Chapter 16: The battle of York: Part 2- Shadow of the sun.

London: 11 years ago.

Euro Conference league match.

London Gunners Vs London Spurs.

We see a young, 9-year-old Alex with his father sitting on the stands watching the game as the two teams face of in a back-and-forth match of football.

"Dad, why did you drag me here? I wanted to play FIFA with my friends" Alex said, whining.

"Because you are a man now. You need to choose a sports team that will undoubtedly define your mood on weekends for the rest of your life." Goliath Sr said, watching the match.

"I don't wanna. Watching football is less exciting than playing it." Alex said, frowning in his seat.

"I'm a gunner myself. So, you better choose them, unlike your disappointment of a brother who decided to go the opposite root." Goliath Sr said as the teams seemed to take a water break.

Commentator< Harry Tuscoat seems to be out of ideas right now. Whilst both teams are on equal footing, The Gunners seem to have the edge of being above in table standings. A loss here might put him out of a job.>

The match continued into the second half. With both teams unable to score as nearly 75 minutes were up. A quick pan unto the Spurs bench showed a young Harry Goliath getting dressed to come on.

Commentator< well it seems Tuscoat is truly out of ideas as he seems to be bringing on 17-year-old Harry Goliath. The kid has had some loan spells here and there but to bring him on in the biggest match of Tuscoat's career is mental. He truly is out of options.>

The commentator said as Harry ran into the field, having substituted another player.

"Dad look. Big bro is coming on." Alex said, nudging his dad.

"Impossible. That old geyser must have lost his marbles." Goliath Sr said, seemingly becoming more interested in the match.

"You're his age dad." Alex said, as they both became interested in that match.

The events of that day were etched on footballing history. Harry announced himself to the world in spectacular fashion. Many called it unfortunate, for such a great player to be born then. For such a great player to be born in an age where some of the best players in world history where in their prime, with their successors already chosen. But everyone was soon proven wrong. Because that age soon ended, the successors failed to live up to expectations and only Harry and a select few others, were able to usher in the new age.

Alex on the other hand, became Harry shadow, unfortunately, the sun has no shadow. Those closest to it are engulfed in the flames of stardom. Alex was no doubt the nearest. But Harry decided to push him away. Giving Alex a chance at being a star.

5 years ago.

London Sours tryouts.

"Your brother is good Harry. He will be a great Defender someday. We are thinking of signing him to the academy." A scout said in a boardroom to Harry one evening "Don't!" Harry said.

"Why not? He is perfect." The scout said, seemingly confused.

" I don't want him in my shadow. Plus, dad is moving to York, so I think that is best for him" Harry said Unbeknownst to them, Alex was outside, listening.

Present Day. Matchday.

"That idiot did not allow them to sign me back then and now he wants me to sign for them. Is he dumb?" Alex thought as everyone prepared to restart the match.

The match restarted with Dame having come on as Supa Strikas goalkeeper.

A relentless attack from the York city players began, taking shots and chances at every minute. With most being either defended by Supa Strikas or just missed.

Gillimore continued to lead the attack, dribbling past most players before taking the shot. As nearly 40 minutes passed with that being the status quo.

Gillimore got the ball once more in the 43rd minute, dribbling past the middle fielders before passing to the wings and getting it back in the 18-yard area where the let of a shot but was tackled inside the box as a huge scream for a penalty was heard. The referee quickly sounded his whistle and pointed to the penalty area as the York players celebrated.

"I'll take it." Gillimore said as he picked up the ball and put it in the beauty spot.

Mateo quickly stood next Gillimore, tapping him on the shoulder and whispering to him.

"Still in my shadow. I remember you now. Golden boy!" Meto said, walking away as Gillimore felt a huge weight fill his shoulders. Rendering him unable to even move.

Mateo walked away, towards the center. Not looking as Gillimore stepped up to take the penalty. In actual fact, this was an act of sheer disrespect. In Mateo's eyes, Jack Gillimore was not even worth an act of acknowledgement.

With that in mind, Gillimore took the shot. Skyrocketing it to the stands and missing the goal completely.

Zuko ran to Mateo who just looked at York's goal.

"What did you say to that guy? He seemed completely out of it." Zuko asked as Mateo smiled.

"Nothing much. Just that I remembered why I was stuck on this level with a bunch of nobodies like you and him." Mateo said, seemingly cynical.

"You wanna go right now, pink haired fraud." Zuko said, looking pissed.

"Nah. I wanna get out of here. So Zuko wanna make a pact, like Klaus said. It does not matter who scored but rather that we score more goals than our opponent. So just for the rest of the season, if me, you and that little brat join forces and be the best attack the league has ever seen, I get to go back to Barka and continue my path of de‐throning Invincible United, you get a big money move to the Super League or Super league 2. And that brat can be the homegrown hero. What do you say?" Mateo said, holding out his hand for a handshake. "Fine" Zuko said, as they shook hands.

"Think that brat will agree." Zuko continued.

"Why don't you ask him" Mateo said, looking towards the bench as Andile got ready to come on.