Galaxy Ball
CHP 5: Training camp Pt3
Additional months passed and was only days before the event's opener. Small news within the league include the Lylat Birds picking up Charizard at the defensive end position. Coming off of their fifteen minute break, Ike took his offensive players to the field.
"While we wait on everyone would like to take this moment to congratulate you all." Ike set his helmet down. "It's been a real pleasure working with this group, and come Sunday in four days we'll show everyone we're the team to beat!"
The offensive players listened to Ike's speech getting them wild up and ready to play. The owner of the franchise came onto the field surprising everyone. He was hardly ever seen by any of the players.
"Just letting you all know Fortred and the league has released the official schedules for the season. Your first game will be against the Reindeers, but you will be traveling to their stadium." The owner told.
He gave a few copies to Ike, who handed them out to his teammates. It wasn't much longer the coaching staff along with the defensive players entered the field. The head coach got the attention of everyone.
"I know you're all really excited for what's coming up shortly, but we need to take advantage of these two last days of practice."
After a few words the practice session started up.
Down Town
Station Square
Taking the delayed handoff was Samurai Goroh running up the middle and turning. He tossed the ball back to Sonic. The hedgehog stepped up throwing a flea flicker. Shadow located the ball over his shoulder but bumped helmets with Tibeo another receiver. The two plunged to the ground and gazed at a defender making the interception. Shadow was swift jumping up and stopping the defender from gaining any yards. Sonic laughed a bit as the players came back down field.
"What's so funny?" Shadow asked with a slight frown. "Sometimes I just don't understand what goes on in that little head of yours."
The Blue Hedgehog didn't reply. He let out a sigh getting everyone ready for the next play. Sonic lined up in shot gun formation, with an empty back field. He signaled for the ball a few times, receiving it belatedly. The defense played in a cover 2 zone. Taking a chance Sonic threw across the field into traffic where the ball was caught by Dimz his tight end. The play resulted in a gain of thirteen yards.
"This will be a quick slant, keep the D moving." Sonic whispered.
Sonic took the snap finding an open receiver up five yards throwing to Bram. The individual couldn't quite pull it in, resulting in an incomplete pass.
Hyrule
The sun levitated over the kingdom with temperatures over 73 degrees. Link returned from a morning walk to his tree house. He climbed up the latter giving Epona a quick look. He was indebted to her, being so helpful and loving. After doing so made his way up the full latter. Once inside grinned at the sight of a sleeping Banjo. Link set the bag of stuff in his grasp onto the bed. The honey bear snoozed in a sleeping bag on the ground. Link bent down patting Banjo over the shoulder awaking him.
"Sorry to disturb your sleep, but is almost time for us to hit the road." Link pulled the bag off his bed. "I even brought some breakfast for us before we head out."
Banjo yawned sitting up looking around the room. He and Link decided to take the food to go. The Hylia and Honey bear departed from the tree house, climbing down the latter. Link hopped onto the back of Epona, whilst Banjo sat atop another barrowed horse from the castle. Epona led the way with Link, but Banjo didn't trail too far behind. They crossed a few miles on Hyrule field before reaching the stadium. The two entered leaving the horses outside.
"By the sounds of it, I'd say we've arrived early." Banjo looked down the long quiet hall. "Guess it's better than late."
"That's for sure, last time someone was late turned out to be a hectic practice." Link replied.
Advancing down the hall and turning a few corners, the two came across cheerleaders hanging around in the lounge.
"What're you two doing here this early?" Banjo and Link looked over at Hena who spoke. "Don't you guys have another forty five minutes before practice?"
Banjo remained silent looking over at Link.
"We just felt it necessary to get a head start on everything this morning." Link said, a bit edgy.
His tone caused many of the females throughout the room to giggle. As a reaction Banjo became nervous, but strived his best not to show it. A door opened across the room, taking the attention off them. Entering was a wet Princess Peach wearing a towel around her body, and another wrapped in her hair. She jump startled at the sight of the Hylia and Honey bear!
"No need to panic, we were just leaving. Come to think of it what are you doing here so early?" Link questioned.
"You don't have to leave, sit down." Peach ignored the question walking over to a sofa and taking a seat. "Don't be a stranger I won't bite; besides we've gotten to know each other pretty well over the past few months."
"The two of you can discuss whatever it is you want, I'll be in the training room." Banjo patted Link on the shoulder. "See you in a bit buddy."
Link could hear through Banjo's tone knowing he used the situation as a way to escape. Banjo exited the room as Link subsequently took a seat beside Peach.
"Don't think I ever brought it up during our practices but, how's it been staying in the castle with Princess Zelda?" Link set his hand on the sofa's surface. "I've only really seen her on a few occasions until this event came up."
"She's really nice, but can get moody when it comes to making decisions for this kingdom. That reminds me of myself, we are much alike in some ways but so different." Peach replied.
The Princess moved closer to Link placing one hand over his. His comfort dropped, feeling his throat go dry.
"It must be somewhat stressful being the team captain in all. But you handle the position perfectly, and you will do just fine. I have yet to intercept one of your passes in practice and am angry about that." Peach pouted.
Both laughed together, looking forward to the season opener.
Cool Cool Mountain
Fox MCcloud sat in a back room on a computer typing. A door from his backside opened with Luigi and the head coach entering.
"How's our best receiver doing this afternoon?" The coach asked.
Fox didn't answer immediately until putting in his password and hitting enter.
"Doing just fine, since we have this day off from practice thought I'd take the time to check up on some things." Fox clicked into his inbox.
The coach placed a hand on the shoulder of Fox.
