This is Part 3 of “The Highest Glory”.
Link to Part 1
Link to Part 2

Monday, 15:30 BIT

Snap, snap, snap, went Mandarin’s camera. The O’rangers were one of many following the formation of metallic marbles, marching through the Athletes’ Village and toward the Team Galactic building. “I mean, wow,” said Orangin at the sight. “Did Coach Black Hole call in reinforcements?”

Inside Galactic headquarters, Black Hole rolled into the lobby and bowed down. The metallic entourage parted to show Royal Stardust of Polaria, who bowed in equal measure. They had half an hour before Galactic’s athletes would return.

When there was no outside audience, not even the Royal Guards, Stardust spoke more freely. An amateur athlete themselves in their youth, Royal Stardust would nod and offer advice while Black Hole listed out all their planning for the final two events.

With the meeting about to adjourn, Stardust hopped out of their seat. “Much of this sounds reasonable, Coach, but I can see you still doubt yourself.” Black Hole nodded and did not say more.

“To be a leader, you must hold yourself to a decision and defend it,” said Stardust. “Of all that I learned through life, that is my main lesson for you. Could you get unlucky with your plan for the team? Of course. But you cannot show it to those who wait for you.”

“Right, it is such important advice,” said Black Hole. “It is a great honor to report to you… but, I must admit, I do not know if I can coach this team back to a tournament podium.”

“Nor can I answer it for you!” said Stardust. “I will support our Galactic athletes now and going forward. I will not make decisions for the team. They care not for me, but for you.” 

Those were Stardust’s parting words. The royal entourage left, so the athletes would not know they were there and feel more pressure.

A few minutes later, Cosmo, Astron, and Pulsar sprinted back into their building, laughing with each other and leaping into the air. Trailing them was Starry, rolling at a brisk pace and keeping their words to themselves.

“Right, it’s time we talk about the final event,” said Black Hole to the whole team before them. “This is a plan I have given serious thought to, a plan I finalized tonight. With the Elimination Race, I propose starting Starry in it.”

The other Galactic members yelled out their approval: Starry themselves stayed silent at first. They then rolled off their chair and said: “Why put your faith in me?”

Black Hole took a deep breath. “It really is quite obvious, Starry, and I think we all agree,” they said. “You are the most experienced racer. On a track with simple rules and no gimmicks, I believe you are favored to win.”

Starry still stayed silent, but someone else chimed in beside them. “Yeah, I’m with Coach!” said Captain Cosmo. “Whatever difficulties you faced earlier in this League, we put those behind. Every accomplishment we had was due to you, and due to all of us.

“Remember Balancing?” said Cosmo. Why wouldn’t Starry, because they remember partying with Cosmo after that gold medal like it was yesterday? “You might say we’re over the moon,” they both said.

“Remember Block Pushing?” said Cosmo. What about that moment, when Starry turned and saw they passed the ML record mark, right as the two teammates before them rushed to the record board?

“I could go on, but let’s say it one more time,” said Cosmo. “Who here believes Starry will win the final event for us?” The team, the coach, and even a trainer peeking in all gave a big “AYE.”

Starry smiled. “That sounds good. Cosmo, Pulsar… let’s start training tonight.”

Tuesday, December 13th, 09:00 BIT

The road to Grayfowl Hill winded down from The Pond, and in a car was Shiny at the wheel. The Swarm captain took a hard brake, though, when they saw something pink on the side.

“Hey, is that Pinky Toe? Do you want a ride?” said Shiny. The Pinkies captain turned around and laughed. “Good to meet you! You can’t drive to Grayfowl Hill, so time to park that and roll with me!”

Even with the Championship on the line, these two captains had no ill will. Rolling over, each captain was happy to see another so interested in their hometowns and their favorite gathering places growing up. Both racers had plenty to say about this year’s sand rally, as well as which Marble Rally racers they look to for inspiration in their own races.

“Speedy is all talk, I think we’re favorites to beat them!” said Pinky Toe. “But on the way there, I want the chance to meet great athletes like you. I might just hightail it once I see that Speeder.”

“For sure, likewise,” said Shiny. They pulled an opened envelope out of their jacket, and said: “Maybe you want to read this.”

Pinky Toe heard something about a second letter for them this morning but rushed out the door too soon. Now, they held and read the words:

“I am sorry, but I must cancel our meeting and rescind my invitation. With little time left, it is more important that I work with Quickly to support the entire team.

I realize teamwork matters most at this juncture – a fact you already know and one I need to learn.

My final piece of advice: trust your teammates.

Never did mine leave me through thick and thin: My glory was I had such friends.”

– Speedy, of the Savage Speeders

In the other direction from the hill, Cosmo of Team Galactic was trudging through the shrubbery. They were out of breath from an earlier sprint, to escape a fan who noticed they snuck out of the Athlete’s Village. But they remained enough in shape to yell at a yellow blur to their left: “Hey, Buzznya buddy! Think you’re going the wrong way!”

“I lost track of my directions, so by fate you found me,” said Bumble of the Bumblebees. 

The two marbles hollered about the Marble League the rest of the way, gossipping over Collision formations and a teammate or two. 

On that crisp morning, all four captains met on the top of Grayfowl Hill amid spates of laughter. They cheered for each other as each Captain spoke in turn about their career highlights. They paused to look out at the rolling hillside, their backs away from the stadium.

“This is like a new groove, you know,” said Shiny. “This voyage to the Brace Isles opened our team’s eyes. I hope this is not the only time we will meet.”

“We don’t need to hope! We just need to believe!” said Pinky Toe. “We all worked so hard to get here. They will remember us as the new greats. Say it with me: we’ll qualify next year and we’ll meet again.”

The four marbles hopped and bumped each other. “We’ll meet again!”

“Let me add one more thing,” said Pinky Toe as the other captains turned to them. “You better believe my team will win the League Trophy. I know you think otherwise … But if that’s what you think, try and catch me!”

With one leap, Pinky Toe started rolling down the hill. Hot in pursuit were Shiny, Cosmo, and Bumble. Down these athletes rolled, full of passion and full of joy.

     To all long-time fans of the championship contenders

                      To all long-time fans of Jelle’s Marble Runs

Credits

• Writer: Fouc
• Artists: Thinkdoodler, Toffeeshop
• Photographer: Jelle’s Marble Runs
• Reference: Marble League 2022
• Release: 15/12/2022