Thanks to Don't Insult Oliver's Cupcakes, missmena-nya, EverythingMath, Kuro Ao no Neko, Dragonfire78, Miss Akiyata, mayday237892, BloodLily16 and an anon for reviewing. Already more than a hundred.

Disclaimer: I don't own Hetalia.

Chapter 22: Captured Piece

Black has captured the first White Pawn.

How will White retaliate?

…

Vlad was dragged into a room, his hands tied behind his back. He tried to struggle, but Marius still had a tight grip on him.

As soon as he saw the room, however, he froze, his eyes wide.

Various different Nations were looking at him. But everything was wrong.

They were distorted versions of his own world.

…

"Brother!" Moldova gasped, seeing who was suddenly dragged into the room.

Bulgaria paled, seeing his best friend in that situation.

They both had heard enough from their counterparts to know that Vlad was in very deep trouble.

…

"Oh no," Canada whispered. "This is bad."

"Exactly how dangerous are the others?" Spain asked, looking at the Canadian.

"It would be safer to be locked in a room with an angry Russia and Belarus."

"…In other words," Lithuania translated, "very dangerous."

"Like, you can go through," Poland said, looking at Canada. "Can't you like do something?"

"Do you really think that's a good idea, while there are so many of them?" Canada asked.

"There's got to be something we can do," England said.

"There is," Canada said. "England, I'm going to need you to open a portal to South Africa's location."

"South Africa? Why?"

"Because her counterpart would be willing to help us get Romania back."

…

Vlad was startled when he heard a chuckle. He turned to the direction of the sound and was both surprised and horrified to see someone that looked like Italy.

Only much more terrifying.

"Well, well," the Italy-look-alike said. "You're the Romania of the other world, right?"

Vlad could only nod.

"Ciao. The name's Italy Veneciano. But I'm sure you knew that."

This was supposed to be the country that he liked to tease by pretending to be a vampire and scaring the poor Nation?

Italy stood up, and Vlad flinched.

"Now, fratello," a somewhat familiar voice said, "don't scare him too much."

Vlad turned to the speaker and was somewhat surprised to see a blonde version of Romano. And if it wasn't for the red eyes, he would feel that the other wasn't much of a threat.

"Oh, don't worry," Italy said. "He could prove valuable to us. He's already proven that it's possible to cross the barrier that separates the worlds."

And if the sadistic gleam in this Italy's eyes was anything to go by, then he could only imagine what would happen to his Italy.

"Ooh," a girlish voice said, and he snapped his attention towards there. "Two Romanias. Marius, can I share with you?"

The woman looked a lot like Hungary, except she had blonde hair and blue eyes, with a blue flower in her hair. She also wore a very pink dress that would make even Poland cringe. The frills and the floral design was simply too much.

Well, now he had a mental image to apply to Hungary that would bring him amusement. But amusement didn't really seem fitting for his current situation.

"Of course, Reka," Marius said. "At least until we can get your own here."

No fighting? Oh no. The Hungary and Romania of this world are friends!

Vlad shuddered at that thought.

"Why so quiet?" another familiar sounding voice said.

Vlad turned to see someone that looked like Japan, a vicious smirk on his face, red eyes staring intently at him. The mocking tone didn't fit Japan either, and another shudder raced down his spine.

Looking around, he noticed that many of them had red eyes. In his world, it was only him, Prussia and Moldova.

And for the first time he was willing to acknowledge that they were, in fact, creepy.

"Not much of a talker, eh?" Italy sneered. "Tell me, what is your human name? Seems a little strange to be referring to two Romanias."

Vlad swallowed nervously, his eyes finding the eyes of the Italian, filled with some sort of sick amusement.

"V-Vlad," he said. "V-Vladimir Lupei."

"He speaks!" another voice mocked.

He turned to see the speaker, feeling a sense of fear when he saw who it appeared to be.

America. Another Nation that he liked to scare.

His eyes then fell on a nearby Nation. He looked almost identical to Canada. His face was blank, but he could see the panic in his eyes.

So Canada did make friends with his counterpart.

He searched around with his eyes, searching for two other Nations.

