Man's Best Friend
Yo how was it been for y'all since the last we saw each other? Don't mention it I've got some stuff to get of my chest but lets wait until the end.
All rights to to Nintendo!
There's an old saying we're all told, dog is man's best friend. Well tell that to Mario because he went overboard with the famous line.
Mario's game was up first giving him an early one o'clock time slot against a lifelong companion, Yoshi. The set ground was The Dump, still as muddy since the last time. Yoshi was the home side while Mario acted as the intruding visitor.
The forecast did not pick a corner. A heavy downpour drenched the stadium, stadium workers worked round the clock to dump the rainwater from the bleachers with buckets down onto the field making the outer mud more mushy.
The sidekicks and goalies stood around waiting for the captains. Both sides exchanged a brief hello before going back to kicking around the mud. Even Henry acted civil with the green team of a Koopa, Toad, and Birdo only because he knew Mario and the steed were close so he was on his best behavior not to upset anyone. They stood socks soaked making gushy sounds at the slightest of a move.
Mario landed splashing mud into the surrounding eyes of everyone. He was drenched in the precipitation, his hat couldn't protect his hair from getting wet. He did not showboat or try to intimidate the rideable reptile's soccer mates, he patently stood with an all too familiar smile.
Not too long after the orange back creature joined the nine. Unbelievably unlike Donkey Kong, Yoshi was actually wearing shorts! He wore green gear and armor with spects of white and navy blue with identical metal gloves Mario wore.
Yoshi's eyes landed on the ball. He raised one foot behind him sending an intimidating growl to the Fireballs, face undeterred.
Mario was unaffected by his longtime friend's scare tactics and commenced towards him. Within arm length distance the short plumber petted Yoshi. He soon moved his hand behind his eye scratching his neck.
The dino tried to resist but his green and white tail started waggling. The façade of seriousness melted away. The green friendly beast embraced the capped hero.
Yoshi was Mario's first real friend and ally only when he was just a newborn baby. He not only saved his but his brother's life from a plotting Kamek and young Bowser who he ran into plenty of times in the growing years.
Since then the two were inseparable knowing when the other was in danger. There are thousands of yoshis but Mario could also pick him out from a pack but one trait, his stomach. Yoshi could eat like no other. He could devour mountains of fruit and not gain any weight, an ability Mario envied somewhat.
"Nice to see you-a to Yosh." Mario hugged the trusty dino. The friendly omnivore couldn't speak any English besides his name he used as his every responses.
"You-a ready to play?"
Yoshi nodded contently and both went their separate ways. The Fireballs were all together finally discussing matters.
"At least he has the dignity to wear shorts unlike some monkey." Henry observed.
"He's an ape but whatever, so Mario. What are we going to do about Yoshi?" Dean posed to the plumber.
Mario scratched his head, he turned to view the green hungry dinosaur hovering over the ball. As for any player Yoshi had strengths and faults but Mario didn't know them. He was a jack of all trades competitor, good at many things but not excelling in any.
"Um…, I'm-a not sure"
"Oh great," Dean muttered, turning to Kenny. "You have anything?"
Kenny was also stumped. "Well…, he's ok at many things so, just make sure to keep tabs on him."
Henry and Dean side eye after the red Koopa told them. The mighty Hammer Bro shrugged and walked down to his right fielder spot.
"Works for me,"
Once Dean figuratively wrapped his head around all the strikers moved to position. The two captains took forward responsibilities. Each team had left fielder Koopas taking the top side of the pitch. Henry and Toad acted as their sides right fielders, the x factor match up to keep an eye on as both played the same position but completely differently. Dean and Birdo were primary defenders and Kritters in net as the last line.
The precipitation poured even harder. The mud became more doughy and the player's legs sank deeper into the dirt. The spectators dressed appropriately with ponchos and umbrellas still display their elation to see some hard nosed soccer on an early Sunday afternoon. A high pitch whistle flowed through the crowd kicking off the game.
Yoshi had first touch passing back the sludge immersed ball. Birdo dropped down slurping the metal ball in her snout. She huffed a puff of air and pushed the ball forward in a high through ball.
The two Koopa Troopas raced step to step, one trying to play and the to defend the volley. While in chase they got in one another's path getting their legs caught up. The all round turtles collapsed in the wet earth bowling in the brown filth.
The ball fell down stopping where it landed. Kingston left the boundaries of his goal box and grabbed the halfway charged soccer ball. Not bothering to return to his post, the fire goalie tossed the ball out.
The round orb would normally bounce further along but the ball just got stuck in the mud gripping it like glue. Mario plows through the mud taking the ball before anyone else. In came Toad with his reliable pace ready to knock down the red leader.
