He was growing weaker by the second, and he knew it. The way his debt kept shooting up, the way his middle class was shrinking by the day, and the way the value of the American dollar kept going down, how could he not know?

America could feel his strength and energy being siphoned away as his debt grew larger. He knew that he wouldn't make it by the end of the year. The United States of America might make it, but the way his health declined, he knew he wouldn't.

But he wanted to. He wanted to see his country jump back from this economic crisis, and see his country grow and prosper again. He, the person who fought Arthur for his independence, who went through so many wars, would not ever again see his country in its most glorious form? He wanted to scream and cry that it was not fair, but it was too late for him. Too late.

The personification of the United States of America would die by the end of year 2020.

Chapter One

"When are you going to get me my money, aru~?" the Chinese personification snapped with irritation. "It has been over a decade!"

"Chillax, dude!" America grinned his goofy grin like always, scrolling through his iScreen. The rectangular piece of fiberglass was glowing with the holograms. "I mean, I'm still paying 'em back, right? Geez, you ain't losing too much money, dude."

"Your debt is in the hundred trillions, America! How are you going to pay that back in time, aru~?" China demanded, glaring angrily. "I want my money back!"

America resisted the urge to flinch as he sadly thought, Yao, that's the thing. I'm not going to be able to pay it back. The next personification of America will be able to, but not me. I'm sorry. "We got time, old dude! America ain't falling, and nor is China, so take a chill pill!"

"I will not take a 'chill pill,' you immature child! You-" China began.

England interrupted, shooting Alfred a dark look, "That's true, America. The more you drag on not paying back all of your debt, the larger it will grow, and before soon, America will go bankrupt. And that is when America will fall."

America smiled. England thought for a second that America's smile was sad, but the next moment, it was the annoyingly bright smile again. "America won't ever fall, Iggy!" Then Alfred's eyes grew slightly dark, "America can't fall." Not after all I've done. Please, God, I'm already dying. Spare my country.

Maybe I should repair some relationships with the other countries before I leave. To set the path for the next personification. America sighed, and stared at the stocks on his iScreen. Google had gone down another 2%. Apple went up 0.05%, which was better than its last few profits, which were all negative.

What did I do wrong? What have I done wrong? He walked into his large mansion in Virginia, eyes dark, face solemn.

"Dad? Are you okay?" one of America's states, New York, opened the door for the country. "Dad?"

America looked up, "Hey, Ian. How're the states doing?"

"Dad," Ian started, "Dad, we know. We can feel it too."

"It seems like it's us against the world, doesn't it?" America mused. "I can now relate to what Iggy says. I spent so much to build this nation up, to free this land from Europe. And what do I get? A declining economy. And I won't ever get to see this country rise from the ashes, like it did in 9/11."

New York slumped, "Dad, you don't actually think…"

"Yes, I do. You feel it too, Ian, don't deny it," America said tiredly.

"Dad? Ian?" Jessica, or New Jersey, said softly as she watched the father and son walk towards her. "Dad-"

"I have decided," America declared. "I have decided that Washington DC will be my successor. He will be the next personification of the United States of America."

New Jersey and New York's eyes widened. Jessica's blue eyes watered slightly, "Dad, so, it's true?"

"It's going to be okay," America grinned. "No matter what, America'll always be the hero."

A/N So, how is it? Is it too cliché? Too much like liondancer17's If I Die Young? If it is, please tell me, because even though I want to write something sad about America, I won't write anything too similar to If I Die Young, cause liondancer17's just way too good of a writer. So, review please!