Gridiron Glory

by Ylissean Phil

Football is back at Ylisse University, much to the joy of fans after the indefinite ban is lifted. Now, a ragtag team must be assembled while accommodating new rule changes. Will the Nagas restore the pride at the once-elite school, or bring shame, risking the entire athletic department? A Fire Emblem Awakening SI Modern AU story.

1. Prologue

Prologue

The rain started out light then increased as the winds picked up. Neither team was advancing the ball. That worked out in flavor of the home team in Plegia, who was up by four. The opposition's offense trudged through the mud with only 42 seconds remaining on their own 25-yard line. With everyone set on the ball, the ball was snapped. The Longfort General quarterback took three steps and flung the football twenty yards to an open receiver. Spinning around a defender, a secure tackle was made.

The clock continued to run. 34 seconds…33…32. The ball hit the ground after the next snap, stopping game time at 29 seconds reflecting on the college watchtower. The coaches barked in signals for the upcoming play. With everyone ready, the play began. A Plegian defender broke free of two blockers. With no hesitation, the quarterback shimmied twice, breaking the defender's ankles. Unfortunately for Longfort, another Plegian player got passed a block and breathed down the neck of the ball handler. Desperate not to get sacked, the man launched the ball high in the air. Several seconds passed before it bounced off the hands of a teammate.

The clock reset at 20 seconds while the umpire placed the ball down. After two more incompletions, the Generals were on their final play with the game clock in single digits. Wiping his hands on a towel, the quarterback readied for the snap. He got the ball and rolled right, looking for anyone deep. His arm cocked back and threw the ball as far as he could. The ball twisted through the downpour and gale. It would land just short of the goal line. Noticing the trajectory, a General receiver pushed off a Black Dragon defender and contorted his body to make a one-handed catch with his back to the endzone. When the ball made contact with the receiver's hand, All-American finalist Gangrel Burns made the play. The flaming haired man grabbed his jersey and pulled him back before Longfort could stretch out for the score. Corkscrewing his body, Gangrel threw the player down in the mud, securing the victory with the tackle. But the victory celebrations stalled for a moment.

The Longfort player landed on his head. Rain continued to tap on the helmets and pads. A sound of thunder rang in the far distance. The medical team of Longfort ran over. They dug a stretcher under the unresponsive athlete after removing his helmet and securing the neck with a brace. Smelling salts were waved around the nose first. No response. The head trainer checked a pulse. None. An oxygen pump was administered as the medical team scrambled to bring the severely injured player to any level of consciousness. The ambulance vehicle screamed as it made its way through the gate and on the field. Unfortunately, it would be for not.

Another roar of thunder echoed. Gangrel took off his helmet and threw it on the turf. The celebration on the Plegian sideline began. Adrenaline pumped through the veins as the middle linebacker made a punching motion in jubilee.

"This game is fucking over!"