Two Days Later at Strikaland
Big Bo stood next to a machine that resembled Pinkie Pie's party cannon, with only a football at the mouth of the cannon and several more lined up behind it. He was facing Noah and Barb, who were in front of two separate goal posts and they crouched in anticipation of the ball.
"A goalkeeper must follow four rules. First is observation, Notice every subtle movement of the opposition as they prepare to strike". He fired a ball in each of their directions, which Noah caught, but Barb missed.
"Second, Instinct. Trust your instinct on where the opposition will shoot". He fired another two balls, aiming for different spots in the goal, but both keepers caught them easily.
"Third, Reflexes. React to movements and kicks in a split second". Another couple of salvoes, but both Barb and Noah missed the three shots each.
"Fourth and finally, Fearlessness. Have no fear, only complete commitment". This time, Noah got a finger to the ball, but Barb cowered.
Big Bo shook his head, "And that's just for starters! come on over to my house, I've got a goalkeeper training course, as you two need the extra help."
Five Days Later, Strika Jet to Dubai
Big Bo, Barb and Noah Murdoch rejoined the gang back in Canterlot and they trained hard, with visible improvements to Barb and Noah's skills. Then they boarded the plane to Dubai for the opening ceremony and to watch Sultans first match. Mid-flight, there was a ruckus, as the TV monitors showcased the Amal 3's renowned "3 Blind Mice" routine.
Shakes sat there with his mouth open, when his vision was filled with rainbow-coloured hair, he placed a hand on her head and shoved her back to her seat, "I only wanted to make sure that you were seeing the same thing that I was!"
The Sultans-Iron Tank match kicked off and the triplets made mincemeat out of the burly Iron Tank players. Cool Joe and Eagle Eye were quite stunned, as the Amal 3 were able to communicate without even talking to each other. Even when Uber went for his signature slide tackles, they were almost able to predict it and dance out of the way.
In the end, the stunned Strikas and Wondercolts watched as the triplets thrashed Iron Tank and Buffalo Academy, led by Uber and Captain Thunderhooves respectively. Even the small and nimble Little Strongheart got snuffed out by the three midfielders whenever Iron Tank attempted an attack.
The #3 Amal brother soon sent a beautiful curling shot towards Gilda, who calmly slotted into the net. Even the Amal Three slotted into the net, to humiliate Iron Tank, 4-0.
After the game, the Strikas and Wondercolts went back to the airport and headed to Strikaland to prepare for their Invincible United clash. Coach proved to be a tough taskmaster and the Wondercolts struggled to meet his standards initially. Luckily, Rasta's guidance proved to be the right motivators and they caught on quickly.
Then one day, a week before the game, Coach blew his whistle, "Boys and girls, this isn't working, our progress is too slow. We need some special training, Shakes? Do you still have El Ariete's number?"
Shakes and North Shaw fist-pumped, "ALRIGHT! WE GET TO DO SOME HEADER TRAINING! See you guys later!"
"WAIT! Everyone's going, no exceptions."
On the Strika Jet
As everyone got settled in the jet, Noah noticed four more Wondercolts and made his way to the quartet.
"Hey, I don't think we've been introduced, who are you four."
All the Strikas turned to the new faces.
A girl with aquamarine colour skin spoke up, "Hi, I'm Lyra Heartstrings, and these are Bon Bon, Moon Dancer and Wallflower Blush. We're the substitute players."
"Ah, just like me, Lankey, Aldo and Griz"
Elsewhere on the jet, Shakes, North Shaw and Blok shared a conspiratorial smirk and Blok warbled something. Starlight leaned across from her seat, "What did he say?"
Shakes grinned evilly, "You all have no idea what you are getting yourselves into. Automatic's throw-ins are powerful but nothing compared to The Battering Ram!"
Twilight raised an eyebrow, "The Battering Ram?"
"That's El Ariete's nickname"
"I see, who is he anyway?"
Tiger chipped in, "He lives in an old pirate tower in Ibiza-"
Rainbow's eyes gleamed, "PIRATE TOWER! SO WE GET TO MEET PIRATES! AWESOME"
"It's abandoned", came the collective reply.
"IBIZA!!!! YOU MEAN WORLD PARTY CAPITAL, TROPICAL PARADISE IBIZA!?", This time it was Pinkie Pie.
Coach nodded.
