As he lay on his back staring at the roof of his bedroom Krillin thought about the call he had just gotten from Bulma. It turned out that he wasn't on the U/17s after all. It hadn't been a total shock that he wasn't selected; he had been injured in that game seven weeks ago and instead of being back in three weeks like predicted he still wasn't back on the field. He had just been to another test today and was finally allowed to start training again, he still wasn't allowed to play in a full game but in a week or so he should be.

Krillin got up and left the house, it was time to go to training and for the first time since playing soccer he didn't really want to. Krillin caught the bus to the field and walked into the locker room. "Hey Krillin how did it go" someone yelled out as he walked in. "Ok I'm allowed to start training again but I can't play in a game yet" Krillin said quietly. "Oh man we need you out there we're starting to suck" Rael said "Starting to?" Krillin asked grinning. He was hit from all directions with various items. Just then the coach walked in "Alright boys after our last defeat we need to win this next one to keep in the top three so settle down." Krillin walked over to a seat and sat down.

While the coach talked Krillin thought of the Sidekicks performance while he was injured. They had played surprisingly well, their defense was tight, as was their midfield, and the only thing lacking was a constant goal scorer, Rael hadn't done a bad job it was just that he didn't have enough experience to create opportunities for the ball to go into the back of the net. The sidekicks had played six games in the five weeks he was out they had won two, tied four and lost one. They had scored only three goals in these games but had only let two get past them. But amazingly they fell 2 places on the ladder.

"Krillin your Physio called and said you can start training again" the Coach looked at Krillin. "Also I was told by your manager." There the coach was interrupted by a lot of wolf whistles and laughter "tha.. Tha.THAT YOU WON'T BE ON THE U/17S" the coach shouted out trying to be heard over the noise. The room quieted instantly. Someone put their hand on Krillin's shoulder but Krillin didn't pay attention. "Guys leave the room and start doing laps around the field." The coach said. The guys left the room most of them patted Krillin on the shoulder or said a few words of encouragement.

After they all had left the coach spoke to Krillin "Krillin don't worry, you were looked over this year but next year you will definitely be called up to play with the U/21s and you'll be taken on by a first or second division team so your futures not bleak" Krillin just nodded. "Alright go out and start working on your dribbling skills and when Daron is finished doing laps you and him can work on your shooting. Krillin nodded and left the locker room.

At the end of the training session Krillin was tired, he had found that he was almost as good as he was before the injury and after a few more training sessions he would be back to normal.

Krillin had just finished getting changed when he heard some one walk up behind him "Hey Krillin what's up man" Krillin turned to see Rael standing behind him looking pretty nervous. "Hey Rael what's wrong?" Krillin asked Rael looked even more nervous. "Well umm I kinda didn't do so well in the last couple of games and I wanted to ask how ." Rael trailed off. Krillin thought for a second. It must be hard for Rael who was 22 to be asking a 16-year-old kid how to score goals. "Rael scoring isn't so much about skill as it is just thinking and outsmarting the defenders" Krillin tried to explain. Rael looked confused "What do you mean?" "Well you don't have to so much as try to score your self as open up the opponents defense and make an opportunity for someone on our team to score." Krillin explained "So you have to think ahead and make the right move or pass to get the ball inside the goal square." Krillin finished Rael's eyes widened, as he understood slightly better. "Look meet me down at Chestnut Park tomorrow and I'll explain better." Krillin said Rael nodded and left the locker room.

The next day as Krillin waited for Rael to arrive he watched the U/7s play soccer. He watched as a boy, smaller than all the rest of the kids skillfully stole the ball off a huge kid that stood at least a foot taller than the little kid. The kid ran forward down the center of the field, out running all of the kids chasing him. The kid reminded Krillin of when he first started to play soccer in the U/7s team, since Krillin was so small he was rarely put on the field but when he was put on, Krillin tried so hard that he impressed most of the adults watching. Not that Krillin was very good back then but he was fast almost no one could keep up with him. This made all of the kids his age angry and after a while some of the other kids stopped him when he had the ball by doing high tackles and sometimes even his own teammates done it to him.

BAM. The little kid was flattened by the huge kid, that kid didn't even try to tackle the little one he just leapt on him and pinned him down. Krillin winced as the big kid got up the little kid lay down and didn't even bother to get up.

