DAY 2

8:05 AM

Training Room

The training room was alit with activity. Here, Magia Lock's weakest put everything they had into each every workout. If Team Z wanted to succeed...

They'd need to do no less.

Running test

On the treadmills, Madoka and Ashley did their best to maintain 20 km an hour, with... limited success.

Madoka held herself back from taking hold of the bars, panting and wheezing as she kept herself steady. Ashley wobbled and teetered, and it almost seemed as if she would be flung off at any moment.

"Come on, you guys! How are we gonna be the strongest with you looking like that?"

They turned their gaze to Ayame, who looked like she was taking a leisurely walk on 22 km an hour. She held her phone out towards them, the text "YOU CAN DO IT" written on a notepad in big, bold letters.

Ashley grit her teeth, a vein popping on her head.

"Are you tryna mock us? YOU'RE NOT EVEN PAYING ATTENTION! HOW WOULD YOU UNDERSTAND OUR PAIN?!" she snapped.

That distraction proved to be her undoing. Ashley soon lost her footing and slid off the treadmill. Sana and Himika helped her up, and she spent the next ten minutes holding an ice pack to her head.

Madoka stepped off the treadmill, barely keeping herself on her feet.

"Water?"

She looked up, meeting eyes with Sayaka who was offering a bottle of water.

"Y-yeah... thanks..." she wheezed out, slowly taking the bottle before chugging it down, not unlike a man lost in a desert.

Jumping test

Hanna and Sana set their feet beneath them, winding themselves up for a high jump at the same time.

"Ready... go!" Hanna called out. On que, they bounced off of their feet. Hanna reached 62cm herself while the quiet girl... hit 66cm.

Well then. She didn't give off that impression…

"Geez, that's threatening for someone so unassuming."
Kyoko strolled towards them, grinning as she pat Sana on the back. It was… surprisingly gentle from the devil seemingly set on crushing those around her. "O-Oh… um… thank you?" She stammered, not sure what to think of the shift in demeanor.

Hanna stared at Kyoko blankly, crossing her arms. "I figured. You don't seem like the type to pick on the strong." She commented, idly referring to their entrance exam. Kyoko's grin twitched a bit, a vein starting to form near her forehead.

11:00 AM

Team Z's Training Field

"Alright, let's see more of that spirit!" Himika called out. She grinned as Madoka completed their one-two pass, gliding past Seika.

The pink-haired girl stopped 40 feet away from the goal, her right foot slamming into the ball and sending it soaring through the air with a long ranged direct shot. A glowing, pink trail streaked along the ball's path before it slammed into the back of the net.

...

"...Geez, Madoka… you never told me you could do something like that." Sayaka murmured to herself, mimicking the sentiment of the girls around her. Madoka awkwardly scratched the back of her head, shrinking under the sudden attention.

"W-Well… it's not really impressive when they expect it. The direction of the ball is pretty predictable…" Kyoko came closer to the field, having watched Madoka's stunt.

"You need help with being unpredictable, do ya? Well, count on me, er… Madoka." Kyoko averted her gaze, a faint blush dusting her cheeks. She had only known this girl for a day and a half, yet she was already calling her by her first name...

Sayaka grinned, sneaking up behind Kyoko and placing a hand on her shoulder.

"So you do have nice bones in your body, eh? I'm astonished! The prickly bitch isn't as prickly as she wants you to believe!" Sayaka chuckled.

Kyoko promptly spun around and smacked the shit out of her.

12:30 AM

Team Z Dormitory

Team Z's quarters were quiet, the silence occasionally broken by the snores of its occupants. Everyone, save the missing Kyoko, was fast asleep.

"I can't sleep at all..."

Madoka shifted once more on her bed, eyes wide open. She had only grown more restless as the night wore on. "Kyubey said we were the lowest out of 300, right?"

...

"...I kind of want to see if the other team quarters are different."

Madoka idly debated the idea in her head. It wasn't as if she would gain anything from lying here any longer. 15 minutes later, she silently stood before exiting the room.

