Flashbacks

I was thinking about Artegor alot today, so I had to write something about him. I hope it doesn't seem rushed!

Disclaimer: I do not own Galactik Football or anything associated with it.

Artegor

A few weeks after the explosion…

Artegor stood outside the side room, his arm raised and ready to knock on the door. There should have been nothing to worry about. All he had to do was show his face and give Keira the presents for the baby. However, a certain feeling of anxiety washed over him as he heard the laughter from inside. Even though the planet had been plunged into ice and the Akillian's dream of playing at Genesis Stadium was destroyed, they were laughing like nothing happened.

He heard the voices. Aarch. Keira. Norata. Adium. All there for the baby. Artegor suddenly felt like the outsider, the one who didn't fit in with the happiness.

Breathing out deeply, he knocked on the door twice.

"Come in!" the cheery voice of Keira called out.

Artegor stepped in and gave an awkward smile. "Hi."

"Artegor! Geez, I was wondering when you were going to show up!" Aarch said walking over to his best friend and giving him a friendly clap on the shoulder. "How are you? I haven't seen you in a while? Are you alright?"

"Yeah. I'm fine. How's the baby?"

"He's fantastic." Norata said, holding his gaze towards the baby in his cot.

"Do you want to see him?" Keira offered, smiling warmly at Artegor and waving him over.

"Um…" this was the exact situation that Artegor didn't want to get in. He didn't want to see the baby and possibly forget about the chance he had been offered. "I'm not sure; I'm not good with children."

"Why not? Honestly, sometimes Artegor you can be weird. Even I've held Rocket!" Adium said.

"Rocket?" Artegor said "What kind of a name is that?" he thought.

"Yep. Cute name isn't it? Rocket Keiran Nathan Parr." Aarch said. "Go on! Hold the little baby!"

"I'm really not sure." Artegor shifted uncomfortably.

Keira sighed "Well, if you aren't going to hold him, can I have my card and present? Mamma needs a pick-me-up!"

Artegor nodded, walked over to Keira and gave her the card and present.

"Thank you, sweetie. So what are you going to do?" Keira said.

Artegor looked at the new parents and thought "Keira's strong. She'd help Norata get over Aarch. He'll be fine, they'll be fine."

"Artegor?" Keira gently touched his shoulder, snapping him out of his thoughts. "Are you okay?"

"Yes. Yes I'm fine. Excuse me." With that Artegor walked out of the room, whilst everybody else stared after him, the baby breaking out into a fit of tears.

"I worry for him." Norata said, holding Rocket close.

"Me too. I'll go after him." Aarch grabbed his keys and walked out, only to find Artegor sitting on one of the ugly plastic seats in the hall.

Artegor looked up to the ceiling and sighed. He felt so separated from the bubbly atmosphere and the only person he truly felt attached to was Aarch. "God please let him come with me."

"You are not alright. There's something you're not telling me."

Artegor looked at his friend, silently cursing and praising his intuition. "Yeah, there is something I need to tell you. And I rather not tell you here."

Aarch raised his eyebrows and said "Okay. My place or yours?"

"Mine. I'll drive."

They walked down to the makeshift car park and Artegor drove to his house which was one of the few which was stable. Artegor made two mugs of coffee and gave one to Aarch.

"What's this about?"

"The coach of the Shadows has given us the chance to be in their team. We can be the star strikers and we'd get the Smog quickly." Artegor said quickly

Aarch's blue eyes widened in surprise. "What! How can you think of joining another team… is this why you were so jumpy around Norata and Keira, isn't it?"

Artegor nodded. "Aarch, we need this. We can't let our careers go to waste!" his ambitious side was rapidly taking over. And his selfish side.

"But… but…" Aarch stuttered. Artegor could see it in Aarch's face that he was wavering.

"Aarch." Artegor said, seizing Aarch by the shoulder. "This is the opportunity of our lives. We won't get another chance to do this!"

"Norata, he…"

"Keira will look after him. Besides, he has Rocket now. You could always visit."

Aarch put his mug on the kitchen table and murmured "I need some time to think." He walked into Artegor's bathroom.

...

It was the longest half hour Artegor ever endured. He tapped his fingertips on the kitchen table, waiting to hear Aarch's decision. Finally, Aarch walked out of the bathroom.

Artegor flashed him a look that said "Well?" and Aarch said quietly "I'd like to say bye to them first."

Artegor had to control himself from jumping up and down on the spot and he tried to repress the strong feeling of joy. He said "Of course."

The drive to the hospital was quiet and as they walked up the stairs, Aarch grew paler and paler. Aarch reached the door and knocked on it. Hearing no reply, they both walked in only to find the parents sleeping and Rocket gurgling.

"Hey baby." Aarch said quietly, picking up Rocket and cuddling him. "How you doing? How you doing?" Aarch cooed. Artegor hung back, noticing the baby for the first time, with dark brown hair and big blue eyes.

"That's strange."

"Huh?" Aarch said.

"He has blue eyes."

"All babies have blue eyes when they're newborns." Norata said, coming out of his sleep. "What's the matter?"

Artegor immediately stepped out of the room, sensing a huge argument. And indeed it was. The words he usually heard were "Shadows", "opportunity", "traitor" and "I hate you".

After a long hour, Aarch stepped out of the room, distressed. He quietly said "We should get going."

Artegor was happy. That emotion didn't occur very often for him. Finally, he wouldn't feel so alone. He wouldn't have to share Aarch with anybody anymore. He had Aarch and Aarch only had him.

I hope you guys liked it, please R&R, constructive criticism is appreciated!

Luv GFSista xx