As been weeks since Israel and Saudi Arabia made the deal.
America couldn't be gladder when he found out the next day. Apparently, he found some friends on the way to eat and got drunk in the middle of the night, at least was that his excuse, only remembering the meeting he was having the next day.
Despite their new association, Israel and Saudi Arabia were careful most of the time to not bring unpleasant suspicious, but with time Saudi Arabia couldn't avoid sharing what was going on with the one he trusted the most.
"What?! Have you got out of your mind?! You're cooperating with Israel?!" Shouts Emirates not believing what he just heard.
"Calm down, it's not a big deal." Tries Saudi Arabia to pacify.
"Not a big deal? Not a big deal?! You just shook hand with an invader on a secret meeting!"
"Israel is an official country, just learn to deal with it." Emirates's mouth drops off in shock for what he just heard from his older brother, the same one who refuses, or used to refuse, the existence of a Jewish Nation.
"Is that so? Can't wait to see you say the same in public for everyone to listen."
"Probably I will after we take care of Palestine." Emirates's eyes glare furiously at Saudi.
"Now Palestine is a problem?! Do I have to remind you of the promise we made to him? That we would give him back his stolen home?"
"No, I remember it very well, but take down Israel is out of question, we already tried and we both know very well how it all went. And she has too many supporters, we can't keep a war we know we won't win."
"So it's an 'if you can't beat them, join them' situation, is that it?" Saudi sighs understanding his little brother's anger, he also felt some for himself, but he couldn't bear it if not needed.
"Yes, you can say that." He had no words to justify himself, or Emirates was going to understand it or not.
"So tell me, what are your plans for Palestine now! Since you already stabbed him on the back are you also going to shoot him or bomb him?"
"Neither, I'm going to convince him and Israel to make peace with each other, establish the borders and make them form relations."
"Funny, the last guy that made formal relations with Israel and recognized her as a country was banned by you and discriminated by the rest of Arab Countries, only because of you."
"You talk about Egypt? We already overcome that. We all rebuild our relations with him."
"Yeah… after a long time of a cold environment. And now you decide to follow his mistake."
"This is at different times."
"What a great excuse… Hypocrite." Saudi got up from the couch not sure if he should get angry or not with Emirates for speaking with him that way. He would give him one last chance.
"What is done, is done. The only reason I'm telling you this it's because I want you to support me on this decision, or else you can go to Iran and ask him from now on to hold your back." He speaks calmly crossing his arms inside the sleeves of the white fabric.
"Are you threatening to abandon me?" He asks in shock hiding with difficulty the shaking arms.
"No my brother, I would never abandon you, but you seem to want to abandon me so, how is it going to be?"
Emirates looks aside clearly nervous with the situation. He never wanted to end up between the sword and the wall, but he made a vow to his brother that he couldn't break, and he knew the consequences for defying his older brother. A look at Yemen's life was enough to think twice.
"What do you really plan to do now? How are you going to convince the others?" Saudi looks at his watch showing no big care, his relaxed attitude only made Emirates more nervous each second.
"Don't worry, I always get a way." He responds not looking at him and turns his back when hears the front door opening.
"Everything okay, my brothers?" Oman enters with a big smile on her face and lots of bags. "I just got from shopping with Qatar and Kuwait, brought you both some gifts." She says landing the bags to open them.
"Leave it Omani. Come and sit with us." Speaks Saudi giving a glance to Emirates.
"Is there anything important to discuss?" Asks Oman approaching them.
"Nothing my dear! Just want to know how was your day!" Emirates jumps from the couch to hug her and makes her walk away. "You must be so tired… How about a cup of tea?"
"Tired of shopping? Never!" She shouts back pushing him aside and comes near Saudi Arabia that looks at her indifferent. "I'm not dumb, what's going on?" She asks directly to Saudi.
"It's about Israel." Oman gives him a surprised stare.
"What about her?"
