This was it. Their first ever final in the galactik football cup. The most unlikely underdog, in the final. Sonny had to take it in. Many of the pirates had dreamed of this, but it always remained a wet dream. And now, thanks to the resonance, all the favourites had been eliminated and made the unlikely Pirates a finalist team. It was a big achievement, if only it wasnt for the grim circumstances. The team got of the access pod and on to the pitch. He had never set foot on this pitch in a match before, it was a strange feeling for Sonny. And now, Sonny, as player X, lined up against The pulsars captain for kick off. The Pulsars Captain looked him over, as if he tried to make out his identity behind the goggles and mask.
"You are not Stevens. Is Sonny afraid of loosing since he chose to let an unknown player take to the pitch? This match belngs to the pulsars, the galaxy will never be the same again once we have taken the cup." The pulsars captain taunted.
Sonny was glad the head gear he wore would disguise his voice.
"Stevens asked to be relieved of Captains duty today, so, you get me. Dont worry. I plan to not make it an easy win for you. And who will touch the cup is not decided yet. The pirates will do their best to assure that its not The pulsars." he said.
The Pulsars Captain snarled. Sonny could see the fabric in his uniform had been torn and restitched. This was the one that attacked Clamp. That meant he had it confirmed, this monster and his team was to be beaten, at all cost. Sonny made ready for a high jump, the mask consealing the burning flames in his eyes as he made ready once the ball was in play.
"And the ball is in play" sounded Callies voice.
The ball shot up high. There was no time to think, right now,he had to reach it first.
Sonny acted on instinct and went for a high jump. The pulsars captain tried to follow, but Sonny with his height, already had the advantage of being higher up and precisely passed the ball to Stevens on the ground,whom went for goal. Stevens shot, but the ball bounced off the post. Too bad, the shock of a goal this fast could have demotivated the pulsars. Now they were forced to get down and dirty. Sonny landed hard and felt a jolt through his knees. Ok, best not do that again. Then, he quickly chased after the ball, positioning himself so that his marker had a hard time keeping him under control.
This was unexpected this early in the game, it seemed the pirates had decided on a shock effect in their play. They still played as a team, and worked like a well oiled machine, but they were far more daring than anyone had expected. If anything, this was going to be one exiting match...
At The Black Manta, Bennett and Artie was on watch, when the report came from the team Sonny had sent to The pulsars home planet to find more information. The base that D'Jok had memories of, that had manifested as nightmares for him, had been located. A quick attack had for now put the base under pirates control. The present hackers was now asking permission to send all material to the extra server on The Black Manta for review. Bennett oked it, as the third in command. The pirates there had not really fought. There was also quite a few small creatures, from the planet. The pirates had rounded them all up, planning a hand over to Technoid after the match. Bennett was pleased with the report. This would take some of the pressure of the pirates battling it out on the pitch and make Sonny and Corso lower their shoulders.
"Good work team, Sonny will be very pleased to hear of this." he said.
The pirate on the other end smiled back.
"How is he holding up on the pitch? Sonny is great at training sessions, but this is the real thing. I hope he can handle it" he said.
Artie grinned.
"So far, Sonny is having a ball with the boys. I have never seen him play this hard ever. I bet, with the armour Corso made him wear under the uniform, Sonny is gonna get real sweaty from this. They just scored two minutes ago. Kate using her head like the pro that she is. So we are in the lead, in our very first final. Its the best day of my life." he cheered.
Bennett wanted to move on to more serious matters.
" It is still only the first half Artie, much can happen yet. But being in the lead is great. Any sight of Magnus?" he asked.
The pirate shook his head.
"He is not here. My guess is he is on Genesis, to support his team, or worse. looks unavoidable that Sonny has to take him on in battle for the title of leader. I voted for Sonny once, I would do it again, but I dont think this is how Magnus plans to do it. He will down right do this in hand to hand combat. Not Sonnys prefered choice, but he will have to battle him physically. It will be hard, I hope Sonny conserves his strenght for that. " he said.