She ducked out of the way of any cameras, making her way down the long array of hallways. Was this... really alright?

"I'm not any good at being rebellious like Sayaka would be in this situation..."

She eventually came across a door, illuminated with the text "AREA X". Taking a deep breath, she steeled her nerves before stepping inside as the giant door slid open for her. She took a look around the dull hallways and poked her head in a few different rooms, before sighing in disappointment. "It's really all the same… I risked so much for nothing…" Madoka turned around, starting to walk back in the direction she came from. "I better get back before anyone-"

She bumped into a girl suddenly, taking a step back as she rubbed her head. She looked up... and soon recognized her mistake, sweat appearing and pouring down her face in buckets.

The girl, sporting an elegant look with wavy, ash-blonde hair that cascaded over her shoulders, towered a head over her. She turned her gaze to the currently frozen Madoka, her green eyes narrowing as she leaned in closer. Their faces were inches apart now, the girl's piercing glare scanning Madoka from head to toe.

"You're not on Team X… so tell me. Who are you? Have you come here to spy on us?"

Madoka shook her hands frantically, practically leaping back from the close contact.
"N-No! I j-just… wanted to see if… each team had different living quarters… I was… um-a l-little too curious?" The girl clearly didn't buy it. Even still, she turned around and continued on her path.

"Go. And don't do it again."

Madoka's skin had yet to return to a natural color, her breathing heavy as she processed what just happened. In the next second, she was speed walking towards the entrance to Team X's quarters.
"That wasn't worth it at all!"

Kazamino City

Sakura Church

The chapel was silent. Save for the bright, evening sun that slipped through the windows and made itself at home on the many rows of seats, no one was present. No one but a young Kyoko and her father.

"Papa… why won't anyone listen to you?"

Kyoko didn't, couldn't understand. Why was he rejected at every turn? Her father rubbed his temples before turning to her with a faux smile.

"They'll understand one day, Kyoko. It'll be a long road ahead."

"That smile he uses to comfort me… it's been fake for as long as I can remember."

Kazamino City

National High School Soccer Championship

"Go, girl!"

"You've got it!"

Kyoko grinned as she ran down the opposing teams defenders, breaking through their walls with practiced ease as the strong wind blew through her ponytail.
"Over here, slowpokes!"
A few seconds later, her only opposition was the goalkeeper. She skillfully baited her, going for a shot with her dominant foot before feinting and shooting it to the opposite side of the goal with her right, smirking as she watched it stretch the back of the net.

"There was one important reason I played soccer above all else."

Kazamino City

SAKURA RESIDENCE

"T-Thats enough… I get it, guys, I really do…"

Under the crushing embrace of her mother and sister, Kyoko gasped for breath. She couldn't

escape... and she couldn't breathe!

"Can you blame us for being proud of you, honey?" Her mother cooed, Momo eagerly nodding.

"Momos never letting go!" Kyoko sighed and finally relented, settling into their hug.

Behind them, a team photo and trophy lay on the shelf.

"Something only I could do…"

"Father." The priest turned to her with a sullen expression, his face worn down by yet more years of neglect. She clenched her fists. Bathed in the chapel's golden sunshine, her father watched as her expression narrowed with determination.

"I'm going to be the best striker in the world! People will give you a chance if im famous…"

He couldn't quite temper his smile, even through his hesitance. All these years...

"You really don't have to do that, Kyoko… you shouldn't be so concerned with an old man like me." She stepped closer to him.

"I want to! I'll do it, no matter what…"

12:35 AM

Team Z's Training Field

The ball slammed into the corner of the goalpost with a loud and reverberating clang, bouncing off and rolling along the penalty area. Kyoko clenched her teeth. "Damn… I'm not good enough! I have to do better than them, better than the bottom of the barrel!" An announcement started to play from the speakers around the building, shifting her attention.

The results of the fitness tests have been assessed. Please return to your rooms and confirm the latest rankings.

