Thanks to EverythingMath, Don't Insult Oliver's Cupcakes, Dragonfire78, Big Eater Queen, BloodLily16, Miss Akiyata and two anons for reviewing. Already more than 300 reviews.

I am aware that I use South Africa too much, and I am trying to stop doing that. But the last few chapters, if I had to focus on Omar, (s)he was with Anika, or nearby at least. And in the last chapter, the scene with Seychelles and Mauritius wasn't supposed to be focused on her needing comfort, but an explanation to why they came along in the first place, and an introduction to Angelique.

Also, I mentioned before that since history is different, there would be a few differences in many things, and that includes languages and names. So if the 2P's name isn't seen as a name from that nationality, just remember that history influenced that as well. And it's also a help if I have no internet when I'm writing because of stupid loadshedding or thundershowers. These are also usually characters that weren't given a human name, but had to pick one themselves, but twisted it a little.

Disclaimer: I don't own Hetalia.

Chapter 49: Counterparts and Countermeasures

Black and White need to get acquainted with each other.

To see who is friend and who is foe.

…

Raj noticed out of the corner of his eye as the other Russia, Viktor Braginski, approached, and paused in his clawing of his own skin in order to remove the creature that was burrowing around under his skin, secreting a toxin that caused his flesh to melt and already started eating.

He gasped when Viktor grabbed his arm, just above the cut where the bug was, and screamed as the other's gloved fingers dug in, pulling the creature out.

"You scream too easily," Viktor said, throwing the bug away, his face completely void of emotion. "You should really learn what would be a good reason to scream."

Raj paled when he saw the rope the other held, and started to struggle when Xiao grabbed onto him, a huge smirk on his face.

"This is going to be fun," Xiao whispered harshly.

…

Miguel had his arms wrapped around Roberto's neck from behind. He could see that his former colony was stressed over the issue with Raj. He was clearly angry, but Miguel could also see fear in the other's green gaze.

"Filho," Miguel whispered. "We'll save him."

"I know we will," Roberto said. "But in what state will he be? We have no idea what they're doing to him. Papa, what are we going to do? One of my closest amigos is gone."

Miguel felt a pang in his chest. Roberto rarely, if ever, called him 'papa'. This was clearly a sign that he was afraid for his friend.

"We'll get him back," Miguel said. "And whatever they did to him, we will do to them tenfold. India has a lot of friends, and he also has quite a lot of family. It's a good thing Inglaterra had such a large empire, sim?"

Roberto chuckled, and Miguel looked over towards his old friend. Arthur did look stressed about this matter as well, and was even snappier than usual.

"I find it difficult to believe that you could hurt anyone," Roberto said, drawing Miguel's attention back.

"Oh? Are you forgetting the Inquisition, my dear menino?" Miguel asked.

"Wasn't that Espanha?"

"I also became involved. And I joined Arturo on the seas during his pirate days. I can, and will, deliver what I promised."

…

Mozambique was watching the scene between Roberto and Miguel. She also occasionally glanced towards her sister, who received similar comfort from the two islands.

She jumped when she felt a hand on her shoulder, and turned around to see someone that had a striking resemblance to her.

"I'm assuming you're this world's Mozambique," she said.

"Sim," the other said. "Manuella. And you?"

"Theresa," she said.

"Nice to meet you." Manuella turned her attention to Miguel and Roberto. "Is your Portugal… nicer?"

"Oh, sim," she said. "He's very nice, especially when it comes to children. Him and Espanha. Though Antonio is more comfortable with the little ones, while Miguel has an affinity for the older kids. Why do you ask?"

"Our Portugal is an abusive bastard. He isn't too fond of kids. One of the things he picked up from Rome. Apparently, he's the one that taught the two Italies, Spain, Portugal and France how to be cruel."

"Ouch. Não, our Portugal is nice. Definitely better than Russia."

"Um, yeah, about that…" Manuella said, looking towards said Nation, who was now covered with a scary aura. "Are you sure he's from your world?"

"Compared to his little irmã, he's no problem. He's just insane. Apparently, when your Russia attacked him in his dreams, he gave your Russia a run for his money. Man, I wish I could have seen that."

"Were you ever under Russian control?"

"Not exactly. I used to be a communist, so I got to know him then."

Manuella cocked her head to the side.

"What's a communist?" she asked.

Theresa's eyes widened, before she chuckled.

