"The Magnificent Performance" At first glance, badgers looked like cute, cuddly, furry woodland creatures, timid and tiny, easily placed in the arms of a trusting child. But woe fell upon those who trusted the deceptive outer appearance, for inside the heart of this innocent little critter was a monster, a true force of nature. Badgers were some of the nastiest fighters in the whole animal kingdom, and was infamous for its lack of self-preservation. They'd fight against anything: snake, cougar, wolf, owl, crocodile, bear, it didn't matter. This ferociousness no doubt inspired Stanton's all-girls school to adapt the badger as their motto. After all, the girls might've looked harmless, but they were a force to be reckoned with. Already the mighty Stanton Badgers were making a name for themselves this year. When soccer season came in full swing, they swept back, taking victory after victory, at home and abroad. Leena used her girls like a master chess player, or a General to her troops, guiding them through times warm and strict, cold and heated, slow and fast. Of course, half the time the team acted like it was wobbling on injured legs, probably due to the absence of two of its players and the weakness of another one. More often than not, Kathlyn was benched in favor of another goalie, usually Alisha Fox, and she spent a lot of time talking quietly with Jocelyn and Alexis, who were also considered bench-warmers. "I don't have anyone to blame but myself," said Walker, touching her abdomen tenderly. "If I hadn't gone and done that, I could still be up there helping them. At least you two have a good excuse." "Yeah, but I've really been trying hard," Kathlyn shot back. "You have to remember that I was no athlete when I first joined up with you all. I could barely run one lap. Now I can go all the way around the soccer field without feeling sick." "You've definitely improved, I'll give you that." Alexis sighed to herself and looked at Joss, or "Mother Joss" as they now called her. She had been almost completely entrusted with the duty of providing water and medicinal aid, even a few days after the birth of her son. It was almost a guarantee that she wouldn't be in any condition to play for awhile, unless some miracle saw the whole team advance to the finals. At least Kathlyn was good in a pinch; Alexis was suspended because of her self-inflicted injury, of which Leena firmly disapproved of. "You're lucky she even let you watch this game," emphasized Katt. "You had some nerve trying to kill yourself. Didn't you even think about the team?" "No, okay? What do you want me to say—that I'm a selfish conceited suicidal bitch? Then fine, I admit it. Just get off my case." The Badgers won that game, and the next, although each victory was marginal. The next game was the semi-finals, then would come the grand championship game for the state title—no doubt against Rodgerson's, Stanton's fierce athletic rival. Before the night of the game, which would be held on Laudendale's home turf, Captain Aintzane Klein gathered together her worthy Badgers for a psych-up conference. They all knew the score, but Zane wanted to cement it into their minds. After all, she and the other seniors played every game like it was their last, and since they were closing in on state finals, games had a more special meaning to them. "I don't have to tell you what an honor it's been playing with you women," she announced to the team. "We've fought, bled, won, and lost together. Over the four years I've been on the team, we've seen a lot of good women go on to be excellent athletes, and we've met a lot of new recruits who will no doubt continue our shining legacy. I stand before you all here tonight a contented woman. Even if we lose this next match, I will be happy if I've given it everything I had. But since we've made it this far, I say we shoot for a second straight year as the state champs!" All the girls cheered out loud, and didn't calm down for a long time. "Also," said Klein, waving her hands to calm her teammates down, "I'm here to announce the person I would like to succeed me. All of you are worthy of the title Captain, but I think Blake..." And at this, most of the girls gasped, whether in disbelief or joy, "As loopy as she sometimes can be," Zane continued over the murmur, "will make a fine Captain." "Speech! Speech!" Now Blake stood up, embarrassed and shy. She ruffled her autumn-colored hair and coughed. "Oh, gee...uh, I dunno what to say. I guess making MVP that one year solidified my position. But are you sure you want