Disclaimer: Fire Emblem - The Sacred Stones is a belonging to his respective corporation and creator: Nintendo and Intelligent Systems. The following characters belong to the author.
Adrion: A recruit from Renais in training to become just like Seth.
Adam: A journeyman from Frelia in training to become Frelia's first hero.
Nicole: A young maiden from Rausten. The uptight best friend of L'Arachel.
Guy and Lark: A duo of cheery and uptight announcers. Guy is a paladin and Lark is a Valkyrie.
Ephraim and Eirika – The Sacred Twin Life
—The One with the Sacred Stone Cup—
-Taizel Arena-
Dozla flew toward a soccer ball in an attempt to prevent it from entering the goal, but failed. The soccer ball flew past him at great speed and ripped through the goal net.
"Goal!" Duessel yelled victory as he was running on the field and pumping his fists in the air. A huge roar of cheer from the crowd followed. Number of Grado's soldiers, including Selena, Glen, Cormag, Lyon, and Vigarde leapt to give him a firm hug. Vigarde pointed the finger towards his soccer rival, Pontifex Mansel, "Beat that, Mansel!" he yelled, "Nobody. I say nobody beats the Grado Empire at Sacred Soccer."
Mansel lay on the grass, exhausted and bruised, "I beg to differ." He said.
Vigarde approached Mansel and helped him on his feet. Yet he couldn't help but gloat some more, "Really? Well, on your words, let's see if you can beat 3-0 in…" he glanced at his wrist sundial then at the sun's position before turning to face Mansel, "…a minute and thirty seconds prior to four o'clock."
OOHs emerged from the crowd.
"Deal!" Mansel exclaimed.
The timing passed and the match resumed. Cormag took the soccer ball away from L'Arachel, who desperately tried to cast a spell on the Wyvern rider following the take. Cormag flew with the soccer ball. Chasing the Wyvern rider were a stampede of troubadour and Nicole in front. Nicole threw her staff at Cormag, but Cormag dodged. Cormag passed the ball to Glen who passed it to Selena, who cast Thunder at a swift Rennac, who was close to taking the soccer ball from her. Selena passed the ball to Lyon who now is facing Dozla, the goalie.
"Oh, oh! You're not going to score this time." Dozla exclaimed, sweats pouring down his forehead.
"We'll see." Lyon smiled. His eyes looked up and went wide all of the sudden. "Look! Up there!" he pointed up, "It's a man on the sun!"
Dozla looked up, "WHERE?"
Lyon shot the ball to the goal. Despite the shot, he tripped thanks to his robe. Dozla felt shocked of the trick he fell onto.
"GOAL!" The Grado team yelled in victory once more and so does the crowd. Mansel bit his lips.
"This is an unbelievable match-up! Team Grado scored against Team Rausten in a matter of second, as promised by Vigarde himself!"An announcer, a man about his early 30s with dark hair and blue eyes, booms. He was dressed up casually in a white jacket over his opened colon black T-shirt and casual pants and shoes to match. Next to him was a blonde woman about her early 30s too, with red radiant lipstick applied to her lips and slanted blue eyes. She was dressed in a snow-white casual business wear with high heels to match. They looked like unbelievable duo.
The disappointed L'Arachel, Rennac, and Nicole approached Dozla, "I can't believe you fell for something stupid. Since when does a man walk on the sun?" Rennac scolded.
"It's a possibility!" Dozla exclaimed, "Like that man on the moon thing? It came true."
"It's the sun! It's a burning ball of fire that could take you out even if you're not walking on it!" Nicole yelped.
"Yeah!" L'Arachel hissed, "And just in case it doesn't register into your little noggin', think of what happened to you with the opened furnace at wintertime."
"I THOUGHT I HELD A CROWBAR!" Dozla boomed.
A whistle blew outside the arena, "Time's up!" the yell of Fado followed the whistle. Fado was seen dressed up as a referee and the whistle was around his neck. Fado was with Hayden who was simply watching the match. Fado and Hayden both approached Mansel's team.
"Whoa, you guys suck." Hayden complimented, "If Vigarde's team beats you at Sacred Soccer, then it can beat you at anything."
The crowd responded to Hayden's remark with an "Oooh!"
"Is it just me, Guy, or did King Hayden just insulted Pontifex Mansel's team?" the female announcer asked the male announcer, Guy.
"I think he insulted everyone, Lark!" Guy said, "This is getting juicy!"
