A FOOTBALL HERO

By: Matt Taylor

Disclaimer: I don't own these characters, so please, don't pay me for this.

Rating: G

Characters: Monta.

Notes: This is my first attempt at Eyeshield 21 fiction. It's just a short fic, but I hope you enjoy it.

Description: Everybody is someone's hero.

"21! 21! 21!"

The chant was deafening.

"Yes everybody for the second year in a row, the Deimon Devilbats are Christmas Bowl champions! Once again final score Deimon Devilbats: 36, Seibu Wild Gunmen: 30." Came the announcers voice over a small radio one of the fans held.

Raimon Taro leapt in the air holding up his arm and pointing at the sky as he came down. Once again, it had come down to a simple touchdown in the final seconds. Sena Kobayakawa, a.k.a. Eyeshield 21, had scored a touchdown and broken a tie score that had been made in the previous minute by Seibu's running back Riku. Monta was, of course, overjoyed to win another Christmas bowl.

Still…

Listening to all the chanting for Sena made him feel a little wistful. He had scored twice in the game too. He knew it really shouldn't matter, he was just as important as any other player, and Sena was his best friend. But still…

Monta remembered the promise he had made two years ago, back when he had been forced into accepting the fact that his dreams of being a great baseball player like his idol, Masaru Honjo, would never happen. It was at that point that, with some help from Sena, and the Devilbat's quarterback Hiruma, he joined the football team, and soon found the sport he was destined for. He made a promise there that he would become a football hero.

A hero. Someone to look up to, and admire. Someone who inspired others. Looking around the stadium, it still seemed so far away. Sena was a hero, and Monta was happy for him, but Monta couldn't help but wonder when it would be his time to be a hero.

Monta shook his head to clear it off such thoughts. Why was he wondering about this, when all his teammates, administrative staff, and cheerleaders were partying in the back! Monta began to walk back towards the locker rooms when he saw him.

The boy was young, he couldn't be over ten years old, but he was standing right at the aisle watching him walk back. The boy watched him with bright eyes, and a large smile, and Monta felt himself remembering.

It was yet another victory in the Shuei Bears road to the championship game, and Monta had been saving up his allowance for months on end to get tickets for the game. In a stroke of incredible luck, he had gotten a seat right near the field. A dream come true. Monta had watched the entire game in stunned awe, as the Bears won almost effortlessly.

It was then, as they were walking back to the locker room when it happened. He saw his idol, Honjo, stop and talk with another player right near him.

"Hey, the laces in that glove look like they're through." The player said.

"Should I get another one?" Honjo asked. As he said it he looked up in the stands and saw a young man looking at him with awe. Honjo smiled to himself and flung the glove up at him. The boy caught it over his head, and looked overjoyed. Honjo smiled and walked back into the locker room.

Monta looked down for a moment, and as he did so, the team's manager walked past him with a basket of footballs. Monta grinned and quickly took one from the basket. With a quick movement, he flung the ball upwards, and the young boy caught it over his head. The young boy's face lit up.

The team manager looked at Monta quizzically, but Monta only grinned. He was grinning non-stop through the entire after game celebration.

THE END.