The pink poofy-haired girl squealed for almost a minute.
After she finished, Coach continued, "El Ariete's techniques are a bit unusual, Shakes, North Shaw and Blok can attest to that."
The trio nodded,
Tiger continued, "As I was saying, I heard that he shoots trespassers with cannons."
This time, the interruption was Fluttershy, who squeaked and sank lower into her seat. Rasta, sitting next to her, patted her back comfortingly, "That's nothing but an old wives' tale. Right, Shakes-man?"
"Eh... more or less."
At Pirate Tower
As the Strikas and Wondercolts approached the door, Rarity grumbling for having to trek through an 'icky jungle ruining her make-up'. Shakes held up his hand, stopping everyone. "Let me handle this, El Ariete is not too fond of trespassers, especially after the tower became a tourist attraction a few years ago, but he stopped that immediately."
He knocked on the giant doors, only for a loud gruff voice to call out, "Come one step closer and I'll blow your brains out! I told you, NO TOURISTS!"
North grinned, "You're not even going to open the door for some old friends, dude?"
After a few moments, the doors opened with a huge groan. They were met with a slightly short man in a red cap, cargo pants and an unbuttoned navy blue shirt, twirling long curly mustache.
With a broad grin, he called out, "Hotshots! Wise Guy! Good to see you three again, and I see you brought the rest of the squad and some new friends!"
North sheepishly scratched his head, "Yeah, we're up against Invincible United and the 'unstoppable throw in' once again. Blok, Shakes and I could hold our own, but this time, we felt that everyone needs to stand a chance. So we brought the whole team."
El Ariete jovially slapped North's back, "And you came to the right place amigos!"
Shakes piped up, "So, are we going some header training?"
"No my boy. We're doing Ultimate Header training! And remember, No Risk, No Reward..."
The trio of dummies, cannons and the goalpost waiting for them, was met with mixed reactions. North, Blok and Shakes grimaced slightly, Fluttershy looked terrified, most of the Strikas and Wondercolts had determined look on their faces. However, Rainbow Dash, looked almost cocky.
"I bet I can ace this in 10 seconds flat!"
The girls shot her dirty looks, El Ariete's eyes narrowed and he twirled his mustache. The Strikas simply backed off, with North Shaw muttering, "Your funeral, dude."
The next 15 minutes consisted of Rainbow Dash's face being blasted by cannon-powered footballs, each one knocking her down. Finally, a visibly battered Rainbow crawled back defeated and a smirking Applejack pulled her back on her feet. "That oughta teach ya to put yer money where yer mouth is."
El Ariete stood next to a cannon with a lit torch and barked, "Alright boys and girls! Welcome to Ultimate Header Training! Class is in session."
The sessions were intense, but Shakes, North Shaw and Blok supervised, but El Ariete gave Fluttershy personal lessons, noting that she was the most timid of the group.
Strikaland, half and hour before kick-off
The gang soon convened in the locker room, and the Wondercolts stared in awe as they saw their new kits. Rarity couldn't stop gushing about how they looked 'absolutely gorgeous'. Then, Rasta gave two sharp claps and gestured for everyone to gather around him.
"Okay guys, Coach just told me that we need to figure out how to position ourselves. The Strikas use a 4-3-1-2 formation and the Wondercolts use a 4-1-2-1-2 formation. So, how do we arrange ourselves?"
Moondancer chipped in, "I'd suggest that Rainbow Dash and Applejack be used down the wings, let Shakes and El Matador stay where they are. Klaus can be used as a center forward, while Sunset stays as an attacking midfielder. Rasta, you and Starlight don't mind dropping to a central defensive role do you?"
"No problem, man. Anything to help the team."
"Anyway, Tempest Shadow and Blok could be used as sweeping defenders. Meanwhile, Eagle Eye and Rarity could be used as Right Wing Backs.Other than that, I think we should be set."
Rasta held out his arm, "Strikas and Wondercolts on three, One... Two... Three..."
"Supa Canterlot Wondercolt Strikas!", everyone cheered.
Pinkie Pie chirped, "Wow! We gotta work on that one! Doesn't quite roll off the tongue."
First Half
There was plenty of back and forth between the two sides, until the 12th minute, when Invincible United vice-captain Skarra tried a pass down the wing, only to shoot it towards Tempest's calf and have it roll out for a throw in. Up stepped Automatic, while the Strikas and Wondercolts took up defensive positions. Interestingly, North Shaw and Blok stood on either side of Big Bo and Barb.