"Ah-ah. Gloat all you want, you two." Mansel told Vigarde, "One day, he's going to be challenging your team."
"Okay fine. Let's do it." Hayden said, "My kingdom versus Grado."
"Err…Hayden, are you sure about this?" Fado said.
"If he's sure, then he just signed his medical waiver." Vigarde's voice sounded from behind the kings and the crowd began cheering for Vigarde as the emperor approached the three rulers. Lyon followed and so do the Imperial Three and the rest of the Grado's soldiers, who were all Wyvern riders.
"My medical waiver, heh?" Hayden crossed his arms, "Aren't you going to sign yours."
"Only if I lose." Vigarde crossed his arms as well.
"And Emperor Vigarde never loses." Duessel pointed out.
Fado leaned toward Hayden, "Hayden." He said, "You do realize that it's your ego that bought Innes into this world, right?"
"Well, I'm glad it did." Hayden replied, "Because I'm going to put it to the test." He faced Fado and cracked his knuckles, "Fado. Team Frelia will battle Team Grado for ownership of their country, at the Port Kiris' Arena."
A huge gasp came from the crowd. Vigarde gave Hayden a confused look, "Are you serious?"
"Are you crazy?" Fado exclaimed, "Ownership of your own country?"
Hayden winked at Fado before facing Vigarde, "Why not just bring it, my brother?" he said.
The crowd went ooh once more in response to Hayden's provoke. Vigarde rubbed his nose haughtily, "Oh, it's been brought it all right…to your grave, my brother."
The crowd went ooh again.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we got ourselves another Sacred Soccer match at Port Kiris's Arena! Team Grado Vs. Team Frelia, for ownership of their country! Who will win? Who will lose?" Guy yells.
"I won't be betting on this one, that's for sure!" Lark yells, "But one thing I can say is that I'm excited!"
A humiliated Fado slapped his forehead.
-Castle Renais-
Eirika, Ephraim, and Fado were walking down the immense courtyard of Castle Renais and were spotting Renais recruits talking amongst themselves during their break for training.
"I've heard that Frelia is competing against Grado in Sacred Soccer." One of the recruits, a blond guy with green eyes, says.
"Really?" Another recruit, a young woman with blue hair and eyes, says, "Against Grado? Frelia is doomed."
"And I was born there," another recruit, a man with gray hair and brown eyes, mentioned.
"Father." Ephraim looked at Fado, "is it true or is King Hayden competing against Emperor Vigarde at Sacred Soccer?"
Fado looked at his children in shock, "How did you know that?"
Eirika narrowed her eyes and replied sarcastically, "It's all over the castle?"
Fado sighed, "All right, it's true."
"Father!" Ephraim said, "You were out there and you didn't stop it? You were supposed to stop it!"
"I did! I mean…I tried to, but you know Hayden. He's planted the seed of Innes and brought him to life." Fado said, "But one thing I can say is that he's not playing for keeps. Only for fun."
"If that's true, then I'm relieved." Eirika sighed.
"We're all are." Ephraim replied, "The last thing I would want to see is either Innes, or Tana surely, coming toward the castle and freaking out on us."
Ephraim spoke too soon. Tana was suddenly seen flying toward the courtyard on her Pegasus. She looked so frantic and agitated; she couldn't hold on to her Pegasus and was swirling around the sky. She landed on the ground, face first and hard.
"Tana!" Eirika rushed to aid her friend. Ephraim and Fado followed.
"Are you okay?" Eirika asked Tana.
"OKAY!" Tana grabbed Eirika by the colon and began to shake her silly, "THIS IS NOT OKAY! THIS IS PRACTICALLY THE FIRST OF THE WORST DAYS OF MY LIFE!"
"What? What happened?" Ephraim asked.
"Father gambled!" Tana screamed.
The twins cocked their heads on one side in confusion, "Gambled?"
"On our kingdom! On Sacred Soccer!" Tana screamed, "AGAINST GRADO!"
Ephraim and Eirika's face ashen in horror. Tana continued, "We're officially homeless! Because of his recklessness!"
"Wait a minute. He played Sacred Soccer against Vigarde's team for ownership of the kingdom, and lost the match?" Ephraim gasped.
"He played it for keeps?" Eirika gasped. Tana nodded, tears were still streaming from her eyes. The twins looked at each other, suspiciously. They turned around to see Fado tiptoeing away.
"Where do you think you're going, Father Liar?" Eirika yelled to Fado. Fado froze.
