Chapter 38: Friendship Is Winning
A few days later, at Stadium Da Equestria...
Everyone was getting prepared for the soccer match against Pesrill Ladies with the atmosphere booming with confidence and fidelity. Lola, Sticks and Applejack were all together, though two of them resolved a fight back at the academy. The farm girl and the badger were the ones willing to show servility for Lola's effort to bring the two together. She looked up to Twilight, whom with Smurfette was able to see the strong play perfectly put into place. The three girls were preparing themselves for the moment, Lola tying her boots with Applejack and Sticks waiting.
"I can't wait to show the team what we're made of!". The southern farm girl spoke. "Helenia's gonna be so proud we've managed to snatch another win frm the claws of our own competitors!".
"We play easy on our friends". Sticks replied. "Especially if it has something to do with Smurfette".
"And Twilight would be pleased at me for completeing my task to bring you two together".
"Just going by my own experiences". The badger took a sip of the Gatorade.
"I say we're as strong as ever before, Sticksy!". Applejack put her hand on her sholder. "Lola's boosted up our self-esteem and confidence we need to wn against Twilight and Smurfette".
"Ok, team!". Helenia Bowton announced to all of the team, even the substitutes. "We need to make this win count like our common practises. Pesrill Ladies are a average to strong side. We must not fail at this".
Lola finished tying her boots and stood up, readying herself for the game.
"I'm more beneficent toward Applejack and Sticks scoring and helping a vast majority of good tackles and shots. We don't want a fight on the pitch, now do we?".
"We came to an agreement at the academy, ma'am!". Sticks responded.
"Excellent! We must go. I bet the opposition are already eagerly waiting for us". Helenia concluded.
All members left for the pitch. The opposing team, including Twilight and Smurfette were waiting for their friends to meet them in the tunnel. A few Pesrill players noticed Helenia coming toward them with the team. Caroline Berry greeted her with a handshake before waiting for the referee to signal them to come out. Twilight, Lola, Sticks, Smurfette and Applejack were excited for the confrontation, even going as far as taunting the sides. Both teams soon walked out of the tunnel and onto the pitch, Sticks, Applejack and Lola leading the team onto one side. Sticks looked at Lola and nodded. Applejack looked at Lola and nodded.
"Don't worry girls". The bunny lead. "They won't be granting us a win from this friendly".
"Lola". Twilight signalled, grasping her attention.
"Huh..".
"I just want to clarify good luck with this match. I know it was tricky to fix their friendship, but in doing so you've boosted the morale of the team".
"Thanks, Twilight. I wanna say good luck to you too, not that you're gonna win or anything".
"Show them what you're made of!". Helenia shouted to her team.
"Let's show them who's boss!". Caroline shouted to her team.
The whistle blew. Canterlot United Ladies got the ball first, dribbling past Twilight, with Lola passing to Sticks. The badger passed to Applejack and signalled her to move forward. The farm girl kicked the ball and Sticks took a backflip, her right leg sticking upward to kick the ball into the net, safely securing an early lead. Pesrill Ladies took the oppotunity to move the attack forwad, but was blocked by some of the Canterlot United players. Sticks got the ball and carefully dribbled past the opposition, Smurfette included. Twilight came rushing for the ball, only to be blocked by Applejack, whom received the ball from Sticks to pass to Lola. The badger therefore signalled the bunny to pass back to Applejack so she could run forward. She was blocked by Smurfette who was intercepting her as she didn't want her team to concede another goal at the hands of the badger. Both teams were pushing and defending tactically, Helenia and Caroline impressed at the play. Twilight somehow managed to score a long goal from within her half, Lola, Applejack and Sticks all jaw-dropped. Smurftte came and hugged her before letting go, the studious needing the team to score more and defend more. All 3 girls watching soon got into position: Applejack taking the central midfielder position, Lola taking the defensive midfielder and Sticks taking the striker position. All members were beneficent to the team they were playing for.
At half-time...
"That was tough action". Smurfette was exhausted from the first half, Twilight walking beside her.
"They seem to be as tough as before. We need a plan". The studious responded.
"We need to work harder than we usually do". Caroline spoke to the team once all was in the dressing room. "We need to watch how they play, especially Sticks the Badger of all players. She's the one scoring goals for Canterlot United. Someone needs to intercept her style".
"I'll volunteer!". Twilight raised her hand. "I mean, how hard can it be to go against a paranoid whackjob like Sticks?".
"Uh...very hard". Smurfette guessed with a straight face. "She came from Mobius".
"I know she did! I need to think of ways we need to concede less goals than our average takings. You keep invading Applejack or whoever you like".
"M'kay".
In the home dressing room...
"Good work, team!". Helenia spoke to the team. "Apart from that accidental Twilight goal from afar, we've managed to defend aggressively and attack aggressively. Sticks, keep striking, you're doing good. Applejack and Lola, keep defending. Everyone needs to work hard if we're going to beat Pesrill to the ground. Are you ready?!".
"Yeah!". All of the team replied.
Both teams walked out of the tunnel and back on the pitch for the other half of the match. Canterlot United took the opposing half, while Pesrill took the other. Both were waiting for the whistle to be blown. That eventually came, followed by Pesrill taking the ball down the side of the pitch, passing and pushing the attackers forward to score goals. Canterlot United Ladies were exceptionally good at this, taking the ball away from them and trying to find an excuse to pass to Sticks. All was strong for the two teams. This carried on for several minutes with Twilight intercepting Sticks, the badger not minding the leader of the EoH/Harmonizers blocking her from scoring goals. 20 minutes from full time and things still kept strong with the two trying to find a way to win. Lola passed to Applejack who then launched the ball above Smurfette toward Sticks, Twilight too keen on receiving the ball. A few minutes from ending the match as a draw and Canterlot United Ladies somehow found a way past the defense. Applejack passed the ball to Sticks whom tried to find a strategy around the studious. She found a rather clever solution, so she took it without hesitation. She kicked the ball up and toward Twilight's head, the studious trying to head it out (Literally). The ball was launched from Sticks to Twilight, bouncing off from her and landing in the goal. Sticks celebrated, Applejack, Lola and a few other coming to her. The match ended shortly after and Canterlot United Ladies won 2-1. Applejack, Lola and Sticks met in a group hug to celebrate the victory. They all let go of one another and came to Twilight and Smurfette, whom were exhausted, the former lying on the ground to catch air.
"You did good, girls...". Twilight was panting for air.
"What can I say?". Sticks replied. "You tried to play me out by blocking me, but I guess your deflection granted me another goal".
"We couldn't get another win". The blonde-haired smurf spoke. "We'll try before the season starts".
"Good luck with that".
"I wonder how thrilled the other girls will be when we tell them we've got another win". Applejack pondered.
"And two goals scored by Sticks". Lola added, making the badger smile.
"I take credit for what I do. It was mostly Applejack who gave the ball to me. Thanks, Aj".
"Aw, shucks. You're makin' me blush!".
"Sorry".
"I guess we should head back to Canterlot Academy". Lola said before signalling Twilight. "Twilight".
"Yes..".
"We're heading back to the academy. Wanna join us?".
"Sure". The studious answered, Lola offering the hand to pick her up to rid of any grass from her. The 5 girls therefore went back to the dressing room to get changed back into their original attire before heading back to Canterlot Academy.
That's the end of this chapter. Canterlot United Ladies securing a win against Pesrill Ladies. What will happen next? Read on to find out. Please review.