"Don't worry about it," she said. "It didn't work out anyway. I'm just glad I didn't have to go through everything that Angola went through."

"What do you mean?"

"Just… It's one of the most complicated wars in history. A civil war and a border war mixed into one. Your allies are also your enemies. Man, when I heard of it, my head wanted to explode. And poor Jana was right in the middle of it. Well, Anika was too, but not to such an extent."

"Who's Jana?"

"Namibia."

The other nodded in understanding, and Manuella sat down so that they could continue their discussion.

…

Emil hissed in pain as Anna applied the ointment. Again.

"Man, that asshole really did a number on you," Anna remarked.

The skin on his chest and stomach had been completely torn off, and the salt hadn't done much to ease the pain of the wound. Which was why Anna had gone for many different ointments which she hoped would be soothing.

"I actually want Lukas to be turned back into a man," Emil said.

"You want to get that picture out of your head?" Anna asked.

"Já. Really, I would like to see him as a brother instead of a sister."

"Oh, you're accepting it?"

"No! It's just… I find it strange that the last time he asked me to call him 'big brother' was after he had a nightmare with Sigurd. And that was a while ago."

"Well, I think he can't ask that now. It would be weird, and I don't think he wants to be called 'big sister'."

"True. I hope they go Viking on those other guys."

"You saw them this morning. Trust me, they will."

…

Raj was hung from a hook on the ceiling. Obviously, Luciano made sure to have a place where she could torture other people.

The feeling in his arms was quickly disappearing, but that wasn't his main concern at the moment. Xiao had removed his shirt, and Viktor was standing in front of him with a shovel.

He let out a grunt when he was hit with the shovel, but it wasn't too bad. At least, until the edge of the shovel's spade made contact with his stomach. He gasped, feeling completely winded.

"Aw, it didn't draw blood," Xiao said, pouting.

"But it seems that this works," Viktor said, moving to Raj's back and hitting him with the spade between his shoulder blades.

Raj's mouth fell open, his entire body contracting as the pressure point was hit. Xiao cackled as he saw the other's reaction, and proceeded to cut along the tight muscles in his arm, earning a scream of pain.

"This could work," Xiao said. "Hit him again."

…

Gabriel approached the Nordics, who smiled warmly at him. Well, Mathias and Tino. He was still unsure if Berwald and Lukas could smile.

"Hey, this world treating you well?" Mathias asked.

"Better than usual," Gabriel said. "Where's Emil?"

"Green's taking care of him," Mathias said, smile disappearing.

"Sigurd paid him a little visit last night," Lukas explained.

Gabriel's eyes widened, before he took an empty seat nearby.

"How bad is it?" Gabriel asked.

"He's lost a lot of skin," Lukas said. "And salt was rubbed in as well. Literally."

Gabriel sighed.

"Big brother wasn't always like this," Gabriel said. "Well, not to that extent. It happened after one of Poland's games."

"I see," Lukas said. "Still doesn't excuse him."

…

Mahesh was standing next to Alida, watching as the Nations from the two different worlds interacted.

"You planned this, didn't you?" he asked.

"Of course," she said. "It's important that we trust our allies. And vice versa. How are you holding up?"

"I'm concerned for Raj."

"I guess that's the difference between us and the North. We actually feel compassion."

"That, and the fact that we wish to have what they have. And we want to protect it no matter what."

…

Feliks stared at the pile of sweets in front of her. The three Baltics were with her, looking nervously between her and the pile.

"Twice my weight," Feliks muttered. "My head is like starting to hurt from all the sweets. Like, how does America do it?"

"Good question," Toris said, smiling sympathetically. "But I'm sure you can do it."

Feliks slumped, concerning the three Baltics.

"This is ridiculous," Feliks said. "That stuff has to be out of my system by now. I shouldn't need to continue…"

Her eyes widened, and she dashed out of the room. The three could hear retching coming from the bathroom across the hall, and a few moments later Feliks walked back in, sitting down and reaching for one of Belgium's chocolates.

"Are you sure that's a good idea?" Toris asked.

"It wasn't like sweets I threw up," Feliks said, popping the chocolate in her mouth. "It was blood. So, like, diabetes it is."

…

Japan had his head buried in his arms on the meeting table. He was fully aware of the hostile stares he had been receiving, and didn't really like it.

He had yet to meet Kyo, but from what Hyung Soo told him, it wasn't good. And from the glares the other world's Nations were giving him, he realised that the other was really cruel.

