Thanks to EverythingMath, Abbgy of the Sword-Flowers, Miss Akiyata and Dragonfire78 for reviewing.

Disclaimer: I don't own Hetalia.

Chapter 24: A New Life

Whenever there was a victory, then at a later stage the spoils could be enjoyed.

…

Luciano sighed.

After their latest attempt, Vlad had passed out. He lay slumped in the chair, head bowed in front of him.

"Looks like you were right," Luciano said. "They are weak."

"Da," Marius said.

"I want you three to do something for me."

…

Alida smirked.

Anika was listing off things that could be used to torture England. Obviously, she gave a lot of thought to this, if Matthew's explanation of her being a guerrilla fighter and avoiding conflict was anything to go by.

And the brunette had to admit, the blonde could be quite creative. She had to try doing some of those things to Italy.

Of course, with alterations. The torture she had devised was obviously made for someone that was British. Now, to get her to devise a way to torture Italians…

…

Arthur was pale as he listened to his former colony's torture ideas. Many of the others were looking at him in sympathy, while the others stared at her in horror.

He only hoped that Oliver wasn't listening to this. He didn't need his counterpart getting ideas.

…

Scotland looked up when Spain entered the room. There were many bottles of whiskey and wine open in front of them, the British Nations trying to have something to do. And they also liked the comfort the alcohol brought.

This entire situation had left them stressed out. They didn't like to see their brother in such danger, but there was not much that they could do. It was the feeling of uselessness that really bothered them.

"Hola, amigos," Spain greeted, reaching for a bottle of wine. "Enjoying yourselves?"

"In a manner of speaking," Alistair sighed. "We really need to put an end to this."

"I'm sure we will. I really need sleep."

"Hey, Will," Patrick said. "You've been quiet this whole time. What's up?"

"There's something bothering me," Wales said. "After we arrived, I checked Canada, to see if he actually has the magic touch. He doesn't, but I found something else. A spell. An extremely powerful spell. No Nation has that kind of power. Not even the magic trio combined has that much power."

"What kind of spell is it?" Seamus asked, growing concerned.

"It's the same type of spell Mother used to use on us when she wanted to protect us. Only, it seems to be permanent."

…

"This isn't good," Toris said.

Norway grew pale when he heard this. It wasn't something he wanted to hear.

"We need to warn Angleterre," France said.

…

"Do you think you can do it?" Luciano asked.

The magic trio exchanged glances, smirking.

"Of course," Marius said.

Oliver and Sigurd giggled.

"I can't wait to see their faces," Oliver said.

"I know," Sigurd said. "Oh, this will be fun."

…

Austria was playing on the piano. It was a beautiful piece by Mozart.

He paused when he heard his phone ring. He refused to get a cell phone, so he still had a landline phone. Something that both Prussia and Kugelmugel teased him for.

He sighed and stood from the piano, making his way to the incessant device. He passed Hans, who was busy making a sketch in a new sketchbook that he probably should ask where the Micronation got.

Of course, Kugelmugel wouldn't make a move to answer the phone. Roderich had strictly forbidden him from using the phone after Hans and Gilbert had conspired together to prank him. Austria didn't like the fact that Kugelmugel seemed to be getting closer to Prussia. That only spelt trouble for him.

He sighed, picking up the phone.

"Hallo?" he said.

"Österreich, it's Germany."

He sighed.

"What is it, Deutcshland?"

"Has Prueßen been bothering you?"

"Nein, warum?"

"I haven't seen him since the last meeting. I would call his phone, but I…"

"I see," Austria said. "You don't want to have him teasing you because you're worried."

"Ja. Especially if it turns out to be nothing."

"Have you tried Hungary?"

"Ja. She hasn't heard from him either. Apparently, Romania also has been out of her hair, so she's content."

"I see. Have you asked France or Spain?"

"Nein, not yet."

"He's probably with them. You shouldn't worry."

"You're probably right. Sorry for bothering you."

"It's fine. Don't worry about it. And if it turns out he's planning another prank, I hope you deal with him accordingly."

"Oh don't worry. If a prank is all he's been doing, he will be punished."

…

The Nordics were in Sweden's dining room. Iceland had told them all about the call he had received, and the others shared his concern.

Just from that call, they knew that something was bothering Norway. They had tossed ideas around about what it could be, but unless they called Lukas they could not be sure.

