"Where is Saudi Arabia? He should have met with us a long time ago." Asks Bahrain looking impatiently the time in his Rolex.
"I don't think he remembers what we had agreed to do this afternoon. Since he found out the nuclear deal had been successful, he has been very distracted." Speaks Emirates looking calmly throw the window of his apartment. "Let's not waste our time waiting, he surely got himself something more important to do."
"Like what?" Emirates looks aside to Bahrain who waited a good excuse for what might be.
"Well, considering what he has been telling me for the last days, he is very focused in becoming stronger to compete with Iran."
"Really, how?"
"Better sit down my friend… Saudi is actually starting to exercise himself." Bahrain looks at him in shock.
"Like… really exercise?"
"Yes, if you be quiet and open your room's window in the morning, you might hear Saudi's tired cries after running for five minutes." Laughs Emirates along with Bahrain.
"He is such a couch potato, I can't believe that stupid deal brought him to do this. It's very extreme."
"I know but… It's healthy, so I can't complain, although I don't like the company he is having along the physical exercises." Mumbles Emirates looking out again thinking if Saudi could actually be exercising at that hour of the day.
"Ohh… Saudi is having company? Who?" Emirates looks back at him with a wry smile. Bahrain was smart, loyal and also very sensitive. Mentioning Israel would make him go mad and frustrated, although that would be the limit he would become, his loyalty is indeed unquestionable. But he would spare him that headache.
"Oh, no one relevant or important, just someone who likes to think is strong. How as Qatar doing? I noticed she as been very quiet lately, but still very into Iran." Bahrain gives him a sad stare.
"I don't know either. You know how she is, too strong and independent to accept other's opinions. I personally think she wants to become like Oman... you know, the neutral one, keeping her own business and not being bordered."
"Ahhh… Who doesn't want to be like Oman… Even I envy my dear sister. In the end, the truly good player it's only her."
"I know! She doesn't fear anything, when someone has a problem for example with Iran she is always the first to step on and offer help to solve things. I even remember when she stood for Egypt just because he had recognized the Zionist occupier."
"That's why she is so dear to everyone, even Saudi can't say anything against her."
"Of course not! We would be killing each other if it wasn't for her!"
"But if that's Qatar's dream she can forget. Oman might have relations with everyone but she is discreet and doesn't put her interests ahead of the others, unlike Qatar. She likes a big challenge, forgetting she can come out burned in the end."
"She will change, I swear, give her more time." Begs Bahrain.
"I do, but Saudi might not. He's under very stress… He even questioned the idea of developing nuclear power."
"What?! Now everyone is thinking about having that shit?!" Shouts Bahrain.
"Can you blame him?" Emirates walks close by Bahrain who was sitting on couch. "I also don't agree with getting such resource… It's already trouble having Israel with nuclear weapons, and Pakistan and India too on the other side. Smells a lot like war. I warned Saudi that showing now interest for nuclear power or weapons would give a signal of threat, it would be better say quiet for a while."
"I hope he listens to you." Emirates smiles at him giving his hand for him to lift up. He holds gently his back guiding him outside the apartment.
"Saudi won't come, lets take ourselves a quiet walk to relieve our minds." Bahrain agrees and walks calmly next to Emirates, until a loud and violent scream it's heard.
They felt their heart's beat increase in an instant. It had been a painful desperate scream.
"Was it Syria again?" Trembles Bahrain not wanting to know what had caused it.
"Maybe, or maybe Palestine." Suggests Emirates also shocked with the horrible scream that repeated itself again. "It sounds like a woman." He notices.
"And it's not unfamiliar… someone might be hurt!"
"Calm down…!" Another voice shouts madly interrupting Emirates's thoughts.
"You idiot! What the hell are you doing?! Get out!" His heart beat increases again. That was Saudi shouting, his brother, but Saudi doesn't shout like that, not in such tumultuous way. What was happening?
Emirates it's the first to ran as fast as he could, carefully leaning against the wall as the screams grew louder and louder. Bahrain appears next to him after some seconds equally worried with what might had happened. Emirates looks cautious before doing something foolish.