me, Klein?" "Either you or Ivory," came the reply. Ivory grinned. "What? Who, me? Sweet! But why'd you pick miss Baum first? Don't I have the gumption?" "No, you're as skilled as her. You just tend to show off more on the field, and the Captain needs to carry with them a degree of seriousness." "Yeah, but...she's a friggin' druggie!" "Well, that's why I mentioned you. If Blake's ever negligent about keeping her ADD under control, then Ivory, I want you to step up." "Awriiight, kick-ass!" Ivory beamed and stuck her tongue out at Blake, who did little in her defense. "Look, it's not about who's Captain," she told the feisty blonde. With a smile she added loudly, "It's about how badly we can kick the other team's asses!!" Everyone agreed with this, and spent most of the evening pumping themselves up. They would all have to wake up early to board the bus for Laudendale, so no doubt there would be a few cranky people the next day. Even when the Badgers first arrived, an hour before the game began, there were fans filling the bleachers, and not all of them were fanatical followers of Stanton: some were here to see the Laudendale Diamonds, and a few smart people from Rodgerson's had made it just so they could see what sorts of tactics the other teams would perform. The Badgers began their sojourn on Laudendale's home field with warm-ups and intimidation tactics. Alexis Walker proudly suffered herself the position of "magnet" by absorbing balls kicked in her direction, exposing her stomach to reveal the large white bandage covering her wound. Most of the balls were sent straight to her Solar plexus; they had to be excruciating. She just took it, grinned, and begged for more. Alisha and Erica performed a martial arts ritual they first started in the beginning of the season, going faster and harder at the beginning of each game. Both sisters showed how well they could handle punishment and pain, and even meek little Erica unleashed her fury, fighting back like a demon. Ivory just had to act like herself; Aintzane and Blake ran laps around both goals, chanting a fight-song they had made up over the course of training. Even Jocelyn and Kathlyn were in on the act, though they were the ones doing most of the shooting. Finally, just for fun, the Stanton mascot herself came lumbering out of her hiding place, large and furry and full of violence. It befriended the girls and gave them all high-fives, then made clear her intentions by thrusting a papier-mâché Diamond in the air and smashing it between her paws (Mihoshi was the mascot this year; the previous one had already graduated). Once all this was done—about twenty minutes for them, fifteen for the home team—the referees came to inspect both teams, including all the women who were not participating. Jocelyn was pegged as coach's assistant for the duration of the season, and Katt and X were "emergency players", but even these three were dressed up and examined. Off came the necklaces, the earrings, the jewelry, even some of the piercings—anything that could pose to distract or harm the players. Next everyone tapped their shinguards, confirming they had them on, then turned around and lifted their cleats in the air, proving their existence and legitimacy. It was boring, yes, but it had to be done. Aintzane the Badger and Melissa the Diamond both met up with the referees once protocol was taken care of. Unlike her rival Petra, Zane had nothing against all the other players and Captains, and was happy to test her mettle against this new face, no matter what was said and done during warm-ups. The coin tossed and Klein called tails; she lost the flip and got stuck with the side farthest from the visitor's locker room. Whether this was the good side or the irregular side, she didn't know, but she wasn't troubled. She considered herself the Bruce Lee of high school soccer: fluid, like water, able to adapt to any environment. A Star-Spangled Banner later, and the game was on. Klein gets to the ball at kick-off first; she passes to Tran; Tran dribbles down to midfield, passes to E. Fox; Fox takes the ball and dribbles up the field; she's attacked by a Diamond and sent into defense. Diamonds send it to midfield, go for the goal, intercepted by Baum. Baum fakes left, drives down the line, fakes a right, hurries towards the goal, makes a pass; E. Fox dribbles through the Diamond's defense and back to Baum; Baum shoots...and misses! Diamonds gain control of the ball and hurl it into the field. The Diamonds now make for the goal, swerve through the Badgers' defense, dribbling