Everything happened in a split second. Oliver wanted to stop the ball from entering the hoop so much his mind immediately shifted to the place where he could summon his powers. Oliver cast his mind out to the ball, commanding its atoms to change.

Suddenly, the ball transformed in midair, turning from a solid ball into a strange viscous goo. It had been just a mere inch from the ring of the hoop but now it dribbled through the air and turned to a puddle on the ground.

The strain of using his fledgling powers made Olivers forehead bead with sweat. But it was worth the effort when he heard the claxon.

One point, Oliver Blue.

Hed gotten a point! Hed blocked Edmunds shot! Even without the helmet, hed summoned his powers! Oliver felt on top of the world. Hed never been good at sport, and yet here he was having the time of his life, actually exceling. He could get used to this.

Go Oliver! his friends started to cheer.

He looked over and Ralph flashed him a thumbs-up. Then he caught sight of Esther. She looked thoroughly impressed and flashed him a gorgeous smile.

But there was very little time to celebrate. The ball appeared once again in Coach Finkles hands. Once more he threw it directly into the air.

Quick as a flash, Edmund was there. He looked more determined than ever as he caught the ball.

Olivers stomach flipped as Mabel plummeted downward, beelining, like all the other birds, for the ball in Edmunds hands. But Mabel was faster than the others, more determined, as though their win earlier was driving her on. They pulled ahead of the rest of the flock.

As the distance between Oliver and Edmund diminished, Oliver could see the look of sheer concentration on Edmunds face. He was clearly trying to summon his powers. By the looks of things he wasnt succeeding. Sweat was rolling from his forehead. He glanced over at Oliver, his teeth gritted, his expression alarmed at the sight of the ostreagle bearing down on him at its frightening speed.

Throw the ball! Oliver exclaimed.

But Edmund was still gripping it, willing his powers to work.

Oliver realized what was going to happen a second before it did. He only had time to cover his eyes with his hands. Then CRASH. His ostreagle slammed into Edmunds. Both boys fell from their ostreagles and began to plummet toward the ground.

Oliver let out a huge scream as the floor raced up to meet him. But instead of smacking into a hard ground he found the surface he landed upon was as soft as a feather pillow. He bounced gently, the floor yielding to his weight like foam. He realized Coach Finkle had used his powers to change the physical properties of the floor so that it was bouncy, because after a second of bouncing, the floor returned to a solid state.