International Summit

It was a regular Monday in Sowei City, and just like every other week, the Council of Soweiland was in session.

Things in Soweiland had been moving smoothly for the last couple of weeks, excluding the occasional Kane-related hiccup, and the day's session was slowly coming to a close, with nothing of particular note taking place.

"And that would be the status of Soweiland Penitentiary." Leo said, as he organized the papers in his binder. "Renee, have any potential prison guards been interviewed?"

"The process is kinda slow, to be honest. Not many applicants have showed up, and most of them are kinda cuckoo." Renee replied, looking extremely tired.

"Why aren't you employing the AXON agents?" Dr. Parr asked, while fidgeting with the watch on her hand.

"Because their contract ends in two years and I'd rather not have to rely on them forever." 

Before anyone else could say anything, the Intercom buzzed.

"Hey guys, someone wants to see you." Jessie spoke from the other end. 

"I know you guys are in there, so let me through!" A man's voice was also heard through the intercom.

Leo sighed and made a face, at O'Lop who was sitting to his right. The latter shrugged in response.

"What did I tell you about letting homeless people in the castle, Jessie?" Leo raised his eyebrow. The man on the other end was taken aback by the comment and rambled something unintelligible.

"It's not a homeless person, Leo. It's Duke Francis of Austria." Jessie informed Leo who pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Even worse." He deadpanned. Francis murmured something to himself on the other end that probably wasn't very polite.

"Go deal with him while we cower in fear of his giant chin, Geowar." Leo spat. Geowar sighed and flew out of the room through the front entrance. Nobody else made a move.

In the castle Lobby, Francis was standing up next to Jessie's desk, looking unamused. He was wearing his typical tan shirt and olive green sweater vest, but was also wearing a black tie (which wasn't put on with much effort), and was also carrying a brown leather briefcase with his right hand. His left hand was in his pocket.

"Oh hey, it's you." Francis nodded at Geowar once he arrived, and forced a smile. Neither man offed a handshake to the other. "Where's the rest of the troupe?"

"Did you need something?" Geowar asked. His milk white eyes made his expression hard to read, but it certainly wasn't a joyous one.

"Good morning to you too." Francis said under his breath. "I'll cut to the chase. You're being audited, flyboy, by the International Federation."

"The International Federation?" Geowar raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah, the International Federation." Francis confirmed. "They're a council of the world's greatest powers. I'm sure you've met some of these wonderful personalities."

"I've had the joy of meeting one of them." Geowar recalled his first meeting with the King of England, Edward, in which the dapper monarch shot him in the arm.

"Then you know what to expect. They'll be here on Saturday morning." Francis said. "Try to not meet them wearing whatever the hell that outfit is." Francis cringed at Geowar's Guardian uniform, making him frown.

"Why were we not informed of this by an ambassador or something? And why are you here a week in advance?" Geowar asked Francis, who was trying (and failing) to adjust his tie.

"I am the ambassador. And I needed a vacay." Francis answered, then leaned against Jessie's desk, before sighing a great sigh. "Do you have any idea how annoying my idiot little brother is? He's 15 years old and as sharp as a spoon."

"Can't say I relate." Geowar said.

"Now, do you know any hotels? I can't wait to get out of your hair." Francis said.

"Before you leave, Mr. Gaspar..." Another man's voice sounded. "Could you perhaps repeat all that for Sowei City News?"

Theodore Soleman was sitting in the lobby right behind them, scribbling away at his notepad and smirking, proud of his latest big scoop. His assistant, Steve, was also there staring right at the Duke and the Minister's souls.

"How long have you two been there?"

______________________________________________________________________

The news spread like wildfire, as a special edition of Sowei City News' paper was published. The council of Soweiland reconvened when Francis left for his hotel, and thus began the preparations to welcome the foreign world leaders.

"The IF chairman must be a real comedian." Leo declared when asked for a statement. 

One of the people to catch wind of all this was none other than Joe Gray, who had borrowed the special edition newspaper from a stand near his apartment.

Various ideas sparked in his rotten mind on how he could take advantage of this development, as he took a left turn into an alleyway that led to the entrance of the apartment building he stayed at.

 Gray lived in the bad part of Linam, where crime was rampant and rent was as low as it could get. As such it was not surprising to him when a random hooded man called out to him.

"You." The hooded figure growled, as it approached him. Gray could not care less.

"Again, really? I told you last week, I don't have any money for the likes of you." Gray spat, assuming he was talking to a pickpocket. 

He was very surprised when the pickpocket, who was of much smaller stature than him, picked him up with one arm and slammed him against the glass entrance, shattering it.