Team Z Locker Room

Each 'Magical Girl' checked out the new ranking on their arm, some in disappointment and others in triumph. "Check it out, Futaba! I shot up to 269!" Himika eagerly shook the shy girl, who was still dazed and sleepy. The door slid open for Kyoko.

"Hey, what rank are you now?" Sayaka said, turning her attention to Kyoko. She seemed genuinely interested and, for once, spoke without venom in her voice. Kyoko looked towards the number on her jersey, a grin from ear to ear forming on her face. "265, huh? Not bad at all…"

Madoka entered a few minutes later, shaking and pale.
"Geez, Madoka… you look like you've seen a ghost." Sayaka noted.

"Yeah… you weren't at the training field, either… Where've you been?" Kyoko stepped closer, obviously concerned. Madoka waved her hands defensively as she moved to reassure them.

"O-Oh, I'm fine! I left to go to the bathroom, and the uh… awful… plumbing surprised me a bit there!" Kyoko and Sayaka stared at her with dull eyes.

Seriously?

The TV snapped on, stealing everyone's attention from their conversations. They turned to listen.

"Hello there, 'Magical Girls'. How are you enjoying life at Magia Lock?"

"Awful." Ayame bluntly stated.

"Horrid." Ashley followed.

"Beyond appalling." Hanna finished.

"Yeah, how do you really expect us to improve in this environment?!" Sayaka asked. How exactly were these limited facilities going to prepare them for the World Cup in just 6 months?

"What she said. We need better food!"

...

Team Z had been treated to the spectacle that was Kyoko and Sayaka agreeing on something.

Kyubey continued on anyway, as if it expected this response. "Let's talk a bit about Magia Lock. In this facility, 25 teams from B to Z are split into five groups, one per building. Each team lost one person after the entrance exam, so there's 275 players left."

Reira frowned. She was still dead last…

"Simply, you eleven are the lowest-ranked 'Magical Girls' in building 5."

Madoka took a look around the room, at each 'Magical Girl' in Team Z. "Seriously? Even someone as strong as Kyoko is in the lowest group?"

"The higher ranked players get to eat gourmet food and train in better buildings. So if you want a better environment, you'll have to work your way up! Tomorrow, we'll begin the first selection. I'll explain tomorrow, so get some rest. As you humans like to say, 'don't let the bedbugs bite!' "

DAY 3

12 PM

Team Z Locker Room

"...What are you doing?" Ren asked with a blank expression. She watched as Kyoko dramatically stretched long before the first match was supposed to begin.

"Picking up where we left off yesterday, the first selection will involve all of you in Building 5. Only the top two teams will move on to the second selection in this survival match. The teams kicked out will never be eligible for the national team. However, the top scorers from the three losing teams will advance to the next selection!"

"So we'll finally be a proper team?" Madoka realized. She smiled to herself, confident in her teammates abilities. They would win for sure!

"Wait, everyone here is a forward..."

Her confidence slowly melted into a puddle.

Hanna's eyes widened a bit at that last piece of information. That meant…

Ashley turned to Seika. "Well, why don'cha ya be our goalie? You were good at defending against Madoka and Mao-Chan."

She scratched her chin, her expression unreadable. "I-If nobody else will..."

"Heh, then I'll be center forward." Kyoko pointed a thumb to herself, making the ultimate declaration of victory.

Sayaka scowled at her. "No way! You're way too selfish to pass. I will!"

"Since you two would be too busy fighting on the field, just sit back like good girls and let me handle it." They turned their icy glares to Hanna, who didn't seem bothered by them in the slightest.

Kyubey flicked its ears, motioning for them to settle down. "Listen up. Soccer was originally all about scoring. You're used to the factors of positioning and tactics, but those roles only evolved over time. Soccer started out with everyone being a striker. You'll play soccer as it was originally. From there, create soccer from 'zero'."

"Create soccer from zero? Does it want us to improve in our own way, starting from the beginning?" Madoka pondered.

"As I've said before, you'll need to abandon all common sense. What we really need for Japan to become the best in the world isn't the teamwork of eleven players."

