Author's Note: I am very sorry for the long wait. School, plus I had a lot of other projects i'm working on. Also for the fact that I had trouble big time trying to write this chapter. I know it's short but that's all I could do, I really needed to get past this chapter in order for me to proceed. So please enjoy this.
Chapter 4: The Trials Part 2
The ducks and Hunter got to the gate that would let them onto the ice, which is filled with many players. Their human friend was the first one to skate out, but the ducks held up for a second as Mallory had a question to ask. "Ok, with so many people on the ice how do we practice?"
"Not sure, lets just interact with the fellow players and see what we can do," Wildwing responded, this seemed to agree with everyone else.
"Alright, but still be careful, we don't know these people and have no idea what they'll do," Duke commented. They all agreed as they started getting on the ice.
Up in an office that overlooked the ice rink, there were a few people who were looking down at the players currently practicing. They were merely observing, since it wasn't them who picked out who played for the team. Among them Phil stood, looking down and breaking a sigh of relief as he saw his team finally entering the scene.
"Good they made it," Phil blew out a sigh of relief.
"Yes, we were informed that they were the last to arrive," One of the trials officials spoke. The person is male, light skin, with dark brown hair, medium height and build and wore glasses.
"Either way, Mr. Omar, better late then never," Phil addressed the guy as he looked at him and the rest of the people in the room.
"Any way it'll be interesting seeing how they interact with everyone else," A young male spoke, small height and build with long black hair.
"Don't worry Mr. Evans, they'll rock the ice," Phil proudly proclaimed as he looked back down on the ice. "What do you think Mr. Harris?"
The middle aged male who talked with Phil about the trials was present, looking down at the ice as well. "We just have to see, the real trials don't start till tomorrow."
"Believe me, they'll rock the ice, they'll make the team for sure," Phil claimed once again. He knew they would do well no matter what, so there wasn't really any reason to worry.
"Well, they're going to need to be good, because on a count of who's coaching the team, they're going to need everything they got," Mr. Evans said.
"Who's coaching?" Mr. Omar asked, curious as to who would be leading the team.
"Coach Morrison," Mr. Evans responded in a normal voice, earning a surprised look from his associates.
"Ooh, that's a tough break."
"Who's Coach Morrison?" Phil asked, now starting to get a bit nervous. He wasn't so sure now with the looks he saw.
"Possibly one of the toughest coaches in the league. He judges players up to really high standers."
"But…that doesn't mean my team won't make it…doesn't it?" Phil asked, now starting to feel nervous about what he was hearing.
Back on the ice the ducks spread out, mainly to see what kind of competition they are going to have. Their new friend Hunter just skated off, mainly just to do some laps around the ice. Their presence on the ice was immediately noticed as they got a few looks their way. Even a few others skated by and greeted them, but some just gave looks instead and continued what they were doing.
"Hard crowd here," Wildwing spoke to his team, which ever were still around which happened to be his brother and Mallory.
"I know what you mean bro, I think we're intimidating," Nosedive responded, his hockey stick resting on his shoulder.
"I know those looks," Mallory responded, getting looked at from the two brothers. "Some of them are eying us, basically doing the same we're doing."
"What do you mean?" Nosedive asked, confused at what his red haired teammate was getting at.
"They're trying to see which players to watch so they can out match them…chances are we're the large threat in their way."
"All because we're the only team that came in full," Wildwing finished, realizing what she meant.
"So, we're the ones to be, eh?" Nosedive grinned, somewhat liking the concept of what he's hearing right now.
"Don't get all excited about it, that's not good to do."
"Just means we have targets on our backs," Mallory responded as they looked out on the ice.
"Only if there's no one better than us," Nosedive commented.
"Come on, you have to do better than that!" A female voice called out as all three ducks looked over towards the goal post. Apparently the current goalie is a female, her pads made it hard trying to determine her size. Apparently she blocked the puck of another female who shot it.
"I'm doing my best here!" the second female responded, apparently of regular size for a female and is wearing a red jersey.
"You're not going to get in with your best!" the goalie instructed.
The teen shook his head at this, "Ok, I guess we're the best here."
"Lets just try and practice in right now," Wildwing responded.
"How, there are too many people to try something," Mallory responded, but even before a response could be made a loud whistle echoed throughout the arena. Everyone in the area turned towards the where the noise came from. At one of the gates into the ice stood a middle aged male stood. Tan, tall with a medium build. He's dressed in grey windbreak clothes and matching cap. A silver whistle dropped from his mouth as it hung from it neck.
"Line up!" his gruff voice ordered out. At first no one seemed to respond, the idea of who this guy is didn't register with them for a few seconds.
"Now!" the guy blew his whistle and the realization of who this guy is came to them. Everyone then started to skate to center ice, all in a line. There were so many players that they had to make a second one just so it could fit everyone.
A minute passed but everyone managed to get into position, all eyes on the guy as he walked out on the ice and soon stood in front of them. No one talked as they watched him look at everyone else that were present. Eyes scanned over everyone like a hawk about to snatch up its prey.
"Welcome to the Olympic trials!" the man spoke out in a sharp tone, causing a few people to jump. "Right now you are participating in the trials that determine who'll be a part of the inter-gender hockey event for the winter Olympics. My name is Gary Morrison, and I'll be your coach, but only for a few of you."
No one talked as they all listened to what the guy had to say, apparently the tone he displayed announced that he was serious. They weren't sure what would happen if they spoke out of turn.
"Man this guy seems serious," Nosedive whispered to his teammates, who were lined up with him.
"I can tell," Duke responded.
"Now let me tell you all something, not all of you are going to make the team. Because this is a new event there's going to be a small number of players that are allowed on the team…and also during the actual trials I'll cut a few of you who don't meet my requirements."
"How is that fair!" the cocky kid from earlier spoke up, earning nervous glances from everyone else.
"Ten laps around the rink!" Gary ordered.
"I just asked a question," the kid responded.
"Do it or you'll be cut even before the trials begin!"
That caused a stun silence from everyone as they realized the guy is serious. Gulping the cocky kid then skated out, not wanting to anger they guy any more than he is.
"Anyone else want to join him!?" he shouted, which no one stepped up to the plate. The coach resumed his speech, then gave a harden face as he announced the next part. "Now…out of all of you…only fourteen will make the team."
That statement caused some gasps and little chatter among the other players. This is a huge shocker that such a little amount of people would be recruited for the team, to many this is something that is unheard of.
"Ok, that's a lot different than usual," Hunter spoke up, as he is next to the ducks.
"I'll say," Wildwing responded, whispering.
"The last time I was here they usually took at least twenty players."
Before anymore could be said the coach's interrupted them, "This new event is cause for such a low number. So tomorrow you all best give it your all, or else you're out!" The coach then let them the sudden shock of his announcement run its course as he heard the panic chatter among the players. This lasted for about a minute before breaking the chatter. "Practice well and I'll see you all tomorrow."
With that everyone watched as the coach walked off the ice, leaving all the players in silence after reveling the most important news to them. Things had just heated up as the players present were now more determined as ever to give it their all.
A/N: Hope you like. Once again i'm sorry for the wait. I'll try harder to get the chapters up faster. It's just that I only have a few weeks left till the end of my semester so I'll be focusing on that. Once again sorry and till next time.