He shuddered when his eyes briefly travelled over Russia. He didn't think it was possible for the other to be even more creepy. Belarus actually looked nice (well, if they were opposites, it made sense). Ukraine looked dangerous as well, and he didn't even want to start with Latvia or Estonia. Switzerland looked… worried? Liechtenstein appeared to be an evil menace as well.

His eyes finally found the two he was looking for, conveniently seated next to each other. Moldova and Bulgaria.

Moldova kept mumbling something, avoiding his eyes, and Bulgaria would shift his attention from him to his lap. At first Romania thought that he was also avoiding his gaze, but then he noticed that he appeared to be on a cell phone. A few others were also on their phones, but they were doing it in such a way that no one could notice that.

"This gives us the opportunity to conquer more land," Italy said, and Vlad snapped his attention back to the creepy Italian. "With more land, our strength will grow, and we will defeat the South."

There were many pleased murmurs around the room.

Then he remembered something important.

"Just one problem," Vlad said. "South Africa already knows."

There was silence. He was sure Germany would want to have that at a meeting.

"Please tell me you're bluffing," someone that looked like Germany, only scarier, said, stepping closer.

"I'm not," he said. "Both Anika and Alida know."

He gasped when he felt the cold steel of a knife pressed against his cheek.

"How did she find out?" Italy asked, his eyes now full of raw anger.

He wanted the amusement back.

He couldn't reveal that Canada knew. That he could cross over.

He remained silent, and Italy seemed to grow enraged by this silence.

"You don't mind if we play a little with him to get information, right?" Italy hissed, looking towards the other Romanian.

"By all means," Marius said, his voice ice cold as well. "I'd like to know as well."

"This would be fun," Germany said, smirking.

Never before had Romania known such fear.

…

"He's doomed," Norway whispered.

"We need South Africa to get her counterpart to help," Lithuania said.

"Let's hope that stormy temper of hers can help us out," France said.

"How do you know she has a stormy temper?" Spain asked.

"I had control over her for a little while. And I helped out a little with her war against England."

…

England felt that if he was going to die, it was most likely going to be now.

He had used a spell to take him and Canada to South Africa's location. He found himself in a living room, with five angry Nations glaring at them. And it would seem as though they had been sleeping, and were rudely interrupted.

India and China were curled up in two armchairs, a blanket draped over each of them. Russia was lying on the couch, while Brazil slept on the floor, blankets and pillows underneath and around him. And South Africa was sleeping on the loveseat.

And all five of them were looking like they were about to kill them.

Canada didn't seem bothered, and stepped closer to South Africa. She gave him a brief glance before returning to glare at England.

"Annie," Canada said, crouching down to be at her level, and she gave him her full attention. "Do you remember Matt?"

"Ja," she said, cuddling into her blankets. "What of it?"

"You remembered what he said about his world?"

"Ja, ja…"

"Romania is there."

She snapped up, looking at Canada with horror.

"Wat?" she said.

"A few others started seeing their counterparts," Canada said, "and Romania's found a way to pull him through. So now he's trapped there, and the other Nations of Matt's world can hurt him."

"Are you talking about the world where Ricardo's from?" Brazil asked, sitting up.

"How'd you…?"

"We saw them last night," India explained.

"What are you talking about?" Russia asked.

"I'll explain later," England sighed. "Anika we really need your help. Romania's counterpart is extremely cruel, and he also has a slight obsession with drinking blood."

"How do you know?" South Africa asked.

"Some of them have found a way to torture us in our dreams. By the way, I'm sorry for all those fires during the Boer War."

"Ok…"

"Romania's counterpart drank his blood. Twice. The second time he passed out. Norway's skin was peeled off, and a dagger went straight through both wrists. The skin on the fingers of his left hand was also grated off. France has cigarette burns on his throat and in his mouth. Spain was forced to relive the Inquisition. Prussia's arm was almost severed. Poland's throat was sliced by glass and then burned with vodka, and Lithuania…"

"What about my Lithuania?" Russia said, a dark aura surrounding him.

"His torso was badly sliced, and he was forcibly exposed to extremely cold temperatures."

"And you?" South Africa asked.

England sighed, moving his shirt to expose his chest, where a few burn marks were still clear.

"Ouch," Brazil said.