"Don't bring her to this Saudi!" Shouts Emirates reaching Oman and hugs her from behind. Saudi gives him a neutral stare and looks back at Oman that seems not scared with Emirates's overreaction.
"Of course not, conflicts don't make her type. But I'd like to know her opinion."
"I'm good at giving tips! Tell me! Tell me!" She again gets herself free from Emirates and jumps to the couch right ahead from Saudi.
"I want to help Palestine and Israel get to an agreement."
"That's good." She comments noticing Emirates behind Saudi rubbing his face in frustration.
"After that, I want to join forces with her, probably make an alliance."
"That's unexpected, but if you only plan on doing that after you ensure Palestine's safety, I don't see any problem." Saudi smiles and looks back at Emirate pointing to Oman.
"Do you want to contest her too?" Emirates looks to him with sadness.
"Honestly, I don't see how you go to accomplish that peace. You act like a fool for trusting Israel and ignoring all the pain Palestine been through."
"Maybe it's time we finish it in a peaceful way and learn to deal with the painful memories, Israel won't disappear even if you fast and pray for a year." Speak Oman.
"Very beautiful in theory but still won't happen." Mumbles Emirates.
"Well then you better join Iran, you always secretly fancied him anyway, join him and try to destroy Israel with your bare hands." Responds Saudi rudely.
"I won't join Iran! I don't even want to fight! Why you always push me to this? This isn't my type either, I rather be dealing with real businesses, build buildings, buying properties and spend on expensive cars…"
"Who's the real hypocrite now?" Laughs Saudi.
"Well, I don't see how I will help on anything right now, If you need me I'll be at my room." Says Oman getting up to pick her bags and go.
"So, you support me or not?" Asks Saudi appearing right next to Emirates scaring him when he was paying too much attention to Oman walking away.
"I… I will… but don't drag me to any fight."
"Don't worry just do what I say and you might get some goodies in return."
"Again?!" Shout turkey at the letter that was sent to him by the Europa department. "I got rejected again!" Shouts again looking at Egypt that looks at him indifferent drinking his tea. "After all, I have done those idiots say I still need to do some changes to be accepted!"
"Are you surprised?" Speak Egypt softly.
"I wish I was! But hope is the last one to die, right? Mine is almost dying…" He sighs letting the letter fall on the ground and take a moment to observe the green gardens of the academy. "It was supposed we work together, but they seem to just want me far away from their view."
"Want a tip to get in?" Egypt lands the cup looking at his own feet.
"What could you advise me that I haven't already tried?"
"Leave Islam for good and they will accept you."
"What?! Are you crazy?! I couldn't even if I wanted!"
"I know, so better just forget that dream of yours to join that stupid group. It won't bring you any good." Turkey groans resting his head on his hands.
"I tried so hard, it's frustrating… I had to change so much to please them and they still deny me."
"You were a fool for thinking they would accept you, grow up and learn to deal with it."
"Thanks for the friendly advise." Grumbles Turkey looking aside. "It really is my lucky day."
"Why?" Egypt looks to the same side as he just to find Greece in the distance with a cat on his hands.
He came slowly and stops in front of Turkey looking at him with indifference. The cat meow before anyone speaks. Egypt could feel the tension between the two, a fight was coming, but he couldn't resist to wait and watch what he knows would be amusing.
At the same time, Israel was taking a walk with America and England, she was quiet while they both were arguing about something she wasn't paying much attention, she wasn't even going along their footsteps. It was just her and the warm wind against her cheeks, reminding her of home.
She was so distracted with the comfortable environment she didn't notice she stayed too much behind until she heard a shout. Waking up from her trance, she sees America and England already in a far distance. Worried, she runs to them to caught them watching a fight between Turkey and Greece. Both on the ground pushing and calling bad names to each other while Egypt sat on a bench holding a cat.
"Are you going to stop them?" Asks England to America not looking away from the guys fighting.
"Na… not worth it. Israel, you do it." Orders America.
"Me?!" She shouts still trying to restore her breath from the long run.
