Disclaimer: All characters are property of Saban Entertainment. However, some names have been taken directly from Toei and Gekisou Sentai Carranger. This is purely because I like the Japanese name better than the American name. I have no intention of making a profit off of this story, so don't sue. I hereby declare that I'm about to screw around badly with science. I'm pretty sure that the stuff herein about DNA and the lot is pretty wrong. But, what the heck, it's alien physiology! What do we know?

Adam's found his new hobby: soccer coach! But, he can't stay for long, because Divatox has created the monster that just won't die!

On a sunny day, men and women gathered to watch the debut of Angel Grove's soccer team. The scoring was fast and furious, but Angel Grove was losing. Not as a result of the efforts of the new coach.

Adam stood on the sidelines, repeatedly getting fustrated as his team lost another goal. He knew he had to call a time out. As the team gathered around him, he said, "Okay, guys. Look, those guys out there are too good for just one person alone. I want to see some teamwork out there!"

"Hah! What's teamwork done for any of us?" Murmuring began spreading through the team, and whoever had just said it continued. "If we were a better team, maybe teamwork would work, but since we're not, it won't!" A group of players started laughing.

Adam marched down and grabbed the person who had just said it. "What's your name, player?" Adam stressed the last word.

"Carlos."

"Just Carlos? Maybe a last name too?"

"What's it matter, man? Leggo, that hurts."

"It's supposed to." Adam's eyes blazed. "I didn't get this job to put up with a defeatist attitude like that."

"Well, what are we supposed to say? We're the best, that's why we're losing? I don't think so!" Carlos turned to the other players. "We've tried teamwork this entire game, and where's it gotten us? Huh?"

Adam grabbed Carlos shirt and turned him around. "I don't need this. I have no problem with ejecting you from the game right now!"

"Are you crazy? I'm the best player you have!"

"I don't think so, or else maybe I'd have learned your name by now!"

"That's 'cause you're always forcing me to do teamwork junk like that. Hey, I said let go! Lemme show you how the game's really played."

Adam grumbled but said nothing. The referees were starting to motion towards the field.

Carlos grinned. "All right. C'mon, let's show those guys what we're made of!" The other players rallied around Carlos. Adam shook his head in frustration.

Adam watched as Carlos began dominating the field. Everytime somebody other than him got the ball, Carlos would stay on that player until he was able to reclaim it. Several times, his calls to his teammates would go unnoticed, and he was forced to steal from his own team. Nobody could argue with the way he was scoring, though. When the game ended only a few minutes later, Angel Grove had come out on top.

Carlos couldn't help going up to Adam after the game. "See what I mean? Teamwork is a joke." Turning back to his teammates, he yelled, "Let's go to the Juice Bar to celebrate!"

Adam frowned. That probably wasn't the best lesson to have taught these kids today.

Tommy leaned back on the console. "So our new weapons can come together?"

Alpha replied, "That's right, Tommy. Watch the Viewing Globe." Though hardly a globe anymore, the flat circular viewing screen that had taken the Viewing Globe's place had no other name. One day, Rocky accidentally called it the Viewing Globe, and the name stuck.

The new Viewing Globe showed each of the five weapons. When a small four-wheeled object rolled into view, the five weapons piled on top. First, the Thunder Cannon settled on top of the four wheels. The Lightning Sword and Wind Fire were placed on the front, with the Star Charges underneath, and the Hand Blasters on the back.

"That's incredible," said Tanya. "So now we can destroy monsters at regular size too."

Rocky shook his head. "I can't believe we're still using this racer's motif. Can't we come up with some real weapons? Some real zords? And don't get me started on the costumes."

"And besides that," Tommy put in, "the media hates the Power Rangers Turbo. We should make new costumes."

Zordon shook his head. "Before, that might have been the option, but I have decided that a new change in costume will not benefit us. The media will obviously realize that the new rangers used to be Turbo Rangers, and they will have a new weapon at their disposal as well."

"That's right." Tanya shook her head gloomily. "I can just hear it. 'Why did the Turbo Rangers change costumes if they say they are innocent? They are hiding something.' And I don't know about you guys, but I'm not going to go up to them and say that we didn't like how the old costumes looked. Nobody's going to buy that."