Bennett nodded.
"Then I hope Sonny has what it takes to win, for the sake of the pirates and the entire galaxys freedom"...
Magnus was seated in his box. His pulsars looked fit for fight. But the burning determination in The pirates behaviour was scary in a sense, the fact that Stevens had stepped down and left his captains armband to the unknown Player X, meant that everything was going according to plan. Magnus studied player X through his binoculars. He wondered if Duke Maddox had ever taken the time to observe his scientist football team on Technoid base, back in the day. Would he recognize Sonnys play style and make sure he could not escape after the match? Or would he finally be able to settle the score he had left unchecked with his once successor. Magnus had made things ready, for his escape and all eventualities. There was going to be a change in the galaxy, with him at the helm. Technoid, The pirates that supported Sonny, military and other planets, they would all bow to him, live by his rule, and the galaxy would prosper. It would all be determined once the final was won, The pirates would be arrested, especially player X. What a catch that would be for Technoid. They would finally have their best scientist back, or jail him for his crimes against them, or why not just make it easy, shoot him dead. Magnus prepared to watch Sonnys men get defeated and ultimate victory be his in his box...
The snow kids this time had their vip section to themselves,that was, until they saw a hooded man sit silently in the end of it. Another man, unknown to them, also hooded,sat beside him. It appeared they made attempts not to be seen. And Micro Ice was certain he had seen this man before, as was Thran and Tia. Both these men were pirates, could it be Sonny and Corso wanting to watch the match from the safety of a vip box that was easy to escape?
As they looked closer, they could tell who it was. One of them at least. Corso tried to make himself as anonymous as he could as a pirate, along with another member of Sonnys crew, but the snow kids knew him too well.
"Corso? Then..where is Dad?" D'Jok asked the right hand man of his father. Corso winced, clearly uncomfortable with the question he was asked.D'Jok looked around. There should be at least three of them here, but there was only two. And the third person he expected, was one that was not seen.
Sonny not being here, was anything but a good sign to him.
"Nice to see you too D'Jok. Sonny sent me to keep an eye out for you Snow kids, in case something goes wrong. We found out that The Pulsars attacked Clamp, Sonny is on high alert for any danger today. Wich is why he is not here in this box with us." Corso managed. D'Jok crossed his arms at that, shaking his head, making it clear to Corso, he did not buy this story and would ask again until he told him. Corso sighed at that.
The son was every bit as stubborn as the father when it came to the Blackbones.
Clearly, from the way he crossed his arms, and looked at him,D'Jok didnt buy the story at all. He couldnt lie, in case Sonny got exposed out there.
"We are not in danger this time Corso, there is something you are not telling us. And Sonny would not send you here alone. Where is he?" D'Jok tried again.
Corso knew he could not talk his way out of this one. He had a feeling D'Jok would not like the idea of Sonny playing on the pitch at all, not any more than he himself did. Instead of saying it, Corso put a hand on D'Joks shoulder, and led him to the front of the box. Corso beckoned to the pitch. D'Jok realised what Corso tried to tell.
"You cant be serious. He is out there, on the pitch, playing?He will be identified for sure, and there is no escaping Technoid from the pitch. They figure him out, they will finally have him cornered. Or do you have any emergency escape ready for this?" D'Jok could hardly believe what he heard.
Corso nodded.
"For what its worth D'Jok, I am not thrilled about this either. I tried to talk him out of it, but Sonny has a plan with this. I cant argue with him on this. He is my boss. I am not sure about the details of the plan. But I will do as he asked. If something goes wrong, I was told to get you all out of the stadium, safe and sound. Lets hope that wont be necessary." Corso said as he and his partner sat down.
The snow kids sat back down again, but it was with a sense of unease. Corsos words did nothing to calm their nerves, and they werent even the ones playing this time. If Sonny had placed Corso with a partner to protect them, he suspected trouble, but from where was hard to tell. And Sonny was usually never wrong when it came to things like this.