"Yeah! You got some explaining to do, y'know?" Ephraim says.
"Wait a minute. King Fado, you knew about this?" Tana exclaims.
Fado turned around to face three angry teenagers. He shook his head and hands in disbelief, "I didn't! I swear! Even if I did, I would have used all of my power to stop him! I would have called him crazy more than once and maybe I would have played it for keeps of this place!"
Fado put his hands on his mouth, realizing what he just spilled out. The twins looked like they were about to scream a piercing shriek at any second. They approached Fado slowly.
"What…did…you…just…said?" Ephraim asked calmly, his eyes were red and pumping veins.
"…I didn't do it?" Fado faked a smile.
At the same moment, Hayden and Innes entered the courtyard. Innes was pulling Hayden's ear and dragged him toward the angry heirs.
"You'll not believe what my father just did!" Innes says.
"He did something illegal?" Ephraim asked.
"Yeah. How did you know that?" Innes let go off Hayden. Hayden dropped on the ground.
"Tana told us." Eirika responded.
"How could you Father?" Tana screamed at Hayden.
"Hey, don't blame me. Blame Innes." Hayden accused.
Innes looked tensely furious, "Me? What did I have to do with your mistake?"
"Your cockiness!" Hayden replied, "You are so good at using yours, I thought I will put mine to good use!"
"Use?" Innes's eye twitched, "Father, you don't use your cockiness. You test it! And who gave you the idea of you becoming cocky in the first place?"
Hayden looked at Fado and breathed angrily at him, "Fado."
"Great. Now everyone's blaming me." Fado complained.
"We have to get our castle back!" Tana proposed, then faced the twins, "You are going to help me, are you not?"
"What?" Eirika and Ephraim exclaimed, "Help you? Are you crazy?"
"I would have said the same thing too, but I'm with Tana on this one." Innes said, "Father started this and your father helped in the long run."
"I DIDN'T HELP!" Fado exclaimed.
"Oh really?" Innes crossed his arms, "Then what did you do?"
Fado hanged his head in shame, "I helped."
-Grado Empire-
Two soldiers went to open the Empire's front gates and, standing right in front was Fado, looking serious. The twins were behind him, also looking serious. Another soldier greeted them up front, "King Fado of Renais. It's good to see you. What brings you he—"
"Where's your Emperor?" Fado interrupted.
The soldier blinked, "Err…he's busy at this mo—"
The soldier didn't finish, and Fado and the twins marched inside the grand hall toward the throne chamber, uninvited. Following them were Seth, Adrion, Adam, Orson, Monica, and the Frelian Hayden, Tana, Innes, Gilliam, Vanessa, Syrene, and Moulder. The gang marched as if they were protesting.
Vigarde and Lyon were at the throne room, talking to each other. Lyon pointed and Vigarde turned around to see the commotion. He didn't look surprised, but rather content. He faced the gang and crossed his arms, "Well, well, well. I see you brought help, Hayden."
"I only did it because I need a stronger team." Hayden replied.
"Oh so you agree that you're a loser?" Vigarde asked.
"Hey!" Tana yelled, "Don't call my father loser!"
"Yeah!" Innes agreed, "He only lost because of his stupidity!"
"Really?" Lyon blinked, "And I thought it was because of King Fado who encouraged his cockiness."
"It wasn't my—I mean, I—didn't…oh bother." Fado sighed in defeat.
"Bear in mind, Vigarde, that Frelia and Renais is joining one force to crush you at Sacred Soccer." Ephraim said.
"One mind!" Eirika yelled.
"One unity!" Seth yelled.
"One force!" Adrion said.
"…are we supposed to say something here?" Adam asked, literally killing the fighting spirit.
"Yes, we were." Vanessa told him.
"Oh, awkward."
"Well, force or not, we're unbeatable no matter what." Vigarde said, "And as a matter of fact, we just updated our team with brand-new addition."
Vigarde snapped his fingers and coming in a march as well were the Rausten: Mansel, L'Arachel, Nicole, Dozla, and Rennac, in addition to Lyon and the Imperial Three, including Cormag.
Fado and Hayden were stunned to see the Pontifex's team at Vigarde's side, "Mansel?"
Mansel froze at the sight of Fado and Hayden. He leaned toward Vigarde, "You never told me we were to meet Fado and Hayden's team." He whispered.
"Apparently, it wasn't on the timetable of my knowledge." Vigarde whispered back.
