Rivalry
Welcome back to my story and sorry for the long wait it took some time to write and I was writing another story at the same time so it delayed this chapter even more but hopefully you guys are still excited for this chapter of Strikers Road Climb
Like always I do not own Mario or Mario strikers charged all rights go to Nintendo and Next Level Games
A week had passed since Mario's week one thrashing ten to zero victory against Peach and morale was high among team Fireballs. Today they made their way to The Battle Dome to play Bowser. Like Mario, Bowser won his game too, winning five to two in an impressive victory over DK with Bowser scoring two goals. With both teams being undefeated a lot of buzz surrounded the game and considering the two men hated each other only adding to the already big game fell for the soccer match.
Because of the big game feel the strikers league decided to put the game on last for Sunday night. Earlier in the day Peach rebounded winning a competitive three to one game versus Donkey Kong bringing the princess back up to five hundred with a one in both the win and loss column and DK still winless for the season.
Mario and company made it to the stadium entering through one of the many gates thirty minutes before game time to get dressed and not be bombarded by over energetic fans and opposing team fans. Walking through the hallway Mario was impressive, the Strikers committee were not lying about improving and renovating the old stadiums. New bright signs were installed showing all four captains one by one, new food stands were built in for hungry fans who might want a bite to eat during the game. The employees who served the food waved at the team with Mario and his sidekicks waving back and Kingston just threw a nod. Once at their locker room Mario and team started getting their gear on they were carrying in their gym bags.
"Did you guys watch Bower's game last week?" Henry asked in the middle of dressing, putting his protective chestplate on. Everyone answered no all explaining their reason for why they didn't watch the game.
"From what I heard king Boswer has a deadly shot and brutal hitting abilities but he is rather slow and his passing is lackluster" Kenny informed his teammates while tying the laces of his cleats.
"Even though we-a know very little same plan as last time. Kenny and Henry midfield and Dean you-a stay back and play defense. Kingston I-a don't think i need to explain your job." Mario told his shelled sidekicks and brash kritter goalkeeper. The four nodded at the plan while getting the last parts of their battle armor ready making sure everything was on nice and tight.
A knock was then heard signaling the game was about to start. A toad opened the door and had an orange cap. Having a clipboard in one hand the toad told the red uniformed team it was game time and to start making their way to the soccer pitch. Hearing this Mario followed the toad telling his team he would see them soon while Kenny, Henry, Dean and Kingston went straight to the field like last time.
The Battle Dome sure got a makeover since last time. New high quality video boards were added replacing the older much smaller ones and more seats were added bring the total capacity from sixty eight thousand to seventy five thousand. The field stayed the same, still retaining its meat surface and unlike the Wastelands the field didn't have any outside interference so it was going to be a good old fashioned down and dirty soccer game.
Both teams beside the captains were on the field Mario's team were on the right half of the field as they were the away team. Bowser's team being the home team were on the left side and wore yellow alternative uniforms for the game instead of their normally used orange. Since red and orange were similar colors and could be mixed up the league decided to make team Bowser wear yellow getup to help not only the players but also the fans distinguish which team was which.
"Only one team is leaving here undefeated and that team is going to be us" Henry said in a boastful manner to the opposing team's sidekicks that consisted of a Monty Mole, Boo and Dry Bones.
"Yea right you chumps only won your game because it was against Peach today is going to be a rude wake up call for you fools". The Boo with a yellow helmet replied in a jeering tone sticking out his large tongue to the red sidekicks but in particular Henry. At the sight of the demeaning gesture Henry rolled up his nonexistent long sleeves walking over towards the paranormal being menacingly with a scowl on his face. Kenny and Dean grabbed the hot headed hammer bro by his shell stopping him from walking any closer to the arrogant Boo. Kenny told the hammer bro to calm down and let his play do the trash talking for him the words seemed to keep Henry under check walking back promising himself he would make the Boo start seeing stars if he landed a hit on the ghost.
"Yea you guys don't stand a chance you have a fat plumber as your captain" the Monty Mole said insulting the captain that the Fireballs sidekicks all respected and the yellow armored sidekicks laughing loudly. Now the red colored wearing sidekicks were mad even Kenny who was normally calm and well composed gritted his teeth and glared at the three. The Monty was about to throw out another barb at the red wearing mustachioed man before the man he was talking about came dropping in.
