Gem, Gemma, Scott and Summer filed into the press box overhanging the rink as the stands began to fill, finding Tenaya already there, waiting for the beginning of the game. Fresno Bob and Mr. Winchester were also present, though currently they were at the refreshment table, discussing something. Summer took a seat next to Tenaya as the others went to check out the refreshments table.

"The game should be starting soon." She told her. "Have you heard from Ziggy since he went to the changing room?"

"Not yet." Tenaya replied, looking noticeably worried. "This is a friendly match right? I mean, it won't be too brutal will it?"

"Unfortunately the Rockets have a bit of a reputation for playing rough." Summer stated, putting an arm around her. "Their playbook generally says that if no one in the other team is still standing, then there's no one to stop them scoring."

"I really wish Ziggy hadn't agreed to this." Tenaya sighed, looking out over the rink. It was around the same size as a hockey rink, though the floor was made of steel, marked at either end into ten-foot long zones that the guardians were to remain within, and with five scoring pods at the end. The centre spot was a hatch which would open to launch the game ball at the beginning of every play, and a large, star-shaped launcher was positioned directly above it at the very top of the dome. The rink was completely encased in a bomb-proof glass dome to prevent the action spilling out into the crowd. "I know he loves the orphanage, but this all seems a little..."

"Suicidal?" Fresno Bob offered as a suggestion as he sat down on a large, plush easy chair a little way off. "I have to admit, I never thought the kid would have the guts to take on something like this. It's almost a shame he's going to be squashed."

Summer held Tenaya down as she felt her tense up at these words. She could understand her fears, she had much the same thoughts herself when Ziggy had told her that he would be playing in the game. Fresno Bob wasn't helping any with his taunting. They watched as he pulled out an ear piece with an attached microphone and attached it to his left ear.

"You're going to be coaching from up here?" Summer asked him.

"What can I say? The side boxes aren't as comfortable." He replied with a shrug as Mr. Winchester came over with a plate of appetisers. "I like to do everything in style these days."

"So I guess you'll be cheering on your son." Scott asked as he and the twins took a seat.

"No, I'm a Rockets man personally." He replied. "I only back winners."

Hey, look down there..."

"...they're coming out!" Gemma concluded, grabbing Scott tightly.

"Ladies and gentlemen, here's what you've all been waiting for, the big match live! Here come the challengers. Firstly, the legendary guardian, Peter Ross!"

The crowd erupted into rapturous applause as the legendary player removed his helmet and waved to them, swinging his bo staff in a massive arc for their amusement. He looked around with a huge grin on his face at the greeting. It had been a long time since he had stepped into the rink, and it felt good to be welcomed back so warmly.

"Your defenders, the Forbes brothers!" The announcer called out. Lee and Harry waved to the crowd as they took their positions. "Also, you know and love him as Ranger Series Green, please give a warm welcome to Ziggy Grover!"

The Rangers leapt out of their seats, cheering and applauding as Ziggy made his way out to his marker, waving to the crowd excitedly.

"Is he really that small?" Tenaya asked as she saw the size of her boyfriend compared to the other players on his team. "This isn't fair, how's he meant to compete with...?"

"There's no featherweight division in Lightningball little girl." Fresno Bob taunted her. "Don't worry; he won't be out there long once my boys get their hands on him."

"You know if you don't shut your mouth right now..."

Scott grabbed her, clamping a hand over her mouth and pulling her back down into her seat, though the look in her eyes told the story of a woman ready to cripple the man threatening the welfare of the man she loved. Fresno Bob squinted a little as he saw her.

"Have we met?" He asked her.

"I don't think so." Summer replied, shaking her head and holding her hand. Tenaya and Fresno Bob had met when she attacked Corinth to try and steal the Ranger Green morpher. She had already kicked his ass twice, and so it was probably not the best idea to let him know who she was if he didn't recognise her. "She's my little cousin."

"Which side?" Mr. Winchester asked her. "I wasn't aware Clara or Martin had siblings."

