Year of the Rabbit: Part 1

[Beavie]

World Simulation Football Classic
Quarter Finals
Eastern Europe vs  Asia
Mata-Utu, Indonesia

“And Eastern Europe with the upset win after a THRILLER in penalties, and they move on in the World Simulation Football Classic!”

The air is taken out of the Asian team as their hopes for a World Cup have been dashed in a close match. The Europeans are moving on after penalties and it is a crushing feeling for Allie Bunson’s squad. Still wearing her neon yellow penny over her blue uniform, the Scorbunny reluctantly shakes hands (and paws) with the victors. The large Snorlax, who she has enjoyed a mini reunion with, also walks out on the pitch. The “PokeDuo” didn’t quite see the pitch much in their reunion. A talented squad has that problem, with other useful players sometimes having no choice but to sit out.

After a round of friendlies, Bunson only saw the pitch for half of a game. The rest has been on the bench. She was trying to keep limber as play went on in the games. But by the finale of the round robin, she was almost reserved to the idea of having to sit on the bench. With a tight game, there was a sliver of hope she’d come on as a “super sub” late, but the coach opted with the veteran Red Panda who was effective in what is likely his final world cup.

She understands, but seeing your squad go down and have to watch stings. Going over to their team’s net, she sees Shingo, the Majors goalkeeper for her organization and gives them a pat on the back. Hopefully some day soon she’ll be able to play with them again, and even Snor Lax.

Just she has to wait four seasons. The defeated Bunson heads to the locker room with her team, trying to see the silver lining in a disappointing exit.

. . .



The sun begins to set on Mata-Utu as, with most the teams booking their hotels for the whole tournament to be involved in the closing ceremony, the majority of the defeated Team Asia sees this as a brief chance for somewhat of a mini-vacation before their now shortened off-season training. Several players from multiple defeated teams have taken the chance to go to the hotel pool, a few swimming, and a number either lounging on the chairs with a drink, or relaxing in the hot tubs, easing their tired muscles. Then of course, Snor Lax is at the buffet.

That Pokemon sure can eat a lot.

The only one of Team Asia not at the pool right now is Allie Bunson herself. Of course, as a fire-type, she isn’t exactly a “fan” of swimming. Though the company would be nice, and she could use a snack right now, the loss has not sat well with the Scorbunny. Still in her room, she sits along the window, in her pajamas which have little carrot designs on them (It’s adorable), and the fire type contemplates what happened in the loss. Would she have really made much of a difference if she had played? Who knows. She felt like she played pretty good in the friendlies, especially against some Majors level players, but pouting and fussing over it won’t change anything. It’s just a lengthy time before she can “prove” herself again at this stage. What should be on her mind now is how to help Rapid Magyar SC move up to the newly reestablished “Division One” for next season. She got some text messages from her teammates, trying to pick her up after the loss, but it’ll take most of the off-season before she can ‘get over’ it.

Her cell phone is on her bed and she hears it ring with a “Bark” of a Zorua as part of the ringtone. For all her Pokemon friends, she’s tried her best to use their cry as part of their ring-tone, so it must be Ruby. Hopping down from the window she moves to her bed to answer.

“‘Ello, Ruby.”

“Hey kiddo.” The Zorua answers. “Close game today, huh?”

The Galarian starter gives a big “Heh,” exhaling. “Yeah, I had a front row seat while warming up the bench.”

Another voice answers. “In their defense, you ARE the best one to keep the bench warm.”

Darkshade the Umbreon, her husband. The joke releases a little tension from Scorbunny.

“Oh you bet’cha it was warm. . . Though I guess I am glad you all were too busy to come down for the whole tournament. It wouldn’t have been fun watching me sit on the bench.”

The Zorua responds. “We at least were able to catch the first friendly and watch the rest on tv. There were a lot of talented players out there.”

“You’ll get plenty of playing time in the next tournament. The rate you’re improving, you’ll probably be one of the best in the world by then. I mean it.” Darkshade encourages Bunson who gives a sigh. He notices on the other end. “What’s wrong?”

Knowing she’s away from the media, coaches, or her teammates, Allie uses this as a moment to vent a bit more honestly.

“-I really, really wanted to play.” She admits. “I changed positions this season to help the organization. I thought I did okay, but the team took a hit and next season we’ll be in Minor’s division two. I swore we would be able to stay up. The team had put faith in me and I couldn’t do it.”

“Soc-” Ruby catches herself, “Football is a team game. You win and lose as a team. It’s hard for one player to carry a team.”

“You shouldn’t beat yourself up over it.” Her other half chimes in. “You’re still a few seasons in your career, there’s room to grow.”

Looking outside, Allie sees some of the eliminated players splashing in the pool, letting some fun in the water wash away any sour feelings of a loss. Even if she could swim, it wouldn’t do anything for her. She’s a passionate rabbit about her favourite sport, always one to play and give her all. She can take a loss if she’s had fun, but this still sucks.

