Battling on the Youngster's Turf
Hello once again! Its that time of year we all dread, school! I go back myself in around a week so I will address what that means for this story and how the updates will effected by this at the end. With that out of the way I'll let you go on.
As last time all rights go to Nintendo and Next Level Games.
Less than a month remained of round robin play. The Crystal Cup has been a major success for the league committee. Massive revenue streams from tickets, jerseys and food sales were up from last season. Viewers skyrocketed in every area of the lands, public bars aired the games for people to gather to celebrate or wallow.
Their main goal for the year was to interrogate the Beanbean Kingdom in the strikers uproar. The project was a huge accomplishment, the once niche sport blew up with the bean people with viewership up tenfold.
The royal family of Queen Bean and Prince Peasley thought of the sport as a welcome distraction. Years after the Cackletta debacle many of the Beanbean natives still harbored bad dreams of the witch. The queen and son sponsored the Crystal Cup allowing the sales of merchandise in their land.
The two also happened to be fans watching the soccer games in their freetime between governing and diplomatic meetings rooting for the red half of the duo who defeated the voice stealing sorceress.
Week eight opened at the Vice, Yoshi as the favored home side dueled Wario. With the crowd's support the Eggs scored the first goal in the first ten seconds. The head start faded as the Warheads won out four three.
Next on the chopping block had Bowser Jr clashing Mario for the potential last time of the year. The stage, the Battle Dome, heavily stood on the side of their prince. Mario would receive a hostile welcome and degrading sayings hurled at him all afternoon.
The red hero beloved in many parts of the world, was persona non grata. King Bowser's endless propaganda brainwashed his subjects in disrelishing the plumber.
The Koopa Kingdom was never a flourishing country. Architecture was outdated, land was not fertile to grow food and the economy stagnated. Figuring he needed to act, Bowser industrialized his land to build goods and create much needed jobs.
The economic plan worked and the land of the Koopas started to rise on the global stage. One problem however reared its ugly head, space. The rapid construction of factories left the realm strapped for land. Bowser thought of two possible choices on his throne.
One, continue with industrialization on a wider scale. He leaned on the idea but his heart disallowed him. Space was needed for homes and shelter of his people and denying them would lead to a homelessness crisis.
Two, take down and pull back on his plans. No was the answer, the sole ruler refused to appear weak and indecisive. Slamming his fist on the armrest of his kingly throne in frustration he rubbed his temples.
Standing from his seat Bowser stomped to one of many windows in his personal castle. He stared off on the horizon, to the west sat his border with the Mushroom Kingdom. The neighboring monarchy was a peaceful prospering nation.
The kingdom had plenty of land perfect for his facilities. A potential war would be a squash with the increase budget and war material Bowser's military would crush the non interventionist country who often neglected defense spending
He set his mind and the invasion of the Mushroom Kingdom happened. Days later the Koopa army stormed and captured the capital with the greatest prize, the princess. Holding the ruler would be a bargaining chip when the helpless kingdom fell, taking most or all of the nation under his rule.
His plans were foiled by an unknown hero who would soon become famous. Mario became a constant irritation to his rule, always undermining his schemes from controlling Peach's castle to a tropical resort.
Delfino Isle is where Bowser Jr entered the long standing feud. The rivalry passed onto the younger Bowser filling him with animosity for the portly plumber.
Now in the present day Junior still held the grudge with the additional strikers flare. Losing to his dad's archrival felt awful and humiliated him. Today he had a solid chance to topple the red captain.
"Traitors!"
"Mushroom Kingdom sissies!"
"Draft dodging liberals!"
All these and more were hurled at Mario's sidekicks from the unruly crowd. Garbage was thrown by their feet as security did nothing to tame the riotous group.
Kenny scoffed tilting his head, avoiding a flung can passing his ear. "And is why I left in the first place."
Since the beginnings of Mushroom Koopa wars conscription had been implemented by the royal Koopa family. Young men were drafted, sent to the front lines, never to return to family and loved ones.
Demonstrations popped up against the unpopular war asking for an end. The peaceful protests were snuffed out with violence at the direct order of their own king. With no choice, citizens against the war started crossing borders escaping Bowser and military service.