"Yes you, try to back up your friendship with Turkey." Whispers America at her ear.
"No way! He's a false friend, he denounced me to Iran when I was spying on him."
"Wasn't that payback for you accidentally shot one of his boats and kill the crew?" Asks England.
"I was fighting Palestine at that time! He should know better to not interfere, and the sea was blocked."
"I don't care, it's time you set aside your misunderstands and become buddies again." Says America pushing her to action. "Stop them."
"But I don't want to…" She speaks low to him feeling being pushed forward against her will.
"Well, well, well, … What do we have here?" That familiar voice made everyone turn their faces, even Greece and Turkey stopped punching each other when they heard that strong voice coming from behind them. "If it isn't a European beating a Turkish... how regular."
"What are you doing here, Iran?" Asks England in a neutral mood.
"What do you think? I heard some screams and came here to help, but looks like I also found an audience, are you betting for who wins?"
"We're here to help." Speaks America looking at him with distrust.
"Of course…" He rolls his eyes. "… Like you always help." He crouches reaching out a hand for Turkey, who accepts and gets up with his help. England, with America, also catch Greece and pull him to their side.
"Next time you won't have anyone to save your ass!" Shouts Turkey to Greece.
"You the one who had your ass saved." Speaks Greece slow.
"Turkey, let's go, you already screwed for one day." Speaks Egypt lifting up from the bench. "Here's your cat." He says to Greece giving the pet back to him.
"But I'm not done!" Egypt pulls him by the jacket mumbling low while Turkey continued to shout at Greece.
A minute of silence is made between the rest of the people while grumbles of Turkey could be heard from the distance until Iran breaks the antipathetic stare and shows a smile.
"America, since you here, I'd like to share a few words with you." He speaks calmly.
"About?" Asks England.
"Calm down England, I'm not going to leave you behind. Actually you also someone I wish to speak with."
"You are very suspicious today, what's it Iran?" Asks America with a more relaxing tone pushing Israel and Greece behind him.
"I want to make a meeting between us three, Germany, Russia, France and China. Talk about my… over reacted sanctions."
"I will speak with Germany and France then." Speaks England.
"Me with China, you can easily bring Russia to discussion and we will talk. But if you expect fewer sanctions not worth it." Completes America.
"I bear too many of them for no reason, I'm not a threat for anyone but Saudi's business. Let us have a talk and you will see how absurd this has become."
"You shall have your talk." Speak England pulling America to move back and end the discussion.
"What kind of sanctions do you want to extinguish?" Asks Israel breaking their perfect moment to end the conversation. Iran stares finally at her, giving her the biggest grin he could give. Israel trembles with that wicked smile.
"Israel lets go." America pulls her by the arm so they could leave. Even walking, she couldn't stop looking back behind her shoulder and watch him staring at her with the same hypnotic look.
Had been two days since the accident in the gardens of the Academy.
Israel used all her skills to know more about the secret meetings between Iran and the others, getting to the point of spying her best friend America. Not her fault, he was the stubborn one for not explaining what exactly they would speak of, she knew couldn't be just about the sanctions, there was more. Iran was manipulating very well America and the others, enough to make them praise in their secret talking Iran's effort on something she couldn't understand but seem to do with modernization as Iran could ever be close to anything called like that.
Her efforts produced success in gathering information. One big meeting would happen and if she was quick she could put small microphones on the room to spy on them, but there was a small problem. The meeting would be happening in a private room from the Middle East department, and to get in there she would need the key and there were only two keys she knew that could open that reserved room. One with Germany, who rented the room, and the representative of the Middle East department who had a copy of keys of each room from that department. Which means, she'd need to do something first…
It was Sunday afternoon which means there wouldn't be any classes all day. As usual, the group Arab League would spend their afternoon socializing in Saudi Arabia and brothers' apartment, the biggest one. Even countries from Africa department were there, speaking and eating, having fun and laughing. It seemed to be a normal Sunday where Saudi would just argue with Lebanon or Iraq and stop Emirates from flirting more than he should with the other nations until a rang on his door surprised him.
