Taking Centre Pitch (Part 4, Series Finale) The First Step

[Beavie]

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The Silk Road, Budapest, Hungary

Prior to Friendly Game 1:

With the decision of whether or not to change positions looming over the young rabbit’s head, the off-season felt longer to her, though not quite as long as before her SSL draft. Suppose there was a reason for all that, but that is just a memory. After waking up the day for her decision, she gave a call to Vašek Tommy to tell her she was open to changing positions. The manager seemed pleased and the Scorbunny had gone to Budapest early to begin training.

The crowd is filing into the Silk Road. Though a sell-out is not expected for a friendly, there is a solid crowd with several new players in the purple of Magyar. Allie’s doing some short sprints on the field, getting her legs warmed up. Over her purple shirt, she has a practice pinnie over it. She’s been trying to connect with some of her new teammates. Dr. Squid, with multiple armbands on his tentacles to help the officials determine what ones count for”hand balls” has big shoes to fill with suction cups as he’s the successor to the second generation prodigy Lind.

Looking down the sideline, two other rookies are passing the ball, both first rounders with Lan Mandragoran and Arsène N'Goussou. It feels like her and Lind a couple seasons ago, with the two being hot prospects. The other first rounder. . .

We know how it broke her heart-

Rest in peace, PokeDuo.

She looks as Vašek Tommy has a tablet on the sideline, showing the team’s general formation and he’s going over plans with his assistant coaches. She’s not too far away from him and she can see her rabbit ears pop up basically in centre field. Though as the season went on they chose a more defensive position to support star keeper Aspreay, it’s farther up than she was most of the previous two seasons. Allie lightly jogs to the middle of the pitch, looking around the stadium. She keeps on Magyar’s side.

She feels just as nervous as her first day at the academy. Exhaling, the Scorbunny tries to psych herself up and runs to get in some dribbling drills before the game. But in no time.

The game would begin.

Upon the opening whistle, Rapid Magyar would have an early offensive pressure. For the first twenty minutes or so, it felt like they were just one good shot away from a goal. Though when they finally got on the back-foot.

She would find herself out of position.

Naturally veering towards the right side of the pitch, Seoul were able to string together some passes from central field. Former teammate Doug II would make a long pass to Lasso. Mandragoran is close, but is more positioned for a shot rather than a pass. With a quick redirect to Son Heung-Min who had just passed Dr. Squid. There is no doubt as he lasers a shot past Aspreay.

1-0 for Seoul.

The Mystics celebrate their goal, deflating the home crowd. Allie kicks dirt on the pitch grumbling to herself.

“Be a central midfielder they say. . . I would have had it.” The rabbit did have among the highest interception totals in all of the SSL. Glancing up, she sees Squid and Mandragoran with disappointed looks on their faces.

Well, we think… on Dr. Squid. We can’t read the emotions of a cephalopod.

The pain of adjusting to a new level. Allie knows it well. As the ball is given back to the official and the team moves back up the pitch, the Scorbunny walks over, breathing heavily.

“We’ll get there, lads. Plenty of game left” She holds up her paw. Mandragoran gives her a fist bump and Dr. Squid raises a tentacle.

Despite the deflating opening goal against, Magyar would keep pressing throughout the rest of the half-

And Allie’s been getting more involved. Getting closer to the middle of the pitch, she’s been feeling better as the half would go on. At least offensively, her old instincts are slowly beginning to return. It just feels like SOMETHING has to go past Slothenberg.

Then:

The 42nd minute.

Bunson enters the box as Albinson has the ball down low and he passes towards the Scorbunny-

And Lasso gets his foot on it, but is unable to clear as the ball bounces away from Allie.

“Scooor…”

She growls, almost sliding as she turns to see Arsène N'Goussou race to get it, but Jenkins is hot on his tail. The rookie looks over his shoulder, trying to dribble into open space, but he’s got no room.  Allie keeps towards the penalty marker, Evil and Albinson closer to the net. With no clear pass, the rookie makes a desperate decision, just kick the ball towards the net.

The ball is wide, but mainly on the ground. Allie rushes towards it as Slothenberg, despite the ball beginning to veer wide, dives to try to get it. The ball bounces off his stomach-

He is on the ground-

And Allie is at the rebound first.

An open goal-

And the Scorbunny BOOTS IT IN!

1-1, the match is tied.

Letting out a big fist pump in the air Allie turns around as Albinson and Greg Evil rush over and give the Scorbunny a pat on the back. She smiles and fist bumps N’Goussou as the team heads back down the pitch.

For the rookie, it is his first assist at the minor’s level in his first game.

For Allie Bunson herself. . .

First goal at a new position.

Looking at the sidelines, her manager gives a celebratory raise of the hand and smiles at the rabbit.

Exhaling, she’s getting tired and is due for her half-time orange slice and an oran berry, but there is a feeling of relief.

Maybe she can handle midfield?

The final score of the game would not stay that way. With Seoul managing to get one just as the second half began and popping one more in extra time. Rapid Magyar walks off the pitch Allie has some mixed feelings.

It’s just the start of a season. With some new pieces and the departure of one of their best defensive players via a call-up, it is going to take time. Allie knows it is still somewhat of an adjustment period for her at Central midfield.

But she’d be lying if she wasn’t excited about getting a goal.

