Chapter Two

Arthur awoke with a painful migraine or headache, he wasn't sure. All he knew was that someone had hit his head from the back very hard. Obviously, else he wouldn't have been knocked out. "Oh…" he moaned. "What did I drink last night? 'ell what did I do?!"

He realized he was tied to a chair in a dark room with a spotlight on him. Was someone trying to interrogate him?

Arthur turned his nose up, proud. Well, they bloody won't get any information from me! he thought.

The German man from earlier walked into the light.

"Oh, 'ell, not you…" Arthur rolled his eyes and turned his head away to avoid looking at him.

"You're a very tough one," Gilbert smirked. The top part of his face was still covered in darkness, but Arthur could clearly see the satisfaction in his smile. "But ve vill see how long zat lasts!"

He took Arthur's chin in his hand, and grasped it firmly as he turned it to face him. His other hand was on the chair's arm.

"So this is an interrogation…." Arthur frowned. "Well, you bloody won't get any info from me!"

"More of a persuasion," the Prussian grinned. It seemed he was a sadist.

"NEVER!" Arthur pulled out of his grasp and head-butted him.

The German cried out in pain, as he covered his face with his hand.

Arthur only managed to tip the chair and fall over on the floor. He frowned and mumbled, "Damn Nazi knot..."

The German gained his composure again, because he stood up straight and grinned out of the corner of his mouth that wasn't covered in blood. He slowly turned around to face the Englishman. He removed his hand from his face and started laughing…he looked more insane and dangerous with that much blood on him. He wiped some from his mouth on the back of his hand, looked at it, and licked his lips, a smile forming.

"'e really is insane!" Arthur realized. His forehead was red and started to bleed a little.

Gilbert, despite his face being covered in blood, picked up the chair with Arthur still in it.

"Let's try zis again.." he said, calmly. "Accept ze awesome Challenge und agree to fight vif us!" He looked directly into Arthur's eyes, and Arthur thought maybe he was some kind of hypnosis freak…

"Maybe..." Arthur replied, calmly, after a few moments of silence. "But your spells or whatever won't affect me! HA!"

"Zat's all you can come up vif?" asked Gilbert, scuffing. "Maybe zis vill get you talking…"

Just then, the Frenchman from earlier came in. He smiled, winked, and blew a kiss at Arthur. How dare that bloody frog!

"'ell NO!" Arthur screamed. "Fine! Fine! Alright! You win! I'll accept the damn challenge! You cold-hearted snake!"

The Spaniard, also, came in. "How's our guest coming along, eh?"

"He has accepted ze Awesome Challenge!" Gilbert announced. He grinned and chuckled.

Antonio then just noticed his friend's face covered in blood. "AI YI YI! What happened to you, Mi Amigo?"

"Nozing," the Prussian walked out with an insane smile on his bloody face as if nothing had happened.

"…ew…" Francis commented. "That'll leave a mark…but I always seem attracted to scarred-face ones…"

Antonio rolled his eyes and smiled down at the ground. "Ai yi yi…If I'm not already loco, I will be by the time this is all over…" they walked out, leaving the sobbing British man alone to his thoughts…

"Ow…" he sobbed. "That man's head is as hard as a rock! Hard-headed, Bloody stubborn Nazi...he smelled like beer and sausage and potatoes.." he was out of words and names…


All around the world, people from different nations, countries, and territories were all receiving the letters of the Challenge from the AWC (in their own "lango"). Some even felt like this was a way to redeem or prove themselves to the World just how strong they could be. One particular Italian was just sitting down to a pasta dinner and some wine when he got the letter. He had a napkin around his neck and put down the fork he was about to use. Another proud Japanese man was just finishing his morning prayers in the temple. A German had just finished his evening exercise-running laps. People were talking about it in the news, announcing it on facebook, and even twittering. This was a big time for the world to stop fighting in wars or family feuds and work together. It made people happy and proud to represent their particular country. At least, the ones who weren't chosen were celebrating. The ones asked to represent their country couldn't refuse or bring shame and laughter to their country. That just couldn't be allowed. The strong and proud countries brought strong and proud representatives to fight. Even the weaker countries were hoping they could change the stereotype that underdogs couldn't be heroes. When they returned, depending on if they won or not, they would be considered heroes or cowards. That is, IF they returned…perhaps it was better to die a hero than to survive a coward?

The competition in the Challenges, not to mention the Challenges themselves, was brutal and sometimes savage. If they didn't have their way, they would find certain ways to win. No matter what happened to the other guy. Anything went, as long as you won, right?

