Star Making Performance
Yo thanks for coming back for a new chapter in Strikers Road Climb. We continue the story with game two of the Fire Cup Finals. Not really much to be said beside lets get into this.
If you don't remember I do not own Mario or Mario Strikers Charged all rights go to Nintendo and Next Level Games.
Two full days after their brutal, bone crushing, vicious game one. Game two was set to go on Wednesday night. The Lava Pit was the location of the contest once again meaning the same dangers to be needed to be avoided.
Normally teams were given a week to rest up and heal their bodies before throwing themselves back out there but the Fire Cup was different. Only two days breaks were allowed in between the pivotal matches. This meant all their time would be dedicated to recouping and not to practice or talking strategy because they ached too much.
The sidekicks and Kritter were already on the field. The seating was filled to max capacity to watch what certainly could be the last game in the best of three match up.
Bowser Jr needs to win tonight to push the series to a third game. Mario has a bit of a cushion, lose game two, it's not over for him and he could win game three to become the champion.
"Ugh! My whole body is numb." Henry complained, stretching his arms.
"You're right, two days isn't enough to fully rest" Kenny agreed, rubbing his neck. Henry without moving his head took a peek at Dean. Dean was silently waiting bobbing his skull up and down.
"How do you do it Dean? How can you not be spent?" Henry asked, baffled. Dean closed his eyes and sighed disappointedly.
"Henry, I'm dead."
Henry grimaced and facepalmed in shame. "How do I keep forgetting?" he questioned himself in disgrace. "Never mind but man do I wish I was impervious to pain." the sore Hammer Bro wished.
"If you think we're in bad shape look at them." Kenny pointed out notifying his friends to look at their competition. Henry and Dean looked over and saw the three yellow rival sidekicks. They were dog-tired just like them. It was basically like looking into a mirror.
Bowser Jr suddenly dropped in. He looked animated, plenty of energy from the young hyperactive prince. Prince Bowser growled, roaring trying to sound intimidating but to little accomplishment. His attempt at breathing fire also fell flat instead of fire, ash came out of his mouth.
Henry and Dean stood quiet. The both of them looked at each other then back to Bowser Jr. They held their tongue stifling their snickers but failed to do so. BJ did not appreciate being mocked, after all he was royalty.
"Stop laughing! I'm Prince Bowser and I command you to stop!" He shouted. Henry and Dean's sneering laughter continued, the two were leaning on each other for support. The laughter was too much they were running out of breath.
BJ's eye twitched. "I SAID STOP!"
Henry and Dean were visibly shaken. The loud screech caught them unprepared leaving a persistent ring deep in their ear.
"Ow ow ow, not again!" Henry said in a strain voice with his hands over his ears. Henry angrily frowned with his gritted teeth on display. "Do you have to cry every time you don't get your way!"
"Yes I do. I'm of royal blood, I'm above you commoners" The snobbish prince oozed with arrogance. The red Hammer Bro's brow wrinkled in anger before it hit him. His face changed one eighty degrees from angry frown to a sleek smirk.
"I don't know about that one prince, after all you and your pops can't even beat two lowly plumbers." Henry chuckled. Junior's face turned red at the sly remark. But before he could do anything rash one of those two plumbers finally arrived.
Mario was well, not a hundred percent but as close as you could be with such short time to rest. No words were exchanged between the man and boy both motioning their teams to get set into position.
Both Koopas went to their left field position. Both Hammer Bros held the opposite right. Dean and Monty Mole stay back for defense. Mario and BJ didn't move already in their forward position.
Both captains gave the ok signal, the whistle blew to begin game two of the Fire Cup Finals. Bowser Jr as the away side trying to even the series up versus Mario the home team aiming to finish the series today and take the Fire Cup home.
Mario touched the still ball first but Bowser Jr waited and pounced taking the ball right after with a short slide tackle. Dean dash in but was crushed by BJ's jumping shell smash. Bowser Jr was starting the game with his foot on the petal showing no intention to stop. The young prince passed the ball down to his Hammer Bro.
The yellow Hammer Bro soon got the ball but was immediately confronted. Henry, hammer already in hand, attacked the rival Hammer Bro with an overhead swing. BJ's hammer carrying minion grabbed his mallet and blocked the attempt.
Hammer Bro shoved Henry off balance before taking a sideway swing back. The hammer was only inches away from doing some damage missing Henry but knocked Henry's black beetle.