Mario wasn't unaware of Toad's march and jumped ahead. The mushroom's momentum took him face first in the icky mud. The entire front of his body was pasted in a thick coat, some of the soil got in eyes he had to rub out.
Mario was joined by Henry, they pushed forward. The two moved the ball between each other raising the strength of the steel object. Once shining a pearly white Henry made his play and pulled his hammer for usage.
Before he could pull back a slimy pink tongue wrapped around the Hammer Bro's ankle. It was Yoshi using his long sticky appendage halting Henry's attack. The mallet turtle violently shook his leg trying to pry the dinosaur's death grip.
"Ugh, let go you mouth stuffing stray!"
The bottomless stomach reptile pulled Henry in his mouth whole. Yoshi's cheeks puffed gulping poor Henry full as he attempted escape but couldn't fight back. After some aiming Yoshi spat out the Fireball's right winger propelling him. Henry was caught in the electric barrier and fell in the mud twitching from the volts in his system.
Yoshi spat out the ball as well he held in his mouth. Mario ran in dropped for a slide tackle dirtying his gear in the effort. Yoshi flutter jumped over the sneaky plumber eluding the defensive pressure. While under the dinosaur little spets of mud from his soccer cleats fell on Mario's face as he passed by under.
Yoshi rushed over with the lax defense of the Fireballs. He found an open patch and set up for an early megastrike. Yoshi soared up doing a nonstop flutter jump leaving the stadium and then some.
Yoshi huffed a large amount of air, his head turning back to green from red of holding his breath. Set on his aim he blew the ball with a powerful gust of oxygen splitting the ball five times on impact.
Kingston hit himself over the head to make him focus on the looming threat. The raindrops hitting and falling down his face didn't help but he could do nothing about it.
The five shots came fast.
The first two Kingston took down in one fell swoop with an overhand slap. The third ball was out of the Kritter's arm reach so he improvised and kicked the ball out of oblivion. The fourth he punched out of his sights and caught the real ball completing the megatrike shutout, the game would remain scoreless.
Yoshi had the clear offensive start already smothering the red team with quick strikes. Mario and company couldn't find their footing, literally. The mud was such a factor in the Fireballs' poor start while Yoshi seamlessly glided across slime with ease.
Yoshi's green Toad ran with the ball as team Eggs prepared to launch another attack. Soon the plan faded as Dean cracked Toad with a hit stick tackle knocking him stiff. The ball became loose and available to whomever.
Dean's speediness gave him the edge and claimed the ball first. Yoshi tried the same trick and deployed his tongue out. The mouth part wrapped tightly around the deceased Koopa's waist and started pulling Dean.
Dean dug his heels in but because of the mud he could not set his feet properly. He was losing the struggle to Yoshi who was merely moments away from subjecting Dean to the same disaster Henry endured. Dean was getting desperate so he went with his only option.
The Dry Bones closed his eyes and seconds later he vanished. All was left was mist and smoke in the space he once occupied. The orange neck ridged dino fell off balanced and on his tail from using too much force in the tug of war Dean ditched him.
Dean reconjured on the top sideline next to Kenny. Joined by his alive counterpart Dean pushed for a punishing counterattack. The green Koopa dash to Dean only for the short skeleton to swiftly pass the ball over to Kenny.
The Eggs' right fielder made a quick turn but was shoved down. Dean took the way too easy opportunity by the Koopa showing him his back and forced him down. Free at last the duo ran approaching Yoshi's net.
"Go for it!" Dean encouraged his fellow Fireball.
The Koopa took the words and created his steel shell. The giant shell smashed in the Eggs' goalie knocking him out cold. When the shell connected with the Kritter the metal turtle shell erupted the ball flying out.
"I got it!" Mario announced looking to finish on the clear scoring chance.
He was challenged by Yoshi's lime skinned Birdo. The opposing sides attempted to use their shoulder to suppress the other from winning the heading. Both jumped up to head the ball but both whiffed the chance.
The metal ball just so happened to land by Yoshi and he acted accordingly. He made off with the ball. Mario transitioned back to defense but Birdo made a smart play checking the red leader in the electric fence removing the pressure off the steed's tail.
Yoshi traveled the entire bottom sideline and changed direction up Kingston's endline. The hungry omnivore passed the ball to the middle of Mario's half to his Toad. Toad was dirtied up but he continued and set the ball ablaze rocketing toward the plumber's net.
"Oh shoot," Kingston managed to choke out before the soccer ball smashed into his chest carrying him in the goal.
