#countryhumansisreal

[glorifiedsnickersbar]

Farthest North

Chapter 22 - Country-Hood

Word count: 1201

     The crowd cheered, and a toast was given to the newest Country. Alaska's flag didn't change, in honor of it's creator, and all hoped that she herself wouldn't change either. Those who attended the festivities congratulated her, giving her presents, small and large, even America as he stuck out his hand for her to shake, 49 States permanently etched onto his face. Despite the sudden drain from his systems and the lingering headache from after it was finalized for Alaska to become a Country, he kept a smile on his face.

         "You're highness," he curtsied, making the woman giggle, "today I give you the finest of gifts!"

         "You can't top China's shipment of tea, silk and porcelain!" Egypt hollered over the crowd.

         "Can I not enjoy a small moment of bravado?" America huffed, glaring at the Country.

         "Your life is a moment of bravado," Cuba rolled her eyes, "I think you can deal."

         "Now, now," Alaska shook her head, pointed teeth hidden by her red scarf, blisters and burns covered by a long sleeve and pants, "As true as that is-"

         "Hey!" America whipped around, hands on his hips as he took offense.

         "-Everyone is getting their moment. Let's not forget that this isn't only about me, but you all as well. The finalization of our future work together, thanks to U.N.," the man nodded toward her, having taken to the sidelines, "I can provide military aid, medical support and financial support to those who truly need it, and I know that you all are willing to help  me in return. I can't wait to work with you."

The crowd applauded to her small speech, the blue and gold Country waving for America to continue his "moment of bravado". He cleared his throat, dug in his jeans pocket for an Aspirin, swallowing it before continuing.

         "Today I give you the finest of gifts: Twelve Million U.S. dollars, as a cushion for your developing economy; three shipments of basic necessities, such as food, bottled water, clothes maybe a candy or two," the crowd chuckled, "And my blessing as your step father, for your wondrous life ahead, as a Country, and not my State."

Alaska cried as she wrapped her arms around the shorter man, lifting him up so she wasn't hurting her back. The crowd clapped, a few 'aws' coming from the onlookers as they found the exchange adorable. She set him down when he started to wheeze from lack of oxygen, making them both laugh.

     As festivities continued, America grew worried. Most everyone had no clue of Alaska's current summer time state, and it may be a major factor in most deals, Israel was for sure going to be wary, Finland and Sweden perhaps... U.K. was never too keen to mention Third Reich, and to have a trade partner so close to having the same mentality when angered? Oh dear... He knew Alaska intended to inform her newly made friends during the party, but he was unsure if now was the right time.

         "Maybe after you've been in business for a little while," he suggested, pulling the taller woman off to the side, "If you tell them now some might retract their deals entirely, without a second thought."

         "I've hidden this side of me long enough," she shook her head, just as America feared she would, "It's time to spite my father and be more than he ever thought I could be, even with this... handicap."

The American frowned. A hindrance? Yeah, sure, but Alaska's condition couldn't be a handicap, could it?

     When the room finally settled down, Alaska brought their attention to the front of the meeting hall, where a projector and white screen waited after being hastily set up. She sighed in frustration as Germany fiddled with the wiring, only to be pushed aside by China as he mumbled something about sticking with the sciences to Germany. When the projector was up and running, it showed a fanciful picture of one of Alaska's vast fields filled with Fireweed.

         "I'd like to introduce you all to something I like to call, 'Death by Powerpoint'," she earned a laugh from the crowd, "It's not too long, I assure, but it's important. In it I have my... well I'll just show you-"

She quickly brushed the mouse pad on the laptop beside the projector, the slide moving to multiple bullet points.

         "These are my goals for the first year. I hope to affirm my trade deals with you all, military aides, and peace treaties for those of you who would prefer me your territory -ahem- Russia."

         "Hey," the Country took offence, but those who knew it a simple jest chuckled at the poke of fun between siblings.

Alaska moved to the next slide.

         "Here you see my readied military," she explained, pointing with a red laser light, "these are those ready to fly or sail out at any time to aid those who I have offered my help to. If this is unsatisfactory, I can discuss further offers."

The crowd was silent, so she assumed she could move on.