"What are you doing here?" Fado addressed Mansel, "One day, you're bad-mouthing Vigarde's team and now this?"
Mansel shrugged nervously, "I only did it for the goodness of my heart."
"And we wanna win something! Because we were born to serve justice and order, right?" L'Arachel yelled and everyone in the team yelled in unison.
"So, you're turning your back on this team?" Ephraim asked, "Because Frelia lost their country to a power-hungry greedy one?"
"Thanks Ephraim. Way to insult our country." Lyon said.
--- --- ---
-Serafew Arena Entrance-
Ephraim, Eirika, Tana, Innes, and the kings gathered outside the Serafew Arena Entrance. They still looked upset about the fact that Mansel joined Vigarde's team for Sacred Soccer.
"I can't believe Pontifex Mansel would do that." Fado said.
"Well, look on the bright side, father. His team lost his soccer match fair and square, not fair and unfair." Eirika pointed out.
The unbelievable Guy and Lark approached the team. They were still dressed up in their white garments and following them was an army of paparazzi. The paparazzi began taking pictures as Guy and Lark began their interview.
"Well, well, well. If it isn't the fused team of Renlia! So what's up with you all?" Guy said.
Ephraim gave a confused look, "Renlia?"
"That Renais and Frelia blended together." Lark explained, "So, what do you think about Team Rausto? Isn't it full of hunkies?"
"What's wrong with you and the names you come up with?" Innes complained.
Guy whispered to Lark, "See? I told you these name blending was a bad idea."
"Okay, you decide." Lark said, fed up, "what do you want your team to be known as?"
"Fayden?" Tana smiled.
Everyone stared at Tana as if she was taking medications, "Oh, so now you're blending." Innes said.
Suddenly, a march was heard nearby. Everyone turned their attention to the source of the noise and they saw Vigarde and Mansel up front, with their team following: Lyon, Duessel, Selena, Glen, Nicole, L'Arachel, Dozla, and Rennac, marching toward the arena. Reaching their destination, the two monarchs stood in front of Fado and Hayden at attention. Mansel began, "Well, well, well. If it isn't the losing team."
Fado blew a raspberry three times: southwest, southeast, and the last one up north. Hayden pointed at Fado and replied, "What he said."
Vigarde took one step up front, "Mansel and I have been talking. Because you are so determined to get your kingdom back, Hayden, we've made our next sacred soccer melee interesting."
Mansel snapped his fingers and Lyon stepped forward. He stuck his left hand up front and used his right hand to wave mystifyingly above it. A small platinum trophy took shape. It was the shape of a curved vase with dragons wrapped around it, and on top stood a crystal similar to a Sacred Stone. Everyone's eyes lay dreamily on the trophy.
"Everyone. Behold. The Sacred Stone Cup." Vigarde introduced the trophy, "One team must win more than one goal in three minutes in order to win this match. The winner will win this holy trophy that will bestow upon it the best team to ever play Sacred Soccer in the continent of Magvel… in addition to winning back Frelia that is."
"Cool!" Ephraim breathed in awe. As he reached over to touch the trophy, Lyon withdrew it from him. Vigarde went on, "However, the losing team will get nothing. And I mean nothing."
"So we must win this next soccer match to win back Frelia!" Eirika exclaimed.
"Yeah!" Tana agreed, "And there's no way in heck that we're going to lose, because our team, Team Fayden will beat you to the punch!"
The team responded in cheer that resembled screams. Everyone from both sides clasped each other's hands. Vigarde and Fado shook hand, "You're on, Fado." Vigarde said.
"Oh, it's already on, Vigo." Fado replied.
-Serafew Arena-
"You know what Lark! I got to tell you: Hayden and Fado joining one team, and Vigarde and Mansel joining another, for possession of both the Kingdom of Frelia and the Sacred Stone Cup? Now this is the best day of my life!" Guy exclaimed in joy. Guy and Lark were at the announcer's post, their back facing the arena.
"Don't stress yourself, Guy." Lark said, "The match hasn't even started yet. As you can see the stadium is empty."
Guy glanced over his shoulder and did saw the entire arena empty. Guy looked bleak, "Well, at least it'll be in a few minutes." He glanced to Lark, "Hey Lark, can you bring up some people?"
