Hello Kim Possible fans, campy here with a long-delayed update. Recap: the Spirit Week competition between the cheerleaders and sports girls is knotted up at 2 events each. Six-a-side soccer decides which group gets to call themselves the best athletes.

Thanks to all readers and reviewers.

Disclaimer: Disney owns the Kim Possible characters.

Chapter 6
"The English Call It 'Football' "

At Cow 'n' Chow Thursday evening the sports girls were holding a post-golf/pre-soccer strategy session.

Business at the popular fast food restaurant was brisk. Several tables had been pushed together for the large group of girls, their boyfriends, wannabe boyfriends and assorted other friends and hangers-on, and the harried staff grilled and fried as quickly as they could to keep the hungry teens well supplied with burgers, fries and soft drinks.

First the girls assessed the talent they could put on the field. They had plenty of youth soccer veterans who could play offense and defense, but found that all the girls with experience playing goal were either playing soccer for the school — thus ineligible — or were otherwise committed for the afternoon. Traci Sandisfield, their best all-around athlete, stepped up and said she'd play goal.

Then they turned their attention to scouting the opponent. "Okay, who remembers playing youth soccer with any cheerleaders?" Megan Hadley asked.

"I was on a team with Bonnie Rockwaller when we were ten," said cross-country runner Ellen Norton. "She mostly played defender and some in goal. She was okay at pushing attackers off the ball, but useless on offense."

"Ironic, 'cause she's been nothing but offensive ever since," Traci said with a laugh.

"Marcella Reyes was our goalkeeper when I played," Allie Crowley offered.

"Was she any good?"

"Hard to say. She let in a ton of goals, but to be fair she was always under pressure. Our team really sucked."

"Charity Trinh used to be a pretty good defender," noted a boy.

"Okay, maybe they've got some defense. What about offense?"

Katey Purcell spoke up. "They've got Amber Whately. When I played 12-and-under she led the league in goals scored."

"Yeah," said a senior. "Crystal and the freshman sister played too. Their dad taught them the skills and coached all their teams. Remember last year when Ray Vasquez broke that school scoring record that had stood for, like, ever?" They all nodded. "That was Mr. Whately's record."

"So why aren't they still playing? Why'd they go over to the cheer side?"

"Family tradition, I guess. Their mom and grandma and a bunch of other relatives were cheerleaders."

"Okay," another girl said, "so they might have some strikers. But goal scorers usually expect someone else to feed them the ball. Who've they got for that?"

There were shoulder shrugs and blank looks all around.

"Maybe Kim Possible?" a boy suggested.

"Kim? I never heard of her playing youth soccer. She was always into gymnastics and martial arts."

"I was coaching my sister's team a couple of years ago," Elena offered over video chat from the soccer team bus, "and Kim was also a coach for a while. She looked like she had decent skills."

"Better than 'decent,' if you ask me," Kyle Monson said. "From what I saw, she could take the ball right through our whole varsity by herself. Boys or girls varsity."

"Oh, come on, Kyle, you're exaggerating," Manni Pewlative said, horning in on Elena's call (having destroyed her own phone when Jess's sand wedge shot dropped into the tin cup). "Maybe she looked good compared to some little kids …"

"He's not exaggerating," put in one of the boys who was on the soccer varsity. "Possible's football skills are outstanding. You guys will need to contain her if you want to win."

"You mean we could actually lose this thing after winning the first two events? This is awful," said Elena.

"We were so close to winning the cheer squad's room I could taste it," added Manni. "Why couldn't we catch a lucky break like Blondie's?"

"Uh, Manni?" Megan said archly, "Jess's shot was mostly skill with a little bit of luck at the end. If it had stayed out of the hole, Liz probably would have made the putt for the tie. Right, Cliff?"

"She'd have had a good chance," agreed their golf advisor, in between exchanging sly glances and smiles with Katey Purcell.

"Now, you want to talk about a lucky shot?" the tall volleyball star continued, with a nod towards her co-captain, "Traci's shot was pure luck."

The buxom volleyball/swim/softball athlete half-rose and bowed to teasing applause.

