It’s a tie to the game. The players are getting tired, and Sharptooth, Zed, and Grizzly desperately want to win.

Imagine a soccer field. Imagine a tiger, a zebra, and a bear playing in the Animal World Cup. Imagine a zebra getting hurt before the World Cup, and the animals might have to cancel it.

It’s time to meet Sharptooth the tiger, Grizzly the bear, and Zed the zebra.

What do you think will happen? Keep reading to find out!

It was Tuesday, which meant it was soccer practice day. Grizzly, Zed and Sharptooth couldn’t wait. They called each other on the phone.

“Hey, Grizzly,” said Zed, “Do you know Coach Tim will be announcing the players entering the World Cup?”

“Yes,” said Grizzly, “It's so wonderful being in the World Cup.”

“Why don’t we all walk to soccer practice together?” said Sharptooth. 

“Sure,” said Grizzly.

They arrived at soccer practice at 6 o’clock, just in time. Coach Tim was giving the players instructions. 

"Ten laps around the field,” said Coach Tim. “Each player should have a ball for this drill. I want you to dribble in and out of the cones."

After that, they practiced shooting drills, with Zed playing goalie.

“Boom!” Sharptooth scored a powerful shot. It tore a piece of the net. Everyone’s mouths dropped open. They whispered, “How did he do that? I really wish I could do that.”

Even Coach Tim was impressed. 

At 7 o’clock, practice was over. Before they left, Coach Tim announced the World Cup players.

“Sharptooth, Grizzly, and Zed — congratulations!”

After everyone left, the group of animals went to Sharptooth’s house to continue practicing. When they arrived, they helped Sharptooth set up the cones and the goals.

“Wow, this is amazing,” said Grizzly when they were done.

Sharptooth’s mom gave each of them a soccer ball. 

“Have fun,” said Sharptooth’s mom.

First, they dribbled the ball. Then, they took turns shooting on Zed. 

"Woosh, Bang, Save!" It was so fun!

Sharptooth accidentally kicked the ball into the forest.

“Uh-oh,” said Sharptooth. “I’m going to get it.”

“I'll come with you,” said Zed.

Together, they went to find the ball. When they entered the forest, trouble was waiting for them.

A few miles into the forest…

“Hey Zed, any luck?” called Sharptooth.

“No,” said Zed, shaking his head.

“Look—there it is!” Sharptooth pointed ahead.

“Woohoo! Yes, yes!” shouted Zed, racing toward the ball.

“Watch out!” yelled Sharptooth.

But Zed wasn’t looking where he was going.

“Ahhh!” he screamed as he tripped over a rock. 

He tumbled forward, soaring through the air before—

CRASH!

Searing pain rushed to Zed's leg.

Sharptooth saw what happened and grabbed his phone. 

“Mom! Come quick—Zed’s hurt!”

Within minutes, Sharptooth’s mom and Grizzly arrived.

“Oh no!” Sharptooth's mom said. 

“What happened?” asked Grizzly.

Zed was feeling very scared. He was thinking about so many things at once. 

"Am I going to make it to the Cup?"

Sharptooth's mom called Zed's mom so she could take him to the hospital. 

Sharptooth and Grizzly kept thinking that maybe Zed wouldn't make it to the World Cup—maybe we should cancel it. 

But Sharptooth's dad remembered something his parents told him when he was young: deep in the forest, there is a potion that could heal very quickly, but it is very hard to find. Only three brave animals can go.

When Sharptooth's dad told them that, everyone was excited. They decided that Sharptooth, Grizzly, and Dad would go. First, they had to drop off Zed at the hospital.

“Bye! Good luck!” said Zed.

The brave animals didn’t want to waste any more time. They had to try their best to help heal their friend Zed so they could all make it to the World Cup.

When they entered the forest, they saw huge rocks and trees.

“What are we going to do now?” asked Grizzly.

“We must keep going to find the potion,” said Sharptooth.

The forest was scary. There were caves, storms, and many mysterious things hiding in the forest.
When they walked deeper into the forest, they found a map. It said, to find the healing potion, look in the old fortress and cave for gems you can use on your journey.

“What! What gems?” said Grizzly.

“I think that means we have to move quickly on the way to the old fortress,” said Sharptooth.

They spotted a sailor. 

“Hello,” said the sailor.

“Hi,” said Dad. “Do you know where we can find the healing potion?"

“No,” said the sailor, “but I can tell you that you might need help. Next to the cave, there is a specter. Grab the specter and point it at the cave, and then wish for an army to help you fight the pirate ghosts at the old fortress.”

After searching for a while, they finally arrived at the cave.

“Hey, look, there’s the specter,” said Sharptooth.

“But where’s the gem?” said Sharptooth’s dad.

“I see it,” said Sharptooth, grabbing the specter.

“I’ll get it,” said Grizzly.

Sharptooth pointed the specter at the cave, and an army poured out of it.

“Wow,” said Grizzly.

“Let’s move,” said Sharptooth.

The army would help them fight the pirate ghosts at the fortress.

When they arrived at the gate of the fortress, they found the gates closed. They told the army to help open the gates.

“Finally,” said Sharptooth when they opened the gates.

Inside the fortress, they saw the pirate ghosts guarding the second gem.

“Who dares trespass in our fortress?” they said.

“We just want the gem,” cried Grizzly.

“No,” said the pirate ghosts.

“Then you leave us no choice,” said Sharptooth. “Army, attack!”

After a long battle, they got the second gem. Then brave animals thanked the army and left. Now the animals continued their journey to find the last gem.