On one end, you had Technoid as a threat. If Sonnys identity as a player was exposed, Technoid would surely attempt to capture him while on the pitch. They could only hope Sonny had a plan to escape the pitch if he was figured out. On the other hand, there was his old enemy, Magnus Blade. With the resonance, that had left several of the galactik football stars in dire straights, themselves included, as Clamp and Sonny had seen more resonance in the less striken players before the semi finals, they had been effected too, although, the players known to have played netherball seemed to have gotten the worst of it. But this man had gone above and beyond to end football as they knew it, he had even threatened the galactik kids, none of the snow kids had forgotten that. The snow kids sent each other an anxious looks, this final was one they were glad they didnt have to play, and one that had potentially devestating consequenses for the galaxy...
Player X had managed to steal the ball in the air again,and sent it to Kate who made her way to the goal for a second time. But the pulsars was not about to go easy, not on anyone. They tried to block her, but Kate passed it to an unmarked Stevens whom finally found the net. One all Pirates. The stadium was boiling with the crowd going crazy. Player X had softened the landing this time, by using a parkour movement. Hopefully, Technoid was not aware that the pirates in his team did this, and that he himself practiced this quite often. The pirates put up a strong defence, and pushed The pulsars on the defensive most of the half. Until Hawkins was unfortunate to not block a shot properly,and the ball went in the net. the score was now tied. The first half became a half with 1 goal for each team, and with plenty of body contact, and hard duels. Player X had just landed after another assist, wich was blocked by the Pulsars goalkeeper. They had to change strategies at half time. They fought hard, but the pulsars was evenly matched with them. When the signal came for half time came, The players on the pirates team breath a sigh of relief, as they jumped on the access pod to head to the locker room for some needed breath...
"What an amazing first half dear Holo viewers, the suspense has been absolutely amazing, and I doubt anyone like me has nails left to bite" said Callie.
"That is true Callie, it has been a nerve wrecking first half, with two very equal teams battling it out." said Noork.
"We do have two very evenly matched teams on the pitch, It is hard to say who will be the victorer. Before this final, no one would have predicted these two teams to battle it out" said Barry Randt.
"That is true, The pirates has always been an underdog team, since they didnt play with flux before. One can only speculate as to the reason, but I am sure Sonny Blackbones, whom is rumoured to be the coach as well as the leader of the pirates, must have good reasons behind this decision" said Callie.
Noork nodded.
"The pirates are notoriously hard to find, this time even more than ever. No one thought the pulsars would do the same. But lets have a look at the shots on goal" he said.
There had been plenty of shots at the goal,and a total of 2 goals had found the net. But both teams seemed to have a tight defence going. The Pulsars had tried to use their Sonic pulse, only to find that The Pirates seed had shielded them from the effect. It also seemed The pirates had an average onset of the flux by at least 4 times pr player during the first half.
The conversation then turned to the mysterious new captain of the pirates. who could he possibly be? Stevens was a player they all knew, and normally the captain of The pirates. Today,he had stepped aside and given his captains armband to an unknown player, Player X. And of this player, there was no information. To be honest, they could not even tell if it was a male or female, but the assumption was that he was a male.
The discussion raged, until the players returned to the pitch for the second half...
The pirates had searched every part of the stadium, and not found Magnus. The box where they though him to be, just had a hologram projector.
As they stepped on the pitch again, Sonny was notified by Corso about they knew he was there. This would not be over with them winning the match. They had to arm themselves for battle following the win, no matter wich team touched the cup. That, or try to abort it if the pulsars tried to touch it. He did not know how, but his feeling was,the moment the pulsars touched the cup, the resonance would become a galactik incident, one he was not sure could be reversed. Following that, there was still the impending battle with Magnus. All the pirates now knew it would come to pass, they just did not know the time or the place. But Magnus was here, somewhere in the stadium, he could feel him, the same way he always could feel Bleylock.
