Temptation

I have just realised that this story is more than a year old. A YEAR OLD! I thought I would have finished it by now but... that's life for you (and by life I mean exams and coursework)

I have exams next month and I'm sure most people do, so good luck to all those facing the dreaded exams! Meh, all my university stuff has been sorted so, I'm gonna be in uni in September! Geez, that's scary...

Please enjoy this chapter, thank you to all those who have reviewed the story, I hope you guys haven't lost interest in it!

Disclaimer: I don't own Galactik Football or anything associated with it.

Warning: If you have problems with slash, please do not read or review this story.

Tense. That would have been the perfect way to describe Warren's body language. He stood tall and carried himself high. A disapproving look was etched onto his face. Rocket stood beside Sinedd, looking very impassive and unimpressed.

"Rocket, I need to talk to you." Warren said sternly.

"Sorry, I'm going to be busy." Rocket replied dryly.

Warren reached forward, grabbed Rocket's elbow and said "I need to talk to you, now."

With that, Warren walked off, dragging Rocket behind him, leaving the Shadows open mouthed. The two footballers ended up in the Lightnings cabin where Warren let go of Rocket's elbow and grabbed two cans of drink.

"Coke?"

Rocket nodded and Warren threw a can at him.

"So Rocket. What's going on?" Warren said, motioning for Rocket to sit down.

"Nothing's going on. What about you? How's your life going?"

Warren raised his eyebrows "I'm serious. What's the matter with you?"

Rocket flinched at the patronising tone in Warren's voice "There's nothing wrong with me. I just joined the Shadows, that's all."

"Why?"

Rocket immediately went on the defensive. It was bad enough that Artegor knew. "That's none of your business."

"It's not right for you to be on the Shadows. You belong to the Snow Kids."

"Is that so?" Rocket said, raising his eyebrows.

"I know so. It's not right for you to leave the Snow Kids so suddenly."

"I know what's right and what is good for me."

"Are you sure?"

The patronizing tone chipped away at Rocket's sense of patience.

Any sense of cordiality went out of the window. Rocket felt the Smog burn through his chest and tried to suppress the growing urge for release. He was getting increasingly annoyed at Warren's lecture, hearing various words like "betrayal" and "loyalty" and "the Snow Kids are better for you."

Finally, he had enough.

"Shut up!" Rocket snarled.

Warren's eyes widened. "I beg your pardon?"

"I said shut up. I don't have to listen to you. I'll do whatever I please. Who do you think you are?"

"I'm trying to help you."

"I don't need your help." Rocket said defiance rife in his tone.

"You don't know what mistake you're making." Warren said slowly and seriously.

"My decision isn't a mistake. See you on the field." Rocket said as he rose up from the table, fed up of Warren's self-righteousness.

Warren in turn stared at Rocket's back in disbelief. "One day, he'll see I was right…" He thought "and it will be too late to do anything."

...

Rocket stomped to his room, anger evident in his walk. The burn of the Smog in his chest had cooled but the words of Warren still echoed in his ear. True, he Smog was causing him some problems but Rocket still felt like he couldn't go back to Akillian. Walking into the room, he flung the bag on his bed and sat on it.

"What the hell did Warren want?"

Rocket jumped slightly, not having seen Sinedd before. Sinedd's eyes were red from the cold he had been dealing with.

Rocket said "Nothing. How's your cold?"

"Crappy. Bad headache. Anyway, Warren wouldn't pull you to one side if it wasn't important. What did he want?"

Rocket grimaced and said "He gave me a lecture. Saying stuff about how I shouldn't have left the Snow Kids."

Sinedd sneezed before regaining his composure and saying. "Ha! It's a good thing you left those losers anyway. The Shadows are much better and we're going to beat the Lightning's."

"Yes, we will." Rocket said, a touch of cruelty creeping into his smile.

"Now team." Artegor paced across the room, hands joined at his back. "The Lightning's are a very hard team to beat. Try your best and play well. Remember, it's only a friendly so try to have fun as well."

Rocket and Sinedd raised their eyebrows. Matches weren't meant to be fun.

The Shadows and the Lightning's faced off, the Shadows starting their dance. The Smog circled in the air, thick and heavy. Warren looked unimpressed while the rest of his team tried to copy the same look without much success. The players took their positions and the ball was released.

Aarch watched the match from his office along with Dame Simbai and Clamp, trying to track Rocket's progress. The match was extremely tight, neither of the teams scored and they were 40 minutes into the game.

Sinedd snarled when the Lightning goalkeeper blocked his shot. The ball was thrown back into play and was caught by a Lightning midfielder. Rocket was right on his trail, running as fast as he could, aided with Smog. Just as he was about to make a sliding tackle, a pain hit his chest and caught him off guard. Rocket sank to his knees, gasping and groaning, trying to cope with the pain.

