Chapter 39: Introductions

England gasped as he recognized the feel of the Ancient Magick. He couldn't quite place what it was, though.

The white faded to show Feliciano standing in the hallway of the Meeting Place again, as Alfred shot him a grin and dashed around the corner. A moment later, the door slammed shut, and I once again rubbed my ears in the familiar gesture, far too used to the scene and scenario by now.

Feliciano, on the other hand, stood there in shock for a moment, before he pulled out his cell phone.

"Hey, America?" I asked casually, stuffing my hands in my pockets.

"What?"

"Do you remember that date I told you at the beginning of that whole mess?"

"Uhhh... August 15, right? Er... 12:30 in the afternoon?" He recalled.

"And what does the phone say?" I pointed to the phone that Feliciano was holding in his shaking hand.

It showed the date August 15, and the time of 7:24AM.

"Th-that's impossible!" France cried out. "That's already happened!"

"Exactly." I sent him a look.

"You..." England stared at me in shock. I held my Journal in my hands; the same one they'd just seen with Feliciano.

"This is my Journal." I stated. "Nobody touches it. " I warned.

"So... You traveled back in time?" Canada spoke up.

"Like I said earlier, England. Break time."

"R-right." He quickly called up the Break Room before anything else happened.

A moment later, the other 2Ps appeared in a flash of light, now in physical forms. The group included Jason A. Jones (2P America), Oliver Kirkland (2P England), Kuro Honda (2P Japan), Markus Williams (2P Canada), Louis Bonnefoy (2P France), and finally Klaus Beilschmidt (2P Prussia).

"Where's Germany, Spain, Russia, and China?" Luciano asked, raising an eyebrow. "Thought they'd come along, too."

"Che. We made them stay back to keep an eye on everyone. Comas, remember?" Kuro rolled his eyes. "We've been watching for a while."

"How long is a while?" America asked, curious.

"Long enough." Jason sent his 1P a glare.

"Since the World Wars." Markus spoke up as he walked casually towards the kitchen. "Hey, Mr. Invisible! Are you going to help me with lunch, or what?"

"I'm coming, you jerk." Canada glared as he headed into the kitchen to help his 2P.

"Great. I wasn't serious when I said to invite the whole bloody world." England sighed.

"Oh, cheer up, poppet~!" Oliver grinned. "Perhaps some cupcakes will help?" He skipped off towards the kitchen, and England shuddered.

"No... I think... I think I'll just stick with tea."

"Maybe introductions are in order." Luciano sighed. "Most of you haven't met most of us." He said, speaking to the 1Ps.

"Perhaps you're right." France winced, looking at his 2P.

"All right! 2Ps! Line up, we're going through introductions!" Luciano called out, and though some of them grumbled, they obeyed. I smirked. Luciano was the unofficial leader of the 2Ps, after all. Oliver would be, seeing as he's the strongest, but he honestly didn't care about it. So he let Luciano take the reigns.

"I should hope you know me by now; and my brother, so I'm going to skip us." He sent out a glare.

"I'm Jason A. Jones. 2P America." The man had dark brown hair and red eyes. He spoke with a bit of a southern twang, and his jacket looked worse for wear.

"Markus Williams. 2P Canada." He had blond hair like his 1P, and there weren't really any differing physical characteristics, though he was more muscular. His plaid shirt and the bloodstained hockey stick he carried were the only true tells between himself and his 1P. And his crude language and short temper, of course.

"Louis—yes, Jason, it's pronounced Loo-Ē." He shot the 2P a glare when he heard him snicker. "Louis Bonnefoy. 2P France." The man had dirty blond hair, and a cancer stick in his mouth. He looked sloppy, and was bound to a wheelchair. He was among the laziest and most unmotivated of the 2Ps, as far as I knew, though I'd heard that he was a medical genius, though he didn't practice anymore.

"Honda Kuro. 2P Japan." The only physical difference between the 1P and the 2P was Kuro's crimson eyes. Though I knew he had quite the foul mouth on him, and wasn't afraid to tell people where to shove it. From what I understood, he and Kiku were actually very good friends, and got together often to play Go and shogi.

"Hello~! I'm Oliver Kirkland~! I'm Arthur's 2P! Feel free to call me Ollie~!" He had messy strawberry blond hair and eyes that were an oddly swirled mix of cotton candy blue and pink. He wore a pink shirt with a blue bowtie, and freckles decorated his face like Yang's. He was overly cheerful and a master with toxins and poisons.

"Klaus Beilschmidt, 2P Prussia. I'm still a nation, just so you know." Like his 1P, he was an albino, but his hair was long, pulled back into a ponytail at the nape of his neck. He wore a white cape with a hood, and was very soft spoken. He and Gilbert had the same eye color, though Klaus had a scar under his right eye. I remember Luciano describing him as the 'Canada of our world' or something like that. Apparently he was forgotten a lot, just like Matthew.

