OMG... I finally found closure!
Thanks for all the effort... it's very well written. _

This is perhaps my favorite Hetaoni ending. I love how you placed the choices and didn’t hold back on the emotions, story and friendships shown in the original.

If I was to nitpick (and this is more of a personal pet peeve), it’s the fact it’s not following the gameplay of Ao Oni. Though, don’t worry, there’s not one fan fiction of the Hetaoni ending that follows the gameplay and I can understand why. The original discontinued Hetaoni only finished half of the original gameplay, meaning there would be a ton more shit to go. Don’t even get me started on the next building. But, one important factor about Hetaoni is that while it didn’t focus so much on the gameplay or order of it in Ao Oni, the game was still faithful right down to the piano room. So yes, seeing different endings that don’t follow the gameplay of Ao Oni is a huge personal pet peeve for me. Though, I can see why no one wants to follow it through. There would be more shit to go through.

All in all, I love this and it’s certainly the best I’ve read.

Ahhh~ This truly feels like a fitting finale. Not that the other ending wasn't good, but... this one just feels so much more epicer, and connects EVERYTHING super nicely :D
The entire world comes in to help out, America reconnects everyone with the same plan to save Italy, the outer and inner groups are reunited, the onis watching as the journal is burned, along with themselves... just AHHHH! So many feels and so much fangirling! This really feels like the perfect end.
Course, I think the fact that you showed all the ways it could've gone wrong (i.e. the dead ends) makes it all the more impactful. Just... poor Russia ;-; He had to watch/learn of his sisters' deaths... and Italy was so, SOOOO close-!

Ahem. On with the rest of the story
Japan losing his mind was a VERY nice touch, and one that I enjoyed a lot :3 I dunno... it's just something about the normally cool, calm, and composed characters losing that composure that I really really love. And Japan (from what I've seen, seeing as how I haven't actually watched Hetalia proper) definitely falls under that category. I read the notes beforehand, so I knew it was coming... and it was SO good when it did.
Russia's 'little' secret (HAHA GET IT?! Mini pun!) was well-thought out too. I never would have guessed it (barring reading the notes beforehand) if it were me! And of course, reading about Russia's internal monologue-freakout was awesome. And China-Russia bonding time! I don't really ship any of them romantically, but platonically HECK YES
The twist with HRE had me crying internally. My heeeeaaaaaaarrrrrtt... I'm pretty sure I made some sort of squealing-gasping noises too. Actually, I did that a lot with this fic. But I really can't help it~ As a primarily character-driven piece like this there's bound to be some fangirling, especially for someone who's nature is to fangirl XD
THE TIMELINES. IT ALL LINES UP. And yes, I TOTALLY agree with what you said in your notes. Every person is important, and vital to their escape. It sort of ties in with that 'guardian of friendship' thing in the Once More- Journal chapter. Canada was the one who figured out the piano puzzle, and without that they never would have gotten to the basement, or found the 'box of hope' with England's magic and the message to Italy. Romano was the one who brought Italy back from the brink, in terms of mentally and sanity. Spain was the one who first climbed down that rope, and was the one who freed the others so they could help Italy. Germany was the one who created the safe room (and they likely would've died without it!) Prussia was the one who figured out HRE first, and told Italy. Russia contacted Ladonia for information- and got some really freaking important info too. China was the one who delayed a potential conflict with Russia from breaking out in a dangerous spot, and while the nations found out later on, it was in the safe room, the safest place in the house at that point. France was able to comfort Canada on his usefulness, and was there for Prussia when he hinted at HRE. As for Japan, England, America, and Italy... need I really say anything? The point is, every character had a chance to shine, and that's what made this story so amazing. Yes, certain characters were highlighted more than others; it was harder to think of standout moments for China and France than it was for the others. (I even noticed Canada more than those two! Though that may be because Canada's one of my favs and he has a more 'flickering light' presence as opposed to France/China who are more steady/constant). I think that while what first drew me to HetaOni was the story and darker atmosphere, what kept me there were the incredible character moments, relationships, and development for every character.