Madoka frowned, diverting her gaze. It wasn't that she didn't know her old beliefs weren't entirely true… but she'd be lying if she said that fact didn't sting.

"We need just one hero."

Madoka clenched her fists as she snapped back to attention, determination roaring back to life in her red eyes.

"This is what I came here to do! If I want to be that hero, I can't drag along any regrets!"

"As a result of their influence, soccer will evolve endlessly. To stop them, new defensive systems are formed. To surpass them, new tactics are given life."

Each 'Magical Girl' watched attentively, their resolve rekindled by Kyubey's speech. Its head tilted in approval, feeling the surging auras of each member.

"One person's play can change a team, a country, or even the entire world! Are you ready to fight?"

The extroverted members of team Z hooped and hollered in approval, their morale a force to be reckoned with.

"Get ready and decide your positions. The first match starts in two hours. It will be Team Z versus Team X!"

Just like that, Madoka's pupils shrunk. "Huh? Already? W-What if that girl I bumped into told everyone on her team about me?!" Madoka shuddered, an image of the shadowed and monstrous figures of Team X glaring at her with intent to kill appearing in her mind. Sayaka came closer and placed a hand on her shoulder, offering silent reassurance even if she didn't quite know what was bothering her.
After that announcement, the TV shut off.

Eventually, the rock-paper-scissors tournament among Team Z to decide who would pick a position first came down to Madoka and Ren.

"Rock, paper, scissors!"

Madoka picked rock. Ren picked paper.

"Nice job, Isuzu-Chan." Madoka smiled, having little qualms with losing and being second place.

"Then, Starting with Isuzu-San, let's say what position we want to play." Ayame declared.

Right. Ren would ask to be forward, then. She opened her mouth…

Purple vines snared her body, violently restraining and tugging back each of her limbs. In an instant, her vision became dominated by the sluggish and staggering electric signals of a faltering heart.

Of someone put in their death bed because of her selfish desires.

Ren gasped. She clenched her fists.

"I-I'll be a defender…"

Most rose an eyebrow at the decision, but they didn't complain. They had a better chance to be attackers, after all.

Madoka's expression lit up with resolve. This was her chance! Her moment!

"Then, I'll be the forward!"

FIVE MINUTES BEFORE THE MATCH

"Alright, guys. This is our formation for the first match."
Himika presented a white board with red pieces placed on it, a name written next to each piece. Madoka was the center forward, with Kyoko being the closest attacker to her on the right wing. Sayaka, Ayame, Hanna and Himika were midfielders while Reira, Ashley, Sana and Ren were defenders. Seika was the goalkeeper.

"We'll go for the win with Madoka's long ranged shots."

"...Are you sure? I mean… our opponents will probably be able to stop it after seeing it for the first time. Madoka isn't good at being unpredictable yet…" Ren mentioned. It was a notable flaw…

"That's true, but she has her team to support her, doesn't she? I know we're trying to be 'egoists', but that doesn't necessarily mean scoring every goal all by yourself." Sayaka countered, though no one listened. They were still set on creating soccer from zero themselves.

"Phooey… I don wanna be a defender." Ashley pouted, though she knew they didn't have time to adjust positions.

"All we have to do is win this, right? We can worry about positions in the future." Kyoko grinned, shaking off Team Z's rebuff. It wasn't like the second lowest team would be a real threat.

She was sure of it.

Seika was the first to leave and walk down the dark hallway, contemplating how she would survive the times ahead. She had to keep going for Mito and Reira's sake…

Ashley was right behind, slapping her cheeks with her hands to shake out the nerves gathering throughout her body. She had the opportunity to change something she loved instead of being a spectator.

Ayame came after, her hands resting on her hips. Despite the upcoming challenge, she had a bright smile on her face!

Hanna followed, mostly uncaring about those around her. She was only focused on becoming the strongest… through whatever means necessary.

