L

The next morning, Wehrmacht woke up before Iremacht. That was new because Iremacht was always the first person to wake up in the house, even when they were at Ireland's place. But the teen had been exhausted from the craziness yesterday, so Wehrmacht let him sleep in. The German stared at the kitchen, wondering if he should try making breakfast. No, he'd mostly likely burn something. He opted for coffee instead. 

 As Wehrmacht watched the coffee machine drip black caffeine into his cup, he preoccupied himself with dialing the hospital. A receptionist picked up. 

"Hallo, this is Wehrmacht, I'd like to know how Mandara Army is doing?" he asked. 

 "He is recovering nicely and should be released this afternoon," the nurse said. "Would you like me to patch you through to him?" 

 "Ja, bitte," said Wehrmacht. "But don't wake him if he's asleep."

M

MA wasn't sleeping, he woke up about 15 minutes ago when his shoulder hurting woke him. He called for the nurses and they gave him some painkillers, along with breakfast. He was just finishing up when another nurse came in. 

"Guten morgen Mandara Army, how are you feeling?" he said.

"I'm doing better, a bit of pain earlier, but I'm good now." MA responded. 

"Good, and I have someone on the phone for you." 

MA's eyes lit up, "Oh, is it my brother Mandara?" 

"No, it is Wehrmacht." 

MA gave him a confused look, why would Wehrmacht be calling, but he took the phone anyway, "Dahver (Hello)"

L

"Uh, hallo," Wehrmacht said, a little surprised at the greeting MA used. "I wanted to check in after yesterday. How are you feeling? And who's...Dahver?" He did not know any Mandarian so he couldn't decipher the word. Wehrmacht's coffee finished dripping and he drank it black. 

Upstairs, Iremacht was beginning to wake up from the sunlight through his window. He got dressed and shuffled downstairs, his clothes wrinkly from his morning sleepy movements. 

M

MA chuckled, "Oh sorry, Dahver means hello in Mandorian, I should have known you wouldn't know what it means. I'm feeling much better, the doctors said I should be out today. I am actually glad you called, I was told that I hurt Iremacht, Is he alright?" 

MA sounded worried, even though Bundie said Iremacht was fine, he couldn't help but be concerned.

L

Wehrmacht did not expect MA's voice to be so normal again since it was only yesterday he was like a wild animal. He was relieved that the Militant Madness was gone for now. 

 "Iremacht is fine," he reassured MA. "Speaking of the devil, he's here right now." Wehrmacht had spotted Iremacht coming down the stairs. "Machty, MA is on the phone! You want to talk?" 

 "Yes!" Iremacht ran over to the kitchen and snatched the phone. "Hey, MA! How are you feeling? Do you still have the Madness? When will they let you out? Gosh, I hate being stuck at hospitals. Do you hate hospitals?"

M

"Tes Muler (Jesus Christ) Iremacht, slow down, I can't keep up." MA said, "But to answer your questions, I'm feeling better, I don't have it anymore, they said I'll be discharged this afternoon, and I definitely don't like hospitals either, it's very boring." 

 After answering the questions in order, MA took on a more remorseful tone of voice. "Hey, Bundeswehr and Trigger told me what I did to you, I am so sorry, I wasn't in control of my actions."

L

Iremacht poked the bandage cloth wrapped around his arm. It didn't hurt anymore but the bite mark was still there since Iremacht didn't heal as fast as formal countries. 

 "Psh, I'm good," Iremacht said. "It was pretty epic actually. You were all like RAWR and POUNCE and TEETH TEETH TEETH. You'd wreck the battlefield - " 

 Wehrmacht grabbed the phone from his son's hands before he could get any further. "Ja, ja, go make breakfast. We're not here to incite a war." 

 Then he said to MA, "While you're there, I'll go check on Mandara for you. I called Ireland yesterday before going to bed and told him we might have to stay in Germany a little longer until we finish transferring the Crown. Your uniform is also probably ready in the sewing store. I'll send Iremacht to fetch it." He shot his son a look. "Carefully."

M

"Uh, yeah, thanks." MA said, still slightly shocked by Iremacht's outburst. "And since your going to check on Trigger, can you tell Germany that I'm sorry for attacking him and that it wasn't his fault I went feral, I'm thinking he probably feels that way since I got angry at him."