The only question was: how to call him and ask what was wrong without him closing up and saying that it was nothing.

And the next question: who would call.

"I say it's Icy," Denmark said. "After all, Norge did call him."

"I'm not calling him," Iceland said. "He sounded like he didn't want to tell me last night, and if I called he would think I'm putting my nose where it doesn't belong."

"Maybe Swe should call?" Finland suggested. "He's not likely to get too mad if he calls."

"And let's face it, he'll be annoyed if it's me that calls," Denmark said.

They were interrupted when Sealand and Ladonia entered the room, their grins wide.

"What is it?" Sweden asked.

"We finished cleaning our rooms," Sealand said.

"What?!" Iceland exclaimed. "NOOO!"

…

Luciano groaned when his phone started to ring. He outright growled when he saw who was calling.

"What do you want, Sudafrica?" he hissed.

"Aw, what's the matter, Italië? Can't you even speak to me?"

"And what do you want?"

"I hear that you have one of the Nations from the other world in captivity."

"Si, so now I have his land as well. Not that you would care. He's from my side of the world."

"Perhaps, but as it so happens, my counterpart is friends with the Nation that you had captured. And she asked that I help her out."

"And you're just going to help? There's something wrong about that. What, did you just call to warn me? Because you shouldn't have. I'm ready for you."

"I'm not finished. Of course, since the Nation in question is from the North, I wasn't too keen on helping. But then Anika gave me an offer that I would be a fool to refuse. And I must say, she delivers excellently."

"And what was this offer?"

"Let's put it this way: you are now screwed. You see, instead of three powers, you now have to fight four of us."

His eyes widened.

"You're not saying…"

"Australia just called me. He's all aboard, and so are the rest of the Oceanic Nations. Then I also have support from the other side of the mirror."

"I'm not too concerned about them. They're weaker than us."

There was silence, and he thought that she was processing his words, caught in a trap. And then, the sound that he hated to hear from her. Her laughter.

"I have news for you. They're just as strong as us. They're just a little more passive, and they're not constantly trying to kill each other. But, with the right push, they could show you just how strong they are. Or how sadistic they can be. In fact, the Nation you have in your filthy hands happens to have one of the bloodiest histories. He's no stranger to torture. And if he manages to break free, and should the opportunity arise, I'm sure he would show you just how bloody his history is."

Luciano glanced towards the unconscious Nation, and wondered if it was true. Could he really have a bloody history?

"Oh, and Italië. They're not so different from us. I've listened to quite a few creative ideas from my counterpart. Not bad for a guerrilla fighter. We're more similar than you'd think. Now, apparently your counterpart is a cowardly airhead that has pasta on the brain at all times. Now, I'm wondering what that could mean…"

He hung up. He didn't want to hear her imply that he is some sort of cowardly airhead. Far from it.

"Well," Luciano said, looking towards the other Nations in the room, "it would seem the South has won a round. Australia has joined them."

…

Gabriel stared in the mirror. He had wandered off from the rest and had stumbled upon this mirror. It was rather odd, though.

He had hoped to see what the Iceland of the other world looked like, but he saw nothing.

Nothing. Not even his usual white hair or green eyes. There was nothing. He could see the objects behind him, but he couldn't see himself.

"Is something wrong?"

He jumped and turned around. He had heard a much harsher tone from that same voice, but when he saw that the other had light brown hair instead of red, and green eyes instead of blue, he relaxed slightly.

"It's probably nothing," Iceland said. "Just… I can't see a reflection."

New Zealand stepped closer, and his own reflection was there, but there was no Icelander.

"Maybe because you're in the world that is a reflection of your own?" Fletcher suggested.

"Maybe."

…

Emil had gone to the bathroom, hoping for a little bit of privacy from the other three Nordics and the two Micronations eagerly planning their little get-together.

As he washed up, he noticed something odd. He stood in front of the mirror, but he could see through himself.

There was no reflection.

…

Switzerland stared wide-eyed at the mirror.

It couldn't be possible. It had to be a joke. Probably the magic trio trying out some type of spell.

He decided to call Romania about it. Maybe the origin of Count Dracula would be able to provide an explanation.

…

Marius frowned when he heard a jaunty tune playing. The others were looking around in confusion.

He went over towards his counterpart and searched the other's pockets, finally finding the device responsible for the tune.