"This was after I was healed with magic," England said.

"And what will happen to Romania now?" South Africa asked.

"Since he's alone with the others," Canada said, "it could end really badly. Italy is really fond of knives, Japan is sadistic, cruel, and a little perverted, Germany enjoys torture, Romano is fond of poisons, and so is China, Russia likes to beat his enemies to near-death and then bury them alive…"

"I don't do that!" Russia said.

"The other Russia," England said. "Their history isn't identical. Hey, how's the history between America and Russia in that world?"

Canada shuddered.

"The two like to fight for fun," Canada said. "America is a sado-masochist. His weapon of choice is a bat with nails."

"Blunt and sharp combined," South Africa whispered. "Would you really trust my counterpart?"

"She's cruel, manipulative, cold, calculating," Canada said. "But she'll do anything to mess with Italy and the Northern Nations. She's also looking for allies."

"They mentioned," India said.

"The South is tired of being bullied by the North," Canada explained. "They'd be willing to do something to help if that means messing with the North. I know for a fact Australia would like to mess with England. Madagascar would like revenge over Russia. Namibia would like to severely injure Germany. Egypt would like to hurt Italy and Greece. Zimbabwe would like to hurt Turkey. Taiwan would like to maim Japan. Vietnam wants to hurt China, Thailand wants to hurt Hong Kong and the two Koreas."

"In other words, they're out for blood," China said.

"I'll try," South Africa said.

She stood up and went towards the bathroom, Canada following behind.

England stayed behind, trying to figure out what to do now.

"Inglaterra," Brazil said, and England snapped his attention to the South American. "Portugal mentioned that something invisible was attacking Nations. Could you tell me more about it?"

"We're not quite sure what it is," England said. "So far, it's attacked both Ireland and Northern Ireland, Romania and Portugal."

"And Brazil and I," Russia said.

"What? You too?"

"There's more," Brazil sighed. "You see, my magic touch is based on clairvoyance. I can see the past or future of anyone that touches me, especially if I'm… drunk."

"That's why you avoid physical contact," China said. "But you don't seem to have a problem with South Africa and India."

"For some reason it doesn't work on them," Brazil clarified. "Anyway, last night I saw something… odd. It was a giant chess board, with Nations as the pieces, and twisted versions of themselves on the other side. Two pieces were missing. The two rooks. You were one of the pawns."

"What?" England said. "That is strange."

"I think… someone is playing a game with the Nations. A game of chess. And two more Nations are needed."

"Wait a minute," England said. "There are sixteen pieces on each side of a chess board. Eight Nations have been tormented in our dreams, including myself. Then there's you, India, Canada and South Africa. Two pieces are missing, so that makes fourteen pieces. But then… who are the other two?"

"Maybe it's unrelated?" China suggested.

"Perhaps."

…

Anika sighed.

Canada's face was reflected next to her in the mirror, except she saw Matt, not Matthew.

"The others said that it seems to spread when you're caught in the same mirror," Matthew explained. "This is just a precaution."

"Alright," Anika said.

Canada moved away, and South Africa's reflection began to change.

…

Alida was fuming, and so were Mahesh and Ricardo.

Their spies had told them of everything that was going on at the meeting, and also what Italy had announced. Of course, she used to have the advantage of knowing before Italy did, but now he had someone from the other side as his prisoner.

"Alida!" she heard someone call. A voice similar to her own.

It came from the next room.

"Go ahead," India said. "We can handle our spies."

She nodded before she left for the next room. And the mirror that waited there.

Anika stared back, looking frantic, and also a little impatient.

"I'm surprised you managed to do this," Alida said.

Anika ignored her.

"Romania – my Romania – has been captured and is now in your world," Anika said.

"I know."

"How?"

"I have a few spies in the North. Bulgaria and Greenland, to be exact."

"And they told you what's going on?"

"Yes."

"Well, are you going to do something?"

"I can't. Not without causing trouble."

"Please? Romania's my friend, and he has a little brother that would want him back."

Alida sighed.

"I'm not sure what I could do. He's a Northern Nation, and he's in the North…"

"What if you had extra help?" a voice outside of Alida's line of sight said.

Alida frowned.

"Who else is there with you?" she asked.