Mario landed seemingly out of nowhere and ran up to overconfident sidekicks then stopping when his right foot reached the midfield line with his hat covering his eyes he flick the brim of his hat exposing his now narrowed eyes depicting he didn't find the comments too entertaining.
"Hey funny guy I heard what you-a said and lets-a say I wasn't too amused now that I'm here why don't you say it to my face" Mario said in a sarcastic obviously irritated tone to the Monty Mole. The Monty Mole was now shaking in his cleats. He was petrified by the irate plumber.
"Not so tough now are we?" Henry added in the background taunting the Monty Mole laughing at the complete one eighty turn in demeanors the groundhog had experienced. Bowser's sidekicks all took a step back besides the Boo he slowly floated back all afraid of what the furious plumber was going to do to them.
"WAIT! Look you guys" the white ghost said to his yellow teammates pointing at the night sky. Monty and the Dry Bones lifted their heads up and saw someone they were glad to see.
"It's lord Boswer" the excited and relieved Monty Mole hollered.
Bowser was high in the sky dropping in with his arms spread out and landed safely on his feet. The koopa king let out a mighty roar playing off the crowd of over seventy thousand Koopa Kingdom minions and baddies who cheered their glorious ruler. Boswer wore a metal shell cover covering his shell with little holes letting his spikes still be visible to the crowd. He also wore two large wristbands on each arm with large spikes and to finish his attire he had steel claws on his hands each metal claw on his finger were about six inches in length and if Bowser decided to take a swipe at you with his sharp friends he would definitely make you bleed.
"HAHAHAHA well if it isn't my arch enemy Mario. Are you ready to lose?" the koopa king said in a cocky voice.
"I-a don't plan too you oversized turtle" the Italian blooded man shot back.
"WHAT! Alright pint size you asked for it" Bowser said while walking then leaned forwards and Mario did the same.
Both men were now facing face to face only about half a inch separated their faces both just silently glaring at each other. The crowd ate it up as dueling Bowser and Mario chants started being shouted but the Bowser chants were definitely more louder and some cameras started flashing grabbing the stare off. The only thing that broke their standoff was the announcer stating both teams to get in formation as the electric fence was switched on. Both captains looked back at each other one last time before walking back to their teams.
Mario and Bowser lined up to play striker leading their respective teams. Kenny went to his designated left field position but to his dismay that loud mouth Boo floated over to meet him. The Boo tried to get into the koopa's mind with his insulting remarks but Kenny kept his cool figuratively letting the Boo's crude words go into one ear and leave the other.
Henry walked over to his side only to be met by that cowardly Monty Mole. Sure Henry's ire was mainly towards the Boo but he still had a bone to pick with the smug rodent.
"You sure have no problem bad mouthing our captain but when he's around you instantly quiver in fear" Henry spewed out at the overweight mole. Henry loved the art trash talking but he hated people who insulted people behind their back and never to their face.
"He just caught me off guard. I would say everything I said to his face" the angry groundhog replied back in an attempt to defend himself.
"Alright do it then" the hammer bro challenged the big bodied gopher. The Monty Mole looked over to the Mushroom Kingdom hero and saw the icy cold face he had on still staring at Bowser and immediately back out of the dare coming up with a lame excuse that the game was about to start and there wasn't enough time. Henry let out an audible puff of air out his nose knowing the Monty Mole didn't have it in him to do it. Both Dry Bones hang out in the back and both team's kritter were at their post in front of goal.
"Alight ladies and gentlemen of the Koopa Kingdom let the fun begin and good luck to our glorious leader" the clear as day skewed announcer said before sounding of the horn to officially start the game.
Mario and Bowser made a beeline towards the ball that was placed perfectly in the middle of the field. Mario almost made it to the ball but then Bowser came in and smacked the italian plumber with a check so fierce you could sense the hatred in it. The crowd let out gasp then cheered loudly seeing the plumber fly through the air and made contact with the ground on the right side of his body then rolled twice before stopping now on the ground face first. Mario just got on his hands and knees, shook his head then got right up like the hit didn't even faze even through it certainly did and his team was awarded three red spiny shells as items.
