"So D'Jok wussed out then?" Sneered Sinedd, glaring angrily at the small striker in front of him.
"Nah, he just couldn't bare to see your ugly face," replied Micro-Ice sweetly, turning on his back on the squeaky-voiced Shadow.
Sinedd growled, black smog spitting from his finger tips. He went to take his place at the centre of the pitch. Looking up, he noticed the Snow Kids new striker. She had dreadlocks and a fat metal ring in her lip. She looked ready for the match, a small smile playing across her face.
The ball shot into the air. Rose gasped as Sinedd teleported up into the air, rematerializing high up above them. Sinedd passed the ball to the right wing, where a wraith like Shadow player was waiting.
Thran ran at the attacker but the player merely teleported through him, leaving Thran coughing in his wake.
Mei tried to slide tackle the Shadow. It half worked. Mei hit the ball from the players feet, but sent it high into the air. Sinedd teleported into the air, inches from the ball, black smog circling him.
Yuki gulped. Her first match, barely a minute into the first half, her first chance to save, would she muck it all up? Sinedd blasted the ball at Yuki. She leapt at the ball. She was so close. The ball slipped through her fingers into the back of the net.
1-0 to the Shadows!
Yuki punched the grass with her hand. Mei and Thran sighed sadly, how could this have happened already?
"Nice try loser," giggled Sinedd, strutting off back down the pitch.
"It's alright Yuki, we can recover," assured Aarch into Yuki's earpiece, but she wasn't listening. It was her fault. She knew it. She could never be a Snow Kid. She just wasn't good enough.
Yuki looked up, tears forming in her eyes. Micro-Ice had hurried over.
"Bad luck Yuki," smiled Micro-Ice, pulling Yuki back up to her feet. "Come on, we've got loads of time to catch up!" He grinned. Yuki looked at his smile and couldn't help but smile back.
"Thanks Micro-Ice," she whispered.
"Is it always so tense with the Snow Kids?" Asked Mark, bemusedly. He and Ahito had slipped out of the locker room and gone to see if they could find a cafeteria.
"No, normally we all get along. But everyone's a bit stressed about only drawing with the Rykers, we don't do that often," explained Ahito.
"Poor Mei," sighed Mark.
"Poor D'Jok," answered Ahito, "he can't seem to use the breath at the moment."
"Ah the Breath," sighed Mark, "I can't wait to get me some of that!"
"It's the best thing ever! No wonder D'Jok's missing it!"
"So Rocket and Tia are…"
"Going out? You bet, they're kind of shy though, so they don't show off too much."
"There's enough show offs already, have you seen Micro-Ice around Rose?"
Ahito laughed, "hey Mark, I wonder how they're doing in the match. I hope Yuki's ok for her first game."
"Mei, Thran you need to help Yuki, keep those attackers away!" demanded Aarch.
Mei and Thran nodded, charging at the incoming Shadow attacker. Thran blitzed the attacker as Mei took possession. She sprinted off down the pitch towards the Shadow's goal. She passed the ball to Rocket, he took it perfectly and continued on.
"Nice work Rocket, keep it flowing!" encouraged Aarch.
Rocket hurried down the pitch when suddenly he found himself confronted by a shadow, turning to go the other way he found another Shadow, ready to block. Turning to run backwards he discovered a third. He was completely surrounded.
Rocket closed his eyes and took a deep breath. This helped him to concentrate and The Breath began to swirl around him.
Rocket rolled the ball onto his foot and did a side somersault over one of the hapless Shadow defenders. The Shadow gasped as Rocket's legs span over him. Rocket punted the ball across the pitch to Rose.
Rose hurried into the penalty box her eyes set on goal.
"Rose, shoot!" Demanded Aarch.
Rose pulled her leg back to the kick the ball, but found it dragged from her feet by the Shadow goalkeeper. The Shadow goalkeeper chuckled as Rose stomped off angrily.
"Bad luck Rose," said Micro-Ice kindly, but she pushed past him angrily.
A loud buzzer sounded for half time and the snow kids swarmed into the locker room, feeling despondent.
"I can't believe it," sighed Aarch, "we're down, again, at half time."
"Sorry coach," mumbled Rocket.
"Don't apologize to me! Apologize to yourselves!" insisted Aarch. "You WON the Galactik Cup, are you really going to let these guys push you around?"
"Come on guys, we can still do it!" Announced Tia, jumping to her feet. "Who's with me?" She asked holding out her hand.
"I am!" said Rocket, softly, placing his hand in Tia's.
"Me too!" Grinned Micro-Ice.
"Let's do it!" Laughed Thran.
Mei, Rose and Yuki placed their hands lightly on the pile, all three of them thinking about other things. Rose, of her spoilt goal. Yuki, of the goal she let in. Mei, the relationship that was slipping through her fingers.
"GO SNOW GO!" They all chanted and then hurried back to the podium. Leaving only D'Jok and Derek in the locker room.
"So," began Derek, "you think they have a chance?"
"Of course they do, we won the Galactik Cup remember," replied D'Jok.