"I don't want your money, human. Tell me where to find Geowar." The hooded figure said. His hand, which was gripping Gray's shirt, was suddenly heating up.

"Geowar? The minister? You know him?" Gray asked, now slightly worried.

"Know him? I hate him!" The hooded figure let Gray go, and let out a scream, as flames started enveloping his hands. "He ruined my life!" 

"I'm assuming you want revenge for whatever he did?" Grey asked, now smirking.

"You got that right, human."

"Well then, I think I can help you out." Gray said and smiled at the hooded man. He looked weirded out. "But you'll have to help me, too of course."

"So you know where he is?" The hooded man asked, as the flames around him calmed down. 

"Yes, while you were combusting I thought of the perfect plan to aid both of us." Gray said. "What was your name again, kid?"

"I'm Inferno. I hail from the Above."

______________________________________________________________________

Meanwhile, Angelo, Kane and Koulis had met up in Champion Gym. The news of the IF's imminent arrival had yet to reach them.

Angelo had ditched the white tank top and instead was wearing an orange polo shirt. He was also carrying a duffle bag on his back.

"Thanks for coming on short notice, Kane." Angelo said. "I was wondering if you could do me favor?"

"Sure, what's up?" Kane asked, while picking at his teeth with his nails.

"I'm leaving to Brazil, so I can visit my girlfriend. I'll give you the keys to the gym, can you keep it running for two weeks?" Angelo asked.

Kane pretended like he was thinking about for a moment.

"I'll pay you." Angelo said as he took out a wad of cash from his pocket. He waved it around in front of Kane's face until Kane snagged it out of his hands.

"Fine, fine. I'll run your silly gym." Kane raised his hands in there air, as if surrendering.

"Thanks, man. Just try not to do anything stupid." Angelo said, and waved the two goodbye before running out the door and straight into his car parked right outside the gym.

"Dude, do you even know anything about how to run a gym?" Koulis asked Kane. Kane shrugged and mumbled that he doesn't know.

He then got up and walked to Angelo's chair behind the reception desk. 

"I need a chair like this." He said, started spinning around like a kid.

Suddenly, through the doors Sargent McLame came running in, followed closely by Joe Gray, who was smiling.

"You won't believe what the kid found out, boss!" McLame said, and slammed the special edition on the desk. "INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION: THE COMEDIANS OF EUROPE", the headline read.

Kane skimmed through the front page, his face changing rapidly as he progressed from one line to another.

"Here's my idea..." Gray said, and began explaining his plan.

______________________________________________________________________

The days went by quickly as the council of Soweiland prepared for the arrival of the International Federation. Francis made sure to be of no help with the preparations whatsoever.

The most pressing topic was the matter of who would be the ones to greet the esteemed visitors. In the end, the council decided that Leo, Geowar and King Lucius would be the ones to greet them. Lucius insisted that Renee join them as well, and so it was.

On Saturday, the four of them had stood on the central square of Soweiland City, right below the Bronze Statue of Tom, as the awaited for the arrival of the International Federation.

The group was dressed accordingly, with Geowar choosing a black suit with a white shirt and bright yellow tie underneath, Lucius wearing regal red and purple robes, Leo opted for a white and black suit and Renee didn't bother to change from her casual leather jacket, blue jeans and purple sweater.

Geowar was the last one to arrive to the scene.

"Good morning, people!" He cheerily said.

"Hello, Geowar." Lucius smiled. Leo just nodded at him. Renee rolled her eyes.

"I must admit, I'm quite nervous." Geowar said as he fixed his tie a little. "I haven't done this before. What do you think of this Renee?"

"Why are you asking me?" She looked away and crossed her arms. "I haven't done this before either."

"Oh, I'm sure we'll be fine. Don't you agree?" Geowar asked her. She frowned.

"Okay, what don't you understand about 'i don't trust you', man?" Renee jabbed a finger to his chest. "Just don't talk to me."

Renee walked away from him and stood next to her father, who was busy anxiously staring at his watch to notice the small spat going on. Geowar sighed.

"I don't think she likes me very much." Geowar pointed out. "What am I doing wrong?"

"Just give her some time." Leo said. "Meeting your predecessor wasn't exactly a pleasant experience for her. I'm sure she'll stop hating you eventually."

"I suppose you're right." Geowar said.

A few minutes later, the blades of a helicopter started sounding in the air, and one such vehicle was now visible in the distance. A blue helicopter, with the union jack painted on it's door was slowly descending to the center of the square, just next to the big tree.