“I just thought that this tournament would be a great chance to get myself better for Magyar.” She admits. “I know being here I am against some world class footballers, there is a lot to prove against these lads and lasses, but if there was a chance to show my team I adjusted to a new position well and can help, this was it. I didn’t expect to play every minute. I know the coaches have a hard decision with their line-ups. But it isn’t fun to be on the bench and watch your team get eliminated.”

The Scorbunny scratches her chin with her paw. “Would I have made a difference? No guarantee. Maybe it would have been worse? No ill-will, but I would have loved to have seen the pitch more, or at the very least I wish the team was still in it.”

There is a touch of silence on the other end, as if the two dark types muted themselves for a brief second. Finally Darkshade responds.

“Tough losses are bound to happen. Things are going to work out. Your team knows what you can do, and you will have another chance at this tournament in a few seasons. We know you will work hard until then.”

Allie gives a small grin and grabs her blue rabbit plush, placing it on her lap. Ruby then mentions something.

“And I think you’ll be in for a nice surprise that’ll cheer you up when we see each other again.”

Raising her ears, Allie tilts her head.

“What? You said you had to head back to Hungary. . . Actually, isn’t it early there?” She wonders. There is a decent time difference between the countries. Ruby’s response doesn’t sound truthful.

“Just wanted to talk and wanted to get you before bed is all, hehe.”

“You foxes are a wee bit tricky, aren’t ya?” She taps her paw on her bed. There’s some laughing from the Dark-type couple.

“Everything is fine. I’m sure we will be seeing you soon.” Darkshade encourages her. “Keep your chin up, Allie. Things are going to be just great for you.”

Exhaling, Allie gives her goodbye.

“Okay, if you two say so. Have a good one Ruby, Darkshade.”

“Bye~” The two foxes hang up leaving the bunny somewhat perplexed.

She doesn’t have much time to digest it as-

There is a knock on her hotel room door.

Allie hops down and walks to the door, reaching up to turn the doorknob.

On the other side of the door is a woman wearing a polo shirt featuring the tournament emblem on the chest.

“Bunson?”

She asks Allie. The Scorbunny chuckles.

“I’m kind of the only Scorbunny here. What’s up?”

She has a clipboard and removes some tickets off of it.

“I’m here to inform you that your organization has requested you so your travel plans are changing. Rather than leaving in the evening the day after the tournament like most players, you will be leaving that morning.”

“They need me?” She is curious by the change. “It is the off-season. We still have a few months before the kick-off of the next season.”

The woman looks through her notes. “They say it is for a ‘media’ appearance. But I hope you can have time to relax before you leave.”

She gives a wave.

“Your new flight is on this ticket. Have a great night.”

The woman gives Bunson her flight ticket as she closes the door, leaving the midfielder to digest what she was told.

Allie blinks, expecting a ticket to Budapest. Instead she is shocked to see the location be:

Shanghai, China

The rabbit freezes in place, quite an accomplishment for a fire type.

-Is this going to be what she thinks it is?

She expected one more season in Magyar. . . But are they really going to do it now?

Grabbing her phone, Allie taps it with her paw.

“Text Coach Tommy.”

Her manager in Magyar, Vašek Tommy. It isn’t the easiest for a rabbit to use a phone. So voice recognition.

She waits for a beep and says her message.

“Hey Coach, they are asking me to go to Shanghai. Do you know what that is about?. . . Send.”

Beep.

The text message is sent and it is just up to Allie to wait. With the time difference between Indonesia and Hungary, it will likely be a long wait. . . She thinks.

After turning on her hotel television to watch some cartoons with her rabbit plush, she hears the vibration on her phone. A response sooner than expected.

She taps her screen with her paw and sees the message, which is followed up with a second text as soon as she reads it.

“What do you think? Haha.”

“You’re getting the call. Congrats!”

. . .

Glancing down at her stuffed rabbit, she has a flood of emotions. Excitement, fear, a touch of nervousness. Her friends did say they will move with her if she gets called up, but with a shorter ‘off-season’ for her, it may be a tad into the season before they come and get settled in. There’s some teammates of hers she’ll miss, but in theory, they’ll be making their way up in a few seasons also.

She didn’t get much of an opportunity to “prove” herself, but I guess her club felt it didn’t matter?

Instead of being in Minor’s Division two, the Scorbunny will be fittingly throwing herself into the fires of Majors Division One.

The surprisingly fast rising Liffeyside Celtic FC with her old friend Snor Lax.

The historic juggernaut that is Reykjavik United.

Shanghai’s expansion sibling in CD Tenochtitlan who are coming off their first SSL Cup.

Then the two modern titans.

União São Paulo and Hollywood FC.

It will not be easy for Shanghai, especially trusting the young Bunson in their midfield. But they picked her second overall three seasons ago for a reason.

Holding her rabbit plushy up, Allie shouts out loud enough where half the hotel can hear.

“BLUE! I’M GONNA BE A DRAGON!”

To be continued.