Anna's PoV:

"Anna, stop doodling please. I've told you at least 30 times now." My teacher, Miss Mackins, says. 

I look up from my drawing to the class. I can hear my friends John and Fatima talking behind me about the latest new video game. Lucky for them. Miss Mackins never tells them off for anything- she seems to only hate me.

 I silently put my drawing away and rest my head in my hands. It was nearly half-term and I couldn't wait for school to be over. Absent-mindedly, I twirl my chestnut-coloured hair around with my finger. Only a few more days till freedom.

Suddenly, there is a stiff rapping at the door. Oh no. The headmaster.

"Come in!" Miss Mackins calls out in her usual chirpy voice. The headmaster walks in, dressed as though he were going to a formal meeting. He walks briskly to the front of the classroom, his beaky nose high in the air. "Please may I borrow Anna Williams, John O'Dale, Fatima Khalid and Alexander Korman?" 

I am shocked. Why does he want me, as well as my friends? Surely, we weren't in trouble- the only bad thing I do is doodle in class, but surely it can't be that bad. I cast a nervous glance at my friends and, to my relief, they look just as confused as I am. The only thing annoying me is that Xander's with us. He's like that one person everyone hates but doen't knows everyone hates him. He wears designer- brand clothes and styles his hair and walks around like he owns the place. But he is sorta cute.... Wait eww what am I thinking?

I slowly get up, trying to ignore the fact that everyone is giving us the 'you're in trouble' stare. As I walk out the door the headmaster puts an iron hand on my shoulder as if to steer me in the right way. His way.

He leads us through the corridors speaking as he walks. "Well, children, you might be wondering why I summoned you from your class. I could have chosen anyone else, but you four seemed to be the most worthless of the 300 children that roam these corridors. Where I am taking you, you must not breathe a word of to anyone." He snorted arrogantly. "Of course, that would be easy for you, Anna Williams."

I try not to get angry. He didn't need to be so horrible about the fact I couldn't speak. I had been mute ever since I was born, but it still angers me when people were rude about it. At least he isn't mocking me though.

He carries on talking. "If any of you even try to escape, there will be consequences. Dire consequences. So follow me."

He leads us down the stairs and through the door into the one corridor that no students are allowed to enter. Some of the older kids say we're not allowed in because it's haunted, but I don't believe that. After all, who would?

As we walk, I stay close to Fatima and John, as if being close to them would protect me somehow. Then again, we had nicknamed ourselves the Three Musketeers. 

Fatima leans over and whispers into my ear, "What on earth is going on?"

I shrug my shoulders helplessly.

The headmaster walks over to a slightly dilapidated door. It looks like a stationery cupboard of some sorts, but I know it isn't. He pushes it open and leads us through it.

For a moment, all I see is a black void, before we are enulfed into a world of colours.

Alexander's PoV:

Honestly, just as I thought my day couldn't get worse, the head calls us out for no apparent reason. Like, jeez, what's your problem? And now he takes us to a place no one's ever been before? How cliché.

So, anyway, he leads us through a door into a portal thing. When we come out, I was shocked. We were in a huge arena, where creatures of all different shapes and sizes were scattered around, training, talking and doing a load of other stuff. One of them looked a lot ljke my sister in the morning (take that, Amy!) 

I see that girl Anna talking Fatima and John nervously. I guess I'd never admit it, but she's kinda pretty with her wavy brown hair and innocent green eyes. But no. Dad says I should never give way to feelings- it makes you weak. But what can you expect from an ex-military man?

Suddenly, the head morphs from a sinister old man to alien- like thingy, with glowing red eyes and scaly skin. As soon as I got over my shock, I was seriously impressed. I man, it's not everyday your teacher transforms into an alien.