"Honey, I'm a Valkyrie, not a magician." Lark responded. Suddenly, a fanfare was heard and a mob of supporters and fans filled in the seats in the arena. Some fans were carrying flags of their supportive countries: Renais, Frelia, Grado, and Rausten. Some fans even had their face painted. Some faces were painted for both Renais and Frelia. Some, for Grado and Rausten. Guy finally looked excited. Lark sighed, but couldn't help but smile, "Well, what do you know? Wishes do come true."
"Well then, let's get started now with the best day of my life, thank you very much." Guy said while glancing over to Lark, "Team Fayden against Team Mangarde for the ultimate Sacred Soccer match for the grand prize."
"The Sacred Stone Cup and Frelia's chance to win back their country from the empire." Lark added then turned to face Guy, "Guy, what kind of name is Mangarde?"
Guy blinked, "I don't know. What kind of name is Fayden?"
Team Fayden entered the arena. Fado and Hayden were up front, marching toward the center of the arena, followed by Eirika and Ephraim, Tana and Innes, Seth and Orson, Gilliam and Syrene, Vanessa and Moulder, Monica, and Adrion and Adam at the end.
Team Mangarde entered the arena next. Vigarde and Mansel were up front, marching from the opposite side of the arena to the center. They were followed by Lyon and L'Arachel, Nicole and Selena, Duessel and Dozla, Glen and Cormag, and finally Rennac at the end.
"Why do we have to be on the back?" Adrion complained.
"Just shut up and keep walking." Adam told him.
L'Arachel stepped in the center of the arena and yelled, "Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls! Let's get ready to rumble!"
The soccer ball was thrown in the air and the match began. Cormag was the first to take the ball and flew away with it.
"And here starts the match, with Cormag flying away with the ball!" Guy commented, "Now that's going to take some time to tackle it from him."
Suddenly, Vigarde took a whistle from a nearby referee and blew on it, stopping the match.
"What the—what is Emperor Vigarde's doing?" Lark asked.
"Team Mangarde! Huddle up!" he called and his team players formed a huddle. Vigarde looked angrily at his teammates, "Just one question. Why do they have fifteen players and we got only eleven?"
"It's not about numbers, father," Lyon reassured, "it's about the force this team has. We're all in this toget—"
"I want fifteen players and I want fifteen players NOW!" Vigarde harshly yelled, startling the teammates.
"Allright!" Lyon replied angrily, "If that's what you want…"
"We could get some addition from Jehanna besides our country and yours." Mansel proposed.
"Sweet!" L'Arachel exclaimed, "And while we're at it, I need to speak to Josh about that money he owns me in gambling."
"You gambled?" Mansel gasped. L'Arachel hesitated, "Uncle! Are you accusing me of a crime I didn't commit?"
Mansel narrowed his eyes. L'Arachel turned to face Rennac and pointed, "It was Rennac who gambled on my money!"
Rennac's jaws were about to drop, "What? I… Princess L'Arachel!"
Four more soccer players marched proudly toward the arena: Natasha, Amelia, Marisa, and Joshua. The girls walked up front and Joshua followed behind. Joshua kept staring at the girls, "Oh my sweet, sweet Lady Luck! Somebody must be living the luck. Girls, glorious girls everywhere…"
The girls turned around to face Joshua strangely, "Would you stop staring, freak?" Amelia said.
"Yeah, don't you have anything else to do?" Marisa exclaimed.
"I sure do." Joshua proudly smiled, "I'm joining the sacred soccer."
Ephraim and Eirika watched the newest addition in horror, "What are they doing? They added Joshua to the team! They're going to crush us up there!" Eirika exclaimed.
"Don't worry Eirika." Ephraim replied, "If this is how they're going to play the game, it's on."
The whistle blew and the match finally began.
"Now, let's get this match-up started, ladies and gentlemen. This is a two minutes limit Sacred Soccer match." Guy commented, "As you should all know, Sacred Soccer is a soccer game unlike any other. There are no rules, no regulations, except for that red-and-yellow cards rule on unfair behavior, every man for himself."
"And every woman for herself." Lark added then pumped her fist in the air, "Girl power!"
Fado jumped on Vigarde who had the ball. In response, Hayden jumped on both Fado and Vigarde but ended up jumping on Mansel. The twins jumped on the four kings and L'Arachel joined in the brawl. L'Arachel twirled her staff and pointed. The ball, in reaction to L'Arachel's staff, flew way up in the air for a flying unit to catch the ball.
"I got it!" Dozla tried to catch the ball in the air but Tana, who flew past Dozla on her Pegasus, was the one to catch it. Tana pulled a stone from her pocket and nailed Dozla on the face. The crowd groaned in pain at this sight.