"Well, we better be lucky and good tomorrow if we don't want to be paying off the bet at the Spirit Dance on Saturday," gymnast Beth Becket groused. "Or else they'll be stamping our passports for Humiliation Nation."

"Oh, I don't know," Kyle said. "I mean, of course I'm pulling for you girls a hundred percent, but I personally don't think you stand to lose all that much, compared to what the squad put up."

Megan shot an amused smirk at her boyfriend. "Oh really?"

"Really. You got them to risk their luxurious locker room for a whole year, and you put up practically nothing in return."

"They were very confident," Traci said.

"They thought they'd kick our butts," Katey added.

"Well, if it's any consolation, if you do end up having to make good your marker we guys'll enjoy watching you. Right, Tiny?"

"You said it, QB," the big lineman replied, offering a fist across the table which Kyle bumped.

"Oh, will you, now?" said Traci to her BF. "What if I told you you get to watch me at the dance or be with me after the dance? Not both."

Tiny reddened and stammered as the girls laughed.

Manni walked home after the bus dropped the soccer team off. Not like she could shower in the good locker room, after all. Not like I need a shower after riding the bench the whole game, she thought bitterly. It was just a few teensy little curse words. How was I to know the school employees' day-care kids were right behind me?

Arriving at her house, she went to the back door. Her younger sister Danica was in the yard with her friend Pearl Whately — ugh, cheerleader — and then Manni saw Pearl was teaching Dani cheer moves.

"What's going on here?" she demanded angrily.

"Pearl's helping me get ready for tomorrow. There's a tryout for an open spot on freshman cheer squad, and I'm going for it."

"What?! Oh no. No. No no no no. You are not going to be a cheerleader. I forbid it!"

"You forbid?" Dani said mockingly. "And since when are you the boss of me? Since never, that's when."

"Mom will forbid it, then."

"Mom already signed the permission slip."

Just then the kitchen window opened and Manni and Dani's mother was heard from. "Pearl, your mom says to come home now. Dani and Manni, time to wash up for dinner."

Pearl turned to Dani. "You got this stuff down cold, girlfriend. Just remember what I told you: crisp moves, project your voice, and what's the number one rule?"

"En! Ess! Ess!" Dani shouted in a clear, loud voice accompanied by crisp hand claps and foot stamps.

Pearl embraced her friend and made her exit.

"NSS?" Manni asked.

"Never! Stop! Smiling!" Dani answered with her best cheerleader smile on her face.

"She's joining a cult," Manni muttered as the sisters went inside.

Dani went to her room while Manni confronted their mother.

"You're really letting her do this? But we hate cheerleaders, remember?"

"Oh Manni," Mrs. Pewlative said, "it's time to grow up and let that BS go. I wish I'd never told you those stories about the bad old days when I played soccer for Middleton and we feuded with the cheer squad. All that stuff's ancient history. Beryl Whately was head cheerleader in her day, and she's one of my closest friends now. And Pearl is Dani's … and you! Why, just a few years ago you and Crys Whately were practically inseparable!"

"Till she ditched soccer and joined the slut cult," Manni muttered.

"You watch your mouth, Amanda! Crystal is still a fine young lady. So are Tara and the others, from what I hear. You need to realize you owe a lot to cheerleaders. Do you have any idea how many of your dad's contracting jobs come by way of referrals from Jill Monroe? A lot, let me tell you. That soccer camp you just had to go to last summer? The cheer squad locker room job paid for all of that … and you can thank her for that 'ultimate' smartphone we bought you, too."

"Yeah, about the phone …" Manni said sheepishly. "I need a new one …"

"Oh Manni," her mom sighed. "What happened?"

"It just broke," Manni said with a shrug.

"Okay, we can pick up a replacement tomorrow at the store near the Pre-K center. I was going to tell you I need you to come over right after school to help out."

"Tomorrow?! But Mom, it's the finish of the big battle with the cheer squad! I have to be there!"

"Sorry Manni, but this is important. One of my employees has to leave work early and I need you to come in and cover. If I don't maintain the required staff-to-child ratio I could lose my license. I can list you as an intern and it'll be okay."