And apparently, the only difference between him and Kyo was their eye colour, appearance-wise at least.

He was good at sensing the mood, and he felt as though he would be buried under the hostile intent.

Ludwig didn't fare much better, and Feliciano…

His eyes widened. Feliciano didn't receive any glares because he had been turned into a she, and the appearance of the female version is far enough from the male version that her appearance wouldn't trigger their hate.

Wales didn't come along, but maybe…

"Ludwig-san," Kiku said, lifting his head and looking towards the German.

"What is it?" Ludwig asked.

"I think, perhaps, we should follow Feliciano's example."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, since the Southern Nations are uncomfortable because we look so much like our counterparts, maybe we should…"

Ludwig's eyes widened, and he groaned.

"I guess we should ask England's help then," Ludwig sighed. "Are you sure this is the only way?"

"My other suggestion would have been that we are turned into children."

"Women it is then."

…

Raj was trembling in pain. His torso had bruises and cuts, and his arms also had cuts.

Raj winced as Xiao made a cut along a blossoming bruise.

The two tormenters froze as the door opened. Raj's eyes widened when he saw who was standing there.

Kyo Honda.

The Japanese man smirked, stepping inside the room. He looked towards Xiao and Viktor, and gestured with his head that they should leave. They nodded, doing as told.

And so Raj was left alone with Kyo.

"Why did you bring me here?" Raj asked.

Kyo stepped closer, and Raj flinched.

"A countermeasure," Kyo said. "Our India decided to join the Southern children. They are young, and they don't seem to understand how our world works. And India had to go and grow sympathetic."

"That's what this is about?" Raj whispered. "Just because Mahesh has a heart, you decided to…"

He was interrupted when a fist collided with his cut and bruised stomach, and he let out a grunt of pain.

"Having a heart is for the weak," Kyo hissed. "That's why we hate your world. You care for each other. You're too soft with each other. I saw your meeting. I've caught glimpses of your interactions. I saw North Korea. Really, you're not only weak, you're pathetic. If you can't even handle one meeting, how can you handle a war?"

Raj trembled, tears slipping from his eyes. His eyes widened when Kyo punched him in the collar bone.

"Look at you," Kyo taunted. "You didn't even fight me when I went to your world to get you."

"Passive… resistance," Raj gasped out.

"It will not help you here," Kyo said. "It didn't help you when I brought you here, and it won't help you when the others have their fun."

Raj's eyes widened when Kyo removed his katana, sheath and all, and smacked him with the sheath across his face, earning another cry of pain.

Kyo chuckled as he took out his cell phone.

…

"Come on grumpy pants," Mei cooed.

"Yes aniki," Yong Soo said. "We'll get him back."

Yao was not amused. Taiwan and South Korea had taken it upon themselves to try to get him to be a little less gloomy and I'm-about-to-go-to-war. Kind of what Roberto and Anika were going through.

Well, Ivan as well, but no one was brave (or stupid) enough to try to lift his spirits. Even some of the Southern Nations were a little wary now.

"You're Taiwan, aren't you?" a familiar-sounding voice asked.

The trio turned to regard a girl that looked an awful lot like Mei. Said girl nodded her head.

"I am glad," the other said. "I am the Taiwan of this world. My name is Mingyu. And you are?"

"Mei," she said.

"Nice to meet you." She then looked at China. "Are you close?"

"At the moment," Yao muttered. "She has her moods."

"Well, that's not nice," Mei huffed. "Maybe I'll go check on Kiku. He looks a little… odd."

Mingyu followed her eyes and frowned.

"Are you close to Japan?" she asked.

"Well, yeah," she said. "We get along great. He once gave me a manga for my birthday that he made himself."

"Really?" Mingyu asked.

"Are you finished here?" another voice asked.

They turned to see someone that looked remarkably like Vietnam standing to the side.

"Wow," Mei said. "Your Vietnam looks pretty. I wish Lien would let me help her out."

They turned to where Lien was having an argument with Alfred, keeping him busy for the moment.

"Bad blood there?" the other Vietnam asked.

"Kind of," Mei said. "Long story."

"I'm sure. Well, we must be off then. Come Mingyu."

"Sure Hien," Mingyu said. "I'll see you again, alright?"

"Yeah, that would be nice!" Mei said, waving the two Nations off.

