M

Mandara's own wings sagged at that, he understood the reasoning, but grounding a winged country was like a fate worse than death. He opened his mouth to comment, but they had reached MA's room, so he dropped the subject and went inside. MA was sitting in bed waiting for them.

"Well isn't this a surprise, or at least it would be if I didn't feel you coming" he smirked. 

 Mandara chuckled, "It's good to see you too Thunder." 

He then promptly hugged MA, still being gentle with his shoulder. As they hugged, MA noticed Germany standing behind Mandara.

"Well then, I didn't expect you to be here." he said when Mandara backed up, "I kind of figured you'd be scared of me."

L

Germany chuckled nervously. He was, in fact, still a bit scared of the militant. 

"Fear or not, you're my guest and future trade partner, so I should at least check on you," Germany said. "It looks like your wounds are healing up pretty well. Afternoon is right around the corner and you'll be out of this place in no time. Based on what I know about you winged ones, confined spaces for lengthy periods of time are not your thing." Germany joked. He didn't mention anything on his lie about the Crown though.

---------

 Just down the street of the hospital, Iremacht was running down the sidewalk, dodging the usual pedestrians and holding MA's repaired uniform close to his chest so it wouldn't get dirty or snagged. He stopped in front of the hospital and turned off his Enhanced Mode - he was starting to learn how to use it to enhance physical endurance, although he was still panting a bit from the run. Then he entered the building, waved at the front desk, and darted to the elevator.

M

Both MA and Mandara laughed a bit, then MA answered, "Nope, not to mention it's just plain boring here, I've never liked hospitals to begin with" 

 "Well maybe you should stop being so careless about hurting yourself, or do you enjoy giving me anxiety." Mandara said. 

 MA flashed him a smug smile, "I'm your big brother Trigger, It's my job to make you want to tear your feathers out." 

 Mandara glared at him, which only earned him another laugh. MA turned back to Germany, taking on a more serious tone of voice, "I am sorry for yesterday, I let my temper get out of control over something that wasn't that big a deal at the time, and I completely understand if your going to be more cautious around me for the remainder of our visit."

L

Iremacht arrived at the second floor. He didn't even let the nurse in the waiting room give him permission to enter; he just raced into the hospital hall. Several nurses yelled at him for running and he ducked past them. When he finally saw the familiar colors of Mandara's wings, Germany was speaking. 

 "I won't have to be cautious for long. I believe you and Mandara are leaving tomorrow, ja?" said the German. "And really, it's thanks to you that I've learned more about how to deal with Militant Madness in the future, as well as the need to connect better with Bundeswehr. That reminds me, I need to set up an appointment with UN for that." 

Germany took out his trusty notepad and scribbled out a reminder. When he looked up, he spotted Iremacht coming towards them. 

"Hallo cousin. Is that MA's uniform in your hands? It looks brand new!"

M

"Well, I guess going feral actually did some good for once" MA joked, but Mandara shot him a look, "Don't get a head of yourself brother, there are better ways to teach people about Militant Madness." 

 MA nodded in agreement but instantly perked up when Germany mentioned his uniform, "Say what now?"

L

"Yep!" Iremacht chirped, unfolding the uniform and holding it up. "All repaired! I came to deliver it to you." 

 While Iremacht showed the fixed uniform to the Mandarians, Germany stepped back after feeling a vibration from his phone in his pocket. He took it out and casually scanned it. Another message from the museum. Good.

M

MA stared speechlessly at his uniform, it looked like the fight had never happened. He gingerly took it and inspected it closer, the places that were torn were so well hidden that one could be a few inches from them and not see them. MA could feel joyous tears welling up in his eyes, but he beat them down so he wouldn't get emotional in front of everyone. 

"Thank you Iremacht, you have no idea how much this means to me." he said. 

 Mandara chuckled a bit, "Maybe this will teach you to pack extra clothes in the future." 

 MA scoffed but said nothing more, he just continued to marvel at the impeccable patch work. Mandara then looked over to see Germany's reaction, but found him absent.

L

Iremacht laughed at the look on MA's face. He was glad the militant was happy now that the uniform was repaired - Iremacht himself was surprised at how good it turned out considering the damange he had done to it. The seamstress had scolded him for giving him a hard time when he picked it up. 

 When Mandara made his comment, Iremacht joked, "Or it will just teach MA to pack less clothes so he can get free repair service!" 

