America lead Germany and Italy to a room a few doors down from Maine's. He promised that they were almost halfway through. "Arkansas's number twenty-five, and we're on number twenty-four. Missouri shouldn't be too bad."

"How did you keep the fact that you have fifty children a secret?" Germany asked.

America shrugged. "Hard work and determination. I didn't mean to insult you guys by not telling you."

"Why did you tell Big Brother France, Prussia, and Japan?" Italy asked.

"Because France and Prussia were some of my first allies. I needed someone to watch them when they were really little. Once the thirteen got old enough, I stopped asking France and Prussia. But they still insisted on meeting the younger ones. Besides, that was unavoidable anyway. They were in the house when I woke up to Delaware. Then the reason Japan knows is because California was so young when I went to Japan that I couldn't leave her behind and it was beneficial to her since, at the time, she was the closest to Japan. I also wanted to teach Delaware how to interact with nations that aren't family. Delaware is my oldest, and I wanted him to know what to do if something were to happen to me. During the Civil War, he handled most of my correspondence and a lot of my duties." He looked at Germany. "I think you and him are going to get along."

"You trust us with them?" the blond nation asked with surprise.

America nodded. "I didn't used to, that's why I flat out refused to tell anyone if I didn't have to. The world is a lot different than when we first met. It gives me peace of mind to know that you'll be there if I'm not. Besides, they really like you guys. And anyway, there is some other ones I'm going to have to let know. I don't want them to think I don't trust them or anything, and I think they were suspicious anyway. They might already know and I didn't know they knew."

He stopped in front of a door and knocked.

"Coming!" a boy's voice called from inside. The door flew open to reveal a black haired boy with piercing light-blue eyes. He smiled when he saw them. "Hey Dad! Hey guys! I'm Lucas, the State of Missouri. I'd invite y'all in, but my room's kind of a mess."

Germany smiled. He enjoyed all the states. From formal Delaware to Missouri, who currently was only wearing a white collared shirt and a pair of boxers. He really couldn't wait to meet the rest. They were all so different, but they reminded him a lot of the countries, only closer and more familial.

He also felt a strange desire to protect them. They were so young and most likely vulnerable. They weren't nations, so they probably didn't have the abilities of a full fledged nation. There was also something weaker about their auras, but it was hard to notice when they were all together.

He wondered why his brother never told him. Prussia couldn't keep his nose out of other people's business, so it was no surprise that he knew. Still, Prussia couldn't keep a secret, at least not that Germany knew. Could he? It seemed like there was a lot more to the older nation than Germany previously realized. Now that he was thinking about it, he really should get to know Prussia more. Who knows how long his brother had left now that he had seemingly lost his status as a nation permanently? Seeing America around his states gave Germany the desire to form a closer bond with his brother. After all, Prussia raised him, and the older nation could be gone tomorrow for all Germany knew.

"-but Kansas told me that he's fine." Missouri was finishing telling America something that sounded important.

Said nation grimaced. "Is he in his room?"

"Yeah, I think Wyoming and Montana are .with him."

"Okay, I'll go check on him. Can you take these guys to see Arkansas?" America asked.

"Yeah, totally." Missouri replied. And with that, America took off. "Just let me get some pants on and we'll go find Arkansas."

The state disappeared into his room but reappeared shortly after wearing a pair of black slacks. He gestured for them to follow.

"Ve~ Where did America go?" Italy asked.

"One of my brothers had a seizure. Probably something going on in his state. Dad went to go make sure he's okay. He's fine though. It wasn't as bad as it could've been. Kansas, one of my sisters, said it was just like his brain shut off and came back on really quick; it was like someone flicked a light switch in it. Still kinda scary though."

"Ja, I can imagine." Germany agreed sympathetically.

"You know, it's weird to think that I'm older than an actual nation." Missouri said, changing the subject.

"What do you mean?" Italy asked.

"Germany wasn't unified until 1871, right, and I was born in 1821. So, Mr. Germany, I'm a whole fifty years older than you." Germany stood there dumbfounded as Missouri continued. "Everyone up until Colorado's older than you, since 'Rado wasn't born until 1876. That's super weird."

"Then why aren't you physically older than me?" Germany asked.

"Well, can't exactly be older than America, can we? I mean, if you go by colonization dates and yadda, yadda, yadda, then yeah, technically older. But we weren't born until the date we became a state. Nations can't exactly survive under a state constitution, so that wiped out anyone who carried our name before us. Besides, if it weren't for federalism, shared power between state governments and the federal government, we wouldn't exist. We kind of function like the European Union, only we can't override federal law and the Supreme Court's word is final. There's really no legal way for us to leave. We found that out during the civil war. Well, the Southern states found that out."

