What goes around, comes around.

The crowd cheered but Kaiser didn't mind. His thoughts were already wandering as he checked the system notification. There was a complicated expression as he heard the familiar voice of his system.

Kaiser sighed as the Pavement Panthers stood in the limelight. The game had ended so soon, so sudden. There were no struggles, only an absolute superiority that can't be stopped. It was never a battle to begin with, the victor was only ever going to be one team. His own team.

As the cheers die down and mocking laughter jeered at the Footpath Flyers, the loser begrudgingly and quietly left the abandoned lot. Their dignity lost and their reputation gone just like that. Admiration and Respect were worth gold on the street. Here, everyone was an equal. Results were the only fact that mattered, not how rich you are, not how flashy you are.

The Pavement Panthers stood tall in the centre circle. They were victorious once again. The Panthers had done it again, extending their undefeated streak to 26 games. The night won't end just like this, their slaughter won't end with just one victim. Who would be their next victim?

There was a hesitance from the crowd as no one dared to challenge the Panthers.

"Any takers?" Viper asked as he dominantly stared around the crowd. "Want to play, Alley Cats?"

The Alley Cats squad shook their head.

"Project X? We had a pretty close game last time." Raven cheekily eyed the group

No reply.

Kaiser shook his head. It seemed this was the only match they would play on this fateful night. But as Kaiser turned to leave the court, he heard a voice behind him, calling his name. The crowd gasped as they witnessed a challenger. A lone challenger on the undefeated Kings.

"I'll play."

Ah. It seemed tonight Kaiser wouldn't go home with only 75 Player Points. Kaiser smiled as he spun around, who would they defeat this time.

Despair. Agitation. A trauma from the past as he stood before him. Why, why was his friend and former teammate, standing before him. Kaiser felt a jolt of surprise and apprehension. It was like a reminder of his past, a rewind to his own failures and shortcomings. He bit lips, why was he here.

The man, however, seemed unfazed by Kaiser's discomfort. "Hey, man," he said, a grin on his face. "Good game."

Kaiser nodded, trying to hide his unease. "Thanks," he said, his voice tight. "What's up?"

"I was just wondering if you wanted to play a little one-on-one," the challenger said, gesturing to the court. "You know, to catch up."

Kaiser hesitated. On the one hand, he knew he was one of the best street footballers in Paris. He was trained and built on the street, and he was confident in his own abilities. But on the other hand, he didn't want to risk his reputation or his winning streak by losing to him. He couldn't afford losing before the crowd.

Raven and Viper stood beside him, confident in their captain's ability. Kaiser didn't want to lose, at least not in front of everyone here and his teammates.

"Sure," he said at last, forcing a smile. "Let's do it."