During all that Kenny ran behind Bowser's back and was the first to touch the ball on either team dumping off the ball to Henry. Henry got the ball and crossed to Bowser's side of the field only to be sent into the electric fence by the Monty Mole lunging at him head first taking the ball in the process. Monty Mole waddled with the ball turning to his left trying to get back to the center of the field. Dean was quick to get the ball back using his great slide tackling skills and took the ball back. Dean ran to Bowser's half of the field running straight then turned to his right using the spiny shells to hit the opposing Dry Bones who was running his way. Now at the electric fence he turned left stopping in the top left corner of the Bowser's side of the field.
Dean charged the ball then chipped the ball to the center of the field to Mario. Mario who was standing in front of the goal closer to the net than the line that meant the middle of the field saw the orange glowing coming his way. He jumped in the air for a bicycle kick and kicked the ball changing the color of the ball from orange to yellow. The yellow armored kritter goalie stopped the shot calmly standing where he was lifting his hands up to make contact with the steel ball catching it in the air.
The kritter must have felt really good about himself stopping the decently powerful shot because he just threw the ball out carelessly. Monty Mole was who he had intended giving the ball to but Henry knocked him out of the way with a swing of his hammer sending the rodent into the right sideline electric fence just like he did with Henry awarding Bowser's team a giant blue shell. Henry with the same hammer no less smacked the ball sending it flying at great speeds at the unfocused goalkeeper. The kritter still not focusing didn't see the white steel ball until the last second hitting him right in his yellow chestplate sending him backwards and deflecting the ball to the left side of the pitch. Dean who was still on the left side of Bowser's half of the field ran to the ball and kicked it trying to get it past the goalie while he was on the ground. The kritter now back up on his feet and now paying attention stop the poor attempt on goal and this time took his time and threw the ball to his Dry Bones teammate.
After the back to back to back shots on his goal Bowser decided to get the ball out his territory and over to Mario's Bowser called for the ball. The yellow dressed Dry Bones heard the demand and passed the now uncharged ball over to the Koopa Kingdom ruler.
Bowser with the ball crossed to Mario's side almost unopposed. Henry tried his best to make it over to Bowser but Bowser hid under his shell knocking the hammer bro back. Now all alone Bowser took a quick shot right in front of goal trying to take an early lead but Kingston remained calm catching the ball with a beautiful driving save to the right. Kingston with the ball firmly in his right hand tossed the ball quickly to Henry who picked himself back up after making contact with Bowser's sharp and pointy spike shell.
This game definitely lived up to the hype as both teams seemingly tried their best to injure each other not giving an inch up to either team. Everyone engaged in the violent play even Kenny the normally level headed one dished out some his own hits even checking the king himself Bowser to stop him from being able to get the ball his Boo sidekick tried passing to him.
Mario was running with the ball avoiding three green shells thrown in desperation by Bowser getting out of the line of fire dribbling the ball to the left. That turned out to be a bad plan of action as he was frozen in place by a giant blue shell that the Monty Mole caught him off guard with. Monty then ran to the ball but at the last second he quickly turned and threw his full weight hitting Mario breaking him out of his icy prison with a check to the defenseless plumber. Henry saw the entire thing and to put it nicely he was fuming and ran as fast as he could to in his own words the spineless rodent. Henry grabbed one of his many hammers and with a swing full of rage smashed the hammer into the Monty Mole's side sending the mole flying with the crowd shocked by the sheer force of the attack gasping before going back to cheering loudly.
Satisfacted with avenging his captain Henry ran back to the idlel ball and from far away goal he got ready to take a shot on goal. The Hammer bro had all the time in the world as he sent the ball fully charged to goal with a right curve. The ball flew past the kritter tucking the ball in the top right corner of the goal. Henry scored the first goal of the competitive and brutal game celebrated by surfing on shell rocking back and forth gloating all the way back to Mario's half of the field.
"Nice goal but even better check" said Dean loving what the Monty Mole got for cheaply checking their captain.
"He was quite frankly asking for it by that point" Henry explained his reasoning for attacking the groundhog. "All I need to do now is get my hands on that Boo and I can leave this stadium happy" the Hammer bro added, still not over that slippery ghost stuck his tongue out at him.
"I already told you Henry. Let your play do the trash talking for you" Kenny said from behind the quick to anger Hammer bro's back reminding his longtime friend not wanting him to blow a fuse mid game.