L

"I'll let him know," said Wehrmacht. "Take care until you're released from the hospital. Don't want to have you injured at the last minute. How are your injuries from Iremacht's little fit by the way?" 

------

At the estate, Germany had also just woken up and was in the living room eating breakfast. He had the TV on, where his chancellor was delivering a public message. There was another plate of bread rolls and ham waiting on the table for when Mandara wakes up. 

M

"Their healing nicely, a few got reopened from yesterday but other than that they should be done by tomorrow. I guess that I kind of made it even between us huh." MA frowned when he realized what he said, "Sorry, that wasn't funny." 

The nurse from before popped back in to MA's room to tell him he needed to wrap things up, MA nodded and went back to his call. 

"Sorry Wehrmacht, the nurse say's I need to be done, but it was nice talking to you, see ya later." he then hung up and gave the phone back to the nurse. 

------

Mandara had been up ever since he woke from his nightmare, but he decided it was bout time he left his room and went downstairs, bringing the keys on his desk so he could give them back to Germany. When he came downstairs, he saw Germany in the living room watching TV, so he went over. 

"Morning Germany, what are you watching?" He knew it was the news, but everything was being said in German so he didn't have the faintest idea what it was about.

L

"Nothing much, I don't really pay attention to my chancellor's speeches. She deals with the humans, I deal with the countries," Germany said, turning off the TV. 

"How do you typically run your nation? Do your humans give you any trouble?" Germany chuckled, munching another bread roll. "Since both you and MA are here, who's taking over back in Mandara?" 

------

 After Wehrmacht sent Iremacht to retrieve MA's uniform, the former militant headed to the museum to check up on the Crown. It had been removed from its podium, although the plaque was still there as part of the exhibit. 

M

"Well, it's complicated." Mandara said, grabbing his breakfast and sitting down next to Germany. "Back when my country was a kingdom, my father ruled as king, he had a humans in his court but he was the one in charge. When Thunder and I took charge, we installed a democracy similar to the one in America, where the citizens would vote for a president every few years. I for the most part act as the presidential adviser and ambassador for foreign relations. In short, I help my president make important decisions and I meet with other countries when we want to set up an alliance or if trouble arises with a existing one."

L

Germany nodded for he played a similar role in his own country, although he considered himself closer to the sphere of countryhumans than the affairs of humans. His finger twitched ever so slightly at Mandara's last words. He wondered if the events of the past few days were considered rising trouble. 

 "Since we have such a trade alliance now, are there any...tense foreign relations of yours that I should be aware of?" Germany asked. "Potential backlash perhaps from another trading partner?"

M

Mandara thought for a second before answering, "Well...we have been having a few issues with Ireland, I didn't want to say anything since your fairly close to him in one was or another. Ireland is one of our main sources of computer software and machinery, but lately he hasn't been keeping up to par with deliveries or quantity of products, we have been trying to resolve this for about a year now but haven't been getting anywhere. That is actually why I decided to trade with you, because if our relations with Ireland don't improve soon, we're going to have to find another source for software and machinery."

L

"We export a fair amount of machinery, you made a good choice," Germany said. "But Ireland..." He sighed; he should have asked sooner. "Ja, that might be a problem. Wehrmacht will be leaving for Ireland soon but even then, he'll eventually hear about it." Germany patted Mandara's shoulder. "For both our sakes, I hope you mend your relationship with Ireland. I don't want to worsen my rift with my uncle." 

 He shook his head. This had definitely not been the results he was envisioning of this trade deal. Since Mandara's arrival, it seemed everything around him had suddenly fell apart.

M

"I do too" Mandara sighed, "Ireland himself isn't the problem, he's actually quite fun to hang around with, we both suspect there is some interference with the shipments outside of our territories, but we haven't figured out who or why." 

Mandara shook his head before adding, "How is Wehrmacht, he seemed a little upset when he came to my room to grab Iremacht."

L

"Yesterday was just a stressful day for all of us," Germany said dismissively, although it felt like every single moment of the last couple days were stressful. "He has probably calmed down after a night's rest. Speaking of that, MA is going to be released today. Would you like to visit him? The hospital should be more receptive to longer visits since MA is so close to recovering." 

