50 States: Chapter 14
Hi guys! Just so you know, I'm not taking anymore requests after this chapter is posted. But I am still grateful that you shared your ideas with me. I really appreciate it.
"Damn Tex, did you make the armory bigger?" Massachusetts asked his southern brother who was grinning from ear to ear.
"Aw Mass, you wound me!" Texas feigned offence, clutching his heart. "You really think I wouldn't take the chance to make it better?"
Pennsylvania cocked a shotgun and took aim, getting familiar with the weapon. The 13, except Delaware and New Jersey, along with a few of the other states began selecting their weapons, arming themselves with firearms and grenades as if preparing to go to war. They were all even dressed in camouflage and had at least one pair of binoculars.
"I ain't missing out on a chance to get that limey." Arkansas said, loading his rifle.
"Those poor nations. Bless their hearts." South Carolina smirked, taking off the safety of her submachine gun. "I'm hoping to get one of the big leads."
"The Frenchie is mine, end of discussion." Louisiana said, hinting that she won't take no for an answer.
"I want the Kraut." A voice came from the entrance. "If you ask me it's about time for a little payback. You want in, Sam?"
The first and third state walked in, dressed in the same camouflage suits as their brothers and sisters. Delaware had her hair in a ponytail and New Jersey wrapped a bandana around his head.
"We were just wondering when you two would show up." New York grinned, tossing them each a pistol.
"About damn time." North Carolina muttered, sticking a piece of gum in his mouth.
"I'm gonna get that slant eyed coward." California purred, darkly as he finished loading his gun. "And the Chinese commie."
"Cool it, Cal. Leave some for us." Tennessee laughed.
"Yeah, I want a go at Japan too." Delaware grinned as she armed herself. "We should also let Nuq and Lani get a shot at him."
Maryland snickered. "The tiny two get their revenge."
The Dakota twins high fived at that and cheered in unison. "Sweet!"
"I gotta see that." Alabama stated.
"I'll wake everyone up at six." Virginia offered.
"Wake the C's and N's too." Rhode Island added. "I'm sure they're gonna want in on this."
"Especially Aunt Lizzie and Jill." Georgia remarked, inspecting her rifle. "They've got a bone to pick with the limey and Japan."
"Not to mention Mexico's states." Iowa inspected her grenades. "They still hold a grudge against the Spaniard."
"You think we might get in trouble for this?" Vermont asked, uncertainly. She was nervously fidgeting with her watch.
"Don't worry about it, Mae. Just stick with me." New Hampshire assured the younger state. One of their walkie talkies suddenly went off. It was New York's.
"11 speaking." He answered.
"Hey Adam," Minnesota's voice came from the other end. "It's almost midnight and the nations are still in the library. I hope one of you has a plan to get them back to their rooms before 12:30."
"Got it, 32. Thanks." As he ended the call he turned to his rival. "You got a plan for this, Mass?"
Massachusetts scoffed but he had a gleam in his eyes. "You kidding? Of course I do."
"And?" Michigan pressed.
"We don't have our Native blood for nothing." Was all he said.
The rest of the states suddenly had the same gleam as him.
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The Nordics had separated during their investigation. Finland and Sweden were searching one of the S aisles, Denmark and Norway were in a C section, and Iceland had wandered into the N sections.
Norway was currently reading a book labeled OO while Denmark was checking out the other aisle.
September 1st, 1524
The Swedes have gained their independence from Denmark and the Kalmar Union has been dissolved. While I am happy for Beatrice, she decided to go back to her country for a while and wasn't sure when she would see us again. She and Taika wish to go keep an eye on their nations. I believe that to be wise. Mikaela and I will watch ours too, especially Denmark. You just never know what he might do.
That is what we despise about the nations. They follow their leaders blindly and someone always gets hurt. Norway is no longer treated as his own nation. Denmark's rule is clearly affecting Mikaela too. I can still see it no matter how many times she insists that she is alright. The difference between Denmark and Copenhagen is that Mikaela allowed us to do whatever we wished. She even allowed us to go back to our homelands whenever we wished. Mikaela is a very kind woman and a wonderful sister. I only wish her country was more like her.
Norway couldn't help but envy the relationship between Oslo and Copenhagen. The Danish capital was a more disciplined person than her country. Mikaela cared more for her sisters and their well being than following her country without a second thought. The Scandinavian capitals were closer than the Nordics had ever been.
Meanwhile, Denmark selected a book labeled SM.
September 24th, 1921
Teddy was pretending to be President Roosevelt again today. While I still find it funny, it can become a problem at night. He will play a bugle at night and keep everyone awake. Earlier this afternoon while I was watching Zach and Margaret, Toris asked Mikaela where he could find the storage closet to put away his cleaning supplies when Teddy played his bugle loudly at the top of the stairs. Toris nearly jumped ten feet in the air and instantly covered his ears. The look on his face was hilarious! I tried not to but I laughed and Mikaela scolded Teddy for playing so loud. Alfred then entered and warned him that he would take the bugle away if he heard it again. Apparently, Alfred and Anya were trying to put Nanuq and Leilani down for a nap on the floor below us.