"Stop being such a wet blanket Kenny besides I just scored a goal. Also i don't want to trash talk the boo... I want to hurt him" Henry said in an evil voice and started rubbing his hands thinking of all the ways he could enact his revenge. Kenny just rolled his eyes and noticed Mario wasn't around and started looking around trying to locate him. He then saw the plumber walking slowly back with a hand on one side of his rib cage. Henry and Dean stopped their talking when Kenny got their attention pointing out the seemingly injured plumber.
"You ok boss?" Henry asked running up to the visibly hurt Mario.
"Yea don't-a worry I'm-a fine just a few bruises" Mario said trying to reassure his team but they all knew he was lying as he hissed in pain applying more pressure to his ribs.
"You sure Mario? You don't seem ok" Dean called out while pointing at the left side of Mario where his metal hand was planted.
"I-a can handle some scratches so don't-a worry" Mario said once more dropping the subject and told his team to get ready and fall back back into position which they did. A little over a minute had passed with three minutes and fifty two seconds left on the clock.
"With that lame goal Mario's Fireballs take a one zero lead but not for long as our illustrious king will come back and annihilate that wretched plumber and his team of traitors" the stadium announcer said not even trying to hide the fact he was bias towards the koopa king spreading his propaganda. Nevertheless the horn was set off and back to mayhem.
Things started back right where they left off with Mario coming at great speeds getting Bowser back with a check of his own using his right side of his body making contact with Bowser's stomach sending the giant turtle in the air doing two side spins before landing on his now damaged stomach on the cold hard ground. The heavily weighted pro Bowser side booed at what they saw but it didn't faze Mario if anything he expected a more negative reaction. Not in any way affected by the sour crowd Mario ran back to get the ball and try to further increase his lead on Bowser.
Shots were pounded at Bowser's goal but the kritter goalie seemed focused never taking his eyes off the steel ball. Even if the shots didn't get through the brick wall of a goalie the kritter out of nowhere turned into items were awarded to the red team letting the items fly.
Bananas, shells and bombs were thrown all over the battlefield leaving no man or ghost unharmed. All players were hurt or injured in someway some had ice shards still hung on to them when they were frozen like Mario, some had burn marks on their faces or armor with black charred marks from being in the vicinity of a bomb radius and hurt legs after shells at high velocity smashed in their knees hitting bone making it hard to even walk but to the resolve of all the players they march on still playing at a hundred percent.
Boo had the ball in his possessionion after Dry Bones passed the ball off to him. He made his way down the left sideline avoiding Kenny's defensive attempts at stopping him by turning transparent at the last second making the red koopa whiff and the elusive ghost flew at even greater speeds getting a small speed boost from using his deke. Cutting from the sideline the Boo prepared to shoot at goal and tie the game up. The boo absorbed the metal ball charging for his skillshot. Now ready he disappeared from the field leaving no trace of him. Kingston was confused where did the small white ghost go? That question was quickly answered when the round ghost appeared from thin air revealing himself and the ball and released the ball from his month as the paranormal creature did a loop high in the air.
Kingston who kept calm the entire time saw the ball and knew he needed to act fast and in instinct he took a swipe at the approaching ball. The fast action of the red dressed kritter saved the ball deflected back out of his goal box. The Boo tried to retrieve the ball back but didn't see the equally speedy Dean who knocked him out of the way sending him face first into the electric fence. The unwarranted attack did come with a huge consequence. It awarded Bowser his special captain item. The crowd chanted Bowser's name loudly repeatedly waiting for their magnificent leader to use his dangerous and hot breath.
Their wish came true when Kenny had the ball Bowser set the unexpecting koopa on fire. Fire strom was the name of Bowser's special item setting one in his path on fire even his own sidekicks could be set on fire if the koopa king or they weren't careful. Kenny was set on fire. The heat was unbearable as Kenny let out a scream of pain while running around like a chicken with its head cut off and waving his arms frantically in an effort to blow away the fire. Bowser stole the ball and shot the ball charging to an orange hue shooting on the middle left side near the midfield line on Mario's half the field. Kingston dove to the right blocking the shot sending the ball to the right sideline near the middle of the field still on Mario's side of the field. Henry made it first to the ball trying to take the ball back to Bowser's side but was caught up by the koopa king and set on fire. Like Kenny, Henry ran and yelled out in pain letting a few words slip out that lets say were not the most kid friendly. In the confusion the swearing Hammer bro ran into the high voltage fence stopping his running and sailor mouth but not the pain.