Tommy smashed his hand on the nearest console. "That damn Divatox! If she hadn't gotten those news reporters there!"

Zordon stated, "Do not lose hope. As long as some people believe in us, we have not lost. The Power Rangers Turbo will prove themselves as dedicated protectors to this city. And Tommy, don't use that language in battle. It frowns on whatever good name we may have."

The claxon blared with such intensity that the rangers reflexively covered their ears. Zordon said, "There is a monster in the downtown district. It is not traveling with Pirahnatrons, so it is probably a trap. Be careful rangers."

Tommy said, "What about Adam?"

"Don't worry, I will contact him immediately."

Tommy nodded. "Okay, then. Shift into Turbo!"

The four teens made the change inside the Power Chamber. They then teleported out. Just as quickly, four lights came back into the Chamber. The four rangers materialized.

Red Turbo immediately assumed battle position. As he gradually became aware of where he was, he relaxed. Looking around, he found his teammates equally confused. Ripping off his helmet, he asked Zordon, "What just happened? Why are we still here?"

Zordon replied, "I don't know. Something is blocking teleportation. Apparently, Divatox has found a way to destabalize molecules in teleportation mode. Sensors show that you were brought back here by the computer's auto protect function, which would stop teleportation if something was interfering with it. Unfortunately, this may mean that you can never teleport to a battle location again."

"Will we still be able to teleport here?" Rocky asked.

"Yes. I very much doubt that Divatox has the raw energy to use her destabalizer over a large area."

Tommy nodded. "Well, guys, looks like we get to test out our Turbo Carts." Tommy looked charged at the idea of testing out the small vehicles used in the cockpits of the Turbo Zords.

Tanya rolled her eyes. "Not more racer motifs."

Tommy was free. His Turbo Cart responded well to his commands, but the wheel was not so sensitive that he lost control. He could not remember the last time he felt such a feeling of exhilaration, especially from simply driving something. He never noticed the other rangers, who were clearly uncomfortable with driving their Carts in public.

They caught up with the monster while it was escaping a bank robbery. The rangers got out and assumed battle positions.

"Turbo Ranger 1, Red!"

"Turbo Ranger 2, Blue!"

"Turbo Ranger 4, Yellow!"

"Turbo Ranger 5, Pink!"

Green Turbo arrived at the scene at that moment from the south. He got out and joined the others.

"Turbo Ranger 3, Green!"

"Power Rangers Turbo!"

Red Turbo said, "Okay, what's your deal? Are you some kind of time guy like the last one, or some big fancy weapons guy, or what?"

"My name's LifeStorm, and I'm gonna drain the life out of you!"

"We really need to teach Divatox to make monsters without such a bad sense of humor," said Blue Turbo.

Red Turbo nodded. "Okay guys, let's do it!" He drew his Lightning Sword and struck at LifeStorm. Surprisingly, LifeStorm did nothing as blow after blow connected.

"My turn. Star Charges!" Yellow Turbo jumped up and formed an electric barrier around the monster. Charging it, she electrocuted LifeStorm.

LifeStorm backed away, and fired blasts of energy. Blue Turbo jumped up and launched several shots from his Hand Blasters. All of them connected.

Green Turbo readied his Thunder Cannon, but Red Turbo stopped him. "Wait, look at him. He's barely responding. Something's up. Look!" Red Turbo pointed at two twin torpedoes coming down from the sky.

Blue Turbo said, "What on Earth are those?"

Pink Turbo studied the torpedoes curiously. "Hey guys, I don't think those are pointed at us."

"She's right!" Yellow Turbo exclaimed. "They're on a beeline for LifeStorm!"

LifeStorm laughed as the torpedoes hit, one on each side of him. Before the rangers' eyes, LifeStorm grew until he was as tall as a skyscraper.

Red Turbo said, "Big trouble. Okay, let's make the call." The others nodded. "Turbo Zords, rev up!"

The Turbo Zords came flying out. Each ranger hopped into their Turbo Carts and drove up to the massive machines. One by one, they docked into the Zord main cockpit.

"No time to waste!" declared Red Turbo. "Initiate Turbo Megazord formation!"

