The 50 States of America
Chapter 2:
The nations sat in stunned silence, trying to process what had just happened a few minutes ago. America, the obnoxious burger-gorging nation that always bragged about being the hero was a father of fifty children. He had kept them a secret long since before the American Revolution. Alfred's story of the Boston Massacre had shaken many of them and they wondered if any of their actions in the past had harmed a child. How horrible it must have been for a father to watch as his six-year-old son screamed in agony, and he couldn't do anything to stop it.
Meanwhile, Canada, Mexico, Russia, Lithuania, Belarus, and Romano cast glances at each other, trying to communicate what they should do now. Prussia was still hidden under Canada's seat, but he made his presence known by giving a slight tug on Matthew's leg, who tapped his foot in acknowledgment. They would need to contact America as soon as possible, but right now the other nations needed to be watched. Who knows what they'll do now that they know about America's states?
It was Germany who finally broke the silence by clearing his throat.
"It seems we have a more important topic than global warming at the moment." He stated once all eyes were back on him. "We should probably discuss America's states."
"Oui, it's because of this crétin I'm finding out now that I am an oncle." France said, glaring at England. For once, England didn't argue. He just glared down at the table as shame started to stir within him and tried to force the feeling back down. It was because of his screw up that his former colony went as far as to start a revolution to get away from him. If the Boston Massacre was bad, England dreaded to know the consequences of the burning of Washington. Not only that, but he had also lost count of the number of times he had rubbed it in America's face when he burned the younger nation's capital to the ground. Arthur was certain that he had burned a child that day.
Japan was also silent. After America had told them about the Boston Massacre, he'd started thinking about a specific date in December of 1941. His hands began to shake as he started putting the pieces together and felt as if he was going to be sick. It was possible that the attack on Pearl Harbor had hurt that little girl who'd entered the meeting room not too long ago. She didn't seem to notice him at the time since her attention had been on Canada. How would she react to meeting Japan face to face. Remembering how America had reacted to France when he got too close to Hawaii had Kiku nearly forget to breathe for a moment before attempting to force himself to calm down. He was so absorbed in his thoughts that he nearly missed when Germany started speaking again.
"From what we know, America has fifty children and each one personifies a state." Ludwig continued. "I think it would be best to meet with America and his states in person."
Lithuania raised his hand.
"Ja, Lithuania?" Germany asked.
"I think we should stay out of Mr. America's business." Toris said, much to the surprise of his brothers, Estonia and Latvia, and his friend, Poland. "He is surely struggling to raise them, and I do not think it would be wise to intrude into their lives so suddenly."
"I understand your concern for the children, but we need to know what is going on." Germany replied. "For all we know, these states could be a threat."
"A threat to what exactly?" This time it was Mexico who had spoken up. Many nations flinched at her glare; her brown eyes were blazing like two identical flames as anger seemed to seep out of her as she continued to speak. "They are children! Alfred and I may not always get along, but I know him well enough that he would never turn children into soldiers just to flaunt power or that he would let them attack other countries without consequences!"
"Rosa-" Spain started but froze when his former colony sent him a scathing glare.
"Cállate!" She hissed before turning back to the other nations, her voice raising as she spoke. "Many of you shouldn't even be allowed near America's children! Haven't you done enough damage?!"
"Mexico," Canada spoke, firmly while gently grabbing Rosa's arm. "Calm down."
But Mexico's clearly wasn't done yet as she turned to face England.
"When you burned down Washington D.C. in 1814, Maryland and Virginia were hurt. Maryland was about eight and Virginia was barely fourteen. They still have burn marks from the attack even today!" Rosa then turned to Germany. "A group of your agents set off an explosion as an act of sabotage in 1916 and New Jersey had to wear a cast for months because his humerus was shattered! Then in 1918, your U-boat attack damaged the nerves in Massachusetts's leg. It's a damn miracle that he recovered and can walk properly."
Mexico's expression darkened when she rounded on Japan.
"And you," She growled, menacingly. "You have done the worst out of all of them. Hawaii was only three and your bombing put that bebita into a coma for months! She needed surgery because her appendix ruptured, and she was bleeding internally. That poor child was in so much pain when she woke up. Then, you invaded the Aleutian Islands. Alaska has two scars on his leg from that!"
At the end of Mexico's rant, Russia was taking out his pipe with a furious expression on his face, but Belarus held his arm before he could bring it into view. Japan's normally impassive face was now sickened with guilt, he instantly clasped his shaking hand over his mouth as he forced the bile back down his throat.
He had attacked two children. If he remembered correctly, Alaska was the last before Hawaii to become a state, so he had attacked America's youngest children.