Just some notes~:
Oh! I just realized that the FACE family ended up going as a group! Too bad America had to get separated from them... A part of me CRAVES some more family bonding between those four countries
America and Canada were the first Hetalia characters I were introduced to, so I have a special place in my heart for them. Almost every time they did any sort of fangirl-y worthy moment, I fangirled. America finding the note for himself, Canada confronting Russia, etc. etc.
HetaOni really made me grow fond of Italy. I mean, he's like Homura in that he suffered through so many loops... only a bit more endearing cuz he wanted to save EVERYONE. That's really freaking admirable
Englaaaand! So many England moments, just omigosh. I think Hetaoni also played a role to my fondness for England, tho it's probably mostly because of his brotherly/fatherly relationship with Alfred that drew me at first
As a hardcore weeb, Japan is my spirit animal. Like seriously. He's practically me. Also why he's one of my favorites! That, and black/dark-haired males usually end up as some of my favorite characters.
I have way too many favorites. Is that a problem? Like, there's America, Canada, England, Japan, Russia somewhat (his plight of loneliness struck a cord in me), Romano somewhat, China to an extent, Italy, Germany... okay, basically everyone who was trapped in the mansion excluding Spain. Don't think I know him well enough to warrant declaring him a favorite of mine.
I binged this in one day. Thank you for consuming my life.

Jeez I wrote a lot! And it's getting late so I'll stop it here. This was an amazing story, and I hope you're proud of yourself for writing it!

well it IS Mochi America!
Duh! Of course it would only answer to America!

Most definitely the best ending for this game! I hate that in the continuation Canada and France die, it makes no bloody sense! So this is definitely my ending for the bloody game. ~Flamen~

Thank you for making this wonderful story! ~Abby~

I'm just gonna swear even tho I never do,...HOLY SHIT! EVEN THO IT WASNT AS SAD AS THE ORIGINAL GAME I STILL CRYED AT THE ENDING! EVEN THO I DIDNT CRY FOR MOST OF IT MY HEART ACHED SO FUCKING BAD! I NEVER KNOWN ABOUT THIS UNTIL NOW! THERES FINALLY AN ENDING! I REALLY NEED TO GO SEE A DOCTOR MY HEART ACHES SO FUCKING BAD! OMG IM GONNA BE GOING TO SCHOOL TOMORROW AND EVERYONES GONNA BE LIKE "WHY ARE YOU CRYING?!" CAUSE IM PROBALY GONNA CRY MYSELF TO SLEEP LIKE WHEN I WATCHED THE GAMEPLAY OF THE ORIGINAL GAME! THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WRITING THIS! I CAN THANK YOU ENOUGH!...I really can stop the heart aches just thinking about it really hurts me, I know it's pretty late but I really, really liked this story. Most of the choices I got right except for the one when you had to choose either to - Bring Spain and Romano back or To reverse time, I felt That your friends are more important and Italy would have probably want to continue the time line since they've gotten that far. Again, thank you for writing this. *Bows*

finally ... someone write a complete ending of hetaoni ... I was really desperated to read the ending, even if it's only fanmade. Uwahhh and your story feel like the real thing! Well ... I think there are part that just don't sit well with me, but well, whatever.

And you wanted to make the the game, too?! I look forward to it! :DDD

i just finished it in one day! yay! this is realy great!

Ooooh

Good chapter! It must be hard for Romano, talking to previous!Italy, knowing that his brother in the current time loop is unconcious, possibly dead :(

I kind of guessed the key wouldn't fit. But if it doesn't fit there, where would it fit? You'd think by now there wouldn't be anywhere else to explore- though if you follow the basic plan of AoOni then there are quite a few... Hope they can beat the Oni!

I can't wait for Italy to notice that HRE is saying exactly what Germany normally says!

Ooooh

Russia's acting very suspiciously -_- I hope they're able to defeat the oni without too many injuries!

Great chapter!