Only once before had the rangers tried the combination, and unfortunately their weakened Turbo powers no longer told them how to work the controls. Thankfully, it only took a few tries to fully combine.

The assembled Turbo Megazord walked up to LifeStorm. Immediately, it called upon the Turbo Megazord saber. Charging towards the monster, it slashed repeatedly, landing blow after blow.

From within the cockpit, Red Turbo said, "I don't get it, guys. He's not even blocking."

Blue Turbo agreed. "Something's up, but what?"

LifeStorm blocked a slash and lamely tried to hit the Turbo Megazord a few times. The gigantic Megazord stumbled backwards a bit, then regained balance and charged again.

Red Turbo shook his head. "Well, might as well take advantage. Let's do it!"

All the rangers called out, "Turbo Megazord Spinout!"

The Turbo Megazord spun rapidly, its saber striking the monster over and over. Finally, when it stopped, LifeStorm fell to the ground and exploded.

Adam unloaded the bag containing the soccer balls. "Okay team, today we're going to practice our teamwork."

The entire team laughed. The one named Carlos came forward. "Weren't you paying attention, Coach?" Carlos said the last word mockingly. "We won the game yesterday, and it's not because of some teamwork junk." Carlos turned around to the team. "I say our new strategy is, if we can do something, then we do it!" The team cheered.

Adam responded, "You think that's what teamwork is about? Just letting someone else do it? You're wrong. I'll show you." Adam threw a ball to Carlos. "Okay, try to get it past me." Carlos immediately started dribbling the ball back and forth, from side to side, trying to get Adam off balance. To his surprise, Adam followed his every move. "Surprised, Carlos? See, I was paying attention yesterday. I know every one of your tricks."

Carlos grinned. "Not all of them." Carlos kicked the ball to a nearby tree, and the ball ricocheted past Adam. The team threw up their hands and cheered while Carlos walked back to them like a vindicated hero.

"Okay, Carlos, you win that one. But suppose I was on the opposite team during a real game, and that tree wasn't there. What would you have done?"

"Oh, give it a rest, Coach. Can't you just accept that you're wrong?"

Adam sighed. "Okay, okay. Everybody, practice is over for today. But we still have a practice on Wednesday." As everybody started leaving, Adam added, "Except for you, Carlos. Stay here."

Carlos came up to Adam. Even still, Adam didn't say a word until everybody else had left. "Carlos, why are you doing this?"

"Doing what? Winning?"

"Don't start that. You know what I mean. The act. The "I'm so macho, I can do anything" act. I can tell, this isn't what you're like normally. This is an act you put on for the team."

"So?"

"Carlos, what would you have done if I was an opposing team member?"

"I dunno. I'll think of something if that happens. I always do."

"Well, one day you're going to lose. I guarantee it. Nobody goes through life winning all the time. And it's going to happen a lot more quickly if you don't start appreciating what a team does." Carlos looked away as if he didn't know what Adam was talking about. "Look, Carlos, I'm serious. You're not the only person on the team, you know. Let someone else have a chance."

Carlos blew Adam off. "Leave me alone, man. I don't need this." He hurried off.

That night, on the spot where LifeStorm had been destroyed, a small creature came out. It was in pain. Something was happening to its body, and the creature didn't know what. Finally, it surrendered to nature, and in seconds it expanded until it was the size of a human. Orders began trickling into its brain, and the reborn LifeStorm knew what to do.

"You again?" Yellow Turbo's sentiments were echoed by the other rangers, also in shock at seeing the monster they destroyed two days ago up and about.

Red Turbo said, "Well, it makes no difference. We're gonna put you down again!" He drew his Lightning Sword and attacked. Once he slashed, he was surprised that he didn't hear the normal blaze of sparks that signaled a direct hit. He slashed again and again. LifeStorm merely laughed, and pushed Red Turbo back.

"I don't get it! It wasn't like this last time!"

"I'll get it!" Blue Turbo fired his Hand Blasters, but he too met with no luck.

"Thunder Cannon!" Green Turbo wielded the large weapon in his hand and fired. To his surprise, LifeStorm drew back in agony.