One of the best places to seek asylum was the very land Bowser attacked. Peach set a policy of granting anyone amnesty from Bowser if they defected to her side. The law attracted draft dodgers and waves poured into Peach's rule. One of the thousands included a younger Kenny.
Henry was hit square in the eye by a rotten piece of fruit. With one eye the Hammer Bro looked out in the direction where the item was thrown.
"I swear I will come up there and pound whoever threw that fruit!" Henry threatened with vigor pointing with his hammer.
The audience laughed, jeering the right fielder. The mocking pushed Henry's last button, crushing his teeth he stomped to the sideline.
He was held back ending his march prematurely. Dean gripped his shell, preventing his friend from walking any further.
"Hold up big fella, we still need you so ignore them for right now." Dean calmly explained getting Henry to back down.
Mario entered the open roof arena with a big entrance. Before he could rise to his feet he was harassed with petty insults. The plumber chose to ignore his detractors, setting his vision ahead.
"Go to hell plumber!"
"Dirty Italian!"
"Mushroom Kingdom greaseball!"
"Ugh!" Thought the brown hair hero. The rancid crowd resorted to using derogatory terms to antagonize him. He took in a heavy breath keeping his eyes straight, brow frowning.
In the chorus of boos Bowser Junior made his awaited appearance. The sour attendance flipped enamored to be in the same existence of Bowser's offspring.
"Hail our almighty prince!"
"Rip him a new one!"
"Show him some Koopa power!"
The kid's subjects beseech never endingly. The son of the king practically soaked in all the admiration with a pompous grin. Junior in the small space was the champion while Mario came as a hated villain.
BJ's overconfidence seemed misplaced. His road to redemption had been a disaster. After week one the following month and a half the team endured six straight losses bringing his record to a lousy one to six. Good for last in the standing, out of the playoff window needed to advance.
"Alright you bad man, I'll bring you down in honor of my dad!" the ginger head declared almost as a prophecy.
"He's almost as delusional as his old man." Henry blankly stared at the childish royal. The apple truly doesn't fall far from the tree.
Junior's Boo, Shy Guy and Monty stood behind the heir. Mario's own batch of three converted in the same order. The captains read the room and step forward once. The sea of thousands expressed their impatience hollering the refs to start the game.
The tilted four after midday sun hid behind clouds blocking the beating rays of the star. Tension engulfed the stadium, Mario on edge and BJ with a chip on his shoulder caused an undeniable abhorrence with personal and regional differences.
No more could delay the clashing personalities from duking. Foul emotions seeped in the two leader's eyes in grid lock. The whistle blew beginning the prince vs the plumber.
Mario started hot from the gates gaining possession first. Somehow in the time Kenny slid behind Boo waving for attention.
"Yo Mario, over here!"
The metal gloved captain lobbed the ball with a picture perfect arc. The metal ball plopped by the Koopa's feet, no need to adjust his speed. He slid through the defenses of Junior and took an early shot.
The yellow dressed Kritter held his arms up catching the round glowing ball. Surveying the field the crocodile tossed the ball with little care. The ball was intercepted by an unwanted Henry.
Shoving down Shy Guy the brash beak fielder inched closer to the opposing net. Bowser Jr.'s team was out of position, none challenging the lonesome Hammer Bro.
"You should've thought that one a bit more bud." Henry taunted BJ's goalie with a ridiculing chuckle.
Henry pulled his plentiful mallets, tossing them. The projectiles flooded the Jokesters' keeper, succumbing from the pressure. The bottom half of the reptile's body was sunk in the ground.
Henry smirked smugly, shooting the ball for a speedy first goal. Seventeen second solely elapsed with a score in the heartland of the land of the Koopa. The crowd booed their lungs out directed at Henry.
The prideful power hitter took it in stride jogging with the occasional evil glare shot to his naysayers. Henry stuck his tongue out in an immature manner infuriating the crowd who poured the insults.
"Good one out there!" the undead companion placed his hand on the right fielder's shoulder. Henry appreciated the kind gesture in the not so welcoming environment.
"They-a really won't let up." the mustached lionheart commented nonemotional to the situation.
Dean looked back at the plumber's face. His features harden, his brow scrunched and mustache twitching. The hollow eyed defender could tell from his blue eyes Mario was unaffected from the mean words but only after many years of hearing them.
