The war room attendees were surprised to hear about Sonny's plan to end this with no bloodshed. In a strange way it made sense. They've been doing it like this for years.
Still, against this enemy, people were skeptical.
"With all due respect, this would work for any other enemy. But they're from a different galaxy, they don't even have physical bodies like us. Can they even play football?" The representative from the Wambas planet asked. Some other people nodded in agreement. Sonny looked at them all through his hologram.
"From what we could find, Football is used to resolve matters peacefully in other galaxies too, we just need to find the specifics. We just need to have a good team and plenty of back up. The Andro Zygnans have been around longer than we taught, and will play dirty. If we fail, our galaxy will suffer the same fate as many before us, and I for one, won't let that happen." Sonny said, carefully weighing his words. Duke Maddox still looked skeptical.
"You say they can't handle the pure water from the Akillian icemines. Couldn't that work?" He asked. Sonny looked him in the eyes.
"Clamp and I have worked on a machine that can purify regular water to the same level as the water on Akillian. We can use that if all else fails. The portal they came from will also need to be sealed, ensuring they can't return." He explained. Duke Maddox was satisfied. Brim Balarius spoke up next.
"I would like to apologize for being a pawn to these invaders, sorry for the hurt I have caused this galaxy. I wanted to protect everyone, but I failed. I will step down as Brim and let you all decide what comes next." He said, looking at Sonny as he spoke. Sonny nodded.
"We'll address this soon enough, but for the time being, I need you to be a leader for the Galaxy." Sonny said, hoping he didn't sound hostile. He couldn't help but distrust him after all that was revealed. "If all goes well, we will conclude this, by a peaceful game of Galactik Football" He said. There was silence, before people erupted in talking.
Football?
Against an invasion?
Sonny forced himself to stay silent while the conversation raged. This needed some time to sink in. Eventually, he took a deep breath.
"As the Guardian, this is my call. This galaxy has a history for resolving conflicts this way." He reminded them. He was met by General Bleylock's yellow eyes.
"With all due respect, this Galaxy hasn't been invaded by an enemy like the Andro Zygnans. How do we even know that they play Galactik Football?" He asked. Sonny nodded.
"They started mixing fluxes. They at least know that much. As for Galactik Football as a means to fight them, I just hope they'll obey the laws that govern us. Especially from the Guardian" Sonny said. "Unless, of course⦠we've been lied to." With that, he glanced at what looked like emptiness, two beings of light suddenly appeared. "We don't need you. We will win this, on our own terms."
D'Jok made sure his gear was securely tightened for this training session. Callie agreed to watch Iris, so Mei could also attend practice. With all the teams coming, even new teams like The Paladins from Stellar Unix, and Abraxor's rebels and soldiers, underlined the severity of the situation.
It was a galaxy united against a common enemy.
This should have been a joyous occasion, the first chance to play Galactik football since the Resonance. But alas.
He could see Stevens and the pirates prepare as well. Sonny changed their uniforms to have names on them.
Everyone looked up as the door to the locker room opened. Sonny entered the room, followed by his guards, and with a small bag over his shoulder. Of course he was going to play along.
Sonny gave him a brief nod, before he walked over to his own team to get dressed. Warren looked at him.
"We will follow your lead, Sonny." He said, with everyone nodding in agreement. Sonny gave a quick smile.
"I am glad to hear that. We won't get a second chance. I expect everyone to learn from each other, to have each other's backs. We installed a simulation of their Flux in the Holo Trainer so you can prepare. At this point, we have three weeks before the match. Let's do this." Sonny said, looking at all the players, with his own people lining up behind him. He could see the determination in each face.
With a smile, Sonny led the players to the new and improved Holo trainer, and gave Aarch, who was still the coach of The All Stars a nod. Aarch smiled at them all.
"It is good to see you all. I only have two questions; who do you want as Captain?" Aarch asked, holding the Captain's armband in his hand. Sonny could see all the players smile. Luur was the one that spoke up.
"Sonny, of course." He said. Everyone seemed to agree. Aarch looked at Sonny.
"They trust you Sonny, show them they're right."
The Warlord was in a foul mood. His subjects failed him. They had planned this operation for eons. To have it fall apart due to the mere happenstance of Micro Ice finding out about it was inconceivable.
And now they had to play Galactik Football.
At least they had their own Flux; The Wave.
Sonny Blackbones was going to suffer once they had won this foolish game. Becoming his host would be a treat. He just worried about his family. Especially Corso, with his many mechanical components making it difficult to overtake him.
Cobra entered his mind.
"Any luck in finding Blackbones?" He asked. The Warlord shook his head.
"He's somewhere I can't reach him. We'll need our servants to do the search." He said. Cobra was skeptical.
"That requires caution. Blackbones is never alone." He said. The Warlord nodded.
"He'll drop his guard soon enough and then, nothing can stop us."
What could these invaders be up to?
Originally, the next chapter was meant to be the end, but I see now, I might need to add one or two more.
But the Galactik Football match of a lifetime will start in the next chapter, and determine if Zaelion survives.
Thank you Paranoidgirl, for sticking with this story.
Hope you will all enjoy it.
Happy reading everyone.