Magyar heads into the locker room, knowing there is still a full season to go and to hit the showers.

. . .

Having changed out of her kit after a sand shower (she IS a fire-type after all), Allie has a small and adorable track suit branded with the team’s badge on the chest. She walks into the media room and with the help of a small step ladder, she sits on a chair and has to face the media. She adjusts the bow in her hair and sips on some Oran Berry Fetaligatrade, fielding the first question.

“The first friendly of the season is done and dusted and it was a rough second half for Rapid Magyar as you take the loss, but you did get the lone goal for the team. What are your overall thoughts on the game?”

Trying to keep herself somewhat reserved in front of the media, she declines the urge to let out a big dance over scoring a goal. She twitches her nose and gives her best answer.

“That second half was far from fun…” she gives a nervous laugh. “I think we all hoped to come out of the gates with a stronger game, but suppose it is pre-season for a reason. New faces, some different tactics, there is going to be some adjustment. It was uh. . . hehe, nice to at least get a goal in there, but a win would have been better. We got a week before our next match in London. We’ll rest tonight, get back on the grounds tomorrow and work.”

Mentioning the ‘changes’ in the organization, the reporter finds a good way to lead into the next question.

“Today was the debut of three new teammates, in Squid, Mandragoran, and N'Goussou who assisted on your goal. How are they fitting in?”


Taking a sip of her drink,  Allie answers.

“They’ve been good. N’Goussou has really been energetic as part of the team, Mandragoran is also fitting in well. Squid, hehe, well, he’s a giant Squid. It’s like having an Grapploct on the team.”

“Mandagoran and Squid were in the backfield today, and instead you were at midfield. Is this permanent?”

The Scorbunny nods her head. She gives a weak smile.

“Yeah, back in Galar I played multiple spots on the pitch. So I expect this to be long term. I think I will still need a game or two to get fully comfortable, but I think this will work out. And Mandagoran and Squid have the backfield now.”

“And how was their play?”

Allie decides to be supportive, especially in front of the media.

“The lads will get there. I know moving to a new level can be very intimidating. When I first played right wing back I had to adjust, especially defensively. Now I’m just trying to adjust in terms of my positioning on the pitch. But Mandagoran was drafted high for a reason, Squid has some tricks up his. . . Er,” she doesn’t know what word to use. “Suction cups, as the season goes on they’ll get better.”

“Are you giving them tips?”

The reporter asks, there’s a chuckle from some of the reporters in the room as Allie smirks.

“Hehe, we’re all supporting each other. I know the manager gave me Voda’s number from Shanghai if I need it.”

Then, the hot button news relating to it.

“Well, speaking of Shanghai, with your fellow draftee Petter Lind getting the call, people are expecting you to join him sooner rather than later. Rumour has it the position change was done in part to potentially facilitate an earlier call-up to Shanghai with Billy Bob’s injury problems recently. Is there any truth to these rumours?”

Allie glances to the side door and sees Vašek Tommy standing there. He gives a nod of his head. Seemingly giving permission to tell the truth. She gives a nod of her small head.

“It’s part of it. I think the organization has seen the work I put in as well as Tony and may want both of us on the same roster sometime. I may not be rushing out of Magyar, I’ve enjoyed it here and my teammates, and the fans who give great support each match, but the Majors is where a lot of lads have their eyes towards. I think it worked out too since Mandagoran and Squid were already on the team’s radar. If there are ‘successors’ to Lind and I back there, they’re two good options.”

“And how does it feel to be in the midfield?”

“Similar, but different.”

She scratches the back of her head with her paw and tries to give her best answer.

“I said it before, but I can play most positions with enough practice. I know it is tighter in midfield, I have to use my high speed stat differently since I can’t freely run up and down like before. The biggest thing is positioning. You have to react differently to how the opposition moves and even your own teammates, almost directin’ traffic in a way. But being able to play a bit higher up was fun. Getting involved in the offense more and some more aggressive passing and even an extra shot or two, hehe, that’s fun. Whether it is one or two seasons here, I just want to get better, play some good football for the fans and my teammates, and enjoy myself.”

The reporter gives a grin.

“Well thank you very much, Bunson. Good luck with the season.”

There is the flash of some cameras as the Scorbunny gives a wave off and hops down, grabbing her precious sports drink as she does. Listen, she may be sponsored by them. . . but she does love a good sports drink.

As she leaves the room, Tommy, who is expected to face the media next, stops Allie.

“Hey, good job out there, girl.” He extends his hand which the Scorbunny gives a small fisit bump.

“I think I’m a decent lass at handling media, hehe.” She smirks.

“I mean today. The team has work, I think we’ll be working a bit on your defensive position as a midfielder, but I think you’ll be a good piece there.”

The rabbit blushes slightly.

“What if I’m too good and get called up to Shanghai early?”

He takes his notes out of his pocket and smiles at Allie. “Well, if you get called up to the majors sooner, then I guess I did my job! And if you keep it up, it’ll be deserved. It has been a joy having you in the team.”

Allie gives her manager a hug. It is warm to the touch and he gives the now midfielder a pat on the back.

“Thanks, but we got a lot of season left to go. Let’s make it count.”

“You got it. Now rest up and I’ll see you on the training grounds first thing in the morning.”

He tussles her fur before heading out to face the media. Allie exhales and gives a grin.

Maybe she made a good decision after all?