With the introductions out of the way, the 2Ps and 1Ps scattered to do various activities. I knew they'd have questions for me, but not right now.

"How're you holding up, Ying?" Yang sat down next to me.

"As well as can be expected." I shrugged. "It's so odd having the 2Ps around, though. Luciano and Flavio I'm used to, but the others... It's been so long since I've been around them, and they don't even remember me!"

"That was a while ago, wasn't it?" Yang agreed.

"Si... do you think it'll show that, too?" I wondered aloud.

"You mean when you and Ling swapped?"

"Yeah. And stop calling him that, he's got enough names already."

"Then one more shouldn't hurt." Yang stuck out his tongue.

"Ugh, you're incorrigible."

"I'm only as stubborn as you." He reminded me.

"I used to be that stubborn." I corrected.

"Oh? You know the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, expecting a different result, right? Sounds a lot like the Mansion, to me. And it takes a stubborn shithead to do it for as long as you did."

"Oh, shut up."

"Again! Telling me to shut up! It's always 'shut up, Yang' or 'be quiet, Yang'" He complained. "I'm sick of it! That's always your way of ending the conversation, get more creative!"

"I've been plenty creative."

"I thought Luciano was kidding when he said you'd bicker all day." Romano said, leaning against the wall with a smirk. "But here you are, three hours later, still bickering like an old married couple."

I shot my brother a glare. "Do you have something to contribute?"

"Actually, yes. You missed lunch, so I figured I'd save you some pancakes." He held out a plate to me.

"What about me?!" Yang complained. "I haven't eaten in centuries!"

"You don't need to eat." I reminded him.

"I'm physical, now. I need food."

"Get your own damn food, the kitchen's that way." Romano shot back, holding the plate away from him and back out to me.

"Grazie, fratello." I smiled, digging in.

"You two are mean." Yang pouted.

After everyone had eaten, we all gathered around on the couches. There's 23 of us, now... I idly noticed.

"Okay. So I think it's time for some answers." Jason spoke up.

"What do you want to know? There are still things we can't talk about, so don't kill anyone if we can't answer something." Luciano replied casually.

"Were we there, too?" Markus picked up where his brother left off.

"Si." I answered. "Don't give me that look. Luciano was the only survivor, too. He went through what I went through."

"Not for nearly so long, though." Luciano countered.

"You went back in time." Canada pointed out.

"Not exactly." I sighed. "To go back in time would create a paradox. You know, two of me?"

Yang snorted. "Be a lot more than two of you."

"What we did was different." I continued, ignoring Yang with a practiced ease. "I made time go back for me."

"You... you forced the flow of time itself to reverse?!" England gasped, and Oliver leaned forward excitedly.

"Ooh~ What powerful Magick!" He giggled. "My entire core's worth couldn't pull that off, even for twenty seconds! How did you manage?"

"Ade— er... we made a con— ... fuck it." Luciano cut himself off as his Journal briefly warmed in his hands, taking on a reddish glow.

"Toeing the line a little much, fratellino?" I raised an eyebrow.

"Shut up, like you haven't before." He stuck out his tongue.

"At any rate, we can't explain that right now."

"I see..." England spoke again. "And because you two were the ones turning back the clock, you two were the only ones who retained memories. The rest of us... we are the same 'us' that died, there's no separation of dimensions or time streams..." He thought aloud. "Which explains why we get these senses of déjà vu and distant memories."

"Exactly." Luciano smirked. "I'm impressed. You really can grasp it."

"I beg your pardon?!" England looked offended.

"Don't take it personally." I chuckled. "He's always been an ass." Luciano shoved me, but I just grinned. Some of the 2Ps watched the scene like we were mad. Luciano was normally such a hardass and an 'all work and no play' kind of guy, but around me, he loosened up a bit, and sometimes had some fun (like the knife game~).

"I have a question for you, Jason." Kuro spoke up, and Jason lazily lifted his gaze.

"The fuck do you want?"

"Alfred's states. They're personified, so that means so are yours, right?" Jason flinched at the question, and America's eyes darkened a few shads.

"Kuro." America spoke. "It's best not to bring that topic up."

"I don't need you to defend me." Jason spat at his 1P.

"Jacie?" Oliver questioned. "Why don't you want to talk about them? Ooh~ wait! That means I'm a grandmum~!" Oliver grinned. "Oh, when can I visit! Come to think of it, I hardly ever visit your country."

"Stop it." Jason cut him off. "You can't visit." His bangs shadowed his eyes, and America sighed sadly. Obviously he knew why this topic was so sensitive for Jason, but even Markus and Canada looked lost.

"Stop being such a dick." Markus said. "So you've got kids, what's the big deal? Unless you're embarrassed." He teased. "Mommy Jason?"