Krillin jogged over to the kid and helped him up "Are you ok kid?" Krillin asked looking at him. The kid was only about three feet tall he had short black hair and looked like he was about to cry. "I'm ok I don't know why I keep playing all the other kids pick on me cause I'm small" the boy said. "Yeah that used to happen to me to," Krillin said "Really" the boy said looking surprised. "Yep they stopped after I proved how good I was at soccer if you keep playing maybe they'll leave you alone" Krillin suggested. "I.I. don't know they get kind of angry when I get a goal" the boy said doubtfully. "Hmm then instead of scoring goals next time you get the ball run up the field and pass the ball to teammate and then they can score a goal" "Why?" the boy looked at Krillin like he was an idiot. "When they see that you're passing the ball to them for them to shoot they'll stop thinking that your showing off and they'll be nicer to you" "Really?" the boy looked hopeful now. "That's how I did it and now I'm playing in fourth division" Krillin said grinning "Anyway what's your name kid?" Krillin asked "I'm Gohan Son," the boy said proudly. "Hey I'm Krillin" They both shook hands. "Alright Gohan get out there and play"

Gohan ran back to the game and Krillin looked up and noticed Rael standing there watching him. "What?" Krillin asked "Nothing" Rael said Krillin shrugged and walked over to him. "Krillin what was it like in the third division?" Rael asked Krillin shrugged "It's not so much different than the fourth division really it's just a longer season." "But was it harder to score goals?" Rael asked "It's always hard to score goals but it was slightly harder yeah, there aren't that many good goalkeepers in the third division Tien was easily the best Goalkeeper there and he's now in second division." "Was there more pressure?" "On me yeah but that was just the coach he was always giving me a hard time, did you hear about how he put me in goal?" "Yeah you did really well I heard." Rael said "I could have done worse I suppose." "So how come you can manage to get at least two goals per game while I can barely get one in a week?" "Well there are a few reasons one that you don't use the midfield as soon as you get the ball you go for goal another reason is you don't try to read your opponent and their defense I usually spend the night before a game going through the teams statistics and if there is any maybe footage as well." "So you really prepare for each game?" "Yeah"

Both Rael and Krillin look up to see that kid Gohan sprint passed what was supposed to be a defender, positions didn't really matter back in the U/7s Krillin remembered. Gohan ran almost all the way to the goal square before passing it to a girl who was on his team, the girl kicked the ball, which went, passed the keepers fumbling hands and sort of rolled into the goal. The girl squealed in delight, ran over to Gohan and kissed him on the cheek before running off down the field. Gohan went bright red then went even redder when he heard Krillin and Rael burst out laughing at the surprised look on his face. "See Gohan you're more popular already" Gohan ducked his head in embarrassment and ran up the field.

Krillin turned to Rael who was still laughing a poor Gohan's embarrassment. "Hey Rael I gotta go see you tomorrow" Krillin said. The Sidekicks next game was tomorrow and even though he wasn't able to play Krillin was still going to watch. Rael nodded and said thanks before leaving the park. Krillin was about to go too when he looked back and saw Gohan holding someone's hand and pointing at him with a smile on his face. That someone was a black haired young woman who couldn't have been more than 20 yet appeared to be Gohan's mum and boy did she look angry. Krillin decided to leave before she came over when a loud, very loud and very penetrating voice cut across the park.

"AND WHERE DO YOU THINK YOUR GOING MISTER" Krillin stopped and turned around. "WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE ANYWAY" it was that black haired woman damn she was loud. "Sorry do I know you?" Krillin asked politely. "NO BUT YOU MAY KNOW MY HUSBAND you made him look LIKE A FOOL LAST YEAR" "Sorry I don't know what you're talking about" Krillin looked confused. "WHHAAAATTT YOU DON'T REMEMBER MAKING MY HUSBAND LOOK USELESS INFRONT OF THE CROWD" "Sorry I don't even know who your husband is?" The woman looked lost for words. "AARGHH." "Hey Chi-Chi what's wrong" a familiar voice spoke from somewhere. "I'LL TELL YOU WHAT'S WRONG THIS IDIOT DOESN'T EVEN REMEMBER YOU HE'S AROGANT" Krillin looked around Chi-Chi and saw the guy from the Orange Star Reserves.

"Hey I know you your Krillin Chestnut right" Goku said. Krillin nodded. "I heard about your injury how's it going?" Goku asked "Not bad I can play in a week or two" Krillin said nervously looking at Chi- Chi who looked ready to explode. "That's bad" Krillin looked surprised at Goku's tone, he sounded genuinely sorry for him. "Yeah we dropped two places in the league," Krillin said looking for Goku's reaction. Goku's face looked sad before changing into a dopey smile "Never mind your team will catch up soon enough." Chi-Chi grabbed Gohan's hand and said to Goku "Come on Goku we have to go" Goku nodded and said goodbye to Krillin. Then Goku and Chi-Chi left leaving a confused Krillin behind. What a strange couple.

