25th July 1943

"You wanted to see us, sir?" The Italian dictator looked up to see a small Italian with a huge curl bobbing about on his head, and a slightly bored looking older Italian with a curl on the other side of his head.

"Ah, good, you're both here. I'm afraid I have some urgent news to tell you." The Italian brothers blinked at him, simultaneously tilting their heads to one side. Mussolini couldn't help but be reminded of the Mario brothers whenever he saw them. The biggest difference being the lack of moustaches.

"I... I've been put down as dictator. You will soon be working under someone new, and it is uncertain whether you will still be participating in the war." The brothers stared at him.

"You mean... We might get to stop fighting soon? It... It will all be over? Forever?" Mussolini nodded.

"Yes. I will bid you farewell now, as I do not know what will happen to me." He stood up straight and saluted the nation's human representatives. They faced him fully and saluted back, North Italy slightly saddened. They were escorted out of the office by a pair of guards, and that was the last time they ever saw the Italian dictator.

Hundreds of miles away, Germany was called to an urgent meeting with his boss. He marched into the office and saluted his leader.

"Gutenmorgen, sir." His leader didn't even look up from his paperwork.

"Yes... You may have heard from the representative of Italy, but Mussolini is being replaced. This may decide the future of the war and this country if their leader decides to pull out. If they decide to desert, we will have to take urgent action." Germany blinked. 'Urgent action? Surely... He couldn't mean... harming Italy? He could never do that!'

The phone rang, interrupting Germany's thoughts.

"Yes? OK." The leader put the phone down. "Italy has a new leader. I will brief you fully tomorrow. Good night."