…

Hyung Soo was enjoying the tranquillity offered to him.

He and Yong Soo had spent the entire previous day thinking of ways to get to the other world so that they could repay the other Japan for hurting the North Korean. Most of the plans didn't work out.

But before the group left, Yong Soo had informed Hyung Soo that he would be going to a meeting in the other world, and that he would find a way to get to the other Japan's house. That was the first part of their plan.

Yong Soo would also need to become friendly with the Southern Nations on the other side, for he would need to convince them to help him out with that. And then, there would be an urgent matter that he needed to attend to.

Hyung Soo smirked, thinking of the hidden items stored in Yong Soo's hanbock. They would show the other world what happened if you messed with the Korea twins.

…

William stared at the pile of sweets, sighing as he ate one of Canada's pancakes, completely drenched in maple syrup.

As soon as he was sure that the poison was out of his system, he seriously needed to pay a visit to a gym. Eating this much is unnatural, and eating this much sweets is just plain unhealthy.

Then he might want to pay a visit to a dentist. He was guaranteed a few cavities with all of this.

…

Alistair and Arthur were having a bit of an argument, with Lukas and Vlad sitting to the side, watching things unfold. The argument was over something ridiculous.

"I can't believe you wore a sparkly pink tutu."

"Hey, says the one that once got so drunk, he painted his entire house red and purple."

Yep. Drunk escapades that bore photographic evidence.

"Excuse me, England, Schottland?"

The two stopped their argument to regard the German and Japanese men standing next to them.

"Ah, yes?" Arthur said, fighting the blush on her cheeks. "How may we help you?"

"The two of us had been thinking," Kiku said, a light blush on his cheeks, "that, for everyone else's comfort, we should… follow your example."

The two Brits stared at them with blank faces, before Ludwig coughed, a blush forming on his own face.

"We'd like to be frauen," Ludwig said.

"You want them to turn you into women?" Lukas asked.

"Ja. With us looking so much like our counterparts, we feel that it's the best solution."

"One problem," Alistair said. "Neither of us know how to use the spell."

"I do," Vlad interrupted. "I've used this spell on Poland enough times."

"Danke," Ludwig said.

…

For the moment, Raj was left alone, curled up in a ball in the corner. He didn't know how long he could handle this.

But at least it's only physical pain, and he should be able to shake it off if he managed to get into the right state of mind.

He started meditating, if only to distance himself from the pain.

He was interrupted, however, when he felt a pain start in his chest, about where his heart should be. He tried to ignore it, but it came on too sudden, and was growing rapidly.

His eyes widened when he realised what it was. A bomb went off in Sansad Bhavan.

With the pain that he was already feeling from the torture, this new pain of having his parliament building attacked was only worse, and it wasn't long before his vision faded to black.

…

Luciano smirked, taking a sip of wine as Lutz took a sip of beer and Kyo took a sip of sake.

"This could work," Luciano said. "If we continue to attack the Nations in the other world, they should grow disheartened with the Southern Nations. And then they lose their precious allies."

"And having one of them here is an added measure," Kyo said. "We could bargain with the Nations from the other world for his safe return. But I'm not finished with India yet."

"Of course," Lutz said. "I'm assuming you took a picture?"

"Hai. And I'm going to send it…"

Luciano jumped when she saw her two allies be turned into women, before she broke out into laughter at their horrified faces.

…

"Alright!" Alida shouted. "Now that you're all better acquainted, we can continue this meeting."

Her eyes wandered to Germany and Japan, and she smirked when she saw the female versions. She appreciated the gesture, seeing how the tension in the room had disappeared.

Before she could continue, a vibrating sound caught her attention. She turned to Mahesh, who removed his phone with a frown on his face.

The frown disappeared as his eyes widened, and she noticed that his hands started to shake as well.

It was her turn to frown, and both she and Ricardo leaned over to see what was on the screen of the phone.

It was a picture of Raj, beaten, bruised and bleeding, with a message.

This is what you will look like soon enough.

I had my mom help me a little with the Portuguese. Manuella is a family name on my mother's side, and Theresa is the name of my Portuguese friend's mother. And yes, I had to think of that without internet.

Raj's reaction upon being hit between the shoulder blades is something I've experienced myself. Actually, the last time it happened wasn't long before I wrote this chapter, and I thought that it would be a good torture method.

Also, this is the last week for the poll, so make sure you vote for which story I should write next.