" He is here somewhere, keep looking. The team will have one hellish second half. We either have to score or keep it at one all." Sonny said.
Corso sounded dubious.
"We really would have needed you off the pitch for this half. You got a feelig to what he is up to, since you insist on playing?" he asked.
The reply sent eerie chills down his spine.
"Corso, to finalize this, Magnus needs access to the cup. Bleylock wanted the same, in the first final The Snow Kids played. If The Pulsars touch the cup, that will give Magnus all the power he needs. The other teams are weakened due to the resonance, to a point where they may not fully recover. We will need new ways for all teams to handle this situation. With a galactik resonance, a side effect of the paradisian cup, none of the other champion teams are strong enough to fight this. The pirates are at an advantage, because our flux was restored to us only after the paradisan cup. We are not affected, and thus, the only team with the strength to fight The Pulsars. This match, its not just our chance to finally win, it is us protecting the galaxy from falling under the dictatorship of Magnus Blade. And In Shilohs name, that is exactly what we will do. We must stop Magnus from getting his team to hold the cup. That really will be the end of the entire galaxy as we know it" Sonny said.
Corso said nothing, just listened. But his face told Tia all she needed to know. Sure, Corso was serious most the time, she recalled that from her trip with them to save her parents, but this expression, it was not even shock, it was deeply worried.
Tia laid a hand on Corsos arm, making him turn slightly to look at her.
"They have to make it Corso, and they will" she said.
Corso remained silent, but the way he squeezed Tias hand told her everything she needed to know. Tia braced herself for what would come...
Duke Maddox sat in his box, watching the match. The technoid presence was heavy tonight. Wheter the pirates won or lost, they would be arrested tonight, and forced to tell him where Sonny Blackbones could be found. Duke Maddox could not say he was not entertained, the match was far more explosive than the other ones had been. They would have been far more explosive normally, if not for this resonance. Sonny had not gone into detail about what this was. He had said he needed time to explain it in a way that he would understand. The phenomenon was a direct result of the paradisian cup, where Harris had pulled flux from the stadiums. To realise the grand scheme of the operation Bleylock once had started, and Harris continued, had made Duke Maddox question the truth he thought he knew. And although he had not said it, it had started to dawn on him, he had accused Sonny and his men of several things they had not done. If guilty, Sonny would not have come to see him when he looked for Harris. Duke Maddox had to face the uncomfortable truth. Sonny was infact innocent of the charges that was held against him. And with that, there came the possibility, that he was innocent of a lot more. It would take dedicated investigations to find out, and he was not sure he had the right men in his company. He wanted the unaltered truth, and it seemed he had quite a few sharks that was conducting powerplays behind his back. He knew what had to be done. But for now, he would watch the match. The pirates had never been seen playing this well before. Great team play, and a controlled use of the flux. And then, there was this new comer. Player X. Duke Maddox studied him. Something made him think he knew who player X was. He had the right height, blonde hair... What concealed him, was the goggles and face mask. Necessary, but still not enough.
"Get ready to storm the pirates locker room after the final is over. I want to know the true identity of this..player X" he growled...
4 goals the entire finals match so far, and only five minutes to go. still tied at two goals for each team. Davison had put in the Pirates second goal, assisted by Kate, and the pulsars retalliated just ten minutes later, and Hawkins was unable to stop it. No one had ever seen a galactik football cup final where no deciding goals had been scored. It seemed The pulsars and The Pirates was as even matched as you could make two teams be. But now,The Pulsars was starting to show signs of stress. If they didnt win, Magnus plan would fall apart,and they knew it. And to stop them, there was the pirates, Sonnys gang, led by the unknown Player X. Something had to be done to score an extra deciding goal. And with the pirates tight defence where they used the seed to block the ball, The pulsars was running out of time, and started making mistakes. Exactly what Sonny had hoped for. They had played this way deliberately to create a situation where the oponent was stressed, to make them make a mistake that would give them the upper hand. And it paid off. Stevens had the ball and looked for a way to find the net. Sonny made a sign that he would be making a run for the goal, and Stevens nodded. He knew this would possibly be the only chance to score the deciding goal. As Player X ran forwards, Stevens made ready to pass the ball for what would be surely the final nail in The pulsars coffin...
