Chapter Text
In a dark forest. Rain fell violently, lightning struck distant trees, and winds blew fiercely. Inside the forest, water flooded the ground.
A boy around 15 years old stood there in the darkness. Water reached his knees. But for some reason he wasn't wet at all.
He had dark muted purple hair with pale beige streak going from the top of his head until the tips of his hair. His leaf colored eyes looked around uneasy. Trying to understand where he was
"... This forest again? That means..."
His voice was soft, he sounded curious, maybe a little afraid.
Then a roar could be heard. A tiger's Roar.
The boy turned his head to the direction of the sound. Fear crossed his eyes. But then vanished when he saw the creature in front of him.
A beautiful tiger stood there in the middle of the trees. Lightning cracks flew around him.
It looked directly at the boy for a few minutes. As if it was trying to recognize him.
The green eyes of the boy locked onto the tiger's golden ones. And softly spoke
"It's you again... Why do you keep appearing in my dreams? Who are you? What do you want from me?"
He didn't know what kind of answer he was waiting for, he was literally talking to a Tiger! An animal! How would he answer?!
But still, he was waiting for something, anything...
And then the tiger... ran off... Great
The boy started to run after it. He was the fastest runner in his school. But It wasn't enough to keep up with the creature.
"Wait! Please! Come back!!"
He screamed the loudest he could, but the animal didn't seem to mind. And kept running.
Both kept running for a long time, or that's what it looked like. Time didn't seem to have passed at all.
It was still raining, still night
The boy finally stopped running, trying to catch up his breath. The tiger disappeared into the woods. He was alone in that dark forest again.
"Where is it?... Better question, where am I?!"
After catching his breath, the boy began walking through the forest. Trying to figure out what place was this. And where he was.
How did he even get to the forest to begin' with?!
Even though everything was flooded and the water reached his knees, It seemed that the water didn't affect him, it didn't slow his walk.
"What the heck..."
He spent some time walking. Or at least that's what it seemed like. Time was strange in that place.
Until...
"Tygar!!"
"Huh? What was that?"
"Tygar!! Wake up!!"
"Wake up?..."
"TYGAR!!!"
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In a dark room, the same boy from before lay in his bed. His older brother called to him irritably, trying to wake him up.
— Tygar!! Wake up or we're going to be late! — The older boy shook his brother, who seemed to have absolutely no desire to get out of bed
— hmph... Just five more minutes... Rainy... — The boy, Tygar, answered, still sleepy, pulling the blanket over his head.
— I already gave you five more minutes! Now get up!! We're going to be late to watch the game!! — Rainy pulled the blanket away from his younger brother, determined to get him up.
— What game are you even talking about?... — Tygar finally sat on his bed,looking up at his brother.
It looked like he had fought a hurricane while sleeping because his long purple hair was a mess, looking like a bird's nest.
His eyes were still half-closed from sleep.
— You have to be kidding me. The Stars VS Dragons Gorotama game!! You've been nagging me about it the whole month! Begging me to take you!
— Shut the front door, the game is today?! — Tygar jumped from his bed, now fully awake, hurrying to the bathroom to clean himself and get ready — Why didn't you wake me up earlier?!
— I tried! But you were sleeping like a rock, and i gave you five more minutes to sleep since you looked so tired! I told you to sleep earlier yesterday.
And what do you mean by "the game was today"?! You really forgot?! —
Rainy yelled back at his brother as he tidied up the messy bed. His little brother always made a mess while he slept.
— So what if i did?! — Tygar emerged from the bathroom, rubbing his face with a towel. He then tossed it onto a chair as he went to the closet to get some clothes to wear for the game.
— Callista and Casper are definitely going to kill you. Their best friend forgetting about an important game like this? Dude! It's Stars VS Dragons! It's going to be the biggest event in Mestras! — Rainy picked up the towel his brother had thrown and folded it, placing it on the table while scolding him.
— Ok, now you sound like me. And i know Callista and Casper are going to kill me if they discover about this. That's why i won't tell them. Neither will you, right? —
— ... Okay, I'm not going to tell them. But you owe me one. — He went over to his younger brother, who was still trying to choose a shirt, and kissed him on the forehead — There's breakfast in the kitchen, it's a little cold since you were late waking up. I'll finish eating mine and wait for you downstairs. —
— You still haven't eaten? Rainy! —
— Duh, i was waiting for you to get up! What's wrong? Can't I have breakfast with my favorite little brother anymore? —
— I'm your only brother. —
— That's why your my favorite. Love you — Then Rainy headed for the door to leave his younger brother's room. — Also, pick the green shirt. The red one doesn't suit you. — After the final comment he left the room.