"Oh my gosh! That's gotta hurt! Is that legal?" Guy commented.
Dozla collapsed face first. Tana coyly giggled before taking off, "Oops. My bad!"
Tana headed forty-four yard from the center circle toward the opposite side. Glen, Duessel and Joshua ganged up on her. Duessel picked up his Hand Axe and flung it to Tana. Tana dodged it. Joshua leapt and attempted to give Tana a crescent slash, but Tana dodged that one too. Tana gloated. She turned around and saw Cormag coming at full force towards her.
"What a blow!" Lark commented, "Tana has fallen to Cormag's brutal lance thrust. Now that's gotta hurt."
By a lance thrust, Tana fell on the ground hard. Cormag flew away with the ball as he stared at the unconscious princess coldly.
"Who's laughing now, brat?" Cormag chuckled as he passed the ball to his brother Glen who was heading toward the opposite side. The crowd went wild as Seth, Syrene, Vanessa, Gilliam, and the twins began pursuing Glen.
"You're not getting away this time Glen!" Seth yelled and threw a lance to Glen. Glen dodged it, "Sorry sweeties, but I'm way up here." Syrene flew toward Glen, but Glen dodged it as well. Syrene, unable to stop her Pegasus crashed into the crowd. Vanessa missed Glen as well and followed Syrene to the crashing. Gilliam didn't even try to reach Glen. Well, he did tried, but collapsed due to exhaustion after five feet.
"Your turn!" Glen passed the ball to Cormag. Eirika and Ephraim pursued Cormag toward the penalty area near the goal. Guy and Lark eagerly stood up, "He's gonna goal!" Guy exclaimed.
"This is it!"
"Ah, ah! Catch me if you can now!" Cormag gloated.
"Not…without a fight!" Ephraim threw his Javelin toward Cormag. Cormag dodged it. The lance headed straight toward Adrion and Adam. The siblings dodged it. The lance flew towards Monica. Monica ducked. Following Ephraim's lance was Cormag's lance, planting on the soccer ball, flying to the goal net.
"GOAL! WE GOT A GOAL FROM TEAM MANGARDE!" Guy and Lark exclaimed. Cormag and Glen flew around the field while pumping their fists in the air. Everyone from the team ran toward the wyvern brothers to give them a hug. But except of hugging them, they were hugging their wyverns.
"Beat that, Frelian fool." Mansel gloated, "We just score!"
Hayden swept the sweat off his forehead, "You mean Vigarde's kingdom scored." He said, "You and your kingdom teammates are nothing but his pawn."
"You're just jealous." Mansel exclaimed, "We will beat you to the punch."
"We'll see." Fado objected.
The whistle blew once more and the match continued. It was fifteen seconds to a minute, so there was not much time left. Fado kicked the ball to Seth, who passed it to Syrene, who passed it to Innes. Innes crossed path with Nicole, Selena, and Natasha.
"You're dead meat now, Prince." Nicole gave a mischievous smile.
"Ladies." Selena gave the order and the three girls clasped their hands. Nicole and Natasha raised their staffs up to the sky and Selena raised her palm up to the sky, a bright red light glowed radiantly above it. Selena aimed and shot a fireball. Innes rolled out of the way and the fire landed near Orson, burning part of the cut grass. Orson's horse freaked out at the burnt grass and Orson accidentally let go off his shield, which flew up in the air.
"Our magic didn't work!" Natasha complained.
"That's because we're clerics!" Nicole retorted.
"And that's because you don't get it!" Selena explained.
Innes reached the penalty area toward the goal. Rennac was the goalie, "Heck no!"
"Heck yeah!" Innes raised his feet in the air and as he was about to shoot, Orson's shield crashed heavily on Innes's head. Innes collapsed. The crowd gasped again. Rennac ran to pick up the ball and with a swift force, threw the ball up in the air.
"What a match! Innes is out cold, Rennac saved his goal, and the soccer ball is magically floating in the air?" Guy commented as he witnessed the ball traveling gracefully in the air as if carried by the wind.
"That's definitely magic! Look!" Lark pointed to Guy the source of the ball floating: Natasha and Nicole's healing auras from their staves. Every teammate from Fayden's team desperately attempts to catch the ball but at every attempt, the ball went higher. Natasha and Nicole waved their staves as if orchestrating a musical orchestra and their auras obeyed their every movement.
"That's cheating!" Ephraim screamed, "They should get a red card!"
