Chapter 21: Football
The guild of Fairy Tail was at their usual routine still. Drinking, socializing and fighting once again. Everyone seem to be bored of this day and did not want to go on some jobs. Sonic arrive to the guild after taking of errands paying his rent and getting food groceries for his household. Sonic looked around the place and smiled and sees Wendy walking up to Sonic.
"Hey Sonic." Wendy greeted.
"Hey yourself sunshine, what's up?" Sonic inquired with a smile.
"Nothing in particular, are you going on a job?"
"Hmm... I don't think so. I have a lot of money so I don't think so for now. However everyone seem to be bored as it seems."
"Yeah it sure is."
Sonic sees Natsu and Gray fighting once again, Cana drinking a barrel of liquor, Lucy laying her head on the bar counter also she waved at Sonic with smile and Sonic waved at her back, Mirajane attending with the guild members, Gajeel eating some iron, Levy reading her books and looking around the place. Sonic grin and had an idea up in mind.
"What's on your mind Sonic?" Wendy asked.
"Wendy, can you do me a favor?" Sonic requested.
"Of course. What do you need?"
"I need you to get everyone out back in twenty minutes. I know what we all can do today fro doing the usual everyday routine."
"Can you tell me?"
"Oh it's a surprise. Just tell them I got a surprise for everyone."
"Ok I'll do that."
Sonic smiled and heads out back and sets up what Sonic is planning.
"Oh I got something a great idea and I bet everyone is going to enjoy it." Sonic thought smirking.
Twenty Minutes Later...
The guild went outside out back which Wendy told everyone to meet with Sonic. When all of them came out, they see a big field with lines which all of them had numbers like 10, 20, 30, 40 to the right, 50 on the middle and 10, 20, 30 and 40 on the left. There are two big end zones of each side. Everyone looked around and they see Sonic who had just finished making something which it was a ball. Sonic's ears perk up so he turn his attention to the rest of the guild, they were interested to find out what is going on until Makarov began to speak.
"Sonic. What is the meaning of all of this?" Makarov asked.
"Well... Since it's a everyday usual routine here at the guild so I thought I bring up a change of pace with a game that we're going to play." Sonic responded.
"A game?" Lucy inquired.
"Oh I like a game. So what is this game called?" Mirajane asked.
"Yeah Sonic tell us." Jet added.
Everyone had ask Sonic what the game is making the hedgehog chuckle a bit and simmer everyone down.
"Hey chill everyone. I'm going to tell you. It's a game I called: Football." Sonic informed.
"What's Football?" Erza asked.
"I've never heard of the game Football." Happy added.
"Which is why I am going to explain it to you all." Sonic responded.
"Please fill us in Sonic?" Makarov asked.
"Certainly. You see: Football is a cool sport played by two teams with the amount of eleven players of each team defending their position from the other team to score points. Each side has 50 yards which it is the total of 100 yards. The rules of the game, you have to take the ball to the end zone to the teams side of their end zone to score for points which it call Touchdown. When you have a touchdown, you gain six points. Also you can score another point or two points however if you want to win."
Sonic explained through everything about the game as the guild understand everything about the game as Sonic explaining it slowly so they can understand the rules of the game.
"The team has the most score wins." Sonic finished.
"Now that sounds like a challenge to me." Natsu said smirking.
"And brutal. Although you said you can tackle right?" Gray asked.
"That's right you can tackle anyone to stop your opponent from reaching to the end zone to score the touchdown." Sonic answered.
"In that case, I'm in."
"Me too. I want to play?" Natsu said.
"I want to play too. It sounds so intense for a real man." Elfman volunteered.
"Sonic can I ask a question?" Erza asked.
"Of course Erza?"
"Can females play this game?"
"Sure thing."
"In that case, I accept the challenge."
"So Makarov, what do you think?"
"Well... I've never heard of this game before and this idea you came up... I love it so let's get the game started."
"Alright now who wants to be the captains of their team?"
Everyone raised their hands wanting to be captains. Sonic look around and form a smile.
"Natsu and Gray, you guys are team captains of your own team." Sonic picked.
"Sweet!" Natsu and Gray squealed.
Natsu and Gray stood next to Sonic. Makarov also asked a question.
"Sonic are you going to participate in this game?" Makarov asked.
"Yes I am and by the way, no one is allowed to use magic during this game. If anyone uses their magic will cause a disqualification of the game." Sonic explained making everyone frowned their faces.