When the helicopter landed three men dressed in medieval British attire walked out, two of them carrying trumpets and another a parchment. The trumpeters stood on either said of the door.

"Presenting to you, King Edward of Great Britain!" The other man read from the parchment, the he stood next to one of the trumpeters, and bowed deeply.

Edward stepped out of the aircraft and the trumpeters started playing a fanfare as he walked between them.

Edward was unamused by the situation, having done this countless times. His suit showed as much, the colour being drained and looking duller from the years of continuous usage. His top hat and monocle though, we're in pristine condition.

When Edward reached the Soweiland, the fanfare stopped, and Edwards posse went back into the helicopter, which flew away.

"Good morning. Ms. Pascal, Mr. Prime Minister, Lucius." He said looking at the people there one by one and exchanging handshakes.

"You." He said, when his gaze met with Geowar's. "You're still around?"

"Expecting me to quit after one measly bullet, Edwad?" Geowar asked.

"No, but a man can dream." Edward sharply said. Lucius interrupted the exchange, smiling as always, and led Edward away, to be escorted to the castle up the hill.

The next vehicle to arrive was an armoured car. Unlike Edward, who brought his entire posse, only two men were inside the vehicle; the driver, and an aged military man, wearing a black and yellow vest, decorated with colorful medals. More notable were his gray mustache, tired eyes and military helmet.

The military man stepped out of the car, and walked up to the Soweians.

"I am Wilhelm, Emperor of Germany. I am the chairman of the International Federation." He introduced himself, the took of his helmet, held it to his chest and bowed. The man exchanged pleasantries with Renee and Lucius, before looking at Geowar.

"I've never seen you around before, son." He said, raising an eyebrow.

"Oh, hello, Mr. Chairman sir!" Geowar said and shook the man's hand quickly. "Um... I can fly!"

"Ja, I can see that." Wilhelm said. Geowar cringed at the interaction.

Wilhelm moved along to greet Leo, who shook his hand with very strong grip. Wilhelm stared at Leo when it was over, and Leo looked a bit peeved.

A chariot arrived next, carried by two white horses. French red, white and blue flags were waving in the air as the chariot did loops around the big tree in the square, trying to show off.

When the chariot finally stopped, out came a young man, draped in a bark blue robe with a Fleur-de-lis pattern. He was wearing a feathered hat, that had a pin of the French flag on it, and he had a thin, twirly mustache. He was grinning.

"Bonjour!" He exclaimed and walked up to the Soweians. He took off his hat and bowed, then walked up to Renee and kissed her hand. She audibly gagged, but he ignored her.

"Je m'appelle Louis. I am the King of France." He said. His English was heavily accented, and his attitude was as pompous as it gets. After introducing himself he just stood there.

"Uh..." Leo stammered. "Welcome to Soweiland, Louie. Just walk over there and..."

"Pah!" He interrupted. "Walk? Are you joking?" Louis walked back to the chariot, unbuckled one of the horses and started running around with it.

"Perhaps the mademoiselle would like to join me on the horse?" He asked, smirking at Renee.

"Hard pass." She deadpanned. Louis just shrugged, then went down the path to the castle, without a care in the world.

Once he left, Renee started mimicking shooting herself.

"Wow, he didn't even offer us a handshake." Geowar pointed out. "What a weird kid."

"The brat only became king last year, when his dad died. " Leo said. "He has no idea what he's doing."

Next to approach was a simple caravan, dragged along by a mule. The only passengers were the driver and a very tall, dark skinned man. He was wearing a red and beige garb and a plan white turban held together by a ruby gemstone brooch. He also had a puffy black mustache.

The man stepped out of the vehicle and walked slowly towards Lucius, his boots clacking on the stone floor. He shook the King's hand firmly.

"Good morning." He said, his voice booming and commanding. "I am Mehmet, and I am the sultan of the United Ottoman Provinces."

"Welcome to Soweiland." Lucius said. Mehmet then stared the other three up and down before shaking each of their hands, and went along without uttering another word.

"I thought he was going to stare at us to death." Leo said, while breathing a sigh of relief.

Everyone else seemed to have something on their mind to share, but before they could, their thoughts were interrupting by the loud sound of a car engine, and the screeching of a car's tires, as a stylish red sports car(???) drifted into the square.

Everyone but Geowar was in total shock when they saw the thing.

Out of the car came a man wearing a large brown coat, that looked like the fur of a bear. The man had a rather scruffy look to him, with his furry hat and dirty gray beard. He was also wearing sunglasses, completely contradicting his own outfit.

"Hello, Soweiland people!" The man said, his voice heavily accented and gruff. "I am Vladimir, Czar of Russia. It is pleasure to meet you in person!"