"Oh, no..I…have to represent…Italy?" asked Feliciano Vargas, the Italian just sitting down to his meal. "I'vea lost my appetite.." (that was a big thing for him to lose his appetite). "I know howa those things are…"

"They ask for me to represent and honor all of Japan?" asked Kiku Honda, the Japanese man who had just finished his morning prayers and was still dressed in his ceremonial kimono. It was a dark morning for the rainy season, and lightning flashed as he glanced up at the Katana hanging in his closet. It was dusty and had not seen war since his grandfather fought in WWII. "I will accept and bring honor to my family!"

"Vhat?" asked Ludwig Beilschmidt. "Germany? I…I vas chosen? Vhat of my brozer? Does zat mean…he dropped out? That coward…how dare he bring shame und disgrace to ze Vazarland! I vill shovn zem zat Germany is not avaid to fight! I vill fight! And vhen I vetuvn…" His black gloved fist grew tighter, and you could hear the squeezing leather between his fingers. "I vill kill him myselv!"

Everyone who was asked had accepted. They didn't want the disgrace and mock their country. Except one thing was wrong in China. "How have you been chosen instead of me?" asked Yao Wang, the oldest and first-born son of the family. He had burst into his 2nd oldest sister's room and the wind from the door blew out the candles and interrupted her prayers. He was outraged that she had been chosen to represent all of China.

"Yao…" his sister, May-Ling, gently said, as if she were apologizing.

"That not change anything!" Yao cried. "Why you? What so special? You not man!"

May-Ling said nothing and still on her knees, started to cry. "You think I want this?" she asked, through tears. "I don't know why they choose me! You're the strongest and first-born son! Why cannot you serve?"

Yao's face softened. He stood in silence as she cried. After a moment, he gently said, "I cannot take place. Our ancestors decide fate long ago. I just mad at elders…not you…"

May-Ling looked back up at him, both in surprise and shock that he knew it wasn't her fault she was chosen to fight in the Challenges. They knew it would be hard for both of them, but they also knew that they couldn't change it once it was announced. Yao knelt beside her and embraced her as she continued to cry.

"I will bring happiness, good fortune, and honor to China," she wept. Yao stroked her long, black hair to comfort her.

"You already have," Yao smiled as he closed his eyes. "Great Dragon shine upon you.."

Ivan Braginski slowly put down the letter and started to smile. "Soon everyone will join with Mother Russia… And if they don't…." he held up a knife, "I will be doing killing, da?" he started to chuckle as he felt how sharp the knife was in his rough, gloved hand.


The next day, the representatives arrived at the airport to depart to their destination: the AWC headquarters in Europe.

"Let'sa see…" Feliciano looked at his printed email ticket that told him the flight number and terminal. He had just got out of a taxi, and was lugging around three suitcases. He struggled to keep them all in his grip. He didn't know much about traveling to a foreign country, and had brought his best suits and shoes. In fact, he was wearing his Sunday best! He didn't know what he needed or how to pack for foreign travel. He was oblivious to the fact that he looked stupid carrying that much luggage and just smiled the whole time while people stared at him. "Ciao!" he greeted back at them and they quickly looked away and kept walking. "I needa to reach that…thing…number…" This was the first time he had flown and out of country, no less! He was nervous, but he quickly forgot once he saw a beautiful woman at the front counter. He smiled and casually cut the line. "Ciao, baby!" he flirted. But what he didn't know is that he cut in front of a German!

The German grew angry, and grabbed the Italian's shirt collar and drew back his fist to punch him. "HEY! Vho do you zink you are? Cutting in line is vude und makes people like me impatient!"

"AAAHHH!" Feliciano screamed. "I'ma sorry! I didn't know you were there, honest! I know a relative in Brooklyn! I was just gonna ask directions, I swear! Leta go! This suit isa very expensive! Youa ripping it!"

The Italian spoke so fast, the German could hardly keep up. "Finek. But hurry up. I don't like to be late or kept vaiting. Just vatch yourself, ja? Und pay attention to your surroundingks.'

"Si, gratzi!" the Italian thanked him and went back to flirting with the woman. Although, now she was looking at him strange after what had just happened with the other guy in line. He realized his charm had been ruined and just asked where the terminal was. She gladly pointed to the left. He smiled and left quickly. At least, as fast as he could, logging around all that luggage.