 Germany considered texting the museum back but when he glanced up, he saw Mandara looking for him. So he put his phone away and pretended to chat briefly with a passing nurse. Then he stepped forward, smiling at MA's expression.

M

MA and Mandara laughed at Iremacht's quip, but MA winced slightly and grabbed his shoulder. 

"Thunder, are you ok?" Mandara said concerned.

MA nodded, "I'm fine, I guess it just hurts when I laugh." 

He let go of his shoulder after a few minutes and looked back at Iremacht. He noticed the bandage wrapped around his arm and his smile instantly faded, he looked away before saying, "I'm so sorry Iremacht, I never meant to hurt you, I..I just... I didn't-" 

He trailed away, guilt preventing him from finding the right words. Mandara put a hand on MA's good shoulder to comfort him, but he continued to look away from the group.

L

"It's okay!" Iremacht immediately said. "I already told you I'm perfectly fine. I'm more worried about you. Taking a bullet is so much worse than a bite." The teen glanced impatiently at the clock. "Argh, when will they release you already! Bundeswehr and I want to go back to the shooting range sometime. Bundie was hoping you'd come and teach him some militant stuff since Wehrmacht's busy." 

 Germany saw the opportunity there. "Right, I will go make that appointment with UN now so we can establish the official entity-line," he said. 

He headed off to the waiting room, taking out his phone and dialing a number. 

 It was not UN's number. 

M

"I don't know Iremacht, it does sound fun, but when you get shot in your shoulder, you typically want to stay away from firearms for a while." MA said, but then got an idea, "Although, if Bundeswehr wants lessons, then he should as Trigger, he's a much better shot than I am." 

Mandara smiled, "just a little bit, my proficiency lies sniper rifles and a few automatics, Thunder is better with everything else." 

 MA nodded, "but other than that, I'm willing to come, but I won't be doing the actual shooting, Trigger will have to fill in for me."

L

Iremacht let out an excited, "Yessss!" and went to nag one of the nurses to let MA out early. He practically dragged one over to MA's bed. 

 "But I cannot discharge Mandara Army yet!" the nurse reasoned. "He needs his rest, especially if his shoulder still aches. The doctor said - " 

 "But he said he was boooored here," Iremacht whined. "You don't wanna keep our guests bored, do you?" 

 The nurse sighed and went to inform the doctor. 

The doctor appeared moments later with a clipboard and asked MA, "Are you certain you'd like to leave now? If you don't feel any severe pains and think you're strong enough to go, you may."

M

MA was snickering at the fact that Iremacht was bugging the hospital staff, and Mandara was also smiling at the kids enthusiasm. 

"Well, while you guys sort this out, I'll go find Germany to tell him we're leaving." Mandara said,. 

He scooted in between everyone and went outside to find Germany. He found him in the waiting room still talking on the phone, he didn't want to interrupt him so he leaned against the door frame and just listened to him talk to whoever was on the other end of the line.

L

"Können Sie ihn nicht abschütteln?" Germany grumbled into his phone, pausing as he listened to the response. "Verzögerung für länger. Onkel kann es nicht wissen." He paused again. "Mindestens ein weiterer Tag." 

 The person on the phone talked some more and Germany nodded along. Then he hung up, sighed, and turned around. He nearly jumped when he found Mandara standing by the waiting room door. "Ah, did Iremacht scare you away?"

M

Mandara scoffed, "No, Iremacht is a teddy bear compared to most of the countries I've met. I actually came to tell you that Iremacht got the doctor to release Thunder early, he and Iremacht should be coming out any second." Mandara then looked down at Germany's phone. "Who were you talking to, because from your frustrated tone of voice, I don't think it was UN."

L

Germany turned off the smartphone, uncomfortable with the way Mandara was looking at it. He waved his hand.

"My chancellor called me to complain about politics. I told her not to drag me into it. She interrupted me from dialing UN just now, but I think I might hold off on calling him until a later time when I don't have so many incoming phone calls." 

 In the recovery room, the nurses were helping MA out of bed, with Iremacht shifting from foot to foot and trying to contain his energy. 

M

"Ok." Mandara said, again not suspecting a thing, "Well, like I said, the doctors are letting Thunder out early since Iremacht wouldn't stop bugging them about it, let's go get them." 

Meanwhile, MA was changing out of the hospital clothes he was given into his uniform, it was slightly difficult since he didn't have much mobility in his right arm and shoulder, but he eventually got it on. He deeply missed his uniform and was so happy to have it back. Before he could leave, the nurses made him wear a sling to keep his shoulder stable, and when it was tied on securely, he waited with Iremacht for Germany and Mandara.

