New Captain, Old Friends

The next morning came too quickly for Omari and the other players. Omari turned on his bed after feeling the harsh rays of sunlight caressing his skin. He groaned slightly and opened his eyes after a few more moments.

As if he was programmed by someone, Omari immediately went into the bathroom and cleaned himself up. After coming out of the bathroom, Omari changed into his training wear and went to the park.

While he was doing these things, he failed to realize something… Jack wasn't in his bed!

Omari reached the park earlier than anyone else. Steve and Jurg hadn't even arrived yet. He wanted to start warming up when he saw a figure at the far end of the park, the figure was repeatedly placing shots into the top corner of the goalpost at the other end of the field.

"What the?!" Omari was shocked when he saw the figure at the other end of the field. He almost opened his mouth in shock, then he realized it was only logical that he met him here. He was probably the person that wanted to beat Merseyside the most on the planet.

"Oi! Jack, pass the ball!" Omari called out to Jack who was practicing at the other end of the field.

Jack looked up when he heard his name being called. He looked slightly surprised when he saw the source of the voice, he did as he was told nonetheless. With a movement of his feet, he kicked the ball towards Omari who trapped it with ease.

"Fancy you getting up this early" Jack commented.

Omari smiled. He played with the ball a bit and passed it back to Jack. "How's that a surprise?"

Jack caught the ball with his chest and allowed it to fall on the floor. It bounced once before he sent it flying towards Omari again. "Nothing, you just don't seem like a morning person"

Omari trapped the ball again and juggled it for a bit before sending another long pass to Jack. "I'll have you know that I wake the earliest in my house"

Jack laughed as trapped the ball and held his feet over it to prevent any stray movements from the ball. "That doesn't speak well of your parent's morning habits"

Omari didn't realize the insult hidden in Jack's words until a few seconds later. He would've retorted, but Jack sent the ball flying towards him.

The pair continued tossing the ball about until Jurg arrived and scolded them for exerting themselves before a match. Steve arrived a few minutes later and revised some game tactics with them. After the rest of the team arrived, Jurg went over some things with them and re announced the starting lineups. After that, they all went to the team bus and were on their way to the Merseyside training centre. Omari and Jack could feel their blood boiling. The match would soon start!

The pair possessed an unnatural urge to win the match. One of them wanted to prove something to the people that cast him out when he needed them the most, the other simply had a must win attitude and had a mission given to him by the system that that he had to complete. Two very diverse reasons, yet it was what brought the two together at this particular time.

Very soon, everyone in the team had changed into the team jersey and were standing in front of the door to the locker room. Jurg was standing in front of the door and was holding the captain's armband.

"Alright! As you all know, we've been without a captain for several months now. During that time, Anthony has stepped up and served as the captain. I'd like everyone to give him a round of applause for his work and dedication towards the squad". Jurg said.

Every single one of the players clapped for Anthony. Some of them went as far as giving him appreciatory remarks.

"Now, after waiting and observing for a while, I've managed to find a player who I think is fit enough to fill the void" Jurg smiled. He turned towards Jack. "Introducing the new captain of the squad; Jack Ryans!"

The players erupted in applause when Jurg made the announcement. There was no one that could claim to have bad blood with Jack as he was usually an easy going and nice person, hence Jurg's decision was approved by everyone in the squad.

Jack accepted the captain's armband and said a short speech of gratitude. After that he gave the team a small pep talk which motivated them to win the match against Merseyside.

Shortly after, a match official came to call them out and tell them that the match was about to start. Jack led his team out and they walked out to the pitch. They heard the boos of the home fans but they didn't mind it, it's not as if they were here to please the opposition fans. They came here to snatch three points and head back to Middlesbrough.

Jack saw several familiar faces as the Merseyside team marched out on to the field. His eyes gleamed with hatred when he recognized a particular person. The person was of average height and had long hair combed into a ponytail. He was in a conversation with one of his other teammates.

The figure felt a heated gaze on him and looked up to see Jack glaring at him. When he saw this, a smile appeared on his lips. The type of smile that only appeared on one's face when they saw a long lost friend.

"Hello Jack, long time no see" The figure stopped in front of Jack and held out a hand.

A/N: 

50 P.S = 1 extra chapter