         "I explained my exports already, but for those who would like to reconsider or expand your demands, you may write down whatever you would like from this list, if there is something not listed, you will have to speak with me at an appointed time."

There was some frantic writing or tapping of phones, so she paused on this list for a moment before continuing.

         "One last thing..." she paused, bringing up her scarf as she nervously fiddled with it's tattered and worn out ends. The next slide shown as ready to present, but her finger hesitated, "I... I realize all of your perception of me is of good report, it's why you all voted me in as a Country, that and my resources were profitable to you, and at a fair price," she turned to her waiting audience, who all stared at her with attentive expressions, "but I... I must admit, I did not give you one specific piece of information."

China stood by her side, looking up to give her a reassuring glance before looking to the audience, daring them to go back on their word already given. America stood as well, placing  a hand on her back, soon joined by Germany, Japan, Canada and Russia.

     Alaska made one final tug at her scarf, the linen which had hidden her menacing features for years, now brought into the light for all to see. The room filled with a synchronized gasp.

         "Fires are what cause it," she explained, a shy smile an attempt to be less threatening-like, "It's only for the summer months, unfortunately it came early this year, so I'm a bit more irritable than usual, I'm afraid..."

         "Why didn't you tell us earlier?" Egypt questioned accusingly, "No wonder your father sold you like some palace slave."

America was about to retaliate with a come-back, but Alaska stopped him as she gave a hideously sweet, pointed smile.

         "My dear Egypt," she giggled, making his colored face pale at her equally as sweet tone, "You couldn't afford this slave even if you sold all the golden idols in your land."

[glorifiedsnickersbar]

Farthest North

Chapter 19 - Brainwashed

Word count: 1345

         "You're insane!"

Alaska accused with a pointed finger, staring at her reflection. 

         "How many times could you have escaped? Look at yourself," she scratched her exposed arms after folding up the sleeves. No blood hit the metal sink, but her father made her swear not to use self harm as a means to escape her inner battles. She may not have had the best father, but he would care from time to time... "He suspects nodhing, yet here you are, enjoying yourself? It is despicable. You're attacking friends! He vants dhis!"

What looked like a rash on her arm grew as she rubbed her skin, not raw, but close. She stopped herself before she broke her promise to her father, instead holding tightly to the edges of the metal sink.

         "Stay strong..." she told herself, "Dhe oders vill come, dhey vill... dhey vill, trust me! Dhey vill come."

         "Mein schatz*?" Third called from the outer hallway of the Nazi bunker, "My dear you've been holed up in zhat rest room for half hour by now... I am vorried."

Worried? A heartless man was worried? Highly unlikely, but the World War 2 super power was... His little girl wasn't even speaking to him, though he had passed by multiple times just to see how she was doing. A hand went to a bandaged arm, multiple burned swastikas forever embedded on his skin. He added one more that morning, for not thinking of placing his ring back in Germany's pocket, or at least on his dresser top, as if his son had forgotten it. But no, it was in his own pocket. He couldn't afford for her start breaking down now, they were so close! He couldn't afford another disappointment.

         "Alaska, please," he rested a hand on the door, "come out..."

With a heavy sigh, Third Reich hugged the woman before she could protest once the door was opened. He looked to the metal sink, seeing dents where her grip became too tight. Once he let go, the genocidal man placed a gentle hand on her cheek, Alaska's skin burning, as hot as the Auschwitz fires.

         "Your North star is glowing my dear," he frowned, "Vhat does zhat mean?"

Alaska was silent as her breath came out like smoke, a dark comparison to the condensation of winter puffs.

         "It means Juneau is burning."

~.~

     America ordered for troops to carry as much water as they could. Canada ensured them safe passage of his borders so they didn't have to take the long way to Alaska's capital. Juneau was going up in flames, and while no calls had come, America was going to help. He only knew of it because the fires had started to spread into Canada's land. But as quickly as the fire came, it was gone. The Navy and Airforce came back saying it was taken care of long before they had arrived. America seemed to have forgotten that Alaska had her own military now, and fully capable citizens. 

         "This kid's insane!" Australia declared, a coughing fit coming soon after, "Crickey, not even I can handle a few fires. My people are going nuts!"

         "She's gone through this before Aussie," Canada told him, "she knows what to expect, you had no clue this was coming."