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In a brightly colored office a group of men sat around the table. They all wore suits the black suits of businessmen and they all looked incredibly angry. If you had of came in a minute ago you would have heard them arguing but they had stopped now but clearly the matter was still unresolved. "I'm telling you that Chestnut is the BEST option he's easily better than the other choices we made with the exception of Hercule, those two would make an ideal forward line up." One of the men in the suits said. "No he's good but not good enough he's recently been injured and with the complications that have arisen it's not 100% that he'll have recovered properly and be able to play at the same level of skill he showed before he was injured." A second man spoke. Then all the voices started speaking up. "Chestnut deserves a chance" "No he'll be a liability" "He should be given the chance" "It's too late to change anything the line up" The men suddenly started shouting. "HE SHOULD BE GIVEN THE CHANCE."

"NO IT'S TOO LATE." "HE'S NOT THAT GOOD" "WE DON'T NEED HIM WE'LL BE ABLE TO WIN EASY" "SILENCE" Every one went quiet. "Good it's too late now the decision has been made it's final there will be no more arguments Chestnut doesn't make the Squad, that's all, Good Day" with that the Chairman got up and left the room ignoring the protests of a few of his colleagues.

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#17 was sitting in the Clubroom listening as the Doc received a phone call. "Uh huh.yeah.Good.that's excellent goodbye" the Doc hung up the phone and turned to #17. #17 looked at him he looked pretty pleased with himself. "Good news?" he asked. "Great news, Chestnut wasn't accepted onto the U/17's" the Doc said smirking. "That's good news?" #17 was confused now. "Yes if he had of gotten onto that team we most likely would not have been able to afford to buy him next season." The Doc grinned more openly. #17 blinked an idea came into his head. "You organized this didn't you." It wasn't a question. "Yes quite ingenious really, stop Krillin from making the U/17's and then when he's crushed buy his contract next year and he'll be so grateful to be playing for us that he'll be cheaper" the Doc explained.

#18 chose that moment to walk in. "What's going on?" she asked. #17 explained. "Wow not bad but what if he doesn't accept?" #18 asked looking at her brother, #17 caught on. "What do you mean?" the Doc had stopped laughing now and was serious. "What if another team offers him a better price?" asked #17 "No one will want him that much because he didn't make the cut see" "What if he say's no for a different reason?" #18 tried now. "Why would he refuse where in the second division and likely to be in first next year" "That's my point he's kind of sensitive." "She means a pansy" #17 interrupted. #18 glared at her brother. "Well what if he doesn't think he's good enough, he turned down better teams than us last year remember, and it was because he didn't think he was good enough." #18 grinned and was about to say something else when #17 interrupted. "Yeah the U/17's were the only chance he had of making himself feel good too bad you stuffed that up" The Doc paled. "You two better leave" he said before turning back to the phone. As #17 and #18 left the room they could hear the Doc frantically calling someone.

In the hallway #18 turned to #17 "Thanks" was all she said. #17 grinned, "No problems it was fun making the Doc panic." "That last part was pure genius he'll be calling right now trying to put Krillin back on the U/17's right now" #18 said "Why do you care?" asked #17 "I.don't.it's just that." #17 interrupted #18 again. "You like him." "It's not that." #18 stopped as she realized #17 was walking off ignoring her completely. "Krillin you owe me one" #18 said to herself before she walked off following her brother.

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Krill in walked into the change room 15 minutes before the game started everyone was there listening to the Coach. "Alright boys we've dropped to 3rd on the ladder but there is still 16 games left so we can catch up but we need to win this one" The guys nodded. "All right go out there and warm up before the game." The guys left the room and the coach turned to Krillin. "Chestnut what do you think of their chances?" the coach asked. Krillin shrugged "It's hard to tell we won't lose but that doesn't mean that we'll win either it's most likely that we'll tie but if Rael can get the ball in the goal square and he's open he'll score and they won't stand a chance" The Coach nodded "That's what I thought too" Together the both walked out into the open and sat down in the team area. This was a home game and Sidekicks fans were out in force cheering them on.

This game was against the 4th ranked Lions; they were a quick team with a good offensive capability, which didn't really worry Krillin since he knew that the Sidekick's defense could easily handle anything thrown at them. Their midfield wasn't anything special but they had a good turn of speed. The thing that Krillin worried about most was the defensive capabilities of the Lions, but the Lions hadn't shown any particular defensive skill so far this year and he hoped that they wouldn't show any today.

