Chapter 38 – The Evil Twin

Summertime in Sanssouci was magical. Seeing the place glow in the sunlight, to wonder through the library and read the books of philosophers such as Voltaire and Aristotle. Hearing the music from the grounds and the halls was something that Fritz had been looking forward to. But now that he was here, something was amiss. Sitting in his study, Frederick sat there; trying to figure out what it was that bothering him. It was unnerving that he was feeling this way. Prussia had even asked him what was wrong but the albino hadn't even got a decent word out of him because Fritz didn't know what it could be! In the end, Prussia had shrugged it off and told Fritz that he would be in town. With a farewell kiss, Prussia took a spare horse and rode off. Fritz watched him go from a nearby window and proceeded down the halls to his music room, his dogs following him.

As he reached the room, the feeling came back to him again. A shiver ran down his spine as he moved his music stand. He looked round the room but all he could see outside was no a darkened sky. How, it had been a beautiful a moment ago. Sighing, he took hold of his flute and began to play the scales before moving on to the melody that he played. He could see his dogs rested on the floor by the empty fireplace, yawning. He smiled but carried on playing. He knew that if Prussia was here, he would have either been lounging on the little sofa, or playing with his dogs and Gilbird or humming along with the tune that Fritz played. His ears caught the sound of thunder rumbling. It sounded as though a storm was brewing. Frederick hoped to the gods that Gilbert found shelter.

Suddenly, the door to the music room opened behind him and spun round. There entering the room was a tall figure, as tall as Gilbert, and they wore a dark cloak. The room became silent as the two stared at each other. His greyhounds began to growl and bark at the figure who just stood there, silent.

"Who are you?" the king asked.

"Oh, I zink you know me very vell, Frederick." said the figure. That...that voice. He knew it too well; he couldn't believe that it was coming from this stranger's mouth.

"Who are you?" Fritz repeated.

The strangers chuckled, lazily. A pale hand came up and flicked back the hood, following on by the throwing off the cloak to the floor. Frederick's eyes widened. He couldn't believe it! This man is front of him...was...it was...how was that possible? This man couldn't be his nation. Not Prussia. But he couldn't be. This Prussia had long shaggy, silvery white hair and his red eyes were the same and he had scars on his face. He wore the Prussia uniform that his lover proudly wore. But his left arm was what shocked Frederick the most...it was made of metal. How was that even possible? Could blacksmith's do that now?

"I don't understand. How are you...how can you be...?"

"Believe it or not, Frederick, I am. I'm Prussia, but a different side."

"Vhat do you mean?"

"I'm Gilbert but from a different vorld. An evil tvin, if you vill."

"But ze Prussia I know doesn't have a tvin."

"I know und neizer does he. It's not often zat ze others like me come into contact viz our 'good' side."

"Others? You mean zere's more of you?"

"Ja, all of ze nation of zis vorld have anozer side to zem."

"So, vhat have you done viz Prussia?"

"Nozing...yet." the fake Prussia smiled.

Frederick put down his flute and replaced it with his cane. He held it up towards the immortal who called himself 'Prussia'. The man's red eyes widened as they focused on the cane. Suddenly, a smirk appeared on his lips.

"Vhat's so funny?" Fritz asked.

"It's just you remind of your fazer as you hold zat cane."

Fritz snarled. "Never ever compare me to him. I am nozing like him!"

"Of course, you're not." The fake Prussia teased. "But if you're not your father, zen vhy are you holding your cane like zat as zough you're about to hit me."

The king faltered. He stared at the cane in his hand and let go. It clattered to the ground. He couldn't believe he had – for a moment – stepped into his father's shoes. He had tried so hard not to be like that devil he had to call father. No! No, he hadn't! This damned imposter was messing with his head.

"Vhere is Prussia?"

"I don't know." The fake Prussia said again.

"I zink you do. You just don't vant to tell me. I didn't learn military tactics und such to know my enemies zink for nozing, you know! So...for ze last time, vhere is my Prussia-?"

"Fritz!" said a voice. Suddenly, the door opened and Prussia stepped in, looking sodden from the rain that had fallen moments ago. "Fritz, you'll never guess—." He stopped when he saw his 'twin'. "Vhat the fuck is going on?" he asked, although the question seemed to be aimed at his 'twin'.

"Hello, Gilbert." The 'twin' purred. "You must surely remember me. Ze stuff of nightmares. You're 2p."

"Vhat's he talking about, Prussia?" Fritz asked.

"I've never met you before." Prussia growled, moving forward towards Fritz, incase the imposter did anything to harm his king. "How do I know who you are?"

"Zat's for me to know und you to figure out on your own." And with that, the twin picked up his cloak and left the room...and hopefully out of the palace. Prussia turned to his king, who felt shaken.

"Fritzy, liebchen, are you okay?" he asked, soothingly.

"He...he said...I reminded him of my fazer. He compared me to zat—zat-."

Prussia wasted no time and hurried over to his king to embrace him. Frederick could feel himself shaking against his lover.

"He's vrong, liebchen. You are nozing like him. He doesn't know a goddamn zing about you like I do. If he knew vhat you vent zrough viz him, he vouldn't be saying zat. No one vould."

There was a chirping sound that made them both look up, to see Gilbird fluttering in the air. They pulled apart to let the little chick nest on Fritz's shoulder and nuzzle his neck. Prussia smiled at his bird's affectionate side and he rested a comforting hand on Fritz's cheek.

"See, if you vere anyzing like him Gilbird vouldn't be nuzzling ya."

Fritz rolled his eyes at his lover's appalling joke. However, the nation smirked and slid his hand down to rest on his shoulder. "Come on; let's get zat fire going before I start sneezing."

Fritz smiled. He watched as the albino wandered over to the fire and got it started. The king looked out at the window. His thoughts were still plagued on what the twin Prussia had said. Who was he? And how in heaven's name did he know about his childhood? How much did that stranger know? What did he mean by the stuff of nightmares? What was he to Prussia?

"Fritz, if you vant to share some zis you better come quickly."

Fritz turned and began to laugh as his dogs piled up on Prussia trying to get the fire's warmth. He came over, flute now in his hands and snuggled himself up his nation.

A/N:

Man, that was a little intense. 2p's meeting historical figures...ouch! I can't say much about this. But did you think it was a little harsh with the whole 2p!Prussia comparing Fritz to his father?...I'll just go and cry in a corner. Reviews are love :)

Now if you'll excuse me, I have some crying to do

M.S.P.

Xxx