---
The anticipation in the air was palpable as Lio stood in the locker room, his thoughts swirling like a storm. Outside, the stadium thundered with excitement, the crowd chanting his name, chanting for the final battle. Today was the day he had been waiting for—the day he would face Chris. His once-best friend, now his ultimate rival.
The locker room was filled with the buzz of his Rosario High teammates' nervous energy. Kaito was pacing back and forth, hands clasped behind his head. Mia sat quietly at the far end, eyes closed, mentally preparing for the war to come.
"We've got this," Kaito said, breaking the silence. "We've been preparing for this moment."
Lio nodded, though his mind was already on the field, envisioning the game that lay ahead. The tension in his muscles was undeniable, but there was something else—something deeper, burning inside him.
Mia's voice cut through his thoughts. "Don't let him get in your head, Lio."
Lio glanced over at her. She wasn't looking at him, but he could tell by the sharpness of her tone that she knew exactly where his thoughts were. "You play your game," she continued. "He's good, but he's not unbeatable."
Lio met her gaze, the weight of her words sinking in. She had said something similar before, back when his mind had been clouded with doubt. But this time, it was different. This time, the stakes were higher.
"Thanks, Mia," he said, his voice steady despite the anxiety churning in his gut.
The door to the locker room swung open, and their coach entered, his face stern but calm. "Alright, Rosario. This is it. The final match. We've trained for this, fought for this. Now it's time to show them what we're made of."
He looked directly at Lio, his gaze piercing. "This isn't just about skill. It's about heart. You've got the talent, but you need to dig deeper than ever before. Chris and Madeira High are no ordinary opponents."
Lio stood, the fire inside him igniting with each word. He knew what he had to do.
---
The stadium erupted into a deafening roar as both teams took the field.
Lio's heart raced as he looked across the pitch, where Chris stood, calm and collected as always. His eyes met Lio's, and for a moment, the world seemed to stop. There was no malice in Chris's gaze, no arrogance. Just cold, calculating determination.
The whistle blew, and the match began.
Madeira High wasted no time. Chris's team was quick to take control of the ball, their movements sharp and precise. It was clear they had a strategy, but Lio wasn't going to let them dictate the pace. He sprinted forward, closing the gap as their midfielder, Marco, attempted to pass the ball to Chris.
With a burst of speed, Lio intercepted the pass, the ball bouncing against his foot. He could feel the familiar surge of power in his legs, the magic tech humming beneath his skin.
Kaito was already sprinting down the wing, his eyes locked on Lio. Without hesitation, Lio sent the ball soaring across the field, watching as Kaito deftly controlled it with a touch.
But before Kaito could make his move, Madeira's defender, Alexei, was there, cutting him off with a perfectly timed tackle. The ball was sent flying, and Chris regained possession, his movements fluid and effortless.
Lio's eyes narrowed. He had seen Chris play before, studied his movements, but experiencing it firsthand was something else entirely. Chris wasn't just fast—he was smart, reading the game like a book, always a step ahead.
Chris dribbled past two Rosario defenders, heading straight for the goal. Lio could feel the tension building as the crowd held their breath. He activated Thunder Strike, his muscles coiling as he prepared to stop Chris's advance.
But just as Lio closed the distance, Chris feinted, sending Lio off balance. With a swift motion, Chris took his shot, the ball rocketing toward the top corner of the goal.
Their goalkeeper, Marco, was ready. With an incredible dive, he managed to deflect the ball just enough to send it crashing into the post. The crowd erupted into cheers, but Lio could see the calm look in Chris's eyes.
This wasn't going to be easy.
---
The game pressed on, both teams trading blows.
Rosario High was holding their own, but Madeira's relentless attack kept them on the defensive. Kaito and Mia worked tirelessly to keep the ball moving, but Madeira's players—Chris, Alexei, and their agile midfielder, Leon—seemed to be everywhere at once.
Every time Lio thought they had found an opening, Chris would close it off. It was like playing against a machine—calculating, efficient, and unyielding.
But Lio wasn't backing down.
He pushed harder, his Thunder Strike ability amplifying his strength and speed. With every sprint, every pass, he could feel the weight of the match pressing down on him, but he refused to let it crush him.
Finally, an opportunity presented itself.
Kaito managed to break through Madeira's defense, sending the ball toward Lio with pinpoint accuracy. Lio could feel the energy building inside him as he sprinted toward the ball, his focus narrowing to a single point.
With a powerful kick, he unleashed Thunder Strike, the ball shooting toward the goal like a bolt of lightning.
But Chris was there.
In an incredible display of speed and agility, Chris intercepted the ball mid-air, deflecting it with a perfectly timed block. The crowd gasped in awe as Chris landed on his feet, the ball now under his control.
Lio's heart pounded in his chest. Chris had just matched his Thunder Strike—something no one had ever done before.
"You're not the only one who's improved during this tournament," Chris called out, his voice steady despite the intensity of the game.
Lio gritted his teeth, determination surging through him. "Neither are you."
---
The clock ticked down, and the tension in the stadium grew thicker with each passing second.
Both teams were pushing their limits, the game now a battle of wills as much as skill. Lio's legs burned from the effort, his breath coming in ragged gasps, but he wasn't going to stop. Not now.
Mia, who had been holding her position in midfield, suddenly broke free from her marker, her eyes sharp and focused. She called for the ball, and Lio didn't hesitate. With a quick pass, he sent it her way.
Mia controlled the ball with grace, her movements quick and precise as she cut through the defense. For a moment, it was just her and the goalkeeper.
The stadium fell silent as Mia lined up her shot.
With a powerful strike, she sent the ball flying toward the goal. The keeper dove, but it was too late.
The ball hit the back of the net.
GOOOOOAAAAAALLLLLLLL!!!!!
Rosario High took the lead.
---
To be continued in Part 2...