The World's Stage

An opportunity

Chapter One:

Competition made life interesting. However, it was only enjoyable when you were the one with the winning hand and right now, the 'ALLIES' weren't. In fact, the 'ALLIES' packed a mediocre score with there new album "World". 2nd place on the billboard, right in between winning, and losing. Thus making it mediocre.

Yao Wang was the first to wake up, being the oldest amongst his comrades he was given the gift of being the early bird. After all, he needed to get the worm first, no? He woke up with the mild feeling of dissatisfaction in his aching bones, the reason being because he stayed up all night hopefully wishing that 'ALLIES' would move up a spot. However, he was severely disappointed when they didn't, and as a result spent his night brooding over a mediocre accomplishment.

He slowly trudged out of his room, walking along the short hallway to the kitchen, he could hear the rhythmic breathing of Arthur and Ivan. Both of them members of the ALLIES. Equally important, and equally talented. He remembers how long it took to record their new single 'World', and how much heart came along with it. Obviously not enough heart to gain first place. As one of the lead singers in 'ALLIES' it deeply wounded him to see his idol group fall to a spot under first place.

He barely reaches the kitchen when Arthur comes strutting out of his room, scowl and frown gracing his finely cut features. Yao quickly starts walking over to the stove, guarding the pots and pans that were exposed to Arthur's usage.

"早上好*- aru" Yao let a few Chinese characters slip as a warning that even he wasn't in the best of moods. Arthur takes the hint and musters a tired but smug smile, Yao taking it with a firm nod.

"Good morning, Yao." Arthur speaks, accent and all. Yao cracks one of his own smug grins, and offers an empty mug to the British. Opening the cupboards of there duplex apartment, Yao busies himself by searching for the British's and his favorite tea.

Arthur waits fervently, taking in the scent of Oolong and dry tea leaves. He's upset himself and he watches Yao carelessly drop some tea leaves onto the tiled floor. Obviously he's not the only person who's upset. His thoughts are interrupted when the heavy footsteps of their tallest member walks in. Long scarf trailing behind him, protecting him of an imaginary cold.

"Yao Yao!~" the Russian skips sleepily to his favorite 'ALLIES' member. Attaching himself to his side and instinctively picking up the fallen tea leaves on the ground. Scooping them into his pale fingers before crumpling them together in his fist. Yao and Arthur both watch him cautiously, he's upset to.

As the tea leaves finally start to set into the boiling water, soaking them of their flavour, Yao and Ivan take the spot beside Arthur who now sits on a metallic high chair leaning against the black marble counters. One remaining chair sits beside the Russian, reserved for there last remaining 'ALLIES' member.

"He's up isn't he?" Ivan questions, and Yao shakes his head sighing in discomfort. Arthur grunts before solemnly nodding. "Yeah, the bloody git's been brooding since last night. He's mopping in bed right now."

Ivan shakes his head, muttering a string of curses about how Alfred's being a wimp, all of which Arthur and Yao can't deny. After all, they all sucked it up.

"Now, who's calling me a wimp? I'm a HERO!" Alfred walks in with a disarming smile and slightly red eyes. He's been crying and everyone knows it. He sits down beside Ivan, furthest from the emerald eyes that pierce him. He looks a lot less like a hero, and more like a bullied victim. Although no one dares stat that fact.

"Come now, the tea's ready- aru" Yao stands up and quietly walks into the kitchen. He nimbly pours steaming Oolong tea into mugs of various colors. Handing them to everyone except Arthur who already has a mug prepared. As he slides the last cup to Alfred, he smiles. Mustering his most encouraging and heartwarming grin because encouragement is the least of what Alfred needs right now.

An eerily quiet silence falls on the quartet of men. Each of them sipping their tea like scared mice in hiding. It's no secret that everyone would rather be in their rooms and not come out.

Finally, Alfred speaks out. His voice meek and unsettling. "Arthur. Turn on the TV"

Arthur turns to him before shaking his head, "I don't think you want to know what's o-" Arthur doesn't have time to finish his sentence before Ivan speed walks to the flat screen TV. The remote sitting on the white leather couches. "What channel, Alfred?" he doesn't get an answer so he shrugs and settles with the first News channel he gets. Pushing in rubber buttons with the soft tips of his fingers.

"This will do, Da?" Everyone nods nonchalantly and almost instantly their faces pop up on the big screen. A picture of a rivaling band beside there's. Everyone freezes in disdain and Yao barely suppresses a muffled yelp.

