【 D4y 2, Th1rd F100r, M0ch1 R00m, Curr3n7 Tim3 L00p - J4p4n, Ru5514, 3ngl4nd, C4n4d4 & 4m3r1c4 】

The group decided they would start from the top of the house and work their way down, searching every room again. The shakeup of different groups would surely help them discover something new, right? America begins hassling Russia, the two nocking arms back and forth. Russia chuckles, enjoying the roughhousing and light humour. America is always one to forget about his surroundings. He smiles, America mirroring his expression and gives a rough push, only for the taller one to reciprocate with twice the force. It knocks America into a bookcase. He yelps, grabbing the shelves, book crashing down on him. The other three turn to him in concern.

"That's what you get for being stupid." England scoffs, before holding his hand out. "I won't help you out next time." He says hautily, sticking his nose up. America rolls his eyes before something catches attention. Something small, round, white and jumpy. "What is that?!" England retracts his hand, now more interested in creating space between him and the weird creature in the wall.

"Oh!" Japan widens his eyes in surprise. "I just remembered the mochi!" Russia looks at it in interest, poking it with his pipe.

"Whoa, what's this pudgy thing?" He tilts his head as the creature's skin begins to ripple away from him.

"What's this revolutionary creature?!" America gasps, poking it. "It's fantastic!"

"You said mochi, right, Japan?" Canada repeats the word, it somehow seeing familiar. "The mochi seems to be stuck... A-and it's looking at us with a twinkle in its eyes."

"I'd completely forgotten about it." Japan mutters before addressing the creature. "We'll come to help you soon, so please just hold on a little longer, okay?"

"You're speaking to this strange creature?" England asks in exasperation, cocking an incredulous eyebrow. "Has everyone gone mad?" Russia hums in amusement before speaking to the room.

"It looks like there's nothing in particular here, either."

"Indeed." Japan tears his eyes away from the mochi. "Let's hurry to the next room. I'm sorry, Mochi."

【D4y 2, 1# S4f3 R00m, Curr3n7 Tim3 L00p - Ch1n4, Fr4nc3, R0m4n0, Sp41n, Pru5514, G3rm4ny, 1t4ly & (F/n)】

You stand at the kitchen sink, once again clearing up after dinner. You would have been fine, but there is an empty space. Your eyes wander as you empty the dirty water down the drain, quick to pick up the chunks of food before they clog up the pipes. Italy would generally come over and chat with you, preparing a later meal. Or France would have dried up the dishes and put them away as you washed up. He told you that doing it this way things would go quicker. But both of those people deserved their rest, lying in bed or sitting down for a bit. And now you're under room-arrest: you're stuck here until further notice with no food due to your own foolishness. And no one had really spoken with you since the other group left. They probably all feel too awkward around you. You might as well find something to do that is useful. You perk up at the sound of feet on lament flooring, peeking out the corner of your eye to see China approaching you, a smile on his face and crinkles around his eyes. You watch him and wait to see what he has to say.

"Nǐ hǎo, (F/n)." He greets, walking around you and opening a cupboard.

"Oh, Nǐ hǎo, China." You repeat back, blinking at him curiously. "Do you need anything?" You question, watching him remove a jar from the cupboard.

"No, but I do need you." He gives a cheeky grin. You raise a brow in reply as he holds up a jar filled with a yellow liquid and different herbs floating around. He answers your unasked question. "This is a Chinese herbal medicine for pain relief. Its main ingredient is ginseng." He holds up the jar, turning it around in his palm. "Ginseng is used in lots of traditional Chinese medicines, so you have nothing to worry about." You flutter your lashes, examining the jar while nodding.

"Are you giving it to France?" You question, looking at him now. China laughs a little, shaking his head.

"No, I'm giving some to you."

"Oh." Your face brightens up, and you let out a little laugh. You scan the pot again. "Where did you get all the stuff from?"

"I checked out the kitchen, and there is plenty down there!" He puts the pot down. "Germany brought half the pantry up here. There's plenty of herbs to make remedies."

"That's cool." You grin. "Do you know this medical stuff off by heart or do you own a recipe book?" You question, watching as China takes the lid off.

