SUMMARY To say that America is a big country would be putting it lightly. There is over 3 million square miles of land total distributed among fifty states. Texas itself is probably the size of several European countries combined, and Alaska? Not even comparable. But England forgot that in an argument, which led to the bet: Can you survive on a road trip through the great U.S. of the A.? England says yes. America, in a split-second decision, decides that yes, the countries will go on a road trip through his country just to prove his rival wrong. The other countries are skeptical, but decide to tag along to see what happens.
The moral of the story? Never take a bet with the United States of America. It will only end in chaos and loads of fast food.

Characters: America, England, France, Japan, Germany, Italy, Prussia, Russia, Spain, Romano Pairings: None that the eye can see Warnings: Rated PG-13 for implied cussing, angst, rude humor, and general mayhem

CHAPTER ONE: And So It Begins

"Why am I here?" grumbled Romano.
"The bet, remember?" said Germany while making sure Italy hadn't wandered off.
"I know why!" shot Romano. "I was just- Oh, never mind, you $& # potato eater!"
The comment was drowned out by the bustling crowd around the group. People were racing to make it to their planes on time, staring into cell phone screens, and nervously checking the clock. Also known as: The John F. Kennedy International Airport. Romano, Germany, and Italy had just gotten off of the plane to New York and were waiting for England, France, Spain, Prussia, and Russia to get off as well.
"Hello," a quiet voice said from behind the trio. The three jumped and saw that Canada had arrived. Japan was with him, having taken an earlier plane to New York.
And why exactly were some of the countries in New York? That, dear reader, is a very good question.

-This flashback is brought to you by Romano's curl-

It all started with a bet.
"My country is perfectly fine!" England had fumed at America during a chaotic world meeting. "Tourists don't come to where there isn't anything to see, you $& !"
"Oh, puh-lease," said America with a scoff. "What is there to see? Your continent is the size of my country!"
Do you need some aloe vera for that burn? thought Canada while hiding his smile with his hand.
"I agree with America," said Japan softly. England looked like he'd just sucked on a particularly sour lemon. However, before he could retort, Prussia chimed in.
"That's actually kind of true. I bet you couldn't last on a road trip through the whole country!" Prussia had been to America, so he grudgingly agreed that the country was huge. He'd driven for five hours once, but he hadn't managed to drive out of the state that he'd been staying at. America was huge with a capital "h". An evil grin slowly blossomed on America's face.
"Yeah, Iggy," America had said, "I bet you couldn't last on a road trip through my entire country." England glared.
"Of course I could! And don't call me that!" Then, he noticed the look on Alfred's face. "Wait, what are you planning-"

"ALRIGHT, GUYS!" America had boomed. "ROAD TRIP! ANYONE'S INVITED… IF THEY CAN SURVIVE THE TRIP!" He'd then burst out laughing. England was shell-shocked. But he wasn't about to just disregard the bet entirely.

"Fine," he said. "I'll come on a road trip." America looked shocked. "However," England continued, "if I do manage to take the whole trip with a few other people," he said, turning to some of the other countries, "then you have to stop bothering me about my history for a month."
America dramatically acted like he was thinking it through. Then, he smiled and shrugged. "Works for me!" But then, he leaned over the wooden table, still grinning madly.
"But if you can't survive the trip, or if you leave in the middle of it…" America paused for suspense. "... Then you have to rejoin the EU."
The other countries were alarmed. England had very loudly left the European Union and America had been as shocked as everyone else. America wasn't trying to make England rejoin the EU for personal benefit; it was just that England had been through quite a lot in deciding to secede from the Union. It would be a very infuriated England that would rejoin the EU… if he took and lost the bet.
Of course, England's rivalry with America prevented him from turning down the bet. Alfred not bothering him for a whole month was very tempting… And, it couldn't be so bad to tour the US. How hard could it be?
"You've got yourself a deal," said England curtly. The two countries shook hands and the bet was made.

-Back to your man-

England stepped off the plane and stretched. How had he gotten himself into this situation? Next time America tried to make a bet, he would reject it forcefully. However, for now, he decided that he should make the most of it. He was actually quite thankful that several other countries wanted to partake the road trip challenge as well. Not that he would admit it.
He would admit that the group looked like quite a strange crowd. They had all agreed that it wouldn't be necessary to wear their usual suits or, Merlin forbid, their stuffy military uniforms. England himself was wearing a simple Doctor Who-themed t-shirt and a pair of dark jeans. Spain was wearing a tomato-red shirt and khaki shorts. France was in a white polo shirt and navy dress pants. Prussia was, for some reason, wearing a bright yellow shirt and black shorts. Russia didn't have anything else in his wardrobe, so he'd come in his usual coat. Everyone had steered clear of the large country, who would be in a foul mood after silently boiling for many hours on the plane.
"We need to get our luggage," said England to France, Spain, Prussia, and Russia. And so they did. Except Russia.
"I can't find my bags," said Russia in his usual cheerful voice (that sent a trickle of fear down the spines of most countries).
"Let's find Ame- Alfred first and find out what to do," England replied. Eventually, the group found Germany, Romano, Italy, Japan, and Canada at the main lobby.
England sighed. They would look quite strange, indeed. Germany was fine, of course, wearing a black shirt and faded jeans. Romano was also decent, with a grey shirt and khaki pants. Canadia (Was that his name?) was in his usual red hoodie and jeans. Japan was in a simple grey shirt and jean shorts. No, Italy was the problem. He was wearing a bright salmon-colored shirt and neon-yellow shorts. Not to mention that he was also sporting a neon-green cap. He looked like a walking billboard sign.
"So, where's Alfre-" Spain began.
"HEY, GUYS! WAS THE TRIP ALRIGHT?"
The group of ten turned to see two men. One was America and the other was… America? The countries saw, after several double-takes, that there seemed to be two Americas, with the exception of one of the duo being shorter than the other. Other than height and clothing, the two were mirror images of each other. Perhaps the shorter man's hair was slightly longer. The shorter man was also wearing a white shirt with an apple on it and jeans. The taller man was wearing a white shirt and khakis. And both men's eyes were America's through and through.
"Er…" stammered Germany. "Which of you is Alfred?"
"Oh, that's me! The awesomer one!" the taller America said.
"What?! No! I'm the awesomer one!" shot the shorter man. "Just 'cuz you're the dad doesn't mean that you're automatically better!"
"Well, you're pretty awesome, but all of that awesomeness has to come from somewhere! Meaning me!"
The two began to bicker lightly before they finally relented.
"Whatever," the shorter man sighed. He turned to the countries and grinned. "I'm New York!" Then, he spotted England.
"Wait a minute… You're England?" said New York, narrowing his eyes dangerously. England couldn't help but gulp.
"Yes, I am," he replied. Before New York could say anything, he turned to America. "Russi- Ivan couldn't find his luggage. Where do we have to go to retrieve it?"
"Oh," said America, grin faltering slightly. "Sorry, man," he said, turning to Russia. "The airports here are pretty crazy. If it's gone, it's gone. Know what I mean?"
Russia smiled creepily. "I guess. But I do need clothes. This coat isn't suitable for this weather. If you know what I mean."
America chuckled nervously. "Alright then, we'll let you visit a souvenir shop on our way out. I'm sure there's some t-shirts there." Then, his grin returned full force. "But first, let's check out our ride!" He winked, pulling out and twirling a key chain. "I got us a great auto! Perfect for road trips like these! C'mon, follow me out here!"

