Chapter 3: a new challenge, with the usual trouble

(Phirin's P.O.V)

"dad, care to explain what the Football Frontier Multiverse is?" I asked. My dad laughed. "the Football Frontier Multiverse, or FFM for short, is a tournament I created with the help of Endou. There will be teams from 4 universes, 2 from our universe, 2 from Endou's, and 2 from other worlds. It will be completely random, and you will play every team. The best 2 teams get to fight the grown up Inazuma Japan and Mobius Eleven in a sudden death." I saw Tenma smile. "I can't wait to challenge your team Tenma." I said. he smirked. "we are going to participate as the team with the title: strongest team in history." I smiled. Skylar looked at my dad and Endou. "what are the rules?" he asked.

"of course there are to normal FFI rules, but we made small adjustments. The teams are allowed to use Keshins and Keshin Armed, as well as Mixi-Max. no limits to the amount of people using it. The teams must have at least 11 players half an hour before the match, else they will be disqualified. Teams from the past will participate. The winner is allowed to call himself 'strongest of the multiverse.'" Endou said. "Phirin. Both your team and our team from the past will compete. I suggest picking some players from the Wolves to strengthen your team."

(the next day)

I was at the pitch, watching the match of the Wolves and Young Mobius. Even though the team made me captain of Young Mobius, I was looking at both teams to create the strongest team possible. I was mostly interested in Iris, because of her kicking and stopping power, Jake, for his speed and power, and the twins Ias and Heath, also for their power. Leafy would be nice, but she had a lot to learn as a goalkeeper.

"alright everyone, I have made my selection. I want everyone from Young Mobius." The whole team smiled, cheered and jumped around. "and I would like Iris and Willis." I said. Willis is the Goalkeeper from the Wolves, for anyone who wants to know. The rest of the Wolves looked at them. "make us proud. Win this tournament."

A few days had passed. My dad had agreed to coach us, the representatives of present day Mobius, and make us even stronger. Today was a Saturday, which meant no school. I was doing my daily training, which consisted of push-ups, crunches and 1 minute jumping jacks, when someone knocked on the door. "I'll get it!" my dad yelled from downstairs. I could hear muffled voices from downstairs, and after a while, my dad yelled: "get decent, Phirin. Someone is coming upstairs." I grabbed a towel and dried myself off as best as I could, before spraying with a bit of deodorant. Someone knocked on the door, upon which I replied that they could enter. Leafy opened the door. "hi Phirin, wanna hang out?" she asked. "sure, have anything planned?" I replied. She handed me 2 tickets to a movie about the "Rise of Mobius." (It's basically a war between a large group of Mobians and doctor Ivo 'eggman' Robotnik. It happened about 40 years ago, before Sonic's time.) I smiled and nodded. "sure why not. Let me get changed first." I said as I pushed her out of my room so I could change from my white tank top and black sweatpants to a simple red shirt and blue jeans. We walked outside to my car, a red sports car of course, and drove to the theater.

We walked outside of the theater towards my car. "are you hungry? Because we could drive to the nearest restaurant if you want to." I said. she shook her head. "I want to cook some dinner, we've spent enough money as it is." We got in the car, but as I wanted to start it, Leafy grabbed my hand. "I want to talk with you." She began. "I've known you for a long time now, ever since we started high school to be exact. Not ones were you in any way popular, but look at you now. Captain of the football team, more friends than anyone could ever see you with. The only thing you are missing to be a jock, is a cheerleading girlfriend. Too bad I don't cheerlead, is it?" she ended laughing. "I have a feeling you are going to ask me something next, aren't you?" she shook her head. "I don't want to ask anything. I was just saying it." I started the car and drove home.

We arrived back at my house. "hello?" I yelled as I walked a few feet though the house, but no response. I kicked off my shoes and got on the couch. She sniffed in the air, and then in my neck, sniffing me. "did you do that for me?" she asked. "I couldn't go out with you while I smelled like sweat now, could I?" I replied. Leafy giggled. "you saw this as a date, didn't you?" "no, just two friends hanging out together." I saved myself. Leafy looked me dead in the eye, but as she opened her mouth, the doorbell rang. "I'll check who that is." I said as I got up.

I opened the door and saw our neighbor Greg, a white bat, with a package in his hands. "they screwed up again. This is your dad's." he said. I grabbed the package and thanked him. After I sat it down on the table, I sat back down next to Leafy. "I'm going to make us dinner, be back in a few."

