Hetalia: The Fifty Stars

Chapter 39: The Dakota Twins

North Dakota. The 39th state is known for being South Dakota's reserved twin. He currently faces popularity issues (being the 47th populous state), so hopefully his most recent oil boom helps make him popular, at least more popular than his sister (currently sitting at 46th).

To some people, there's always this question regarding the Dakotas: Why are there two of them? Indeed, before the Dakotas' statehood, Congress managed to carve out some territories in the West during the American Civil War, one of those territories being the Dakota Territory. Just one territory. When America went to the territory to bring them to the capital, he was amazed to find two personifications instead of one. Here was North Dakota's story on how he and his sister became the 39th and 40th states.

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Before they found us, before we were one territory, we were two native children roaming the prairies of the land. At the time, we lived with one of the Sioux tribes. The Yankton weren't like the ferocious Lakota of the West. Nor were they like the boundless Santee of the East. Nor were they like the lone Nakota in the far north. The 'village at the end' were a peaceful tribe who wished to prevent hostilities. Instead, they promoted peace among all groups of people. Most importantly, they were our people, our family.

Their chiefs were the first to recognize our unique situation. Most notably, Chief War Eagle saw us for who we truly were. At first, he was cautious. He watched over us since our arrival. He noticed how inseparable we were. How we talked together, played together, ate together, we even slept in the same tipi together. In a sense, it felt like we were one person.

We were like this world. My sister was the sky. Her head was always be up in the clouds, imaginative like the ancient legends that created this world. She would refuse to come down, flapping her arms in protest like a bird trying to fly away from the predators of the land. To be free to do anything was her way of life. As for myself, I was the land; the complete opposite of her and the sky. I stayed close to the ground, hiding myself in the shadows of the quiet woods. Boring and cowardly was what my sister thought of me, however, the chief told me there were advantages for being down-to-earth: practicality and rationality. In case she went too far up in the sky, he was thankful for my existence, thankful for bringing her down back to reality. Without the other, the world wouldn't be complete; we wouldn't be complete.

Chief War Eagle recognized our devotion to one another and the tribe we familiarized as our home. A grand ceremony was held to fully welcome us. We feasted on bountiful bison. We danced to the sound of drums and wooden flutes. We donned lavish clothes, made from the finest buckskin and wovened with colorful beads attached. Our long, reddish brown hair was washed in warm water that was mixed with lavender and various herbs. The aromatic smell was overwhelming, but my sister and I were to still in awe of the celebration. All such gifts and smiles for two outsiders. We were truly grateful to be welcomed into the tribe.

From that day onward, I became Mankato. My sister became Mahpiya. Together, we lived with the Yankton as members of the tribe. It was a momentous day we would never forget.

Our naming ceremony was the last one Chief War Eagle participated in. After death, he was succeeded by Chief Struck by the Ree or Old Strike as most of us called him. Since becoming leader of the Yankton, life resumed as always. Warriors went out to hunt and patrol. Women made baskets and clothes. The children learned and played with their surroundings. The elders watched and managed tribal affairs in their wisdom. Every day was a normal one, balanced like the world we lived in. Or, so we thought.

We were considered children until 1861. I didn't understand the logic behind our sudden growth spurts. My sister, on the other hand, didn't care. She was thrilled to finally be old enough to prove she could be taken seriously. Although, I had my doubt she would ever be respected considering her reckless reputation. But that was besides the point. Even though I felt relieved to have grown some inches, I was also dubious. Why did we grow now? Why not then? I thought about such questions for many days, but I never found an answer, at least not in that year.