The tunnel at The Apex was buzzing with a unique, electric tension. It wasn't the hostile pressure of an away ground or the formal gravity of a cup final.
It was the fizz of a friendly rivalry, the most important unimportant game either manager would ever have.
Just before the signal to walk out, Ethan saw Leo jogging over from the away team's line. His friend looked a year older and ten times more confident in his sleek, black and gold Orion FC tracksuit.
"Nervous?" Leo asked, a cocky grin plastered on his face.
"Terrified," Ethan deadpanned. "Kept me up all night, worrying about your revolutionary 4-4-2."
Leo laughed. "Hey, don't knock the classics. My S-Rank defender is going to have your SSS-Rank prima donna on lockdown. You'll be lucky to get a shot on target."
"We'll see," Ethan said, his own grin breaking through. "Just try not to cry when my 18-year-old winger with an 'attitude problem' makes your entire defense look like training cones."
"Is that a promise or a threat?"
"It's a spoiler," Ethan shot back.
They shared a look, a silent acknowledgment of the sheer, brilliant insanity of their situation. Two best friends, managing their own virtual football clubs in a secret world, about to go head-to-head. An official in a headset gave them the one-minute signal.
"May the best manager win," Leo said, extending a hand.
"He will," Ethan replied, shaking it firmly. "Good luck."
As Leo jogged back to his line, Ethan took his place at the front of his own. He could hear his players behind him, the mood light but focused.
"Alright, Davey boy, first start," he heard Josh Sargent say to David Kerrigan. "Just don't try to beat their whole team by yourself, yeah?"
"Where's the fun in that?" Kerrigan shot back with a smirk, but there was a glint of excitement in his eye.
Nearby, Emre gave Viktor a quiet word of encouragement. "Just find the space, Vik. The ball will get there." Viktor, looking far more composed than he had at Portman Road, gave a determined nod.
The signal was given. The two teams walked out onto the pristine pitch, side-by-side, into the roar of the virtual home crowd.
"And welcome back to The Apex for the final pre-season friendly for our home side, Apex United!" the commentator's voice boomed.
"And what a fascinating matchup we have today! It's a battle of two brand-new, user-managed clubs, as Ethan Couch's Apex United in their traditional royal blue take on LeoTheHunter's Orion FC, looking very sharp in their black and gold away strips. This one, folks, is for bragging rights!"
The whistle blew, and the derby was on.
The first fifteen minutes were a tense, cagey affair. It was immediately clear that Leo had done his homework.
Orion FC was incredibly well-organized. They sat in a compact, deep-lying 4-4-2, the two banks of four moving as one. At the heart of their defense, the S-Rank wonderkid, Matias Gallardo, was a colossus.
In the 8th minute, Emre Demir tried to weave his magic, dancing past one midfielder, but as he approached the box, Gallardo stepped out with perfect timing, not diving in, but simply standing him up and dispossessing him with an effortless, clean tackle.
"Nothing through the middle!" Leo's voice could be heard from the away dugout. He was an active, passionate manager, constantly directing his players.
Apex was frustrated. They passed the ball from side to side, but the black and gold wall held firm.
"It's no good, we can't get through!" Kenny McLean grunted after another attack fizzled out.
"Patience!" Hanley barked back. "Don't force it!"
Ethan watched from the sideline, a thoughtful frown on his face. Leo's strategy was simple but effective: deny Emre space and trust his super-defender to clean everything up. He needed a different approach. He needed a wild card.
"David!" Ethan yelled, cupping his hands. "Get on the ball! Be positive!"
It was the only invitation David Kerrigan needed. In the 19th minute, he received a pass on the left wing. Instead of looking for a pass, he put his head down and ran, his feet a blur.
He jinked inside, nutmegging the Orion right-back, before cutting into the box. The angle was tight. Sargent and Viktor were screaming for a cross. Kerrigan ignored them, unleashing a powerful shot from an impossible angle that flew into the side netting.
"Oi! Pass the ball!" Sargent yelled, throwing his hands up in frustration.
Kerrigan just gave him a cheeky shrug. "Almost had it."
Ethan sighed. This was the 'attitude problem' in action. But it had also created a moment of chaos, pulling the disciplined Orion defense out of shape for the first time.
Kerrigan was a spark plug. In the 25th minute, he did it again, beating two players with a dazzling array of step-overs before being cynically brought down, winning a dangerous free-kick. He was a solo artist, but he was undeniably effective.
Then, in the 28th minute, the breakthrough came from a moment of unexpected selflessness.
Kerrigan received the ball on the wing again. Everyone, including the Orion defense, expected him to try and beat his man. Instead, he played a sharp, disguised pass inside to Emre Demir. The defense, drawn to the wing by Kerrigan's antics, had left a pocket of space.
Emre took one touch and drove forward.
The Orion defense scrambled to react, but it was too late. Matias Gallardo, the star defender, was forced to leave his position to confront Emre. It was the showdown everyone had been waiting for.
Emre dipped his shoulder as if to go right, but then dragged the ball back, a feint that sent the mighty Gallardo leaning the wrong way for a split second. That was all the space he needed. But he didn't shoot. He saw Viktor Kristensen making a sharp, darting run across the face of the other defender.
With a deft, no-look pass with the outside of his boot, Emre slid the ball perfectly into Viktor's path. The Danish teenager didn't hesitate this time.
No big-match nerves, no deer-in-the-headlights stare. He met the ball first-time, guiding it with precision past the outrushing goalkeeper and into the back of the net.
1-0 to Apex United!
The stadium erupted. Viktor let out a roar of pure relief and joy, sprinting towards Emre and jumping into his arms. Sargent and even the selfish Kerrigan joined the celebration, mobbing their two teenage prodigies.
It was Viktor's first goal for the club, a goal created by the sublime skill of Emre and the unexpected teamwork of their chaotic new winger.
Ethan pumped his fist, a wide grin lighting up his face. The plan was working.
He looked over at Leo's dugout, expecting to see his friend looking dejected. But Leo wasn't slumped in his seat.
He was on his feet, already talking animatedly to his fourth official. He wasn't waiting until halftime. He was reacting now.
"An absolutely brilliant team goal from Apex United!" the commentator shouted over the noise.
"A goal that sends them one-nil up! But wait a moment... Orion FC are making an immediate change! This is highly unusual in the 30th minute of a friendly!"
The board went up. A defensive midfielder was coming off. On was coming another striker.
Ethan stared, his eyes widening in disbelief as he processed what was happening. Leo was abandoning his solid 4-4-2.
On the far side of the pitch, the Orion players were shifting.
Their formation was morphing into an ultra-aggressive, top-heavy 4-2-4.
Leo caught Ethan's eye from across the pitch and gave him a predatory grin.
The message was clear. You drew first blood. Now the real fight begins.