Eirika, Fado, Hayden, and Tana looked over to a referee who simply shrugged. The ball released from the auras and landed on Team Fayden's goal. A huge roar from Team Mangarde followed and they all hugged in victory.
"I can't believe we're going to lose this cup!" Tana whined. She landed her Pegasus on Innes's back and the Pegasus began to stomp on Innes. Tana yelled in fury, "And this is all of your fault Innes! You had to faint right when you were about to shoot a goal!"
"Hey!" Innes complained.
"Err…actually, it was my fault. My shield landed on him." Orson came clean. Everyone turned to face Orson. Eirika approached Orson angrily then pointed the finger at him, "You should be fired for that stupidity, you miserable—"
"Okay, huddle teammates." Fado ordered. Team Fayden formed a huddle.
"What should we do now Fado? We have to come up with a better strategy." Hayden said.
"Strategy or not. We have to give it our all. Cause we…are…going…to…bring…it!"
Team Fayden yelled in unison. "And the match restarts again." Lark commented.
Another minute has passed and Team Fayden were halfway toward their opponent's goal. Fado shot the ball to Hayden who shot the ball up to Tana. Tana flew with the ball and dropped it to Innes who nailed it bulls-eye to Rennac. The ball knocked Rennac out cold but went to the goal net anyway. Another match-up and Team Fayden was progressing. Tana and Innes's team-up and Tana and Syrene's way of playing the game became a quick disadvantage to Team Mangarde. Cormag and Glen failed twice to take the ball from Syrene or Tana because they were too fast. Lyon suddenly became the solution to the team's problem. Lyon shot out a dark ball, nailing on Tana. He got the ball and petrified Innes before he got the chance to get the ball. Lyon floated toward the goal net after petrifying everyone, including the monarchs and the twins and shot a goal. Lyon got another chance at getting the ball again but this time, he faced Moulder. Lyon prepared either his dark ball or his Stone attack, but Moulder froze his magic and knocked the soccer ball up in the air using his staff as a baseball bat. The ball knocked Rennac out cold and bounced toward Team Fayden again. Innes kicked the ball and scored. Seth galloped toward the opposite's goal while balancing his lance around and knocking everyone in his directions. Joshua stopped his track. He picked up his coin and flipped it in the air. The coin fell on the grass. Both Joshua and Seth glanced aimlessly over the coin. Joshua grabbed the ball from Seth, threw the ball up in the air, and delivered a diagonal crescent slash. The ball shot straight toward the opposite goal net. Hayden was galloping with the soccer ball toward the goal net, his bow aimed at every one in the way, mostly Glen and Cormag. His horse passed the ball to Fado. Fado stomped the ground and the ball ran through the grass and burned it, leaving behind burnt print. The ball reached both Ephraim and Eirika. The twins clasped each other's hands and together they raised their foot. They shot the ball up in the air and using their weapons, they together deliver a blow toward the goal net.
"Only thirty seconds left until we declare the winner of the Sacred Stone Cup." Guy exclaimed.
"And the official ownership of the Kingdom of Frelia." Lark added.
"Who will win?"
Fado, Vigarde, Hayden, and Mansel poured sweat down their forehead. "May the best winner win." Fado huffed.
"Right back at ya, slick." Mansel replied.
"Did you just call me slick?" Hayden asked Mansel.
"I was talking to him." Mansel pointed to Fado.
"Who are we talking to?" Vigarde asked.
"What are you talking about?" Fado asked.
"Talking about what?" Hayden asked.
"Huh?" Mansel asked.
"Huh?" Vigarde asked.
"Huh?" Fado asked.
"Huh?" Hayden asked.
Tana entered in the conversation, "err… are we going to talk or are we going to play?"
The kings smacked their palms and growled angrily, "Uh! Let's do this!" they yelled in unison and they went their separate ways.