"That's good, now let's get the game started."
"Ok you want to be the referee Makarov?"
"Of course I do."
"Wendy will you be the scorekeeper and keep track of the time of the first, second, third and fourth quarter?"
"Yes I sure can." Wendy responded.
"And Mira, will you keep track of the first, second, third and fourth down in the game?"
"Of course I can. You can count on me?" Mirajane accepted with a smile.
"Ok now that is done. Now I believe we should get straight to pick on to be on the teams. Natsu you go first?"
"Ok. My first pick is Sonic." Natsu responded smiling.
"WHAT?! I wanted to pick Sonic!" Gray argued.
"Well too bad, Sonic told me I can pick first."
"Guys chill out. Save it for the game. Now it's your turn Gray."
"Ok I choose Jet."
"Guess I'm on Gray's team."
Natsu and Gray went on picking one person one by one until they had their full team.
Natsu's Team:
Natsu
Sonic
Macao
Erza
Bickslow
Warren
Elfman
Gajeel
Vijeeter
Gray's Team:
Gray
Droy
Nab
Loke/Leo (Participated to impress Lucy in the game)
Wakaba
Reedus
Alzack
Freed
Max
The teams were ready to play while the other guild sit this one out to watch the game. Lucy didn't want to play just decided to watch alongside with Levy and Cana including Evergreen. Gray team will be receiving the ball while Natsu's team will be kicking the ball. Everyone had gotten themselves ready as Erza start to requip herself changing into a red shirt and blue gym shorts and red sneakers ready to play. Sonic look on and sees Erza who glances on over and winks at him.
"Ready Sonic?" Erza checked.
"Of course." Sonic responded.
Vijeeter volunteered to kick as Makarov then finally announces the game.
"Now everyone is ready. BEGIN!" Makarov started.
Vijeeter started off kicking the ball to the other side of their opponent. Gray had caught the ball and runs it to the end zone. Natsu runs as fast as he could and tackles Gray to the ground landing on the 29 yard line. Natsu cheered causes Gray to growl in anger.
"First down!" Mirajane announced.
"Let's go Gray!" Juvia cheered.
"Looks like Juvia is cheering for Gray." Levy said smiling.
"I know. She sure is head over heels for Gray." Lucy responded.
"So who do you want to win?"
"I'm going with Natsu just because of Sonic."
"Same here just because of Gajeel though."
"I vote for Natsu's team to win also. Although Sonic is good looking out there." Cana said eyeing on Sonic.
Back with the game...
Gray's team lined up for the first down and same goes to Natsu's team. Gray then says hut as the team pressed on each other to sack the quarterback. Gray sees the opening so he then throws the ball at Jet who catches it running to the goal to score a touchdown but Sonic speed up and tackles Jet to the ground landed the ball to the 36 yard line at Natsu's side.
"You're fast Sonic." Jet complimented.
"Thanks and so are you." Sonic responded with a smile.
The two head on back regroup with their teams and form a new game plan. Seconds after, they lineup one more. Gray signaled hut and the team went on against each other, Gray then tosses the ball to Wakaba rushing on but he is later tackled by Elfman delivering a big hit against Wakaba to the ground and cheered.
"Now that's how a real man tackles their opponent!" Elfman cheered.
It's now a second down and they all regroup for a new game plan. After that, the line up again for the second down. Gray signal hut and the team go at it again. Gray looks on for Jet and sees his guy so he throws the ball at Jet but suddenly, Sonic catches the ball forcing an interception which shocked Gray's team so Sonic then rushing on over to the end zone. Lucy, Cana, Evergreen and Levy cheered for Sonic and Natsu's team as Sonic running to the end zone. Reedus came out of nowhere and tackles Sonic to the 49 yard line making their ball Natsu's ball. Natsu's team went on and cheer for Sonic for catching a ball.
"Nice one Sonic!" Natsu cheered.
"That was awesome Sonic." Warren commented.
"Thanks guys." Sonic responded.
"First down! Natsu's team, 47 yard." Makarov commented.
The team all regroup coming up a game plan and lines up. Right now Sonic is the quarterback then signaled hut as the team go at it defending Sonic from getting sack. Sonic look for an opening seeing Warren so Sonic throws the ball at Warren catches the ball and runs to the end zone. Freed tackles down Warren forcing a fumble. Nab jumps forward and catches the ball receiving it for Gray's team. Sonic rush on over and help Warren up.
