Chapter Eight

Great Barrier Reef, Australia

"Ah, stunning," May-Ling closed her eyes and took in the sun. The Allies smiled.

It was a nice, peaceful day in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, on the east of the island/country of Australia. Seagulls were resting on the Yacht's deck and the ocean gently rolled. They were waiting for the OK to dive in the water. They were all dressed in wetsuits in their national colors. But they were waiting on someone…

The captain shouted, "G'day, Mates! Time to giddy-yap and hop on in!"

The Allies smiled and nodded.

"This is going to be great!" Feliciano was stoked.

"Don't get too excited," Ludwig warned.

"You could get the bends," Kiku put in.

Feliciano stopped smiling and now looked worried. The others laughed.

"Even the most skilled divers experience the bends," Ludwig replied, seriously. "Just don't panic."

"Ok, my Dudes," Alfred's voice came from below in the cabin. "How do I look?" He stepped out, dressed in a wetsuit that looked exactly like the American Flag. His right arm and torso was covered in the blue background and white stars. The rest of his body was covered in red and white strips. He looked ridiculous. He even already had the flippers on.

The blood from the Allies' faces drained and they stared in embarrassment.

"Hey, you ok?" asked Alfred.

Ludwig replied, "Just-just give me a moment….by myself…" he turned to the side of the boat. He wore a solid black wetsuit with a red stripe across his chest and a yellow stripe around his right thigh.

The Captain walked down to the deck and put his arm around Kiku, unaware that he didn't like to be touched. "Hey, Mate, you from Japan, right?"

Kiku nodded and blushed. "Hai, I am." He adjusted his wetsuit's zipper, nervously. His was solid white with a red stripe across his chest.

"How 'bout a 10 kilometer swimming race?" The Captain challenged.

Kiku grew nervous. "Aahh, I wouldn't be able to do it! My back would give out!"

"Yeah, you're right. It wouldn't feel like a good swim unless it was across the Straights of Dover!" The Captain grinned widely and smacked Kiku on the back.

Kiku tried to take it well, but he almost fell over from the force.

"Good luck, Mates!" The Captain waved, as he walked back to the helm. "You should've seen that crazy sea foam incident on the beach just a few months ago! You should stop by the Sydney Opera House on your way back!"

"Where on Earth did you get that crazy outfit?" wondered Feliciano, out loud.

"Same place you got yours," Alfred smiled. "That's a nice green." He commented.

"You think so?" asked Feliciano, looking at the green stripe on his wetsuit's right shoulder. His wetsuit was solid white, but had red and green on the shoulders and arms.

"Never mind," May-Ling turned away and shook her head. She wore a solid red wetsuit with a single yellow star on her chest. She walked past Ivan, who was smiling, as usual. "I don't know him," she told Ivan, who was wearing a blue wetsuit, with a white stripe across his chest and upper torso, and a red stripe across his shins.

The Allies jumped in the water, one-by-one. Ludwig had to push Feliciano, he wouldn't leave the boat.


Meanwhile, the BFT were getting ready to dive, as well. Gilbert grinned as he zipped up his black wetsuit that had a white eagle outline across his shoulder blades.

Francis had on a white wetsuit, with blue and red on his arms. He was putting on his flippers.

Antonio wore a half-yellow and half-red, divided down the middle, wetsuit. He smiled as he tested the oxygen tanks.

Arthur mumbled and sat with his arms crossed. He wore a blue wetsuit with the Union Jack on the back. "This is turning out to be more trouble than it's worth, Blokes."

Gilbert glared at him. "Nein, it's awesome!"

"Right, awesome, I forgot. All right, awesome trouble is worse!"

"I think you look great," Francis smirked.

"Oh, stow it!" Arthur put on his flippers. "Thank goodness I took those swimming lessons! I'm the only one in my family who knows how to swim." Alfred had teased him about it, but finally agreed to teach him one summer.

The BFT sat on the edge of their open, small engine boat and fell over backwards into the ocean. They probably stole it…


The sea held many wonders. The Great Barrier Reef was one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. It was so huge, it stretched on for miles, and it could be seen from the air. Sadly, in the past few decades, it has lost more than half of its corals.

Alfred grinned through his breathing apparatus. He wore black goggles over his eyes. "This is so cool!" he spoke through the microphone. He noticed a giant green sea turtle, and decided to hitch a ride. He grabbed the front of its shell, next to its head and held on as the turtle swam, unbothered.

