A/N: This is a fanfic that I never really intended to publish, but on the off-chance someone else is interested in reading it, I thought I'd post it here. Even if nobody likes it I still intend to finish this story for my own enjoyment, but I won't torture the public by updating it on here. So let me know what you think! Please be honest- writers have to have tough skins, after all. I need to know if I'm writing a Mary Sue, and if I am, how I can change that. But don't limit your criticisms to my characters. Anything at all that bothers you, please let me know about. The reason I'm on this website it to have fun and improve my writing.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy!

Chapter One

It was a dreary afternoon in late August. The sky was overcast and grey. Light rain drizzled down periodically, aiding the mood of general monotony outside. Already, the weather was beginning to cool in the small town of Aucilla, Michigan. A chilly breeze ensured that anyone who stepped outdoors wore long sleeves instead of the t-shirts they'd favored all summer. It was only a matter of two weeks before school started back, to the great dread of some students and the great joy of others.

Margaret Leon wasn't sure how she felt about the imminent return of fall. She liked her classes well enough and she was proud of her straight A's, but she'd been enjoying her summer off and was in no hurry for it to end. After all, it was probably the last summer she'd ever have to completely relax with no work or responsibilities to think of. The school year would be hard and long- especially with how she characteristically studied- and the next summer would be spent finding her first job. She was at the age now where pocket money was becoming a necessity, but with no allowance to speak of, she would have to earn anything she wanted to spend.

Regardless of how she did or did not feel about it, summer was drawing to a close, and Margaret was determined to make the most of her last few days of freedom. Although, her definition of that probably varied from what most teens preferred. At the moment her ambitious plan to "seize the day" involved curling up in the window seat with a good book, a soft blanket, and a tall glass of lemonade. No one was bothering her, the house was quiet, and she was in her equivalent to paradise.

Her book, which told the story of a romantic adventure, only succeeded in holding her attention for the first few chapters. Almost without her realizing it, her thoughts gradually turned away from the words on the page. Margaret gazed idly out the window, daydreaming. She watched as a single leaf fell from the branches of the tall maple tree in her front yard, swirling in the wind until it came to rest gently on her windowsill. Rain pattered down harder and she heard the distant rumble of thunder. A real storm was brewing in place of the light showers that had graced the day so far.

She smiled to herself and was about to return to her reading, when she was stopped by a voice.

"Margaret."

Glancing up with an automatic reply on her lips, she faltered as she realized no one was standing there. Looking warily around the living room, she could see no one in it with her, but the voice had sounded as if it were coming from right next to the window seat.

"Mom?" she called hesitantly. "Was that you?"

No reply. Margaret was reminded that her parents were away shopping and her sister, Kate, was at a friend's house. For all intents and purposes she had the house to herself for several hours. Had someone come home early?

"Kate? Did you want something?"

Again, no reply. Slightly unnerved, Margaret told herself sternly that it was nothing and went back to her book.

"Margaret!"

The voice came again, more urgent than before but still just as close. Margaret froze with a spike of alarm. She couldn't see anyone else in the room with her, but could not dismiss what she had heard a second time. Even more frightening was the fact that the voice sounded like a stranger's. Now she could identify it as a deep male timbre, unlike her father's or any man that she knew. Dropping her book and standing up, she walked slowly around the room and searched fruitlessly for any possible source of what she had heard.

"Who are you?" she asked in a small voice, all at once terrified and embarrassed to speak to thin air.

"I am Ancient Rome."

Momentarily struck speechless at actually receiving a reply, Margaret almost ran screaming right then and there. Later, she would have no idea why she did not.

"What do you want?" she inquired timidly. The voice did not sound aggressive, but she'd seen enough horror movies to know how fast that could change.

The invisible speaker who claimed to be Rome answered immediately.

"I wish only to show you something. Would you care to come with me briefly? You will lose but a moment in this world."

"O- okay?"

And with that one uncertain decision, her life changed forever.

She was blinded by an abrupt, blinding white light that faded as quickly as it came. When she could see again, it was not her living room that she saw. She was standing in the middle of a vast, rolling golden field that stretched as far as the eye could see to all horizons. She gasped in awe, entranced by the grandeur beauty of the landscape around her. The sky was spread infinite and wide above her, sharp blue and without a cloud in sight. The sun shone down brilliantly from overhead, and the tall wild grass rippled like waves in the cool wind. Never before had Margaret beheld open prairie such as this.

"It's wonderful, isn't it?" The voice of Rome sounded behind her.

Spinning around, Margaret came face-to-face with the great Roman Empire. He stood tall and imposing, dressed in full Roman armor. He looked as if he'd stepped out of a history book. Despite his intimidating stature, his sparkling brown eyes and kind, cheerful face, framed with messy brown hair, calmed her fears somewhat. His friendly countenance put her enough at ease that she was able to reply sensibly rather than panicking.

"It's beautiful," she said truthfully. "Where are we?"

"This is the Waiting Realm. I and the other nations who have passed on from the living world cannot go to heaven, yet- not until the Final End. So, this land is where we wait until the end of time."

"Nations? You are the nation of Ancient Rome?" Margaret asked hesitantly, not wanting to offend but having difficulty comprehending what she had been told.

"Yes. I am the human representative and personification of the Roman Empire. There are others like me, for every nation that has ever been. Some have passed from the living world to this one, such as I have done. But there are many others who still live in your world, for as the nations of old die, the new ones are born."

Margaret was silent for a moment, processing what she had heard and taking it all in.

"Why have you brought me here and told me all of this? Obviously- assuming I'm not hallucinating or having an incredibly vivid dream- this isn't common knowledge for humanity."

