"That's not Tony," Canada repeats himself quietly.

"What do you mean, it isn't Tony?" England questions, leaning closer to the Canadian. His tone is condescending, but his expression displays curiosity as he raises a brow at him. Russia and Canada look at each other sceptically.

"Are we mistaken?" Japan asks, looking to Germany and Italy. "We concluded that it was indeed America's friend and felt more at ease in our search..."

"What do you mean, 'more at ease'?" You question in astonishment to Japan. He looks at you, surprised by you speaking up. "That Thing is trying to kill you, Japan. That shouldn't make you feel more comfortable, even if it was America's friend."

"We assumed that if it got to a critical situation, America would jump out and tell us it was a prank..." Japan drifts off, now looking down at the table.

"But you realise that isn't the case now? For example, this morning?" You feel like you're scolding the older nation for being so utterly stupid. But how could he feel more at ease after thinking it was America that constructed this?! It obviously wasn't America's doing!

"I understand how strange it sounds, but America is harmless." England waves his hand. "We usually just go along with whatever he does for the amusement."

"Yes, but you are aware that this isn't America's doing?" You ask, cocking a brow. "Like, you are, aren't you?"

"Yes, we're fully aware." Germany straightens up. Russia is exhausted, as well as Canada, China seems sore, and England can't use his magic. This cannot merely be a silly prank.

"I understand how you mistake that Thing for Tony, but even so, he would never attack America," Canada adds.

"Attack-Ai ya! It attacked him?!" China yells in surprise.

"It was only one hit, but a strong one nonetheless. America was thrown against the wall and was somehow still conscious." Canada lets out a dreary sigh. "It had no effect at all, though."

"Yeah, we heard those shot from the third floor." You add in quietly as Canada begins to drift off. Canada is disappointed; in himself and his lack of caution. He let this monster, a mindless being, get the better of him and take away his brother. He himself was knocked unconscious from the attack and had to have Russia save him. England nods along beside you, eyebrows scrunching up in concentration. "We had no idea what to do. We thought it was America's friend at first, but when it suddenly attacked America and America seemed to fight back for real... We realised that we were wrong." Canada is solemn as he looks to Russia. The taller man folds his hands, placing them on the table.

"We had no idea what to do," Russia continues. "America was getting cornered, and when we tried to do something about it, but he yelled at us to get away."

"I think he," Canada swallows thickly, "he wanted to handle it on his own. But it was strong even for the three of us, so we decided to get away from him." Canada's head falls forward in shame as Kumajirou places a gentle paw on his thigh. "I couldn't fight it, though." Canada pulls Kuma into his lap, burying his nose into the polar bear's fur. "I lowered my guard for one moment and was knocked out. When I came too, both that creature and America were... gone." He looks beside him to Russia. "I-I'm sorry, Russia, for all the trouble I gave you... I feel I was completely useless."

"Don't worry, and you weren't a burden at all! It's pretty hard to fight while you protect someone." He coos. "If you want to thank me, though, I will gladly welcome you as Russia's new territory!" He chuckles. Canada stares at him in surprise but Rusia continues on like he said nothing at all. "Anyway, we wanted to help him, but we didn't know where he had gone. On our search, we found the kitchen and that Thing appeared again. Shortly after, England, China and (F/n) joined us." Russia rubs his chin in thought. England nods at his words.

"In other words, three people are missing. I think we should help them as soon as possible. America has nothing to do with it, so we can't feel safe." He then slows down his words, thinking deeply. "Rather, we should expect the worst." He concludes. everyone looks down. its morbid. they're imagining their fellow nations dead. prussia bled out somewhere, and left a trail. America was thrown around and injured, and no one knows what happened to France. 

"well, not really." you give a puzzled expression. they all look to you, pulled out of their stupure. you give a nervous laugh. "they arent that kind of people." you suck in air through you teeth, shrugging your shoulders. "like, prussia would give them hell, no?" you then laugh at your thoughts. "they've all been through worse so you think one monster kill them all? and who knows, they could have found one another." you fiddle with the end of your sleeves. you glance to Italy at the fireplace, who is staring blatantly at you. you give a nervous smile to them all.

"Ve, I agree!" Italy perks up, nodding rapidly. "We shouldn't worry too much." Everyone else gives doubtful glances. they know how hard it is to fight that thing. they literally just got out of a battle. The meeting ends. Japan walks over to Germany and England, and China and Canada talk among themselves. Russia sits alone, his expression brooding as he taps his finger against the table, eyelids drooping. You grab your bag and approach the nation, brushing a strand of hair behind your ear.