"But —" Manni began another protest, then stopped. She wanted to watch her side crush the cheerleaders in the soccer match, but she absolutely had to have a new smartphone. "Okay, Mom, I'll be there."

Friday morning the varsity and JV cheer squads (minus Amber Whately) met to discuss the soccer game. Everyone wanted to be involved in this do-or-die event.

Bonnie decided it was important that she volunteer to play, since she hadn't participated since Monday's basketball debacle. After a short discussion it was decided she and Charity Trinh would play defense in front of Marcella, just as the sports girls had predicted. Kim then suggested that she, Crystal and Amber play forward. Crystal countered that little sister Pearl was actually the most prolific goal scorer of the family, but the others seemed reluctant to start a freshman with so much on the line.

"By the way, why isn't Amber here today? Isn't she JV captain?" Jess asked.

"That special tryout for the freshman squad vacancy is going on this morning," Kim explained. "I asked Amber to represent me there."

"The new Kim Possible!" Tara said delightedly. "Now with 60 percent less control-freakiness."

"Next you'll be changing your motto from I can do anything to I can delegate anything," Hope quipped.

Kim grinned. "Amber thrives on responsibility. She's going to be a great varsity captain next year."

"Gramma Ruby, Mom, and soon Amber. They'll be the first three-generation captains in Middleton cheer history," Crystal said, her voice brimming with sisterly pride.

"You could have been a great captain if you'd gone for it, Crys," Kim said.

"Nah, I would have been a good captain at best. You — and Bonnie — you guys are great captains."

"It's our privilege to lead a squad of amazing women," Kim said earnestly, looking at Bonnie. Her co-captain made vague noises that might have signalled agreement.

"Middleton High is going to remember this year's squad for a loooong time!" Marcella asserted.

"Damn straight!" said Liz.

"Okay everyone," Kim said as she got to her feet, "let's break this up and get to class before the bell rings. We won't win the soccer game if we're stuck in detention for the afternoon. But first —" she put out a hand which the other girls covered, "What are those sports girls in for today?"

"Lightning and claws!"

Tara and Jessica walked to class together. "Well, Jess, you got what you wanted yesterday."

"Yeah, no surprise there. I get that any time Steve and I are alone."

"Okay, but I wasn't actually talking about your boyfriend's turgid member. I meant you achieved your goal from freshman year. After that show you put on at the golf, it's a sure bet that from now till we graduate, whenever Middleton guys talk about which girls they think are hot, your name is going to be mentioned — early and often."

"Oh, that. Yeah, I was kinda rocking those Daisy Dukes."

"So, how's it feel?"

"Eh, not as good as I thought it would. Having a fantastic BF is so much better."

"True dat," Tara agreed.

"And listen, T? I'm sorry about yesterday. We had no right pressuring you to talk about what you and Kevin get up to together. That's your private business."

"No problem. I don't mind you asking about Kevin and me. I just won't answer if I don't want to."

"Fair enough, T. Thanks for being so understanding about our limitations."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, you and Kevin are so smart with your AP calculus and organic chem classes and chess and planning for medical school. You've got great minds, and like they say, great minds discuss ideas and small minds discuss people. Then there's Liz, Marcella, Hope and me. We've got dirty minds, we just discuss people's sex lives."

Once the final school bell rang, everyone hurried to the six-a-side soccer field at Farley's Sports Center for the climactic event.

The two sides cut back on the pre-game festivities since everyone wanted to get the match played and get on to the usual Friday night activities. So after brief introductions of the two teams they held the opening coin flip, which the sports girls won.

On the kickoff, Ellen Norton tapped the ball to her cousin, gymnast Clara Jakes, who began to dribble toward the cheerleaders' goal.

Suddenly Kim Possible dashed up to Clara, stole the ball away and sped unmolested through the defense to fire a blistering shot over goaltender Traci Sandisfield's left shoulder and into the net.

One–nil for the cheerleaders.

At the Middleton Pre-K, Manni Pewlative, assigned by her mom to watch the office phone and computer, had just accessed the live stream of the match. She pounded the desk in rage.