"I thought you were a Southern state?" Germany replied.

Missouri shrugged. "Eh, it's complicated. I was a border state during the civil war, but I was admitted as a slave state. I'm like part Midwest, part Southern. It depends on who you ask."

He lead them down the hall in silence for a few moments.

"Anyway, you guys are almost halfway through! And you haven't gone insane yet, which is a bonus! I bet you're excited. I'm number twenty-four by the way." the state told them. He stopped in front of another door and pounded on it. "Arkansas!"

This time, he said the state's name differently. Earlier, both he and America had pronounced it "are-can-saw", but this time Missouri pronounced it "are-kansas". Germany suspected he was doing it to make the other state mad. Just then, the door flew open.

Okay, long author's note alert. It's kind of important because it explains some concerns I've seen among other things.

So I've been getting some reviews saying "Why is he called Italy? That's not fair to Romano." Allow me to clarify: in canon, literally every single character, except for Romano, always refers to North Italy as just Italy. That's what America knows him as; therefore that's what the states know him as. I know I'm not the greatest with canon (obviously), but I do know enough to know that the only character to call him "Veneziano" is Romano. So please do not say I'm being unfair to Romano in your reviews because I'm not, especially if you're going to point out canon mistakes. Point out my canon mistakes if you want, I don't care, but make sure you know canon yourself before you do. Does that make sense? I mean, it helps you guys out in the end. I do fact check when people point out my inconsistencies in canon to remind myself for future reference, so please go ahead and nit-pick away.

Which brings me to my next point: where in canon does it specify that the house Lithuania and Romano stayed in while they were with America was located in Virginia? I went back through those strips and saw nothing that references America living in a specific state. And I don't remember the anime episodes of Lithuania's outsourcing specifying that they were in Virginia. It could be canon that he does live in Virginia, but I didn't see anything that said that. Am I missing something? Is it in an old blog post or a different strip or something? Please let me know. I'm genuinely curious as to where that piece of information is.

I'm not mad or anything, I would just really like to know and I wanted to clarify that one thing because I have received several reviews about it. I apologize if I seem to be coming off as rude because that's really not my intention. I read all your guys' reviews and I like to double check things like canon because I know I have made some huge canon mistakes in here (that I tried to make up for, but that obviously could have gone better). I appreciate each and every one of your reviews, even the bad ones because they let me know what to improve on in the future. You all are entitled to your own opinions and I respect that. I will never, ever delete a review, unless it is something harmful, threatening, or offensive to anyone. You have a right to let me know what you think, whether you think this is the worst story in the history of mankind or the best story ever (though I will admit it is far from my best work, but to be fair, it is not my worst; that title would have to go to an old Kid Icarus story I published on Wattpad *shudders*). I mean bad reviews are upsetting to anyone (because who honestly likes receiving negative criticism; you're lying to yourself if you say you do), but you guys make valid points and you have every right to. So just know, I will never delete a negative review and will always keep the criticism offered in mind.

To address some other concerns I've seen: many of these states need a lot of character development, and I know that, which is why I have a one-shot collection dedicated to them. Some of them, like Maine, have the bare minimum personality because I still need to do a lot of research. And don't worry, not all of them like France and Prussia. Just because they know those two or were watched by those two when they were little, doesn't necessarily mean they like them. I have old babysitters that I absolutely hate. I'm sure we all do.

Do Romano and Lithuania actually know America's secret, and the states and America don't know they know? It's 100% possible. Just keep in mind that because a character says, thinks, or believes something, doesn't mean it's automatically true. They think it is and they lead us to believe it is, but it might not be. Romano and Lithuania don't have a POV in this story, so we don't know what they know and we don't have the full story. That's just something to keep in mind for any story you read, whether it's fanfiction or original fiction: you never have the whole story because there's always another perspective.

You guys are really the greatest audience I could ask for. You give me advice, criticism where I need it, and praise where it is earned. You don't flame the reviews, and you're always mature. You always keep me thinking about where I can improve on my mistakes. You tell me what you like and don't like, and you tell me when I mess up. I value you guys' opinions and I appreciate you guys for helping to build me as a writer. So truly, thank you so much. End of long author's note. Sorry I rambled so much, I just felt I needed to address these things.

Missouri:

Human Name: Lucas Evan Jones

Official Name: The State of Missouri

State Nicknames: The Show-Me State, Bullion State

Eye Color: Light Blue

Hair Color: Black

Human Age: 15

Birthday: August 10, 1821 (24th) for