like normal people, without feeling deprived of anything."

"Live normally? Hah. Those 'First Players' treat us like trash. They think of us as lower life forms. Who would let us live normally? Who would even accept us???" Luciano asked, starting to sound frustrated by our discussion.

"Given the circumstances that you wouldn't kill me, I would. I would accept you guys." I told them. "You guys exist. The mere fact that you guys still do is because you guys still have a purpose in this world. Sure, I know you guys are capable of murdering people...but if you guys learn to control that, you guys could still well, live 'normally'. Even not as 'normal' as others, but at least being 'yourselves'..."

"Unbelievable." Francois let out before resuming his slumber once more. At this, the whole room fell into silence.

Was it no use, after all?

I started to feel a sinking feeling in my chest. Maybe I could try talking to them, again? I cleared my throat and spoke, "Hey--"

"OH! Here it is! I finally got it!~" Oliver beamed.

The 2Ps turned to the colourful Brit upon his announcement. "About time, old man." Allen told him.

Oliver stood up from his chair and skipped over to the red haired America. "Here you go, Allen~" he said, handing the tan man a cupcake.

"A cupcake? The f--"

Suddenly, there was a flash of light that enveloped the room while Oliver chanted incoherent words. When everything turned back to normal, Oliver spoke, "There we go~ It may be a normal cupcake when eaten by others, but when eaten by specifically your little Stevie, he'll be big and powerful~"

Allen gave a skeptical look but then smirked. "Heh. Alright, then.", he looked at the others and they nodded.

"Then we should be off." Lutz said.

My eyes widened. "W-Wait! No, hold on... Where are you guys--"

"--Like we said, ragazza. We're going to get rid of them. Starting with one of the bastards that keep rewinding time." Luciano said darkly.

At that, the 2Ps started gathering their weapons and walked out of the door one by one.

"Hey, Oliver. Keep a close eye on the girl. Don't let her walk out this door." Matt called out before he exited the room. He was the last one to leave.

As the door closed, I suddenly snapped myself back to reality.

No. No... They're going to hurt Italy. They're going to hurt them! ...Hurt isn't even the correct term. ...They're going to kill them.

I rushed towards the door and tried opening it. Locked.

"It's useless, poppet." Oliver said, hinting an apologetic tone.

My eyes started to well up. "Why? Why does it have to be like this? You guys have suffered, but they have suffered, too! Both sides are suffering! Both sides are hurt. Everyone...is..."

Oliver suddenly pulled me into a hug. "Shh... Poppet, don't...cry..."

"Please...let me out of here." I pleaded.

He tightened his hug upon hearing this. "...I'm sorry, I can't."

I pulled away from him and stared into his blue orbs that swirled pink.

"Please...Ollie."