Henry watched as his prized belonging slid away leaving Mario's sharpshooter short handed. BJ's Hammer Bro snuck by Henry. The distracted hammer turtle focus soon adjusted and realized his mistake. He gave chase without bothering to recover his lost black headed hammer.
The jokesters' right fielder hobbled along the right side electric fence. Hammer Bro lobbed the ball over to the opposite sideline over to his Koopa teammate. The metal ball was moved perfectly in the air, the arch was just right helping the ball reach the Koopa in no time.
Junior's all round left fielder jumped connecting his foot with the steel ball kicking it towards Mario's goal. Kingston stood in place and caught the ball effortlessly. The steel sphere had no power stored making the shot slow and predictable. Kingston threw the not so charged ball back out allowing the game to continue.
Kenny received the ball but was closed off by Bowser Jr. Kenny stepped around getting past the young prince. Little Bowser wouldn't let that happen and reached out for the red Koopa's shell guard forcefully pulling Kenny down. The back of Kenny's head crashed on the firm rock round leaving a nagging pain he tried to fight clutching his head.
Prince Bowser admired his work showing no remorse looking down on the aching Koopa. Now with the ball BJ aimed to take an early lead. He kicked the ball up and stood waiting for the right time to go. Before he could launch, Dean knocked over the tiny captain stopping the Megastrike attempt. Junior rolled on his shell watching Mario's main defender run away with the ball.
Time ticked by with no clear advantage forming for either side. Bowser Jr's Jokesters were chippy seeking to beat down Mario and the rest of his team. The actions were not dirty because they always checked when one of the Fireballs had the ball never risking awarding them items
Mario's Fireballs played more patiently picking off the mistakes of Junior's aggressive play. After the Megastrike scare Mario caught onto the prince's more aggro change in behavior. Mario changed his plan on the fly telling his team to stay back neutralizing BJ's attack. The switch in tactics was effective but the home team' passive play hindered their offense, Until it came fast.
Monty clumsy lost the ball losing his balance tripping over his own foot. The ball rolled to Kingston who scooped up the metal sphere. Dean was the first person the goalie saw and threw the small ball out.
Dean didn't hold on to the ball for long, passing the metal sphere forward to Mario. Mario dribbled ahead pushing BJ's Koopa off him with a fierce stiff arm. The plumber kicked the ball for a through ball aimed for Henry to finish.
Henry went as quick as he could to reach the fast moving ball. Henry then heard lowly chuckling behind him. Bowser Jr was on Henry's tail gaining on him with every step. Henry panicked but continued running for the ball. While thinking of how he would get out of his predicament Henry saw his answer.
His hammer was still on the ground where it slid across. Henry quickened his pace to get to his beating mallet. He reached down and with a grip of iron he secured the handle. BJ had his hands on the back of Henry's shell trying to pull the same maneuver the prince did on Kenny.
Henry without thinking retaliated and swung back. The attack connected smashing the side of Junior's head. The force of the swing made Bowser Jr hit his head on the ground dazed. Problem solved Henry reached the ball and smacked it forwards easily getting the ball by BJ's Kritter scoring the opening goal.
Henry playfully kissed his hammer thanking her for a job well done before heading back to his team running by Bowser Junior who still laid out on the ground. Henry was congratulated for thinking quick on his feet. After the pats on the shell and Junior getting back on his legs the game went on with four minutes and twenty seven seconds on the timer Mario's Fireballs one BJ's Jokesters zip.
Not much happened directly after the second kickoff, the ball was constantly taken away at the last possible moment from each side when they were on a breakthrough. Items were scarce but used effectively when given.
Bowser Jr was chasing after Henry again who had the ball. The Koopa prince was determined to bash Henry at whatever cost. Henry ran to the left sideline trying to get the persistent prince off his scent but to no avail. BJ reached out to grab the running Hammer Bro but before anyone was ready they were hit.
A lavaball bounced onto the field landing on Henry and Junior. They flew high in the air and crash landed. Bowser Jr ran waving his arms around frantically, Henry on the other hand rolled back and forth on the ground.
The second lavaball landed on the fire stone pitch catching Dean in its fiery course. Two of Mario's sidekicks down left him in a three to two handicap. BJ's sidekicks used the number to great use passing the ball well keeping it away from Mario and Kenny.
Junior's Koopa Troopa had the ball dribbling deep into Mario's territory. He came down at a diagonal angle. Kingston set his feet, all his focus on the approaching Koopa. The balanced sidekick suddenly stopped his momentum and charged the ball. Kingston's eyes popped he expected a giant steel shell to form to knock him out. However the left fielder passed the ball down to the middle of the field.