Leo still hadn't recovered from the shock of seeing the sports car when Vladimir came to shook his hand.

"You own a sports car?" He managed to ask.

"Да. Back in Russia I make law to house and give job to Amerikan engineer, and they give my colorful sport car." Vladimir explained. "I have red sport car, blue sport car, white sport car and gave green sport car to son."

"And you drove yourself here?" Leo raised an eyebrow.

"Да. In Russia I make law that says I drive myself." He explained, with a smile on his face.

"Uh, Mr. Czar sir, aren't you a little hot with that coat on?" Geowar asked.

"You are right, dear flying boy." He said, the dramatically took of his coat, revealing a navy suit with a maroon tie underneath. "Back in Russia, I make law that says you must wear business suit under coat, to always be in style."

The Czar then also left to take the path to the castle.

"I think he's my favourite one." Leo pointed out.

______________________________________________________________________

Back in the castle, the six foreigners were waiting in the meeting room for the 4 Soweians. Once they arrived, everyone took their seats. Louis tried to sit next to Renee, but Wilhelm took the seat first, and Francis sat next to him.

The foreign men sat with their closest allies, Francis with Wilhelm, Edward with Mehmet and Louis, and Vladimir on his own. The Soweians sat near the head of the table.

"Now, gentlemen, what did you want to discuss?" Lucius asked once everyone was seated.

"You've been considered as a candidate for IF membership." Wilhelm said. " We've been keeping tabs on you and your progress, and it's looking rather good."

"Да. We are interested in your engineer department." Vladimir said.

"We were hoping you would share your accomplishments with the federation, and in exchange we'd help fund your progress further." Wilhelm explained. Everyone nodded along, but Leo wasn't amused.

"I don't mean to disregard this proposal, but this federation of yours did nothing to protect the citizens of Soweiland under the rule of Frederick Gaspar." Leo said, with some vitriol on his voice. "How can we trust you, the former allies of Frederick the terrible, won't double-cross us, chairman?"

Wilhelm sighed and thought about his reply for a moment.

"This is only an agreement for our mutual benefit, Mr. Prime Minister. And I assure you, Frederick kept his internal affair under wraps. Had I known what was going on, I would have interfered." Wilhelm finally said, calm as ever. Leo rolled his eyes.

"Well your word isn't very comforting." He commented. Geowar coughed loudly to divert attention from that comment.

"We're very grateful for this opportunity." He said. "Do excuse my friend's concerns."

"I'd like to know why we weren't informed more formally about this meeting, if you don't mind?" Lucius asked. "One would expect a notice a couple weeks in advance regarding something of this importance."

"That's because Francis here offered to break the news himself. Nice going, Frankie." Edward said, staring right at the Duke. Francis rolled his eyes.

"I do also have some other concerns I'd like to know more about..." Lucius said, but suddenly, loud voices started being heard from outside.

"What the hell..." Leo muttered, rather annoyed, and reached for the intercom. "Jessie, make them go away! I hate these stupid reporters..."

"They're not reporters, Leo, it's Kane! They're about two hundred men, protesting and calling you a sellout." Jessie said from intercom.

"They're doing what?!" Leo yelled, and ran outside. The moment he went out the doors, he was met with Kane's shit-eating grin, yelling out slogans about how the government is selling out to the foreigners. Sarge McLame was nearby yelling out commands to the Elite Devoted, while Koulis and Gray were flanking Kane, the former with a neutral expression on his face and the latter being suspiciously happy.

Leo ran back in the meetings room just in time to see a rock flying through a window and landing on the table in front of Louis.

"Ah, the civilians throw rocks at the government here too? I feel just like home!" The young king giddily said.

"What the hell are you doing Jess, call McCord, call Callaghan, anyone!" He yelled at the intercom.

While the Soweians were panicking, the foreigners were having varying reactions. Edward was mildly annoyed, constantly checking his gold pocket watch, Wilhelm was trying to help calm the situation, Mehmet looked stone cold as always and Francis had put his feet up on the table and was lounging like he owned the place.

Amidst the panic, and unbeknownst to anyone involved, there was a hooded figure hiding in the protesting crowd. Inferno had been instructed to infiltrate the protest, and find the perfect time to attack. His one hand was on the hilt of his sword, and the other one was slowly generating heat. Underneath his mask he smirked, and then used all his force to jump out of the crowd, and into the castle. The moment he found Geowar panicking in the meeting room, he decided it was time too attack, then lunged into the room, flames enveloping his body once more.

To be continued very, very soon...