He gives us a look of loathing. "Due to your lack of intelligence, I shall explain why you are here. Every centure, four contestants from each planet are selected to compete in with other contestants, usually in the form of fighting. I am the Deliverer of Earth, which means it is my sad responsibility to choose you. Good luck, and might I mention: no human has won before." And with that, he vanishes out of sight into thin air.

Wow. Just wow.

John turns to the rest of us. "Right people, if we want to win this thing we need a plan of attack."

Fatima smirks. "I have a plan: attack."

Anna rolls her eyes and for a moment we catch eyes. She looks away, blushing.

I speak. "Hang on. Don't we need to figure out who we're up against first."

John gives me a look. "And tell me, Einstein, how are we going to figure that out?"

"Assess everyone in the room, obviously." Honestly. Everyone thinks I'm so dumb.

Anna starts signing something. I haven't leant sign language yet, so I have no idea what she's on about.

Fatima nods. "I agree with Anna: we'll use Xander's methoc, then we'll think of a plan."

John reluctantly gives a thumbs-up. "Sounds good enough to me. You in, Xander? Or are you too good for us?"

I am starting to get exasperated. Why does this kid hate me so much. "Jeez, I'm in."

Out of the blue, a voice bellows out, "Welcome to the Universe Tournament, champions. I am the Chief of the games, and have been for centuries. There are four of you from each planet, and 12 planets in total. As all of you should know, losing a fight will result in death and the ultimate winners will gain control of the universe. First up, we have Earth's contestants against E-20384767 contestants. Let the battle begin."

A gold line forms out of thin air and an invisible force pushes us to the centre. I can feel everyone's eyes on us. I had no idea we would be chosen first! We weren't even prepared! Oh well.

We are all each given weapons from a hooded figure. Fatima and I get swords; John and Anna get a bow and a quiver of twelve arrows. Well at least now we have a chance of winning, albeit a small one.

I take a glance at our contestants and all hope is replaced with fear. They are about 8 feet tall (which is a lot, compared to a bunch of 13-year-olds) and each wield clubs that are still covered in their enemy's blood. Gross.

The voice speaks again. "You may begin....... NOW!"

Oh no. Now to die.

The Chief's PoV:

The tiny people look so scared.... after all, they are humans.

I sit in my chair overlooking the games. What each contestant don't know is that this is the 100th Tournament, so I have some surprises for them. But enough of that. I want to see the humans die. What are their name? Oh yes: Anna, Alexander, Fatima and John.

The contestants from E-20384767 do not look particularly pleased that they are fighting mere humans. Perhaps, when they win, I will give them a harder, more apt opponent.

John and Anna try to go unseen around the edge, and to my surprise, they are succeeding. Suddenly, John fires at the smallest creature spearing him in the neck. Unfortunately, if crumbles to dust, now dead. These humans are doing better than I thought, but they will die eventually. Fatima stabs one in the stomach, but before it dies, it leaves a long, deep scratch on her arm. Good.

The girl cries out in pain, but carries on fighting. The other girl, Anna, shoots a creature in the leg, but all it does is mae it angry. As it lunges towards her, she shoots it straight in the face. How cowardly. Now they only have one more to go: the biggest one. This should be fun to watch.

Alexander and the monster a stuck in a duel. Both seem to have the same amount of injuries. Suddenly, they both stab each other at the same time. Ooohhhhh- I love when this happens.

The creature crumbles to dust as the boy falls to the ground. The girl Anna runs to him. Now hoefully she'll do the whole Romeo and Juliet thing and kill herself as well. ut the boy is already dead. The girl shakes him, a pathetic attempt to wake him up.

Earth's contestants vanish out of the arens, the dead boy not with them. I stand up, gathering everyone's attention. "And that was the first fight of the Tournament. We are now down from 48 contestants to 43 cotestants. Next, we have Neptune's contestants and Pluto's contestants. Let the battle begin."

I look ever at the humans. The girl Anna has her head in her hands, and the others are talking. If the survived this, I would have to get rid of them.

Someday. 

Somehow.