— Thanks bro! .... — Tygar stared at the shirt for a moment, before murmuring — Why did i even buy this? Red isn't even my color! —
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In the city of Mestras, the streets were very lively.
Children ran around laughing everywhere, parents trying to keep up. Street stalls sold all sorts of food and trinkets.
The Gorotama Games always brought more excitement to the city. After all, they were huge and incredibly amazing events.
And even more. The city of Mestras was home to the school with the best Gorotama players in the world, Kal Asterock.
And Tygar was a student at that school! The 15-year-old boy would soon be starting his third year at Kal Asterock!
...
And also his first year without a team.
You see, Tygar used to play on the shadows team. Midfielder.
He was the fastest student on the team, stealing balls and scoring goals like lightning.
But it was only fun at first, then things got... messy.
The team captain, Pregrina, used the other members as her puppets, using her ghostly tama to possess and control her teammates.
It was a horrible feeling, as if your body was no longer your own, but someone else's.
And the team wasn't exactly the most united team of all. The only thing they shared was their fear of Pregrina.
The Goyen, Sanga. He was also a frightening man. Tygar will forever remember the man looking into his eyes and telling him he was replaceable, as if he didn't matter.
Until, in the middle of last year, Tygar couldn't take it anymore. And he left the team. Nobody tried to stop him, and even if they had, they wouldn't have succeeded. After all, Tygar was stubborn.
But it's time to leave the past in the past. It's over and it doesn't matter anymore. Soon, Kal Asterock will start the school year again, and Tygar could go through the tryouts again, maybe join another team.
And then Tygar was jolted from his thoughts by his brother.
— Tygar, are you hearing me? — Rainy looked worried,of course he was. He was talking to Tygar for about fifteen minutes and his brother didn't even listen! He was looking at nothing during the whole talk!
— Uh. Yeah?... Nevermind. Sorry i wasn't listening. What were you saying again? —
— Urg, What am I going to do with you, huh? I told you I'm not going to the stadium with you. You'll have to go alone. —
— What?! — Tygar turned to face his brother, exasperated. — Why?! I thought we were going together! —
— Sorry cub. But I have to go to work. Someone has to support us both, the bills aren't cheap, you know? But if I can, I'll show up later, maybe, so don't wait for me there. 'Kay? — Rainy lightly ruffled his brother's hair as he said this, trying to defuse the situation.
— Okay... See you later then. And if you don't show up there... Uh... See you at home? —
— Yeah. Here's your ticket to the stadium and some money for a snack if you want — The older boy picked up a small bag and handed it to the younger one — Stay in the shade, it's hot today. And don't talk to anyone suspicious. I don't want my little brother getting kidnapped. —
— Pfft. As if. You know me, i'll break their nose before they get the chance. —
— ....Okay, let me rephrase that. Don't talk to strangers, and don't start fights. I don't want my younger brother in jail. —
— Now that sounds more like me — Tygar chuckles lightly, gives his brother a high five, and runs off — See you later! —
— See you later!! — Rainy waves to Tygar while the younger one runs to the stadium — I hope he doesn't get in trouble... What am i saying? He's a magnet for trouble. —
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The Gorotama game was going to take a while to start, so Tygar decided to stop somewhere to grab a bite to eat. He decided to go to Mr. Torneufellie's restaurant.
The place was tidy. It didn't even look like there had been a stampede of Donkeybugs here a while ago. Tygar wondered what had caused it tho.
....
Was that Pregrina that just ran past him? .... Nah. It couldn't be. It must be hunger causing hallucinations.
Tygar entered the establishment and came across something he wasn't expecting. The two Gorotama teams that were going to play today were there, Dragons and Stars. And the Goyens Sugoi and Mara were there too.
Tygar headed towards the Stars. Waving to the team.
— 'Sup guys! — He held up his hand for a high five.
Casper responded to the high five and greeted him
— Hey, Tygar! Came to watch the game? —
— If you really thought I'd miss this, you don't know me —
He chuckled lightly, remembering that he really could have missed the game because his laziness had made him get up late. But he wasn't going to say that of course.