around the center, they make a pass; Badgers intercept it, pass to Parkin; Parkin dribbles, passes to Tran; Tran kicks and sends the ball hurling through the air; Klein heads the ball, turns, shoots...and misses! Diamonds gain control of the ball. Diamonds now playing defense, dribbling and kicking in random crossing patterns. Klein signals to Parkin and E. Fox, then signals to Tran; Badgers advance on the ball, attempt to intercept; ball is passed further down, Tran dives deep for defense; ball is shot to the goal...and A. Fox intercepts it! Badgers gain control of the ball and hurl it back to the field; Parkin bumps it with her chest and dribbles it through the line; she passes to Klein; Klein shoots for Baum; Baum weaves through the defense, and the ball is intercepted by the Diamonds. Diamonds take the ball defensively, luring the Badgers into their area, then shoot far into the opponent's field; Parkin intercepts the ball but is overwhelmed by the Diamonds; Diamonds shoot...and miss! A. Fox catches the ball and sends it into the field. Diamonds break like billiards and intercept the ball. Three Diamonds take defense, the rest go in for the kill. Badgers run out and triple-team the dribbler; Diamonds fake a left and pass further down. A. Fox shouts insults and curses to break their focus; Diamonds shoot and miss. A. Fox throws it into the field, and the ball is caught by her sister. E. Fox drives in a circular pattern around the home field, dribbling through the defense to search for an opening. Klein signals; E. Fox passes the ball to her; Klein passes to Tran; Tran shoots...and scores!! GOAL!!!! Leena closed her eyes and took a breath. So far, her team was doing fairly well, but she knew they could do a whole lot better. These first few stints were just practice, an extension of the warm-up session, a way for the girls to gauge their adversaries. Katt was doing better than anticipated, so Leena was glad she had pulled her from goalie duty. There was a strong difference between being a goalie for girls in gym class and being a goalie in a real soccer game, and even though Parkin had talent, Leena didn't think she would like having all that responsibility and pressure on her. Alisha Fox, however, loved the attention, and grinned throughout the whole first half of the game, even though she missed three balls. The game was mostly tepid during the first half, and the score remained a tight 3-2, with the Diamonds leading. When the game stopped halfway, the girls jogged to their bench to hear their coach prattle. Leena wasn't much for motivational speeches, but she knew how skilled her players were and knew the best places to put them. She briefly wondered if she could put Katt back in as goalie, but no—the second half was considerably more important than the first. She was good as a defensive player, so that's where she stayed (and Katt had no problems with it). Alisha was a little sore, but still carried her enthusiasm around like a banner. Leena checked her watch after awhile, and made a mental note that the game would start soon. "You're all doing well, but this is the time for you to be doing your best. If what Klein told me is correct, then the seniors in this team have promised to give everything they have in these games. I suggest that now's the time to do this, ladies. Walker," she said, addressing the wounded woman, "which do you think you're more capable of: running or guarding?" "Neither one, to be honest," she said with a wince. "I mean, I can still play, just not at a hundred percent. My stomach still hurts, and I don't have the stitches out." "Do you want to sit this one out?" "No way!" she snarled, rising up suddenly. "Hell, this might be my very last game as a Badger! If I don't play, I'm gonna regret it! I've already sat out enough games, so it's time for me to pay you all back. It's the least I can do, after all the trouble I've put the team through." Leena was proud at her determination, but it would take more than that for the injured girl to put up any kind of a fight. At least Dr. Andrews had cleared her for this game—she had completely banned Jocelyn and suggested the young girl sit in as the coach's aide all throughout the season. Joss didn't like this, but she was still weak from delivering her son, and was forced to comply. "All right," said Leena, "you've resigned yourself to this game. Girls, as my witnesses, let the record reflect that Miss Walker volunteered for this game out of her own free will. Now...need I ask which position you want to play