"It's no secret that there's a certain animosity between the 'ALLIES' idol group, and the 'AXIS'" a news woman with green eyes stare back at the four.

"However, it seems that no matter what the 'ALLIES' do, the 'AXIS' shall always surpass them by a huge margin. There is no comparing, the sales and rates are out. 'AXIS' has won by a huge amount again."

All four of them groan in displeasure. It seems that it's been all the talk now, and if anything it's only adding salt to an already burning wound. Yao finish's his Oolong tea, barely withstanding the murderous aura that all of his comrades are holding. He slams his cup on the counter, the sound of china and marble makes everyone flinch.

"Aiya! I'm tired of this mopping attitude right now! Alright, we may have lost again.." He pauses, choosing his next words very carefully. "But we always have more opportunities to beat them." He know he misses the 'aru' in the heat of the moment, and he sits back down before rubbing his temples. Someone had to whack sense into them. It was better him, then Ivan or Arthur.

Once again, a deadly silence surrounds them and Ivan occasionally glances at the Oriental beauty. Hoping for him to whack more sense into them. They all settle in an uncomfortable silence, all of them staring at the cups in their hands. Empty or not, it certainly seemed better to look at than each other's eyes.

It takes forever, but finally both Arthur and Alfred let out a loud sigh. Their pride and egos going with the Oolong scented air that comes out of their lungs.

"You're right, Yao...Thank's dude...I don't even know what got over me. Man, I felt like a completely different person." Yao nods in satisfaction and Ivan cracks his own innocent smile. Relief seems to lighten the mood, and Yao and Ivan spare a glance.

Alfred continues, "I just don't know. Like, what do we lack that they have? Our faces? Skill? Maybe it's just pure luck!" Arthur nods in agreement, staring into his half-finished cup of tea. Emerald eyes deep in complicated thoughts no one dares to ask.

Ivan hums in agreement. "Da, Russians are naturally blessed with slightly worse luck." He stands up and stretches before letting his cup drop to the sink that sits beside a coffee grinder. "The Russian winter is an example." He much prefers the bitter taste of coffee, but anything Yao is willing to drink, is anything he would to.

"I think Yao is right. We do have many chances to prove ourselves worthy." Arthur speaks, his British accent has a calming effect on all of them. Making the morning tea seem to have reversed effects. The British catches the Americans eye, and he smiles a crooked grin. "So don't worry."

Almost as soon as Arthur says that, a suddenly hypnotic tune starts playing from the TV. In the short moments of peace they all forgot that the TV was still spouting negative and discouraging comments. But what catches their eyes is Kiku Honda, a member of the 'AXIS' along with Ludwig Beilschmidt, and Feliciano Vargas staring at the camera.

"So, what do you think about your win against your biggest rivals, the 'ALLIES'" the same news woman says cheerfully. She doesn't spare any sympathy for the quartet, and the members of the 'ALLIES' already know what team she's on.

Kiku speaks first. Slowly and flauntingly. His voice reaches everyone's ears, and all of their moods dampen drastically. "Well, we can't call them rivals if we keep on beating them no?" The Italian adds on, his eyes lidded in an ecstatic smile. "Ve!~ They are no problem for us AXIS!~"

Alfred tenses, before taking off his glasses and rubbing them of dirt and dust, hopefully wishing that by the time he puts them back on the 'AXIS' trio will be gone. Disappearing to second place where he wished they were at instead of themselves.

The German beside Feliciano smiles proudly. "Yes, so we have signed up for a bigger more vast international competition. Hopefully, we will find more...well matched rivals."

This piece of information catches everyone's attention, and Yao can't help but let his competitive nature start to rise. Adrenaline and redemption already flowing in his blood. After all, atonement was his color. Red.

With the last piece of information, the 'AXIS' leave the screen and the Belgian news woman winks at the camera. Not afraid of showing the physical charm she bears within her golden brown locks.

"That's right! They're signing up for the international 'The Beautiful World' competition that allows any competent band with up to three members to participate!"

The rest of her words, are gibberish based on biased opinions and useless weather precautions. The four of them take some time to digest all this information. By now everyone has vaguely the same idea; redemption, atonement, victory, a final chance. Their eyes meet, gold to violet, green to blue. Pleasant smiles and smirks gently graze their features.

A wonderful opportunity has appeared.

Please review! I will update very soon, most likely in a week's time! I would love to have a review or two to know what you think! This is a really unpopular AU. The Idol!AU!

Remember your reviews are my strength to continue!~