The New Kid

The three of us had left the carnival not five minutes ago. I was glad too, the only interesting thing that happened was Pinkie. (Surprised?!) the tons of cotton candy we gave her seemed to work perfectly. She just ate em and waltzed right off towards the ferris wheel. After the boring ferris wheel ride Pinkie dragged us around as she ate literally all of the candy at the carnival. I mean, the only reason we're not still there is because they ran out of food. I looked at Pinkies stomach and saw it was as small as ever. She hadn't gained a pound! Or... it wasn't showing.

I shook my head at the strange physics defying girl, I don't dare question it though. Whenever I do I think about it all day AND night. If I think it about it all night then I don't get sleep. If I don't get sleep I throw things at people.

Anyway, we were about ten minutes away from the game field, the game would be starting in about an hour. We hoped to get there earlier and possible chat with Rainbow before the game. I had some things I wanted to talk to her about as well....

--

I sighed as I saw the soccer field in the distance. During the short walk we had to take to get here, Pinkie decided to lighten the mood with one of her stories. Something about cupcakes or whatever. I didn't pay attention, as fun as she was, she could really get annoying.

As we stepped onto the grass I heard what sounded like arguing. Straining my ears, I discovered it was Rainbow's voice.

"What do you mean you can't play?! Come on Flitter we need you!... No-I mean.... No No that's not what I meant. Ugh... alright fine, I'll see ya later."

I walked over to the bleachers and saw Rainbow sitting there with her head in her hands. I rushed over to her. "What wrong Rainbow?" I asked her

She looked up at me then back at the ground "Hey Storm... Ugh, I just talked to Flitter over the phone"

"Yeah I could hear it across the field, what's up?"

She sighed and put her hand to her forehead "Flitter's not gonna be able to play tonight. Something about a reunion or something..."

I looked at her confused "I'm... still not seeing the problem here"

She rolled her eyes "The problem is that without her we can't play the game... We barely have enough to man the field" She started making circles in the dirt with her foot "There needs to be at least seven people on the field at once.... we only have a seven person team. Without her we'll be forced to forfeit the game.."

I sat down next to her "I'm sorry to hear that.... wish there was a way I could help" I said glumly

She suddenly perked up. "Hey Storm... any chance your good at soccer?"

I looked at her confused. Why would she want to know that? Unless she.... shit. "Y-yeah I guess... but-"

"Great! You can fill in for Flitter!" She yelled cutting me off and throwing a jersey over my shoulders.

"R-rainbow I-"

"We're totally gonna whip those Bulldogs!" She cut me off again

I shook my head in annoyance "Rainbow!" I yelled. I was about to tell her that I couldn't play... until she looked at me. Her magneta eyes staring straight into mine. The happy look on her face made my heart skip a beat. I started deeper into her beautiful eyes. I sat there for a few seconds just staring, until I realized what I was doing and looked away, a blush slowly forming on my face.

"Yeah?" She asked still staring at me.

I stared up to her again and was met with the same beautiful smile and adorable excitement. There was no way... "N-nothing"

"Whatever Storm" She rolled her eyes and smirked. I heard a ringing sound and Rainbow broke her gaze from me. She pulled out her phone and stared at the screen. "Aw... dangit... Hold on Storm I gotta take this" She said and walked off. I kept my eyes on her as she walked around the corner of the school building.

As she left my sight I sighed and put my head in my hands. There was no way I could say no to her. I had no clue why... was I? No... no that's not it. We're friends.... just friends. Shes probably got a million guys going after her anyways I thought. Sighing, I got up and walked to where she had gone. I had to tell her I couldn't play.

As I walked I remembered why I had to tell her that. I hadn't lied when I said I was good at soccer, I was quite the player a few years ago. Sure I might have gotten a little rusty, but I'd probably still be able to help Rainbows team. That would be the case if I was going to play... but I wasn't. Not after what happened last time.

~2 Years Ago, Storm~

I panted heavily as I returned to the huddle our coach had called. The score was currently 5-5. Tied. We were tied, at the championships. Whoever scored this next goal would win the Champions Medalion. A little something-something thrown in by the soccer committee. It was something I, and my team, were very much expecting to win. The other team had a couple replacements playing for their injured players. I smirked as I noted there nervous faces, this would be easy.

After out coach had finishing barking out his orders we all took our places. I was playing more of a defensive role, and considering the other teams state right now... heh all I had to do was sit back and watch the fireworks!

As the whistle blew the ball was kicked. Our team took the ball straight away. The kid dribbling the ball, Sheldon, was our star player. He swiftly dodged around his opponents, kicking the ball around them or straight threw their shaking legs. I was so caught up in his quick jukes and kicks that I almost didn't see a foot coming for the ball. By ball I meant balls, by balls I meant that he was about to be thunder kicked in the dick.