"Oh man, I dropped the ball. Sorry guys." Warren apologized.
"No big deal, we'll get it back don't you worry. We all make mistakes." Sonic responded with a smile.
The team regroup to form a new game plan and line up for the first down since now Gray's team has the ball. Gray signaled hut and perform the game while the team going at each other. Gray looks for Jet but sees Leo open so Gray throws the ball before Elfman sacked Gray. The ball is thrown and it is... catch by Leo and running to the end zone. Erza charges to Leo but Leo blocked Erza's path and sees Natsu and Bickslow coming toward him but Leo jumps on over them and then scores the touchdown finally reaching to the end zone.
"Touchdown for Gray's team!" Makarov announced.
"YES! Let's go Gray!" Juvia cheered in excitement.
Gray's team cheered for Leo scoring for the team. He looks over at Lucy and winks at him causing her to blush.
"Aw man! We should've score for our team." Natsu snarled.
"Don't worry, we'll score." Macao said cheering up Natsu.
The team regroup and decide to go for two points so they line up again for the second point conversion. Gray signaled hut and tosses the ball to Leo to score again for the team but he is tackled by Elfman stopping Leo for scoring.
"YES! That's a real man tackle!" Elfman said grinning.
Gray's team set up for the kick while Natsu's team readied themselves for receiving it. Droy then went on kicking the ball over to Natsu's team. Sonic catches the ball and runs towards to the end zone. Sonic sees Jet going to the tackle running but Sonic jukes Jet keep on going, Reedus prepare to tackle Sonic but Elfman came along and blocks Reedus helping Sonic. Freed and Max catches up to Sonic to tackle him but Sonic hopes on over while they jump to tackle him as Sonic kept on going. Gray, Alzack and Droy rush on over to tackle Sonic stopping him from reaching their end zone. Erza and Gajeel came along and block them and Natsu tackles down Gray for Sonic and Sonic had reach to the end zone scoring a touchdown for the team.
"Touchdown Natsu's team!" Makarov announced.
Lucy, Evergreen, Levy and Cana cheered for Sonic for scoring a touchdown. Natsu and Erza cheered Sonic on for the touchdown. The regroup for the extra point going for 2 point conversion. They all line up readied themselves. Sonic signaled hut and the team begin to pressing against each other blocking or going through. Sonic then tosses the ball towards Bickslow going through to the end zone and score a 2 point conversion for the team. The girls cheered some more for Sonic on Natsu's team. Wendy also cheered Sonic for Natsu's team with a smile smile on her face.
"Sonic is great out there." Wendy commented.
"You sure are enjoying yourself Wendy." Carla pointed.
"I am. Sonic is amazing out there."
Natsu's team prepared the kickoff as Vijeeter kicked the ball to Gray's team. This time, Freed caught the ball and runs it over to the end zone. Gray blocked Natsu's path and Reedus blocking Elfman for tackling Freed. Freed then blocking Macao and Wakaba blocks Warren to tackle him. Sonic catches up and tackles Freed out of balance which their ball will be at the 32 yard line for the first down. Nab helps Freed up on his feet and regroups with the others.
The teams had formed a game plan and line up for the first down. Gray then signaled hut and the teams go at it once more, look for Jet or Leo o throw the ball but he is tackled and sacked by Natsu which bringing them for the second down.
"HA! In your face Gray!" Natsu teased.
"Shut up flame brain!" Gray barked.
"What you say stripper!"
"You hear my pyro breath."
They growled at the second before returning back with the team to regroup. Once they form a new game plan, they lineup for the second down as the ball is at 38 yard line as it is second and 17. Gray signaled hut and the team charge at each other, Gray found Jet open so he throws the ball. Sonic tries to catch it but its caught by Jet and Sonic tackles down Jet to the ground landed the ball to the 32 yard line at Natsu's side.
The teams had regroup forming a new game plan for the first down once again.
Elsewhere...
Claw watches on seeing Sonic and the guild playing football seeming to have a wonderful time as the guild are having so much fun playing football. Claw smirked watching the game in amusement.
"What is going on down there Claw?" Darkness asked.
"They're playing Football sire. It seems like Sonic had made an idea for them to play the game." Claw responded.
"Football huh? That's interesting. Did you catch on Sonic's power level?"
"Yes. He's become stronger as we speak. Although..."
"What is it?"
"Sonic's energy has becoming weird once I had scanned it and sensed it. I don't know what is going on but I suggest you watch out sire?"