"Saying about expecting the worse..." you begin as Russia looks up at you. "Didn't you injure yourself, erm... Mr Russia?" Russia blinks owlishly at you. He had forgotten all about his injury.

"Da." Russia nods, giving you an answer. You place your bag on the table and remove the first aid kit, then shuffle back and forth on your feet.

"I don't know if I can help, but I have somethings." You explain as you open it up, showing the different pieces of medical equipment inside. It is the aid kit that you had got with Italy. "I've not qualified for anything officially, so you can ask someone else to do it?" You explain, taking out the smaller green bag. Russia looks around the room to the other countries, all who are currently chatting amongst themselves before settling his gaze back to you.

"You can do it," He nods. You smile slightly, your thoughts consuming you.

He's so tall that the only time I can reach his height is when he's seated.

"Can you show me the injury, please?" Russia removes his coat to show his thick blue jumper underneath, the knitted wool frayed and torn on his right arm. You roll back his sleeve, damp with blood. You sigh in relief when you see the mark. It's red and angry, but it's doable to fix. One long gauges from wrist to elbow. You'd just have to use those little plaster holder thing-ys. That pull the skin together. Removing items from the first aid kit, you remove the dry blood from around his cut in silence. Russia watches as you clean his wound. You dab it with the disinfectant wipes, and you peer simultaneously up to Russia to expect a pained expression, but he doesn't flinch at the cleaning alcohol on his wound.

"Doesn't this hurt?" You ask, looking up at Russia in confusion. You have always hated putting on this stuff because it's painful, but he is acting as if you are stroking his arm. Except you are not. That would be creepy.

"I can hardly feel it," Russia assures. He looks down at you cleaning the cut. You nod, and avert your gaze from his. You prefer it when he is childish in comparison to not showing emotion. No emotion just seems so scary to you. It is hard to read. You pull down Russia's sleeve after bandaging it. You falter and hold back a facepalm.

"You don't want to throw away your jumper, do you?" You ask hesitantly. After cleaning and bandaging it, you had just covered it with a bloody sleeve.

"Net. It would just be a waste." He replies as he looks down at his arm.

"Russia, are you alright?" Someone pops up behind you, making you jump. The blond holds a polar bear to his chest, the creature looking somewhat droopy with his closed eyes.

"I'm fine, Floating Bear." Russia answers as he looks up, a smile on his face. "Just a small mishap."

"Let me help." Canada places Kumajirou down. "I still need to give you compensation for earlier."

"Compensation?" Kumajirou furrows his forehead, his long whiskers around his eyes fluttering. His voice is high pitched and quirky. "But I'll be healing him." Canada goes to say something before sending a soft glare to his pet.

"Kumudi, can you heal Russia, please." Canada sighs, sounding very exhausted. Kumajirou lets out his own tired sigh before padding over to Russia and pulling himself up onto the large man's lap. He sits down, leaning back into Russia's chest. Russia stares down at the small creature quizzically and watches as the bear places his paws on Russias injured arm. Your eyes widen as you watch an orange glow envelop Russia's arm. Reading the faces of the two personifications, they appeared as though they thought this is the most normal situation they have ever been in. Just like earlier, when some spirit of a large feral polar bear enveloped Kumajirou's form and attacked the creature.

"You look puzzled, child, anything the matter?" England walks over. You give him a strange look before your eyes dart over to the bear, then back to England with a bewildered look.

"Oh, yes. Sorry." England clears his throat. "I forgot you weren't one of us."

I forgot you weren't immortal, you mean.

You frown slightly, able to read his precise thoughts.

"Kumajirou has magic powers. He's been that way since Canada got him from a friend at his place when he was a Dominion." England explains as he watches Kumajirou heal Russia, the orange glow floating around Russia's pale skin.

"Bu..." you begin, then scrunch up your face. "How?"

"Magic." England answers simply. "I suppose for someone like you it will be hard to wrap your head around." He then pats your shoulder. "Don't think about it too much."

"England, can I speak with you for a moment?" Japan calls him over. England nods and before he leaves, pardons himself from you. Instead of watching him go, you stare at Kumajirou. The glow dies down after a moment, and Kumajirou puts his paws up with a yawn.

"Owner!" He whines, making grabby motions with his paws. Canada sighs before picking him up.

"It's Canada." He whispers under his breath. You watch them in curiosity as he holds Kumajirou, the bear falling asleep in his arms.