"How do you deal with this?" Mario's skeleton defender asked, truly wondering.
Mario's gaze shifted to Dean, scoffing and staring downcast. "You-a get used to it after some time." he said, walking past him and Henry to his forward position.
"Odd but he's a hero, he's got thick skin." Henry elaborated on their leader's peculiar answer. Dean nodded his head and both walked to their areas.
Mario ran down the bottom sideline. He sensed the onlookers' taunting him with faces and rude hand gestures. His attention elsewhere made him open for Junior to thrash him in the electric fence.
The people in the seats went into an uproar. BJ's attack was treated as a symbolic triumph of conquering the tyrannical big nosed Italian. Mario fell banging his head on the cold floor knocking his lights.
Junior moved the ball to the other sideline to Boo. The small spirit eased the flying sphere down and gilded ahead. Dean came in for the pressure but Luigi's worst nightmare phased through him.
Boo reformed to his dense biology returning to the eyes of the non dead. He scooted the ball over to the cluttered middle bypassing the reds' feet. Shy Guy was there to clock the shot for a great chance at tying the youthful game.
Kingston already dove in the way of the ball capturing the would be goal. He rolled the ball out to Henry, seeing him as a safe option in the chaotic mess.
The helmet wearing offensive threat waited for his pals to join the push. Without their captain the reds would be down one in the upcoming advance. Going ahead Henry crushed Monty flat with a giant hammer swing evening the playing field.
"Henry! Watch out!" a concerned Dean shouted.
The warned Hammer Bro turned his head back to the perturb voice. The warning happened to distract the Fireballs' right fielder from the shelled prince.
Bowser Jr. stomped on Henry's left foot causing him to cry in pain. The step was only a diversion, the juvenile heir slammed the crown of his head on the bottom of the hammer dueling fielder's jaw.
Mario recuperated as Henry fell clutching his mouth. The slightly tubby plumber's eyes cleared for him to see his mallet loving sidekick double over on his knees. His eyes flashed in anger, ignoring his body's aches he rushed Junior.
Junior's features grew aware, hearing loud steps. Twisting his head the ginger child gazed at Mario approaching him furiously. A tiny but noticeable grin lifted the corner of his mouth and the waiting game began.
BJ guarded the ball with his shell facing the red captain and foot holding the charged sphere from moving. Mario slide tackled in hoping to steal the metal ball and bring down Bowser's son.
The sole offspring of the Koopa king jumped, dodging and counter attacking. On the way down the prince crashed his shell in his worst enemy's fibula making an awful sound. Mario couldn't hold in his blood curdling scream from the excruciating pain.
"Should've thought that one more through pipe traveler." Junior piled on, dribbling past the immobile bodies of Mario and Henry.
The scaly royal allowed Shy Guy to take the reins, handing the ball off. The bashful all rounder unleashed his secret trump card. He strapped on his rusted bullet bill on a set course towards Kingston.
The pint sized missile packed a punch bulldozing over Kenny. The heat seeking weapon reached its target, annihilating the defenseless Kritter. The yellow clothed masked driver was caught in the wreckage unable to capitalize Kingston's unconsciousness.
Monty jogged his feet across the tarmac pinpointing where the ball would land and planned a rebound. Meeting halfway Dean shoulder tackled the big boned rat in the fence frying him.
The immortal defender cleared the ball in time for Kenny and Kingston to push to their feet, making the home team miss a chance at evening the game.
The ghost recaptured the ball in record time flying coast to coast rivaling even the elusive Dean. Boo passed the ball to Junior's goalie, resetting the tempo for the Fireballs' needing to find their rhythm.
Henry's pain dulled finding his right mind. Nearby him the power shooter saw Mario struggling with his leg. He saw the injured shin with a bruise shading in a gruesome purple tone.
"You ok boss?" Henry asked extremely anxious, in his mind he knew the question was stupid but he couldn't help himself.
"Yea, I'm-a fine, don't worry about-a me." The below average height male forced out with hurt seeping through his voice. His sky blue eyes flinched as his bruised leg soared in a throbbing pain, reaching for his shin in instinct.
"Trust me, go-a help Kenny and-a Dean." He struggled out with a forced smile clearly masking a front.