"Stop them. Player X will make a run for the goal. Make sure he cant keep playing!Take him out!" Magnus ordered his captain.
The Pulsar captain grinned behind his mask. This disguise, his exon shell would protect him, he could handle a collision. Player X was human, and far weaker. Take him out it was. The Pulsars Captain ran towards Player X, whom now made contact with the ball...
He could see him in the corner of his eye. Sonny braced himself for the impact. It was ticking down on the timer, if they were to score in this final, this would be their very last chance. Sonny managed to kick the ball to Kate before The Pulsars captain rammed him hard. It knocked the wind out of him, and to the horror of all his players, tore off his mask and goggles as Sonny slid across the pitch...
Callie and the stadium was in shock as the cameras zoomed in on the striken player X, whom rose on the pitch with the help of Stevens and Kate. He looked a bit confused, as if he had hit his head. The pirates tried to block him from the cameras as one of them picked up the destroyed mask and goggles. Noork was the first to notice.
"I guess we now know Player Xs identity, he is none other than the most wanted man in the galaxy, Sonny Blackbones in person" he gasped...
In the vip section, the snow kids and Corso had risen in pure shock. The pulsars attack on Sonny had been a planned attack, and now, Sonny was exposed, as his mask and goggles could not be repaired. He either had to come out, or stay in, exposed to the galaxy. And the timer had been stopped. It was clear from the replay, Sonny was awared a penalty kick. This would make or break all they had worked for. Was he even capable of taking the shot, or would he leave it to someone else? Corso had no idea, he was already worrying about how to get Sonny out of the stadium after the match. Technoid would not let him get away that easily.
Corso gritted teeth.
"Sonnys been compromised. Tell him to leave the pitch now, and have the back up replace him!" he yelled.
"Too late Corso, Ive been made. I may as well just finish the match. That hit is going to give a penalty kick" Sonny replied, far more calm than others would have been able to.
As the penalty kick was prepared, Sonny himself decided to take it. He was well aware that the eyes of the galaxy were all on him now, would he make it or not? For the sake of the galaxy, he had to make it.
Sonny used the breathing excersice Brim Balarius had taught him when he got awarded his title as as flux master. He centered himself as much as he could, getting ready to make the kick. The Pulsars was at a disadvantage for the rest of the match, as their captain was in the penalty cage for tackling him.
He looked for a sec at his players, first time ever on the pitch in a galactik football final. And it came down to him, their leader, their captain, to decide if this would be the victory the galaxy hoped for, that his men, whom fought for their freedom every living day, would become reality. A sense of calm came over him. He would fake the kick, see if he could make it find the net. Sonny backed up a few steps, before he rushed forth to kick the ball...
"Oh my, it looks as if Sonny is really determined to have at least one goal to his merit her on the pitch of Genesis stadium. What we found only shows he played as an amateur for Technoid, under his name as a pirate, there is, understandably, very little information" said Noork.
Callie could not help it, seeing the pirate chief so focused on the pitch, those eyes.. One way or another, after this was over, she had to talk to him. See if an interview was possible. As Sonny kicked the ball, Callie found herself biting nails...
The entire stadium were holding their breaths as the ball charged against the goal. It was almost as if things happened in slow motion. Sonny was not even aware he had closed his eyes until he heard the mighty roar from 800.000 people in the stands on the gigantic stadium.
"GOAL SONNY BLACKBONES! We have a winner, the underdogs, The Shiloh Pirates, are the new galactik champions" Callie yelled in excitement.