Pink Turbo said, "Wow, that did the trick! Let me try! Wind Fire!" She drew back the strings and fired. LifeStorm, already smarting from Green Turbo's assault, fell to the ground from this one.

"We've got him on the ropes," said Red Turbo. "Let's finish him! Turbo Blade, Shift Up!" As he wielded the mighty blade, he charged towards a weakened LifeStorm and slashed. This time, he met with success. Blow after blow hit directly on target.

Too late, the rangers noticed again that the torpedoes were once again headed for LifeStorm. The rangers, noting a distinct sense of deja vu, called upon the Turbo Megazord once again.

"Turbo Megazord Saber!" yelled Red Turbo.

Suddenly, Green Turbo shouted, "Wait!"

"Adam, what's going on?"

"I don't know, but I don't think that will be effective."

"Let's see!"

Green Turbo was right. Not one strike from the Turbo Megazord Saber caused the monster any discomfort. LifeStorm charged, landing punches, kicks, and vicious energy attacks, causing much more damage to the Turbo Megazord than any of the rangers had anticipated, considering the last LifeStorm's puny attacks.

Yellow Turbo said, "We can't take much more of this!"

Red Turbo turned around and asked, "Do you have a plan, Tanya?"

"I sure do. Divert energy to the Dune Star. We'll kick him in."

The Turbo Megazord jumped into the air and charged up its left foot. It came spinning down, and LifeStorm was helpless against it, not even bothering to block. The Dune Star hit right on target.

Yellow Turbo laughed. "Yeah, that did the trick!"

The three rangers in the front of the cockpit leaned forward. In front of them, they saw LifeStorm bleeding slightly from the chest area where the Dune Star connected.

"I've never seen a monster bleed before," commented Blue Turbo.

Red Turbo had a flash of insight. "Wait, if he's bleeding, then there must be some kind of opening on his chest. Rocky, can you hit it with the Mountain Blaster Chest Spark?"

"I think so, Tommy. Hold on!"

The Turbo Megazord reared up as energy began flowing to the chest area, where the Mountain Blaster Chest Lights were located. At once, the lights lit, and energy shot out. The raw energy hit LifeStorm on the spot where he was bleeding, and entered his body. In a howl, LifeStorm exploded once again.

"Finally!" Pink Turbo exclaimed.

Green Turbo said, "I doubt it. Something tells me he'll be back, just like last time."

"Yeah," Red Turbo agreed. "We need to find out how it came back to life."

"And," Yellow Turbo added, "why we couldn't injure it as easily."

"Are you kidding?" cried Blue Turbo. "I've never seen a monster bleed like that!"

Green Turbo lifted his head up from where he had been resting it. "That's it! Obviously, that creature has natural powers. All of them do."

Red Turbo added, "Well, maybe a few used some guns."

Green Turbo shook his head mercilessly. "Anyway, the point is that something in that monster changed the second time we attacked it. And what controls a creature's natural abilities?"

Blue Turbo laughed, "How much it ate the night before! Bwa ha ha!" Looking around at the confused faces on his teammates, he added, "Ha ha, see, he said 'natural', and I'm saying - uh, I'm saying about, see, nature calling, and so, see, well, look at it this way, I - okay, I'll shut up now."

"Thank you," said Green Turbo. "Anyway, the point is that even monsters have to have some kind of DNA structure."

"That's brilliant!" cried Pink Turbo. "There's still some blood stuck on Dune Star! We can analyze that!"

"Exactly," agreed Green Turbo.

"Nothing." The rangers groaned again. For almost six hours, Adam and Alpha had been going over the DNA samples from Dune Star. So far, they had found nothing to indicate what was so special about this monster.

"Well," Adam mumbled, "Bring in the next sample."

The next sample was teleported into the small petri dish being used. Adam tapped a few controls on the console, and the Power Chamber microscope began its gruesome job once again.

Tommy came up to Adam and said, "Look man, you've been at this for hours. Take a break. You're really getting tired."

"No I'm not."

"Yes you are."

"No I"m not."

"Then what's that in your mouth? C'mon, don't hold it back. I know a yawn when I see it. C'mon, there's no use trying to hide it, you're tired."

