The Foxes' guests and Vixens argue for the right to stay but lost. As they leave they promise to meet the Foxes at their hotel.

Day: Friday, April 26th / 27th* Time: 11:45 PM EST

*Due to the Leap Year, I have opted to highlight the day rather than the date to keep the events in occurrence to the 2007 year. I will continue to mark both days accordingly.

The crowd leaves only when the police force them to go, and they are deathly silent on their way out of Evermore's gates.

Day: Friday, April 26th / 27th* Time: 11:15 PM EST

*Due to the Leap Year, I have opted to highlight the day rather than the date to keep the events in occurrence to the 2007 year. I will continue to mark both days accordingly.

There should have been a ceremony as Edgar Allan passed the championship trophy to their successors. Instead the celebration is postponed until the morning. In its place are cops and EMTs, statements and interviews. Neil doesn't know why he expected anything else when the Foxes are involved.

Day: Friday, April 26th / 27th* Time: 10:15 PM EST

*Due to the Leap Year, I have opted to highlight the day rather than the date to keep the events in occurrence to the 2007 year. I will continue to mark both days accordingly.

Riko is rushed out in an ambulance.

Day: Friday, April 26th / 27th* Time: 10:10 PM EST

*Due to the Leap Year, I have opted to highlight the day rather than the date to keep the events in occurrence to the 2007 year. I will continue to mark both days accordingly.

The King's Men - Chapter Seventeen (19)

Day: Friday, April 26th / 27th* Time: 10:05 PM EST

Neil loses sight of Riko when the Foxes swarm him. Gloved fingers pat his head and shoulders, looking for any sign that he's been hurt. Neil tunes out their frantic demands, more interested in listening to Riko's endless, agonized screaming. Then Dan catches his face in her hands and gives him a shake. "Neil," she says, so desperate and afraid Neil has to look at her. "Hey," Neil says, hoarse with exhaustion and heady triumph. "We won." Dan throws her arms around him and buries a choked laugh against his padded shoulder. "Yeah, Neil. We won!"

Art used with permission by Kiiakostet. Thank you @kiiakostet!

*Due to the Leap Year, I have opted to highlight the day rather than the date to keep the events in occurrence to the 2007 year. I will continue to mark both days accordingly.

The King's Men - Chapter Seventeen (19)

Day: Friday, April 26th / 27th* Time: 10:04 PM EST

Neil wishes he could smile, but it takes all his strength just to look at Riko. The Raven captain and Exy King is staring at the scoreboard like he expects it to change. The Foxes are running for each other, still screaming their fool heads off, but the Ravens stand still as stone. It is the first loss in Edgar Allan's history, and they'd fallen to the unlikeliest of opponents. Neil sucks in a deep breath that rips him open on its way down. "I'd ask you how it feels, but I guess you've always known what it's like to be second, you worthless piece of shit." Riko finally drags his gaze away from the board. He stares at Neil, blank-faced and stunned, and then revulsion twists his expression into something terrible. His racquet goes up over his head but it takes Neil a moment to realize Riko really intends to take a swing at him. Dan screams his name from halfway across the court, but there is nothing Neil can do except watch Riko's racquet start down. He barely has the strength to breathe. Dodging is out of the question. Riko's racquet gets close enough that Neil hears wind whistling through the strings, and then a second racquet comes out of nowhere, big and bright and orange. Andrew puts everything he has left behind his swing and catches Riko across his forearm. Bones give a sickening crunch as they shatter. Riko's racquet clatters harmlessly off to one side, and then Riko is the only one screaming. He stumbles a few steps away from them before falling to his knees and holding his arm to his gut. Andrew puts his racquet down in front of Neil like a shield and watches Riko's breakdown with a bored stare.

Art used with permission by Rosiethorns88. Thank you so much @rosiethorns88!

*Due to the Leap Year, I have opted to highlight the day rather than the date to keep the events in occurrence to the 2007 year. I will continue to mark both days accordingly.

The buzzer goes off again, and Neil's heart stops. The ringing in his ears isn't all him. His teammates are screaming, wordless war cries of disbelief and victory. Neil's fingers shake so badly it is almost impossible to get the straps of his helmet undone, but finally he manages to throw his helmet off to one side. He blinks sweat out of his eyes and looks up at the scoreboard. Ten-nine, Foxes' favor—Kevin had scored in the last two seconds of the game.

Day: Friday, April 26th / 27th* Time: 10:03 PM EST

*Due to the Leap Year, I have opted to highlight the day rather than the date to keep the events in occurrence to the 2007 year. I will continue to mark both days accordingly.

