The world was in an energized buzz, the source of which coming from a force only experienced once every two years. The international unity- even if only for a month -was indescribable to many. How the cultures, languages, and customs of countries vastly different but somehow similar, could even come together without the usual motive of warfare.

Hardly any words can describe what it is except for its' name: The Olympics.

The time when the seven continents of Earth and their nations gather once every two years to face off in either their summer or winter sports. Tensions run high as the desire in the athletes to represent not only themselves but their home lingers in the back of their minds. With such a high intensity of competition, many believe that hostile tensions would emerge. But quite the opposite has shown through- for the audience that is.

Families travel across the globe to view, and be a part of such an event. To even a few, a new way of life is discovered.

Naturally with such an influx of people into an area- and tourists at that -the host nation gains tremendously in both money and prestige. Which is why the host this year- Japan -has gone through substantial measures to make sure everything will be faultless. That the summer games in Tokyo will be unrivaled, and a model for future games.

Mentioned earlier, many would expect hostile tensions to emerge, and also stated previously it has shown to be the opposite for the audience members. The athletes are a different matter to be discussed.

It has been in headlines before, but for the most part many think they are just peaceful stirs created by the media, with no actual tensions or conflicts. But out of the limelight and prying eyes of the media, you will find scandal of all kinds.

One story in particular, began in Rio four years previous. It was in Rio that Alfred F. Jones came in for Team U.S.A to swim, and wormed his way into the hearts of the media and athletes.

He came in at the young age of fourteen, and a plethora of people by looking at him would wonder: 'Is this boy really on the team?' Alfred had unfortunately looked like the stereotypical, geeky teenager. His voice would jump when he spoke, pimples adored his bespeckled face, and even though he had a nice body considering his field of exercise, was on the chubbier side. The amount who thought ill of him at first were many, but all that changed at the trials.

It was there they saw Alfred fly.

Once the race began, Alfred lost himself in the water. His strokes were carried with such excellence, grace, and confidence those watching forgot he was not a professional like those in the lane next to him. Then when it came to Alfred's favorite stroke- the butterfly -he dominated the water.

Jones was almost immediately placed on the American Olympic Swim Team after the trials, and by the time Rio came was already predicted by the athletic community to be the next Michael Phelps or Ryan Lochte. This prediction was submitted as a serious possibility when Alfred came in first in the 100 fly and smashed its' record, while also coming close to winning the 200 fly, 100 free, and 200 free.

Alfred became a household name not only from being outstanding in the water, but for his charming, dorky personality. After being interviewed several times by various programs, the public fell in love with the goofy, down-to-Earth, happy, and exuberant American.

But not everyone loved Alfred.

In Rio, those watching noticed a tension brewing between two other competitors with the young American. One of them was noticed by the public at the first race Jones was to do: the 100 free, which he barely came in second to. The winner being a twenty-two Frenchman named Francis Bonnefoy.

From then on it became obvious a rivalry had formed, especially after Alfred beat the Frenchman in the 100 fly. After which, Francis made sure he stayed in first, even if he did so barely, and was to the point of exhaustion afterwards. There were rumors of all kinds about the two for a while, but nothing was ever confirmed until an interview took place soon after the swimming was done. Nobody dared to forget it. The question of a rivalry emerged, and Alfred- forever unable to read the atmosphere -bluntly stated that in Tokyo he would win, and that even though Francis was a friend, he was confident he would be better than him by the time the next games rolled around.

Francis- who had not been challenged like this since he rose to fame in London -naturally did not take this proclamation of being defeated by this loud-mouthed American too well. So with a coy smile, the man remarked he would make sure Alfred would not win in Tokyo, even if he had to intervene personally.

Because of this rivalry that the media focused heavily on, most of the population was unaware of the other relationship Alfred had brewed in Rio. This one had started as a fanboy obsession, with Alfred being the latter.

This obsession Alfred had was with the most remarkable archer to ever compete in Olympic history. That archer being Britain's own Arthur Kirkland.

The Brit rose to Olympic stardom the same time Francis did in London at the age of fifteen, and was praised for his skill. While Arthur was more introverted and a grouch, at London he brought his native land glory. Winning a gold medal in the sport, which had not been done for Team Great Britain since 1908. When Rio came around, Arthur was more than prepared to beat his previous record. But then came a little annoying git almost knocking him over in a café in the Olympic Village.

Alfred had apologized profusely- he and fencer Kiku Honda of Japan were new and apparently were just trying to a bathroom -but when Arthur lifted his eyes up with brows furrowed, ready to yell, Alfred's eyes lit up in wonder. The fourteen year old looked up to Arthur as a role-model, because Arthur had come into London as a young contestant like Alfred had been doing in Rio. So when he proceeded to talk the Brit's ear off and follow him like a puppy, Arthur was more than annoyed. Nevertheless, Arthur never had that many friends growing up- or ever -and enjoyed the new companion.

Arthur's three older brothers ignored/tortured him endlessly when he was younger. Really the closest thing he had to friendship in his life was with Francis, as they grew up together. Even then it was a rivalry more than anything. Both were always at each other's throats, and tried to outdo each other in every way possible. When they would visit each other, a mixture of chaos would follow.

If it was Francis, his mother, and little sister Lisa visiting, he would wake to bugs in his hair, or arrows shot at him the minute he stepped outside. Sometimes the Kirkland brothers would actually work together to make the Frenchman's life a living hell. But when the Kirkland's would visit the little chateau of the Bonnefoys, the tables turned.

Poor Arthur's misery would only increase as his brothers still continued to tease him, and then Francis was on home territory. The worst was whenever Francis' friends came over as well: Antonio Fernandez Carriedo, and Gilbert Beilschmidt. With the trio there, Arthur found himself chased, prodded, and punched until he could find a way to escape.

Both were somewhat civil to each other after a series of events brought them together,- no one but the families knew what brought them closer -and now both were doing excellent in their fields. Sometimes they even would go out to drink with each other. At London they did just that after the games, swearing they would top each other at Rio.

But neither could have anticipated the wild card thrown at them. With the latter meaning something different to both of them. While Alfred became Francis' rival, he became the closest thing Arthur ever had to a younger brother. Which, even though Arthur would never admit it, thrilled the Brit more than words could describe. However, after Alfred had defeated Francis in the 100 fly, Alfred grew busier than ever and didn't come around and see Arthur as often. Fed up with the boy, Arthur boldly told Alfred he couldn't be around anyone but him. Alfred didn't take this information well, and fired back saying he could be friends with people other than Arthur because he could actually keep them, unlike the grumpy Brit.

It began an enormous topic of discussion in the Olympic Village that somehow escaped the media's attention. Athletes even began to take sides in the affair. But Arthur lost his so called 'war' when Francis surprised everyone and took Alfred's side.

Arthur was devastated from the loss of his so called 'brother,' and was only cheered up by Alfred's actual twin brother who played hockey for the Canadian team during the winter games: Matthew Williams. Then Arthur used his leftover emotions to destroy the competition in Rio. Setting a new record and earning himself two more medals.

As the rest of the games when on, both Alfred and Arthur made up- shakily. But nothing was the same between the two. Alfred realized there was a lot about himself to figure out, and Arthur swallowed himself in training. More focused than ever to be the best archer.

And with the start of the 2020 games in Tokyo, everyone held their breath to see what happened not only between the two, but with the dangerous rivalry as well.