Rome laughed. "You're a sharp one. I like you, and despite what the others say I think you'll do just fine."

"Others?"

"Hmm, yes. The Ancients, who have all passed on to this land, have come to a… sort of… unanimous decision. And by that, I mean everyone who matters has agreed. All others have been ignored." Rome sounded smug.

Margaret couldn't help but snort with laughter. What Rome had described sounded suspiciously like her own family's decision making. Rome grinned at her.

"I see you are familiar with how 'family democracy' works. Well, our final decision was that I would be the one to inform you of your new situation, although certain other people weren't happy about it. For some reason Native America didn't trust me not to scare you. I didn't, did I?" He looked expectantly at Margaret.

"Uh, well…" Margaret hesitated. He had been kind of scary…

Rome looked downcast. "I did, didn't I? Sorry…"

"You were only a little creepy," Margaret told him, attempting to reassure.

"Right... Well then, too business." Rome sighed and bowed his head momentarily, clearly gathering his thoughts. His expression was dead serious as he raised his head again and looked her straight in the eyes.

"Margaret Leon," he began gravely. "The world is coming- has come- into a new modern era. To face it in both peace and prosperity, the nations of the world must come together, and the United States of America will play a lead role. It is already happening. Because the nation of America will be so influential in the modern world, the heart of his country will as well. The capital, Washington D.C., will need strength and unity like never before.

To help it in its stand, Mother Earth has decided to do something that has never been done before. A land is always stronger with a personification, and a people are always more united when they have a worthy representative. With that reasoning, Mother Earth has decreed that America's capital will have a human personification.

The creation of a personification is a complicated thing. Every land and people united under one banner has a… spirit, if you will. The national personifications were chosen by these spirits and are their bearers. Mother Earth can declare when a personification will be made, but cannot choose who will become that personification. The spirit of the land and people does that, and chooses for its own reasons that none of us quite know. I was once an ordinary human, but was chosen by the spirit of my people, and thus became the nation of Rome."

Rome went quiet, before speaking again.

"Yesterday at the stroke of midnight, the spirit of Washington, District of Columbia, chose a bearer. That person has become the representative and personification of America's capital city. You, Margaret Leon, are that person."

No.

No, this couldn't be true.

"But I've never even been to Washington D.C.!" she protested. Rome shrugged.

"It matters not."

Margaret reeled in shock. She had seen it coming almost as soon as Rome had started talking about the creation of a personification, but half-suspecting something is not the same as hearing it said aloud as surely as if set in stone.

I can't do this.

I'm not good enough.

I'm just a kid!

She must have said it out loud, or else her thoughts were seen clearly on her face, for Rome immediately swept her into a giant bear hug. Margaret stiffened, shocked at the unexpected contact. No one ever hugged her at home…

She gradually relaxed into his arms and allowed herself some comfort in it, although she was far from recovered. Fear twisted in her gut unlike anything she'd ever known. What would this mean? What would her life be like now? She was responsible for human lives now. Could she handle that? She didn't even know what to do!

"This isn't fair," she mumbled. "Not to America. Not to Washington D.C. Not to the world! I'm just a silly teenaged girl. I won't be able to do anything good."

Rome pulled back and looked at her sorrowfully.

"I know," he said. "It is unfair, but not to the world. Unfair to you. You are still but a child, in the age of nations. I forgot that too easily. I am sorry. I should have broken the news to you softer..."

"No," she said. "You told me what I needed to know. I appreciate that."

He frowned. "You must remember child, you are not just a silly teenaged girl. Although, you are being silly now. You are the great District of Columbia! You are Washington D.C.! The spirit of your people would not have chosen you if you were unable. I will not lie, you have much to fear. The universe is cruel for putting you in this position. But you are smart and strong, and you will conquer! I have confidence. After all, as the Roman Empire, I think I am qualified to recognize the beginnings of greatness."

Margaret had to grin bashfully at the unexpected pep talk, although the gnawing doubts remained.

"Can I go home?" She needed time alone. This was all becoming too much.

"Certainly! Although, before you go…" He fished around in his pocket for something and withdrew a small, silver compass that dangled from a chain necklace.

"The other Ancients assisted in its creation," Rome said proudly as he put it around her neck. "You'll figure out what it does later."

"Thank you," Margaret said sincerely, giving him a tremulous but real smile.

He beamed.

"Alright then, that's everything! I'll be seeing you again someday. Goodbye!"

The white light came again almost instantly, leaving Margaret barely enough time to respond likewise before she was left standing alone in the center of her living room. A clap of thunder startled her out of her shocked daze. Looking down, she fingered the small compass that hung from the chain draped around her neck. She could not deny the solidness of the trinket, meaning that…

"Good God, it actually happened," she breathed.

Sinking to her knees, she cradled her head in her hands. The panic attack that she had been struggling to keep at bay now rushed over her all at once. Hot tears splashed down her cheeks, and as Margaret trembled and struggled to breathe, she wondered distantly if this meant she would have to leave her family. Would she have to move to Washington? Would she meet the personification of America? How would she explain to everyone- ?

The minutes ticked by, and slowly her hyperventilation ceased. Pulling herself back together, Margaret rose to her feet and went to the bathroom. She washed her tear-streaked face and ignored her shaking hands. She would act as if nothing had changed. She would tell no one. Maybe, just maybe, she could still have a normal life. At least for a little while longer. It wasn't like she was desperately needed in Washington anyway. And it wasn't like she could even get there if she wanted to. Nodding to herself in the mirror, Margaret went back out of the bathroom with new assurance. She would watch TV. She would read a book. She would greet her family normally when they came back home, and everything would be just fine.