The opening score went Yoshi's way from the unlikeliest person, Toad. The mushroom right winger danced his heart out with the Eggs' approval. Kingston beamed the ball pouting letting the blazing shot get the better of him so easily
The first goal took some time to be achieved as three minutes and three seconds stood. Mario had more than enough time to change the outcome and so he held a steady mind set starting the game again from center field.
Mario opted to stay with the ball and hurried down to the sideline. Yoshi released his tongue but Mario threw triple shells making direct impact on the green mammal. The plumber went on luring out Toad and Birdo away from their positional bubble.
Mario crossed the ball in the exposed middle for his team to finish. Kenny jumped but was punched down by Yoshi's Kritter who was in range to prevent the shot from even forming. The Eggs' goalie punted the ball back and reset the field.
A minute passed with the sides in gridlock in everything but score. The fireballs were getting more desperate in their attacking but Yoshi and his sidekicks repelled them every time. Lucky for Mario, Kingston was performing well since letting in Toad's goal allowing the reds to be more risky with their assault.
Kingston made a spectacular diving save obstructing a well deserved goal. The Fireballs' keeper threw the ball out down to Henry. Henry was left alone offering him a vast amount of space to work with.
The Hammer Bro crossed into Yoshi's side where the tries on stomping him would commence. Henry slammed a giant hammer on the air to gain some air and space from Toad. While airborne Henry dumped the steel sphere down to Dean.
The main defender played up the ball from midfield and sent his shocker skillshot. The special charged shot hit its target preventing the Kritter from moving. Dean was tackled down by Yoshi's tongue hitting his shell.
The ball returned near Dean's prone body, Kenny attempted a hasty kick but whiffed cause of Birdo sliding under him on her belly and sucked the ball away. Another great chance the Eggs secularly blocked…, or did they.
Birdo flipped back upside to be greeted by Mario's shoulder knocking her cold. Mario jumped behind the loose ball and shot with all his might. By then the green goalie fought out of his electrical cage and slapped the ball.
The ball almost like a magnetic pull found its way back to the plumber's cleats. Mario bended his leg back not to shoot but pass up in the sky. Henry was his desired goal scorer and traveled to the Hammer Bro.
Henry elevated and pounded the ball with his powerful leg with the ball moving so fast it became blurry to the eye. Yoshi's Kritter leaped in instinct but could do little and the ball crossed into the net.
Henry dropped on his shell and spun in place, arms and legs flailing. Yoshi's long single goal had succumbed and both teams were back to square one. Wasting little time the two sides returned to formation, The green leader of the Eggs passed the ball to his left to enter the final minute of the season game.
The fans who came in the awful weather knew they made the right choice of still coming out. The game between the friends was so entertaining the downpour became an afterthought. The violence might have been toned down but the cleverness of the passes and defense kept the many natives of Sarasaland hooked.
Kenny had the ball avoiding attempts on health from the scary prospect of a hit stick knocking him out. His fears were well placed but it was something else the Koopa should have watched out for, the tongue of the Eggs' captain.
Yoshi lassoed his tongue around Kenny's ankle immobilizing him. Kenny was spooked at the idea of getting near the unbrushed mouth of the bottomless pit of an eater like Yoshi.
Yoshi although didn't swallow the shaking turtle, instead he started spinning. Kenny began raising from the mud terrain, he soon started getting nauseous form the twister like shape and praying for a short ride.
"HELP!" the fraught left fielder screamed, calling out anyone to get him down.
Mario, the nearest one had his reservations of whether or not to attack Yoshi. On one hand they were competing in a no holds barred sport so of course he needed to tackle the opponent. But the same opponent was his friend of his youth and checking would be the equivalent of stabbing him in the back. Mario was torned but he made his mind and did what was thought was right and ran.
Yoshi was still going at his whirlwind shape making Kenny's life unbearable as the rotating was growing in speed. Suddenly was crushed from behind, ending his twirling. It was Mario and he made his decision.
Kenny fell down roughly but he preferred falling in the mud then being spun like the inside of a washing machine.
"T-thanks Mario, I a-a-appreciate it." Kenny struggled to form the words from his nagging headache.
"No worry," he replied back. The plumber soon turned and made off with the ball in his possession.
Mario looked back and shouted something to Yoshi while sprinting. "Sorry buddy!"
Unknown to Mario his hit was called illegal so the Eggs were given an item for breaking the rules. The item given to the bipedal dinosaur would be his own captain ability. The stadium became animated when informed about Yoshi's unique item and went ballistic.
"GO YOSHI! GO YOSHI! GO YOSHI!" they repeated with no end.