Denmark burst out laughing only to be slapped on the back of the head by Norway.
"Aw, C'mon Norge! Wisconsin was just like me as a kid. How is that not funny?"
"You're going to get us caught!" Norway snapped. "At least your capital would know not to attract attention in this situation."
As the two argued, Finland read a book labeled 32. The entries appeared to have been written by a young child.
November 23rd, 1869
Daddy introduced us to some new capitals today and said that they were going to live with us from now on. They are the capitals of Scandinavia, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Helsinki, Oslo, and Reykjavik. Miss Stockholm is very pretty and she patted my head when I introduced myself. I felt like I was connected to the Scandinavians someway. But I liked Miss Helsinki the most. She was always happy and told me many stories about the countries she traveled to in Europe. Chloe really likes her too.
Miss Helsinki said her name was Taika Vainamoinen. I asked her if I could call her Auntie. She looked surprised but then she became very happy and hugged me. I asked her what Auntie meant in her language. It's Täti. I'm going to call her Täti Taika from now on. I can't wait to introduce her to Thanksgiving in two days.
Finland let out an 'Aww' and showed Sweden the entry who just grunted in acknowledgement. Tino wondered which state this diary belonged to. It must be a state with one of the highest rates of Finnish ancestry. He tried to remember which one had the most Finnish blood besides Michigan as Sweden opened a book labeled 29.
May 29th, 1888
It's Teddy's birthday. We're having a celebration downstairs. When I went downstairs I saw Tant Beatrice's door open. She was doing her hair in front of the mirror. She looked like an angel compared to me. Tant Beatrice is the most beautiful woman in the Jones Household. Everybody knows that. I tried to sneak away but she saw me. Probably from the mirror.
'I see you there, Pamela.' Tant Beatrice said, smiling. 'You don't need to be so mousy. Come in if you want.'
I went inside and she asked me to help her put on her pearl necklace. I told Tant Beatrice that I wished I looked like her. She took my hand and said that I was beautiful as I am and that she wouldn't ever want me to change. When we walked down the hallway, she took a flower from one of the vases and put it in my hair.
Teddy's birthday was fun. Onkel Gilbert was even there. He had brought his and Tante Julchen's siblings. Berlin, Vienna, Bern, and Vaduz. It was nice to finally meet them. I especially liked Berlin and Vaduz. I heard Berlin say to Dad that she might consider living here for awhile sometime in the future.
In the N aisle, a stack of envelopes were sticking out between two books labeled USA. Iceland took the envelopes and took out a letter that appeared to be over two centuries old.
November 22nd, 1861
Dear Mary,
The campaign of Pensacola is going poorly and the Union had been outnumbered from the start. It is very lightly that we will be defeated within a short matter of time. No one has heard from nor received a letter from any of you since the Confederacy took you away and if I never get the chance to write to you again there are some things that I want you to know. I have great confidence in the cause of the Union and the government. I am willing to give all I have to maintain it and to see to it that you and all of your siblings are living well and happy, just like during the Revolution.
Mary, my love for you and your siblings is endless. It gives me the strength and courage to fight. All the blissful moments I've had with you come over me like a wave on the battlefield and I am thankful to have enjoyed them for as long as I did and to see you grow into a beautiful, independent young woman.
If I lose this war, my sweet daughter, never forget how much I love you and how proud I am of you. Please forgive all my mistakes and learn to never do what I have ever done, don't be foolish like your father. Mary, if I never see you again, don't ever think for a second that any of this is your fault. Your people may have been the first to secede but I know the real you. I know you've always had anti-slavery views and how much you loved looking after our family.
I have a few requests to ask of you, Mary. Always help Martha and Edith, they're your best friends. Always listen to Martha and do what she tells you to do, she's the eldest among you now. When you make up your mind, you accomplish what you want to do. Keep track of your finances because money is very important. Always be kind and be yourself. Keep studying languages, keep drawing, and keep painting. Your passions are what make you who you are.
I love you, Mary.
Sincerely,
Your father, Alfred F. Jones
The more Iceland read, an ache started to form in his chest and increased with every word. His usually stoic expression softened and reflected the sorrow written on the page he held. Feeling empathy was almost foreign to him for he rarely felt it.
Iceland tucked the letter back into the envelope and reached for the second letter.
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"Oh Great Spirit, whose voice I hear in the winds, and whose breath gives life to all the world, hear me!" Delaware chanted in Algonquian, raising her hands above the lit torch. All the states sat in a circle with Delaware in the center in front of a lit torch.
Pennsylvania suddenly looked nervous and handed Delaware a piece of paper. "Careful with those things, Del. The last time we summoned them didn't go so well."
Delaware nodded and started drawing on the paper. Once she finished, Charity started chanting in Algonquian, this time William and Ethan chanted with her, once more while holding the paper in the air.
The other states prayed that the summoning worked this time. They shuddered to think about their last summoning of the creatures they were currently trying to bring forth.
AN: Anyone have a guess to what spirit the states are trying to summon?