Neil didn't know they've reached the last minute of the game until the buzzer blares overhead. His body knows what that sounds means and finally gives out on him. He falls to his knees and barely manages to catch himself with his hands. His stomach twists inside him, but he doesn't have the strength to throw up. Oxygen-starved muscles feels like they are disintegrating but it hurts too much to breathe. Neil's mouth works on short gasps that did nothing for him.

Day: Friday, April 26th / 27th* Time: 10:02 PM EST

*Due to the Leap Year, I have opted to highlight the day rather than the date to keep the events in occurrence to the 2007 year. I will continue to mark both days accordingly.

They were going to a shootout, Neil realizes, and the thought of facing down the Ravens' goalkeeper when he is this worn out is a terrifying prospect. Neil has used up all his energy, burned through all his fumes, and keeps moving now out of some mindless sense of self preservation. His legs and lungs are burning, and the numbness in his shoulder has been replaced by heat. His wrists and arms are sore, and he hurts from hitting Riko and the ground so often. His elbows ache from the constant stick checks, he can't feel his feet anymore, and there is a chance Riko had broken a toe or two the last time he stomped on Neil's foot.

Day: Friday, April 26th / 27th* Time: 10:00 PM EST

*Due to the Leap Year, I have opted to highlight the day rather than the date to keep the events in occurrence to the 2007 year. I will continue to mark both days accordingly.

With three backliners on the court the defense line finally has a chance to regroup, and by the last five minutes of the game they've shut the Raven offense out. Riko and Berger are taking their shots from further out because they have no other choice, and Andrew slams every attempt away. On the other side of the court Kevin scores on a rebound, tying them up once again.

Day: Friday, April 26th / 27th* Time: 9:58 PM EST

*Due to the Leap Year, I have opted to highlight the day rather than the date to keep the events in occurrence to the 2007 year. I will continue to mark both days accordingly.

The next time the Ravens foul the Foxes and the Foxes gain possession, Wymack sends Nicky and Matt on. Neil expects to be pulled, but Nicky trades places with an exhausted Allison and Matt takes over or Aaron. The grin Matt shoots Neil is at once encouraging and apologetic. Neil flashes a tight smile back at him, and they push forward as one.

Day: Friday, April 26th / 27th* Time: 9:54 PM EST

*Due to the Leap Year, I have opted to highlight the day rather than the date to keep the events in occurrence to the 2007 year. I will continue to mark both days accordingly.

No one scores for ten more minutes, and not for lack of trying. Finally Berger got around Aaron for a quick shot on goal. Andrew isn't quite fast enough, and he smashes his racquet against the wall as the goal goes red. Andrew's irritation is as inspiring as Riko's is, but Neil can't hold defense alone and Aaron has gone as far as he can.

Day: Friday, April 26th / 27th* Time: 9:52 PM EST

*Due to the Leap Year, I have opted to highlight the day rather than the date to keep the events in occurrence to the 2007 year. I will continue to mark both days accordingly.

Something in his shoulder pops and goes a little numb as he and Riko hits the ground for the nth time. Since it doesn't hurt, Neil doesn't stop to worry about it. He is up and after the ball before Riko, and he passes it up to Allison. Allison gives it to Kevin, Kevin to Dan, Dan to Kevin, and Kevin scores. Just like that they are tied eight-eight.

Day: Friday, April 26th / 27th* Time: 9:42 PM EST

*Due to the Leap Year, I have opted to highlight the day rather than the date to keep the events in occurrence to the 2007 year. I will continue to mark both days accordingly.

The King's Men - Chapter Seventeen (19)

Day: Friday, April 26th / 27th* Time: 9:40 PM EST

Maybe he has a right to feel smug. It doesn't matter that Neil had started this game as a backliner. He'd been away from the court for half his life and had spent the last two years honing his skills as a striker. Riko had seen for himself over Christmas break how out of practice and miserable Neil was at defense. What Riko forgot is that Neil hadn't stepped onto the Raven court until after Tetsuji beat him unconscious. Neil's health had gotten steadily worse from there thanks to Riko's constant abuse. Tonight Neil is in perfect form, and he is mad as hell at the Ravens for hurting his Foxes. Andrew slams the ball up-court, and the fight to the last bell begins. Neil dogs Riko every step of the way, using his stick and body to ruin Riko's shots and force him away from Andrew. They fight each other back and forth across the court, ducking and darting, sidestepping and lunging, nearly tripping each other up at every turn. Riko uses every trick he has to get around Neil, but he can't outrun Neil for long. Minutes stretch by without a clear shot on goal. Riko snarls something hateful at Neil as Andrew bats away his latest shot. Neil laughs at him, knowing it'll only infuriate him further. Riko's impatience and rage are fuel, lending Neil speed and making him forget the growing burn in his thighs and calves.