Mario, not fazed by the upscaled noise, pushed away the green Koopa using his weight to neutralize the all round midfielder. During the stiff arm the crowd's volume went up another tick caused the Italian leader to not hear Toad splashing footsteps as he headbutted him in the back.
Toad without thought forwarded the steel scoring circle to the green steed. Yoshi flipped up and stopped the ball's progression at his feet. Ball at his will Yoshi launched and released his secret weapon.
Yoshi cocooned himself in a giant egg littered in green spots imposing any of the strikers with its colossal size. Egg Roll acted as Yoshi's own variation of a Chain Chomp. Quick moving and ruinous to whomever has the bad luck of being on the receiving end.
The enormous egg started turning over its side and gained momentum. Mario stood up and wiped his face of all the mud he had gathered. The crowd had diluted his sense of hearing so the plumber was grateful for the thousands in attendance stopping their chant. After his eyesight focused he almost lost his step, the ground shaked immensely.
Mario could tell the source was behind him and looked to see. Seconds later he was crushed beneath the egg flatten in the turf.
Yoshi's item then trampled Henry and Dean, only Kenny stayed safe and unharmed for the Fireballs except from Kingston. The dinosaur bursted out of his egg flattener to make use of the red team's unconsciousness. Kenny could do nothing but watch Yoshi fly in the sky for his second megastrike of the day.
Kingston groaned in frustration, all day he's been pelted with megastrikes and skillshots never allowing him to get a breather and now he was forced to block a six shot megastrike. The red goalie stood firm and pinned his heed on the pending shots.
The tired Kritter miraculously held back every try of putting one in the goal. Ball in hand he grabbed from the megastrike Kingston eventually got the breather he so needed and threw the steel ball in the center of the pitch.
Mario, Henry and Dean regained the sense in their bodies and were stoked to see Kingston's improbable shoutout. The sight gave them hope their squad could take the win against the formidable greens.
Dean had first touch and traveled deep in Yoshi's territory. Nine of the ten on field participants, all by Kingston made the journey staying back under post.
Dean passed the ball to Mario who had Birdo over him. Mario sensing the danger passed the ball away before the bow wearing sidekick could do something rash. The ball rolls below Yoshi's tail to Henry.
Henry plowed the ball with a swing of his hammer. The ball zipped over the green dino's head and curved to goal. Yoshi's goalie was unprepared and overextended his reach barely blocking the ball with his fingertips.
The ball flew back, in the way of Kenny. The Koopa twisted his torso midair and kicked the ball with a half bicycle kick. The Kritter was on the ground, not standing from not landing on his feet after diving to stop the red Hammer Bro's shot. The pearly white glowing sphere found its way in the net with eleven seconds freezing on the board.
Kenny euphorically ran with his arms up with his team chasing right behind. The audience went into an uproar still not comprehending the score. Dean caught Kenny in a behind hug, both fell on the muddy ground. Mario and Henry soon joined the pile on shaking Kenny as the adrenaline rushed through all of them.
Yoshi stood shell shocked, the downpour felt it was dropping harder. His sidekicks were on the ground tired and disheartened wallowing in the dirt. The green Kritter's gloves hid his face laying on turf.
After the settling of emotions of polar proportions the teams set back to bring a close to the week two opener. Yoshi passed the ball to Birdo, motioning her to stay put draining the few time left and the clock hit the three zero ending.
Even the rain was not able to quash the Fireballs' drive on the day claiming a narrow victory over the Eggs. The two sides did not hide their admiration and shook one another hands and walked peacefully away.
Week two continued as Waluigi thrashed Bowser Jr. six three making the young prince cry. Bringing the night to a close was Wario hosting Daisy at the Battledome. Homefield advantage couldn't help Wario that night as the Flowers shuted out the Warheads' nicking a convincing two nothing victory. Mario and Daisy stayed perfect for another week, Wario and Yoshi were still searching for a win dropping their first two and Waluigi and BJ scraped in the middle of the standing.
The first fourth of the season past has shown some clear trends. Some are on the rise and some are slipping but it's too early to jump to any conclusion. Much more is in store for Crystal Cup round robin play.
Author's Notes
Done already sheesh, I got to write bigger chucks of text for you guys but lets talk about what I wanted to talk about. First thank you so much for 2K views! One I never expected to get this much traffic on my first write but you guys have blown me out the water! Second I want to continue writing after I warp this story up in the very far future and I have two main ideas floating in my head for my next work and I'll come to a decision in the following days or weeks so keep your eyes peeled, I might drop some hints into what I'm starting next.
With that out of the way, see you in the near future friend!