Monty the heavy hitter was in the area and swiftly kicked the ball. Kingston dove, the ball grazed his fingertips but it wasn't enough as the ball still made in the top left corner. Just like that the game returned to being tied.
Bowser Jr, Henry and Dean's flames were quenched out leaving them burned. Helping them back up everyone lined back into position. Mario wiped the sweat of his brow with his hat before passing the ball up. One all was the score with three forty nine left to play.
Mario passed up to Kenny giving him the ball. Kenny with the assistance of some green shells got by BJ's Koopa Troopa. Kenny with no hesitation powered up and activated his skillshot sending his large steel koopa shell at the net. The skillshot reached its target leveling the defenseless Kritter.
The ball jumped out of the metal shell back in the air. Mario hurried to the steel ball wanting to finish the chance. A bomb landed by the plumber's feet flashing red ready to pop. Mario was unaware of his surroundings, his eyes on the flying ball.
The red captain stepped on the bob-omb causing the explosive to go off and Mario caught in the epicenter of the explosion was sent back falling on his back. Bowser Jr was able to kick the ball to the other half of the field allowing his unconscious crocodile goalkeeper to wake up.
The ball rolled over in the bottom left corner of the pitch. Kingston first made sure no one on Junior's was near before running out of his goal box to pick up the unmoving ball. He ran back to his goalkeeping post and punted the ball.
The ball flew back over to Bowser Jr's side. Dean was under where the ball was heading. He quickly jumped and slammed his head on the metal ball for an aerial attempt on goal. BJ's Kritter keeper had fully recovered from his stun stage and had no problem catching Mario's undead Koopa's header.
After throwing the ball out to no in particular a mad scramble proceeded. The eight on field players all participated in the chase for the rolling ball. Dean reached the ball first with him outrunning the rest of his team and opposition.
Prince Bowser threw bananas in retaliation at the defensive superstar. Dean jumped over the slippery peels whooshing by Bowser Jr. Dean gave the ball up to Kenny who crossed back into BJ's side. Kenny ran deeper through Junior's half getting near the goal.
Kenny heard a shout to his right. Henry was waving his arm like a madman calling for Kenny to give him the ball. Kenny obliged passing the ball down to his hammer whacking friend. Henry took charge, marching down the right sideline he often stood by. He jogged all alone completely free to do whatever he wanted.
Henry stopped and jumped, throwing tens of hammers. Every hammer went further and further raining down continuously. The mallets soon trapped BJ's yellow armored Kritter burying the bottom half of him. Fully sure the green goalie was subdued Henry hit the ball with his last remaining hammer sailing the ball over the croc's head.
That was the second goal by Henry, he was the hottest thing on the field. Funny considering they were playing on a field surrounded in lava. Henry ran with his hands in the air, he hopped on his shell and glided on the rock pitch rocking back and forth all the way back.
Henry came to a steady slow stop in front of Mario, Kenny and Dean. Henry tried to get on his feet but his shell weighed him down from getting up. He tried again but nothing changed. The third time he went all out flailing arms and legs, he got his heels on the ground but Henry fell back gently moving up and down.
"Um, a little help?" Henry nervously asked, lifting his hands up opening and closing them.
Mario and Dean shared a chuckle before pulling Henry up on his feet. Bowser Jr was in no laughing mood demanding the Fireballs to hurry up and line up. The crowd were sitting by the banks of the lava pool cheering loudly.
"BOW-SER JU-NIOR, BOW-SER JU-NIOR, BOW-SER JU-NIOR," they gleefully shouted, clapping in between the syllables.
Henry sported a confused look. "What's the deal? We're the home team and winning, why are they supporting Junior?"
Mario lingered on Henry's inquiry of the blizzard crowd. Why were they shouting Bowser Jr's name? It suddenly hit the plumber, his eyes opened with fear only made worse by the whistle.
"Watch out!" the plumber warned jumping out of the koopa prince field of view. Right after the game resumed Junior cleared his throat and let out a high pitch roar. Sonic sound waves formed heading away from Bowser Jr.
Mario avoided the screeching waves dodging out of the way. Dean however was caught in the middle of the squeaky roar closing his eyes shut and shielding himself with his arms. Hearing the screaming stopped Dean opened one eye, he felt normal then he turned to Kenny, he knew something was wrong.