Feliciano noticed a dolphin hanging around, and decided to swim beside it. The dolphin made what sounded like a happy noise. Feliciano smiled, and petted him. He took ahold of his top fin and let the dolphin guide him.

Ivan was smiling through all this, as usual. He adjusted his goggles and examined the reef. He noticed a mean-looking crown-of-thorns starfish, and frowned. They were part of the problem the Reef was disappearing. He knew they were trouble so he swam away.


"Whoa," Arthur gasped. "I don't believe it!" He shined his flashlight over a name on wood.

"Vhat ist it?" asked Gilbert, swimming up to him.

"What did you find?" asked Francis turning to them.

"The shipwreck of the HMS Pandora!" Arthur exclaimed. "The lost frigate! My grandfather spoke of this highly."

"Si," Antonio nodded. "It was wrecked on its return voyage. It had treasure!"

Gilbert's eyes widened. "Treasure? Are you serious?"

"Oui, it's true, but we are not the first ones to discover zis, Mon Ami," Francis pointed to some equipment.

"I doubt there's anything left…" Arthur frowned.

But Gilbert was already swimming towards it.


May-Ling watched as a pregnant male seahorse swam by. "Male carry young? So strange…" She reached out to touch it but it swam away very quickly. "Wow, he can swim." She turned her attention to a more colorful fish hiding in the anemones, a clown fish!

"THIS…IS…SO…AWESOME!" Alfred shouted. The Allies turned to see him standing on and holding on the turtle's shell like it was a surfboard. The turtle swam by the Allies, and Alfred gave them a 'hang-ten' sign and smiled. "See you Dudes on the flip side!" He went back to surfing.

Feliciano waved to the dolphin as it swam away. "Thanks, Mr. Squiggles!"

Ludwig was puzzled. "Squiggles?" he asked, eyebrow raised.

"Si, that's his name!" Feliciano giggled and back-stroked away.

Ludwig face-palm. "Ve are vasting precious time here! Ve need to get that jewel or vhatever before my bruder…"

Kiku nodded. "Hai, I agree."

"Party-poopers," Alfred sighed in disappointment. He let go of the turtle and it swam away. "You threw off my groove."

"I am agreeing with Germany," Ivan said. "We are needing that diamond."

May-Ling looked at him. "How you know it diamond?"

"Something is telling me…" Ivan smiled at her.

"I have a name, you know," Ludwig face-palm.

May-Ling got nervous from his smile and turned to swim away. "Why does he always give me creeps?"


"Wait, Gilbert!" cried Antonio. "Be careful, Mi Amigo!"

"Nein! No time for zhat!"

For a German, he was impatient. The other three shook their heads and followed. But they didn't notice a couple of tiger sharks circling above them…

Arthur smiled as he felt the name on the wood of the ship. "I can't believe this…I'm right here!"

Gilbert turned on his flashlight once he got inside the open door of the ship. He accidently scratched his leg against a broken wood piece. He was caught on it and it tore his wetsuit. He pulled on it, making the hole bigger, but releasing it. Gilbert didn't realize he also cut himself…

Antonio and Francis were too frightened to go inside so they stood outside, guarding.

Gilbert came out a few minutes later with a frown. "Nozing! Keep looking!" he ordered. He gritted his teeth in pain and grunted, suddenly. The saltwater had got into his new cut on his leg. He ignored it, thinking it was nothing.

They spread out and continued to explore the wreck. But the sharks were closing in.

Antonio was examining a loose board covered in interesting sea life. But then, he saw the sharks and his eyes widened and he shouted out in surprise, and a huge amount of bubbles rose from his breathing apparatus.

Gilbert flinched and yelled, "Vhat vas zat? You tryingk to deaf me?" He turned and stared, in shock.

"Don't freak out…" Francis held on to Arthur's arm.

"Let me go, Bloody frog! What did you find a frog? Maybe it's your cousin! Go say 'ello!" Arthur tried to shake him off.

Francis shook his head. "I'm afraid it's no joke." He pointed behind Arthur.

Arthur turned and had the same reaction as Antonio.

The BFT stayed as still as possible as the sharks drew closer and started to circle them. They breathed heavily, using more of their oxygen tank's supply.

Francis looked down and noticed Gilbert's leg bleeding. "Sacrebleu!" he cried. "You're bleeding!"

Gilbert looked down and grabbed the side of his leg in an attempt to stop the bleeding, but it was already too late. The sharks had smelled the blood, and were hoping to get a four-course meal!

