With great power comes great responsibility. That's why I'm going to be a hero when I grow up!

"Hey, England. I'm going to be a hero."

England looked up from his cup of tea. He looked really tired.

"Really America? Why would you want to be that? It'd be much better to plan to be something more practical, like a politician or a gentlemen like me."

"But, heroes are powerful and strong and get all the glory. I want to have something like that!"

"I'll tell you something, America. Power, well, it isn't all that it's cracked up to be. You should give up on being a hero. Would you like a scone? I just made them this morning!" He offered me something gray and smelly. It didn't look that good, but England insisted it was delicious.

"No thanks! I think I'll go practice being a hero now!" I left England and ran out the door.

"Don't go to far! And remember, you still have your taxes to give me!" England called after me.

I ignored him and ran as far and as fast as I could. I ran through the tall grasses in the field. I ran as far west and south as I could yesterday. All I met were fences that England told me I couldn't go past. He was such a spoilsport. He didn't want me to have any fun. I decided to run north this time.

In the distance I could see someone. It was France. England didn't like him, and he said I should stay away from that old frog. England was probably just scared, but I wasn't scared of anything! I thought it was safe to hide behind a tree anyway.

"Oh, stop being so difficult! Just come back home with me! Big brother will take good dare of you."

"Um…I don't think I'm ready…I want to…um…could you let me go …I don't know what to do." I heard another softer voice. I looked from behind the tree. France wasn't alone. I totally didn't see the other person before. This person looked around my age and as holding a strange white bear. England had always told me that France was the weakest guy out there, so I figured anyone weaker than him had to be a girl. This was a damsel in distress! It was my time to be a hero!

"Let go of her, you smelly frog!"

"England, how dare you speak to…Oh, hello America! Have you finally left that black sheep of Europe? Do you wish to be my new French territory?" He let go of the girl but now he was heading for me. I took a few steps back. Heroes always know when to distance oneself from the villain.

"There's no way that I would go with you! England has the best food out there, and he says your stuff is disgusting! I think I would die if I went with you!"

"Ah, how rude. I definitely can't bear to hear that ridiculous trash from him! He's a liar, America, you should come with me."

"HERO'S PUNCH!" Pretty creative, huh? I came up with that on the spot. I punched France in the stomach and he keeled over.

"How…is…he…so…strong? I…want….him?" He was barely able to gasp out.

I grabbed the girl and ran away. Not because I was scared of course. A hero always thinks of getting the lady to safety.

By the time we stopped we were both panting pretty heavily.

"Um…I…." she whispered.

"There's no need to thank me, miss! That was just one of my duties…as a hero!"

"You…really…didn't have to…."

"Of course I did! What kind of hero would I be if I didn't save a lady when she's in trouble?"

"Well, um…that's very nice and all…and don't think I don't appreciate it but…"

Were all girls this slow? I was getting impatient. "Spit it out already!"

"Oh…well…I really wasn't in trouble. I am one of France's colonies after all…and I think you're under the wrong impression. I'm not a girl. I'm a boy!"

"You're a boy?" I exclaimed. I took a look at this mysterious person a little more closely. I knew I was a boy, and this person did look like me. I guess he really was a boy.

"HA! You must be pretty weak for a boy to be pushed around by France! By the way, what's a colony?"

"He he, I guess I must seem pretty weak…compared to you at least. Well, territories are people like you and me who rely on bigger countries like England and France for protection. In exchange, we give them stuff like taxes."

"Need protection! I can't possibly be a colony like you. I'm can protect myself!"

"But, aren't you one on England's colonies? You do pay taxes to him, don't you?"

"He keeps asking for stuff like that, but I don't like to give it to him." I said.

"Well, I should probably go. France will be looking for me," he started to go off.

"Who are you?" It looked like the little bear in his arms had just woken up and was astonished to find itself being carried by somebody.

"Silly Kumajira, I'm Canada! Your owner! Remember? Bye, America!"

How did he know my name? Who was he again? It didn't really matter. His words, though I could barely hear them, bothered me. Why would a hero like me need protection? I ran all the way home.

"Oh, there you are America! Good timing. I just set up a new set of rules for you to follow. I expect you to follow all these even when I'm gone, got it?" He handed me a paper. Apparently there were words on it for me to read.

"What are all these numbers for?" I asked.

"Oh, those are the new taxes. I put new ones on the tea and stamps. I'm really going through a tough time here, after the war and all, so I need he extra cash."

Taxes? Colonies paid taxes. Why would I need to pay taxes? On tea no less! England was the one who forced me to drink the stuff. I ran to the kitchen. I grabbed the canister that said "TEA." I opened it; it smelled kinda funny.

"America what are you doing? It's not time for a snack break yet. Tea time isn't until two."

"This is what I think of you and your stupid taxes." I turned on the water of the sink.

"America…don't you dare…" I dumped the whole canister into the sink. The smelly leaves went down the drain.

"NOOOOOO! Not the tea! And that was the good stuff China gave me. America, why would you do this?"

"I don't want to pay your stupid taxes. I'm not your colony! I declare my independence!"