Vlad's cell phone.

The name on the screen was 'Switzerland', and he was debating whether or not to answer the phone. Pretend he was Vlad.

On the other hand, he wouldn't be able to pull off being so cheerful.

"Who is it?" Lutz asked.

"Switzerland from their world," Marius said.

"Don't answer it," Luciano said. "We can't have too many of them knowing about us. Yet."

Marius nodded, and after a few seconds the cell phone grew silent.

…

"Now this is just cruel," Dimitri said.

He and Alexandru were staring at the blank mirror.

"Aw," Moldova whined. "I wanted to know what happens to Andrei."

"Maybe we can't see them because they're in our world now?"

"Maybe. We should ask Big Brother's friends."

"Yeah."

…

Arthur stared at Anika.

She had stopped her description of what to do against England a while ago, and Bruce decided to use it against Oliver.

He was just a little frightened by the fact that she had been planning all those things for the last hundred years or so, ever since the conclusion of the Boer War. Obviously, she had made preparations for another one.

"Are we finished?" Anika asked him sweetly.

"I think so," Arthur said. "We should probably get back to Matthew's house."

"Oui," Matthew said. "I hope it's still standing."

"Mind if we come with you?" Nicolai asked. "Other than Dimitri and Alexandru, we don't really have another place to go."

"That reminds me," Arthur said. "I need to pick them up as well. Oh, this will be exhausting."

"That portal?" Anika asked.

"Yes."

"No problem, mate," Jett said. "Me and Fletch can create our own portal, if we work together."

"It's 'Fletcher and I'. Honestly, you'd think that you would have learned it by now."

"When was the last time you corrected America's grammar?"

"…I gave up on him."

"Well, if I mix up, I have a valid excuse," Anika said.

"And that would be?"

She arched a brow, looking at him with a blank look.

"Eleven official languages, each with its own grammatical rules."

"Oh. I forgot about it."

…

Lukas jumped when his phone started to ring. He fumbled in his pockets until he found the object.

"Hello?" he said.

"Why don't I have a reflection?" a very familiar voice asked.

"Iceland?"

"Did you do something? Because I can't see myself in the mirror. At all."

"I don't know," Norway said. "There's a lot going on right now."

"Hey, are you alright?"

His breath hitched. How could he tell him?

"I don't know," Norway said, before he hung up the phone.

He didn't want to worry his brother any more than he had to. And he wished he didn't have to.

…

Czech Republic was reading a book, thankful for the quiet.

She had long light brown hair swept back behind her ears, with bright blue eyes. She wore a simple white shirt with a blue gypsy skirt with red roses sewn on them. At the moment her feet were bare, but if she stepped out, she would wear her black boots with the laces.

She heard the door slam shut, and she looked up from her book. The tranquillity was at its end.

Slovakia walked in, a pleased grin on his face.

Slovakia had short light brown hair, and it was always funny when he and Iceland were together, since they had the same haircut. His eyes were equally blue. He wore a form-fitting white shirt with a pair of blue jeans and black combat boots. He wore a red scarf around his neck.

Czech sighed, marking her place and putting the book aside. Her brother was a Casanova, and she knew that he would tell her about the latest date he went on.

"Who was it this time?" she asked.

"What gave it away?" he asked.

"I know you by now. So?"

He shrugged.

"Belgium."

Her eyebrows shot up.

"You know Netherlands is going to kill you?" she said.

"I'm not too worried about that."

She shook her head and looked out the window.

"Poland has been quiet lately," she said. "I wonder what's going on."

"He's probably with Lithuania," he said, shrugging. "Don't worry too much about it."

"Yeah, but… I get the strange feeling that something bad is going to happen."

…

Dimitri and Alexandru looked around when a portal opened up beside them.

They saw England, South Africa and Canada.

It was strange. Suddenly, it was as though he knew the Nation, but his memories of him are limited. But he knew that the Canadian's counterpart was on their side. It was thanks to him that Nicolai and Andrei had made it through, after all.

"What are you doing here?" Bulgaria asked.

"It might be easier if everyone that knows is in the same location," England said. "Come on. We'll explain everything as soon as we arrive."

…

Feliks sat on Canada's couch, the egg in his arms.