L

"Hey cousin, can I bring Mandara and MA straight to the shooting range?" Iremacht asked Germany as soon as they rejoined. "Bundeswehr is probably already there practicing. Oh, can I bring Dad too?" 

 "I don't know about Wehrmacht," said Germany. "I'm going to head to the museum right to join him there. I want to have a chat over my relationship with Bundeswehr." 

 "Ew, work," Iremacht sneered. "If you need me, you know where to find me." Iremacht skipped off towards the elevator.

M

Mandara had to flatten himself against the door to keep from being trampled, "Is he always like this?" he asked.

MA nodded, "Yup, like I said before, kid's a real piece of work" 

 Mandara chuckled and they all left the recovery room and headed to the elevator to join Iremacht. 

 Mandara then piped up halfway there, "Hey Germany, since you rode with me here, do you want me to drop you off at the museum?"

L

Germany hesitated. Having Mandara that close to the museum didn't sit well with him based on past events - and what was currently happening in the museum. But to avoid rejecting Mandara's offer and incite suspicion, Germany adjusted his shirt and joked, "That would be great. Saves me a lot of walking." 

Once everyone was in the elevator, Iremacht practically punched the ground floor button and they arrived in the hospital lobby. The teen instantly pinpointed the gleaming red Porsche in the parking lot and claimed the passenger seat.

M

Mandara facepalmed, "No Iremacht, if anyone's sitting in the passenger seat, it's gonna be Thunder" he said when the three adults got to the car. 

 "It's ok Trigger, I don't mind sitting in the back." MA said, so Mandara reluctantly let Iremacht ride shotgun as everyone else got in. It was a bit tricky for MA since this was his first time in the small car and he had to make sure that he wasn't squishing Germany with his wings. Once he was sure that everyone was situated, Mandara started the car and headed for the museum. 

On the way there, Mandara decided to strike up conversation. "So Iremacht, whats the scoop with this shooting range, you go there often?"

L

"Yes sir!" Iremacht said proudly. "In fact, MA and Dad took me to the shooting range two days ago, before Mr. Squashed Blueberry EU showed up and cut short our friendly competition. MA and I were competing to see who was better with the rifle and handgun. I heard you're a good shot too, Mandara! Can't wait to beat you!" 

 Germany scoffed at Iremacht's goodnatured bragging. He was quickly distracted, however, when his phone started vibrating. He swallowed and ignored it; he couldn't answer the call with so many people in the car. He prayed it wasn't urgent.

M

MA laughed at Iremacht's name for EU, but Mandara was more focused on the kids challenge. 

"'Can't wait to beat me' huh? Well you clearly haven't seen me in action kid, I held the world record for the longest sniper rifle shot for 18 years, the target was 2,815 meters away, Thunder couldn't hit something half that distance, isn't that right big brother." 

 MA scoffed, "Can too, my personal best was almost 1,050." 

"That's not even close to half, your off about 400 meters." 

 MA was gonna argue, but the math was right, so he just stared out the window.

L

Iremacht blinked as the statistics flew over his head. He didn't realize just how precise and intricate the shooting sport could be; Mandara and MA made it sound like an art form or Olympic event. Iremacht was certain there was no way he could shoot that far but he was fascinated nonetheless. 

 The familiar shape of the museum building was getting closer. On the front steps of the museum stood a crowd of reporters, hounding the museum curator. 

M

"Fen mid eh lierd(what the f*ck)?" Mandara said as he drove closer to the museum, he parked a few feet away. 

"What wrong Trigger?" MA asked, looking out the front window. 

"I don't know, something is going on at the museum, let's go check it out." Mandara said, he didn't wait for a response as he got out the car and started walking closer to the commotion. 

"Trigger wait!" MA called after him, but he didn't respond so MA then turned to Germany. "Germany what's going on?"

L

"I-I'm not exactly sure," Germany said. He had a feeling what it was. He just didn't want to believe it until he got a closer look. So Germany got out of the car and ran after Mandara. 

Iremacht, curious and worried since his dad was at the museum, said to MA, "C'mon, let's go see what happened." 

 The museum curator tried to calm down the swarm of jostling journalists and flashing cameras. One reporter screamed louder than the rest, "Is it true that the Crown of Mandoria is lost?"