The throw came in low and fast, and Skarra sprinted to head the ball into the net. However, North Shaw got there first with a tremendous burst of speed and headed it away, straight to Sunset's feet and she bolted to trigger the counter-attack. Crystal Prep's Sugarcoat struggled to keep up with her. Sunset crossed the ball to El Matador, but goalkeepers, Alizarin Bubblegum and Web were ready for her and they parried it away to Dingaa.
For the next half an hour until half-time, Invincible United and Crystal Prep alternated between trying to score and getting a throw-in. Fortunately, Big Bo and Barb were able to protect their goal, with a little help from Blok and North.
Half-Time
Coach gathered the team and smiled, "Excellent job, boys and girls. I think we've shown Invincible United that their throw-ins can be stopped."
Then his face grew serious, "However, we cannot keep defending for the entire match. Sunset had a good idea when she tried to get on the counter-attack. We need more moments like that, but we need to catch them off guard."
Second Half
Once again, Invincible United tried the same tactic of getting throw-ins. However, there was always a Strika or a Wondercolt to snuff out the danger. This time though, Shakes, El Matador, Applejack and Rainbow Dash tested out the counter-attacks. Unfortunately, Dingaa, Sunny Flare and the other defenders were able to stop them.
Soon, 90 minutes were up, and three minutes of stoppage time began. Automatic had gone out for possibly the last throw-in of the game, when Rasta called everyone for another meeting, but then Shakes noticed something.
"Uh guys... you're not going to believe this but they're bringing their goalies forward."
Barb exclaimed, "An extra two people? This could tip things in their favour!"
Tempest spoke up at last, "On the other hand, this could make them vulnerable to the counter-attack."
Klaus spoke up, "So, vat do we do?"
Blok warbled, and Fluttershy turned to him incredulously, "Um... Blok, are you sure, that um... seems really risky."
North grinned, "No Risk, No Reward!"
This time, North and Blok finally marked a player, leaving Big Bo and Barb to guard the nets. Everyone watched as Automatic took a couple of steps and suddenly performed a front flip and the ball came in like a bullet. Tempest charged backwards and in an unprecedented move, headed the ball towards the Strikas net!
Thousands of eyes widened, as Big Bo caught the ball point blank. He looked as the stunned United and Crystal Prep faces. He smirked and said, "How fast, can you run?"
Bo tossed the ball to Barb, who gave it an almighty kick towards the unguarded United net. Skipper Dooma was the first to snap out of it, "GET BACK! ALL OF YOU!"
Alizarin Bubblegum and Web sprinted back to the net, and Automatic was halfway there already. He stuck out his foot to intercept the ball, but missed by inches. The visitors could only look on in disbelief as the ball settled in the back of the net. The final whistle blew and the Wondercolt Strikas sealed a win in the dying moments of the game.
Barb squealed and celebrated, only to get dog-piled by everyone in the team.
As the jubilant team walked back, a voice behind them called out, "Shakes!"
The South African forward turned and spotted an obese man in a white shirt, green trousers and a hat. He was with a red-headed woman decked out in Strikas merchandise. He grinned, "Spenza! Fran! Good to see you guys!"
He turned to the Wondercolts, "Hey girls, this is my best friend Spenza, and his girlfriend, Francheska, but she prefers to be called Super Fran. Spenza, Fran, these are the Wondercolts, meet Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Twilight Sparkle, Sunset Shimmer, Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Starlight Glimmer, Trixie Lulamoon a.k.a The Great and Powerful Trixie, Tempest Shadow and the hero of the hour, Barb! We also have Lyra, Bon Bon, Moon Dancer and Wallflower Blush."
"Hey, nice to meet ya all, I'm Spenza and I'm a P.I. and this is my girlfriend Fran, she is the Supa Strikas number 1 fan."
Then, Coach whistled, "Congratulations everyone! That was a great game! I admit, you had me sweating with that last move, but I'm glad it worked out. I'd say you lot deserve a break."
Pinkie waved her hand frantically, "OOO! OOO! Can we go to Ibiza! I mean, what kind of party lover am I, if I don't visit the party capital!"
Coach chuckled, "Alright, you can go if you want."
"YAY!" came a collective cheer.