 Just then, his phone dinged with an incoming text message. Germany slipped it partially from his pocket to see the sender on the screen. It was from the museum. 

M

Mandara nodded, that made sense, he perked up when he mentioned MA. 

"Of course I would, I actually still have the keys to your car, I was gonna give them back last night but you seemed a bit agitated." 

Mandara was gonna ask why but then Germany's phone dinged. 

"Who's that?" he asked, he knew it was impolite to ask someone who they are texting, but his curiosity got the better of him.

L

Germany quickly put the phone back in his pocket to hide the message and shrugged. "Just the museum telling me that my Uncle went over there. You can take the Porsche to the hospital if you want." 

 Suddenly the phone started ringing. Germany jolted and had to pull it out to answer it. He breathed out in relief when the caller was Wehrmacht. 

"Hallo Uncle? The museum just told me you arrived - " 

 "They lost the Crown," came Wehrmacht's urgent voice.

M

"Eh, I don't know it was pretty cramped last t-" Mandara started but was cut off by Germany's phone ringing.

He sighed and decided he'd try and find the kitchen so he could make some coffee while he waited for Germany to be done with his call.

L

"They WHAT?" Germany hissed, keeping his voice low since Mandara had left for the kitchen. "How? When?" 

 "They said it wasn't in storage this morning, after they removed it from display," said Wehrmacht. "I can't believe this is happening. I've got workers searching the whole museum for it right now. If this goes on, we'll have to delay the process even further. Don't tell Mandara yet, I don't want him to worry." 

 Germany sat back in his chair and said smoothly, "Of course, I won't say a word. I trust you to find it Uncle. Relations are tense as they are and this is just the beginning." 

Then he ended the call, rubbing his chin in thought as he waited for Mandara to return. 

M

Mandara was met by a chef when he entered the kitchen, who asked him if he needed anything. He said he came there to make some coffee, so the chef did it for him. Mandara thanked him and headed back to the living room while sipping his drink. 

 "Wow Germany" he said when he walked in, "What brand of coffee do you use, because this-" He paused when he saw how Germany seemed lost in thought, "Something on your mind?"

L

Germany took off his glasses and busied himself cleaning them. "I was thinking about the amount of paperwork I have sitting on my desk. But I guess I'll put it off for now. I really need a break." He stood up and stretched, then tilted his head towards the garage. "May I join you to visit the hospital? I would also like to see how MA is recovering."

M

"Sure, but just to warn you my wings take up a lot of space in that car," Mandara said, not suspecting a thing, he took a sip of coffee before adding, "That actually reminds me, I wanted to talk to you about ways to help you deal with Militant Madness should Wehrmacht or Bundeswehr ever get it. But I guess we could chat on the way there?"

L

"That's very considerate of you," Germany said, surprised at the offer. "Let's talk on the car." 

Since Mandara still had the keys, Germany let him drive and sat in the passenger seat instead. Now that Mandara had brought it up, he was quite interested in this Militant Madness concept. It was definitely a security issue that he wanted to learn about since Wehrmacht was now retired. He may even pass it along to Ireland if Wehrmacht chose to stay there for the rest of his retirement.

M

Mandara was slightly frustrated that he had to drive the Porsche again since it was so cramped, even more now that he had to make sure his wings weren't hitting Germany, but he didn't complain and just started up the car and drove out of the garage towards the hospital. 

 After they got in to traffic is when he started explaining, "So, as you saw yesterday, Militant Madness causes a militant entity to lose all control and 'go feral' as I call it. There are a few warning signs that can tell you when someone is gonna snap, the most noticeable one is the militant's entity eye will start to glow, which it doesn't normally do. There is another sign, but it happened after the militant has gone feral, it is a small pain that appears in the chest of the country that the militant belongs to. When that happens, you gain a sort of sixth sense, which is the ability to pinpoint where your entity is." Mandara paused for a second, "You get what I'm saying or am I going to fast?"

L

Germany rubbed his own chest, as if wondering what that would feel like. Then he said, "Nein, I understand. But since Bundeswehr is my official militant and he is quite young, I won't have to worry about him. It's my Uncle who's getting older - would I still be able to receive the signal even if he's retired? The entity line is still there, just not as strong."