The sports girls kicked off again. This time Clara tapped the ball to Ellen, but Kim again quickly stole it and wove her way to the net, where she scored on a low screamer just inside the post to Traci's right.

Two–nil.

Watching the live stream, Manni groaned in agony.

After the third kickoff Kim again rushed toward Clara, but the curly-haired blonde quickly passed it back to Ellen, who boomed it toward Marcella in the cheer squad goal.

Marcella rolled it over to Charity Trinh, who passed it forward to Amber who passed across to Kim who dribbled toward the goal — until she ran into a wall of defenders that stopped her but allowed the ball to reach Traci harmlessly.

Traci scooped the ball up and fired it downfield to Clara, and she and Ellen ran a quick give-and-go that resulted in a shot that Marcella was unable to stop.

Two–one cheerleaders.

At the Pre-K, Manni leapt up and danced around the office.

As play continued Kim tried several times to outmaneuver the swarming sports girls, but wasn't able to do much. Three times she lost the ball to the defenders, and another three times she broke free for a shot, but was robbed by stellar goaltending from Traci.

Meanwhile, Tara, Liz, Hope and Jessica, the four varsity cheerleaders not suited up for soccer, were cheering on the sidelines. They noticed a familiar face among the boys supporting their team.

"Nice takeaway, Crys!" one of the boys watching the game called out as Crystal, helping out the defense, made a good play.

"Was that Craig Dalton cheering on Crystal?" Liz asked. "Are they back together now?"

"No, but they're staying friends," Jess said. "Crys is still questioning her sexuality."

"She's totally going to come out as lesbian," predicted Tara.

"Oh, for sure," Jess agreed.

"So they're really done for good?" Liz asked.

"Sure looks that way," Tara said.

"Huh. You guys think she'd be okay with me making a play for Craig?" Hope wondered. "I still don't have a date for the dance tomorrow."

Jess and Tara exchanged awkward looks. "Well, see, Hope, … uh … here's the thing …"

"What? Don't tell me he's got a new girlfriend already? Who is she?"

Just then the spectators cheered as Hope's sister made a superb defensive play against Ellen in front of the goal.

"Lookin' good there, Charity!" Craig shouted.

Charity grinned and blew him a quick kiss in return.

"Oh Em Gee," the petite Asian teen fretted, "you're not telling me Craig's into my little sister now?!"

"Sorry Hope," said Tara, "but your little sister's not a little girl any more."

"Yeah, she's got like two inches in height on you," Liz pointed out.

"And about the same edge in the cheer sweater," added Jess.

"Plus, Charity didn't run out on a perfectly good date mid-pool party right in front of Craig last month," Tara said.

"Ugh," Hope grumbled. "Eff Em Ell."

Meanwhile, the match went on.

Kim felt frustrated as the sports girls continued to keep her in check. She told herself, however, that this wasn't like fighting villains. Her foes generally recruited henchmen from among the members of the lifetime losers club, while Mad Dog student athletes were as a rule much tougher both physically and mentally.

Still, she reflected, if she could unleash her kung fu on these girls she'd probably have lots more goals by now — but however much that might satisfy her Kimpetitive nature it would hardly be conducive to raising school spirit. These were her friends and schoolmates, after all. (Besides, Mr. Santos the referee would toss her out of the match if she did that.)

"They've raised their game, Kim," Crystal told her captain as the teams set up for a corner kick in front of Marcella. "Your soccer skills are incredible, but even you can't get it done all by yourself. Time to use your teammates."

"You're right, Crys," Kim said. "I'll do that."

On the corner kick Bonnie adroitly headed the ball out of danger and Kim took possession deep in her own end. She paused for a moment to allow the opponents to move toward her, then sent a quick pass over to Amber.

This was a mistake.

Clara alertly pounced on her former teammate and took the ball away. She quickly fired it past a helpless Marcella for another sports girl goal.

Two all.

"That's my bad," Crystal said to Kim after she consoled her sister. "I should have warned you: Amber's usually terrific at handling the ball, but she has a tendency to cough it up if she gets it right in front of her own net. Pass it to her anywhere else and she'll be great."