I guess magic takes a lot out of you. Aaaaaand I just wasted supplies. Great job (F/n), next time ask for help. Why did you think it'd be a good idea to heal someone anyways?

"Aren't you going to ask Canada for help?" Russia asks you. You hum in confusion, tilting your head as you turn to face him.

"Why would I need help?" You ask. Then your face becomes hot. Do you have blood stained on your cheek? Something crawling in your hair? Your hand instantly runs through your locks then brush down your face.

"Your wrist is bruised." He points, just as your hand is going to drop into your lap. You look down to see your wrist is encircled by splotches of purple and blue, like a bracelet, but across your wrist is four lines meeting with one thicker line. Russia peers over as well, curious. "It looks like... A hand..." Russia breathes his last word then a look of worry crosses his face. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to--" Italy lets out a sudden gasp, stopping Russia from finishing his sentence.

"What's wrong?" Germany asks, looking over at his brunet friend.

"There's something inside the wooden box! Just a second." Italy reaches in, his hand retracts. "Almost..." Italy hesitantly moves his hand in the fire, fidgeting around as he did so.

"Be careful." Germany warns with an apprehensive stare. You stare in fright, a small squeal coming out from your throat.

"Italy, stop!" You rush over to him, grabbing his arm. "Put something on your hand." You drop your bag and scramble through it before pulling out some cloth. An old graphic tee you use as a pyjama top. You put it over his hand, examining it before nodding. "Okay, now you can put your hand in the fire." Italy laughs slightly, adjusting the cloth before reaching in.

"I thought they were going to stop him." England gives an apprehensive look to Japan. Japan raises a brow, the edge of his lip turning up.

"They... always find a compromise." Japan stares at you, watching as you hesitantly hover next to Italy. Italy grabs the item, hissing in pain.

"Oops-Ow, hot, hot, hot, hot!" Italy squeals, throwing it slightly in the air before catching it. Good thing you helped out, otherwise he would have 3rd-degree burns. The item cools. "Got it! It's a key! It's a key to some room!"

"We got a new breach!" China announces happily.

"Finding a way out is our priority, but, first, we have to think of a way to rescue our friends," Japan advises. "Those three are also tenacious people, so I am sure they are fine for now." Japan then mumbles. "They have got to be somewhere..."

"Friends, huh..?" Russia smiles. "Sounds interesting. I was caught by surprise before, but next time I meet the Thing, I'll have a lot to thank it for." He pats his pipe as he rocks slightly in his seat.

"Let's hurry." England rises, brushing down his pants. "Be whoever it may, don't drop out on us."

"Well, then." Japan address to everyone. Then he looks to you with a smile. "(F/n), do you have any paper and pen?" 

"Yeah, I do!" You go into your bag and pull out the notebook you found in the library and then shuffle around for a pen. "what do you want?" You open it up and uncap the pen.

"Can you draw the floor plan so everyone knows the lay out."

"sure thing!" You instantly get to work. The sketch is quick and rough, and you put a question mark by the doors that are locked. Japan starts to talk as you continue to sketch the third floor.

"since we have so much to do, and no one can go on their own, each group needs two or more people." he addresses. He looks down to see you've finished. you give a cheeky smile as you push it over it to him. He points to the room we're currently in, the fireplace room. "We are in this room on the second floor."

"Yeah, there are too many rooms." Italy agrees. "Ones we need a key for, ones that mysteriously open by themselves, rooms we haven't checked yet and rooms we can't open," Putting your hand in your pocket, you remove some of the keys Japan and Italy gifted you yesterday over dinner.

"The number on the key is associated with the floor number, so make sure you have the right one." You place them in piles on the table. Everyone takes their assigned key before Japan speaks up.

"Hai. Now, about our unsynchronised watches--" Japan begins, but is cut off by banging on the door. You watch the door in scrutiny and adjust your bag on your shoulder. Italy shrieks, jumping away from the door and behind Japan.

"J-Japan..." Italy stutters, fingers wrapping around the short man's shoulder. Japan lets out a deep sigh, frowning.

"So, it found us after all." Japan placed his hand on the handle of his sword. "This room is no longer safe."

"Shit!" England shouts. "Was it ever off-limits?!" Then the door begins to vibrate as the entity begins to push against the other side. "What are we going to do?!"

