(Note: I had like, 0 creativity with this chapter so sorry that it sucks.  And I couldn't think of a relevant drawing so I just drew Mandara Army.  I tried to base his wings more on owls because they have elliptical wings, like MA.)

Seven months had passed since Mandara was captured, and things were looking grim for the war.  The soviets have increased their attack tenfold and were able to conquer about 70% of the country, all the while MA has found it difficult to keep up.  With Mandara gone, he was now in charge of keeping the country running, and since he also had to lead his military he was quickly overwhelmed.  He was barely getting any sleep and because of his entity connection to Mandara, he began to weaken as Mandara weakened.

MA knew that he couldn't keep going like this, he needed help, so he started asking other countries for assistance but it didn't go over as he wanted.  America wouldn't help since he was busy with his cold war with Soviet; UK, Netherlands, Greece, and Turkey wouldn't return his calls; and he refused to ask Italy because they weren't exactly on friendly terms since after WWII.  The only country that was willing to help was France, who agreed to send relief supplies and weapons but after two months Ussr found out and threatened to declare war on France if she continued interfering, so she reluctantly had to cease shipment.

So MA was back to square one, fighting a losing war against a superpower country who was keeping his brother prisoner, but little did he know that his luck was about to change.

MA was looking over some economic reports in his office in the capitol building when someone knocked on the door.  MA flinched, he had a headache from lack of sleep, but he gave the person permission to enter anyway.  A young woman walked in and immediately apologized for disturbing him.

"No, it's fine," he reassured her, rubbing his forehead before sitting up straight and crossing his arms on his desk, "what can I do for you?"

"There is a country here to see you, sir," she said.  MA looked at her confused, why was a country there unannounced and what could they possibly want?

"Where are they?" MA asked, standing up from his desk.

"He's waiting in one of the conference rooms, sir, he said that he heard about Mr. Mandara's capture and has come to offer his assistance."

MA's eyes widened with joy, "Really? Who is he, is it UK, Turkey?"

The girl gave him a nervous look, "um ... It's Poland, s-sir."

MA's expression instantly dropped, Poland was the last country he expected to even be there, let alone want to help, being a communist country and all.

"Ok then, before I go meet him, I want you to go fetch two bodyguards.  I'm not about to waltz into a room with a communist without protection."  He ordered. 

The girl nodded and walked out, leaving a very confused militant entity to ponder what he was just told.  He knew Poland well, he and Mandara were good friends, almost inseparable.  Back in WWII when Third Reich and Ussr had control over Poland, Mandara made a deal with Third that he would grant the Germans safe passage through his territory if he let him send relief supplies to Poland.

"Maybe Poland's trying to repay us?" MA said to himself, but shook his head, "He's a communist now, I can't be quick to trust him, no matter who he is." 

A few minutes later, two guards came and escorted MA to the conference room, he was usually more than capable of defending himself should the worst happen, but he was in a weakened state now and wasn't about to take any chances.  When they entered the room, sure enough, Poland was sitting at the table, he immediately stood up to greet the militant when he walked in.

"Mandara Army, long time no see my friend, how you've been?" He beamed.  MA grunted at his enthusiasm, usually, he quite enjoyed Poland's happy, go-lucky attitude but with everything that has been going on, he was not in the mood to deal with it.

"What do you want Poland?"  He grunted as he waved for his officers to wait outside.

Poland's expression turned sour very quick, "What's with the attitude MA, I thought you would be happy to see me."

MA scowled as his eye begun to glow with irritation, "Well, considering that a communist is trespassing in my territory while I am at war with Ussr who has also captured my little brother, 'happy' is not the word I would use.  Now state your business before I deport you for illegally crossing national boundaries."

Poland was taken aback by MA's hostility, it was far different than his usual playful personality but he understood given the circumstances, so the country straightened up and took a more serious approach.

"Right, of course, I have come here to discuss Mandara's cap-"

"I'm going to have to stop you right there," MA interrupted, "If Soviet sent you here to ransom Trigger, forget it, when we started this war I made a promise that if something happened to him I would never surrender no matter what, and I intend to keep that promise."

"No, that's not it, Ussr doesn't even know I'm here." Poland explained, "I'm here because I think I know where Mandara is being held."

MA's expression instantly changed from anger to confusion, was this true, did Poland really know where Mandara is?  But there was something in the back of MA's mind that told him this was a trick.  This wasn't the same Poland that he and Mandara were friends with years ago, he was a communist now, and they couldn't be trusted.

So MA glared at Poland, "How do I know you're not just making that up?"

"What? N-no, you and Mandy are my best friends, I-I would never-" Poland stuttered, but MA wasn't listening.

"This is exactly how Trigger was captured!  His 'trusted' lieutenant told him that I was captured and led him into a trap!"  he snapped, his wings aggressively flared open as he stared down Poland.  Poland shrunk back in fear, he tried to back away but the militant grabbed his collar and yanked him up to eye level.  MA's eye was burning so brightly that Poland couldn't even look at him.  "DO YOU TAKE ME FOR AN IDIOT, COMMUNIST!?!" MA roared.

Suddenly the doors to the conference room burst open and the two officers from before ran in guns drawn.  "General Mandara Army, are you alright, we heard yelling." one of them said.

"Stand down soldiers, I'm fine." MA said, looking back at his officers.  When he turned back to Poland, he was surprised to find him crying.

"I-I'm s-s-sorry, I j-just wanted t-to help." he sobbed. 

MA's eyeshine dimmed, seeing Poland crying made him feel a little guilty, maybe he was too quick to be suspicious.  With a sigh, he set the country down, folded his wings, and stepped back, letting Poland have some room, waving off his officers as well.

They both stood there for a minute, letting the intensity of what just happened subside.

"I'm sorry Poland" he solemnly said, letting his wings sag a bit. "I was too quick to judge you and let my emotions get out of hand." 

"It's okay, I understand how you're feeling," Poland said "I would have done the same thing if I were in your shoes."  He walked up to MA and held out his hand, "we may be different, but we both want Mandy back, and I swear on my wings that I will do everything I can to help you."

MA stared at his hand, he was still hesitant to trust the country but by swearing on his wings, Poland was pledging his loyalty to him or risk losing them.  So with that in mind, MA took his hand, sealing the deal.

"Okay Poland, I will trust you for now," he said, "but if you betray me, I will show no mercy."

Poland nodded in understanding, and as the two were discussing Mandara's whereabouts, MA started to feel a small pain in his right eye, little did he know that that meant something life-changing was happening to Mandara.