“Come on Phanto, you’re going to be late. The press is turning up already, the CMM van has been here for nearly an hour, let’s roll! It’s time to celebrate our success!” yelled Fearo, newly appointed captain of Team Plasma.
“I’m nearly done with the Ghostlings, just need to get Electrode back to their parents,” replied Phanto.
It had been over a year for the team of miners. After finishing fourth in the Herbotamia Invitational, the team had returned to the Ionise mine re-enthused about the excitement of marble sports.
“Seeing the Gliding Glaciers and the Solar Flares get their opportunity to compete on the big stage got us reminiscing about our time in the spotlight, it seems like eons ago,” said Ecto, a warm smile spreading across their face. “After a week or so back at the mine, we had a team meeting, and it became obvious that we had all been thinking the same thing.”
“Sports isn’t just a fun pastime,” added Gloomo. “It’s a way to bring people from all backgrounds of life together, exemplifying teamwork and fair play. We all sensed that this was our next step – to inspire others to have a go no matter their life circumstances. We wanted to see marbles try their best and be secure in themselves, no matter the outcome, excelling in whatever they put their mind to. And we knew if we wanted people to catch our vision, we had to lead by example.”
The five marbles worked long into the night planning their next moves. The morning sun flooded through the windows of their meeting room, illuminating a room full of tired yet satisfied marbles. The whiteboard was covered in ideas, but three ideas stood out:
- Keep training – you never know what opportunities may arise and role models are important.
- Start a youth team – if we can get this far, so can any marble who puts their mind to it; supporting others is important.
- Check-in with the Gliding Glaciers and Solar Flares – no matter how they do, they need to be supported and encouraged.
And so that’s what the team did. In between working for the mine and tending the garden (Herbotamia in Bloom was just around the corner) the team kept on training, using the underground caverns as a training hub. One day, as the team finished their most recent training set, Fearo looked out across the cavern and had an idea. As the team ascended to the surface, Fearo shared the idea, and the team was onboard. They rolled as fast as they could to the head of the mine, Ion, and burst into their office.
“We should turn part of the mine into Marblearth’s first underground training facility,” blurted out Ghost.
After the initial shock of five large marbles storming into their office subsided, Ion agreed and the team got to work, converting their favorite caverns into a professional training ground. As work progressed, Marble League 2021 began. The team celebrated the successes of the Gliding Glaciers and commiserated with the Solar Flares.
“We need to call them as soon as we can,” said Phanto. “We know how it feels to come into a competition with expectations and then have the fans turn on you when you don’t live up to them.”
“They should be the guests of honor at the opening of the training ground,” suggested Ghost before disappearing down a tunnel.
The day of the opening arrived, and the mine was looking the best it had done for years. Right at the entrance was a large flower display in the shape of the Solar Flares logo to welcome the guests of honor.
“That day was special,” recalled Flare, captain of the Solar Flares. “We had been feeling really low after our less than successful entrance to the Marble League. We were being slated in the press and online, marbles claiming we were a joke and a wasted place. Then out of the blue, we got a video call from Fearo and the team. They had been so supportive at the Herbotamia Invitational and they had called to check in with how we were doing. They all shared stories of how they had overcome hardship in their lives, it was really moving. And then out of nowhere Ghost piped up and asked us to open their new underground training facility. We were blown away! How could anyone want us to do something so important? Fearo claimed that we epitomized the idea of resilience, keeping going in the face of adversity and they wouldn’t want anyone else to represent a core value that they shared. After the call ended, we were all tearing up. Just then we started to believe their message ourselves.
We arrived at a sea of flowers and bunting, red and orange to represent both teams. A cheer erupted from the crowd as we stepped out of the coach and I couldn’t help but smile and wave. A line of adorable young marbles greeted us, all in red uniforms and mining helmets – these were the newly formed Ghostlings, a marble sports team for young marbles that Team Plasma had started for kids in the local area. We got through the opening ceremony, including the obligatory ribbon cutting with overly large scissors, before being shown around the underground facility by members of the Plasmoids, Team Plasma’s youth team that had just finished reasonably well in the Herbotamia Marble Sports Cup. The facility was impressive, I’ve never seen a training facility make use of the natural features of a cavern before, it was ground-breaking. At the end of the day, we couldn’t thank Team Plasma enough for all of their support this year and the honor of opening their facility. I really hope we can compete with them again in the near future.”