Viewing Oman crying out loud and pulling Saudi's thawb to get him away from Iran completely broke his mind. He joins the arguing not knowing why it had started, but he wouldn't let his sister just cry in vain or Saudi be beaten by Iran.
"Stop Iran! Stop!" Screams Emirates getting himself between Saudi and Iran, trying his best to keep Iran away, who was clearly the one assaulting Saudi.
Bahrain who viewed in a safe distance couldn't figure out in his head what might had caused that arguing, but Iran seem in rampage against Saudi, trying to make throw Emirates to kick him while cursing him and shouting 'murderer' out loud. Oman was next to them, trying to separate them, but very frightened with what was happening.
"Stop! Please!" She shouts holding her hands against her chest. "I'm gonna call England if you don't stop!"
Her warning cries don't bring the expected results. Iran tries again to grab Saudi by the neck, but it's stopped by Emirates who ends up receiving pushes and elbows from both sides.
"You murderer!" Shouts Iran with his eyes turning red with tears. "You will pay for what you did!"
"Get off me! It's not my fault!" Shouts Saudi back pushing accidentally Emirates against Iran knocking him over. "It was your fault, your people's fault!"
"You don't deserve to hold the greatest cities!" Shouts Iran pushing Emirates aside and tries to pull Saudi by his ghoutra making the headscarf fall on the ground.
"Holy shit." Mumbles Bahrain witnessing how fast Saudi's face turned red like a tomato and pushed Iran against the wall continuing their fight while Oman ran pass him screaming for someone and Emirates got up again to try to stop them.
The fight was loud and soon more people arrived to see what was causing the mess.
Syria appeared from the other side of the hall, although her face shown some surprise no words came out of her mouth and she took no actions to interfere. Lebanon came after her, and unlike her older sister, she tried to stop them vainly by screaming to stop.
"What is going on?!" She shouts noticing Bahrain on the other side who just shrugged in respond.
"Damn… And I thought it was Yemen and Saudi fighting." Said Israel watching slyly behind Bahrain, scaring him.
"Oh my…! How long you were here?!" He shouts jumping away from her.
"I came as soon as I heard the screams… I'm a very curious person. Why are they fighting?"
"We don't know." Sighs Bahrain seeing Emirates fall again on the ground complaining after another blow in his eye.
Loud steps are heard in the distance. Israel and Bahrain look back to see Oman running back with Turkey and Pakistan behind. They pass throw them at Saudi and Iran's direction. Turkey holds Iran by the collar and pushes him back easily with his strength while Pakistan pushed Saudi by his arm and stood in front of him to prevent him from going after Iran.
"You murderer! I won't forget this!" Shouts Iran still being pulled by Turkey to a far distance.
"Hey Zionist." Mumbles Palestine appearing from nowhere like Israel did before giving a heart attack to Bahrain when noticing him right next to him.
"Stop appearing from behind!" He shouts but Palestine doesn't give him any attention.
"Do you know what's going on?" Asks Israel.
"Yes…" He shows her the journal of today opening a certain page for her to see. Curious, Bahrain peeks the page Palestine was showing and soon the reason why Iran got mad was understandable. "… I got very shocked when I read it."
Turkey continues to pull Iran although he didn't struggle no more but continued to insult Saudi as long he could see him speaking with Pakistan and Oman about what had happened.
"Turkey! Let me go! I'm going to kill that bastard! He crossed the line! He crossed the line!"
"Don't be a fool, I know what happened… I'm sorry but I can't let you start a war for this." Out of other's sight, Turkey let's go Iran's neck allowing him to breath better and speak what he had to say.
"It's his fault! He had the responsibility to protect and insure anyone's safety and he let 4'000 people get crushed on the Hajj!"
"I also blame Saudi for what happened to the pilgrims… I'm actually very worried if there was any Turkish on the victims but scream at Saudi won't help now, you will increase the tensions… be patient for now or Saudi might be revengeful on your injured people."
"He will! He certainty will! That scum with no heart!" Iran lets tears of anger run down his cheeks as he felt a crush on his chest and soon realised he had more than just a few fatalities. "Its is fault…" He cries low resting his head at Turkey's shoulder feeling the painful ache on his chest increase. Turkey scrubs his back understanding his current pain.