The concerned beaked face turtle entered an internal conflict. His moral code told him to not leave Mario's side, his honor of helping and protecting his friends was embedded in him However this clashed with his admiration for the plumber, willing to do whatever he asked and it won out.
"Alright, hold in there though." Henry accepted joining the fray once again.
Bowser Junior took control of the game with his presence once again. He streaked over the midfield line, relighting the push with life. The little son of Bowser fought feisty, getting a hold of him was rare.
Kenny found the bratty child in a moment of fleeting obviousness. Grasping his arms, the fearless Koopa defied all principles by putting his hands on a member of the royal family.
"I got you right where I want!" The relatively fresh turtle gritted through his teeth.
Junior quirked a dareful eyebrow. "Don't be too sure, traitor!"
The self entitled brat huffed a breath. He let out his still developing flame breath using the smoke to blind Kenny.
The visually impaired left fielder pulled his hands back rubbing his eyes. "Ah! My eyes!" he yelled, eyelids clamp shut.
Boo asked and was given the ball for some more attempts at a goal. He vanished from the views of everyone wondering where he went. He popped back up with the ball feet away from the vigilant Kingston.
Swatting the ball away the star keeper continued being a brick wall. From the offensive cold patch the Fireballs' found themselves in, their bipedal crocodile shined bright in the heart of the enemy's homeland.
The speedy gray turtle invaded the home half alone and unbothered. Shy Guy attempted but was unsuccessful in catching the blazing deceased shell carrying sidekick.
He sparked up an electro shocker skillshot making full contact with Junior's goalie. A response came quickly afterwards, a massive red shell tore the field crushing the lone red masked Dry Bones.
Shy Guy skedaddled to the area of the ball next to the set of limp bones. Securing the ball the timid yellow robed balanced player turned around to a terrible fate. Mario punched the white face cover of Shy Guy ringing his bell, stumbling in the waiting grasp of the voltage fence.
Mario gritted in pain and dribbled the fully powered ball. With his dominant leg heavily mangled, the idol of many looked for help. He found Kenny on the top sideline and a plan hatched.
Mario ran to the best of his condition, gaining the Jokesters' Kritter's keen eye. A subtle smirk grew on the plumber's mouth and without looking he lobbed the ball.
The red Koopa was surprised but shook the feeling off and focused. He jumped and headed the ball in the open right post of the net. The Kritter on the left hand side was caught with his pants down as the ball flew in unopposed.
Where the game stood team Fireballs' led ahead but the gritty action took a toll. All three of Junior's sidekicks had some bumps while the prince remained unscaved. On the reds' side Mario and Henry have taken quite a beating in comparison to anyone else.
The smart mouth Hammer Bro lower lip was busted open from BJ's earlier headbutt. Blood leaked from his bottom lip before drying leaving a wine red scar closing the split on his lip.
Mario's right leg was almost unusable, putting any weight sent waves of pain through the plumber's veins at a rate no invincibility star could prevent. All left in his tank was pure will and adrenaline disregarding his messed shin.
His biggest issue was how his team would react. He worried their concern would throw them off, making them vulnerable to a second half comeback. And the short Italian captain would gladly conceal his hurting leg for the good of the team.
"Nice-a one Kenny, you-a really showed them." the plumber said with difficulty, pulling a smile through the agony.
"Thanks but are you ok? Henry told me you said you were fine but the way you're acting says otherwise."
Mario cursed Henry in his head. He should have known the loyal offensive star would voice his worries to Kenny. He trusted the intuitive Koopa since the two knew each other for so long Henry had no problem sharing his normally sheltered emotions.
"I'm-a good, I promise. We-a get hurt all the time, It's-a nothing I-a can't handle."
Kenny gave him a suspicious stare. Mario accepted the witty left fielder would see right through his lies and braced for skepticism.
"Alright, whatever you say. Just let us know if you start feeling worse." Kenny finished, dropping the subject as the plumber had no interest in discussing his conduction.
Mario sighed inwardly and hobbled back to his side. He would muster out his resilience, a minute and nine seconds was the time he needed to survive.
In an effort to persevere himself Mario switched his style to a more defensive stance. The change was practical, more defense with a multi goal lead was reasonable, splitting offensive and defensive duties.