It was a normal, slightly misty day at the mine when the lives of Team Plasma would change once again. The regular pile of bills and fan mail arrived (there was one fan who would send the team a different type of fancy pie every month – the team always looked forward to pie day), but this time it contained an uninspiring-looking letter. Ecto sorted through the usual mail and tasted this month’s pie, strawberry and rhubarb, before getting to this letter. A piece of pie hung awkwardly in front of their mouth as if it had been forgotten as Ecto’s eyes widened at the news. They immediately rolled out of the mail room towards the mine, their piece of pie a distant memory.
“You took longer than normal, you better not have started that pie without us again,” yelled Gloomo as Ecto rolled into view.
“You’ve got to see this, now,” panted Ecto.
The team huddled together. Suddenly cries of excitement echoed about the caverns – Jelle was expanding the Marble League and wanted Team Plasma to return. They had seen what had happened in 2018 and the unfortunate circumstances surrounding their retirement and were impressed at how committed the team was to exemplary sportsmanship, most recently seen in their support of the Solar Flares, that they had decided to offer one of the expansion spots to the team.
“We have to accept; this is what we’ve been working towards – it’s still on the whiteboard,” said Phanto jubilantly. The team agreed, ecstatic that their small but dedicated fan base would get to celebrate with them.
“I’ve been working on these, I hope you like them. I thought it would be a nice treat to celebrate our recent accomplishments,” said Ghost, pulling out from who knows where five brand new uniforms, shimmering in the dim light of the cave.
“Did you make these, Ghost?” asked Fearo. “These are amazing. I love the transparency, so ethereal. I didn’t realize you knew how to sew! Ghost, you truly are the heart of this team. You really are myst—”
Fearo looked up to see that Ghost had vanished.
The day the team had been waiting for had arrived. Last night JMR publicly announced their return. They had purposefully spent the day underground to avoid seeing the reactions of marbles across Marblearth. Phanto was finishing off the Ghostlings’ training session as the team in their brand-new uniforms rolled out to see hoards of media ready to go in front of the small stage that had been erected at the front of the mine. Angry clouds rolled across the skies, threatening to dampen their high spirits.
“This is more than I thought would be here,” thought Fearo, worried how the team would cope with so much attention. As the team rolled onto the stage, a sea of camera flashes erupted from the crowd.
And then it began.
“Rambutan, CMM. How does it feel to be back in the Marble League?”
“It’s great,” said Fearo, taking charge. “We are so happy to be back and we aim to do our best as always. We hope to prove ourselves as a worthy addition and make our fans proud.”
“Lapis, Brilliant Blue Corporation, Zuro’s number one news source. What do you think about the reaction to your team’s announcement?”
“To be honest, we’ve been working underground all day so we’ve been a bit out of the loop, but I’m sure we’ll take it in our stride.”
And then the avalanche began.
“Why did you agree to take a spot from a new team that deserved a chance to compete in the highest tier of marble sports?”
“What about the fan polls that showed they didn’t want you to return? Why should you get this opportunity and not the Quicksilvers or the Jawbreakers or a new team?”
“You’ve already had a chance and failed. Why do you deserve to come back?”
“We already have Ghost Plasma, why do we need you as well?”
“Why are you not letting the next generation compete?”
“Why do we need another red team?”
“Why are you letting your fans down by changing your uniform? Why not stick to the familiar classic look?”
“Why have you stolen the look of other teams like the Golden Orbs? Are you trying to deny them a chance to return by stealing their look?”