"Damn," Gilbert muttered. "Zat's vhy it hurts so much…"

"Sharks can't see very well, right?" asked Francis, shaking.

"Ja, but zey can smell blood miles avay!" Gilbert informed him. "Spread utt!"

The foursome spread out, in hopes of confusing the sharks, but one of them chased Gilbert and the other one went after Arthur!

"Mi Amigo!" Antonio looked back when he realized he wasn't being chased and saw his friend in danger! Antonio rushed to help Gilbert.

Arthur looked back and tried to out-maneuver the shark by swimming in-between the reef's corals. But the shark was gaining.

"Hold on, Mon Ami!" cried Francis, swimming to help Arthur, although he had no idea what he would do.

Antonio pulled Gilbert out of the way, just as the shark attempted to bite his leg, and it only succeeded in taking his right flipper!

Gilbert kicked its gills, as it swam by, in revenge. The shark seemed more agitated. "Ve need to get out of ze vater!" he shouted.

Antonio nodded. "Si, mi thoughts exactly!"

Arthur punched the other shark on its nose, and it swam a few feet away, but it would come back after it circled around. "Ugly Devil," he mumbled. He looked towards the others, especially Gilbert. "Tell me something I don't know, Bloke…"

"I'm coming!" Francis announced. The shark turned to swim towards him! He screamed. "Help moi!"

Arthur took out a knife and stabbed the shark in the gills. It knocked him away with its strong tail. He lost the knife as it fell to the ocean floor. And he was knocked against a rock, breaking a hole in his oxygen tank. He lost consciousness as he lost air. The shark lost interest, and swam away, in defeat.

The other shark following Gilbert hesitated for a second, smelling the new blood in the water from the other shark. But then he turned back to Antonio and Gilbert. "Argh!" Gilbert cried. The saltwater had gotten into his cut deep and it stung him, causing him to forget about the shark for a moment. He grabbed his leg, covering the hole in his wetsuit, in another attempt to stop the bleeding and in hopes of preventing more saltwater getting in.

But the shark got his attention again. His eyes grew wide as the shark barely missed his arm. He wished he had some kind of weapon. He saw Arthur's knife glitter off the reflection of the sun. He swam as fast as he could, with his leg leaving a blood trail. Antonio knew what he was trying to do, so he tried to distract the shark by punching its gills.

The tiger shark turned and sank the tip of its teeth in Antonio's shoulder! "AAARRRGGGHHH!" he screamed.

Gilbert turned to the sound and quickly grabbed the knife. He kicked off the ocean's floor.

Antonio hit the shark in the nose and it let go, luckily leaving Antonio's shoulder and arm. Antonio gripped his shoulder.

Gilbert grabbed the tail of the shark and cut it clean off! The shark squirmed and jolted forward. It turned to attack but it was attacked by a dolphin!

The shark without a tail had a hard time swimming away, but the other shark came towards it in an attempt to feast. But the dolphin was unafraid and fought both of them.

"They're cannibals!" Arthur cried. "And where did that dolphin come from?"

The BFT turned to see the Allies swimming toward them!

"Go, Mr. Squiggles!" cried Italy, cheering it on and pointing as if to command the dolphin.

Francis cocked his head to the side. "Mr. Squiggles? Dolphins, who knew?" he shrugged.

Gilbert saw his chance, and despite his injury and Antonio, swam towards the shipwreck. He was sure that the jewel was in it!

Ludwig saw and turned to follow him, but his flipper got caught on the reef. He tried pulling it out, and even taking it off, but his whole foot was trapped. He looked at his oxygen tank level. He was almost out of air! "Ve have a problem, Allies!" He pointed to his foot and then his tank and then to the surface.

Alfred swam over to see for himself and tried to pull it out. "No biggie, Germany. I'm a Hero!"

Ludwig had a worried look on his face. "Zat's vhat I'm afraid of. Gilbert's goingk after ze jewel!"

"Oh, SNAP crackle and POP Rice Krispies!" Alfred swam after him.

"HEY!" cried Ludwig. He gasped. His level was low. He covered his breathing apparatus in a reflex action like it was his mouth. Bubbles rose from his mouth. He somehow had to get to the surface! He started to panic, using more of his oxygen supply…


Antonio was sweating and watching the dolphin as it save him from being dinner for the sharks. He started to feel hazy and sleepy. His oxygen level was dropping rapidly and the saltwater that had got into his wound on his shoulder stung like it had been taken off completely. The sharks gave up and the wounded one became dinner for the stronger one. Antonio watched in horror as he got a front seat to the arena. The dolphin took him on its back and swam to the surface.