Summer searched her brain for an answer to this. Her mom and dad didn't have any siblings; she really didn't have any cousins.

"We kind of think of each other that way, we're not really cousins." Summer told him. "She was the housekeeper's daughter, Julie."

"I don't remember her." He commented with a shrug. "Oh well, I guess I didn't pay much attention to the help."

"Julie?" Tenaya asked her in a whisper.

"She was my housekeeper's daughter." Summer told her. "I had to think of something."

"Finally please put your hands together for the man who made this game possible, mayoral candidate, Chas Winchester the Fourth!"

Chas ran out onto the field as the crowd applauded, waving to them all. The Rangers all stood up, cheering as he took his position. Flynn, Dillon, Sam and Dr. K arrived at that point, also welcoming him to the game.

"Where were you guys?" Scott asked them.

"We had a little something to take care of." Flynn replied. Dillon tried to make his way over beside Summer, but she saw him coming and grabbed Dr. K.

"I saved you a seat." She rushed out, all but throwing Dr. K into the chair. She looked a little confused, but didn't say anything about it. She knew that Summer and Dillon had a fight the night before, and simply didn't want to get involved. Dillon looked a little angry about the slight, but just sat quietly down at the end of the row.

"Scott, here come the other team!" Gemma shrieked excitedly as she grabbed his hand and beamed broadly. Scott smiled a little seeing her excitement. He knew that this was likely the first time the twins had seen a game of Lightningball, so it all had to be incredibly exciting for them. Dr. K watched the display and simply rolled her eyes, crossing her arms tightly in front of herself defensively. Although she was one of her dearest friends, there was a part of Dr. K that wished Gemma was the one down in the rink about to face five three hundred pound psychos.

"Now please put your hands together for their opponents, last year's champions, the Rockets! First, weighing in this morning without armour at 347 pounds, the Guardian for the Rockets, Mike "The Sledgehammer" Kennedy!"

The guardian pumped his fist in the air and swung his staff around as the crowd cheered for him.

"Their left wing defender, and winner of last season's rookie of the year award, Morris!"

One of the defenders held up his hands to accept the greeting. He was the smallest man on the team, but even he dwarfed Ziggy by almost a foot, and at least 50 pounds.

"He was last year's hottest defender." Summer whispered to Tenaya, explaining the adulation. "He only started playing professionally last season, but he already has 69 career knockouts to his name."

"If he hurts Ziggy he's going to pay!" Tenaya hissed in response. Summer held her arm, reminding her that she was there for comfort. She looked across to Dillon, though snapped her gaze away as he looked over. She was still incredibly hurt by what he had said about her, and she was as mad as hell about him, but that didn't mean she didn't love him. As much as she knew that Dillon was easily more than a match for anyone on the Rocket's team, she was glad he wasn't playing. She would be terrified of him getting hurt, so she had no idea what Tenaya was going through. She had to be going out of her mind seeing Ziggy out there.

The crowd had just finished cheering the announcement of the right defender and the left scorer when he ran onto the field. The entire stadium rose to its feet and bellowed a deafening roar of approval. The very stadium shook as the applause sounded.

"Finally, you know him, you love him, he's last season's Player of the Year, and Dome Secrets Magazine's number one on the sexiest male list. Ace Ryker!"

Ryker did a couple of back flips, followed by a backward somersault before waving to the crowd as he arrived in the stadium. The place erupted into a frenzy as he accepted the greeting, before pulling on his helmet and pulling down the face guard. Chas glared at him hatefully as he finally made his way into position.

"You ready for this Winchester?" Ryker asked him. "It's time to go to school."

"Just shut up and bring it!" Chas snarled as the referees finished their safety checks of the players' equipment and left the rink. The referees only watched the action from remote cameras for safety reasons. Trying to officiate the game from inside the rink would be suicidal. The buzzer sounded as the door closed behind them, indicating the start of the game.

