Brothers-at-Arms

Korea, found within East Asia, and a region once having been described as regularly owned by foreign powers. In the aftermath of the First Sino-Japanese War, Japan had taken the two Koreas from China as prizes. With the aftermath of World War II, the Allies had taken the two Koreas and freed them. Each of them were however influenced by two different factions, the North under Communism and the South under capitalist democracy.

The calls for nationalism would be high, and demands that the two Koreas be one again. Thus, the region would be in regular conflict. This conflict manifested in 1950, when the North calling himself Joseon invaded the South known as Korea by default. This would be the start of the infamous Korean War.

Korea had quite a long history of being tormented by others, and just gotten his independence from Japan. Due to Western influences, Korea wore a black business suit with blue tie. He stood over a tall watchtower by the 38th parallel, where he saw some movement heading his way.

Those moving in were the armies of Joseon, or North Korea. For convenience's sakes, Joseon was riding on an armoured jeep and in full military outfit with a red-with-yellow-star armband on his right. He peered through his binoculars, looking at the watchtowers before him.

"Those structures will be no match for the new weapons Russia has introduced to me," Joseon proclaimed, "I shall reclaim the Fatherland."

However, another army was rallying to defend the border marked with "38th Parallel". They were led by Korea himself, dressed in a dark blue military suit and armed with the American-made M16 rifle. This forced Joseon off his jeep and charged in with the AK-47 rifle, confronting each other while their armies stopped.

"South…" Joseon said, "I have come to liberate you, under my new boss's orders. Can we make things easy and come with me?"

"North, I respect your sovereignty and all," Korea said, "but I wish you leave me be. We are fated to be apart, it seems."

"Talking was Plan A and it was a bust, this is Plan B," Joseon said, "men, hand me the Fliegerfaust!"

The jeep driver threw Joseon a new weapon as Joseon himself abandoned the rifle. It was a large handheld cannon, with missiles planted inside as ammo. He quickly fired the weapon and the missiles destroyed the tower structures at one go.

"Something Russia has given me for good price," he proclaimed, "he said that was something from that previous war. With this, I will be sure to win you."

While Joseon was gloating over his apparent win, Korea had charged at him and thrown him to the ground. Suddenly, a large fleet of aircraft covered the skies and dropped things on the ground.

Some of Joseon's forces had picked up the falling things; they were a circular object wrapped in red paper bearing a "M" sign on them. They unwrapped it to reveal a burger, and went on to eat them.

"Huh, burgers?" wondered Korea.

As the aerial fleet flew off the landscape of Joseon's army feasting away, a final aeroplane flew towards the two Koreas. It dropped off something again, but this one landed with a parachute.

"Hey, is that a birdie?" Korea wondered.

"No, that was a plane over there," Joseon quietly said as he slowly backed off.

Actually, it was Korea's backer – America. America was a nation eyed by many once, Sweden-Finland, Holland, France, Spain and ended up with England. It was later known that America achieved independence from England, and even fought its way to power. He wore a brown bomber jacket and a white dress shirt with tie underneath it. Below, he wore brownish pants. He still had the parachute still strapped on.

"No, it's the Great America!" he proclaimed.

Running behind him, it was England and Japan. England wore a deep green military suit with a shoulder strap, while Japan was wearing a beige uniform with cap. Both were much exhausted by the time they reached America's place.

"I told you two should be joining me in skydiving here," America said, "its way better than going through the seas."

"You got to be mad here. We're on a battle here," England exclaimed, "at least treat it seriously."

"At least I have neutralised the Joseon army with the experimental burger bombers," America proudly declared, "now I have distracted the aggressors with food."

"Of all the dumbest ideas…" England cursed.

"Very interesting…" Japan remarked, taking out a notepad, "I do concur that these so-called burger bombers seem to be working. America-san, how do they work?"

"Hey bro, this is my chapter and my borders here!" Korea shouted, "I am the star here, you hear!"

"Settle down folks, naughty people should be punished democratically," America said, producing out a lasso, "and under orders of the UN, I hereby arrest…"

As America tossed out his lasso, an important point was suddenly raised. Joseon was no longer there, and the lasso had grabbed onto China instead.

"What sick joke is this?" China questioned, "I came all the way here and receive this treatment."

"Where is Joseon?" America wondered, "Does he know magic like Houdini?"

"You idiot, he obviously left when you and Japan were engaged in the BS about burger bombers!" England exclaimed, "We're going to lose this Cold War if this keeps up."

It is fair to say that China's sudden presence and Joseon's departure was no coincidence alright. Joseon was being on the backs of one of the mightiest nations of the era – Russia.

Russia was a giant standing tall above nations, due to his growth in the past centuries. However, people commented on the twin personalities found in Russia – a gentle joyful side VS a sadistic ruthless side always scheming and plotting. Russia donned a thick beige coat with an old scarf given to him by Ukraine once.