Giving in, Adam took his fifth yawn in as many minutes. There was no doubt about it. He was tired. But he refused to stop working. He went back to the console to aid the computer in its search.

"You know," Tommy continued, "you're not the only person on this team. Let someone else take a crack at it."

Adam froze. His mind whirled at the realization that nobody had even taken a look at any of the samples yet. As he studied the room, he saw that Tanya was simply staring out into space, having never taken Biology in High School. Kat was pretending to be fascinated with a nearby console, and Tommy was rewatching the battle over and over. Rocky, of course, was having a snack consisting of various assorted chocolates and a can of YooHoo. Even Zordon had retreated into his time warp to rest. Whatever thoughts of energy left Adam's mind as Tommy's words echoed with the ones told to Carlos only hours before, and he realized that he was a lot more tired than he had cared to admit.

As Adam stepped back, Alpha quickly came in and started to view the microscope. Adam hung his head as he realized that not even Alpha, maintainer of the Power Chamber, had gotten a good look.

Tommy stepped up as Alpha ran to a nearby console for cross-checking. From his left, Rocky's voice could be heard saying, "You know, Tommy, you didn't exactly get an 'A' on that last Bio test, did you? Why are you looking at it?"

"Hey, Rocko, that was a fluke! You know I should have gotten that one question with the cell contruction right."

"Sure, Tommy," Rocky continued. Grumbling to himself, he added, "Mightocondriac, my foot. Looks like someone's reading too much into his Bio study guide."

"Wait, wait, wait," Tommy suddenly stammered. "What's that? Zordon, can you put this display on the Viewing Globe?"

Adam studied the instant picture of the cell in question. "So? Tommy, what's wrong with it?"

"Look. Look at that. This litle yellow circle here."

"Looks like a vacuole to me."

"No, no, no. Look at this one. That's a vacuole. Now look at the yellow one. That's not a vacuole."

"Say, you may be on to something. Alpha, run a Beta-class diagnostic on that thing." A Beta-class diagnostic was used to test for adaptive types of DNA samples in organic matter.

Immediately, the Power Chamber diagnostic tools leaped to life, poking the small cell on the petri dish with dozens of small needles to test the small yellow object's reaction.

"Amazing," said Tanya, whose attention was just starting to drift back to the microscope. "All those little needles are hitting just the yellow thing?" Nobody answered; the display on the Viewing Globe was answer enough. "How can it possibly be that accurate?"

Alpha tilted his head to one side as he replied, "Oh, it's nothing. Just a small technology. It's very similar to the Laser Target Capsule we used to reprogram Divatox's time anchor on you a few days ago." Tanya rolled her eyes at that. Despite assurances that it was safe, Tanya still became nervous at the thought of stepping into a small chamber filled with so many lasers that it was impossible to see the gap between them.

"Okay, Adam," Alpha continued. "The results should be coming out now."

Adam tore out the sheet that began printing and examined it. Most of the testing had to do with the actual presence of DNA. Adam was not surprised that the small yellow object held DNA. Its membrane structure and its tendency to drift towards the nucleus already led him to suspect that. All of a sudden, something on the sheet seemed to leap out at him.

"Guys, look at this. Some of the DNA fragments in the yellow ball are constantly drifting toward the actual nucleus. Once one of them does so, the next RNA strand to be replicated also has that stray strand of DNA."

Adam looked up from the printout to be met with four confused faces. Kat was the first to speak. "Adam, don't take this the wrong way, but what does that mean?"

"What? You all took Bio in 10th grade! Except for Tanya, of course. You all got A's in Bio! Are you telling me that you all forgot everything you learned there?"

"No, of course not!"

"Don't even think it!"

Impossible!"

"Well, maybe . . ."

"I had the boring teacher, you know."

One by one, Tommy, Rocky, and Kat all admitted to having forgotten.

"No wonder. What it means is that the yellow ball is changing the DNA of the monster! It registers on every adaptive test we performed on it. That yellow sphere is helping the monster adapt to challenges!"

Tommy stood straight up at this last sentence. "That's what I thought! You guys remember when we were fighting LifeStorm the second time, and some attacks worked, but not others? I realized about two hours ago, when I was watching the battle, that the attacks that worked the second time were the ones that weren't used the first time. Adam, you never used your Thunder Cannon. Kat, you never used the Wind Fire. My Turbo Blade worked the second time even though my Lightning Sword didn't."