Francis struggled to get Arthur to the surface, taking him under the arms, and swimming as fast as he could to get to fresh air. He, too, was low on oxygen. In fact, if they didn't reach the surface soon, all of them would be sleeping with the fishes!

May-Ling was already swimming to the surface, but Ivan hesitated. Should he go after the jewel and Gilbert? Then May-Ling choked. She suddenly stopped swimming and drifted. Ivan realized what happened. She ascended too fast. She had the bends! Ivan ignored Gilbert. He could have the jewel. Right now, her life was more important. He took her arm over his shoulder and swam to the surface.

Feliciano swam to Ludwig in an attempt to help him, but Ludwig's air supply ran out! He covered his apparatus, and Feliciano nodded in understanding. "Kiku!" he called.

"Hai, I'm coming!" Kiku grabbed a hold of Ludwig's foot. He nodded to Ludwig. "On three. Ichi, ni, san!" They all pulled, but nothing.

Meanwhile, Gilbert grinned as he found the diamond on a stand in the Captain's cabin. He swam towards it, but Alfred grabbed it first! "Give it back!" he held the knife still in his hand firmly. He spun it around and held it towards his elbow, holding the handle backwards, showing he knew how to handle it. Alfred knew this from his first encounter with the insane Prussian.

"It wasn't yours' in the first place, Dude!" Alfred shot back.

Gilbert growled and charged Alfred. Alfred decided to play dirty and pulled Gilbert's breathing apparatus out!

Gilbert cried as bubbles rose from his mouth. He covered his mouth and punched Alfred in the gut. Alfred grunted and let go of the diamond. Gilbert grabbed it and kicked Alfred in the face with his left flipper, pushing off him to get a head start.

Alfred put the breathing apparatus back in his mouth, but noticed his level was almost out and he almost panicked. But he remembered his training and calmed down. He swam as fast as he could and followed Gilbert.

Gilbert reached for the apparatus and put it back in his mouth and pulled the diamond towards his chest. He was determined to win this round! He was upset that he lost the last few times. "See you later, mein freund!" he called back to Alfred. Alfred frowned. He was too fast.

"It'sa no use!" Feliciano started crying. "We can't-a get it loose!"

Ludwig started to faint, but Feliciano thought quickly and took out his own snorkel and put it in Ludwig's mouth! He grabbed it and looked at Feliciano in shock. Feliciano smiled as he held his breath. Kiku worked quickly as he continued to pull off Ludwig's flipper or take out his foot from it. Ludwig and Feliciano continued sharing the air a few times, but when it was Ludwig's turn again, it was used up! Both Feliciano and Ludwig started to panic, but Kiku had finally succeeded in taking out Ludwig's foot from the flipper. Ludwig blacked out. Feliciano and Kiku took both his arms and lifted him to the surface.

"HHHHHHHHH!" Feliciano gasped as he reached the surface.

Kiku took out his snorkel and got on the yacht first, then turned to help Ludwig up. Feliciano climbed up behind him.

They dragged Ludwig and set him on the deck. Feliciano checked his breathing and pulse. "Nothing!" he started to cry.

Before anyone could do anything, Ivan walked over and pounded Ludwig's chest, forcing him to cough up water and he turned to spit it out on the deck. Ivan smiled and walked back to check on May-Ling. She was wrapped in a blanket and breathing slowly. He sat down next to her. "You keep saving me," she said. "Why? I just slow you down…"

Ivan smiled. "You are part of team, da?"

"Ve! You're alive!" Feliciano threw his arms around Ludwig's neck, just as he was sitting up and almost knocked him back down.

Ludwig was too exhausted to be angry, and was just glad to be alive. He hugged the Italian back.

"Seems like you Mates had an adventure!" The Captain came out to greet them.

The Allies gave him a warning glare. The Captain smiled and chuckled nervously. He held out his hands and said, "Crikey, I get it! I won't say anything else!"


Meanwhile, Francis breached the surface, gasping for air, and he pulled Arthur onto the boat. He took off his diving gear and Arthur's. Arthur was still out cold. Francis put his ear to Arthur's chest and listened for his heartbeat. Slow, but there. He felt for air near Arthur's nose and mouth. Nothing. Francis thought quickly, and not meaning anything but to save his life, remembered his training in CPR. He compressed Arthur's chest first, counting to five, then held Arthur's nose and gave him two rescue breaths. He repeated a few times, and then Arthur spat and coughed up the water. Francis sighed in relief. "Zank goodness! I zought you were dead, Mon Ami!"