"Okay, I got it," Kim said. "Don't feel bad, Amber, we'll get the lead back."

"It'll be tough," Amber commented. "Traci's playing really inspired goal."

"Yeah, she's a really aggressive keeper," Crystal said. "Look how far in front of the net she plays."

"You're right, Sis," Amber agreed. "And a nice, high lob …"

"… would teach her what a bad idea that can be!" Crystal finished. "And I know a girl with the touch to drive that lesson home perfectly."

Amber snickered evilly.

Kim kicked off to Crystal and she retreated toward her own end, watching to see what the sports girls would do. As she expected, Traci came out even further toward midfield. Crystal passed to Amber near the sideline.

Hoping to force another miscue, the opponents moved to pressure Amber, who flicked the ball up in the air with her toe, bumped it with her right knee, then with her left knee, and finally lofted a soft lob over everyone.

"Shit!" Traci exclaimed as the ball soared over her head. She turned and ran back to her goal, but the ball dropped like a stone and bounced into the empty net.

Three–two in favor of the cheer squad.

Manni grew more and more nervous as the match progressed. The sports girls were hanging in there, but she could see they were growing tired from having to mark Kim so closely. If this continued, Kim would soon start scoring goals in bunches again and the cheerleaders would win easily. If only there was a way to get the teen hero off the field.

Manni minimized the live stream and was catching up with her social media when one of her mom's staffers ushered a preschooler into the office and led the girl to the restroom.

"Manni," the woman said, "Sadie here needs a potty break, and I have to get back to the playroom. It's a zoo in there. Can you just send her back to us when she finishes?"

"No prob," Manni said.

She continued with her social media activities until she noticed the girl had returned and was standing next to her.

"You can go back to the playroom now, Sadie."

"Don't call me Sadie," the girl said. "I'm Kim Possible. I'm on a mission to save the world!"

Manni took in the tiny redhead's outfit of a black shirt and olive cargo pants. She even had on little gloves and a belt with pouches.

Manni suddenly had an idea.

"Oh, you must be a big fan of Kim's."

"The biggest! I really want to meet her someday. Have you ever met her?"

"Me? Well, sure. I go to Middleton High with Kim. We've been friends for years."

Little Sadie gasped in awe. "Wow … do you ever have playdates with her?"

"All the time," Manni said. She leaned in close to the little girl. "Want to know what her favorite game is?"

"What?"

"Hide and Seek. She loves it."

"Me too!"

"Well, how would you like to play Hide and Seek with Kim today?"

Sadie jumped up and down eagerly. "Oh wow that would be super!"

"Okay. Why don't you hide in this room somewhere, and I'll contact Kim so she can come and look for you."

"Okay!" Sadie exclaimed delightedly, and scurried off.

Manni snickered evilly as she typed kimpossible dot com in her browser's address bar.

Mr. Santos blew the whistle for half-time in the soccer match with the score still three–two for the cheerleaders. The teams retired to their benches for a break. The sports girls really needed it, the strain of marking Kim was telling on them.

Ron handed Kim a water bottle and she took a long drink from it. She then rummaged in her bag for an energy bar, but came out instead with her Kimmunicator which had just sounded its four-note alert.

"What up, Wade?"

"Kim, you got a hit on the site from the Middleton Pre-K center."

Wade briefed Kim with the details of the request. It was chilling: a missing little girl was certainly So the Drama.

Kim's squadmates all urged her to go to the Pre-K to do her help thing.

"Don't worry about the game," Crystal insisted. "We can hold this lead."

"Maybe we'll find the little girl quickly and I can return to the game."

"Sure, Kim," Crystal said. "As long as you're back before the second half starts. If a substitute has to come in for you, you're out of the game for good. That's the rule at this level."

"Oh," Kim said. "I didn't realize that."

"But don't worry," Crystal said again. "You just find that little girl. We won't let you down."

The other girls all chimed in with agreement.

"Okay. Ron, let's go Mission Mode!" Kim said. The teen heroes hurried off the field.

"You sure we can do this, Crys?" Marcella asked.

"Absolutely!" Crystal said confidently.

"I hope," she added, quietly.

to be continued …