"I have many books filled with my herbal practices, but this one is of my own concoction."

"Wow." You begin to grin as China gains a smug smile. He seems passionate about this, a gleam in his eye as he begins.

"Yes, many natural remedies were created in my country. Many emperors would use 'remedies' such as these to prolong their lifespan, such as Qin Shi Huang, who later died from poisoning." He lowers his voice. It's like he's telling a child a ghost story, a sparkle in his eyes. "But in reality, in an attempt to extend his life, Qin Shi Huang died from the exact treatment to gain immortality." China jumps his brows at you. "He was too hasty, and ended up  in an early grave because of it."

"Oh, wow." You blink languidly. "That's just wow. I can't, but I can, believe that you were there for that." You shake your head in disbelief, your chest swelling in elevation. "I sometimes forget: that you're so..."

"Old?" China asks.

"No, just... experienced. You've been through so much, and it's just the realisation of it. You were there with Rome and Carthage." You lower your head, eyes wide in amazement. "It's the realisation that you're so experienced and have so much more knowledge!" You give an airy laugh. "I'm just astounded, y'know?" You look away shyly, your hand reaching for your elbow. "Sorry, it's weird."

"No, it's common with us, aru." China then looks at the pot sceptically. "It needs to breathe for a bit before being drunk, so be patient."

"Drunk?" Your expression drops, that swelling feeling in your chest now rising, reaching your throat. It became thicker to breathe. "As in the past tense of drink?"

"Yes." China nods, his expression neutral.

"Isn't that... Cheating?" You furrow your brow, taking a deep breath. The expression that China has is so blank, but you have a sneaky suspicion. "I-I don't want... China, it's a nice offer, but I think it's best if you give some to France instead of me. And Italy. I don't, I don't think my hunger strike allows flavoured drinks or drinks with bits in?" You scrunch up your face, trying to laugh away a thick throat. "I'll have water, sorry." You decline.

"It's fine, just have some." China chuckles, waving off your worry. You frown. "Well, it has to breathe first, so come back later and take some." You give a half-hearted smile, saying your thanks. You continue with drying up the plates and putting them into a pile. China left, but soon someone else replaces him. They were in search of a drink. Spain opens up the cupboard, pouring himself a glass of water as Romano hovers nearby, something in his hand. You go back and put away the remaining plates. You jump up on the side, bringing your knees in so you can sit on them. You manoeuvre so you lean back slightly, grabbing the plates to put them away. Why did they have the plates so high? Once finished, you place your hands on the side and kick your legs out, allowing you to drop to the floor. You make a swift turn to walk away, not anticipating Romano to be stood directly behind you. 

You squeal in the back of your throat, widening your eyes. Romano is frozen, surprised by your proximity. You both take a step back. He clears his throat, looking away from you. You have hardly spoken to Romano at all, and earlier he had shouted at you, and now you've embarrassed yourself. You groan internally, but as you jump down to the floor, you realise Romano is still coughing. You perk a brow, looking over to him. Maybe it's him that needs a drink, not Spain. He is staring at you, intensely, eyebrows raising impatiently. You cock a brow at him, confused. He coughs again, raising his hand to wave. Then you notice. He's holding some food. You tilt your head, furrowing your brow. He mumbles under his breath, before grabbing your wrist and forcing in your palm.

"I don--" He shushes you, and you physically recoil, a look of offence on your face. "Don't shush me." You then force the food onto his chest and let it go, forcing him to catch it. "For a guy trying to be inconspicuous, you're awfully conspicuous."

"If you knew what's good for you, you'd take it."

"Nah, I'm on a strict water diet now. No food." Your face is neutral as you raise a hand, like an open promise.

"That's a nice way of saying starving yourself."

"That's a bad way of saying food strike." There's a moment of silence as you two stare at each other.

"Your strike can't last forever." He informs you, crossing his arms across his chest.

"Under normal consequences, strikes last until people get what they want."

"Or a totalitarian government stops them." He mutters bitterly.

"What?" You scrunch up your brow.

"You heard what I said, Ragazzo." He scowls. Your expression falls, mouth open.