-le Mini Timeskip-

"We're traveling for several months… in that?" England had just seen the "great auto" and there it was, in all of its glory: a white van. A very small, very beat-up white van.
America pouted tremendously and patted the grimy vehicle. "Are you judging this poor car? What did this ever do to you?" No one quite knew how to respond to that. Then the silence was broken.
"There's twelve of us," said Germany in exasperation, rubbing his temples. "I'm sure even a van like that can only fit eight."
"We could always cheat and have four people in the back seat," America said, shrugging. "And New York agreed that he'd sit between the driver's seat and shotgun."
"When did I-" New York fumed, but America bulldozed on.
"And we could always throw some people in the trunk. No one's gonna die, so no biggie!" finished America, who then burst into peals of laughter.
"Are you sure about that?" asked France, raising a blonde eyebrow. America ignored him. He recovered from his laughing fit and turned to Russia.
"Let's go get your shirts," he said, gesturing New York over with them. "As for the rest of you, choose a seat!"
The three left. The remaining countries stood in silence for about five seconds. Then, chaos ensued as they fought for the seats. There was absolutely no way any of them would sit in the trunk. America had said no one would die back there, but no one wanted to take their chances.

-Now to Mother Russia-

"No, I'm not wearing that. I don't like this city. Not at all." New York was holding up a "I heart NY" t-shirt for Russia to inspect. He pouted.
"Well, screw you too, man!" he replied angrily. He stuffed the shirt back onto the rack a pulled out a large Mickey Mouse shirt. He shoved it into Russia's hands. "Better? Or do you need more, your Royal Commie Highness?"
"Дa. Much." New York was still pouting as America paid for the shirt. He would be even more put out, however, when he returned to the van.

-And back to your man-

"I refuse! I will kill you, Spain!" Romano shouted.
"I like this as much as you do, Lovi, but we don't have a choice-"
"Of course we have a choice, tomato $& €£¥#!"
"The choice between what? Sitting on the floor?"
"YOU-"
"Woah, man!" said America. He'd just returned with New York and Russia. No one was brave (or foolish) enough to comment on the shirt.
America scanned the situation. Canada, without anyone noticing, had managed to claim the front seat. The middle seat had a very smug France at the window seat, England on the other end of the seat, and an uncomfortable-looking Japan in between. In the back seat, Italy was at the window seat, Germany was next to him, and Prussia was seated beside him. Spain and Romano (mostly Romano) were fighting because the trunk was the only space left.
America took the initiative. He opened the doors of the trunk and began stacking the suitcases as neatly as he could. There was just barely room for two people after the virtual game of Tetris. America then grabbed Romano and Spain by the collars and quite literally threw them into the trunk before shutting it. When he opened the door to the driver's seat, he was met with an onslaught of Italian curses and a surprisingly icy glare. He laughed. "You're welcome!" New York sighed and finally decided to allow himself to sit awkwardly on the floor between the driver's seat and the front seat. He could just barely see over the dashboard.
America turned around and realized the Russia hadn't boarded yet. "C'mon, Ivan!" he called.
Russia inspected the seats. He then sat next to Prussia, where there was obviously more room. England almost let out a sigh of relief. Prussia, however…
Prussia, the moment that Russia had made a beeline for the seat next to him, had begun scooting to his left. Now, he was practically on Germany's lap as he tried to discreetly get further away from the large Russian (although there was now a good six inches between the two countries). Germany looked like he was trying not to punch Prussia. America pretended not to notice. "Alrighty!" he crowed, ramming the key into the ignition and starting up the van. "Are y'all ready?"
He received little to no response.
"Okay, then! Let's go!"

Authors' Note: If you thought this chapter was long… You won't survive the next one. *evil laughter* Just a reminder: This story is a trip through ALL FIFTY STATES so there will be AT LEAST 51 chapters in this (assuming that we finish this). Do not keep reading if you're not prepared to commit to this for maybe a year or two. Or more.

(EDIT) Thank you to the reviewer who informed us about the song lyric thing!