Ren accompanied her, running a hand through her bangs. Just what would she have to do to survive Magia Lock? If things continue as they are, she would have to stop holding back…

Reira made slow steps after Ren, idly playing with her hair. The selection was nerve-wracking, but she had to succeed.

Himika appeared after her, stretching her arms, a contemplative look on her face. She'd become the best, and her family wouldn't suffer anymore.

Sana came next, nervously clasping her hands together, though her expression soon hardened with a dark determination. Soccer made her visible to the world, and she wouldn't give it up.

Sayaka proceeded down the hallway, placing a hand on and cracking her neck. Madoka would become the hero of Japanese soccer, and she'd make sure of it no matter what.

Kyoko succeeded her, cracking her knuckles with a stone-like expression. Her father would get the recognition he deserved.

And finally, Madoka marched behind Kyoko, her eyes glowing with conviction. She'd become the hero of Japanese soccer!

2 PM

Building 5, Center Field

Madoka, Sayaka, Kyoko and Ren stayed close together as they stretched in anticipation. Kyoko grinned, her eyes falling on the opposite team in white jerseys entering from the other side of the field. "There they are. Team X."

It was nearly time.

Madoka noticed the girl she met yesterday was leading their charge, red and green eyes meeting in tandem. Even from across the field, Madoka could practically feel the pressure she was emitting. She swallowed nervously... but refused to back down.

Not long after, the speakers began their explanation.

"Building five's first match will be a half game that lasts 45 minutes. Team X vs Team Z. Time for kick-off!"

Madoka placed her foot on the ball, sweat slowly falling down her face. She couldn't afford to be afraid. Not now.

"You're still tense, Madoka! Have fun, or else we'll lose. Don't forget why you enjoy soccer." She turned her head to Kyoko, who gave her a thumbs up. Madoka met it with a nervous smile.

"Thanks… I'll keep that in mind."

The whistle's blow sounded through the air.

"I just need to focus and climb up the ranks!" Madoka pressed forward, immediately finding herself challenged by three players. She felt someone bump her out of the way, snapping her head back to see that... Hanna had snuck up behind her and stole the ball? Her eyes widened in shock. "What's she doing?!"

Hanna looked up at her briefly, her purple eyes dull and colorless.

"The rules say the top scorer goes through. To be honest, I don't trust or care about any of you."

The next moment, the eccentric girl's eyes widened in shock as Sayaka slid forward and caught the ball from under her foot.

"If you don't wanna play by the rules, I'll do this my way! I doubt any of you will stick to plan now!"

Hanna's eyes narrowed with barely concealed killing intent, a dangerous aura starting to rise from her. "Give it back, if you don't want to die."

While they were busy fighting amongst each other, an enemy player picked off the ball like a vulture and continued onwards.
"This'll be easy, they're too busy fighting each other instead of us!" To her surprise however, her own teammate did the same thing by pushing her out of the way and taking the ball for herself.

"Seriously?! They're fighting each other too? Is this even a soccer match?"

Soon, almost everyone was rushing towards the ball. "Come on! The hell happened to our positions?!" Himika shouted. She had wasted so much of her time on that formation, and it had fallen apart in mere stood by and spectated the melee.

"This savage free-for-all couldn't possibly be what Kyubey meant… This isn't soccer. Should… should I join them?"

Away from the attention of the fighting players, a singular, glowing eye opened.

Suddenly, a familiar streak of ash blonde hair surged through the group of 'Magical Girls', sending most of them to the ground. On the other side of the fallen players emerged Oriko Mikuni, deftly landing on her feet with the ball in her possession. She ran towards the goal, rapidly approaching a frozen Madoka.

"Move it. This time, I won't hesitate to kill you."

The silver flames in Oriko's eyes flared, and before Madoka even moved an inch, she had been countered. When Madoka moved to stop her from going left, she touched the ball with the inner part of her left foot. She stepped over and planted her foot next to it before cutting outside of Madoka's defense with her right. "An inside touch that quickly?"

"Futaba-Chan! She's heading your way!" Madoka shouted, doing her best to give her teammate a heads up. Sana and Reira ran forward to stop Oriko.