Kenny towered over him, Dean viewed the Koopa from the perspective of a mini goomba. Everyone was giant compared to him even Prince Bowser looked like a giant kaiju. What happened?
Bowser Junior used his captain ability sonic roar. Prince Bowser screams incredibly loudly shrinking all players hit by the massive sound waves even his own sidekicks were vulnerable. The shrunken stature wasn't permanent and wore off but the time felt like an eternity to the diminished player.
Bowser Jr ran forward with the lane opened up by Mario stepping out of the way to stand clear of his sonic roar. BJ took a long shot trying for a quick goal. The ball would have clock Dean right on the skull but instead it freely reached Kingston. Kingston caught the ball with his chest pulling it in. The Fireball's Kritter tossed the ball out giving the metal sphere back out.
Down one goal once again Bowser Jr held no punches back. Along with his obeying henchmen they started illegally checking Mario and friends. This came at the cost of the Fireballs having a stockpile of items to punish them back with.
Not to say Mario and team play like angels. Seeing what the yellow armored side was doing the red four retaliated with their own rough housing. The violent response only increased BJ and his sidekicks' animosity.
Items were in full use now. Gargantuan red shells chased after retreating players. Bob-ombs fell from the skies creating holes in the ground. Bowser Jr's Hammer Bro took a rather bad spill slipping on a jumbo banana peel onto a spiked shell.
Bowser Jr led a large push. He was flanked by Monty Mole by his side. The koopa prince crushed Henry under his shell neutralizing the goal scoring machine. The youngster passed the ball over to the big boned groundhog. Monty had scored earlier in the game so BJ was hoping Monty could do it again.
Kingston deflected the steel ball with an overhead swipe. Dean went to get the moving ball but was touched by a freeze shell icing him to the core. The nearly maxed charged ball kept rolling until Mario took possession.
Mario felt his back being eyed and ran. He escaped to the right sideline changing his direction sprinting along the electric fence. Lavaballs were bouncing on the outside before clearing the electricity wall. The hot fireballs were heading for the bottom middle section of the right sideline, exactly where Mario was.
The plumber felt the heat sharply increase more than usual and looked back. There were both lavaballs heading towards his general location. The mustached man prepared for the fiery downfall using his arms to shield himself bracing for impact. The balls of fire hit and a great burst of lava launched in the air blinding the rest.
The red leader then opened one eye. He was untouched and wasn't set on fire as he expected. The lava landed just short leaving a sliver of ground unharmed, the ground Mario was standing on. A pool of the hot sludge surrounded the Italian man creating a buffer from anyone getting to him and him from leaving. A thought then sprung in the plumber's head.
Mario kicked the ball and flew right behind. During his Megastrike, Mario turned metal. Sun blazing his metallic skin, the metal man kicked the ball into six at Bowser Jr's goal. The yellow Kritter clapped his gloved hands loudly keeping his eyes on the incoming six ball Megastrike.
The first and second shots the green reptile crushed no trouble. The third ball narrowly got past him getting into the net. He recovered by destroying the next two shots making them spontaneously combust. Only one ball was left, he jumped to reach the ball. But from his perspective the ball tricked him and he overshot how high he needed to jump.
The metal ball slammed square in his chest, the ball' momentum did not get interrupted forcing it way by, spinning the goalie. BJ's goalkeeper fell face first after he stopped spinning. He weakly raised his hand but his arm fell limply, his dizziness didn't help him either.
Mario fell back down, four to one was the score after the red plumber netted two more goals. It was looking bleak for BJ, only a little more than half a minute and if the score didn't swing in the prince's favor he would lose his precious trophy.
Junior walked back to the middle of center circle of the field. He saw Mario and sidekicks all giddy, high fiving on the brink of toppling the royal koopa. Well the game still wasn't over in Bowser Jr's mind. Forty three seconds was enough time in his eyes to turn this game upside down.
BJ gave the ball to Koopa. BJ's all rounded sidekick dropped on the back of his shell, he spun around Kenny leaving him in his dust. He got up only for Dean to crack him into the electric fence.
Dean's time with the ball was cut short, a line of three bombs fell by his feet blew up knocking him back. Monty nicely took the ball, the gopher set and sent a powerful curve shot. Kingston dived, one of his hands was able to graze the glowing orange ball.
The ball rebounded to the right sideline. Mario darted taking the ball back. He tried running away via going down the electric fence. Mario never expected for BJ's Hammer Bro to slide tackle him from behind. Hammer Bro snuck behind Mario stealing the ball and turning back.