"About that, I need you and Luigi to get suited up in the locker room and meet me out on the field. It'll just be the two of you. A handful of players are miles from here snowboarding. I'll explain everything when you get out there."
The coach exited the room leaving Luigi and Fox.
"Here I was thinking this was going to be a day of relaxation…Huh there's always work to be done." Fox said.
"Don't worry we probably won't have to do much." Luigi replied.
The two exited the room walking down the long hall to the locker room. They suited up in their pads helmets etc. Luigi slipped his arm band on last, containing the important offensive plays.
"So what's your guess of what our official uniforms will look like?" Luigi asked excited.
"No clue, but everything will be revealed tonight. Just hope our team logo is fierce, the franchise owner did however reveal to me which number I will be wearing." Fox told.
"What number is it?"
"Eighty one." Fox replied.
The two of them wasted little time departing from the room. Fox led them to the field where they were greeted by many. Cameras and all sorts of reporters were present.
"Before the two of you begin will tell you what's going to happen. These people are part of Fortred's organization. They have been observing the practices of every team for the past months. A handful of players caught their attention, and you're one of them Fox. So what is going to happen is, Luigi is going to throw you a series of routes."
"So basically they're taking an even closer look at me, gotcha." Fox concluded.
Luigi shook hands with some of the reporters.
"So how did your institute come up with the schedules for each team?" Luigi asked.
That was explained to Luigi by a young woman informing him each team had division opponents to play twice in the season. The prime time matchups were determined using what the observers saw from each team's practices. Those which impressed most were slated for primetime. Fox and Luigi headed onto the field to commence. Fortred stepped forward introducing both Luigi and Fox to two players of the Shreds. One a CB and the other a safety.
"These two are players from one of our planet's better teams. They will also take part in this little session."
Each player stepped into their positions with the CB lining up opposite of Fox and the safety over the top ten yards. Luigi sent Fox in Motion, giving him the signal to run. They went through different curl routes, fades and slants, with Fox making all catches except for one. He also beat the safety deep on a deep post making a one handed catch! The groups on the side line took notes.
Isle Delfino
Mario benched pressed in the training room wearing tan pants and a sleeveless shirt. Also present in the facility were several defensive and offensive players, including Yoshi who worked on a machine aimed toward increasing speed and endurance. Petey Piranha lifted weights. Outside the stadium many Piantas, Boygeys and Tanooki's purchased tickets for the opening game that would kick off in the coming days. Vacationers also purchased tickets.
Some distance away Rosalina laid out on Sirena Beach in a bathing suit. Some of the cheerleading squad was also present. One of them rubbed sunscreen on her back. They laughed and talked about what they'd done the past months.
"Would you ladies like something to eat or drink?" A Pianta asked approaching with a tray.
All ordered the islands finest smoothie. He took the order walking off and back into the hotel. Behind them appeared Storm the Albatross. All noticed right away.
"What brings you here, aren't you supposed to be with the rest of the guy's preparing for tomorrow?" One asked.
"I ah uhm," Storm was lost for a couple moments. He couldn't quite remember why he returned to the beach side, but came back in an instant, "Just forgot my good running shoes in my hotel room and had to come back. Saw you all hanging around, and just thought I'd say hello."
Storm turned to walk off but was tapped on the shoulder.
"When you do get back to the stadium, could you tell Mario I think he is very adorable? I wonder if he would give me his number."
All laughed except Rosalina who almost rolled her eyes, Storm just grinned.
"Make sure you give him the message. Tell him it's from Angela." She said seductively.
"I ah don't know what to…I mean sure no problem, I'll let him know. Tomorrow is a big day, and I must be going now. You ladies have a nice rest of the day. Hope you've been looking over your play book Rosalina, tomorrow is when it starts to count." Storm said.
She nodded whilst remaining on her stomach. They all waved as he trotted off. Angela laid back, resting her head on the upper part of Rosalina's leg.
"So are we gonna go through the opening routine any more today." Someone asked.
"Yes of course, we must be fully prepared for tomorrow." Another replied, as Angela ran her fingers through Rosalina's hair.
The Princess was one of the players but at the same time had made quite a few friends in the cheerleading squad. Whenever there was down time, tended to hang with the group. As storm entered the front entrance to the hotel wondered how Jet and Wave the Swallow were doing on their respected teams.
Veldin
Ratchet ran across the field dodging defenders with spin moves but quickly brought down. Due to not having an open receiver downfield took off. He was helped up by Toad.
"That wasn't too bad a play, but did have Rick Wheeler open for a second on the cross route." Toad said.
Ratchet patted Toad on the helmet getting back in their positions. Taking the snap the Lambox moved in the pocket waiting for something to develop up field. He threw to Talwyn on a left slant. She gained sixteen. With the next play, Ratchet took the snap handing the ball off to Paratroopa who found some running room up the left side. He picked up decent yards before stopped.
A great distance away fortred discussed the big event with his council.
"Tomorrow is going to be a big day. By the looks of it have already pulled in some nice numbers with pre ordered tickets, especially in that of Corneria, Station square, and Dreamland! Other stadiums have not fared so well. But as this event goes on the inhabitants of each land, city and world will jump aboard I am sure." Fortred said.
A door to the room opened with two others joining them at the table.
"Good news sir, we've got the transportation set up for civilians of the surrounding planets of ours to attend games of their choosing."
"Excellent, now have a seat this meeting is far from over," Fortred stood passing papers to everyone, "Let us discuss the huge interview we have for the public this evening."
Everyone at the table dropped ideas, arguing back and forth before coming to a consensus. It was then they moved on to the next set of business.
To be continue