Art used with permission by Kevinkevinson. Thank you @kevinkevinson!

*Due to the Leap Year, I have opted to highlight the day rather than the date to keep the events in occurrence to the 2007 year. I will continue to mark both days accordingly.

Maybe it is Andrew's conviction that sways Matt. Andrew has never given half a damn about this game before and only honestly tries in scattered bursts. That he cares enough to argue now is unexpected and unprecedented. There are still doubts and arguments in Matt's troubled expression, but Matt turns away without another word. As he heads for the door Neil finally see's the limp in his step. Matt no longer needs to put up an invincible front, so he stops trying to hide how much he is hurting. Matt stops in the doorway to argue with Wymack and Abby. Maybe invoking Andrew's name does the trick, or maybe Wymack is desperate enough to try anything at this point. Either way Dan steps onto the court a couple seconds later. Allison starts toward her, assuming she is being traded. Dan calls for her to hold her place and takes up a striker's starting spot for a foul goal. "You're crazy," Neil says to Andrew in an undertone. "This is news to no one," Andrew says. Neil shakes his head and shifts to his new spot at Riko's side. Riko looks from him to Dan to Andrew and back again. It takes him only a second to put it all together, and Riko's smile is cold.

Day: Friday, April 26th / 27th* Time: 9:35 PM EST

*Due to the Leap Year, I have opted to highlight the day rather than the date to keep the events in occurrence to the 2007 year. I will continue to mark both days accordingly.

The King's Men - Chapter Seventeen (19)

Day: Friday, April 26th / 27th* Time: 9:33 PM EST

The only Raven making a second appearance on the court tonight is Riko. The other two filing on are brand new, another striker to balance Riko out and an offensive dealer Neil remembers from last October's game. The Ravens intend to tear the Foxes' defense wide open, and by this point it won't take a lot of work. They are almost halfway through the second half. Even though the Foxes are built for the long haul they are quickly running out of steam. It costs them too much to go up against a team like this. "They're not fast enough," Andrew says. He has to mean their defense line, so Neil says, "I know." "Are you tired?" Andrew asks. It isn't concern, Neil knows, but that doesn't make it a less confusing question. He hasn't gotten the ball often enough tonight to be tired, but he can't say that with Matt standing two feet away from him. "Not yet." "Then I'm taking my turn. Matt," Andrew says, and Matt turns toward them immediately. Andrew lifts a finger from his racquet to point at Neil. "We're subbing Dan for Neil and Neil for you." Matt stares. "We're what?" "You're limping," Andrew returns. Neil hadn't even noticed, too focused on the ball and the Ravens. He shoots a startled look down at Matt's feet like he can somehow see the source of Matt's pain. "You're no use to me right now. Get Abby to put a brace on that. Neil can hold them in the meantime." They've said all night that speed is the fatal weakness on their defense line. Neil is the fastest player in Class I Exy, but how Andrew thinks this is a feasible solution Neil doesn't know. Neil wants to point out every reason this is a bad idea, but he doesn't have the right to turn Andrew down. "I started this game as a backliner, remember?" Neil says to Matt. "The Ravens put me up against Riko when I stayed with them in December. I know how he moves." "Two weeks of practice don't make you ready to face the best striker in the game." "Kevin's the best striker," Neil corrects him, "and I don't have to be the best backliner to counter Riko. I just have to be faster than he is. We both know I am. Trust me. I can keep him away from Andrew while you rest." "Coach will never go for it," Matt says. "Tell him he has to," Andrew says, like it was that simple.

Art used with permission by Ziegenking094. Thank you @ziegenkind094!

*Due to the Leap Year, I have opted to highlight the day rather than the date to keep the events in occurrence to the 2007 year. I will continue to mark both days accordingly.

Neil isn't carded for his unsportsmanlike shove, but one of the referees gives him a blistering warning. Neil stares back in baleful silence. Matt pushes Neil behind him before Neil gets carded for attitude and apologizes in his stead. Neil turns away to check on Andrew. Andrew returns Neil's intent look with a bored stare, then looks past Neil at the hubbub surrounding Williams. The Ravens are getting another red card, but it doesn't feel like a victory. Tetsuji is taking advantage of the card to sub out his players.

Day: Friday, April 26th / 27th* Time: 9:32 PM EST

*Due to the Leap Year, I have opted to highlight the day rather than the date to keep the events in occurrence to the 2007 year. I will continue to mark both days accordingly.