"What happened Saudi? You own me an explanation, my chest burns like hell and my boss gave me a call with a very sad new." Speaks Pakistan with an authority tone. Pakistan was usually very soft and lovely towards Saudi, but whenever she was hurt her mood always changed to a cold and unrecognisable one.
"Pakistan, I wish I knew. I was only warned just a few minutes ago when Iran came for my head, I'm not indifferent to what happened and I will do everything I can to solve this and avoid another disaster alike."
"So… was this some tragic religious thing?" Asks Israel out of sudden not expecting everyone to make silence right at the moment she asked Palestine. She receives furious eyes pointing at her, even Saudi didn't spare her from his anger.
"If you have nothing good to say you better leave Israel." He speaks roughly at her.
"Sorry, meant no harm."
"The Hajj is a very important pilgrimage for Muslims, so much that every Muslim has at least do it once in his lifetime. Lot's of people travel to Mecca just to accomplish it." Explains Lebanon nicely but still a bit disturbed for what had happened.
"But sadly sometimes accidents like this happen but not in such large scale." Oman looks frustrated at Saudi with tears in her eyes. "What happen? You were supposed to take care of it, you should had took preparations for everyone make this journey safely."
"Please Oman, I'm disturbed as much as you are and as I said before, I don't plan to keep my hands crossed and do nothing. I will make sure this will be investigated and do preparations to avoid something alike."
"You better do Saudi." Warns Pakistan with not so friendly look.
"Sorry but we better leave for now." Mumbles Emirates leaning on Saudi's shoulder to lean while the other hand held his sore belly.
"Oh… I almost forgot you." Saudi passes Emirates's hand around his neck to help him walk.
"Do you need help?" Asks Bahrain.
"No…" Sighs Emirates feeling pain in his stomach for talking.
"Emirates isn't much of a fighter." Whispers Palestine to Israel who agrees.
Saudi starts walking fast as he could, holding Emirates hoping to stay way from Pakistan's angry eyes and the sad sobs. He was equally caught by the surprise, he felt the same pain and shame for not being able to manage better but, in his opinion, he shouldn't be the only one to blame as Iran wished.
He passes by Syria whose grin causes him agony. Syria was used to death, she was used to the pain, for too long, making almost seem that she had own some taste for it. That's why he got distant from her, that's why she smiled at his failure.
"You in trouble." Mumbles Emirates still holding his belly.
"I know."
Later that day, Saudi spend a good time trying to understand what had happened. Some blamed his management, others his disinterest for the safety of foreigners, and while him couldn't think that had been foreigners' fault, they didn't exactly respected the rules and end up crushing each other.
Regardless of who was guilty, Iran was more than right to be upset. In the end, the largest number of victims were Iranians, 464 out of 2'431 deaths.
Iran wouldn't leave him alone for that, he would start a new wave of revolt against him, Syria and Iraq would follow him for sure. Luckily, Pakistan would be smart and wouldn't pay attention to him even though she had suffered a lot from the accident. God, he prayed she would never leave him for Iran.
Israel knocked on the door at the end of the day. He didn't want to listen to her, he was tired of criticism, but as soon as he opened the door he saw in her face that she was not there to offer condolences or any critics.
"Hard day, huh?" Saudi sighs with exhaustion.
"Yes, indeed."
"Hold your breath because the worst is yet to come." He raises curious an eyebrow at her convinced expression.
"Something I should know?"
"More like something you should expect, Iran won't be quiet after what happened, and you better watch out for Yemen, I've seen them whisper in a sinister way."
"Thank you for the warning." He looks sideways through the door making sure no one sees them. Emirates was on the couch with ice in his eye, even though he was aware of who Saudi was speaking to he would ignore, and Oman was too busy to console Pakistan and the rest of the people.
"I can help, you know." She drew his attention.
"Sorry?" He did not quite understand what she could do to help him.
"I have good armament, I can help you against Yemen. You would deal with him faster and you could focus more on Iran."
"Are you suggesting I beat up my brother?"
"Is not that what you're already doing?" Saudi looks thoughtfully at the ground. He was stronger than Yemen, but Yemen was often aided by Iran against him. It was not Yemen's fault that he was so confused, he suffered from bipolarity because of the intense political problems, that led him and Iran to dispel his attention, ignoring how they were harming him.