Odward joined the conversation between the two. Cutting the fun
— It's good to see you, Tygar. But maybe you came for nothing. Our goalkeeper just went out of action. —
— Hold on, what do you mean? Pregrina is out of the game? Why? —
Tygar was genuinely confused; Pregrina wasn't exactly a team person, but she wouldn't leave the game without a reason. Especially an important game like this one.
At that moment, Goyen Mara responded before anyone else on the team could.
— Pregrina accidentally drank the entire bottle of flame seasoning. There's no way she'll be able to play. We'll have to cancel the game. —
— No way! —
Tygar could hardly believe what he was hearing. He'd waited all month for this game! And if the game was canceled, Rainy would have bought a ticket and been late for work for nothing...
— You must have a replacement for Pregrina, right? — That was Goyen Sugoi, who also seemed surprised.
"Replacement for Pregrina".
This is something Tygar never expected to hear.
— No! Pregrina is so crazy that nobody volunteers for the team! — Casper replied, his voice filled with drama. Callista nodded, agreeing with her brother.
— Dramatic as always — Tygar murmured under his breath.
— Ssyelle can replace her! She's a good goalkeeper! —
Only now did Tygar notice the boy near Mr. Torneufellie's daughter. He had tanned skin, dark eyes, and red hair. He looked about 12 years old, 14 if you really pushed it.
Strange, something about that boy had triggered a little bell in the back of Tygar's mind. Perhaps he had seen him before while accompanying his brother here in Mestras?
— Why is this hick here? How dare you suggest that someone as vulgar as that girl play with us? —
And that was Ragno. Captain of the dragons. As always, a jerk.
— Woah, Rags'. Beefing with children now? Just how low can you go? —
Tygar barely registered the words before they left his mouth. When he realized it, he had already said it. He really had to learn to shut his mouth sometimes.
— Stay out of this, Kitty cat. —
— "Kitty cat"?! I'll show you Kitty cat- —
Tygar was more than ready to go at Ragno right then and there. Even though Ragno was bigger than him, Tygar could handle a fistfight with him... Right?
Luckily, Callista held Tygar back before he could do something stupid.
— Tygar, calm down! One player out of the game is already enough for today! —
She was right. One less player was enough. So Tygar swallowed his pride and remained silent.
But someone else was also ready to fight Ragno. The same boy from before, the redhead with the ponytail.
— Well, Ssyelle is also going to Kal Asterock next year! Who are YOU to talk to her like that? —
Outwardly, Tygar was just staring blankly at the scene. Inwardly, he was hoping the kid would finally put Ragno in his place.
— I don't like your behavior; it's time you learned a lesson —
— Oh, are you going to give me a lesson on how to be a complete idiot? —
Tygar was internally celebrating the boy's statement.
'That's it, boy! Put that stupidly handsome idiot in his place!'
"stupidly handsome"? Hallucination. He never had that thought. Nothing happened.
Then Goyen Sugoi went over to the two of them and placed her hand between them.
— Calm down Ragno. No one in their right mind would put a rookie to play against us —
Yeah, she was right, it would be idiotic to do that. Tygar should start thinking of a way to get some money to compensate his brother for the money he spent on the game ticket-
— Actually, I thought that was an excellent idea —
Goyen Mara was the one who said that. Tygar was shocked. As was the rest of the crowd there.
— Are you kidding me? She's never played competitively, we're basically going to hand the game to them. —
— If you have a better idea, I'm listening, Stonegarden —
Odward looked at the twins and Tygar. As if expecting something. Some idea.
The three of them had none.
— Make sure your team is ready. I don't care who's on the field. The game will continue. —
Okay, they really were doing that.
Sometimes Tygar wondered if these people thought twice before doing something stupid.
He could be stubborn, but he always thought twice before acting... Okay, almost always. But same thing.
Goyen Mara turned to the girl and smiled.
— Get ready, the game starts in an hour! —
— Wait, really?! — The girl, Ssyelle. She pointed to herself in astonishment.
— Okay, that's great. But who's going to hand out the lemonade at the stadium? — Mr. Torneufellie worried about lemonade at a situation like this, really...
Ssyelle looked at the red-haired boy who had gotten her into this mess.
Tygar might not be seeing the boy's face at the moment, but something tells him that he was smiling.
That game would probably be interesting.
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The game was starting. And the crowd was thrilled. Shouting, blowing trumpets, cheering.
