Hetalia: The Fifty Stars

Chapter 26: The Toledo War

Michigan. The 26th state is mostly known for her lakes and automobile industry. Despite her kind demeanor, she's known to be arrogant and feisty at times, especially notable when Ohio is around. The two neighbors have a rivalry that is on par to New York and New Jersey's. To why these states have a bone to pick with one another can be traced to a strip of land that was north of Ohio and south of Michigan.

Known as the Toledo Strip, the small, narrow piece of land had fertile soil for agriculture success and great potential as a canal for commerce. A territory at the time, Michigan fought with Ohio over the area, claiming the Northwest Ordinance allowed her to own that land while Ohio claims the strip to be originally his according to his state constitution. The two drew their own conclusions on where the border was between them, the Harris Line by Ohio and the "correct border" by Michigan, thus creating the disputed Toledo Strip.

Their rivalry over the strip led to an actual war, appropriately named the Toledo War. Wanting the war to end, the national government asked Michigan to give up their claims on the area in exchange for their statehood. Despite offering the Upper Peninsula as compensation, Michigan stubbornly refused to concede the valuable strip to her archenemy for a long time. Although there were no major casualties in the bloodless war, the tension between Michigan and Ohio would remain for months and even years after the war was over.

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June 1836.

The early summer breeze wasn't cool in the slightest. Warm and humid like the tension along the border, America tried to remain calm in the situation. He was entering a war zone.

In this quiet forest of oak and birch, there were no signs of fighting. Not a single bullet was found on the damp ground. Nor a drop of human blood along the trunks of ash wood. There were no signs of soldiers. Nor were the sounds of rifles firing. The only sound made was the water current trickling down the creek and the wind whistling through dark green maples, tickling the leaves and getting them to laugh along with the red cardinals' chirps and blue jays' tweets. Not a sign of destruction anywhere.

All was peaceful. At least, all appeared to be peaceful.

After walking for hours through the deciduous forest, America came across a grove of confier firs. Amidst the grove, there was a large, wooden fort, fully equipped with massive spruce gates like those of a medieval castle. A single watch tower stood twenty feet high in the air at the center of the fort. At the foot of the gates, a young boy sporting orange hair was pacing back and forth, looking rather irritated for some reason.

When America approached the young boy, he noticed his country and stomped over to him.

"There you are! What took you so long?" Ohio complained.

America held his hands up in defense. "Sorry, man! My boss wanted me to do a bunch of work before coming over here. Anyway, what's with the fort?" He looked up at the menacing fortress that was built not so long ago.

Ohio grumbled, raising his arms in a frustrated manner. "Don't ask me! Ask her!" He pointed straight up at the tall tower.

Looking for answers, America approached the base of the fort. "Michigan! Are you up there?" he called.

Immediately, the head of a pre-teen girl popped up from the tower. The smiling brunette then waved down at her country. "Hey, America! What brings you here?" she chirped.

"Um, what's with the fort?" he asked, still taking in the fort's massive size.

She giggled. "Oh! This is my home now!"

Ohio stomped on over to the fort. "What the hell, Mitch?! First off, this fort shouldn't be here!" He kicked the fortified, wooden gate.

Michigan furrowed her brow. "Don't call me Mitch! And stop kicking my fort!" Michigan threw a a couple of fist-sized pine cones at Ohio, injuring Ohio's with six of them.