"Alright team, here's the plan for today!" Announced Aarch. The whole team was sitting in front of him on two benches. To Aarch's right sat all the original Snow kids and Yuki to his left the other new players; Derek, Mark and Rose. They might have become a team but that didn't mean they'd become friends overnight.
"I want to take two offensive teams and see how well they gel together. After all the Quad cup's happening in a couple of days and I'm still choosing team formations."
"The Quad cup, sir?" Asked Mark.
"The Quad cup is a small tournament that is held at the Cyclops' planet every year. Four teams perform in a round robin tournament. It's only a small tournament but it's good practice for the Galactik cup. This year the teams playing are; the Shadows, us, the Cyclops and the Rykers.
"Now then," continued Clamp. "We also want to test out defensive teams and goalkeepers, so all of you need to get in the holo-trainer."
"Remember, so close to the Galactik cup, you don't want to injure yourself, so go easy," remarked Dame Simbai.
"The eleven snow kids stepped into the large square inset in the middle of the floor. Clamp pressed a button on his computer and a large dark square build up around the snow kids obscuring them from view.
Inside, Mark grinned as he saw the pitch appear. He still couldn't get over how incredible the holo-trainer was.
"Ok, first up, Ahito in goal, Yuki you stay back for a bit," Yuki nodded and walked over to the edge of the pitch where she settled herself on the grass. Ahito hurried into goal, looking forward to a chance to play some football.
"Mei, Derek and Thran, you three get in defence." Mei and Thran went and stood in their usual defensive positions, both of them looked to Derek who seemed a tad confused as to where to go.
"Hurry up newbie!" growled Mei, watching the huge man dither in the penalty box. Derek shot Mei a cold glare and went to stand at the centre of the penalty box.
"Now, offensive teams, Team 1: Micro-Ice, Rose, Rocket, Team 2: D'Jok, Tia, Mark. Ok, Team 1, get ready."
Rocket went to the halfway line and waited for the ball to materialize at his feet. Micro-Ice shot Rose a cheeky grin but she merely returned a withering stare, before locking her gaze on the goal in front of her.
"Ok, start!" Yelled Aarch.
Rocket hoofed the ball downfield to Micro-Ice, who bounced the ball of his chest. Micro-Ice dribbled down the pitch, spinning effortlessly past Thran. He saw from the corner of his eye Rose hurrying behind him and took his opportunity to show off. Kicking the ball into the air, he caught it on his back and then rolled it up onto his head. Then with a twist he caught it behind him on the sole of his shoe.
Micro-Ice was preparing to shoot when Derek ploughed into him, taking the ball and throwing him to the floor.
"Nice tackle Derek!" Said Aarch, watching their progress through his computer, "Micro-Ice stop messing around and score!"
Rose groaned as she watched Micro-Ice hit the floor. She sped off after Derek who was preparing to kick the ball off the pitch. She slid across in front of him, sliding the ball out from beneath his feet.
Rose then jumped up and began to sprint towards the goal with the ball at her feet. She kicked the ball high into the air above Thran and slipped past him.
Up ahead she saw Mei prepare to tackle. Rose stopped the ball instantly and went the opposite way, leaving Mei to slide into thin air. Mei slammed the floor angrily, she didn't like this new girl.
Rose was left with just her and Ahito, she pulled her foot back and punted it at the goal. Ahito was ready though. He darted towards the ball, the breath swirling around him, then he smashed the ball with the side of his hand sending it spinning away from goal and away from danger. Rose shook her head angrily and then turned and hurried off after the ball.
"Nice shot Rose, good save Ahito!" Cried Aarch.
"Micro-Ice, heads!" Yelled Rocket as he passed the ball expertly to the small striker. Micro-Ice took it once more on his chest, determined to score this time.
Micro-Ice could see the breath swirling around him and he could feel the power it gave him. Mei and Thran ran at him, blocking his attack. Micro-Ice turned his back to the two defenders, stopping the ball in front of him. He wondered what he could do to impress Rose.
Micro-Ice kicked the ball with the back of his foot, hard. It raced through the middle of Mei and Thran, shot through Derek's legs and took Ahito completely off guard, finally stopping in the back of the net.
"That's what we like to see Micro-Ice!" Laughed Aarch.
"Fluke…" hissed Rose, strolling past Micro-Ice without even looking at him, her dreadlocked hair swaying behind her.
"Alright team 2, up you come! Yuki you swap into goal." Yuki nodded, she high-fived Ahito as she stepped into the goal.
The defence took their positions, all of them looked annoyed after having been beaten by Micro-Ice so easily.
Tia, D'Jok and Mark took their places by the halfway line, waiting for the ball to appear. The ball wafted into view, right in front of Mark. Mark kicked the ball in front of him and began to run up field, to his right was Tia, to his left; D'Jok.
Derek ran at him, concentration blatant on his face. Mark ran until he was inches from Derek and then, at the last moment, threw the ball to his right with the outside of his foot.
Tia hurried on. Thran slid at her but she jumped over him and passed it way across field to D'Jok. D'Jok took the ball expertly and raced towards goal, Mei sprinted towards him.
D'Jok and Mei might have been going out, but they never went easy on each other during training. Mei slid towards D'Jok, but he hopped over her, the ball clasped between his feet.
D'Jok now only had Yuki in his way of the goal. D'Jok kicked the ball hard, insanely fast towards the upper left hand corner. But not fast enough. Yuki leapt across the goal, catching the ball and hugging it to her chest.
Mei sat on the floor, breathing heavily. She held out her hand to D'Jok, asking him to help her up. But he ignored her, walking past deep in thought. Mei got grumpily to her feet, watching the redhead run back to halfway.
Yuki kicked the ball far away from goal. D'Jok took it on his chest and began his advance on goal once more. Derek sprinted at him but D'Jok was ready, spinning past him. Thran and Mei both began to use the breath as they rocketed towards the incoming attack.
"Pass, D'Jok!" Cried Tia, but he was ignoring them.
D'Jok barged past Thran and left Mei trailing behind him. Yuki saw him coming and dropped into a defensive stance, preparing for his shot. D'Jok punted the ball towards goal with all his force, but still no breath. Yuki just managed to connect with the ball, sending it up high into the air.
Tia saw her chance and launched into the air, assisted with plenty of blue flux. Tia performed an elegant, acrobatic back flip, sending the ball crashing into the back of the net. Yuki didn't stand a chance.
"Great goal Tia!" Chuckled Aarch.
But D'Jok wasn't happy. All the other Snow Kids were using the breath, why couldn't he find his?
A bit later the Snow Kids left the holo trainer feeling exhausted.
"A great days training team! Get a goods night sleep, tomorrow we head to the Cyclops' planet for the quad cup!" Announced Aarch.
The kids dispersed, Tia and Rocket hand in hand. Ahito, leaning heavily on an exhausted Thran. Micro-Ice following an uninterested Rose. Derek skulking off, not talking to anyone. Yuki and Mark, laughing about how cool it was to have got into the actual Akillian team. That left only Mei and D'Jok.
"Honey?" Asked Mei softly, "what's the matter?"
"I don't want to talk about," D'Jok said bluntly.
"But…" Mei attempted, however D'Jok cut across her,
"I'm going to bed, I'm tired."
"oh…" said Mei sadly, "ok… good night…"
D'Jok stomped out, leaving Mei standing alone in the training room. But she wasn't completely alone, someone watched as tears began to spill from her eyes.
Hope you liked it!
And everyone reading, consider writing your own GF fic, there are sooooo few out there!