"Don't worry about us! It's a two-on-one!" Sana called out. Their confidence was soon reduced to ribbons as Oriko sidestepped Sana and kicked the ball through Reira's legs, breezing past her before either of them could even think to react.

"Is she perfectly predicting what we'll do? No, that's not it… It's like she's seeing the future!"

Oriko sent the ball curving towards the goal with the side of her foot. Seika, mesmerized by what she was watching, couldn't think or react to catch the ball in time, and it flew right around her head and into the net.

The large screen on the far end of the room lit up with an animated yet unsettling imitation with a straw doll that looked like Oriko shooting the ball past a straw doll Seika with the giant word 'GOAL!' at the top, before showing the score to be 1 - 0 in favor of Team X. She closed her eyes and crossed her arms.

"I didn't need to take a look into the future to guess you all would misinterpret the meaning of building soccer from 'zero'."

She opened her eyes and held her arms out, as if she was the saviour of Team X. "This game exists solely for me to reach my goal. I watch over the field and all of the players on it, like a queen watching over her pawns."

Like that, a flip switched for the players of Team X. They had found their key to winning. Their cheers for her rang around the pitch, one even calling her 'Queen Oriko'.

"I-Is there even anything we can do to win…? Madoka trembled, Oriko's aura seemingly engulfing the entire field.

Himika walked closer to the reeling players of Team Z, her expression twisted with annoyance. "If you idiots stick to your positions, we won't have this problem again!"

"Hell no! Pass to me, I haven't got the chance to show off my skills!" Ashley protested, and as more people joined, it devolved into an argument. One that was broken up by the intervention of the whistle.

"Team Z, resume the game."

Madoka got back into position and placed the ball down, holding her head with her free hand.

"The game just started… We all just need to calm down and find out what it means to make Soccer from 'zero'! If we can collect ourselves and do that, I'm sure we can match her."

She raised her head and caught the gaze of Oriko, who seemed to be watching and waiting for her to counterattack. Madoka turned her eyes to Kyoko.

"Sakura-Chan! If no one else will listen, we'll pass it between us!" The red-head grinned and nodded in understanding. Madoka planted her foot, kicking it to pass...

Before Ashley came in from behind and intercepted the ball.

Madoka didn't think she had ever been closer to blowing up at another human being. She clenched her teeth tightly. "Taylor, we aren't gonna win if you don't stay in your position!" She practically hissed.

Ashley stuck her tongue out, running down the field. "You be quiet! I'll show Kyubey my ability to score! And just say Ashley!"

Oriko raised an eyebrow. "Of all the things I expected to see today, a defender stealing a pass from her forward was not one of them."

Predictably, the ball was stolen from her right after. "It's mine now!" The opposing player giggled, running down the field. Was it over? Were they going to lose because they were too focused on one upping each other?

"As sad as it is, I was right not to have faith in your abilities."

Ayama tripped the girl and stole it right back. She smirked, turning her non-covered eye to Oriko. "I guess you could say... I foresaw Ashley fumbling."

"Stop her!" The opposing 'Magical Girls' cried out, breaking what little formation they had to get the ball back.

Kyoko took advantage of the confusion and ran to the opposite side of the field, right next to the goal. Ayame looked towards her and took the hint, pinging the ball to her once she was close enough. "Nice!" Kyoko grinned, turning to shoot. "Now for-"

Her grin vanished off of her face, replaced by a cold sweat.

Oriko was behind her.

She had perfectly read the move. Kyoko gulped, Oriko's overwhelming presence weighing down on her body.

"For what, exactly?"

A purple steak flashed across their blind spots. In an instant, Hanna ripped the ball away from the distracted Kyoko, claiming the play for herself. She was now the second person to predict Ayame's course of action.

Oriko's eyes widened in surprise as she faced Hanna, quickly recognizing what had just happened. She had just used..!

Hanna's sclera were pitch black, her purple eyes ablaze with a familiar foresight.

