Chapter 8: The Speech

In the middle of the night, America and England snuck up to the World Conference building. They could hear shouting coming from inside. They looked in the window and saw the Axis and the Allies standing on either side of the conference room, yelling at each other. America knew that they were arguing about the merger. He knew now that what he did was a mistake.

"Oh, crap!" said America. "We've gotta stop this before someone declares war!"

England responded with the face and gestures that said, "I can't go in there! Look at me!"

"I know, I know," said America. "But we can't get to the tapestry with those guys fighting like that."

England pointed his paw to America. America knew what he meant: he was the one who had to settle this.

When America entered the conference room, the rest of the countries stopped yelling at each other and turned to face him.

"America, where have you been?" asked France.

"I've been talking with England," said America.

"And where is he?!" said Germany angrily. "Let him settle this!"

America dismissed this question. From the window across the room, he could see the lion; the top of his mane and his eyes were only visible in the window. As long as no one looked at the window, there was nothing to worry about; America had everybody's attention.

"Once, there was an ancient kingdom in Scotland," he began. "That kingdom fell into war and chaos and ruin."

"Is this another story Angleterre heard from his brother and told you?" asked France skeptically.

"But it's true!" America told him. "I know now how a selfish act can turn the fate of everyone around you."

"It's just a legend," said Russia.

"Legends are lessons; they ring with truths," said America.

England was surprised to hear America quote the words he had said. Along with him, everyone else was surprised that America was talking so maturely and seriously.

"Our countries go back a long time. Our stories are part of history. Within these years, we struck many bonds with many countries. As for us, even though we're kinda enemies sometimes, when something disastrous happens, we come together to fix it.

"Remember when those Pictonian dudes came from Picto to make the world into a Picto planet? We teamed up and worked together to save the world! We fought for and risked everything for each other! Germany, you kicked some serious Picto ass defending us from those creeps!"

The anger ebbed away as Germany remembered that fateful night on that island.

"And Japan, you stopped the Pictonians from killing us by showing them your Bon Bon dancing and making them happy!"

Japan nodded humbly with a small smile.

"And who could forget that Italy here saved us all by drawing faces on all those Pictonians!"

Italy smiled as he remembered. "Yeah! I did!" Germany glanced at him with a smile, remembering what Italy did that night.

"That whole experience," said America. "made us tolerate each other more and made our bonds stronger. A bond that still exists today despite our differences."

England found himself smiling at America's inspiring words.

America frowned. "But I was selfish. I tore a rift between us. This is my fault. And I know that I need to fix my mistakes and mend our bond. And so there's the matter of the merger agreement. I've decided to do what's right and-"

America's eyes glanced at the window where England was waving his paws as a mean to stop him.

"And…."

England began gesturing to him.

"...and….leave the choice….to you."

The countries gasped in surprise. America continued to look at England as the lion made the gestures to continue the message.

"England….feels….in his heart….that I….that we should….search for our own….country….to trade….and to learn about….and depend less….on strength….and popularity….but on loyalty….and willingness….to help….in times of need. So basically," America said. "you guys should choose for yourselves who you'd want merge with, so long as they're okay with it."

"Well," said Germany. "Let me just say, that is-"

"A great idea!" Italy interrupted. "Why shouldn't we choose?"

Germany, shocked at Italy's instant agreement, looked at Japan. "And you feel the same way?"

Japan, who hated being put on the spot, quietly said, "It shouldn't be right to be forced into a merger agreement we do not want."

Germany sighed. Since the idea was won two out of three, it was necessary to agree, too. "All right then, we will choose for ourselves which country to exchange our cultures and businesses with. You handled this well, America."

America smiled, happy that the situation was now resolved. He glanced at the window to see England giving a proud smile.

"Hey, everybody!" said America. "Let's all go to the kitchen, make some food, and celebrate!"

All the other countries agreed and headed down to the kitchen. ("I can make the pasta!" said Italy happily.) As soon as they were gone, America opened the doors to let England in.

"Dude, that was awesome!" said America, giving the lion a high-five. "That's one problem taken care of. Now let's go fix the other one!"