Arthur gasped open-mouth and sat up. His hair was still dripping wet down his face, so he wiped the water and his hair from his eyes. "Ugh, what the 'hell 'happened?"

"You sure showed that shark!" Francis beamed at him, smiling wide. "And I saved you!"

Arthur stared at him for a moment. "I don't remember anything after stabbing that shark with my…KNIFE!" he looked around desperately. "Where is it?"

"I am afraid you lost it, Mon Ami," Francis shrugged and shook his head.

"Good gravy…" Arthur muttered. "…How did you save me?"

Francis held a finger to his lips and winked. "A kiss woke up Sleeping Beauty, no?"

The blood from Arthur's face drained. "You-you….kissed me?" he was so shocked, he couldn't get angry, yet, but it was coming….

"Oui," Francis smiled. "But I assure you, it was to save your life! You swallowed too much water and you weren't breathing, Arthur Kirkland. You're very lucky I was 'here to save you!"

Arthur almost had a heart attack. He pulled himself backwards while still sitting until he was suddenly stopped by the boat's side. "YOU PUT YOUR BLOODY FROGGY LIPS ON ME?!"

Francis nodded. "More or less, but I'm not a frog. I wish you would stop referring to me by that 'orrid name…I told you, Mon Ami. That war is over. We're Allies!"

Arthur sighed. "Well…thank you…but only for saving me, not kissing me!"

Francis chuckled. "Very well, Mon Ami. I'll gladly do both again." He winked. "You're part of ze team! I can't very well let you die. You know, you're kinda slowing us down…"

"Ah! Well, I never!" Arthur was shocked. "How dare you-!"

They looked over at Antonio, not noticing him before. He sat on the boat's side, frowning, and holding his shoulder.

"Oh my God!" Francis cried and rushed over. "Why didn't you say anyzing, Mon Ami?!"

"I didn't want to interrupt your 'moment'," he looked away. He felt so betrayed.

"Here, let me help you, Toni," Francis grabbed the first aid kit and pulled out bandages, alcohol wipes and a sling. He pulled on Antonio's zipper and pulled the wetsuit off his torso and arm.

Antonio gritted his teeth in pain as Francis pulled the wetsuit off his shoulder and frowned while Francis helped wrap his shoulder and chest. Arthur looked on in amazement. Maybe Francis wasn't so bad a person, after all. Even though their families were rivals/enemies once and had bad blood between them, doesn't mean they couldn't be teammates. Or even friends.

"Where did you learn all of this rescue stuff?" Arthur asked, curious about his talent as a Doctor.

"I was a lifeguard in ze summers as a teenager, my mother was a nurse, and I went to seminars and training when I was in college," Francis smiled at him.

"Wow, you're definitely talented, I must say," Arthur couldn't stop his compliment before it left his mouth.

"Zank you," Francis said, glancing back at him for a moment, then continued to patch up Antonio.

Suddenly, Gilbert rose to the surface of the water and gasped as he took off his mask and snorkel.

"Can you finish 'here?" Francis gestured for Arthur to come and watch Antonio for a moment. "I'll go 'help 'him now." He walked to the side of the boat.

Arthur snapped out of it and nodded as he stood and walked over to Antonio.

"So," Antonio asked. "You're in the same boat, figuratively speaking."

"I'm not sure what you mean, Old Bean," Arthur looked at him, and then continued wrapping his shoulder. "Did you get dragged into this, too?"

Antonio glanced at the others, then back at Arthur. "Si, more or less…"

Arthur glanced back at Francis and Gilbert. "Blackmail, huh?" he looked back at Antonio.

"I will tell you later, mi Amigo…" Antonio held his elbow.

Francis helped Gilbert into the boat. Gilbert growled and grunted. He dropped the jewel on the bottom of the boat and sat down. He pulled his leg close and got out the first aid kit. He looked at Francis. "Above or below ze heart?" he asked. He wasn't sure if he should raise his leg above his heart or keep it down below.

Francis shrugged. Gilbert frowned. He used one of the wipes to clean it and wrapped his leg in bandages. He sat with his legs straight out, and leaned his head back to rest on the side of the boat. He looked at Antonio, whose shoulder and arm was wrapped and he was wearing a sling. Antonio looked away, in anger. He had left him. Gilbert turned his head away, too. He had to get that jewel. Antonio just didn't understand.

Francis shook his head. Looks like this team needed to learn a little more teamwork….