The Final Push

Third quarter, second half, 0:30 left. The score is 5-5. (https://youtu.be/u3vAm7fN4AM?si=I-QyiZknJ6aD72LQ) It's been a hard fought battle, and with only 30 seconds left in the match, the score is tied. Both teams are digging deep to find reserves of energy, and keep playing hard until the very end. The roaring of the crowd has gotten so loud, and feverish that they can be heard for many blocks away from the arena. No one expected the first challenge in this historic battle of the bands to be so close. A breakaway from Nar is stopped dead as Sapphire closes in, and delivers a swift shoulder check to knock him off of the puck. Nar's stick swings backwards in an attempt to regain control of the puck, but Sapphire manages to pass it forward just in time. The puck slides into the groove of Ryuji's stick, and he takes off down the left side of the rink. The only people standing between him, and the goal are Juno, and the goalie. It's do, or die. A gout of flame bursts from Ryuji's maw as he slides into position, raising his stick for a slap shot. Juno dashes forward, trying to poke check the puck before Ryuji can get a shot off. 20 seconds left. 'This match is OVER! WE. WIN! '

Ryuji's stick strikes the puck like lightning. The shot is ripped towards the goal at blazing speed leaving trail of fire in the air behind it, which quickly dissipates into smoke. The shot rockets past Junos head. The goalie begins to lift his glove to try and save the shot.

Tink

The puck hits the side of the goal's bar, and bounces back towards the middle of the ice. Ryuji curses himself for not taking just a little more time to line up his shot.

It's a mad scramble towards the puck. Everyone on the ice speeds toward the puck, hoping to be the first one to it. All except for one person.

10 seconds left.

Nar manages to reach the puck first. He quickly reels around, and slaps off a shot towards the left side of the rink, where Ryuji realizes that Ruby has been waiting. She didn't go after the puck when it bounced. She stayed in her shooting zone. Ruby stops the puck, then lifts her stick. Shit. Nobody's close enough to block the shot. It's up to the goalie.

5

"Just. Fucking. GO. IN! "

4

Ruby fires off a slap shot towards the right corner of the goal.

3

The goalie's glove shoots up towards the corner.

2

The net is jolted backwards by the force of the puck flying into it.

1

The horn sounds. The crowd erupts into a torrent of cheers.

All of the players on the ice stare in shocked silence.

Then, an ecstatic cry fills the rink, and Juno sprints over to Ruby with his arms aloft. Nar joins in on the screaming, and rushes over. The two then pile onto Ruby, placing their hands on her helmet, and ruffling it as if it were her hair.

A different horn sounds, signalling the end of the match. Ryuji stares in disbelief at the puck sitting at the back of the net. His goalie sits with his head tilted back, and his glove atop his forehead.

"Ladies and gentlemen! Your winners, and the first to strike in this battle of the bands, Attack on Mango!"

While Attack on Mango, and the crowd celebrate, Ryuji approaches his goalie. At first the goalie doesn't notice him. Ryuji places a claw on the man's shoulder. He waits for him to lower his head to give him a smile, and a nod. "Hey man. I can see why you're a goalie for the Timberwolves. I know you weren't really going all out, but you made some killer fuckin' saves. Can't wait to see you guys out on the ice next season, yeah?" The goalie offers up a small chuckle in response. "Yeah. Maybe if we'd actually gone all out, this game wouldn't have been so high scoring eh? But that wouldn't have been nearly as entertaining, would it?" The two share a short laugh before Ryuji goes to his bandmates. Wiggy doesn't seem all that bothered about the loss, and only asks Ryuji if they can get candy on their way home. When he goes to check on Sapphire she simply waves him off dismissively. "As long as I look good in all the photos of the match, I don't care if we lost. We'll crush them in the other challenges anyway."

With that, Ryuji heads over to the 3 members of Attack on Mango. His approach causes them to break their celebration pile. At first, they eye him with apprehension, but that appears to change when he sticks out his claw. "Hell of a match you guys. Safe to say we started off this battle with a bang huh?" His tone is light, and friendly, without a hint of anger, or malice. Nar returns the gesture, and shakes his claw, offering the dragon a smile. "Yeah. A hard fought battle through and through. Even a certain someone decided to be a prick early on." To this, Ryuji sighs. "Yeah. I'm gonna kick his ass for that later. Don't worry. I was hoping we could beat you guys fair an square. Looks like we'll just have to do that in the next challenge." The two then share a grin before letting go of the shake. "We'll be ready."