"No, I mean, what does totalitarian mean?" It's Romano's turn to recoil.

"Oh." He blinks. You chuckle bitterly at that.

"England does that too." You give a bashful smile, trying to lighten the mood. "He forgets I'm not like everyone else here and that I don't actually know everything."

"You just seem clever." He shrugs, before stiffening at your squinting expression. 

"I mean, I do kinda know what it means... just not exactly. I can guess?"

"Totalitarian means an absolute government, it's oppressive to some. Or many. Like communism." He then holds out the food again, trying to seem flippant. "Eat it. Or save it. I don't care, just take it from me." You cross your arms, jutting an eyebrow at him. He sighs indignantly. "No one will know."

"You'll know." You counter.

"I won't tell anyone." Romano begins to lose his cool.

"Then I'll know." You retort. "If I take it and eat it, I'll know. And that's the same in my eyes." You make a motion with your hands, not looking at him. "Thanks, but no. I can't."

【D4y 2, 8453m3nt, Curr3n7 Tim3 L00p - J4p4n, Ru5514, 3ngl4nd, C4n4d4 & 4m3r1c4】

Japan walks back into the cell room, his eyes glassing over. It wasn't that long ago he was stuck in here. It wasn't that long ago Italy decided what's best for them. And it wasn't that long ago you got yourself hurt.

"Oh?" Japan looks over to everyone, who crowd around the crate. It has been moved out from the back and sat between Russia and America. Canada and England watch the two sceptically, unsure of what to make of the banter of the two superpowers. "What's the matter, everyone?"

"Italy said there was 'hope' in this box." Russia taps his foot against the wood. "What did he mean?"

"If he was actually doing that for our sake, he must have deliberately arranged 'a hope to escape' when he locked us up in the cell." Canada says.

"He also said the box was empty, though. Maybe it was just a trick to lock us up?" America suggests.

"Maybe it is 'hope' for us to use against those abominations." Russia smiles, nuzzling his nose into his scarf. Japan sends him a weary lo   ok, not wanting to disagree out loud. Last time he went against Russia independently, he got major stomach aches.

"All the more reason to open it." America agrees, bending down to pick it up. He tries to pry the lid off, but the nails wouldn't budge. "Huh? What's this made of?" He picks it up and shakes it. "It's like the magic England puts around his diary."

"It's not a diary, it's a journal." England huffs before his eyes widen. "What the fuc--?!

"Shush, England. I'm trying to concentrate." America waves him off as England gives a long string of swears.

"America, you shouldn't do--" Canada begins.

"Yeah, cool story, bro."

"You cannot break steel." Russia chuffs, amused at the show America is putting on. America throws his arms in the air.

"You give it a try!" He gives Russia room to open it.

"Of course." Russia steps forward, places his foot on the top of the crate, and sticks his pipe between two boards. He pries for a couple of seconds before America speaks up.

"See! Even you can't do it."

"How did you manage to last 45 years?" Canada shakes his head, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"It makes no sound when we shake it..." Japan notices. England makes a sound of confusion in the back of his throat and steps forward.

"Wait a minute. This is a little odd." He places his hand on the lid, smoothing it over as his brow draws together.

"Odd?" Japan repeats. "How so?"

"Oh, pardon me." England removes his hand before addressing the entire room. "You probably won't understand, but this crate," he gestures to the box, "has some of my magic, too." He rubs his chin before muttering in fascination. "What the hell?"

"Your magic?" Canada widens his eyes in surprise. "You mean this box belongs to you?"

"No." England shakes his head and reaches into his blazer. "Give me a minute. I can lift this spell." England flicks through the pages of his brown leather bound journal. Pages upon pages of different incantations and spells. He stops on a particular page, his finger skimming the lines as he licks his lips. He hovers one hand above the box, sucking in a deep breath before muttering a spell. Green swirls from his palm and encases the crate, reaching into the lock. A sharp snap indicates the opening of the container. The magic slips back into Britain's palm. Russia hums, tilting his head.

"It made a sound. Let's try opening it."