The ball, a steel sphere a little larger than a softball, fired upwards from the centre spot, into the launcher in the ceiling. It was a six-pointed star shaped contraption, with tubes coming from the six points. Lights flashed from it as the players prepared for what was to come. At random, one of the tubes lit up, and the ball was launched towards the floor, a little way from Chas' position.

Chas caught it as it rebounded from the floor, only to find Ryker rushing him. He grabbed the ball, before kicking Chas in the thigh as hard as he could, sending his legs flying and dumping him on the ground. He ran towards the scoring zone as the other players tried to stop him, but his own team were too quick for them, preventing them from reaching their captain.

Ryker faked to his left as he approached Ross. He swung wildly with his bo staff, finding only empty air as Ryker sprinted right, before slamming the ball into the furthest right scoring pod. The buzzer sounded and a hatch closed over it, acknowledging the point.

"You should have stayed retired Ross." Ryker taunted him, slapping his helmet as the players returned to their positions. "You're losing your touch."

Up in the box, Fresno Bob just laughed as his players celebrated.

"Good one Ryker, just keep to the strategy and everything will be fine." He told his star player through the head set. He cupped his hand over the mouth piece. "Did you see that Charles? The game isn't even a minute in and my boys are ahead."

"My son never did think things through." Mr. Winchester replied. "If he's lucky he'll walk out of here."

"That's your son you're talking about!" Summer reprimanded him. "I know he isn't an egotistical snob like you anymore, but aren't you even a little worried about him?"

"He made his choices." Mr. Winchester replied with a shrug. "He knew there would be consequences."

Summer just shook her head in disbelief. Although her parents had been part of that world, and had made more than their fair share of questionable choices in her upbringing, but even they would never have treated her so callously. They were distant and neglectful at times, but they were never cruel. Her father had only raised a hand to her once in his life, and he still hadn't forgiven himself for it. Mr. Winchester though, almost seemed to enjoy watching his son suffering.

"Well that makes two in less than five minutes." Fresno Bob announced as the crowd roared and the buzzer sounded, indicating their second point.

"The game might not even get past the first period." Scott announced. Tenaya just breathed a sigh of relief as Ziggy pulled himself to his feet. He had taken a hit, but it hadn't been hard, just enough to take him off his feet. It seemed that the Rockets were concentrating on Chas. He was helped to his feet by the Forbes brothers as he limped back to his position.

"Ryker, it's time for that special play we talked about." Fresno Bob instructed him. Ryker nodded in understanding as they all took their positions. The ball was launched, almost directly into his hands. As Chas ran towards him, Ryker threw it downwards, bouncing it between his legs behind him. The defender behind him, simply swatted it over his head, back to their guardian, who caught it.

To everyone's amazement, he turned and ran to the far left, slamming it into his own far left scoring pod. The hatch closed, and the buzzer sounded, acknowledging the point for the Warriors.

"Did they just score an own goal?" Flynn asked.

"I think they did." Sam answered, no less confused than the others. Fresno Bob just laughed.

"There's only ten minutes left in the period." He relayed to his team. "Just keep to the playbook."

This time, the ball was launched towards Ziggy, giving him his first opportunity of the match. He caught it, running down the left wing. He dodged as he saw the defenders running towards him, but he was shocked that he evaded them so easily.

He turned in time to see that Ryker had hooked Chas into a full nelson. He bridged backwards, driving his head into the floor, stunning him, at which the defenders rushed to help him. One of them jumped high into the air, before driving his knee into Chas' leg, causing him to scream in agony.

He was about to run over to help him, when he saw the Forbes brothers doing so. Ross came out of his zone, rushing over to join the fray, but waved to Ziggy to carry on. They would help Chas, but right now he had an open opportunity.

Ziggy turned around, seeing only the Guardian standing between him and the scoring pods. He ran forward, ducking under his swing, and rushing to the far right, slamming the ball into the scoring pod. The buzzer sounded and the play ended. Ziggy ran over to Chas as he was helped back to his feet.

"Are you alright?" Ziggy asked him.