"I do not want to hurt him... I just want Iran to get away from him."
"Do you intend to attack the source of the problem?" Saudi sighs.
"I couldn't even if I wanted."
"You know… America will be out for a while, at least a bit distant from us since his elections will start soon, so, we kind of have to look for each other while he is distracted… At least when it comes with dealing with Iran."
"All I want it's him far away."
"You know that won't happen… So, you want help or not?" He breaths out again, feeling his body tense with hesitation and guilty. Was he really considering taking Israel's help to take down Yemen, his brother? He shouldn't even think twice about the answer.
"No, I don't want your help." He answers fast feeling the regret for not being sure to deal correctly with the situation and relieve 'cause he for a second could avoid his selfish desires, for now.
"As you wish… But let me tell you my weapons are very efficient."
"I don't want them."
"In case you change your mind…!"
"I don't want your stupid toys Israel! Keep your fucking nose away from my family's business!"
Saudi looks back realizing the mistake he had made by shouting 'Israel'. Emirates looks at him worried but as soon his eyes caught with Saudi's he sighs looking to other direction. Seeing Emirates didn't care he looks back at Israel who was obviously disappointed with his answer.
"You a terrible negotiator Saudi, you know I'm discreet and you still don't want my help."
"I don't want to injure him more than needed." He whispers to not disturb Emirates again.
"If that's your choice why not just let him ally with Iran? He at least is a better negotiator than your highness."
"Excuse?!" Saudi was close to lose his patience with her. Why was she being so stubborn in helping him.
"Let me ask you Saudi… Do you remember the time when Iran was fighting with Iraq?"
"What about it?"
"Although, Iran was close to Iraq he didn't blank an eye when Iraq started to attack him, he didn't mind accepting my help despite he knew we weren't allies back on that time, and look where he is today, stronger than ever 'cause he didn't hold back and didn't take measures to be successful."
"You supported Iran back on that time?! You bitch!"
"Yes, I did… I was desperate to have him back that I thought by doing him that favour he would see me with other eyes. Didn't quite work as I thought."
"I wasted 20 billion on Iraq for nothing!"
"I had been so discreet he was even able in the end to lie I had helped him… But I wasn't the only one, you know?"
"Yes… Sadly." Sighs Saudi remember well the scandal with America when it had been found out he was supporting both sides of the war.
"So… coming back to our subject, you can see I'm very discreet at helping, no one would even know."
"My answer is still a big No." Israel sighs crossing her arms.
"Okay Saudi, I respect your decision and for that I own my honesty, I wanted you to accept my offer 'cause I need your help." Although Israel was very annoyed and serious, he couldn't help but find amusing how she was blushing, probably with anger for his reluctance, or shame for admitting wanting his help.
"Sorry, I didn't hear you." He speaks immediately with the intention to annoy her, at least that would help him forget his recent problems.
"I need your help in a certain issue." She speaks blushing even more without noticing.
"What? Say again?" Saudi leans to her with his hand around the ear.
"You stupid Arab you know very well what I just said! Do you want me to kick your potato nose?! Fatty!" Saudi feels his head heat with anger for the last word.
"I'm not fat you little Zionist!"
"Whatever… So can you help me, even thought you didn't accept my offer?"
"After you called me fat… No!"
"Listen to me, this matters to you too."
"I will listen, but only that… And then you leave."
"Okay. It's about Hezbollah, the terrorist group Lebanon is hosting and which Iran supports, you need to pressure Lebanon to get rid of it."
"Why?" He asks with a bored tone.
"Because it's a terrorists group! And it's a big connection between Lebanon and Iran!"
"He exists for so long, why you worry only now?"
"'Cause now Iran has more money to fund them… And that annoys me a lot. It's already disturbing watching him walk with Syria close by my place. Please do this for me and help yourself get rid of Iran's influence on others."
"I will think of it and see if it's worth my time." He speaks with a relaxed tone looking at his hand in a cocky way.
"… I will cuddle your beard if you don't …!"
"Israel!" He shouts making her immediately run away laughing at him.