"Oh! What is it?" America grins. "I hope it's ice cream!" He reaches out, flipping it open. As he opens it, a stream of light flashes out, creating a static hologram floating above it.

"...The...y." A broken voice echoes around the room. A hologram of England appears. America widens his eyes, taking a step back in shock. Hologram!England's clothes are tattered, and blood is smeared above his upper lip, a nosebleed clearly running. His hair is even more dishevelled than usual.

"E-England?!" Canada raises his voice, which only sounds like an average level, and darts his head back and forth between the two England. The hologram's mouth moves, but nothing comes out until the image flickers.

"...and...it!"

"W-What is that?! Why am I there?!" England gestures at it in disbelief. Japan shushes him, placing a hand on England's arm.

"He's saying something!"

"To... future self who is watching this!" The voice cracks again. "There is no time to go into detail. If, by any chance, Italy dies, find the journal!" Everyone looks around in surprise except England, who stares blankly at his hologram. The hologram is desperate, a hand clutching his left arm. "In return, you'll get his memories as well as my life! Go back without fail! Go back in time!" It flickers, a tear rolling down its face. "Sa...!" It flickers again before completely disappearing.

"Huh?" England continues to stare at the empty spot, his upper lip curled.

"Er... England? You were covered in injuries." Russia steps towards Britain, humming. "I wonder what happened?"

"Journal? Does that mean..." He looks to America, then to Canada. "Wait a minute. What does that--"

"So," America looks heavenward, "long story short, that was a message sent from England in the future? And said something about going back in time or something like that, right?"

"And he also told us to look for a 'journal'?" Canada raises a brow. England furrows his brow, his face scrunching up in confusion that Russia mistakes for anger, stepping back.

"My future self?" England repeats. "So that message was meant for... me?" He looks to everyone. "But Italy is alive... and 'the journal', that's not very specific, is it?"

"Oh, there's something else inside the box!" America turns towards it, bending over. He pulls something out. A clock.

"It's a clock." Russia peers into the box. "The usual thing. And also... a letter, apparently." He picks it up and turns it between his fingers. "But it has no address..."

"A letter?" Japan stares at it. He notices the handwriting. "Ah. I see. I will give it to him later." Japan takes it from Russia's finger.

"Well," Canada raises a brow, asking a question everyone is thinking, "what are we going to do now?"

"Well, it's only a suggestion, but... why don't we break the clock?" Japan suggests.

"What?!" America looks to him in shock. "Wh-why?"

"Somehow, I have a feeling that it is the clue that England just gave us." Japan explains, looking to where the Hologram!England stood. "Besides, whenever we break a clock, I can catch a glimpse of future events." England hums in thought, making America look to him in panic.

"Is that so? Well, then, let's break it." England shrugs. "We've got to fix time, anyway." Japan reaches inside, ready to pull it out.

"Oh... b-but... I don't..." America stutters.

【D4y 2, 1#S4f3 R00m, Curr3n7 T1m3 100p - 4v4l1bl3 F1r5t P14y3r5, V1kt0r & (F/n)】

The group trails in, America holding an object, almost protectively, into the room. You tilt your head, blinking owlishly at it. "Clock."

"You found a clock?" France straightens up, approaching England.

"Yes, well, America convinced us that breaking it was not the best idea." England sends a long sidewards glance at America, who tightens his grip at the mention of it.

"But you're back now, so why not break it?" Spain asks.

"Because every time we break it, someone gets these weird visions." America defends. "Japan is close to passing out, and Italy forgot everything. What if by breaking it someone ends up like Italy?"

"Or Italy's condition gets worse," Canada adds. Germany nods, agreeing.

"But when we break it, we find things out." China tries to argue. America stiffens again.

"Or we could just wait until Italy is all good." You shrug. Prussia looks at you, surprised by your input. "Like, wait till Italy remembers everything, collect clocks, and once Italy gives the go-ahead, we break them one at a time until someone says otherwise."

"I like that idea." Russia agrees, smiling.

"Sounds good." Romano nods. "Veneziano, what do you think?" He cranes his head, looking around the corner to the beds. Italy sits on one, nodding quickly.

"Once I'm ready... We can break them."