M

Mandara nodded, "Yeah, being retired is more of a title, it doesn't prevent the madness. I saw it happen to IRA once and he is retired, I think. And you do have to worry about it happening to Bundeswehr, Poland's entity is only a couple years younger than him and it happened to her a few years ago, which brings me to my next point, how to deal with a militant affected by the madness. Over the years, the most effective method has been tranquilizer rounds, because it seems that once the militant has lost consciousness, then the madness goes away. But if you are very close to your entity like I am to Thunder, than you could have a chance of calming them down yourself, however that is more of a last resort since it puts you in danger of being mauled. That's why me and a couple other countries have installed what we call MMTF or Militant Madness Task Force. It's a team of soldiers who are trained to deal with feral militants in a way that is save for both the militant and the people who happen to be in the area."

L

"Wow, you guys seem to be professionals at this," Germany marveled. "I shouldn't be surprised - you've witnessed a lot in your lifetime - but it's commendable nonetheless. Maybe I should install an MMTF of my own. I'll have a talk with Bundeswehr about it later. In terms of close relationships though..." Germany gazed out the window. "I'll have to work on my connection with Bundeswehr. I've been with my uncle for so long, it'll be like starting over so that will take time."

M

Mandara nodded again, "I'm sure, it's hard to imagine retiring your entity that you have been so close to, especially when their family. I may not completely understand what your going though Germany, but a word of advice, be patient with Bundeswehr. You and I both know that he will never be like Wehrmacht, so you can't expect him to, you got to let him lead his own way, or else he will crumble under the stress of trying to meet impossible expectations." 

 Just as Mandara said this, he pulled into the hospital parking lot.

L

As Germany got out of the car, he wondered if he had been putting pressure on Bundeswehr. He felt like he hadn't been, but a third party's viewpoints meant otherwise. Germany noted that he hadn't formally met with Bundeswehr to solidify his role as a militant. Bundeswehr didn't even have the signature black eye yet - Germany would have to meet up with UN for that. 

 Inside the hospital, the receptionist recognized them and gave them the go ahead towards the elevator.

M

As soon as they went into the elevator, Mandara felt his feathers vibrate, causing him to chuckle slightly.

"I'll never get tired of that" he said under his breath, running his hand through his feathers, then he remembered something, "By the way Germany, I told Thunder about the crown so you don't have to worry about a repeat of yesterday, though I am curious as to why you didn't tell him when he asked."

L

"Oh, you told him already." Germany blinked. "I guess...I didn't want MA to panic. Iremacht said Uncle was chasing after you, which clearly meant you were distressed. I didn't want MA to also freak out...but that backfired." 

He watched Mandara running his hand through his wings. "Is MA sending you a signal?"

M

"No, our wings vibrate automatically when we are near someone else with wings." Mandara responded, "Though different wings give off different vibrations, and if your experienced enough, you can tell who a country is solely by the vibrating of their wings." 

The elevator doors opened at that time. "I'm actually surprised you don't know this, considering Wehrmacht has wings, does he not like to talk about them?" Mandara said as he walked out.

L

They arrived in the waiting room, and one of the nurses directed them towards the recovery room. 

Along the way, Germany shrugged. "That and I don't have wings, so I wouldn't know what vibrations feel like. I think Uncle doesn't talk about his wings because there's no other winged person in the country to talk to. Wales and NI visit him occasionally, but Wales has dragon wings, not feathered ones. And well...Uncle stopped minding his wings after EU grounded him."

M

Mandara looked at him confused, "What do you mean grounded, he was flying after me yesterday remember." 

L

"Ja, but he wasn't supposed to," said Germany. "Even though he's retired, the deal EU made with him still stands. My Uncle was only allowed to return to Germany from exile on two conditions. One, that he would train the next militant entity Bundeswehr and promptly retire once Bundie was ready to take over. And two, that he would not be allowed to fly. EU knew just how dangerous Wehrmacht was in the skies, so he figured a couple flightless years would diminish Wehrmacht's fighting capabilities." 

Germany looked away. "He was right. Uncle used to be able to fly as fast as a plane. Now, he's forgotten all his aerial tricks and can no longer aerial duel."