"Aarch! The Smog!" Dame Simbai shrieked from the office.

"I know Simbai. We've got to get him out of there." Aarch said.

Meanwhile on the pitch, a buzzing sound announced a goal for the Lightning's. It was enough to shake Rocket out of his state of pain. He gritted his teeth as he saw Warren celebrating with his team. Looking up Rocket saw the replay. Warren zipped up the field, aided by no-one and scored the goal alone.

"Liar." Rocket snarled, an intense dislike stirring inside of him.

...

"Okay team. We are only one point down but we can come back." Artegor said

"Coach, the whole team is exhausted. We'll have to slow the game down." Fulmungus said.

Artegor narrowed his eyebrows. Even though he had been cured from Smog poisoning and slightly lost his aggressive demeanour, he still hated to lose.

"Try as hard as you can." Artegor said, with a dark edge to his voice.

Sinedd smiled evilly. "By any means necessary, coach."

...

The ball was released, locked in a flare of light blue and black flux. Within the first 40 minutes, the score was tied at 2 – 2. Rocket had possession of the ball and streamed up the pitch, ready to pass the ball to Sinedd. The pass would have been successful, had it not been for Warren using an impressive slide tackle to catch the ball. Rocket was thrown off balance, landing to the pitch with a thud.

Both Rocket and Sinedd stared after Warren and teleported. In the wormhole, both boys aimed for Warren's ankle. Unfortunately for them, the star striker of the Lightning's sensed the field of the Smog and used the Charge. Rocket and Sinedd were snapped out of teleportation mode vigorously, both of them landing into a heap.

"Ouch! That must have hurt!" Callie commented.

"Why did you get in my way?" Rocket said harshly.

"Me?! What about you?" Sinedd retaliated.

"Enough! Somebody get the damn ball!" Artegor screeched.

Seeing Warren jump up Sinedd teleported, meeting Warren in the air. The two players kicked the ball, none of them gaining possession. Sinedd disappeared in a plume of black smoke and reappeared at the other side of the field, hoping to get the ball away from Warren. To his dismay, Warren appeared in front of him and kicked the ball. The pattern continued, zigzags of black and blue flux decorating the field. The spectators were on the edge of their seats. Aarch stared at the screen in a mix of dread and fascination.

"Too much flux. He's going to suffer as well." Aarch thought.

Warren got sick of it so he knocked Sinedd out of the way and landed on the ground, the ball on his foot. He charged, with Nihlis right after him. Sinedd landed on a cloud of Smog, coughing and spluttering, more annoyed at Warren than ever.

"Look at Warren go!" Nork said "He is definitely on a roll today!"

"Yes he is. And with less than a minute left of the game, who knows what will happen!" Callie said in excitement.

Warren took a shot at the goal and it slipped through the fingers of the Shadow goalie. Rocket, Sinedd and the rest of the Shadows growled in disappointment whereas the Lightning's celebrated their home victory. Warren caught Rocket's eye with an aloof gesture. In that instant, Rocket wanted to punch the famous star striker but Fulmungus caught his shoulder and said "Come on."

Whilst the Shadows were waiting to get on the ship, the coach of the Lightning's shook Artegor's hand and said "Good match."

"Yes. Good match." Artegor said through gritted teeth.

Warren lurked in the background and said directly to Rocket "Remember what I said. I'll be watching."

Rocket's mouth parted slightly but then he closed it. He didn't want to say anything too rude. "See you around Warren."

The ship travelled through the Zaelion Galaxy, passing several constellations of stars. The Shadows engaged in quiet conversation or stared out of the window. Rocket walked over to Sinedd and sat down beside him.

"How are you feeling?"

"Fine." Sinedd's answer was blunt. Then he coughed

"Are you sure you don't need any med –"

"I'm fine." Sinedd said.

"Aright then." Rocket said and twiddled his thumbs. "So… about the match –"

"You shouldn't have got in my way! We could have won!" Sinedd hissed.

Rocket was taken aback "It's not my fault! If you hadn't taken the ball up into the air then –"

"What would you have done, huh?"

"Something! You weren't playing your best anyway!" Rocket snapped.

"What the hell do you know?" Sinedd looked wild and scary. Rocket's eyes widened. Sinedd's sudden burst of fury curbed while a burning, aching sensation took over. He gasped and bended over, breathing deeply. He heard Rocket say his name faintly and saw the outlines of the players rushing to his side. He fell to the ground. Then there was nothing but black.

I think the ending was a bit rushed so feel free to comment on it. As always constructive criticism or suggestions are appreciated. Please R&R!

Luv GFSista xXx