"I'll be fine, I'll walk it off." He replied. "It looks like you have some fans."

Ziggy followed his arm to where Chas was pointing to the V.I.P box, seeing the Rangers all cheering and pounding on the glass. Tenaya was hopping around with glee, seeing him make the point. Ziggy waved to them, thankful that he was still alive, never mind equalising the game. A high-pitched whistle sounded.

"That's the two minute warning." Ross told him. "Just try to hold them off for that long, we'll regroup during the rest period."

The players all lined up, preparing for the launch. This time, the ball was launched far, landing behind Ross. He ran over to collect the ball, but turned just in time to see Ryker launching himself at him, slamming both knees into the side of his helmet as he tried to turn from him. Ryker picked up the ball and slammed it into the near left scoring pod, just before the period ended, leaving the score at 3-2 by the end of the first period.

"Thanks for the point Grandpa." Ryker chuckled as he walked away. Ross threw down his staff in frustration.

"Easy big guy, he'll get his." Ziggy assured him. "The last thing you want is to give him the satisfaction of getting you thrown out for attacking him out with game time."

"I really have lost a step." Ross commented, unfastening the strap on his helmet and removing it as they headed back to the changing room. "I'd never have gotten caught like that back in the day."

"It's alright, we still have time." Chas grunted as he limped up the corridor with them. He was too proud to let the others help him off the rink. He knew that Ryker would only take it as a sign of weakness.

"That's right guys, it isn't over yet." Hicks reminded them as they arrived in the locker room. Chas lay down on a bench to get the weight off his leg and rest it. "Just don't get suckered into playing their game. Remember you don't need to take them out, only score three more points."

Meanwhile, up in the V.I.P. box, the Rangers were busy talking about the match so far. Tenaya was a little quiet, and Summer was just talking to her reassuringly, making sure she was alright. Dillon watched her from the corner of the room as Sam approached.

"You know she is your sister." She reminded him. "Maybe you should be comforting her."

"I already have one black eye." He told her. "Do you have the test results back yet?"

"The computers came back with an answer before the buzzer." She told him. "They show your...sample...to have no abnormalities."

"No abnormalities?" Dillon asked her. "You mean..."

"It looks like your reproductive system was one of the things Venjix didn't tamper with." She assured him. "There's absolutely no reason why you wouldn't be able to have kids."

"Well that's one problem out of the way I guess." He sighed, looking over to where Summer was comforting Tenaya. "Now I just need to figure out how to get Summer to forgive me for what I said."

Scott sat next to Gemma, handing her a hotdog.

"Hey, I asked for mustard!" She reminded him. Scott just smiled mischievously and produced a squeezy bottle, pointing it at her.

"Oh don't you dare!" She shrieked. Scott just nodded and squeezed, squirting her with mustard. Gemma laughed and snatched it from him.

"Now, you know you can't do that." He told her. "I am your leader after all."

"I shoot first and ask questions later, remember?" She teased him, firing some at him. Scott ducked, causing her to squirt Dr. K directly in the face. Gemma winced as she realised what she had done. "Oh, sorry about that."

"If you must fight with condiments, please do so when there are no innocent bystanders." Dr. K grumbled as she glared at them. Scott put his arm around Gemma, his face betraying the fact he was seconds away from bursting into fits of laughter. Dr. K felt the familiar tight, uncomfortable knot in her stomach as she saw this and just turned and walked away.

"Where are you going?" Scott asked.

"I'm going to the bathroom to go and get cleaned up." She replied coldly. "Feel free to go and drown each other with mustard in my absence."

"What was that about?" Scott asked as he watched her go. "She seemed really pissed about something."

"Well we did just spray her with mustard." Gemma reminded him, raising the bottle over his head. "Which reminds me..."

She squirted a spiral of mustard into his hair, causing him to gasp, before bursting out laughing.

"Oh you are so going to pay for that Goldie!" He yelled as she ran off, before grabbing the ketchup bottle and setting off in hot pursuit.