Bowser laughed at the destruction he was causing with his fire breath. Surely the koopa and hammer bro wouldn't be as effective any more after being burned to a crisp. His own minions were playing willingly with Mario, his most hated adversary. What was wrong with them he thought? Bowser no longer cared if they wanted to suffer his wrath under that plumber so be it he thought.
Bowser then was hit from behind sending him into the high power electric fence sending volts all through his body. Dean was the one who checked Bowser and regained the ball and ran over to Bowser's half of the field running along the right sideline using a giant green shell flatten the opposing Monty Mole and Dry Bones from getting any closer to him. Dean ran all the way to the bottom left corner of the field. Bowser's kritter goalkeeper gave him a stare daring him to shoot. Dean considered accepting the challenge until he heard Mario called out his name waving for the ball. Dean charged the ball to a yellow hue then chipped the ball in the air coming in Mario's direction.
Mario was running in the middle of the Bowser's half of the field close to the goal and ran until he was a little outside of the yellow armored kritter's goalie box when he jumped in the air. Meeting the glowing yellow ball in the air the plumber kicked the ball aiming for the top right corner. Mario being so close and the steel ball being fully charged made it very difficult for the goalkeeper to stop the shot as the kritter was too slow at diving in an attempt to stop the shot and Mario scored.
Mario tipped his hat at the stands full of people with a devilish grin gaining him of majority boos but he didn't mind. Bowser on the other hand wasn't having a good time. He slowly trudged along, stopping letting out a sad roar of defeat with his arms in the air and looking up at the sky before letting his arms fall to his sides and his head drop down in shame.
Mario and Dean walked over together to their side of the field talking about the second goal the both were a part of making.
"Nice shot Mario, you couldn't have placed it any better" Dean said to Mario walking alongside him.
"Even better pass Dean without-a you it wouldn't have been-a possible" the portly plumber responded back thanking the dry bones and offered him a fist bump that the boney walking skeleton accepted.
Mario and Dean were now at the right half of the field where they found Kenny and Henry already standing there.
"You two ok?" Mario asked the two in a concerned tone look at the two of them who were unfortunate to be set on fire by Bowser.
"Don't worry Mario we're fine but this certainly is way more painful than previous strikers games. I almost would prefer if Bowser just came and crashed the place like the old days" Kenny said reminiscing on the times Bowser would crash the game in his giant form and cause chaos before jumping and leaving.
"Maybe the Boo was right. This game has been more competitive and painful than going against that spoiled blonde brat" Henry said referring to Princess Peach while holding his left arm that stung.
"Yea it's-a nice to finally be able to catch my-a breath" the exhausted plumber said in between breaths with his hands on his knees trying to catch his breath.
"Um just a suggestion Mario but since strikers is back maybe you could lay off the pasta a little bit" Kenny suggested
"WHAT! I'm-a plenty healthy" Mario exclaimed at the proposal not knowing why his red koopa sidekick would ask that.
"I'm just saying Mario it wouldn't hurt to lay off some of the food" Kenny said nonchalantly shrugging his shoulders. Kenny then yelled in Kingston's direction asking the kritter if he had seen the plump italian eat healthy.
"Everytime we were there you would always see two plates of pasta but never a salad" Kingston replied back laughing at his joke at the plumber's expense. Everyone was now laughing beside Mario of course who just stared at his kritter goalkeeper with narrowed eyes.
After laughing up a storm the red dressed sidekicks walk over to their position so play could resume once again. Bowser and his team were already ready and waited for Mario and company to hurry up and get back in position so they could get back to playing. Down two to zero with a little over a minute left, Bowser knew his chances were getting smaller and smaller with every second that passed. What had happened he thought. Against DK he scored two goals alone and now he was threatening of being shut out. Mario's team applied consistent offensive pressure with charged shots and smart items use to help then create space for a shot. Defensively it was mainly that red armored Dry Bones who caused problems he was fast and quick to react catching up to anyone on the field and all of them would play as aggressive and dirty as they would.