As the tsunami of sound and flashes rocked the stage, Fearo knew something wasn’t right. They could see their friends squirming, sweat beading on their brows. What should have been a celebration was quickly spinning out of control as a firehose of bitterness blasted the team. Fearo knew they had to stay strong for the team and could see the team trying their best. But Fearo was getting worried about Ghost. They had always been the type to stay out of the spotlight and had been worried about the press conference. Fearo had calmed their nerves, encouraging them to come on stage, assuming it would be a time to celebrate renewal, resilience, and redemption.
When Fearo heard the questions about the uniforms, they knew this had to end. Now.
But before a word could escape their mouth, Fearo heard a loud bang as a chair fell backward. They turned around to see Ghost sprinting offstage into the mist, tears streaming behind them.
“We’re done here. Come on, let’s roll,” yelled Fearo as they led the rest of the team offstage, leaving the cacophony of noise behind.
The four members searched high and low for their friend. A crumpled uniform was found outside the entrance to the mine as the rainwater started to discolor the exquisite design.
As the team entered the mine, they could hear muffled sobbing coming from the balcony overlooking their training facility. They found Ghost lying down, silently sobbing to themselves staring out at all they had worked on.
“Why bother? We’re clearly not wanted. We should return our invite and let a new team take our place. It’s what the fans want,” mumbled Ghost as tears rolled down their face.
“Hey, you don’t believe that, right?” said Fearo. “There will always be those who oppose you, no matter how much good you are bringing to the world. You can never please everyone. This is not how we thought our relaunch would go and I’m so proud of you for facing your fears and getting on that stage. We can’t let the opinions of others bring us down. We’re Team Plasma and we are not defined by others. We know who we are and will try our best despite the opinions of others.”
A loud crash interrupted the scene and the rest of Team Plasma turned around.
“We’ve been looking everywhere for you!” exclaimed Scorch as they burst through the doors, shadowed by the rest of the Solar Flares. “We came to surprise you on your big day. I’m so sorry they did that to you, what they did was not on. We love the new logo and the new uniform, they look so good!”
“But the fans aren’t happy,” whispered Ghost, who had rolled back upright.
“You may think that from those news people. But let me show you this,” Radiance said as they handed Ghost a massive card.
“Since the announcement we’ve been visiting other teams with this, have a look.”
Inside were messages for the team from the other Marble League teams.
“We’re so glad you’re returning. You amazed us at the Invitational and we’re sure you will do well in the Marble League!”
-Minty Maniacs
“We know what it’s like to go through adversity, don’t let the past hold you back.”
-Team Momo
“Don’t let the salt get you down!”
-Limers
“The opinions of fans can get you down, we know. But you have such a strong character that we know you will take everything in your stride. Roll on, Team Plasma!”
-Shining Swarm
“We’re glad such an inspirational team is joining at the same time as us. See you in the Showdown!”
-Wolfpack
“I am so glad you accepted my invitation. I know you will step up and prove to everyone you deserve to be here after the adverse events of last time. I believe in you and want you to be here. Plus, the new uniforms look great.”
-Jelle Bakker
“There’s also this,” said Flare as they dumped a large sack of fan mail, expressing similar sentiments of joy, all over the floor.
The front of Ghost’s face was re-flooded with tears, but this time of joy.
“I guess I should get my uniform again…I hope it’s not too damp,” said Ghost.
The five marbles huddled together.
“Let us not forget today. No matter what people say, we define our future and we are ready to compete. We will try our best and prove marbles wrong!” rallied Fearo.
“We are Team Plasma!” yelled the five marbles, the chant reverberating around the cavern.
“Oh, this may sound a bit strange but there are also 20 large pies at the front desk for you with a note that just says “PLASMAAAAAA!!!!” said Blaze, sounding slightly bemused.
(Design Credit: Fouc & Tim Ritz)
Credits
- Writer: Smacg13
- Editors: The Emperor, Stynth
- Graphic Designers: Fouc, Minos Fylaktos, Tim Ritz
- Release: 11/08/2023
Project Marblearth 