on?" "Offense," she said without hesitation. "I can take the pain. Alisha's a better goalie than me anyway, plus she's a lot quicker. Remember, nobody can stop the Fox sisters." "Ya got that right!" exclaimed Alisha. The two seniors slapped hands together, and together, the team smiled at Leena. She got them to pile their hands together and call out a victory chant. "May the mighty Stanton Badgers take this thing all the way!" "We're gonna kick their ass and look good doing it!" "I'm ready to run until I burst!" "YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!!!" "Our feet are filled with fury; our hearts strong with pride; our bodies bold and strong." "The spirit of the sport is within us all!" "Let's go out and show the world what we're made of," Zane concluded. Leena smiled, feeling as if everyone was taking this too seriously. After all, it was just a game. "Ladies, let's just have some fun out there." The crowd actually let out a cheer as they saw X Walker running out on the field, waving to all her fans and supporters. They had missed seeing her in the previous games, and assumed, as these hardcore fans had a way of doing, that the injury she sustained was now bearable enough for her to play on. The team would need her, too: Erica had been hurt late in the first half, and was benched for most of the game. Of course, she also took this time to socialize with Jocelyn, but that was another story for another time. With the Badgers now on the opposite side of the field, the fans supporting them and the whole season riding on this game, it was a good time to be alive. Melissa of the Diamonds gets the ball first, and kicks it to her team. Suddenly Walker comes from out of nowhere, plows into her, and takes the ball into possession! She turns, she ducks, she passes; Tran has the ball, dribbles it through the defense, passes it; the Diamonds intercept, but Walker takes the ball again! She heads for the goal, fakes a kick, passes back; Klein's got the ball, kicks it round the goal, fakes a shot; passes to Walker, she shoots...she scores! GOAL!!! The score was tied now, with the Badgers controlling the ball. Fox taunts the Diamonds from her perch as the Badgers pass the ball around; Diamonds intercept it and carry it deep into visitor territory; they feign a pass and shoot wide; Tran and Walker break the kick and send it home; Diamonds retrieve the ball, they pass, they shoot...they score! GOAL!!! The score now in favor of the Diamonds, they take the ball and play defensive tag, running and sharing it between themselves to eat up time. Parkin and Klein head off the pass, the ball ends up free; Diamonds take it and bump it up further in visitor territory; Fox taunts them as Baum runs round to steal the ball; Diamonds shoot again...and miss! What a miraculous save! Fox, now winded, throws the ball back, and the Badgers take control. They wind up and pass to Walker; she plows through the defense with Klein and Tran covering her; Baum swerves in and handles it, dives deep, kicks it to Tran, she whirls suddenly and launches it...and scores! GOAL!!! The Badgers now tied with the Diamonds take the ball and move into defensive positions. Diamonds swerve in, miss the ball; three more intercept and pass it through the line. Fox resumes taunting as Parkin and Klein swoop in to take the ball; Tran and Baum close in for a pincer attack; the ball is wasted to center field; Diamonds pick it up and go for another goal. Klein breaks off from the team and pursues them, Baum flanking her; the Diamonds shoot and miss. Fox throws it back in, Diamonds intercept it suddenly, try for another shot...and miss! Alisha Fox is on fire! She hurls it back in, Parkin bounces it to Klein; Klein swoops around and passes to Tran; Tran goes deep but is intercepted by the Diamonds. Diamonds evade badgering (pun intended), go down the center, switch passes and keep their defensive line tight. Badgers pursue their opponents; Fox starts to taunt (both of them now); McKeough gets up to work the crowd. Parkin hears Leena calling her name; she rushes in, takes the ball, skulks back and passes to Klein. Klein drives hard down the center, fakes a left, passes back to Parkin; Parkin drives down to Walker; Walker shoots, misses, the ball bounces, Tran captures it; Tran now runs to Parkin, waving her over; Parkin runs down, out of breath, but the crowd goes wild and Leena cheers for her; she takes the ball, fakes a shot, passes to Baum; she shoots...she scores! GOAL!!! The Badgers take their first lead since the start of the game! With the