The stadium voice announcer didn't even bother to speak and just set off the horn with a minute and eighteen seconds left to play if a sudden death overtime didn't occur. Bowser ran forward with the ball for a little bit until passing it up to his Boo sidekick. Boo got the ball and floated down to the middle of the field before turning to his right to fly to Mario's side now directly facing the goal. Before he could make a move the trouble making ghost was hit hard by a hammer on his left side and squashed him in half. Henry was the culprit of the devastating hit to the white ghost accomplishing his goal of getting that Boo back for the insulting face he made to him at the beginning of the game.
Henry got the ball in his possession and passed the ball back to Dean who was still in back of Mario's territory. Dean ran with the metal ball using his elusive deke appearing in front of Bowser one second then disappearing and appearing behind the king of all koopas the next. Dean passed the ball to Kenny who stood in the top right corner all alone with space all around him. Kenny without second thought started charging for his steel koopa shell skillshot. The massive steel shell made its way to goal colliding with the poor kritter knocking him down and out. The ball ricocheted off the goalkeeper towards the top left corner. Mario was close to where the ball landed so he quickly made his way over there and kicked the ball scoring an easy goal and scored his second of the game.
Mario jumped up and down multiple times celebrating to the sour crowd. Many still booed him but some just stayed quiet in disbelief at what they were witnessing. Mario, the most hated man in the Koopa Kingdom was beating and shutting out their king in convincing fashion.
"Guess I-a don't need to go on a diet after all" Mario said triumphantly to his three shelled sidekicks feeling good after scoring another goal.
"Hm no I think Kenny is right Mario you could benefit shaving a few pounds" Dean replied back crushing the plumber's short experienced joy.
"Yeah if Dean was on Bowser's team he would had reached the ball before you" Kenny said adding to his suggestion
Mario didn't even bother trying to explain no matter how much he dieted and trained he would never reach Dean's speed and told the three to line up to start the game again.
Twenty two seconds were left to play for Bowser to somehow score three goals in that time. The horn was set off and Bowser passed the ball down to his Monty Mole who was quickly attacked by the aggressive Henry but managed to pass the ball back to the yellow wearing Dry Bones before he was struck by a heavy hammer swing. The Dry Bones ran to the left sideline running along the electric fence stopping at the top left corner of Mario's side of the field to charge the ball only to be tackled by Mario in the electric fence getting zapped by the high energy fence. With that last ditch attempt the clock hit zero meaning the game was over and Mario and his team were victorious against Bowser on the road.
Mario and company celebrated their win with Mario and Kenny running with their arms up, Henry and Dean hive fived showboating towards the crowd and Kingston still at his goal laughed at the stream of exiting Bowser fans leaving their seat making their way to the exits.
Back in their locker room Mario and his team expressed their joy of winning such a hard fought game everyone was happy with their and everyone else great form in the match.
"Bowser was no joke today he was out for your blood Mario" Kingston said among the good cheer and laughter of the rest.
"When is he not Kingston but we-a sure show him" Mario responded back with a smirk as he took off his shirt exposing his upper body to his crew. They all saw the large purplish bruise on Mario's right side torso. It look grotesque and they all wonder how the portly plumber could possibly keep playing with the hideous injury.
"You ok boss because that looks pretty serious" Henry said pointing at the bruise
"It hurt at first but don't-a worry its-a better now" Mario tried to explain placing a hand on the hurt area regretting the action hissing as pain spread through his body.
"I think you should put some ice on that Mario. It looks quite bad" Kenny advised not liking what he was seeing from the red plumber.
"I agree with Kenny Mario, maybe even see a doctor about it" Dean added in return.
"Ok I will, let-a just leave and maybe grab some food on our way" Mario said finally giving in to the pressure. The four agreed and packed their gear in their bags and made their way out the locker and left the stadium not before buying some grub for the road from one of the many food vendors. While on their way back to the Mushroom Kingdom in a bus they all were in good moods and ready for their next game which would be another difficult one as they would be playing the always hard hitting Donkey Kong or DK for short.
Author's Notes
And with that that we are through another chapter in this barely cracked story. Thank you once again for reading and I promise there won't be such a long break in between chapters next time.
Speaking of next time Mario faces DK for the first time this season. Will Mario and his team continue their winning ways or will DK get his first win against the portly plumber you'll find out next time on the next chapter of Strikers Road Climb.
As always see yea soon