"What an idiot," whispered Alfred to another man in line. He brushed it off and didn't look at him again. He's mean, the American thought. I was just being friendly and trying to start a conversation. What a jerk…man, I wish Arthur was here. I know! I'll talk to the next dude I see that looks nice… he looked around for his victim.

A man that was taller than him in the next line was smiling to himself.

He looks nice, Alfred thought. But he looks foreign. He kinda looks intimidating. Ok, next guy…

While Alfred attempted to entertain himself, the man he had first chosen was none other than the Russian, Ivan. He tended to smile, even when it wasn't appropriate. He intimidated everyone he met. But he still continued to smile. Weird…

Even the man at the front counter thought he was creepy. "Uh, yeah, you're here for the AWC Meeting, right?" He could tell that this creepy foreign man wasn't here to sight-see.

"Da," the Russian said, still smiling.

"Right," the man said. "It's to your left. Flight 367, ok?"

"Thanking you," Ivan was handed back his passport. He walked towards the terminal.

"Man, I was right about that guy being creepy!" Alfred said to himself, although it was out loud…a few people looked at him.

Meanwhile, Kiku knew that flying was the quickest way, but he still didn't like the fact that he would be off the safe ground. It made his belly hurt, and having all these foreigners around made him even more nervous. While he glanced back at his ticket for a moment, someone bumped into him, causing him to drop his suitcase and Kiku quickly bowed his apology.

"Oh," he started. "Forgive me. I did not see you."

"You had bezer vatch yourselv, Japan!" a German rudely shouted.

Kiku stared at him for a moment, wondering what was wrong with this guy. Then he realized he was staring at him and blinked. He bowed at the waist. He dared not look up at this man. "Please forgive me. It will not happen again!"

"Bezer not, Japan," he sneered. A Spaniard and Frenchman were with him and they started to snicker. They turned and walked away.

Kiku stood back up. "How rude they were. I should consider his advice and watch my back…although…" Kiku thought for a moment… "He was probably insane and nervous.." he picked up his suitcase and continued to the waiting area.

As he did, the plane that they were taking had just started to arrive.


About this time the Russian, Ivan, was just going through the security checkpoint and was randomly chosen to go through the big metal detector (or maybe he looked suspicious with that smile on his face). Alfred was behind him in line and behind him was May-Ling. They went through regular scans and put their shoes and emptied their pockets into the bins as the other guards scanned them with handheld devices.

The detector went off and Ivan obliviously smiled.

The security guard got suspicious and asked, "do you have a medical condition?"

The Russian still smiled as he said, "da."

"Okay, Buddy," the guard mocked him by smiling back. "What do you got in your pockets?"

Ivan reached into his pockets, without saying a word, and was still smiling all through this…

The security guard grew nervous and had his shaking hand on his radio that was clipped to his shirt. He started to sweat. Was this a terrorist?

Ivan pulled out two guns, one from each pocket and handed them to the security guard!

The other people in line started to scream and threw themselves on the floor. Everyone, except Alfred. He stood up, although he was shaking.

"Listen, here, Dude!" he bravely announced. "You may scare these innocent people, but you don't scare me! I'm the Hero and I've been chosen to represent America! Stand down and no one will get hurt except you!"

Ivan smiled all through this, even when they took him away. "You liking sunflowers?" he asked the man who had taken his guns.

"Aiya," mumbled May-Ling. "He creepy! I stay away from him in future!"

Alfred obnoxiously laughed in triumph. "HAHAHA! Told ya he didn't and can't scare America!"

May-Ling rolled her eyes. Americans stupid…

Meanwhile, the Italian was still complaining about why he couldn't bring all of his luggage with him on the plane without paying the extra fee. He was trying to explain why he needed it.

Ludwig, who had met him earlier, rolled his eyes. Not him again…he just couldn't get away from this stupid Italian who surprisingly hadn't cut the line this time, but Ludwig still had to wait behind him once again. Also, he was an annoying hummer.

"Are you with the AWC?" The man at the ticket counter asked him.

"Si!" Feliciano agreed. "But I still don't understand why-"

"Follow me," he took him away from the line and the Italian followed him, not noticing he left one of his suitcases behind.

If he was a woman, Feliciano thought, I wouldn'ta have this problemo!

The German eyed his suitcase he accidentally left behind, curious. "Hm…" he wondered out loud. Vhat's so important about taking his house vith him? he thought. I hope he's not in the Challenge. It vould be a shame for zat naïve child to die unnecessarily…he continued to watch the kid's case for him, at least until he returned.