"Canada," Anika explained. "Matthew, care to explain?"

"The two of us could have a word with Jett," Matthew explained. "See if he can get his counterpart to join the South."

"Who's Jett?" Alida asked.

"Australia," Anika explained.

Alida's eyes widened.

"Do you think you'd be able to do that?" Alida asked.

"Jett's a bit impulsive," Anika said. "So he'll hop aboard on trying to rescue someone. Then there's the fact that I'll be asking. We may be rivals, but we're also as close as siblings. He knows Romania and I are friends, and he'll help in that regard."

"But do you think you'd be able to convince Bruce?"

"Oh, I'll find a way."

"Ok. Dankie. By the way, I have some information that you might find useful."

"And that is?"

"Bulgaria also met his counterpart."

And that was when Anika's phone started to ring.

…

Bulgaria waited impatiently, his phone pressed against his ear, Moldova looking up at him with a lost look.

"Hallo?"

"South Africa, explain what you know," he snapped.

"…Dimitri. We were just talking about you."

"Who's 'we'?"

"My reflection and I. You should know about it."

"So what Vlad said is true. How'd you found out?"

"I found out from Canada. What's happening to Vlad?"

"He told the creepy Italy that you know, and they seem to be angry about that. They said something about 'playing', whatever that is. I don't even think it's relevant."

There was silence for a while.

"Dimitri, you remember when Vlad would talk about his history, not even realising what kind of effect it has on the rest of us."

"Yes. Why?"

"What do you think 'playing' refers to?"

His eyes widened.

"What now?" he whispered.

"Well, I'm going to have a word with Australia."

"Is he in on it as well?"

"He will be."

…

Australia sneezed.

"You catching a cold?" New Zealand teased.

"You wish," Australia said.

The two of them were enjoying a nice dinner.

"We should probably invite South Africa sometime," New Zealand mused.

"Yeah, maybe. And then we should also get Canada to come. I bet he'd love that."

"Yeah. Why don't we spend as much time with Matthew anymore, anyway?"

"Because SA and the two of us always fight against each other. Poor guy is left out."

"I guess you're right."

"But we should still invite him."

New Zealand smiled and stood from the table, taking his plate towards the kitchen and allowing Australia to finish his own meal in peace.

He was startled when the chair suddenly fell back, and he made a grab for the table but missed, the chair landing hard on the ground with him seated in it.

New Zealand came rushing back inside the room.

"What happened?" Fletcher asked.

"Don't know," Jett said.

He suddenly screamed as something applied pressure to his fingers, and he heard a snap.

"What's wrong?" New Zealand asked as soon as he was by his side.

Fletcher grunted as he was sent flying, and Jett understood that something invisible was attacking them.

He screamed as he felt something sharp rake across his face.

…

Matt walked through the halls, on his way to a bathroom on the next floor. He knew that he would get some privacy there. He had to speak to Matthew. He had to know whether or not the other knew about what was going on.

The other Romania had been taken to a room, but he wasn't sure where. He knew that the other would be tortured for information. And that information would point to him, and lead to Matthew.

"Canada!" a voice called.

Matt scowled and turned to see the speaker. It was Bulgaria, and the other was running towards him.

"I don't have time for you, so this better be good," Matt said.

Bulgaria stopped right in front of him. Close enough to touch, which was unusual for the European. As someone that is often targeted, he likes to keep his distance.

"I need to talk to you," Bulgaria said, eyes narrowed.

"Not interested," Matt said, turning back to go to his original direction.

"What's yours?" Bulgaria asked. "Mine's named Dimitri, and Moldova's is named Alexandru. And Romania's is Vlad, but everyone knows that now."

Matt froze, and turned back to look at Bulgaria, who looked at him with an expression that screamed determination.

"What are you talking about?" Matt asked.

"I met Dimitri yesterday," Bulgaria explained. "And I don't want the others to get to him as well."

South Africa has friendly relations with both Romania and Bulgaria.

I told a friend of mine what I've been doing to them, and even he cringed. And he is quite sadistic as well. He once took over a tour in a Castle, specifically the torture chamber, and explained in detail what every device was used for and how it worked. For three hours.

By the way, who do you think the rooks would be?