score 4-5 in favor of Stanton and the clock ticking down, the Diamonds know they're in a tight spot. They regroup and rally around their Captain, following through for an offensive blitz. Diamonds shield the Captain from the defense, she kicks and parleys; Diamonds jump back and volley the ball between them; Melissa gets a clear shot, she shoots, and scores! Alisha Fox does not like that! Now the Diamonds have the ball again; they feint back and make a pass for center field. Badgers run in pursuit; the offense closes in, defense hanging back to watch the ball; Diamonds make a sudden hard kick straight for the goal, Fox intercepts it; the ball's free; Diamonds swoop in to dunk it in; it's good! GOAL!!! The Diamonds have now regained their lead and are tearing the field apart. Klein rallies her team for one last blitz and pursues the Diamonds. Baum and Parkin head off the kicker and intercept the ball; they pass it between themselves down to the center; Tran comes along to take the ball; she's intercepted by the Diamonds who send the ball back to visitor territory; Badgers shuffle and fight over the free ball, Fox spewing vulgarities (her sister rolling her eyes); Diamonds come in and brawl for the rights; they take the ball and dribble it down the field; Melissa kicks it in...no good! Fox grabs it and hurls it back in. Klein tags the ball and sends offense down for a long pass. She sends the ball into the air; Tran taps it with her head, jerks around, shoots...no good! Diamonds throw the ball back in, Klein rushes in to intercept, Baum and Tran come up from the side, Parkin the rear; Klein sweeps her legs... And a buzzer sounds. The game is over, with a score of 5-4 favoring the Laudendale Diamonds. Aintzane Rikke Klein froze stiff, dead and dumb to the world as the sounds of adulation washed over her. She had lost. Her team had lost. They weren't going to the championship game. They weren't going to win state. They had just...lost. No. They had not lost. The Badgers had merely been defeated by a worthy team. They did not lose—nay, they could not lose. After all, hadn't they played their best? Hadn't they come through as a team? Hadn't they all fought hard, each woman contributing in her own way? As this new level of realization came over her, Zane brightened up, smiled, and let out the greatest victory cry she was capable of. Yes, the Badgers had not won the match, but that didn't mean they lost it, either. After all, there was nothing wrong with second place, nothing at all. Soon, everyone caught their Captain's enthusiasm, and banded together for a massive victory huddle, confusing the other team. Together they lifted Leena in their arms and paraded her across the field, laughing and shouting all the way. Once they let her down, the Badgers played the role of good sports and congratulated their worthy opponents on an excellent game—some, naturally, making mental notes to inquire about these beautiful strong soccer girls later. Since Leena was the kind of person who would treat her team to a nice victory meal no matter what the outcome of the game, they all went out to the local Shakenstein's for burgers, fries, and the legendary shakes. The bus they took was thick with noise and jubilation; girls traded "war stories" and bragged about how everyone else had been so great in those few fleeting moments. Aintzane herself was a little quiet, so much so that she garnered the attention of her fellow soccer pals. "Whassa matta Zanie, you sad that you not gonna play with your Petra?" crooned Ivory. "Yeah, Zaney was hoping to run into her bitch in the finals!" added Walker. "Oh yeah, let's play the rivalry game! Don't forget to take a peek in the locker room, Zane-honey!" "Shut up," she groused. "And leave me alone." "Aww, why, you got a certain Russian on your mind?" "I told you to knock it off," she bit. Most of the girls loved teasing her and making fun at her, and even Kathlyn was in on the fun. Leena didn't come to her defense, and was actually pretty tempted to tease her as well, but she knew better than that. "So what's the real reason you're all blue?" she wondered. Klein sniffed. "Well...I'm just pissed off that I won't be able to knock that bitch flat on her egotistical Kremlin-loving face in the finals. And don't say it's the love of one rival to the next: she seriously gets on my nerves." The other girls looked at each other knowingly, and shared a big, smarmy smile. "Suuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuurrrrrre!!!"
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