"Is someone missing?" Asks Bahrain also noticing the frenetic and unstoppable sound. Whoever was, it was in a big hurry to get in.
"I don't think so…" Says Saudi counting mentally and try to remember anyone missing.
"Could be Syria, she's still mad because we suspend her." Speaks Lebanon. The door still ringing.
"I'm gonna check." Says Saudi lifting up from his seat and let the others go back to their discussion topics.
He also believed that could be Syria trying to get back in the League, but as many times explained to her, she would first have to change her aggressive behaviour towards other members to get in, something that seemed more difficult since her close association with Iran.
When he opened the door, ready to confront an expected person, he shocks in fear for seeing a nervous Israel with her finger on the doorbell.
"Who is it? Is it really Syria?" He hears from the distance, too surprised and shocked to realize who was asking. He wanted to speak, send her away before anyone could see her on his door, but the fear took control of his mouth, capable of just stuttering and feeling cold shivers down his spine.
"I really need you now." Whispers Israel noticing his nervousness and hiding being the door to not be noticed.
"N-no-no! J-Just…" He looks back not knowing what to do. Almost everyone was too distracted to notice what was happening but Bahrain and Lebanon looked at him from the table expecting an answer. "I got… I got some business to take care of."
"Something wrong?" Asks Lebanon getting up from her sit.
"No, don't worry. Lebanon, take care while I'm gone." Without giving any more explanations he closes the door leaving them all inside.
He breaths out when he finally takes a second to relax his tense body. Composed, he looks furious at Israel that looks at him with bulging eyes and body pressed against the wall.
"Why are you here?"
"Trust me, I wouldn't come if it wasn't important." She speaks relaxing her stare and stepping away from the wall.
"What is it?" He speaks low curious for what brought her and angry for her being there.
"Do you have the master keys with you?" She asks more close to his ear.
"I got them, yes." He answers shaking the keys on the pocket of his thawb.
"Good, I need you to help me put some microphones in a room." She grabs him by the sleeve and runs in the direction of the room. Saudi wasn't expecting to run, almost tripping on the white fabric trying to control his feet and follow Israel's hurry, still not having an idea of what was going on.
"What is going on Israel?!" He asks more high free from being heard.
"No time to explain! Quick!" She tries to run faster but Saudi's bumbling feet don't give her other choice than maintain her normal speed. "Come on!" They finally got to the destination and Israel lets go Saudi and waits for him to open the door quickly, but instead, Saudi leans on his knees to catch his breath. "Come on Saudi, we got no more than half an hour!"
"Why all this hurry? What is going on Israel?!" He shouts out of breath with no enough strength to straight himself.
"Jesus Saudi! You need to work your physics."
"Shut up… and tell me why we're here." He speaks with difficulty and trying to straighten his back.
"Got no time! Iran and America will be here!" Saudi looks at her astonished.
"Iran and America?! Why?!"
"Please Saudi I have no time to tell you everything now, open the door so I can install the microphones then I will explain everything to you while we hear them."
"Okay, okay, … But you better explain me good, you can't just show up anytime you want at my door and expect I will do everything you wish." He speaks while grabbing his keys and search for the right one to open that door.
"Quick."
"I'm trying." He sighs. "Start talking before I get pissed off."
"Iran booked a meeting to talk about his sanctions but I believe there is more behind it and America and the others are being tricked."
"You just tell me this now?!" He looks at her stopping looking for the keys.
"Hurry!" He goes back to search sighing with anger. "I didn't tell you before because I wanted to collect information first, and see if it was worth your attention."
"Is it?"
"Aren't you here?" Saudi finds the key and opens the door. He tries to boast himself to Israel for opening the door, but she pushes him to get in, almost knocking him off.
"You are welcome." He grumbles also entering the room and closing the door behind him.
"Whatever Iran wants he is close to getting it, I heard everyone has a positive view about him. He is good at what he is doing."