Tygar was in the edge row. Close enough to see everything. He was basically vibrating with excitement too. Even with a freshman in the Stars, they still had a great chance of winning.
He was also shouting in the stands. Cheering for his best friends.
— GO CASPER!! GO CALLISTA!! WHIPE THE FLOOR WITH THE DRAGONS!! UHUUUL!!! —
Okay, maybe he was a little too excited. But that was Gorotama!! How could anyone not be excited?
He was starting to get a little thirsty from all the shouting. He should have brought water...
— Lemonade? —
— Uh? Oh! Thanks!... Wait, you're the boy from earlier at the Torneufellie restaurant! —
Tygar recognized the boy immediately; that red hair and bright eyes were unmistakable.
He decided to strike up a conversation while the boy was pouring lemonade into his glass.
— So, what's your name? —
— Key! What's yours? —
— I'm Tygar Ravenshade! Nice to meet you, Key! — Tygar gave the boy a smirk. Before bringing up the earlier "little fight" with Ragno — Dude, it was amazing that you put Ragno in his place. I've never seen anyone do that in Kal Asterock.
— You go to Kal Asterock?! —
— Yup, I'll start third year when classes resume after the summer. And you? Are you going to start there too, like that girl? What was her name again?... Ssyelle? —
— Oh, yeah... About her name! Is Ssyelle. You got it right! About Kal Asterock... No, i don't have a tama —
— That's a shame. I would love to have you there, you have a spark. I can see that. —
— You really think so? Geez, thanks! Hearing that from a student from Kal Asterock is pretty cool! —
— Hehe. Ok, now go back to work. See you around, Key! —
— See you around, Tygar! —
And so the red-haired boy turned and walked away from the boy with the purple hair.
Tygar liked the boy; he still had that childhood sparkle he missed. Thinking Kal Asterock was all joy and fun...
When he looked back at the game, the Dragons had scored a goal. Wow, did he really spend that much time talking to Key?
And when he looked up... The same redhead again, on the big screen. Being shown talking badly and booing the dragons.
Oh gods, Tygar didn't know whether to laugh or cry at the situation.
Back to the game. Ragno had the ball and used his dragon impulse to send it towards the goal. But Ssyelle, impressively... caught it with her face.
Ah, Ragno would probably be furious.
And within minutes, the stars tied the game!
— WOOHOOO!! GO STARS!!! —
The game continued. And Ssyelle caught all the balls with her face!!!
Tygar was certain that Ragno was furious. And he was loving it.
The second half was beginning. And the dragons seemed more... aggressive.
Tygar saw Ragno about to use Dragon's Fury on Ssyelle. Was he crazy?!
The boy with purple hair stood up from his seat in the stands and went to the edge to shout.
— RAGNO, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! SHE WON'T BE ABLE TO HANDLE THAT- —
The next thing Tygar registers is a bright flame heading towards the field and an explosion engulfing Ragno's Dragon Fury.
Looking up, a huge dragon dissolved into flames.
.....
What just happened?
Looking back at the field, he saw Key lying in the center of the it's destruction, and Ssyelle beside him.
Was that him? But he said he didn't have a tama! Or maybe... he didn't know he had one.
Even though most people connect with their tamas as children, some may not be able to.
Key was taken away by first responders. And Lilas was saying something to Ssyelle in the field.
That gave Tygar a certainty. That year at Kal Asterock would be legendary. And he was looking forward to it.
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To be continued...
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Bonus:
Back home. Tygar and Rainy were having dinner together in the kitchen.
— What happened on the stadium today? When I arrived, they said the game was canceled due to destruction. —
— It's a long story. But in short, a boy appeared out of nowhere with a super powerful dragon Tama and swallowed the Dragon Fury of Ragno's Tama! —
— No way! Really?! That's... That's amazing! Who was it? —
— He told me his name was Key! I'm telling you, Rainy, the kid has a fire in his eyes! I'm sure he'll be a great Gorotama player in the future! —
— Wait... Key? Key as in Dino's son? Key as in Key Nagatatsu?! —
Oh...
So that's why Tygar thought the boy looked familiar! It was Edina's son!
How did he know Edina? Well. He did a schoolwork presentation on Kal Asterock in his first year about her, it had to be about some Gorotama player who was a champion. And Tygar did his about Edina.
And now he would probably study with her son. Who seemed to have the same Tama.
Yeah... This year would be fun.