That morning had given a new meaning to their mission. If they were going inside, it was mostly to save the children by finding the serum and its composition. And now, time was counted, because when they got back, 'I' had an attack too.

Fortunately, they could separate the two brothers in time, letting the poor baby not have to go through this twice in a row.

'I' had been taken to the bathroom, and they had wasted no time in injecting him the serum, praying it would work.

It did in 5 long minutes where the aged kid was spitting blood and bending on his stomach.

As they noticed though, the serum seemed to freeze the wounds and not actually heal, and to freeze, half a dose was insufficient.

The nation's healing attribute was what made them disappear, taking a total of 30 whole minutes for 'I' to look anew.

He was still exhausted by all the energy his body had put to recover and, with the help of Spain and Romano, the boy was undressed and put on a hot bath to clean him and reinvigorate him.

Meanwhile, Germany was having a conversation with 'P' on a trunk bench, like one of a counsellor to get past the previous event and divert his attention. He wasn't really good with kids, but maybe the way he looked so familiar would help to ease that one.

"So you were studying german right? Do you know how to speak it fluently?"

"Ja! Now I know. Well, I knew already, but much much better now! I even know songs Kesesese!"

Little 'P' climbed the trunk and started singing a joyous song from the past that Ludwig recognizes immediately. He looked down at his feet, in though. This didn't go unnoticed.

"Uh. Something wrong? I'm not singing it right?"

"No it's just...my brother would sing it to me back in the days."

"Your brother...the real Prussia? Oh, can I meet him? I bet he is as awesome as me!"

Embarrassed silence met the expectant albinos, before Germany breathed out.

"Nein...he...he is gone several years ago now."

"Gone...Like 'C' and Doggy?"

Oh no, what had he done! His goal wasn't to make the boy cry again! When he saw the boy's face grimacing, the blond panicked a bit.

"Well yes….but you know, it has been a long time (for human standard), and it was painless (I hope)...and.."

Not very convincing, Germany was saved by the small chick that was always accompanying him, flying toward 'P' and squeaking happily, which got the boy's attention.

"It's...a chick! Is that Gilbird? He is soo cuuutee and fluufffyyy! You wanna be my friend too?"

Saved by his brother's bird we could say! Germany watched the 5 year-old playing with the bird, reminding him a little about how 'I' had acted before. Remark for himself, Kids loved animals. Which meant..

"And if you want, once we leave here, I can introduce you to my dogs too."

Critical success was met with the proposition, and now, the blond had totally won over the tiny one!

And to celebrate their friendship, the country even got him a bretzel, which the boy ate with hast after smiling wildly.

"A bretzel! I've never had one before but I know what it is! It's still weird! But gut!"

This made the german smile a bit, before he received a silent sign from Canada. They were about to bury the dog.

" 'P'...do you want to attend Doggy's funeral? It's not mandatory of course, if you don't feel like it…"

The albino paused and though, still chewing his bretzel, before replying :

"Ja it's fine! I want to tell him goodbye!"

And thus, both stood up and they proceeded to the back of the cottage, where Canada, Japan, Russia were waiting, covered in mud. The body wasn't visible anymore, hidden by a cover of soil. When the boy was there, they started again to cover the hole in silence.

Without any instruction, the boy advanced on his own at the border and pronounced :

"Goodbye Doggy! Tell 'C' hello for me!"

Then, 'P' hugged tightly Germany's hand, and watched patiently, until the tomb was completed.

xxxxxx

Afterward they had lunch, the two experiments eating heartily everything that was presented to them. 'I' had hidden the fact he had been sick, and they just appreciate the moment together in safe company, the older showing all he had learnt to his cadet.

However, the brunette had something in his mind and when it was time for the mission to start again, he stood up and called for Germany.

"Mister...I want to go with you in the facility."

"Whaa? You want to return there? But it's dangerous you know?" replied America, surprised. For someone who had passed whole months to escape the place, wanting to go back so soon was unexpected.

"I know...but I'm worried about Father and...I want to know more about us too."

Almost all nations though this was a stupid idea, until China added for his defense.

"Well Aru...I also think it's better to bring him after all.."

"China, are you out of your mind?" frowned England but the small man raised a finger, stopping his ranting, and whispering.

"I'm not talking about retrieving his father or information, but about the serum dose. If we take too long to find one and bring it back here, we're not sure he will...survive that long. If we bring him with us, we can inject him immediately if he starts degenerating again. "

No one could argue he had a point there and the adults agreed to it.

But if 'I' was going somewhere, 'P' was following him! The tiny boy had made a tantrum about coming too, reminding Arthur about how Peter had asked him day and night to bring him to a world conference once or twice. (And he had been defeated if you asked.)

Thus, they ended up bringing both, and the nations all started their journey in the forest to assault the facility.

They didn't take long, which was odd. No one to stop them, no mercenaries or servicemen like a few days ago. The place was deserted..or almost.

Approaching the enemy's lair, the nations noticed a first body. It was the biggest rat they had ever seen, tumorous with dark hairs and wounded almost in every part of its body like Doggy had been. The blood was turning dry on the grass.

He had a collar too, but even without it, they would have guessed it was one of the experiments. Curiosity striking, Canada approached the corpse and examined it.

"'R-ILEN-2531…' something. I think the dog was named 'CN-ILEN-21059'. Might be an identification code."

"Don't tell me there are at least 25 000 specimens like this…" paled Japan just at the thought.

"Don't forget we don't know since when Travasco started experimenting...but well 25 000 would be quite a number yeah!"

They met about five other bodies, some wounded by gunshot, but mostly animals with bigger proportions who had degenerated on their own. The poor things had tried to escape but their lifespan was greatly depending on the serum it seemed.

Entering by the secret door of the disguised cottage (which was wide open), the nations and their protégés separated in three groups, mainly like the original plan :

Russia, France, Spain and England were still exploring the 1th floor, however 'I' and 'P' were to join them. It was the nearest to the surface, so they could evacuate faster in all logic. Italy added himself to the 4th floor in Romano's company after being torn apart between his brother and his best friend's protection.

They used the stairs, and after giving last instructions, they all deployed with military discipline.