An hour has passed, and Arthur and Francis reluctantly trudge back to the WipeOut course, where Gilbert, Antonio and Elizabeta are eagerly waiting for them, smiles lecherous. The other nations frantically get back to their seats on the bleachers, impatient to see more hilarious stunts unfold.

After everyone's settled, chatter down to mere whispers and occasional giggles, Gilbert clears his throat in the mic to get the crowd's attention.

"Okay, everyone! We're back on track with the WipeOut course, part two!"

"And for this course, our two favourite couple will have to brave the King of the Mountain, followed by the Dizzy Dummy 2.0!" Antonio chimes in with a flourish of his hand, presenting the obstacle course to the audience, who oooohs and aaaahs.

"Hold up!" Arthur says a few feet away, "First of all, why is called the Dizzy Dummy 2.0?! This is the first time anyone's gone on an obstacle like this! Second of all, and for the last time, WE'RE NOT FUCKING TOGETHER."

"I beg to differ," Gilbert snickers out, and Arthur reddens as he realises his poor choice of words, grumbling and fuming. Francis, who's long given up on trying to correct the others, pats his friend on the back with awkward there, theres, only to be roughly shoved off by the incensed Englishman.

"And it's called the Dizzy Dummy 2.0 for show business, Artiepants," Gilbert continues proudly. "You wouldn't know anything about it."

"Anyway!" Elizabeta cuts it with a dazzling smile, mic at the ready, "let's get on with the show, shall we? Who here wants to see our beloved Arthur and Francis fall on their butts and get kicked by moving objects here?"

She is answered by a chorus of cheers and whoops, much to her delight and to the two contestants' ire.

"ALL OF YOU ARE NO LONGER MY FRIENDS," Arthur yells out to the audience of nations. "FROM NOW ON, CONSIDER ANY OF OUR ALLIANCES NULL, YOU TWATS. WE WON'T BE SHIPPING ANY TEA TO THE LOT OF YOU ANYMORE."

"Tea sucks butts!" Alfred shouts back among the bleachers.

"So!" Antonio claps his hands excitedly, oblivious to the commotion going on around him. "To begin, Arthur and Francis will have to brave the King of the Mountain!"

Before them, there are multiple posts with a cushion atop them standing among a pool of water, each next to each other so that they form a large circle. In the circle is another pillar, slightly larger than the others and with a bigger cushion on top. Right beneath the cushion surrounding the pillar is a ring, on which two beams are attached and rotating. Underneath those are two more planks, also spinning around, but flat enough that someone could walk on it and reach the middle pad.

"Both of these fine gentlemen," and Elizabeta snorts at that, "will each be standing on one of the outer posts. They will have to walk on the rotating planks without getting hit by the spinning beams all the while, and reach the middle pillar. The first one to finish will get an advantage for the next course, so this time you'll have to work against each other if you want a chance at an easier challenge!"

Arthur smirks, and beside him, Francis chuckles.

"Fighting this nitwit is my specialty," Arthur declares haughtily. "Should be a piece of cake to beat you at this, considering you weren't even able to complete the last course."

Francis sticks his tongue out to his rival out of spite. "Rira bien qui rira le dernier, Mr. Kirkland," he shoots back as they make their way to the obstacle course, ready to stand on a starting pillar.

"But wait! We have a special surprise for these two, don't we, Gilbert?" Antonio asks, smiling. Gilbert answers him with a high-five.

"Hell yeah we do! We were able to get two other awesome volunteers to help with the King of the Mountain; give it up for Ludwig and Romano!"

The two said men come forward from the bleachers, decked in light t-shirts and gym shorts, and both grumbling.

"This better be worth the 50 kilos of tomatoes you promised me, you asswipe," Romano growls as he pokes Antonio repeatedly on the chest, who simply beams in answers and tries to go for a hug. Romano evades him with a duck and a punch in the gut.

"Of course," Antonio wheezes out, still smiling despite having the breath sucked out of him. Beside him, Ludwig looks on, unimpressed, before turning to his older brother.

"And you told me you'd actually do the dishes for a straight month if I complied with your wishes," he mutters, frowning all the while. Gilbert lifts both his hands in a placating manner, easy grin plastered on his face.

"Hey, West, I promised, didn't I? When did I ever back out on any of my promises? Don't answer that," he tacks on quickly when he spots the deadpan stare Ludwig is giving him. Beside them, Elizabeta jumps in.

"Besides, I think you'll both particularly like what we've got in store for you…" she drags Romano in and starts whispering, and slowly, Ludwig and Romano's frowns turn to eager sneers.

"Okay! Places, everyone!" Gilbert chimes in, and Ludwig and Romano comply, the two also walking to the obstacle course to stand on one of the pillars.

Arthur looks on, delighted, when he spots the two newcomers on the obstacle course.

"Do we have more opponents? Two idiots who get to share our pain and suffering?"

"Not exactly," Elizabeta says sweetly into the mic, making sure the audience of nations on the bleachers can also hear her. "You see, these two volunteered to be a part of the obstacles you will have to face."

"What." Arthur states flatly.

"That's right!" Antonio continues, "Ludwig and Romano here will be throwing these at you while you both try to reach the middle pillar," he says, brandishing a grey foam ball. "They look harmless, but they're actually pretty heavy. If they hit you, you'll definitely fall."

"Pourquoi moi…" Francis moans out on his post, exaggerated despair clearly written on his face. A few pillars down, Ludwig is casually juggling one of the balls in the air, catching it expertly every time it falls back towards him. To his right, Romano is grinning widely, evil glint in his eyes.

"Oh, am I gonna have fun with this."

Francis gulps in answer.

Translations:

Rira bien qui rira le dernier - lit. he who laughs last laughs best; it's an expression similar to 'having the last laugh' or 'revenge is a dish best served cold'

Pourquoi moi - why me