"She can also see the future? No, that's not it… she would've kept up with me from the beginning if it were that simple."

Her eyes narrowed in realization. "She had to bide her time and observe me to do the same. An imitation. An inferior copy, based on how long it took her to get here. That's it, then. Maybe I gave Team Z a little less credit than I should've."

The goalkeeper leaped to catch Hanna's shot, but she was too late, and the ball escaped her fingertips before rippling against the net. The screen lit up with a straw doll of Hanna sliding into Oriko and Kyoko's exchange and shooting the ball past the goalkeeper, before showing the score to be even at 1 - 1.

"I'd be pissed about you stealing my goal… but that was awesome, dude." Kyoko murmured, her eyes glowing in admiration.

Hanna scoffed, her sclera lighting. "You were too scared of her to kick the ball, so someone had to do something." Kyoko's grin strained itself as it fought to stay in place.

Oriko regarded her coolly. "Impressive. But a copy doesn't compare to the original. You won't pull that trick again." She turned to walk back to the center of the field.

"Sarasa-san's goal put us back in the running, but is this enough? Too many of our teammates are playing by their own rules, and the games almost over…" Madoka looked towards Oriko.

"She wasn't expecting that, so she clearly didn't foresee it. There's a weakness there, but I have no clue what or where it is…"

She gestured for Kyoko and Hanna to come over. Gathering together, they discussed amongst themselves in the short time they had before the match started back up.

"We'll take her three-on-one! It's our best shot at finding her weakness…" Madoka proposed.

"If it means I'll win, whatever." Hanna approved.

"You copied it, right? Could you tell us its flaws?" Kyoko asked, proposing an option that wouldn't require their plan.

"Thing is, my mimicked abilities are less potent than the original. I don't know if she had the same problems I could have had, and my usage of it was far too brief to see any..."

Soon after, as each player returned to their positions, the whistle sounded. Oriko started with the ball.

Hanna sprinted down the field to catch up with Madoka and Kyoko. Himika opened her mouth to protest, but Sayaka shushed her. If Madoka was rushing forward with them, they probably had some sort of plan.

As if on queue, the three of them surrounded Oriko. "Surrounding me? Interesting…"

Her green orbs turned to her teammates, who weren't being properly guarded. "But if they focus too much on countering me…"

The purple flames of mimicked foresight flared to life in Hanna's eyes, working to guide her teammates. They widened in rare shock. "She's gonna-!" Hanna grit her teeth and moved to stop her, but Oriko smirked.
"I told you it wouldn't work again."

She shifted her position to use her other foot and pinged it across the field, surprising everyone watching. "She actually decided to pass?!" Kyoko growled. She was sure Oriko would be far too full of herself to take that risk!

The player that caught it got over her shock quickly, and promptly ran towards the goal. "Thanks for giving your servants a chance, Queen Oriko!"

Ren was the only defender close enough to stop her, getting into position. She could see it. She knew everything her opponent was going to do. But…

Ren couldn't do it. She couldn't bring herself to get serious. She couldn't bring herself to hurt her.

The opposing player skipped past Ren's sloppy tackle.

"WHY THE HELL DID YOU EVEN COME HERE?!" Ashley screamed in barely restrained rage, sprinting down the pitch with all her might in a desperate attempt to catch up.

Seika prepared to stop her. The only person worth thinking about on Team X was Oriko, and this wasn't her.

…

At least, it wasn't until Oriko stole the ball from her teammate.

"W-Where did she even come from?!" Seika was panicking now, watching the ball fly above her head in slow motion. She sprung off of her feet, a liquid afterimage left in place of where she once stood. The ball slammed into her face and ricocheted off her nose, slamming into the top of the net. Seika groaned in pain as she hit the ground, her head spinning.

The screen brightened up to show Oriko stealing the ball before firing it, a straw doll of Seika jumping to catch it only to be struck and folded like a lawn chair. The score was 2 - 1. The whistle blew to signal the end of the game.

…

Team Z… had lost.