The crowd erupted into symphony of cheers. The music rang ever louder in the backdrop as the night was still young. The two friends eyed one another, each unmoving and unwavering in their gaze. It was as if they were seeing each other, face to face, trying to discover each other once more. Had they changed? No one could answer but themselves.

~~~

The flickering of a lone streetlamp created an eerie shadows that play tricks on the mind. The sound of footsteps echoing against the pavement, an unsettling sense of isolation and vulnerability.

The challenger had the first chance to score. He darted towards Kai with the ball at his feet, showing off his lightning-fast footwork. Kaiser, however, was equally quick on his feet, tracking back diligently as he read the situation. Never once did the two player lock their eyes. Their were a coldness, and a sadness between them

"What do they call you? Kaiser?" The player questioned as he suddenly changed his directions. Cutting inside with his left foot.

But Kaiser managed to block the attempt with a well-timed tackle. Not a moment was the challenger able to get past him.

"I prefer it." Kaiser replied.

The player received the ball. He eyed Kaiser straight in the eyes as he seized the opportunity to go on the attack.

"Why..." He pleaded

The stranger dribbling with the ball as he dashed past Kaiser with fury. He was closing in on the goal when Kaiser suddenly lunged at him from behind, trying to steal the ball away.

"This... Is where I belong."

But the stranger managed to dodge him. However, Kaiser was right on his heels, determined not to let him score. He couldn't, he wouldn't let it defeat him. He don't want to lose what he has already achieved.

"You're lying to yourself!"

The challenger made a quick feint to the right, then cut sharply to the left. Kaiser lunged to block the shot, but the rebel deftly chipped the ball over his outstretched leg. He was one step too slow, not because Kaiser didn't anticipate it, his body couldn't follow that deft speed. The ball sailed towards the top corner of the goal.

There was a palpable silence from the crowd as they witness their 'king' being dethroned. Kaiser struggled to his feet as he faced his former friend.

"If you truly love the sport, why are you here? Is this where you will spend the rest of your life?" The scorer asked as he stood motionless in the centre circle.

The two players traded blows back and forth, each one trying to outsmart the other. Kaiser used his experience and what he learnt playing on the street to predict the opponent's movements, while the opponent relied on his agility to keep the ball away from Kaiser's grasp.

"Answer me, Kai. Why? Why are you wasting your talents here?"

The tension between the two friends was intolerable, and the crowd was on the edge of their seats as they watched the match unfold. It was clear that neither player was willing to give an inch.

"You ignored me. You ignored all of us."

The challenger had his back turned as he forced his superior strength on Kaiser. He was being outmuscled, pushed off the ball at every opportunity that he could get. Kaiser struggled, Raven and Viper witnessed in disbelief. There was a mystery that couldn't understand, a complexity they would never solve between the two players battling on the court.

"I thought you changed, but it seemed you were the same old self. You never accepted your shortcomings."

He pushed his way through. Kasier tumbled as he lost his footing. The player dashed towards the goal and Kaiser desperately chased. His body braced as they clattered against one another. Kaiser wanted the ball back, he needed the ball back. Every muscle contracted as his strength gathered.

"No! I am stronger! I am better than before!" Kaiser yelled in his opponent's face.

All his frustration and pent up bitterness released from his heart in a moment of catharsis. He improved, he trained. That day of failure was one that he would never forget. That moment of loneliness, the despair, and doubt that was bearing down on his shoulders, he lifted those burdens in laughter.

Kaiser had the ball. Gaps were dime of dozen as he could see the thousands of possibilities right before his eyes. His eyes were dark, yet he could clearly see the end of the tunnel, the end of his journey, the ultimately purpose. His touch was simple, but effective. One swift movement that was one with his mind.

"THEN SHOW IT! PROVE EVERYONE WRONG!"

Kaiser clashed with his compatriot. His touch fluid like one efficient and connected with this thoughts. He eyed his friend. His acceleration and quick feet combined with the most methodical combination of plays.

His shoulders dropped.

The stranger lunged.

Kaiser feinted as he cut towards the opening.

"IT'S NOT THAT SIMPLE!"

The ball rattled against webbing as the crowd cheered the goal. Kaiser eyed the challenger, the one that dared change him otherwise. He built something meaningful, he achieved something he could be proud of. This was a safe heaven, a sanctuary for himself.

The player shook his head. "Excuses."

The challenger stood in front of Kaiser, looking at him with a mixture of disappointment and confusion. "You're afraid." he stated, his voice barely above a whisper. "You're afraid of failure."

Kaiser gritted his teeth.

"Why are you here?" Kaiser asked, as he panted, trying to catch his breath. He felt his heart racing, not only from the intense physical activity but also from the emotions that he had suppressed for so long. He felt a mix of anger, confusion, and sadness.

The challenger looked at him, his face calm but his eyes intense. "I'm here because I love this sport, Kai. And I know you do too."

There was a lump form in his throat as he looked at his former friend. Kai remembered the short days when they played together, that fateful meeting in the park, the passion they had for the game. But that was all in the past now. He had moved on, he had built a new life, a new reputation, and a new identity. He couldn't go back to being the person he used to be.

"You don't understand," Kaiser said, his voice low. "Things are different now. I have my family, I have expectations, I have a whole future that I must prepare for."

"Is this all it is to you now? A dream not worth chasing?" the challenger asked, a hint of disappointment in his voice.

Kaiser didn't reply. He couldn't find the words to express what he was feeling. He felt trapped between his old self and his new self, between his past and his present. He looked at the challenger, hoping to find some answers, but all he saw was a reflection of his own inner conflict.

The challenger walked towards him and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Listen to me, Kai. You don't have to choose between who you were and who you are now. You can be both. You can achieve anything if you set your heart to it."

Kaiser felt a surge of emotion as he looked at the challenger. He felt like he was seeing him for the first time in years, not just as a friend but as a mentor, a voice he needed. He felt like he was rediscovering himself through the eyes of the person who knew him best. Yet he was hesitant, Kaiser's heart ripped in two halves as he struggled in between. The choice he must make was torturous and painful, and both options would leave him forever wounded.

The player handed him a ticket.

"When you're ready, meet me there."