"KolKolKol, I knew this would happen," Russia calmly said, "good thing Plan C was prepared; in case of your defeat, China will be a diversion while you escape."

"Thank you, Russia…" Joseon thanked, "but why can't you personally come and help me?"

"Not right yet," Russia replied, "this Cold War we're waging right here… it has not gotten hot yet. Lay down for now, I will have my lawyers to fight your case."

Thus, the two Koreas had signed a ceasefire to end the Korean War. It was noted as it was only a ceasefire agreed upon, their war never ended. However, no one dared complain… not at the height of the Cold War of course.

However, Joseon was trying on other angles for warfare instead. Over the years of "peace", East Asia was having their own problems along the way.

Since the failure for Asian domination, Japan has devoted himself to other works. One of these would be the Anime/Manga sector, where in Japan spent hours thinking new ideas to be exported to the masses in his room.

Japan's room was of a simple design, a small bed rolled when not in use. The traditional sliding door was the only entrance, and a table desk with lamp where Japan though of ideas. Japan was attired in a male kimono as he doodled on a piece of paper.

He turned his head to a locked chest, opening it up. His face blushed quickly, before he shut it and returned to writing.

"Dear me, this old thing from Edo Period really gives me so much inspiration for this piece," he remarked, "I have my reservations about this, but…"

Suddenly, there was an abrupt noise from outside that deafened even his thoughts. A chef-like man barged in and hid in the closets of Japan's room for cover. That chef-like figure was known as the "World's Kitchen", the Osaka Feudal Clan, and a good businessman for Japan.

"Osaka, what are you doing here?" Japan demanded, "I specifically requested for privacy while I'm at work."

"Sorry, but I saw that strange flying object over our estate," Osaka apologised, "I think it came from Joseon's place though…"

However, that incident was not the only one that plagued East Asia during the days of the Cold War.

China had his own hobbies to pass time, one of which involved going to the mountainous parts of his home to find herbs. Dressed in a green modern militarised Mao suit, he scoured his lands with a small panda clinging onto a basket strapped on.

"The simple pleasures of life," China stated, "though the world changes, this garden never changes and the herbs I bring back to heal my old wounds."

Suddenly, an old man in Chinese robes appeared. He had a cane with him, and seemingly big-boned with hairy limbs. However, a notable feature was the Hello Kitty mask that covered his entire head and a small sign written on the mask – Made in China. He was Shinatty, one of China's companions… though China remained ignorant of the cruel joke behind his name.

"Mr Shinatty, ni hao!" China loudly greeted, "since you are here, you mind helping to get the herbs for my back?"

"Sure thing, China," Shinatty replied, "I believe I had found the weirdest herb in days. It was some head with the light on the top."

Mr Shinatty moved aside some of the bushes and revealed the light coming from a torchlight. It was actually from a helmet that Joseon's head was wearing. The rest of his body seemed to be buried underneath the soil.

"So is this Korean territory?" he asked.

"Welcome to Beijing!" China cried.

"Huh, I thought Beijing is in China," Joseon said, "has Korea finally claimed his breasts?"

However, his cheerful expression turned into that of annoyance. Without warning, he pulled out a long rifle with bayonet and pointed it on Joseon.

"You must be one of Russia's spies and how dare you claim that guy has claimed me," China stated, "leave now before you face the water torture."

Here is a third case where in Joseon was said to be involved in trouble to his neighbours.

With the Meiji Restoration, the hundreds of old feudal lands had lost much and pushed into Japan's estate to live out their days. Osaka was strolling in the courtyards. It was during a shower, so he had an umbrella with him. He then saw a fellow clan seated in a pavilion – Kanazawa.

"Kanazawa-san, this will be dinner time soon," Osaka said.

"Oh where is Sendai?" Kanazawa cried out, "I sit and wait in the rain. Yet, I see no one."

"Come in now, we are having whale meat this time round," Osaka said, "I'm sure Sendai will not be far from the food."

Meanwhile, the feudatory of Sendai was blindfolded and gagged. He was locked inside a dark room with a single light over his head. Sendai had worn headphones by his captors relaying messages to him. Beside him, it was Joseon with a headset and he talked into it.

"Sendai, I will ask you one last time," Joseon said, "tell me where I can find a secret passageway into Japanese soil."

"I can't hear anything!" Sendai exclaimed, "I'm hungry and it's too loud here!"

"Huh? Is this guy as mad as Japan claimed he'd be?" Joseon wondered.

However, his mischief was not for long. In the 1990s, the Soviet Union had collapsed and Russia lost significant powers. Joseon was fearful of the lack of his only support in Russia, and seek a backup ally.

Joseon was walking towards a flight of stairs up, and was quite exhausted by the time he climbed up. At the top, it was a white building – the house of America. Joseon had no time to waste and pressed the doorbell.

"Hi there… oh it's you!" America exclaimed, and then his voice died down, "I believe we are on opposing ends here."

"Was, but since Russia had broken up the Soviet Union, I have no one to lean on," Joseon said.