Sonny was surrounded by his team, whom lifted him. Sonny declared the victory by raising his fist high.
"For The galaxy!" he yelled...
Magnus was fuming. Sonny had managed to foil his carefully laid plan. But he was going to pay a high price for this. Time to show him once and for all whom the real leader of the pirates was. Victory would still be his.
"You have not won yet Sonny, and I will see to it that you will pay dearly for your sins" he said as he made his camouflage ready to go into battle. He contacted the team captain of the pulsars.A quick conversation took place. Sonny would expect them to try to take the cup, they would be prepared for that move. What he needed to do now, was to aim the attack somewhere there was no defence prepared.
This wasnt over until he said it was...
The Pulsars was fuming as the cup came down to the middle of the pitch, towards a united pirates team. For once, their flux would travel the galaxy, and radiate their colours. Not bad for a group of wanted men and their leader. Sonny smiled to himself, as the entire team touched the cup and charged it with their flux. The flashes of cameras was going of constantly. His men were protected as their headgear was still intact. He on the other hand, was very exposed. As the cup left the stadium, Stevens breath a sigh of relief.
"Finally our turn. How will this be leaving the stadium afterwards Sonny? Do we even do press conferance or just disappear like we normally do?" Stevens asked.
Sonny was about to answer, when commotion started. The Pulsars all of a sudden acted as if they were possessed. And they used their flux to attack the audience in the stands. The Sonic pulse gave them enough lift to attack the stands. Just as Sonny had suspected they would. Magnus had not given up the fight yet. Corso could only imagine how furious he was to initiate this attack.
Sonny only needed a second to respond.
"All pirates, this is Sonny. Evacuate Genesis stadium, and get everyone out. Let Technoid deal with the attackers. The team is coming of the pitch now, we will assist in evacuating the stadium" he said.
Since The pulsars sudden attack on fans and others, Brim Balarius authorized the same as Brim Simbra had done on Paradisia. The players associated with the league, despite the danger, was asked to use their flux to assist. There was panic all over the place. In the corner of his eye, Sonny glanced up at the vip box the snow kids and their families had been in. He could see Corso help the snow kids and their parents escape the box, and his own son lead the group that used the breath of Akillian to get people out.
His team was on the access pod, ready to leave the pitch. Sonny was about to get onto it, when a powerful laser struck the pitch in front of him, cutting him off from reaching the pod.
"Sonny!" Stevens yelled, about ready to jump of the pod.
Sonny could see what was on. The dark silhouette of Magnus Blade, or rather, his chosen impressive figure, showed at the far end of the pitch. Seemed the battle Corso had feared, the battle for the title as leader of the pirates would indeed take place. Sonny turned to his team mates. The lasers had craked the pitch, he was not sure it was safe to step on it.
"Go, evacuate the stadium, dont worry about me. Ill get out of this" Sonny said.
He had the armour Corso had made him on, under his teams uniform. Clearly, this was where Magnus had decided they would battle it out.
Stevens saw Magnus approaching.
"We are not leaving you alone with him. Magnus is dangerous Sonny, he might kill you." he yelled.
Sonny waved him off.
"This is between him and me. Go. Ill be fine" Sonny said.
As his team was transported off the pitch, Sonny turned. This would be his fight against Magnus. A fight that only had one winner. And he was unarmed.
Wait...not completely. Sonny felt a smirk form on his face as his hands started to glow with flux.
Magnus kept his distance.
"This is it Sonny. You started this, years ago. Rebellion never pays off in the end. You did a good job, making the pirates prosper. But all good things must come to an end. And for you Sonny Blackbones, that end comes now"...
Corso had rushed the snow kids out along with their parents,and now helped as much as he could in getting others to safety as well. Once outside the stadium, many gathered to watch the screens, and the fight going on inside the stadium, between Sonny Blackbones, and a tall, unknown figure. Corso felt his heart beat rapidly as he glanced at the screen, seeing Sonny dodge several attacks. He was wearing an armour, but his only weapon was the flux. And if he burned out too fast, there was still the chance Magnus could kill him. Somehow, he had to get back inside the stadium, find a way to get on to the pitch, and get Sonny out of there. There, the pirates team was making their way out now. But without Sonny among felt cold chills run down his spine as he looked for Sonny, whom wasnt there.