The foot made contact with his groin and he immediately flopped to the ground, obviously in pain. Everyone stared at his struggling body for a moment. Just looking at our star player holding his privates and silently crying was enough to scare any of us halfway to hell. The coach eventually ran forward to tend to our fallen mate. After talking for a few seconds the coach called an ambulance.

The coach helped Sheldon who was still clutching his groin and crying with agony. I felt a shiver run down my spine as I watched the other team laughing hysterically. I felt no anger towards them, I probably would had been if I wasn't scared out of my mind.

I heard a whistle and saw the coach motioning for everyone to come over and form a huddle. We all jogged towards him, as I neared, I saw that my friends all looked as if they had just pissed themselves. Except for Dark... he never had emotions... not that I saw anyway. We all huddled around the coach. With a sigh he explained that Sheldon wouldn't be able to play. He said that he'd have to pick someone else to take up his position.

"No one here's as good as Sheldon!" I heard Core yell. "We're screwed! I say we just forfeit the game..." I glared at him. Who was he to say we were screwed? We still had a chance.. The coach instructed him to stop, which he reluctantly did. After that bit, the Coach began to scan all of us. His old eyes would stop on a player for a few seconds, before he would shake his head and move onto the next. Eventually his eyes rested on me. Instead of the expected shake of the head he simply looked at me, his face scrunched up in thought.

"Storm" The coaches old grainy voice caused me to jump slightly. I looked to him with a questioning expression on my face. "Son I need you to take up Sheldon's position" I raised my eyebrows. How could he possibly think that I could play his position? I mean I wasn't terrible... but I was no where near as good as Sheldon. I shook my head "N-no coach I can't-" He cut me off with a wave of his hand. "You can... you have to"

With that, he stood up and informed us on the game plan. I was to play Sheldon's position which would mean me taking the ball up to the net and scoring the goal. Dark would kick it to me once he got it after the whistle blew. As I stood center field a wave a nervousness washed over me. I tried to focus, but was unable to. I kept thinking of all that could go wrong... there was no way I could do this.

The whistle blew, the game resumed. I looked to Dark as he struggled with another player for control of the ball. As he momentarily gained control he quickly kicked the ball to me. As the ball hit my feet my body moved for me, almost as if on auto-pilot. I quickly dribbled around my opponents. I felt some sort of confidence drifting up. The confidence boat had sank once I saw the goal though. I looked at the goalie, who was determined to block the kick. I looked to the players who were hell-bent on getting the ball from me. The goal net started to get blurry as the wave of nervousness washed over again, only this time is was more like a tsunami. I paniced. I stumbled slightly as I tripped over the ball for a quick second. I closed my eyes... and kicked. I kicked as hard as I could... the best I could. However, instead of the familiar feeling of soccer ball, I got nothing but air. I fell backwards as my center of gravity shifted causing me to fall on my back.

When I finally opened my eyes I saw the ball... in our net. The other team was laughing with joy. I grew angry.. not at them, but at myself. How could I have done that?! All I had to do was kick a damn ball! I looked over to my team as they walked back to coach, their heads hung low. My eyes widened, there was no way I could face them, nothing I could say... so I didn't face them. I ran, I ran all the way home. It didn't matter though, I'd be gone by tomorrow. Moving again. I'd never see one of them again, and they'd never see me. I thought over that... I'd never see one of them again. That thought ripped at my heart. I would never see one of them again... and this was the goodbye I was giving.

I turned around to go back, but stopped midstep. The shame of letting every single one of them down was too much. They probably didn't want to see me anyways. I had caused them to lose the most important game of there soccer career so far. I hung my head low, and turned back to my house. I took one last look towards the field before walking inside, tears slowly streaming down my face

~Present, Storm~

I had to stop to lean against the wall after remembering that. I couldn't let Rainbow down like that, and the only way to do that was by refusing to play. I'd screw everything up. At the same time though, there was a different feeling... I didn't quite know what it was yet. All I knew was that it was directed towards Rainbow, and it was telling me to play... for her. But that's why I'm not playing right? So that I wont let her down? I re-thought that. It sounded weird all of the sudden. It sounded more like betrayal now. If you don't play you will be letting her down. She's your friend, and you hers. Act like it I thought to myself

I thought over that for a few seconds. I was right... I smiled. I turned and walked faster to where Rainbow was.

As I turned the corner however, I saw something NOT expected.

There was Rainbow... lying in the ground, dirt all over her clothes and face, glaring at two guys standing over her.

The two guys were easily as tall as me. Both of them wearing shirts with the word BULLDOGS. On them.