I'm giving you a night call to tell you how I feel
I want to drive you through the night, down the hills
I'm gonna tell you something you don't want to hear
I'm gonna show you where it's dark, but have no fear

There's something inside you
It's hard to explain
They're talking about you boy
But you're still the same

-Kavinsky - Nightcall

Cliff Matthiews (Canadian Lynx, G, ALK) had an epiphany.

He hated Leah Barksy (Alaskan Malamute, F, MON).

It wasn't that he had a personal grudge - she just happened to be the target of his frustrations, and at such a tender time. He finally realized why he joined the FBA, and charity was second fiddle to him as fame was to Rodger Umaechi (Husky, F, ALK).

On the contrary, where Rodger was after the simple yet powerful goal of being the best, Cliff was after the fame. He didn't want the fame to gloat - he wanted to feel needed, to be looked up to. Whether or not this was why he enjoyed doing charity work and playing with the poor kids back in his home country was another question entirely - and not one he wanted to answer himself.

He longed to be the one people cheered for, who was the one people wrote news for. Leah Barksy is apparently doing all that and more on her first year, where the fans of Montana would go wild at each of her spectacular plays.

Jealousy won't get him far, but it will be his fuel alongside his dreams.
Cliff knew that he will rise to the top, no matter what.
This is why he won't let his team down.
This is why he won't let himself down.

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Art © the amazing  d.chestnut
Fave her original submission at http://www.furaffinity.net/view/7148607/ ! Much thanks for this amazing picture.
Cliff Matthiews ©  rainwhisker
FBA ©  buckhopper