"Yes! That's just the type of pattern we needed." Adam's face fell. "Wait, there's still another question. Why did LifeStorm come back to life in the first place? There's nothing in his DNA or that yellow sphere to indicate regeneration."

At this, Zordon spoke up, startling them all. They had been so involved in the discussion that they didn't even notice his return. "Scientists centuries ago had proved that using genes alone for regeneration was impossible. Only magic could make a clone."

The rangers mused this one over. Finally, Tanya quietly said, "Well, I don't know much about Biology, but if he didn't have the genes to replicate, then he must have gotten the ability from somewhere else."

"But nothing touched him except us . . ." Adam's voice trailed off as he realized the answer. "The torpedoes! They hit him! They must have spread the ability into him." Adam quickly rushed back to the console to do more testings. "Yes, that's the answer. The precise combination of the magical torpedoes and LifeStorm's unique DNA substructure allows him to clone himself!"

Tommy simply said, "If that's true, then we know exactly how to put this guy down."

"Well, whaddaya know." Red Turbo was almost all grins underneath his helmet as he sized up his opponent. The new improved LifeStorm certainly didn't appear 'improved' to him. In fact, the lumbering pile of mass in front of him didn't even seem to have a mind.

As the bumbling monster stumbled into a table, Green Turbo remarked, "You know, from the impression I got from the cell printout, I'd say we came on the scene a tad early. It doesn't even look like his brain has finished processing its pre-programmed orders."

"Let's do it!" cried Red Turbo. "Auto Blasters!" Five red colored lights hit the confused and mindless creature, sending him flying. In a fit of blind rage, LifeStorm charged the source of his pain.

Green Turbo stepped in front and exclaimed, "Let me handle this! Auto Blaster: Shift Up!" Green Turbo pulled the tab on the back of his Auto Blaster, increasing its power. He aimed carefully and hit LifeStorm four times.

"Okay," said Red Turbo. "Remember the plan: destroy him before the torpedoes come. Right, let's go!"

As one, the Power Rangers shouted, "Turbo R.A.M.!"

A sharp whirring noise came from behind them as the small wonder rolled up beside them. "Turbo R.A.M. Cannon Mode!" they cried as they rearranged their weapons into the cannon configuration. "Fire!" And with that, LifeStorm blew up. Promptly, the rangers turned the Turbo R.A.M. to the sky, and blew away the two torpedoes headed their way. Without the explosion of the torpedoes, the terror of LifeStorm was over.

It was yet another quiet day in Angel Grove. Adam, now rid of the threat of LifeStorm, was able to focus all his energies on the task at hand. It was the Big one, the soccer championship finals, and his team was not winning. Throughout the game, he had tried to keep Carlos on the bench because of a certain player out on the field, but his decision came at a price. His usually offensive-minded team had seemed to lose their spirit. It was obvious that Carlos had been the one driving the team. Luckily, Carlos had not been the one keeping the defense up. The score was tied at the moment, but things would not stay that way.

"So, still on the warpath, huh Coach?" laughed Carlos as Adam furiously yelled at a player that had fouled out. "Put me in, Coach!"

"Shut up!" shouted Adam. "I don't need this!"

"You don't have much of a choice, now, do you? It's the finals. We're losing. And you, my good Coach, need a miracle. And he's here." Carlos beamed at that last statement.

Adam was infuriated at his player's cockiness, but tried his best to conceal his anger. He knew what would happen next. "Okay, Carlos, you're in. But, keep your eye on that guy there." He pointed to one of the opposing team's players, eagerly practicing his dribble during the time-out. "His name is Peter, and he's got a good eye."

"Why? What's his story?"

"Oh, you'll see."

With that, the referee called time in. Carlos led his team out to the field, where he stood off against the man Adam had warned him about, Peter. As soon as the whistle blew, Carlos leaped immediately for the ball. Years of skill and dedication had taught him precisely how to push everyone else out of the way. As he approached the ball, he kicked it left, preparing to execute his favorite technique. Nobody he knew could stop this one.