After Leafy and I ate dinner, my parents came in. "how was dinner you two?" mom asked. Leafy looked at me with questions. "my mom has just read my mind, and probably yours too." I said. mom smiled. "don't worry Leafy, I just checked if you two didn't forget something. plus, it isn't normal that a girl is interested in our Phirin, so I have to check her." I could see dad looking at us in wonder.

(Jason's P.O.V)

'damn it, I guess one change brings a lot of changes with it. I thought finding Iris meant one normal thing in this world. Should I interfere in their romance, or leave them.' I thought. I figured out about the 'original timeline' a few days ago, when I was working on a dimensional transporter. An electric current from the dimensional fissure zapped me, and ever since that day, I have had memories that are not mine. I have figured out that we live in a different timeline, one that branched off of the original timeline, where I disappearing while using Spirit's teleporter. I haven't told Spirit yet about my findings, and I wasn't afraid that she would read my mind. In the buckle of my belt, I have placed a device that blocked any mind attacks on me. Not for Spirit, but for other people with the same ability.

In the weeks that followed before the FFM, the team got really close. Phirin had become great friends with Leafy, Ias and Heath. Jake and Bart had dropped their grudge, and even Skylar became a team player. We had to get ready, because the first match was in a few days.

(Phirin's P.O.V)

I was practicing with Leafy, to help her become a better goalkeeper. We practiced for about 30 minutes, when Leafy lost her strength and got blown into the goal by my kick. I ran towards her to check on her. "are you okay?" I asked. Leafy got up and smiled. "just lost my footing." I could see her wobbling a little, so I told her to sit down. Jake came by, and asked if he could join us. I saw my chance and asked him to help me show Leafy how to block a ball. I got into the goal, and waited for Jake to kick.

Jake ran towards the goal, and started spinning around like a ball (a spin dash). He then jumped up, while in ball form, and hit the ball with a homing attack. "spin attack!" Jake called this move. I clapped my hands and summoned my Keshin. I clapped my hands and pushed them forward towards the upcoming ball. "ultimate Icarus hand!" I yelled out as I stopped the ball.

(Leafy's P.O.V)

I observed Phirin closely as he caught the ball. His feet were in a stable position, his body steady, his mind only on catching the ball. By just doing one catch, Phirin and shown me how to catch every ball ever. I smiled at Phirin. "thanks for the lesson. I will take over now." I said as I walked into the goal. "don't hold anything back, use Keshin Armed if you feel like it. I will catch it." I said. Phirin hesitated at first, but when he looked me in the eyes, he nodded.

Phirin started running towards me, and summoned Icarus again. He then threw his hands up and used Keshin Armed, forming a black armor around him. Running even faster, a cloak of fire formed around him, as he kicked the ball towards me, he yelled out: "flame burst!"

I roared out, threw my hands besides by torso and summoned an infinite amount of golden, winged arms, and shot them towards the ball. "mugen Icarus!" I called this move. (if anyone didn't know: Mugen the hand literally translates to infinite hand, so infinite Icarus literally.) I caught the ball with little trouble.

(Phirin's P.O.V)

I couldn't believe it, Leafy blocked a full powered Keshin Armed shot like it was nothing. I ran towards her and lifted her in a hug. "damn Leafy! You're even better than I expected." I said. she was smiling and laughing. "no one will score as long as I am the goalkeeper." She said. I sat her down on the ground. "let's hope. And if not, then ask for help!" Jake said.

We trained for a while after that, and when I was walking home, something hit me. I have a strong kick, but there are teams with even stronger players. Leafy might not be able to block those shots. I came home and asked my mom about something.

(3rd person, following ?)

"this team is strong guys, no holding back!" a black hedgehog said. he looked around 30 years old. A red female fox stood next to him, and together they dashed at full speed towards the ball, stealing it from a man with purplish hair. The man just stood there, powerless to save his team from total destruction as the two kicked the ball with little effort, but still incredible strength. After about ten minutes, the man's team was completely annihilated, leaving only him. "any final words, Alpha?" the fox said. the man was trying his hardest to keep his cool composure, but as the fox shot the ball in his stomach, he broke down and showed fear and pain.

I'm going to cut it short here, I'm planning a surprise next chapter. next chapter the team will be beginning the football frontier multiverse. I hope you enjoyed so far, and I see you next time. Bu-bye!