Mario slide tackled Monty Mole poking the ball from under him. Dean took the lead escaping with the ball while the short leader stayed back. Passing the ball over the midline the steel sphere found itself in prince Bowser's territory once more.
Dean evaded a not well thought out lunge of Bowser Jr letting him collapse on his face. The elusive Dry Bones chipped the ball off the ground heading Henry's way. Jumping up, the powerful striker swung his hammer blasting the ball at home goal.
Junior's goalie kept his eyes on the moving ball, never losing track. He caught the shot with help of his chest. Henry looked disappointed but prepared to fall back in case a sneaky counterattack was on the horizon.
The charge felt odd without their notable captain leading in the heat of battle. His injury forced him to play conservatively with his leg in mind. The goal scoring fell more on Kenny and Henry's shoulders until the plumber could return to a hundred percent.
Less than a minute harbored on the timer. Junior grew desperate to bridge the gap between him and Mario. The two goal deficit taunted the dark prince embarrassing him in front of his subjects. He tried all to claw his team back but Mario was too stingy to back down.
When the home side grew aggressive the Fireballs fired items in retaliation. When Junior ordered his team to split up to cover more ground Mario changed tactics from zone to man coverage.
The situation grew worse and worse. Bowser's sole child made a vile directive to his sidekicks.
"Someone break Mario's leg and end him for good!" the child yelled, face red from anger pointing at the battered captain.
Mario's eyes widened at the sound of that threat. His remarks had weight as Boo zoomed at him, if he didn't sidestepped who knows what would have happened to him. During the brief moment the Italian was unaware of an angrily approaching Monty Mole.
The bruised leader acted too late turning around to the sound of thunderous footsteps. He braced himself for the upcoming attack, he waited until he heard a grunt laced with pain and unrestricted emotion, but the cry wasn't his.
He forced his eyelids to snap up and the sight was incredible. Monty was blind sided by Kenny. The turtle threw caution in the wind and lunged at the gopher. Both went on a tumbleweed like ride with Kenny on top raining punches on the fat rat.
Junior was about to attack before Henry slugged him with his hammer to the back of the head. The ball was all theirs and the Fireballs passed the ball around themselves bleeding out the clock. The seconds ticked down until they reached zero ending the contest.
The game finished with a score two to zero. Far closer than anticipated but the plumber was relieved with the outcome.
He fell on his behind holding his knee close to him. The boos from the crowd didn't bother the Brooklyn born native, getting to his feet and with Henry assistance. Draping his arm over the Hammer turtle's shoulders he slowly walked off the field.
Later at the Underground Waluigi hosted Princess Daisy much to her dissatisfaction. Both were at a stalemate, no one whiffed an opportunity with both defensive captains on the field. Birdo finally broke through the purple's stingy defense, winning for Daisy one to nothing.
"AGH! Stupid thing," Mario cursed in his head bumping his injured leg on his kitchen counter. After arriving home the exhausted plumber took a shower and dressed in a white t-shirt and red basketball shorts.
He sat on one of his kitchen table chairs after dragging a large bucket in the room. Filled with hot water Mario slowly sank his foot into the scorching liquid. A small hiss left the plumber's breath.
After a while his skin got used to the heat and for the first time he relaxed. He combed his hair with his hand free from his gloves and hat from his head. The water soothed his leg making the limb usable.
But the red hero was too clever, knowing his shin was far from good as new. His heart dropped to his stomach realizing in the upcoming two weeks Wario and Princess Daisy were his closing two matches.
Daisy most likely would not target his leg out of respect but her hits packed a punch. One strike from her to the sensitive area would leave him aching.
However it was not her he feared but the next game against Wario. The cartoonish fat gold digger certainly watched his game and was cackling a storm thinking of all the terrible ways he could punish his injury.
Mario shook his head clear, wondering like that would lead him nowhere. His only option was to tough it out and trust his team to pull up his slack. His eyes rested on his leg, water knee length as the minutes passed by him.
Author's Notes
Hello readers and thanks for making it to the end. If you're in school right now I fell for you but maybe this help you forget about it for the time. As for me I start in around a week so anticipate slower updates but nothing too drastic.
Only two more chapters until the knockouts so stakes are about to reach highs not felt in while. See you till then, peace.