Hetalia: The Fifty Stars

Chapter 14: The Fourteenth Star

Vermont. The 14th state is the first state to join the Union after the Original Thirteen. He's mostly known to be the Canada of the United States due to appearing similar to the Canadian, especially with his love for maple syrup. While docile in comparison to the rest of the States of America, Vermont was actually a republic, one out of four state to be countries before joining the Union.

How he became a republic traces its roots to around the American Revolution. Vermont at the time was disputed land between New York and New Hampshire (New Hampshire would eventually back down however). Unable to stand them both, Vermont decided to go off on his own, becoming the republic of the green mountains. Although denied of recognition, Vermont and the Green Mountain Boys gladly assisted the Original Thirteen during the American Revolutionary War.

After winning the war, the Original Thirteen became busy trying to set up a stable government while also introducing a system that'll start accepting new states like them. To their surprise, Vermont insisted on joining their ranks. However, there was a problem. New York kept insisting Vermont belonged to him, therefore Vermont was rejected numerous times. Nevertheless, Vermont kept pushing forward, determined on becoming the fourteenth star. By the 1790s, things were starting to go his way.

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Come York or come Hampshire, come traitors or knaves,

If ye rule o'er our land ye shall rule o'er our graves;

Our vow is recorded—our banner unfurled,

In the name of Vermont we defy all the world!

~ The Song of the Vermonters, 1779

About thirteen years have passed since my independence. Under the Green Mountain Boys' wing, I long fought for my individuality among the colonies on the North American continent. For a long time, I had been trying to get into the Union. Yet, each time I applied, the U.S. federal government denied my application because of this problem I have: New York.

"York can be a hard ball to play with. He can be pretty aggressive in business deals, but I'm sure you can handle him," Connecticut advised me a day prior to the meeting I had with the businessman.

"Don't let your guard down. He may be reasonable, but he's actually a cold-hearted, manipulative jerk. Keep your guard up at all times," New Hampshire warned me twelve hours earlier before my meeting with him.

"Here's the deal with your statehood. There's another State who, like you, wants to be in the Union. Due to the slavery issue, however, we pretty much need you to balance things out. It took a lot of convincing, but just remember Yorkie didn't do this out of the kindness of his heart," Massachusetts explained to me three hours prior to my arrival at York's house.

"Hey! I heard you're the newest State! Congrats, man!" America congratulated me an hour ago despite not becoming State yet.

After speaking with them, I finally arrived at York's house. Standing between two adjacent houses of similar design lies York's impressive three-story, red brick home. I knocked on the dark green door of his house three times and stood patiently in anticipation, anxious to meet the 11th State of America. Just remembering his icy gaze made my legs stiffen. The palms of my hand were becoming pale, sweating profusely, shivering ever so slightly in the early spring air.

This is it. I'm going to talk to York and...and.... Oh, boy... What am I doing? This is crazy!

This is the guy I called a rude Yank without a soul. I didn't actually mean it, but I was so annoyed with him I couldn't help myself. When I told the guy I wanted to be independent, he scoffed at me, telling me I had no right to be on my own. I might've called him many things when he said that. Afterward, I left him to become a republic without his permission. That was thirteen years ago.