Up ahead, he saw Peter standing in his way. From the left, he thought he could hear his coach's voice yelling, "Pass the ball! You have to pass the ball!"

Of course, Carlos had no intention of doing so. He started for the fake-out, and readying himself for the shoot that would follow. As he did so, he kept his eye on Peter. He felt no threat from anyone, but he decided that he should probably see what was so special about this guy.

And Carlos found out quickly. As soon as Carlos went for the left fake-out, Peter almost immediately went for his right. Skillfully, Peter stole the ball and raced for the other side, leaving Carlos behind in a state of shock.

As soon as he regained his senses, Carlos ran after Peter. Carlos was in a little better physical condition, so he caught up soon after. Carlos snuck up behind his enemy and tried to steal the ball from the back. In response, Peter almost immediately passed the ball to his teammate. Amidst a flurry of confusion, the opposing team made an easy score. The tie had tipped in the opponent's favor.

"Time out!" Adam called. As Carlos came back to the bench, Adam said, "So, learned a lesson out there today?"

Carlos didn't answer. Instead, he kept mumbling, "It's not possible."

Adam frowned. He didn't think a loss would have upset Carlos this badly. Quickly, he told the other players to practice while he pulled Carlos over. "Carlos, I know maybe it might have been a little cruel not to tell you that guy's been watching your every move since the beginning of the season. But you have to learn that teamwork wins it every time." When Carlos didn't respond, Adam continued. "Just yesterday, my friends and I were in a big crisis. I tried to solve the problem by myself, but I couldn't do it. Carlos, I know you must think I don't understand you, but you're wrong. I do. You think, 'I can prove myself if I win all the time.' But you're wrong. Nobody wins all the time by themself. Yesterday, I could have kept trying to solve the problem forever, but by sharing the information I had with my friends, we were able to solve the problem."

"Waitaminnute. You had a problem with teamwork?"

"Yes - but that's not the point. The point is-"

"You . . . the 'brave defender of fair play'?"

"Okay, I admit it. Maybe I did kind of breach what I told you about. But, the most important thing here is to admit it. Now, are you going to admit you have a problem too?"

Before, Carlos had been reluctant to tell his coach anything. Now, though, with this new revelation, Carlos felt strangely closer to Adam, almost like a friend. "Yes. Back when we lived in Mexico, I got the most attention when I won the game. I would take on entire teams all by myself. I got used to being a one-man team."

"Well, it's not too late. They're up by a point, but we can still win it. Peter out there thinks he knows you. Show him he's wrong."

"You got it, Coach!"

As Carlos ran out to the field, the other players rallied around him. He came up to the ball, and once again faced off against Peter. Carlos knew that Peter would expect him to kick the ball to the right, as he usually started. When the whistle blew, Carlos grabbed the ball with his feet and passed it behind him.

Once his teammate recovered from the shock of Carlos passing to him, he drove up, displaying previously hidden talents of dodging. Carlos came up and motioned for a pass. Once Carlos had posession once again, Peter came up and tried for a steal. Carlos passed back to the teammate, and without Peter, the main defender, a goal was scored.

Carlos kept back in their own territory, watching his team take on the enemy. He had never really noticed just how good some of his teammates were. It was always him, just him, and no one else.

A horde of cries drew Carlos' attention back to the game. Someone on his team had stolen the ball! Carlos immediately ran towards the opposing goal and motioned for a pass. In secret, he also tapped the back of his neck, a secret sign made between the team long ago. In a rush of comprehension, the teammate made a move to pass to Carlos . . . and passed off to another teammate who had run up to the ball! With every defensive person currently guarding Carlos, nobody could stop another score from being made.

It was no contest. With so little time, the other team could not make another goal for a tie. Angel Grove won.

"Congratulations, Carlos!" cried Adam. "You won the game!"

"Oh, not me. Everybody on the team did it."

From the back of the crowd, a player's voice called out, "No way, man! It was you that made the first pass. That's a brilliant strategy, man, passing to someone else. Nobody was expecting it!"

The team cheered in whole-hearted agreement. Carlos came up to Adam and clasped his hand. "Thanks, for everything."