"Stevens, where is Sonny? Dont tell me Technoids got him." Corso growled as he grabbed hold of Stevens arm.
Stevens looked at him.
"He is still on the pitch Corso. Magnus is here. They are going to fight, for the title of leader of the pirates by the look of it. Sonny sent us all away." he explained, somewhat perplexed.
Corso gritted teeth.
"That fool! He is gonna get himself killed that way. I got to go help him." Corso said and stormed back towards the stadium.
Duke Maddox blocked his way.
"Where do you think you are going pirate?" he growled.
Corso freed himself from Duke Maddox arm.
"I am gonna help Sonny, or do you plan to let an insane powerhungry lunatic ex pirate kill him on the pitch of Genesis stadium? Get out of my way, or I will walk right through you." he snarled.
Duke Maddox nodded. Corsos actions alone told him that his thoughts about how to deal with the pirates from this point on was right on the money. He snapped his fingers, and assembled a team of droids.
"Lets get Magnus Blade arrested"...
Sonny had dodged several attacks already. His flux engulfed his body, creating a protective barrier between Magnus sharp laser and him. If this was going to end bad, it was better his friends, his family, didnt bear witness to his untimely death.
"Its over Magnus. The pirates won, fair and square. The cup will not be contaminated by your soldiers, as that is what they are right? The pulsars dont look the part they try to make. Its an exon shell, not your real form. Big and bold isnt who you really are." he stated.
He was clearly touching on the truth. Magnus furiously lashed out at him again.
"When did you find out? I took every precaution not to be discovered." he yelled.
Sonny moved carefully, staying just out of range.
"The pirates are more advanced now than back in the days when you were the leader. You were always so focused on making money on the raids, you failed to notice the incredible hackers you had and their skills. You did the same story That Technoid did. It was all about the money for you. The same hackers now possess skills that enables them to hack into virtually every system in the galaxy. We dont get caught, because we know where Technoid is present, where it is safe. We would have been found sooner or later under your reign with The pirates. These days, never." he said.
Magnus moved closer.
"So,I am a pulsar. What difference does it make? I am still the rightful leader of the pirates, a position you stole from me. Now you will pay for your rebellion Sonny"...
Corso and Duke Maddox had reached the entrance to the stadium bleachers along with Stevens and Hawkins whom had caught their breath enough to assist. Corso tried to find a point on where to attach his hook, enabling him to swing in on the pitch so he could help Sonny.
Duke Maddox looked anxiously at the scene on the pitch. The big screens showed the raging battle between the current pirate leader and the ex pirate. Sonny was glowing with flux and this fuming pirate he had heard his father speak of in the past, Magnus Blade, the most ruthless man the galaxy ever saw, armed with a laser.
This was the man that had kidnaped an entire team, the galactik kids, Thank lord they were not injured, and two snow kids. And his former employee, the most brilliant scientist Technoid ever had. Sonny had noticed them, and used his flux to form a barrier to keep them at a distance while this fight went on. Corso tried to find a way to breach it. He looked in horror as Sonny and Magnus got into a fight with fluxes. as Magnus tossed his laser aside. If Sonny wanted a flux fight, he was going to get it...
The screens from inside the stadium allowed for onlookers to see the fight between Magnus Blade and Sonny Blackbones inside the stadium. Not a fight with weapons, a fight with energy. And not long after, the snow kids could hear groups of people start chanting Sonnys name. It brought tears to D'Joks eyes. There was many in the galaxy that sided with his father , this had to count for something in the aftermath of the final, he just hoped he would not see Sonny led away in handcuffs, he had seen that happen once and he was not about to let that happen to his father ever again. And from the sound of it, it would be hard for Technoid to arrest him now, cause there was not all that believed him guilty. Some actually took his side. The snow kids locked hands and started to chant for Sonny too...
