Champion Tide – Season 2
Chapter 8: Distance, anger and reconciliation
The atmosphere in the Monta?a Azul team was tense. Since Talion had started spending more time with his new swimming friends, things were not the same. The group understood... but too much time had already passed.
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An inevitable anger
Azrat was the first to speak.
"And now what?" Talión doesn't even come to train anymore?
"He has been very busy with his "new friends." Bruno growled, clearly annoyed.
"He has been with them so much that it seems that he forgot about us." Jocelyn added, with her arms crossed.
Suddenly, the door opened and Talión entered the dressing room.
"Ah, look who deigned to show up!" Azrat said, in a sarcastic tone.
"What happens now?" Talión replied, sighing.
"What happens is that you don't even come to train anymore," Aurora said, firm but calm. Monta?a Azul is training for the World Tournament... without its leader.
Talion tried to explain.
"I've been learning new techniques, training with rivals who...
"With rivals?" Bruno interrupted. And what about us?
"Everything I learned is for us to win in the World Tournament!" Talión said, raising his voice.
"Then why haven't you come?" Luz said, with a serious look. You haven't come for a single day.
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For a moment, Talion felt trapped. He felt misunderstood, as if everything he had done was useless.
"You know what? Forget it! - Talión shouted, leaving the dressing room furiously and leaving the team in silence.
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Luz takes control
The team fell silent. Aurora, Azrat, Bruno and Jocelyn were still upset.
"Do you really think that Talión is just going to leave us like this?" Luz said, calm but firm.
"It's not right what he did." Azrat growled.
"No... but that doesn't mean he stopped caring about this team."
Luz got up and went out behind Talion.
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The reunion
Talión was sitting alone on a park bench, with his head down. Luz approached calmly and sat next to him.
"Do you want me to give you space or can I bother you for a while?" Luz said, with a soft smile.
Talion sighed and smiled sideways.
"I know I spoured it... but it wasn't my intention."
"I know," Luz replied, taking her hand. But you have to understand that we miss you... that the team is not the same without you.
Talión looked up and saw Luz's calm expression.
"I was trying to improve so that we can all win... but I guess I forgot that the most important thing is that we win together.
Luz leaned over and gave him a soft kiss on the lips.
"You're our captain... and my boy." Don't you realize that we need you as much as you need us?
Talion smiled.
"Let's fix this... together."
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The reconciliation and the epic joke
The next day, Talión entered the dressing room where everyone was.
"Can I say something?" he said in a firm voice.
The team looked at him, still somewhat annoyed.
"I know I haven't been with you as I should have... and that my head went somewhere else. But Blue Mountain is my family. And the last thing I want is to fail them.
Aurora was the first to approach.
"You're forgiven... but you'd better run twice as many laps as everyone else."
Azrat approached laughing.
"And if you stay behind... I'll blow you up!"
Suddenly, Azrat took out a bucket of cold water and emtied it on Talion's head.
"That's for making us worry, idiot!"
The team burst into laughter while Talión, soaked, shook the water from his hair.
"I missed him..." Talión murmured, with a sincere smile.
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Preparation for the World Tournament
The following days were of intense training.
?? Bruno improved his times.
?? Jocelyn worked on her startup technique.
?? Azrat took his speed to the limit.
?? Luz perfected her strokes and was more confident than ever.
?? Aurora kept the balance in the team, making sure that everyone gave their best.
Finally, the Blue Mountain team was complete again, with only one goal in mind:
To be champions of the World Tournament.
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End of chapter 8
