For the Love of the Game

      I love summer. As a child, I appreciated having three months of freedom from school. I could do as I pleased and not have to worry about schoolwork or getting up or going to bed early. The sky is blue, the sun is hot and the weather is perfect for outdoor activities. Nothing like a bright summer day to cheer me up.

     I’m a Shoyru so I can definitely take the heat. The hotter the better, in my opinion. Back then, my favourite activity was flying. Oh to fly! There’s no feeling in Neopia I could compare it to.

     I loved racing through the open air, the wind whipping past as I flew. I’ve always been competitive and I would gladly challenge any that came near to a race or aerial acrobatics. I almost always won when it came to speed and there weren’t many that could outdo my agility either. I love pushing myself to do my best and these challenges helped me do that. There are so many reasons to love summer but the most important one?

      Yooyuball season!

     The game was introduced to Neopia last year with the (re)discovery of Altador and it became an instant sensation. I was quickly struck with the sport and knew that it was what I wanted to do with my life. I joined one of the local leagues and became Rookie of the Year (which is even more impressive since we were all rookies). Of course, I dreamed of the big league.

      Now here was my chance. Altador Cup II had just ended (Darigan Citadel won) but the local league season had just begun. Recruiters were often amongst the spectators so each game was an opportunity to impress them. I was determined not to waste it.

      I stretched my wings and narrowed my eyes as I took my place on the field. As usual, I played an offensive position. I was a natural with my aggressive style and competitive nature. I loved nothing more than running the field and scoring goals. Offense is where I belong.

      I may not be the biggest or the strongest ‘pet on the field but I never back down and have learned how to use my body to that advantage. My wings and tail bolster my size and I readily confront other players. More than one player has been surprised by my sheer tenacity. I won’t hesitate to steal the Yooyu from a rival player no matter what it costs me. Though my favourite part of playing offense is pushing through rival defences and scoring a goal.

      Last year I learned the hard way and suffered my share of penalties and injuries. Of course, I always bounced back and rival players began to think twice before squaring off with me. I didn’t want to let my inexperience or my young age (I began playing at seventeen last year) hinder my gameplay. Winning Rookie of the Year, I think, got my point across nicely. Now my reputation speaks for itself.

      I grinned as our opponents-the Krazy Kadoaties-took the field. They were solid competitors and had been our main rivals last year. We had actually drawn with them more than once and hadn’t been able to best them in a match, yet. Our first game of the season was gonna be a tough one. Thankfully, I’ve always loved a challenge.

     Before the game began, I exchanged a glance with my fellow forward, Abner. We both knew I was the faster of the two of us and he gave me an almost imperceptible nod. He would let me make a run for the Yooyu and position himself down the field in case I needed to pass it. I locked eyes with my counterpart on the other team, a brown Meerca by the name of Bucky. We were similar in speed and I knew it would be a close game.

     As the buzzer sounded, I surged towards the Yooyu at the center of the field. Just as my fingertips brushed the Yooyu’s pebbly hide Bucky snatched it up and he was off! I chased after him, trusting Abner and my teammates to do their part. As expected, our rivals didn’t make it easy. A skirmish for control of the Yooyu began.

      With a deft move I stole the Yooyu in the midst of the kerfuffle. I smirked as I broke free of the cluster and ran down the field. Our rivals repositioned themselves to get the Yooyu back and I kept an eye out for any attempts. I shuffled quickly around the grey Lupe that was the other forward for the Kads. I was close to the edge of the field and knew I couldn’t hold onto the Yooyu forever. I breathed a sigh of relief as I saw Abner near the center of the field. In a bold move, I threw the Yooyu towards him. Abner was open but Bucky came out of nowhere and intercepted the Yooyu.

      Thankfully, Kara and Peony, our defenders, kept Bucky busy while Abner and I made our way over to help. Cornered on all sides, Bucky tried to toss the Yooyu over our heads but Abner was able to catch it before it did. I kept my eye on Bucky, knowing he would try to steal from Abner (who was unfortunately easy to steal from) but I wasn’t gonna let that happen without a fight. Things got a bit tricky as we neared the Kads’ defence but a quick toss from Abner to me and I had the opening I needed. A goal was scored!

      So on the game went. We dashed up and down the field, hearts and legs pounding the grass as we tried to get the Yooyu into our respective nets. It was a close game but we kept up the pace, refusing to quit until the buzzer sounded. Things happened fast in Yooyuball and I knew better than to get distracted by anything. Like now.

      My forward movement was being impeded by a rival player twice my height-an invisible Lenny and captain of his team no less-but I didn’t care. He was one of the best defensive players in the league, clever and difficult to predict. Not that I would let that deter me.

      “Going somewhere?” William, the invisible Lenny, taunted.

      I had the Yooyu secure in my racket. I didn’t plan on letting go unless I knew it would make it into the net. “I’m not but this Yooyu sure is!” I had seen my opening and made my move. With a rush of satisfaction, I saw the Yooyu hit the back of the net!

      “Score!” I yelled, shooting my fist in the air.

      “Shut up, Elbin!” William snapped.

      “Make me!”

     “You aren’t winning this game!”

     “We’ll see about that!”

     Time was running out and no one liked the idea of the first game of the season ending in a draw (better than a loss but still). Unfortunately, Abner got cornered by the other team. He made a wild throw and I made a dash across the field to catch it.

     I leapt (literally) into action, darting forward and hopping into the air to scoop the Yooyu into my racket. Focused on my target, I didn’t see William but I certainly felt him as we collided mid-air and landed in a painful heap. We scrambled to stand but we had both lost track of the Yooyu. I heard a cheer from the crowd and my heart sank as I saw that a goal had been made in our goal!

     “Take that, Elbin!” William gloated as he and his teammates returned to their side of the field.

     “Enjoy it while you can,” I growled. “You’re not gonna get a second chance!”

     The Yooyu once more came into play and the teams went at it. Our team once more got the Yooyu first and this time, we scored!

     “Yes!” I shot my fist in the air, exulted.

     We were now tied but not for long, if my teammates and I had any say in it.

     Jolted by our quick rebuttal, our rivals snatched the Yooyu and I once more found myself facing off with William.

      “You won’t get past me!” William taunted.

      “Oh, I think I will,” I shot back.

      I feinted left but Will didn’t fall for that. I jogged back a bit as I worked out the situation. Then I smiled as I decided to just go for it. I charged straight for William, getting dangerously close to colliding with him again. Then, I shoved right past him, his scrawny build no match for my momentum. I used my wings to break and threw the Yooyu into the net.

      “Score!”

     That’s when the buzzer sounded, signalling the end of the game.

     We had won!

     Like all good athletes, our opponents congratulated us on our win before straggling off the field. It had been a rough game but I’d had worse. I had done my best and knew my teammates could say the same.

     “Great game today, kid!”

     I looked up, startled.

     A Mynci gave me their classic grin. “I’ve been keeping my eye on you and I like your style, kid.”

     “Thanks!”

     The Mynci placed a hand on my shoulder. “You got the heart and spirit us in the big league are looking for.”

     My heart leapt in my throat. “Wait, are you saying-”

     “Whadya say to joining a big league team? You got a favourite?”

     I rapidly shook my head. “No, sir. I’ll gladly play for any team that’ll have me.”

     To be continued…