"He wouldn't be my rival if he wasn't." Speaks Saudi crossing his arms while watching Israel looking at every corner to find the best-hidden places to put her small microphones and cameras.
She takes long minutes to examine well the room and finds a great place on top of a painting with a view to all the room.
"Saudi, help me get there." She points to the painting and Saudi follows her stare but looks back at her impassively.
"How?" That question made Israel remembers with who she was working with, she almost forgot Saudi wasn't a typical man, at least not the type of man she was used to, if she had asked America to help her out he would just grab her and put her on his shoulders with no problem. Saudi barely liked to be touched by others he couldn't even think about grabbing her to reach the spot.
"Can you reach it?" Saudi was taller than her, but the disapproving look on his eyes made her realize he wasn't tall enough to reach it. Probably not even Germany would and he is the tallest she could remember. "Well…" She never thought she'd become so nervous to explain a simple thing. "… How about you help me get there by lifting me up." She talks slowly for him to internalize what she meant.
"How about you pick a chair and get there?"
"What chair?" Asks opening her arms for the room with just tables, fixed huge armchairs, plants and other furniture but nothing she could move to reach the specific place. Saudi glances around not noticing the inexistence of chairs. "I wouldn't be asking help if not needed."
"Can't you find a better spot that is reachable?" Israel sighs letting her arms fall.
"Can you stop being a jerk and help me? Or you rather let Iran win? No wonder he has got you beat, you so petty with everything." Saudi glances angry at her.
"Wasn't part of our compromise to help each other physically." Israel groans rubbing her hair.
"Oh my God! Saudi stop being sassy, are you going to help me or not? The time is ticking and it's stupid of us to search for other places to install the microphone when we already found a great place!"
"I don't want to get dirty."
"Dirty?! You sack of sand! I take a bath every day and my clothes are always fresh!"
"Yes, but you will touch me with the shoes…" He looks aside to the door considering if it's really important all that effort to hear the meeting.
"I can take my shoes off."
"Even worst."
"Whatever Iran wants I hope it involves bombing you with stinky shoes all over your face!"
"Okay, okay, stop being annoying." He sighs and gets close to her uncrossing his arms. "Don't get used and don't tell this to anyone." She agrees with her head and smiles when he turns her back to let her climb, but breaks the smile when noticing the difference of height.
"Ahh… Saudi." She feared he would go mad for what she was going to ask him.
"What now?!"
"Can you… kneel?"
"What?" He turns around looking straight to her. "What's next? Carry you through the exit?"
"I'm sorry but I'm little!" She lifts her arms to show her small figure. "If you don't knee to let me on your shoulders the only thing that remains is you lift me with your arms."
"I'm not gonna touch you!... Yack!" He turns around again and knees for her surprise. "Let's get over with this and leave!"
She decides not to speak anything more to not make him change his mind. Was surprising how far he reached to know Iran's plans, she wouldn't be the one to break his determination. Carefully and controlling the disturbing thought for getting on Saudi she sits on his shoulders and he lifts her to the spot she wanted.
"High enough?" He asks snorting.
"More than enough, thanks Saudi."
"Don't thank me, if I find out this wasn't worth it, you're dead." She couldn't avoid a giggle finding that situation too hilarious to be true. Saudi seems to not like it but keeps the thought to himself until she finishes. "Done, put me down Saudi."
"Finally!" Not caring, he pushes her legs away from his shoulders making her almost fall, but with an arm, he manages to grab her waist and put her down slowly.
"Gosh… I almost fell!" She shouts still shaking from the scary moment.
"But you haven't, have you? Stop being a cry baby and let's get the hell out of here."
Israel agrees and follows him to the door. Saudi opens it all ready with the keys in hand to close it back again, he just opened a gap and shut the door in a microsecond.
"Shit!"
"What's wrong?" Asks Israel worried.
"I saw them coming." In a hurry, he shuts the door with the key.
"What are you doing? You are locking us up!"
"Shut up and find a place to hide, your plan screwed!"