Disclaimer: All characters and locations belong to Viacom, Inc.

Warning: Very mild mention of shonen-ai.

On Krawk Island, a Kougra was sitting at the counter of the Golden Dubloon. Normally, no one would pay any attention to anyone except their friends there. However, this Kougra was different. For one thing, he was a Magma Kougra and people don't see too many Magma pets around. Another thing was that this Kougra was wearing Yooyuball gear. If he was a Yooyuball player, why wasn't he at the Altador Cup stadium, practicing with his team?

"Another drink," the Kougra requested, leaving some dubloons on the counter.

"Boy, I think you've had enough," Yerik, the Pirate Lupe behind the counter, said.

"Not nearly enough…" the Kougra muttered. "Not nearly enough to forget…"

Yerik stopped drying a glass and looked at the Kougra. "Boy, what's the matter? What are ye doing here and not practicing with ye team?"

"I just mentioned what I'm doing here," the Kougra replied in a somber tone. "I'm trying to forget."

Yerik watched as the rest of his customers left and looked at the clock. The clock read, '11:30 NST,' closing time.

The Kougra took notice to the clock and sighed, "I better get going, you need to close up this place and all."

As the Kougra went to get up, Yerik pulled him back down into the seat by his arm. "Now hold on me boy, ye got me wondering why ye be so somber."

Once again, the Kougra sighed, "I guess I should start by telling you my name."

"That would be nice," Yerik said.

"My name is Aldric Beign," the Kougra said, "and I'm the captain of Team Moltara in the Altador Cup."

"So Aldric, what ye be trying to forget?" Yerik asked.

"I'm trying to forget about this guy named Soley," Aldric replied.

"Soley? Ye talking about "Dasher" Soley?" Yerik inquired.

"Yeah, that's who," Aldric answered.

"Would be pretty hard for ye to forget him considering he's in the Altador Cup as well," Yerik said with a confused look on his face. Shaking his head, Yerik spoke, "What did old Dash do?"

"He…it's not so much as he did something. It's rather…I want to forget about the years we've known each other," Aldric spoke, talking time to think.

"Why is that?" Yerik asked.

"You see, when we were younger…Soley and I were together. It was the start of the first Altador Cup that things started to change. When he wasn't training his team, he was busy soaking up all the attention from his fans. Never once during any kind of down time did he bother to see me. As time went on, we grew distant and the final straw was when I saw him alone with Keetra Deile; the two acting like Soley and I used to act when we were together. When it was announced that Soley retired this year, I took the position as captain of Moltara so that this way I could play in the Altador Cup without ever having to see him. Then, as you know, his replacement was injured and he came back to fill in…"Aldric trailed off.

"And that be what brought ye here, aye?" Yerik asked, looking at Aldric.

"Yeah, that's exactly why…" Aldric said.

"Boy, ye team needs their captain," Yerik said. "Besides, wouldn't it be for satisfying if ye beat Krawk Island with Dasher on the team? It's be a good way to show him up."

"…Yeah," Aldric said, getting up and walking towards the door, "I guess it would."

"Ah, and lad," Yerik called to him.

Aldric stopped and looked at Yerik, "Yeah?"

Yerik smirked, "Good luck and when ye see old Dash, tell him he still needs to pay off his tabs."

Aldric grinned for the first time all night, "Thanks Yerik, and I'll be sure to tell him while I'm kicking his butt during the tournament."

Yerik watched as Aldric left and smirked to himself, "Ye done good Yerik, ye done good."

-Fin