"Good, then you can be like Prussia and rejoin your brother," America said.

"No!" Joseon exclaimed, "All I wanted is a non-aggression pact between us, a bilateral affair."

"I was told of the chaos in East Asia, most of which had been caused by you," America said, "Japan, South Korea and China had…"

"Those three are all liars!" Joseon yelled, "I will give three bangs on their vital regions!"

"You try, and I shall amass an international coalition against you," America said, "but I am that mean. I will agree of course, but this will be a six-man party."

"With who…" Joseon wondered.

"Russia, China, Japan… and Korea," America replied, "I will send them this news."

Thus, the Six-Party Talks were to begin among these countries. However, these meetings were never a success and no progress remains as a shadow looms over Asia.

The Six-Party Talks began in China's home, an Oriental styled series of palace within a modern backdrop. The meeting had not started yet, so China was cleaning things up along with Hong Kong.

"Good to have some help before the other nations get here," China thanked.

However, the quiet nation only continued his work and carried an old cardboard box out. Suddenly, its contents dropped out as the box crumbled.

"These boxes have been with me before Qin Shihuang's time," China said, "I ought to change them soon."

As Hong Kong picked a scroll dropped, he noticed the features of the scroll. It featured a picture of three individuals in the Korean hanbok, two males and a female.

"Uh…China, who are these in the picture?" asked Hong Kong.

"You seen my scroll, should be of a Lady Su Daji," China said while finding out what Hong Kong found out, "…that… that is a picture of the Three Kingdoms of Ancient Korea."

"The Three Kingdoms?" wondered Hong Kong.

"Yes, they were former acquaintances of mine," China stated, "Goguryeo, Baekje and Silla. Those three were the old personifications of the Korean lands. The girl's Silla, and Baekje is the guy with the smile on his face, while Goguryeo is the soldier-like person."

"But what happened to them?" Hong Kong asked, "Had they suffered the same fate as Roma and Germania?"

"You can say that," China said, "Silla and Baekje later on united in a marriage to form the United Silla, while Goguryeo remains on his own."

"Are the two Koreas the offspring of the United Silla?" Hong Kong asked.

"I can confirm that Korea, the Southern part, is the product of this union, but I had always suspected that Silla produced Joseon with Goguryeo," China stated, "when anyone comes in later, forget what I just say. The Koreas are already stained by the present, they need not be polluted by their past."

"I can see some resemblances in these old Kingdoms in comparison to the modern ones," Hong Kong said, "the militaristic lineage of the North and that silliness of the South."

"Yes, they really do resemble their fathers," China said, "now, let's relocate these to the warehouse."

And so the story of the two Koreas continues, as their fate of eternal conflict will as well. Was it a by-product of the Ancients that preceded them, or the cruelty of foreign intervention? No one knows and no one cares, for the Koreas continue to wage a silent war… the remnant of the Cold War.

Note: Kanazawa actually spoke a haiku, a Japanese poem of three lines with the syllables 5-7-5.

Original Characters Profiles

Name: Im Jong Soon

Represents: Democratic People's Republic of Korea/North Korea/Joseon

Age: 19

Birthday: Unknown

Appearance: Red version of Korea's hanbok, with a long braided ponytail a la the Manchu style. Military uniform includes a black uniform with the red-with-yellow star armband.

Joseon was one of two personifications of the Koreas, sometimes known to be the older sibling. Unlike his brother, Joseon was more serious and built up a strong military at the expense of his people.

Of late, he had claimed to have developed nuclear weapons and launched missile tests. He hated Japan for his occupation of Korean lands, and his Southern brother for not aligning with him. He also hates America and most other nations, earning him with almost no friends.

However, he is still allied with China and Russia. Due to this, he was spared from the harsh demands of America.

Name: Goguryeo, Baekje and Silla

Represents: The Three Kingdoms of Ancient Korea

Age: Over 2000 years

Birthday: Undetermined

Status: Dead

In ancient times, Korea was jointly ruled by the Three Kingdoms: Goguryeo, Baekje and Silla. Goguryeo is the northernmost state and enjoyed vast lands. However, he must constantly fight off against the Chinese and Mongol tribes. Due to this, the southern states of Baekje and Silla were credited with the growth of Korean culture as they were safe from land-bound enemies.

It had been assumed and debated that some intimate relationship between the Three Kingdoms led to the birth of Korea and Joseon. Most believed that both Koreas were formed due to the union between Silla and Baekje known as the United Silla. It can be noted that Korea does share traits of Baekje, with his like for Korean culture for one.

Others believed that Goguryeo had a relation with Silla, one that produced Joseon. It can be argued that Joseon shared the paranoia of Goguryeo when facing outsiders and instinctively military-minded.

It was not known when these Three Kingdoms died out, but they were gone by the time of the First Sino-Japanese War. Even the two Koreas do not have full knowledge as to their predecessors' demise. One even theorised that Mongolia had killed them, but was denied by Mongolia himself.