"Do not worry about me, Sonic will never beat me. His forms are too weak to defeat me including his super form. Return back to the stronghold."
"Understood."
Claw glance on over then return back to the stronghold.
Back to the game...
The team went through all three quarters of the game scoring touchdowns and scoring points. Right now it is fourth down and the game is tied up to 44 and 44 game. Now they are down in a minute and twenty two seconds left which it is still running to end the game. Gray now has the ball for the team and the teams are now forming a game plan as now the ball is at the 26 yard line at Natsu's side and they switch directions as Natsu's side is now at the right and Gray's side is at the left.
"We cannot let Gray's team score for the win." Natsu said.
"Of course. We need to pull off everything to stop them for scoring another touchdown." Erza agreed.
"Yeah we're going to step up our game to win this game and there is no turning back now." Macao pointed.
"So do anyone have any ideas?" Gajeel asked.
"Yeah anyone?" Warren added.
"Sonic. What's the next move for this last play?" Vijeeter asked.
"Alright. Natsu and Elfman you all try charging towards Gray from scoring a touchdown for trying to throw the ball to Leo or Jet. Bickslow, you target at Leo to intercept the ball, Erza and Gajeel you guys focus on Max and Nab for sneaking for the catch, Macao focus of Freed and Warren make sure you keep your eyes Alzack and Vijeeter you got Reedus including Wakaba." Sonic commanded.
"Got it." Everyone responded.
To Gray's team...
"Ok. Jet and Leo you guys go long for the long catch, Alzack, Nab and Wakaba keep your eyes peeled for the a short distance catch, Reedus, Max and Freed you guys keep them off of my backs for the long catch, Droy keep an eye out for Jet and Leo for the big opening for the long catch" Gray planned.
"Got it." Everyone responded with a nod.
Team Natsu and Gray all line up for the last play of the game trying to win not going for overtime. The time is now 44 seconds left. Everyone looked on carefully so was Makarov, Wendy and Mirajane as the game is getting close to end. Gray then signaled hut and the team go at it once again for the last play. Jet and Leo go long running towards to the end zone. Sonic backed away focusing on Gray. Gray sees Natsu and Elfman charging towards Gray to sack him and forces Gray to throw the ball up in the air and gets tackled by Natsu and Elfman. Max and Nab sees the ball and tries to catch it as everyone is still in their seats. All of sudden, Sonic jumps on and catches the ball and running to the end zone. Sonic sees Freed and Reedus trying to tackle Sonic but Sonic jumping over at them and ducking away Wakaba trying to tackles Sonic as Sonic continues on running. Everyone in the guild watches on as Sonic kept running to the end zone to score a touchdown. Leo tries catching up to Sonic but he is tackled by Erza and Droy speeds up to catch Sonic but Gajeel came along and tackles down Droy for Sonic to keep going. Sonic continue to run as Jet catches up to Sonic to tackles Sonic but the blue blur blocks down Jet as Jet fells to the ground and Sonic reaches over to the end zone and scores a touchdown and for the win of the game.
The clock reaches to zero and Makarov announce the game is over and announcing Natsu's team for the win. Natsu, Macao, Erza, Gajeel, Vijeteer, Warren and Bickslow cheered on Sonic for their win. Lucy, Levy, Cana and Evergreen screamed in joy for the team. Wendy also cheered for the team and Sonic for their win. Gray's team were pissed off losing the game.
Afterward, Gray walk over to Sonic and smiled at him.
"Hey great game Sonic." Gray said extends his hand.
"Yeah. Great game to you too." Sonic responded shaking Gray's hand.
"I enjoy that game man. Let's do that again sometime." Natsu said smiling.
"Yeah we should."
"That was an amazing game guys and amazing idea Sonic. Are there anymore games in your world Sonic?"
"Of course. There is Basketball and Soccer."
"We should definitely play those games sometime man."
"Yeah that Football game was really fun." Bickslow said.
"I'm glad you all like the idea."
"That Football was real manly Sonic and you sure are a real man." Elfman commented.
"Thanks everyone. I enjoyed the game."
"We have got to do that again man that was so fun."
Everyone went on back inside the guild after enjoying the game with Natsu's team and Gray's team. The guild asked Sonic questions about Soccer and Basketball and Sonic oblige to explain them and explaining more about Football.
The guild had enjoyed a game of Football and had a great time. What is Darkness planning, find out next time on Fairy of Darkness.