Italy Outsmarts Germany

{I don't know anything about tanks, so just bear with me, guys!}

Germany drummed his fingers on the desk as he tried to figure out a problem. His tank that he used to fight Russia earlier had malfunctioned and he couldn't understand why. It was in perfect condition before, he knew because he had checked everything the day before.

He stared down at a paper that showed all the tanks parts and gadgets. He tried going over and over at what had gone wrong. Did it overheat? Was one of the many screws missing? Perhaps something had come lose and fallen off during the battle? If only Germany could figure it out, then fixing the tank would be really easy.

It was then that the all-to-annoying Italy ran into the room and started talking non-stop. Germany couldn't focus...his friend was here. And by friend, it wasn't a good thing.

"Hey, Hey, Germany! What are you doing?! Have you seen Pokie? I can't find her! Well, have you?!" Italy asked in a panic. Germany sighed and looked up with an annoyed look.

"Maybe zhe reason why you can't find her ist because you don't leave her alone! She obviously ran avay from you for zhat reason!"

Italy stared at Germany in shock, but then his eyes swelled with tears and he burst out crying.

"Waaaaaaahhhh, everybody hates me! Germany's angry! But Pokie loves me!"

Germany felt bad for yelling at the Italian, but he was so frustrated with himself he didn't think about saying anything nice. He sighed and stood up. He walked over to his friend and hugged him.

"I'm sorry for yelling at you, Italy. I'm just...confused, I zhink."

"About what?" Italy sniffled. Germany pulled away from the Italian and picked up the paper from the desk, showing it to him.

"One of my tanks malfunctioned on zhe battlefield vhile I vas fightink Russia. I can't understand vhy."

Italy looked at the paper with a blank expression on his face, while Germany said back in his chair.

"I don't know vhat to do. I'll have to rebuild zhe tanks-"

"Did you try attaching the screw from the left flank to the front?" Italy spoke up.

"What?"Germany asked, partly because he didn't hear him the first time.

Italy showed Germany what he was talking about and the German started thinking about it too.

"Zhat might actually vork. Italy, how on earth did you figure zhat out?"

"I don't know," Italy shrugged. "Maybe you were just thinking too hard, Germany?"

Germany could only stare at him in shock. How on earth could Italy, a dumcofph, figure out how to build a tank? He couldn't even remember the alphabet!

A silent purr was heard from the window, and the two turned to see Pokie sitting on the sill, twitching her tail back and forth.

"POOOOKKKKIIIIEEEE!" Italy yelled in joy as he took that cat into his hands and started to cuddle her. He left the room with the cat in his arms.

Germany shook his head. He was never going to figure that Italian out, was he?