"Not only that," Mexico's voice cracked, and tears started to run down her face. "Alaska was on the Aleutian Islands during the invasion, and he was taken prisoner along with his people. He had endured such inhumane conditions on that ship and was forced to work in a camp. He was so malnourished when Alfred found him. He had dysentery and it took a lot of effort to bring his fever down."
Rosa rubbed her eyes and now looked defeated.
"Of course, I'm no saint." She said, her voice wavering. "Texas was born just after the Texas Revolution and my government started a war after the land was annexed. I didn't know about him until after the war...I still can't forgive myself for letting it get so bad. I wouldn't have blamed Alfred if he never wanted to see me again."
Mexico sniffed and wiped away the new tears that has escaped before sending the other nations a heated glare.
"That wasn't even half of what you've done, hope you bastardos are proud of yourselves. Because I sure as hell am not." Rosa said, furiously. With that, she stomped out of the room and slammed the door behind her.
XxxxxXXXXXxxxxx
The car ride home was quiet. Alfred's daughters, Flora, Sarah, and Alma were not even talking amongst themselves. They could sense their father's anxiety and sadness even though he was trying to hide it with a brave face. Once they were parked in one of the garages, Alfred could hear the ruckus coming from inside the mansion. His eye twitched after hearing something inside break once they got to the door. He unlocked the door, and the three girls followed him inside.
It was as Oklahoma said it was. Virginia, or Edith, was struggling to calm down some of the younger states, Texas was armed to the teeth, and Alaska set his Alaskan Malamute, Eska, on Massachusetts. Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Arizona covered their ears as their father took a silver whistle out of his jacket pocket and blew into it. Hard.
Immediately, the states froze. Alaska whistled and Eska hurried to his side.
"Don't worry. Lani's been found." Alfred assured them and everyone visibly relaxed. "Cal should bring her in soon."
"We're here, Dad." The dark-haired teen said, approaching from behind his father with the five-year-old in his arms.
"Good. Now clean up this mess." Alfred ordered, gesturing to the shattered vase and two broken coffee tables. As the states started cleaning up, he went towards the stair to head for his office but stopped. "Oh, and Mass?"
A boy in his late teens with auburn hair and blue eyes gulped as he looked up towards America.
"No more experimenting with portals." Alfred said, firmly.
Massachusetts nodded, guiltily. "Right, sorry Dad."
"Lani-Chan!" A Japanese woman rushed into the room and embraced Leilani. "Oh, you scared me terribly! Thank goodness you are okay."
"I'm sorry, Oba-San." Hawaii apologized.
"Never do that again, Lani-Chan." The woman, Sakura, said, taking the child from California. "Arigatou, Nathan."
"No problem, Oba-San." California replied before heading up to his room to make a new video. Alaska then rushed over.
"You okay, Lani?" He asked. Hawaii nodded and Sakura placed her on the ground. The two youngest states then ran off to play with Eska while Sakura watched them.
It took about thirty minutes after things seemed to get back to normal when America's voice rang through the intercoms throughout the property.
"DC and the Thirteen report to my office immediately."
Every resident in the Jones household tensed up. Whenever their father summoned the American capital and their eldest siblings to his office, it was never a good sign.
AN:
Translations:
French:
Oui: Yes
Cretin: Dumbass
Oncle: Uncle
Spanish:
Cállate: Be quiet
Bebita: Baby girl
Bastardos: Bastards
Japanese:
Oba-San: Aunt
Notes:
August 24th, 1814, British forces burned down Washington D.C. during the War of 1812.
The Texas Revolution was a war fought from October of 1835 to April of 1836 between Mexico and Texas colonists that resulted in Texas's independence from Mexico and the founding of the Republic of Texas which lasted from 1836 to 1845 until its annexation.
The Mexican-American War followed the 1845 American annexation of Texas while Mexico still considered Texas to be its territory. The war lasted from 1846 to 1848.
On July 30th of 1916, German agents set off an explosion in Jersey City, New Jersey as an act of sabotage. This event is known as the Black Tom Explosion.
On July 21st of 1918, German U-boats opened fire on the city of Orleans, Massachusetts. Known as the Bombardment of Orleans or Attack on Orleans. A tugboat and four barges were sunk.
December 7th, 1941, the Japanese bomb Pearl Harbor.
Between June 6th, 1942, and July 28th, 1943, the Japanese invaded the Aleutian Islands. Alaskan natives were forced from their homes and sent on a ship setting for Japan. They were forced to stay in a POW camp with terrible, inhumane conditions.