"My group will be in charge of dealing with the Thing." Japan steps towards the door, back to everyone as he unsheaths his katana. "Germany, Italy-chan, you will search for the room to open with the key." Japan instructs, looking to the rest of the axis. Italy and Germany nod in understanding, Italy tightening his hold on it. 

"Then I will fight with Japan!" China shouts.

"I can join, da? I have to thank it for all the trouble." Russia sings, leaning against his pipe like a cane. 

"There's a room that I want to investigate, so I will be heading there with Canada." England looks to his old dominion, who nods in reply. "Italy, if you make any progress, come to the room with the piano."

"I'll join you, Britain." You step closer to the Brit, who gives you a curt nod.

"Okay! B-be careful Japan," Italy stutters.

"Arigatō." Suddenly, with a violent shake, the door bursts open, wooden splinters flying off the door frame. The Oni stomps inside, and the group steps back in caution. Japan grips his sword, Russia takes out his sword pipe, and China pulls out a taiji sword. Japan sends one last look to everyone, eyebrows furrowed.

"Well then everyone," he unsheathes his sword, "I wish you the best of luck." He and China charge towards the creature, holding its claws off to make an opening. "Go!" Everyone makes a run for the door as Japan, Russia and China fend off the monster, attack its arms and shoving it back. Italy and Germany are the first out the door with England following behind. You immediately tail him with Canada taking up the rear.

"Everyone has escaped." China informs as the door closes with a kick of his foot.

"Hai, everyone except us." Japan comments, tilting his sword.

"It's not often the three of us get to do something together." Russia coos. "This is going to be kind of fun! " He announces as he knocks back the monster.

"I wish we all could get along with each other better." Japan confesses as he curses the beast, splattering its blood across the wall.

"Right?" Russia sings, swinging the pipe up to block a hit. "It would be nice-" he grunts "-to be friends with everyone."

"Quit daydreaming, you two." China scolds. "If you want the three of us to be all chummy and smiley, I have a sinking feeling..." China frets as the monster goes for a strike, but he dodges easily and regains his original position. "You know we can't have control over that stuff." He jumps back, taking a breath. "More importantly, the fight, aru. Let us focus." The Oni approaches, crashing against chairs during its rage.

"You're right. Besides, we  are working together now, so let us enjoy while we have no one to boss us around." Japan concludes. The large wound on the creature's arm is slowly healing, yet the blood splatters on the floor, a stream of dark blood. Russia stabs the knife into the hand that thrashes towards Japan and China takes his taiji and aims at the wrist. The hand falls with a thud and soon starts disintegrating. Russia puts his foot against the hand and removes his sword, the bones crunching from the pressure. Japan uses his katana to defend Russia's flank.

"Hey Japan," Russia calls, "can't you just beat the Thing with that powerful technique you used before?" He gives the monster a stab to the torso and quickly removes the pipe. The wound heals, skin morphing back leaving no trace of what had happened moments before. Russia is beginning to get agitated.

"I am sorry, but that is impossible." Japan apologises to Russia. "At that time, I was under the impression that this was just a prank America-san had come up with, so I got a little exasperated at him. It was the last straw, and that was the result. Now that I know he has nothing to do with this, my anger h as comp letely faded away."

"Let us do our best, aru!" China yells, lifting up his taiji to stop black claws. "When we go home, I will treat you to your favourite Chinese dish!"

"Oh! I will look forward to it. That will certainly do as a great motivation for me to escape." A minuscule smile appears on Japan's face.

"I want to eat it, too." Russia coos. "Say, if we can get out of here alive, can I drop by your house? You won't mind, will you?" Russia grins down to China. China looks up to him in exasperation, then shakes his head.

"If we can get out of here alive, I'll think about it," China assures. Various blows are fended off and struck, dodged and taken; both sides are damaged.

"You... woN't... eSc... Ape." The Oni groans. China gawks at the creatures sudden ability to speak.

"Ai yah! Since when could it talk!" China shouts, looking to Japan. In reply, he rolls his eyes. And China is meant to be the one encouraging them, only to stop fighting himself.

"dIe!" The monster shouts, slashing its claw towards the group. Japan holds up his sword and blocks, and then China goes in for a kick. Working together, they do considerable damage to the monster together, as Russia stands behind them, looking around the room. His gaze has gone from below the bed, to the side, everywhere, searching while putting away his sword-cane. The fight continues as vicious attacks are thrown. The battle takes longer than expected, but the team finally finish off the monster.

"We will not lose a second time!" China announces, using one final kick to the creature's forehead. The Oni let's out a screech before disappearing, fading from sight.