The Country nodded, sighing. 

         "South America isn't going to let me live this down, I can tell 'ya that!"

Australia being both a Country and a Continent, had the ability to travel to another hidden world. He was the odd one out, of course, since most hate conversing with their younger separations of their land. They found them intolerable.

         "Why not ask South Pole for help?" America walked through the door, his military uniform still on.

         "First:" he let out another coughing fit, smoke coming up in plumes, just like Alaska, "It's Antarctica, he doesn't like that nickname. Second: He's melting, dude, I can't do that to him."

     The two Countries talked with their younger brother, until China called the eldest about Alaska's whereabouts. They found her. So with a regretful 'goodbye', America left, Canada close behind as Australia gave them his best wishes in finding the grown State, and bringing down the Nazi menace once and for all. A nurse came in with a fresh jug of ice cold water, and despite his current state, Australia couldn't help but flirt just a little. He might be burning, and in pain, but that didn't stop him from having joy in his life. The nurse left with a giggle, leaving him alone... so he called U.K.

         "What have you found?"

     The father sighed, looking between the Countries who had shown. Ukraine wasn't too excited about this entire fiasco about to go down, neither was Belarus, but they were determined to save their older sister. Russia and Germany were determined to get in the Nazi bunker found deep within what used to be East Germany, the boy, now man, who embodied it's unification was furious that his twin sister was used like that. Who would expect a Nazi bunker where USSR used to reign? It enraged him, and brought faint memories of her murder after the fall of the Berlin Wall. 

         "A Nazi bunker, very well hidden, several feet under ground," U.K. finally answered, "Bloody sneaky, Third is," he admitted, "but America says he'll have it opened within th-"

A loud creak interrupted the conversation, though short, and everyone peered from their hiding places to see what was going on. 

         "Covards," Third huffed, "How long vill you hide like Jews hide zhier money bags?"

         "Why I oughta-!"

America held back Israel, who made a drastic change into his war gear. Germany had to hold him back too, reminding the Country that Third Reich failed.

         "Give us back Alaska!" America ordered, the circle of Countries closing in to surround him, but the dead man just laughed.

         "Or vhat? You'll nuke me? Vait, nein, zhat's zhe short vun."

         "Dhey're all short Dhird."

The surrounding Countries looked to the still open door, eyes going wide, jaws dropping, several gasps resounding as they saw the grown State reveal her war clad self. She wore no hat, the fire that enveloped her North Star would have burned it, her military blouse held a cape of pure mountain goat fur on one side, while the other was short sleeved, blisters plainly shown yet they didn't seem to bother her as they oozed a slick, clear substance. White pants came down to her ankles, light dress shoes as black as fresh ashes. This was what she looked like after declaring war. This was what the others knew to fear... her sharpened teeth gleamed in the sunlight, a sudden unbearable heat to those who watched, even as shivers ran down their backs when this she-devil looked their way.

         "Al-vays stuck in dhe shadows of dhe great vuns." she chuckled lowly.

         "Alaska, please," America dared come closer, "He's brainwashed you. He'll invade just as he did everyone else he made a treaty with!"

         "A variable I have contemplated," she nodded soberly, expression now blank.

         "Facts don't lie," Germany stood next to his friend, joined by Russia and Japan, "My fazher cannot be trusted."

         "Ah, but neizher can you!" Third Reich cheered, "Russia, your fazher abused her. You vould have done zhe same! America, you abandoned her! Left her to fend for herself, abused her resources! Canada you're nozhing but a selfish dummkopf**, vanting nozhing but more land and resources. But vait, vhat am I missing? Oh, ya***, of course! Alaska is prime military support for every single vun of you!"

Everyone flinched... 

They all realized it. Alaska was perfect for any military. Land, resources, anyone with military power there had power over the U.S., Canada, even Russia. They were all selfish, everyone knew it, but not this time.

         "And vhat have you done Dhird?" Russia huffed, "Besides kidnap her and manipulate her to do your bidding?"

     The Nazi menace smiled wider.

         "I gave her an escape."

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* Mein Schatz - My treasure (German)

** Dummkopf - imbecile, or idiot (German)

*** Ya - yes (German)