North America. How Matthew HATED that term. To most countries, all it meant was America, America and more America. Didn't matter that Canadians and Americans called the USA the United States, alternating between calling them the States or the US for short. Nope, because Americans were still called Americans and were known as America around the rest of the world, as if they owned the bloody continent. This lead people to believe that "North America" just meant Canada, which was North-of-America (that is, if they even existed) and Mexico suddenly became South America, which was an entirely different continent but did that matter? Nope, not at all. Why would it matter? As for Central America? Bah, what's that? The place was called the Carribean, or called by the individual country names.

Yes, you might as well taken the entire map of the Western Hemisphere and stamped a big, red, "AMERICA" across it all, because that's all it was. America. USA. And, to Matthew, that really hurt.

Often times, poor Matthew was ignored or mistaken for his so called brother, despite being "supposedly" known internationally as peace makers. Sometimes... Sometimes he wondered why he even bothered. Why he hadn't just let his brother annex him back in those days. After all, he pretty much had anyways, just quietly. Canada was it's own country in name, only, and it wasn't like anyone cared. Alfred could annex him now, and nobody would even notice.

"C'mon, dad, don't think like that. People know about you." Tara, formally known as Ontario, said. Matthew frowned, turning to his oldest (or second oldest? He always forgot whether Ontario or Quebec was older) daughter.

"I mean, Japan knows you. You of all people should know that Canada has a super big concentration of Asians, especially in BC. Just look at Hiromi! And there's also Taiwan, Vietnam, Korea, China... and whatever other Oriental places that exist. And all those east Indians, despite Uncle Alfred's complaints, you know you like having them here. Their curry is delish! Francis likes us, though the frog's a little too.. grabby." Cue a glare from Canada for the "frog" comment, "and... uh... hm.. what about Netherlands? He's super cool, eh? He gives us tulips every year because of World War Two, for liberating his country from stupid Nazi German face and for sheltering the royal family in Ottawa. Remember? Queen Margriet was born here, and we had to make that hospital room temporarily extraterritorial so she'd be able to assume the Dutch crown. And... uh... what about Cuba? Okay, yes, he's a bit of an ass sometimes – seriously, is he STILL pissed at Al for he Cuban missile Crisis? Was that even his fault? What's his deal? – but you twp have a lot of fun when he brings ice cream and joints – right up until he beats you up again..." Cue another glare.

"And Russia! He likes you, right? Sorta? At least, he doesn't hate you, which he probably should since you stood by Al during the cold war – except for that Trudeau. Kinda nervous about Trudeau juniour, to be honest, I mean... yeah, Harper's a bit of a moron and, as Obama called him, all pudge and hair and never really his voice is coming from – is the dude a ventriloquist in his spare time? It would make sense, for him to play with creepy dolls – but our economy's stable and do we REALLY need another Liberal government?"

Matthew, briefly, wondered if she ever stopped talking.

"And... uh... the Nordics! They like you! Usually only during hockey but.. and England and America. Sure, they forget sometimes but... aren't we known internationally for our comedy? Just for Laughs festival, Comedy Now, Corner Gas, Colin from "Who's Line is it anyway", Seth Rogan, Tim Nutt, Russel Peters, Mike Meyers, Jim Carrey... plus, our music. Metric, Rush, Niel Young, Teagan and Sara, Nickleback, Celine Dion, Avril Lavigne, Serena Ryder, Marian's Trench, Hedley, Carley Rae Jepsen, Justin Bieber – okay, bad example, but the list goes on!"

Matthew, before Tara could continue, interrupted. "So, what you're saying is that, our music is either crappy or assumed American, and if we aren't forgotten or ignored, we're being laughed at."

Ontario sighed, "Whatever dad, I tried. Listen, America's coming over for your guy's weekly bro meeting, try not to get us annexed. I'm going to visit Callie." She huffed, tossing her hair over her shoulder. Just before she left, slipping on those ridiculous looking birkenstocks she seemed to adore despite the atrocity of them, she offered one last bit of "wisdom"

"Hey, sometimes being ignored isn't so bad. I mean, you could probably invade America and he wouldn't even notice. Not until it was too late, anyways." She said, shutting the door behind her.

Matthew, ever the "optimist", rolled his eyes. "The stupid hoser would probably just think he annexed us because we wanted to be American or something" A lightbulb, sparkling violet eyes. Suddenly, the little Canadian had an idea.

Soon, the world would know who Canada was. They would know very well. "Let's see how Al likes it, eh?" He muttered, grinning.

Heh, the inspiration bug bit me again. So, just a note on the title, it's something I thought would be very clever. Obviously, an annexation is to have countries join or unite together to become one, but a quiet one? Well, I got the idea of a "quiet" annexation from the term "quiet" revolution with the Quebecois, where the revolution was still fought but instead of physical battles, they would be more political. Sort of like the term "Cold" war, which was a war that wasn't a war but still a war, according to my social studies. Anyways, the term "Quiet Annexation" refers to how, currently, the American culture has overpowered most of Canada's culture to the point that we're a sad little love child of France, England, the natives, America and all of our immigrants (We love you all still! Don't take that as an offense!), but in the title "The Quiet Annexation of New South Canada", it more relates to the idea that it's about time Canada returned the favour.

Now, as for pairings, I don't have any as of yet. I see the US and Canada being more as brothers, and both USUK and FrUK are enjoyable for me, as well as PruCan and RusCan, so we'll see what I decide to throw in there. If you are reading my story Do Not Piss Off Your Russian Nanny, you'll notice some throwbacks to it with Tara (The OC I created of Ontario) and Hiromi (The OC for BC xD), don't worry I am going back to that. Now, as for the full summary, it goes as follows.

Canada is sick and tired of being a nobody, completely unknown. He is just as important and can be just as influential as his damned brother, and he's determined to set out and prove it. Meanwhile, America, either as an effort to be the hero once again or because he genuinely cares, is determined to make his brother noticed, and influential. Two different people, two different countries, two different causes and two different personalities, yet the same level of stubbornness and determination... one can only wonder which of these blondes will succeed first?