"Enough!" Jason snapped, glaring at his brother. "I'm out of here. When you're ready to continue the memories, find me upstairs." He shot America a look before heading up.

"Geez, what's his problem?" Markus scoffed.

"Jason..." America started. "He didn't win the Civil War."

"W-what?" Oliver blinked. "I'm not sure I understand what you mean by that."

"Jason lost to Confederacy." He repeated. "His states... several are dead. Permanently dead. Murdered by their siblings and this terrible war he's been fighting for years. Less than thirty of them are left alive." A few tears ran down America's face as the room sat in stunned silence.

"Y-you're kidding." Markus glared. "There's no way we wouldn't know about a war like that! A-and your states are all still alive, so!"

"If it was an official war, you would've known... but it's more of an underground resistance, at this point." America sighed. "And Jason's losing. Badly. As far as my states go... The states don't follow the same rules as nations. They aren't immortal to the extent that we are, so when a 1P or 2P dies, their counterpart can continue to live, just like the humans."

"Hold on a moment!" England interrupted. "If he's the one who lost the war... then... is he mortal, like Prussia?!"

"Yeah." America finally sighed. "He'll have my head for telling you all, but yes. He's mortal, just like Gilbert."

"W-wait!" Canada suddenly went pale. "If he dies, don't you die, too?!" America nodded.

"I'm immortal, like I should be. But you can't have a 1P without a 2P at least when it comes to nations. Like how Veryl died after Acel was killed."

"Wait!" France glanced between Prussia and Klaus. "So if Gilbert dies, then Klaus dies, too?! But Klaus can die and still come back?"

"Yeah, pretty much." Prussia nodded. "But I've known this for a long time. Why do you think I stay away from violence when I can? I'm not just responsible for mein own life anymore. If I go, so does he."

"Tch. Bastard should've told us this!" Kuro glared in the direction of the stairs. "Do you know how many times he's nearly died!? And we had no idea that he was mortal!"

"He made me promise not to tell anyone unless I absolutely had to. And I consider this the perfect opportunity to tell." America smiled. "So please, do me a favor and take good care of the idiot? He's such a hardhead, but he's got a good heart. He's just in pain, is all. He lashes out in grief. He's lost so many children, and he doesn't know how to handle it, so he fights."

As terrible as it was, I was glad that the topic had changed. Though it was just as dark a topic as the Mansion, at least I got the chance to gather my wits in preparation for the next round of questions.

"Itary-kun." Japan spoke softly so as not to draw the others' attention.

"Ve? What is it, Japan?"

"How long were you there?" I winced.

"Too long. Far too long." I sighed, staring off for a moment as I remembered.

"How many...?" I looked at him.

"Do you really want to know?" He nodded. "All right. Please don't tell anyone." I leaned forward and whispered the number in his ear. His eyes widened in shock and he paled a bit.

"Iie..." He whispered, slowly shaking his head in disbelief. "You... that many? For so long, all alone?" I nodded solemnly.

"Please... don't tell the others. It'll come up eventually, but..."

"Hai. I understand."

"Grazie. I knew you would." I smiled softly. Of course Japan understands. He always does.

Yang stood up and stretched. "Hey, if you guys are done grilling us about the Mansion, then maybe we should get back to the memories at hand?" He suggested.

"Wait!" Flavio spoke up, looking at his brother. "You said you went back for the 2Ps, too, but I don't see you falling for the same rumor trick that Feli did. How did they end up there?"

"Honestly?" Luciano laughed dryly. "I don't even remember anymore. Unlike Feli, who went back to the Meeting Place each Loop, I was sent back to the town just beforehand. We were already on our way to the Mansion by that point, so I really couldn't tell you."

"Why?" Louis asked. "Not that I'm saying you hate us, necessarily, but you aren't the self-sacrificial type either. Why did you go back for us?"

"That's... a bit more complicated." He sighed. "As much as I hate to admit it, I've grown attached to you all. And I realized that a life lived alone is truly not a life worth living."

"Plus he took it as a challenge." I smirked. "He couldn't stand having lost to the Things, and decided to take the chance for vengeance."

"I think that's enough grilling for one day." I stood up and stretched. A light thump caught my attention, and I found that my Journal had slipped off my lap and fallen to the floor.

Kuro, out of curiosity, went to pick it up, but a blade embedded itself in the floor inches from his hand, blocking its path to the Journal. I glared at him, my sword still firmly in my grasp.

"Nobody. Touches. The Journal." I smile. "Capeesh?"

"Gomen." He replied nonchalantly.

"Hmm... We'll see." I picked it up, and flipped through a couple pages on reflex.

"Is that blood?!" Romano choked, noticing the red stains on the pages.