The whistle blew again and everything went slow-mo. Mansel was about to pass the ball to Vigarde, but Fado tackled him. The ball slipped past Hayden and toward Seth, Tana, and Dozla's direction. Dozla caught the ball and ran to the goal. Tana began throwing stones at Dozla, but Dozla dodged every projectile. Tana threw one stone, Dozla picked up his axe and swung on the rock like a baseball bat, hitting Seth. Seth fell off his horse. The horse neighed angrily, pursued Dozla and knocked him on the back. The ball went to Duessel. Duessel passed the ball to L'Arachel, who passed it to Selena, who passed it to Nicole. As Innes was about to corner her, Nicole petrified him and shot the ball toward Joshua. Joshua came face to face with Vanessa and Syrene. Joshua stopped them to flip his coin again for chance. Vanessa and Syrene tackled Joshua and flew toward the goal with the ball. Glen and Cormag took action and dashed toward the Pegasus knights, colliding. The ball went to Lyon, who passed it to Natasha. Gilliam, Orson, and Moulder cornered Natasha. Natasha casted Sleep on them and continued on. Natasha shot the ball to the goal, but Monica jumped and blocked it. Adrion and Adam together shot the ball toward the opposite side. Amelia caught the ball midair and passed it to Marisa. Marisa dribbled Hayden and Fado and passed the ball to Lyon. Lyon faced Ephraim. Time sped to normal again.
"Oh, Lyon. Where do you think you're going?" Ephraim smiled.
"You're in my way, Ephraim." Lyon exclaimed.
"Make that Ephraim and Eirika." Eirika stepped toward and faced Lyon as well. Lyon smiled, "Well, looks like somebody wanna be petrified."
Lyon raised his hand up and a gloomy dark-blue light, enveloped in violet smoke twinkled above his palm. Lyon aimed his hand toward the twins. The twins looked at each other, clasped hands once more and separated in a cool fashion. Eirika jumped above Lyon, drew her sword, aimed at him and went for him. Lyon teleported out of the way but ended up getting tackled by Ephraim. Lyon released the magic from his palm, forming a dark ball. The dark ball went for Vigarde and froze him solid. Ephraim and Eirika ran together for the goal and everything went in slow-mo again. The twins dodged the offenders, Glen and Cormag, the defenders Joshua and Natasha, the star-players, Mansel, the petrified Vigarde, L'Arachel and Lyon, and went for the goal. Rennac shuddered at the sight of the twins. The twins raised their feet and shouted, "SACRED TWIN POWER!"
Their feet slammed on the ball and the ball zoomed at the speed of light, flames enveloped it and literally burned the goal net. Rennac stood transfixed. The crowd went wild. Eirika and Ephraim screamed with joy as they ran to the field to get embraced by their teammates.
"OHMYGOSH! I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS, LARK! I CANNOT BELIEVE THIS! CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?" Guy screamed.
"I CAN'T BELIEVE IT EITHER, GUY!" Lark screamed as well, "TEAM FAYDEN HAS CRUSHED TEAM MANGARDE! TEAM FAYDEN WON THE SACRED STONE CUP! THEY ARE NOW THE NEW SACRED SOCCER CHAMPIONS!"
The team of Renais and Frelia began to celebrate their victory. Innes carried Eirika and twirl her around while everyone were dancing and jumping. Tana flew toward Ephraim, ran to him and hugged him tightly, "OH MY GOSH EPHRAIM! WE WON! WOON! WE WON OUR COUNTRY BACK!"
"I KNOW!" Ephraim yelled. Tana laid a huge kiss on Ephraim's lips. The duo stopped kissing. Tana and Ephraim looked at each other in horror and turned away.
Hayden and Fado saluted each other as buddies and teammates as they approached Vigarde and Mansel. Hayden looked more ecstatic than the Frelian siblings, "Oh wow! We won our country back and the Sacred Stone Cup! And it's all thanks to you Fado!"
"Oh don't thank me, my friend." Fado smiled, "Thank our children. They forced us into it."
"True. That's true."
They stood in front of the frozen Vigarde and the limping Mansel.
"Sorry for tackling you back there Mansel. But I gotta tell you, that was fun." Fado patted on Mansel's back. Mansel yowled in pain. Fado recoiled. "Believe me, Fado, playing this game was not fun." Mansel complained, "Never in my life I will play Sacred Soccer or any kind of sports again."
Fado gasped, "Not even Crazy Hockey?"
"Or Heaven Blast?" Hayden asked.
"Or Magical Street Racin—"
"Not a thing!" Mansel began to limp away, but Fado stopped him, "Hey wait. We can't leave Vigarde behind." The monarchs glanced over the petrified emperor.
Mansel carelessly shrugged, "Let him be. He's gonna be fine, even if he breaks and shatters like a statue."
Back at the announcer's post,
"Ladies and gentlemen, that was the greatest match in the history of Sacred Soccer and I hope you've enjoyed this unforgettable moment." Guy said.
"Good night, everybody!" Lark said.
END OF CHAPTER