Sonny lay on the pitch, trying to catch his breath after the several hours long fight with Magnus. He felt drained, like all energy had left his body. If Technoid was to arrest him, this was a time he had no strenght to stand up to them. This was definately the hardest fight he had ever fought. Not for himself, for the galaxy, for his friends, his family. Finally, Magnus was apprehended by Duke Maddox droids and led away. Corso reached Sonny, and carefully put his hands on his shoulders to help him up.
"Did he hurt you?" Corso asked, placing a hand carefully on Sonnys chest.
Sonny shook his head.
"No Corso, I am just a bit drained. I am fine. But I appreciate you asking." Sonny said as Duke Maddox approached them.
He looked at Sonny whom slowly got up with Corsos help.
Sonny looked at Duke Maddox.
"Well Duke, here we are. Do you believe what I have told you about Magnus Blade,or are you going to arrest me now?" he asked.
Duke Maddox looked at him.
"Tonight, you and your team are the galactik football champions Sonny. You may have saved the galaxy from a fate worse than anything we can imagine. With all the cameras, it would be very bad publicity for Technoid to make an arrest of the pirates, you in particular, as the one that scored the winning goal. Tonight, I will grant you a 48 hour window of immunity, so you can celebrate the victory. In 49 hours, we start again. Consider it an act of gratitude on my part. And congratulations on your win Sonny. It was well played and well deserved." Duke Maddox said as he snapped his fingers and had the droids lead Magnus Blade away from the stadium.
Sonny looked at Corso.
"48 hours of freedom Corso, not much, but still. Any thoughts on how you would like to spend this gift?" Sonny asked Corso with a smile.
Corso grinned.
"I know a team of new champions, but I also know a great team of three times champions that could certainly teach us a whole lot about what the next four years will bring Sonny. And I promise, there is a few bonuses in here for you too" he said.
Sonny smiled and took the water bottle Corso offered him, and emptied it. Before they left the stadium, Sonny put the bottle in the trash can.
"I always wanted to feel how this was like, to walk of a pitch, without risk of getting captured." he said.
Corso smiled.
"Lets hurry. The snow kids wanted to throw the pirates a victory party,and we only got 48 hours,lets make the most of it"...
At The snow kids hotel, the mood was very festive. And for this party, Callie Mystic had not been allowed to participate. There was pirates present,and they wanted to keep their privacy and the party low key. It would take more than 48 hours for them to relax enough to let the press spend time with them.
Tia and Mei had worked with Jado, to make the food ready. The boys had found some entertainment. But after all the football, the pirates excused themselves with being very exhausted. The party calmed down to a party of video games. D'Jok looked at his father whom had made sure to hydrate a lot during the party. Corso never was far from his side. Now, a sly grin formed on D'Joks face.
"You may have won on the pitch in a galactik football final dad, but I bet you cant do that on computergames" he taunted.
Corso could not hold back a laugh.
"I wouldnt go down that line Kid, Sonny happens to be one of our onboard pros. You defeat him, I will be impressed" Corso grinned.
Sonny chuckled.
"Bring it on D'Jok, lets see if you know how to use that joystick" he said.
After a long and hard few months, this was the one reward he really wanted. Time with his son, not having to look over his shoulder, just doing things that a father would. 24 hours wasnt much, but when you were a pirate, you vauled it. And for him, those 24 hours would be spent with his son, being a dad. No cup could ever compare to that. The galaxy was at peace once again, and now, he would enjoy his reward.
The End.
And there we are finished. I hope this has been to your liking. I was debating wheter I should be even more detailed, but I did not want to make the story too long winded. I will address the resonance issue in a soon to come story. Thanks for following me with this one, and please, now that its over, let me know what you think.