"No." I said sarcastically. "I managed to procure paint in the Mansion and smeared it all over my Journal for shits and giggles."

"Geez, sorry. I was just surprised, that's all."

"I suppose we really shouldn't be surprised, considering..." Flavio muttered to Romano, who nodded.

"Look, are we doin' this or not?" Yang called back, already at the door.

"You still didn't explain him." Klaus pointed to Yang, who stuck out his tongue.

"Well, I tried, and it's not going over too well, so I'll just wait until he shows up in the memories." I shrugged.

"Jacie~!" Oliver called up the stairs. "We're continuing the memories, now, if you'd like to join us~!" He sang.

"Not that he really has a choice." England muttered lowly.

"I'm coming, ya banshee!" He called as he came down.

"That's no way to speak to your mum!" Oliver huffed.

"Good lord! Why do you insist on calling yourself our mum?!"

"Because mums cook and clean and take care of the children. And that's exactly what I did for you." Oliver's eyes shone with a menacing gleam. "Mummy knows best, so shut up and accept it."

"Yes, mom." Jason quickly agreed, noticing the danger signs. Markus chuckled until the glare was sent towards him.

"Oh, and Jacie?" Oliver added sweetly, making Jason back up a step.

"Y-yes?" Oliver suddenly lashed out, snagging the taller man's ear, dragging him down to the floor. "Ow! Ow! Ow! What the fuck, mom?!"

"I am very cross with you. Not telling me that you were mortal?!"

"I-I-I'm sorry! Just let me the hell go!" Oliver obliged, seemingly satisfied with his apology. He rubbed his abused ear. "That's one fucking grip you've got."

Before anyone could open the door, another flash of light brought a new visitor. A surprised yelp, made Romano's head whip up.

"What the fuck is going on?!" The familiar growling was overlapped with a voice, now.

"Asher!" Romano grinned as the now fully grown Dire Wolf looked up at his bonded. He sighed in relief as he dashed over to my brother, and nuzzled him.

"Good to have you here, Asher." I smiled softly.

"Yeah, I'm so glad that you two are okay." Asher sighed, not realizing I could understand him. He came over and nuzzled my hand. "You two are absolute dicks, you know that?! Fucking comas! Do you have any idea how worried I was?!"

"Sorry, Asher. Not like we had much of a choice." I replied without thinking.

The room stopped for a moment to stare.

"Uhh... fratello?" Romano blinked. "Since when can you speak wolf?"

I flinched, unable to meet his eyes. "It'll come up later." I finally said.

"You... you bonded with a wolf?" Asher looked up in surprise.

I chuckled softly, before speaking in a series of wolfish yips and chuffs. "Like I said earlier, Asher. It'll come up. You can ask Fratello for the details of what's happened so far."

"Yeah, just make it fast, I'd like to get a move on. The memories of the Mansion are going to take forever." Luciano replied in wolf speak without thinking.

"Eh?! Fratello?! You too?!" Flavio's eyebrows hit the ceiling in shock.

"That's... an interesting expression." I noted.

"I think that's enough bickering for now." Yang finally spoke up. "Ready or not, I'm opening the door now. With that, he twisted the knob, allowing the room to fade away as the next set of memories started.

A/N: So I wasn't going to post this one today, but I figured since I'm making fair time on the next chapter, I'd go ahead. ^^

So we get to know my version of the 2Ps a little better. They don't really understand that Luciano went through hell, just like Feli did... not yet at least. So if you were wondering why they seemed so nonchalant about the entire thing...

The Jason headcannon I have can be found hinted at in my RPG, Between Two Worlds. If you go into the Library in the most recent chapter, you can find a history book that Sutherland will read. :)

Next chapter, we get back to HetaOni stuff. ^^ We'll be skipping around a lot throughout the Loops, as it'd literally take me years to write them all down in detail. I've kept a copy of Feliciano's Journal. No, seriously, I bought a blank Journal from Barnes and Nobles that's a reddish-brown color with Celtic knots running along the cover in the shape of a cross. I've been filling it out as Feli with the different Mansion Loop entries. ^^ Cool, right?! I even took some paint and smeared 'bloodstains' all over different pages to simulate the blood that would've gotten on the pages as Feliciano wrote some entries (Like the Bloodbath Loop).

I've even painstakingly written some different entries as Japan in a different (much neater) handwriting. XD Now I just need to figure out how to do Luciano's. It's not finished, yet. Not by a longshot. I'm only at the Bloodbath Loop

(Pop quiz! What's the number? XD JK)

So yeah! I've been so happy with all the fanart I've been seeing, guys! You rock!! :D Keep it coming, for sure! ^^ I've lots of chapters in this story, and on Wattpad I can put up a fanart pic on each one!! ^^

Words: 2,856/3,306

Pages: 6/7

Posted: 01/26/2019

Edited: 03/14/2019