Chapter 12: Dooma's Gain

After the game: a medical facility near Shanghai.

North runs into one of the rooms as Mark is laying on the bed with a doctor carefully inspecting his right foot.

"How is he doc? Is he going to be, okay?" North said seemingly worried as the top button in his shirt was untied with his coat and tie held on his hand.

"He is pretty banged up; his foot has a few broken bones, but he will be fine in a month or so. He will miss preseason and most likely the first few matches of the season." The doctor replied, bandaging Mark's foot.

"Come on, I can't miss the first game of the season. What type of Captain would I be if I did that?" Mark said, seemingly frustrated.

"An injured captain." Spenza interrupted walking into the room.

"Yeah, injury is pretty gnarly thou. Probably best to give it enough time to heal." North said, seemingly gathering his thoughts.

"You will not play any match unless you are one hundred percent..." Spenza said, as a phone call interrupted him which he walked out to take.

"Yes boss, why the phone call?" Spenza said, speaking in the phone.

[Good performance today, send Mark my get well soon wishes.]

"Yes sir, I will. But that cannot be the purpose of the call."

[Of course. I wanted to inform you that we have sold Orlando, to a super league team no less.] "Who?"

[INVINCIBLE UNITED.]

☆The VICE☆ Invincible United stadium located in Johannesburg.

The United players and coaches are all training hard in their own pre-season preparations. Completing drills and training sessions as Orlando walks in wearing an Invincible United training kit with a bag before standing next to the main coach, Duval.

"Okay boys gather around we have a new player joining us." Duval said, as the rest of the team surrounded him.

"Most of you know him, he is coming from our little neighbors down the road, 26-year-old striker, Paul Orlando." Duval said, introducing Orlando to the team as half the team laughed before a young 20-year-old walked upfront.

Short blonde dyed hair, with a slight short stature and a demeaning look on his face.

"This is not the continental division where you were scoring goals for fun. Just don't disappoint me." Dooma said, Walking away.

"Hey, who are you to talk to me like that. I ain't about to be ridiculed by a little kid. The only reason why I have not played on the Super League is because I chose not to." Orlando stated seemingly frustrated.

"Yeah. I am the man who pulled you out of that dump you were loyal to. And your Job here is simple. Be a good running dog for your new master, Me." Dooma responded still walking away.

"And if I don't?" Orlando said, looking to stand up for himself.

"I will have your contract ripped up and send you back to the streets of Khayelitsha without a second thought and make sure that no self-respecting team even thinks of signing you." Dooma said, stopping to look back before smiling at Orlando.

"Now fetch, doggy." Dooma said, pointing at a ball which Orlando reluctantly dropped his bag before jogging to fetch the ball.

5 days later.

Miami Florida, USA.

North drags a bunch of bags into a huge mansion as he is followed by limping Mark on two crutches and a moonboot.

The walk into the mansion and are greeted by two twin girls around 7 years old who looked like North. And a woman in her early forties.

"Hello Daddy. Hello big bro." The twin girls said, hugging North and Mark.

"Hey Anna and Mira." North said as the woman also came and kissed him.

"Hey babe, where's Luther?" North said also kissing the woman as they walked in.

"Hey Aunt Grace. Sorry for the unannounced visit." Mark said as he went to sit on the couch as a 14-year-old boy came up to him.

"Hey big bro." Luther said sitting next to Mark.

"What's up little bro?" Mark replied taking a TV remote from the table in front of him.

"What happened to your leg? Looks pretty banged up."

"You did not watch the match did yah? Hehe. It's just a little knock. I'll be staying here for a while to get it healed up." "Alright." Luther replied.

"Anyway, the boys are about to play right now, wanna watch?" Mark said, switching on the TV "Sure, why not."

y

Commentator <and 3 that is it folks. A truly disastrous showing from Supa Strikas as The Gladiators hammer them 5-0 at the Colosseum in Rome. lack of team captain Mark Philips seems to have been more impactful than first thought a lifeless could not even get shot on target today. Coach Spenza has make some serious improvements if he good against current European Champions York City. newly signed front Zuko, Andile and Mateo failed fill void left by Super star striker Paul Orlando whilst veteran Theo Von Neek continues try his best leadership gap Philips....>

"Fuck, missed the game. I have to get better soon." Mark said, turning off the TV.

"And then what? Go and save them again, and again?" North said, Walking in.

"I am their captain, if no one can do their job, I have to do it. That is what a Captain Does." Mark replied.

"A captain leads, he does not do everyone's job for them. What will happen if you get injured again? The team will collapse without you like they did today. They have to learn to play at their best without you saving them every second. Just focus on recuperating and let your team grow without you. I'm going to join up with them again. Any messages for your teammates." North said, reprimanding Mark.

"Yeah, tell them they better not fuck up too much, I'm watching." Mark said as both he and North smiled.

Matchday at The VICE.

Commentator: < That is it folks, 10-0 is the final scoreline as Invincible United show why they are the Super League Champions. A thrashing of Super League No.2 side Sidney Soccer by the newly formed attacking duo of Paul Orlando and youngster Dooma Jr ensured a quick and easy victory for the Champs. With the Super League season beginning next week, it seems these two are ready to keep the status quo ongoing. With Invincible United on top and everyone else under it.>

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