"Yes, but the Shadows are the best team in the galaxy, hardly easy to beat," smiled Derek, "and you…"
"What about me?" Barked D'Jok defensively.
"What are you? Without the breath?" He asked, smiling innocently.
"No…I…leave me alone…" mumbled D'Jok rolling onto his side, so that he didn't have to see Derek anymore.
"Don't let them score!" Begged Aarch as he watched the Shadow attackers move swiftly towards the Snow Kids goal.
Thran shot a beam of blue at the attacker, but he teleported out of the way, leaving only black smog. Mei charged at the attacker, but he span past her, leaving her panting on the floor.
Once more, the Shadow had only to defeat Yuki to score. The Shadow blasted the ball at goal and Yuki let out a squeal of fear.
The entire team held their breath as the ball flew at goal. They sighed happily when they saw it stop, firmly in Yuki's grasp.
"Brilliant save Yuki! I knew you had it in you!" Cried Aarch, through her earpiece and Yuki couldn't help but smile.
"Wow, Yuki that was awesome!" Yelled Micro-Ice from halfway across the pitch. Yuki was glad that he wasn't too close as she began to blush.
Yuki hurled the ball to Tia and then let her shoulders drop as she took a calming breath.
"Just because Micro-Ice didn't see you blush, doesn't mean that I didn't," grinned Thran, giving Yuki a smug look.
"Me…and Micro-Ice?" Yuki feigned surprise, "not a chance."
"Whatever you say little cousin," replied Thran walking off towards the left wing.
"Rose pass the ball!" Demanded Aarch, but she wasn't listening.
"I'm going to score," she whispered to herself, she was sure of it. She dribbled round a defender. As another came at her she dragged the ball back and went round him. She sprinted towards goal, she was nearly there.
"ROSE, PASS!" Yelled Micro-Ice.
Rose glanced over at the small striker, but decided against it, she was almost in the penalty box.
Sinedd rammed past her, taking the ball and knocking her to floor.
Rose punched the floor with her fist and got angrily to her feet, ignoring Micro-Ice's helping hand. Micro-Ice gave her a hurt look as she swept past him, teeth gritted.
Sinedd booted the ball to a Shadow attacker who advanced on the Snow Kids half. Rocket and Tia ran for the ball but they both tackled thin air as the Shadow passed to one of his buddies.
Mei, breath swirling around her, charged at the Shadow attacker. Still in her mind was D'Jok's treatment of her and she felt anger and strength coursing through her muscles.
Mei kicked out the defender, her foot catching against his shins and bringing him to the floor.
The harsh buzzer rang around the stadium as Mei was lifted into the air, surrounded by red glass. The Shadow supporters booed her loudly.
"Look out Yuki, they've got a free kick," gasped Aarch.
"Oh no… Mei…" sighed D'Jok, in the changing rooms, watching as Sinedd prepared to take his shot. Mei sunk down to her knees, watching Sinedd run at the ball.
Sinedd blasted the ball at goal. Yuki dived through the air. In the opposite direction.
Yuki hit the floor, eyes glued to the ball flying at the opposite side of goal.
All the Snow Kids watched with open mouths as the ball span towards the goal. All but Micro-Ice.
Micro-Ice leapt to Yuki's aid, diving foot first at the ball. He deflected the ball from danger and Thran began to move back up the pitch, ball in tow.
Micro-Ice dropped to the floor, panting heavily.
"Thanks… so much…" mumbled Yuki, looking at the young boy lying on the floor.
"No…problem," he wheezed, "I'd better…get…going…"
Yuki watched Micro-Ice hurry off down the pitch. She couldn't help but watch his butt as he ran.
Rocket found himself once more stuck between three defenders. He looked around anxiously, looking for some sort of opening. There wasn't one.
With a roar he unleashed a surge of Breath. The blue flux burst out of him from all sides, throwing the defenders backwards like scraps of paper, blowing in a breeze. Rocket saw his chance to score and took it, firing the ball like a torpedo at the goal.
The goalkeeper's eyes widened as the ball flew towards him, he clenched his eyes fearfully. But Sinedd teleported to his rescue. Stopping the ball in mid air and advancing back up the pitch.
"Damn you Sinedd!" Growled Rocket as the raven haired Shadow sprinted past him.
Rose tried to slow him down but he merely phased straight through her, leaving her coughing behind him.
"Stay focused Rose," encouraged Aarch, "Micro-Ice, Get the ball back!"
"Just have to ask!" Grinned Micro-Ice, unleashing an explosive burst of blue flux as he sprinted towards Sinedd.
Micro-Ice slid round Sinedd, taking the ball and tripping the angry Shadow. Micro-Ice, still on the floor, span on his back, his legs twisting like a helicopter. He struck the ball hard, sending it perfectly to Tia.
"That was stupid of you Micro-Ice," spat Sinedd, glaring down at the Snow Kid striker.
"Taking the ball from you?" Questioned Micro-Ice, "I'd say you were more stupid for letting me have it!" He grinned, waving to Sinedd as he hurried to get back into the match.