For now, they stopped their torture of Vlad, and he didn't think he wanted to see any more. He was good at fighting, and standing up after he fell. He wasn't good at watching someone be hurt like that, only for the sake of someone's sick pleasure. Because he could see that the ones on the other side liked hurting Vlad.

He frowned when he felt the egg grow warmer. That was strange.

"Hey, Wales!" he called.

He heard a clatter, and the older Nation rushed into the room.

"What is it?" Wales asked.

"The egg is, like, getting totally warm."

Wales paused before his eyes widened.

"Keep it in your arms," Wales said. "And whisper motherly words."

Feliks frowned but did as he was told, speaking affectionately to the egg.

…

Wales rushed into the other room, where his brothers and Spain were still drinking.

"You may want to come see this," Wales said.

The others frowned in confusion before following the Welshman.

When Wales passed the others, he told them to come as well.

…

When England arrived with the other four Nations, he was surprised to see that Wales was excited about something, but everyone else was confused.

"What's going on?" Anika asked.

"You'll see," Wales said, sitting on the couch next to Poland, whom Arthur saw held the egg tightly.

It was then that Australia's group arrived, and everyone was suddenly frightened.

"How did they get here?" France asked.

"England, get away," Norway said.

"Relax," Matt sighed. "We're on your side."

"Andrei!" Alexandru exclaimed, throwing his arms around his counterpart, who grunted at the sudden impact.

"It would appear that, somehow, Bulgaria and Moldova also became involved," Arthur sighed. "Only, their counterparts aren't trying to hurt them."

"Been there enough times," Nicolai said.

"So," Toris began, "who is who?"

"I'll start," Matt said. "I'm Canada, better known as Matt. Don't confuse my name with Matthew's."

"I'm Im Jeng Soo, North Korea."

"Gabriel. Iceland."

"Wait," Lukas said. "You're my little brother's counterpart?"

Gabriel nodded eagerly, stepping closer to Lukas. Lukas looked worried for a moment, but Gabriel only moved to examine the other's cross pin.

"Big Brother doesn't have something like this," Gabriel mused. "Too bad. It looks nice."

Lukas's eyes widened. Arthur knew how fond he was of Iceland calling him that.

"My turn," Camille said. "I am St Pierre and Miquelon, but please call me Camille. Everyone else does, because they're too lazy to say my full name."

"You're mon petit Claire's counterpart?" France asked, stepping closer.

The girl took a hesitant step back, and Francis stopped, looking confused.

"S'il vous plaît," she said. "That's far enough."

"Francois isn't the most caring father," Matt explained. "Trust me, I know."

"You poor thing," Francis said, going to his knees. "Don't worry, I will not harm you."

Arthur saw something he didn't often see in the perverted Nation's eyes. There was a soft, paternal look in his eyes.

"Anyway," Basch said. "I'm Switzerland, or Basch."

"Our Switzerland is named Vash," France mused. "The names are quite close."

"I am Andrei," said Nation said, breaking free of his counterpart's arms. "Moldova, if that wasn't obvious by now."

"Nicolai, also known as Bulgaria. Or, as others often called me, the punching bag, or knife tester."

"What do you mean?" Toris asked.

"Centuries worth of torture."

"Anyway, I'm Eva. Or Greenland."

"Guys," Feliks suddenly said. "Like, something's happening!"

…

He had started to notice it after a while. Underneath the heat, he could feel movement.

He had stopped the soothing words when the others arrived and the introductions began, but being in close proximity to the egg, he started to hear it.

Small sounds, but they steadily grew louder.

"Guys. Like, something's happening!"

The others grew silent, and the Kirkland brothers and Norway stepped closer, recognition in their eyes.

The sound was suddenly loud, and a small crack appeared along the shell of the egg.

"Like, come on, little one," Poland cooed. "Come out so Daddy could see you. You'll be fabulous, I know it."

The cracks grew larger, until finally a piece of the shell fell away. They stared in wonder as a little head poked out, covered in flame-coloured down, with the most beautiful emerald eyes Feliks had ever seen.

"Like, hello, little one," Feliks cooed, and the little bird turned to him. "Welcome to the world."

Limonthy asked for Czech and Slovakia over two months ago, but I couldn't figure out where to put them. Czech is a neighbour of Poland, so she notices that her flamboyant neighbour has been really quiet. And her brother is Slovakia, so he is also included.

And who else thought the scene with the phoenix egg was cute?