The Referee's whistle blew starting the game. The game was quick the ball switched sides quickly and the control of game went to the Lions early. Their speed and agility was incredible and their offence handled the ball well, only some smart plays and some fast tackles stopped their offense from getting a clear shot. After forty minutes of pretty much solid defense the Sidekicks initiated their first attack run of the game. One of the Sidekicks midfielders, Tevon stole the ball from one of the Lions forwards and passed it to Rael who sprinted down the field leaving the Lions midfield and defense chasing after him, gaining ground slowly. When the first defender was almost level with Rael, he stopped turned on the spot mimicking one of the move Krillin did earlier that year, and passing the ball back to Tevon before sprinting towards the goal square. The Lions defense as one ran towards Tevon, the midfielders soon after. You had to give it to Tevon he just waited until the defense was a couple of meters away from him before as relaxed, as if he was in a county league, crossed the ball to Rael. Rael accepted the pass and kicked the ball at the goal. The ball raced into the top left hand corner of the goal before being punched away by the Lions Goalkeeper.

Shaking his head Rael jogged back down the field. Krillin shouted some encouragement to him. The rest of the half was pure defense for the sidekicks, not one opportunity was given for them to make another run at goal.

The team walked into the locker room the sidekicks fans went happy but they still cheered their team on. In the locker room the coach was talking to the guys. "All right boys we need to attack we can't win if all we do is defend." "But coach there to fast we can't keep up" One of the defenders complained. "Yes I know which is why our defensive strategy is changing from man-to-man to Zone. It was a smart move the Lions must have had the fastest team in the country, a Zone defense strategy would limit chances of passing and limit open shots the problem was if one guy stuffed up the whole Zone defensive system would stuff up. "All right boys." the coach leapt into a stirring speech. Krillin grinned the grinned the guys were getting pumped. "NOW GO OUT THERE AND WIN." The coach yelled out. The cheered and ran out onto the field.

"Welcome back ladies and gents we are about to get back into the game" "That's right the score is currently the Lions 0 and the Sidekicks 0" "Yes the Sidekicks seem to be hanging on by a limb the number of times the Lions have made a shot at goal has turned the Sidekicks into a. wait for it a Sideshow Hahaha" "Hahaha yes very funny only one attempt at goal by the Sidekicks and it was a close one only a lucky punch by the Lions Goalkeeper, Nerail stopped the ball from going in"

What trash Krillin thought before focusing his attention back onto the field. The whistle blew and the Lions offence went for a repeat of the last half. But the Sidekicks new defense plan left them stunned they didn't get within 5 meters of the goal square, they made no shots at goal but in spite of this they still managed to keep possession of the ball and this kept up for ten minutes until on the 56th minute Rael intercepting a bad pass from a tired midfielder. Rael ran straight down the field past all the surprised defenders. Rael was a meter inside the goal square before anyone got close to him. The first of Lions to get within a meter of him was a 20-year-old kid who was panicking he tried to do a sliding tackle but he stuffed it up he aimed too high and took Rael down. The whistle blew red card and a penalty kick to Rael.

Rael lined up the kick and took it. It was perfect the ball shot past the keeper and into the back of the net, Goal. The game was over and everyone knew it there was no way the tired Lions could get a goal and now that the Sidekicks had scored the game would most likely stay 1-0.

At the end of the game the Sidekicks fans cold be heard celebrating from the locker rooms. The Sidekicks were back in 2nd place on the ladder. The Sidekicks had surprised everyone when they had scored twice more after that penalty shot. The midfielder Tevon had scored the second goal of the game after a brilliant pass by Rael. Rael scored the third goal after he had made a great run up the field. So the score at the end of the game was 3-0

In the locker room the team sat and listened to the coach. "You all played a great game today, you withstood their offence and destroyed their defense but the season is not over yet we still have 16 games left in the season but we are in second place." In the background the phone rang and an aide went to answer it. Krillin was sitting next to Rael who looked rapt by what the coach was saying. The coach was about to continue when the aide returned. "Umm coach it's for Krillin." Krillin got up and went to the phone "Hello" "Krillin it's Bulma and I have great am I a genius?" "Bulma what's the great news?" sometime Bulma's ego irritated Krillin. "Am I a genius?" she repeated. "Yes you're a genius Bulma now tell me the news" Krillin sighed. "It didn't sound like you meant it" Bulma teased Krillin sighed and hung up the phone. He counted to ten and picked up the phone as it rang. "HOW DARE YOU HANG UP ON ME" Bulma screeched "Bulma just tell me the news please" Krillin said exasperated. "Fine I just negotiated a deal in which you can try out for the U/21's Krillin's mouth dropped open and he almost fell over. His future was looking up.