A/N: Hey, guys! I'm back. And Wiwiun, if you're reading this, I AM working on that oneshot for you. It's just taking a hell of a lot longer than I thought it would. *sheepish*

Anyway. Enjoy! And if you're confused, I think everything should be explained in the next chapter - this is just an intro.

"Game terminated in: thirty seconds."

Arthur ducked behind the tree, biting his lip. They'd seen him. Green eyes darted frantically in the eerie dimness of the maze, his hold on his gun tightening; the options were to stay here, and let himself be caught, or to make a break for the caves, and pray his lights wouldn't be shot out on the way.

It was a slim chance. Ludwig was a good shot.

But it was better than dying without honor.

Arthur's heartbeat pounded in his ears as he lowered to a stealthy crouch, silently scoping out the area for any signs of the telltale green lights of his allies; he glanced around once, twice, three times, and tried to calm his growing panic. Where were the others? Had they all been infected?

"Game terminated in: twenty seconds."

That deep, mechanical voice that seemed to echo through the maze from nowhere made the hairs on the back of his neck stand up. Arthur bit his lip, narrowed his eyes, and burst free of the shadows.

The electric drilling of gunshots immediately filled his ears, and he turned around to return a few shots at the corner where Ludwig's scarlet lights lurked, as he stumbled back toward the cover of his allies. He didn't even pause to enjoy the sense of triumph as he heard the telltale beeping of a direct hit; he just turned and ran.

No other lights shone out through the maze.

Where were the other Greens?

Where was Francis?

Stopping briefly for a split second's rest, Arthur took a right, weaving his way back toward the outskirts of the arena with the freezing hands of panic seeping into his mind. He ran faster, fighting hysteria. If he wasn't with them when the game ended, then—

"Game terminated in: ten seconds."

Casting a desperate glance over his shoulder, Arthur swore and put on another burst of speed; one of the Reds had given chase. The electronic pulse of the maze around him rang in his ears, gunshots hot on his tail—he ducked into a corner, hearing the pounding of heavy footsteps sprinting closer, squeezing his eyes shut and praying he'd find a way out of this—

"Five."

More shooting. He winced, bracing himself for a hit and wondering if there was any way to fight the infection once it set in—

"Four."

"What the fuck are you doin', Iggy?"

Alfred.

Arthur's eyes shot open again, and he leapt to his feet just in time to see the American come level with him, holding the trigger down and raking the area where the Red was standing; a manic beeping told them the man was down. Alfred grabbed Arthur's wrist and yanked him around a corner, back into the deeps of the maze.

"Three."

They were running, racing against time, dashing around corners, nearly falling—Arthur's breaths were growing ragged in his chest, his throat raw from panting as Alfred tugged him onward. He could barely keep up with the American's long strides, but forced himself to try anyway—

"Two."

"Go, go, go!" Alfred yelled, rushing him ahead, grabbing his shoulder and pushing him onward—Arthur tripped and fell, and Alfred yanked him back to his feet, jarring his shoulder and making his ribs scream in agony—

Another corner—

Arthur dove forward, seeing the green glow of his teammates in the distance—

"One."

More speed; his legs nearly gave out as he pushed even faster—Alfred was pushing him along, one hand on his back, the other clamped around his wrist—his shoulder still throbbed, but he didn't have time to wonder if it was dislocated or broken—

Green lights coming closer—

Ten meters to go—

He fell and skidded on his knees, tearing his trousers and feeling hot blood spurt from the gash—

"C'mon, Iggy, almost there!"

Alfred gave another tug on the bad shoulder, and he screamed in agony as raw pain shot through his arm—

He staggered to his feet—

"Zero."

Arthur opened his eyes, and everything went black.

A little Hunger-Games-ish, non? Let me know what you thought; the next chappie should be coming soon!

And no, this is not a USUK fic. Apologies to anyone who thought it was!