Prince Bowser's right fielder marched forward. Hammer Bro stopped his jogging and pulled a hammer off his shell. He jumped in the air throwing hammer galore. The hammer throws steadily started nearing Kingston.
Kingston acted fast, he jumped back eluding the tossed mallets. Hammer Bro with his last hammer still shot the ball never realizing he hadn't buried the goalkeeper. Kingston calmly swatted the attempt back not letting it get by. He smirked applauding himself on the smart play in his head.
Kenny took control of the ball. Bowser Jr fired three green shells aiming for Mario's left fielder. Kenny went in between the space of two of the shells squeezing through the gap. Kenny after dodging the green projectiles passed the steel ball down to Mario.
Mario got back on his feet and tried again running down the right side electric fence. This time the Fireball' captain broke away. He dribbled ahead reaching the bottom right corner of the playing arena. The red plumber thought about running head first at younger Bowser's goalie till something grabbed his attention.
"Mario! Over here!" Henry called, holding his hand up. Mario answered the call crossing the ball back to Henry.
Henry leaped up, the ball made its way to him. Strangely Henry opted to use his foot not hammer to shoot the ball at the ill protected goal. The ball was charged all the way pulsing a white glow. The metal sphere flew over the Kritter's shoulder, it went so quick the goalie could only watch as the ball sailed by.
Henry with that goal achieved a hat trick! Scoring three goals in one game, Henry showed he didn't want a game three to happen and taking matters into his own hands. The red Hammer Bro celebrated all the way back, a grin plastered on his face.
Five to one with ten seconds left in the game, it was already being written in the records books. Bowser Jr unwillingly kicked the ball off, ten seconds went by and it was over, Mario had just won the Fire Cup!
Six regular season games, one knockout round and two wins later, he had reached the top sustaining no losses. He obviously knew none of this would have been possible without the help from Kenny, Henry, Dean and Kingston all playing their part and deserving recognition.
Mario had his metal gloved hands on the top of his cap. He was catching his breath while looking up at the sky. He never saw his team surround him, the four each grabbed Mario and threw him up in the air. Mario was startled by his team and fell back down. His team caught him and tossed him up again repeating the action, they all laughed enjoying the well earned moment.
Mario and team were standing on a large podium while confetti fell from the sky. Red carpet was spread over the middle of the immense stage. The red five waved at the fans in attendance smiling the whole time. The crowd chanted Mario's name, the intensity never dropping. Bowser Jr was long gone leaving as soon as the game was over.
The Fireballs were first given medals, they were pure gold a worthy prize. Henry bowed down letting the person drape the medallion over his neck. Leaning back up Henry was stunned, there stood before him a gorgeous lady Koopa. She was wearing a light pink bow with matching boots and lipstick.
"Well you sure are pretty, I think the champ deserves a kiss what do you say" Henry said trying his best to sound charming.
The pretty Koopa giggled putting her hand over her mouth. She winked and Henry took it as a yes. Henry closed his eyes and puckered up, he leaned in craving to lock lips. The victorious Hammer Bro lost his balance and fell over. He looked around and the pink Koopa was gone.
Kingston laughed hysterically. "Mister hat trick got to make out with the floor instead of a pretty girl."
Henry got up, put on a disgruntled face and dusted himself off. Mario let out a big sigh and shook his head. His attention was soon got a hold of by a elderly voice.
"Congrats on your victory sonny." an old Toad congratulated the plumber walking up the steps of the stand carrying something.
"I think this belongs to you and your team of great competitors, well done Mario." the wise Toad said handing the red plumber the Fire Cup trophy.
Mario took the bronze cup, it was rather heavy but at the moment it felt weightless. Kenny, Henry, Dean and Kingston gathered around Mario viewing the award in awe. The four placed a hand on the copper cup.
"Feels pretty good doesn't it?" Kenny said directed to Henry and Dean, the newcomers. Henry and Dean solely nodded, paralyzed with joy.
Mario wore a toothy grin, he held up the Fire Cup. The fans cheered and Mario smiled knowing this was only the beginning of something special.
Author's Notes
Hey, sorry for the long update. School piled up and a lot of my time was focus on that so I had little to no free time but I was able to type up another hopefully enjoyable read. I can't promise the next chapter will come soon, maybe the wait will be even longer but I would rush out an incomplete and effortless because I feel like I'll be cheating you guys.
Next time on Strikers Road Climb it'll be a more chill chapter with Mario and team seating around and talking about their journey so far. With that all side I'll see you next time, peace.