Tia kicked the ball high into the air, higher even than the Shadow's teleport range. She leapt into the air, twisting like a spinning top. Then, she uncoiled, letting her right leg swing round with incredible force. The ball shot towards the goal, denting the crossbar as it rebounded. Tia dropped sadly to the floor.
"Rocket, I'm sorry," she mumbled.
"Don't be, we're going to win!" he reassured her. She looked fearfully into his eyes and he gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. Tia began to blush and was slightly relieved when she saw Thran running their way with the ball and was able to get back into the match.
"Micro-Ice, make good use of this!" Yelled Thran as he passed. Micro-Ice caught the ball on his chest and hurried towards goal, sure that this time, he would score.
Sinedd had other plans.
Sinedd ran straight into Micro-Ice throwing him to the floor and kicking him in the shins as he went down.
"You see what happens?" He growled as Micro-Ice groaned on the floor, clutching his leg.
"What the hell was that for!" Shouted Rose as she raced onto the scene.
"This has nothing to do with you, little girl!" snapped Sinedd.
"When you attack my team mate, I think it has something to do with me!" retorted Rose, her eyes filled with hatred for this cocky striker.
The buzzer emanated around the stadium and Sinedd was lifted into the air beside Mei. He gave her a look and she returned an equally frosty one.
"You alright?" Asked Rose, holding out her hand for Micro-Ice to take.
"um…yeh…fine," replied Micro-Ice slowly, surprised that Rose was being nice to him. He took her hand and she pulled him to his feet. She patted his shoulder with a smile and then ran off to get in place for the free kick. He tried to pretend he was fine as he hobbled back into his usual place.
"Good luck Rocket," Tia whispered to the Snow Kids captain as she went to stand by the goal. Rocket took a deep breath and took a few steps back from the ball.
"You know what to do Rocket, show us your magic," said Aarch in the Captain's earpiece.
Blue flux swirled around the captain as he stepped towards the ball. He took another step and pulled his leg back. Everyone on the pitch watched the ball with peeled eyes. Mei and Sinedd stared at it intently as Rocket smashed his foot into it. D'Jok, Derek, Mark and Ahito watched it as it soared in an arch around the wall of Shadow players. Aarch, Clamp and Dame Simbai watched as the goalkeeper dived for the ball. Rocket watched as it landed comfortably in the back of the net.
The scores are tied at 1-1!
"That's how its done!" Roared Aarch.
D'Jok felt a little bit of sadness, Rocket clearly hadn't lost his command of the Breath. He watched as Mei dropped from the penalty zone back into the match, he could see that she was angry and he felt bad.
"You've got all seven men on the field and you've equalised! You have five minutes to score again!" Yelled Aarch and the Snow Kids all nodded in agreement.
Tia and a Shadow taking Sinedd's place, prepared for the kick off.
"Take her out!" Snarled Sinedd in his earpiece and the Shadow nodded.
The ball launched into the air and both players leapt up to greet it. Blue and black flux smashed together creating a huge bright glare. Rocket had to shield his eyes and when he looked back he saw Tia drop to the floor.
"TIA!" He wailed, sprinting across the pitch towards her. She was lying on her back on the floor, moaning slightly.
"Tia, what happened?" Asked a concerned Rocket.
"Rocket, don't lose concentration now!" Implored Aarch as a Shadow streaked past Rocket with the ball.
Mei and Thran ran together at the Shadow, desperate to stop this last minute attack. The Shadow saw them coming and teleported into the air, throwing both defenders to the floor with the force of the Smog.
The Shadow passed high into the air, where another Shadow appeared. The same thing happened and the ball got even higher, a dot in Yuki's vision. Then, the Shadow took his shot.
The ball fell from the sky like a meteor, spelling impending doom for Yuki. Her eyes grew wide as the ball neared the goal, there was no one to save her this time. She leapt at the ball, but she just wasn't fast enough. The ball blasted straight through the net, leaving a scorching hole in the Snow Kids goal.
2-1 to the Shadows!
"No…" whimpered Yuki, lowering her head.
"You've got one minute left, don't give up yet, Snow Kids!" ordered Aarch.
The ball shot into the air. Tia and the Shadow faced off, but in the end the blonde haired girl was able to secure the ball for her team. From the corner of her eye she saw Sinedd drop back into the match.
She kicked the ball over a defender and then passed to Rocket. Rocket streaked down the pitch, outrunning two Shadows on his way. He crossed the ball to Rose.
She headed it forwards and ran onto it. A defender came straight for her but she merely kicked the ball through his legs and ran round him, continuing towards the goal. She passed the ball to Micro-Ice, who took it on his chest and made his way into the penalty box.
He ran as fast as he could. He was so close to the goal. He saw Sinedd running in but he had enough space to shoot.
He pulled his right leg back and his left leg, injured earlier by Sinedd, buckled underneath him. Micro-Ice toppled to the floor, the ball rolling slowly into the goalkeepers hands.
"END GAME. SHADOWS WIN 2 TO 1!"
"I told you the Shadows were good," grinned Derek maliciously in the locker room.
HOPE YOU ENJOYED! :D