(a/n: I'm ba-ack. As if you could've gotten rid of me that easily. I'm
insulted! Well, read on faithful comrades, keep reviewing, because if you
don't . . . well, there's a good chance that my feelings will be hurt.
**sob**)
(Further a/n: All apologies, Digital Tempest. Yes, you did review chapter two, and I hope I posted chapter 3 quickly enough for you. =)
And to Genki (I like your sn): Yes, I know in real mythology Artemis and Apollo are twins, but I just like the name Helios more, and besides Helios is the true god of the sun. Apollo just drives the chariot, and no you didn't sound mean, and I hope that I don't, cuz I don't mean to be. Well, goodnight y'all.)
Chapter 4.
Artemis was in a state of pure resentment when she got back to Eden Hall on Thursday afternoon. She woke in a hospital. That meant they knew it all. After all she'd done to keep it secret. They all knew. Her own brother and his friends had turned her in. What could she do now? She didn't really have anywhere else to turn. If they all knew, good chance Kenny would find out. Where was she going to go now?
As soon as Artemis got back to her dorm (after two days of being hooked up to I.V. lines, and getting other people's blood pumped into her) she began to pack, frantically throwing everything that she owned into a duffle bag.
"Artemis? What are you doing?" Connie asked curiously walking into the bedroom, leaving the bathroom. "Why are you packing?"
"I'm leaving." Artemis answered softly, gently pushing her journal into her bag. "I've got to go." Artemis could plainly see the confusion on Connie's face. "I've been at the hospital. Don't you know what that means? That means that they know. That means that they all know. If I don't leave I'll just get you guys into trouble. There's been enough trouble. I've got to leave before he comes. He'll come to get me. Don't you understand, Connie?"
"Artemis. I think you're just a bit hysterical." Connie said, worry flashing through her dark eyes.
"Me, hysterical? I'm not meaning to be if I am. I just want to get out of here. I'm scared." Artemis continued rapidly.
"Artemis." Connie spoke kindly "Don't worry about it, no one knows. Not even the doctors. I promise. The nurse took care of everything. They don't know a thing. They think that you were in a car accident, as far as I've been told. Just calm down, and unpack. You don't have to go anywhere."
Artemis sighed and sat down. "This isn't fair. It was better back home. At least there I understood what was going on. Here, everything's just a big jumble. What am I supposed to do?"
"I don't know." Connie answered solemnly. "Just remember we're all here for you and if you can't talk to us, talk to Adam. He loves you, you know?"
"I know. But this is all so confusing." Artemis said, shaking her head softly.
"I know." Connie replied softly. "Hey, do you want to come to our practice? Ken will be there." Connie smiled mischievously.
"Ken? Why would I want to go to your practice because Ken's there?" Artemis asked hastily.
"Oh, come on, Artemis, do you think that I'm that dense. With the whole skating thing? You like him." Connie accused. Artemis blushed, and shook her head in objection. "Don't be silly. I know about these things."
"How? Because it takes one to know one?" Artemis asked back, causing Connie to blush darkly. "Sure, Cons. Now, let's get to that rink. Practice."
Connie nodded, her blush clearing. "You do know that you're evil, right?"
"Thank you." Artemis answered, and the two headed for the ice rink, but not before Artemis grabbed her sketchbook. Connie noticed that she also brought it to classes with her.
~~~~
Artemis was drawing a picture of Fulton and Portman checking Charlie (which had actually just happened in the scrimmage) when someone laid a hand on her wounded shoulder. She jumped nearly a foot in the air. She turned to face Riley and several of the other Varsity. "Yes?" She asked.
"So, we're still on for tomorrow, right?" Riley asked.
"Yeah, as long as you stay out of my hair. I'm busy. I'll talk to you tomorrow." Artemis answered, and several of the Varsity team members laughed and the group left, Riley winking back at her. Artemis rolled her eyes and continued her picture. In truth, Artemis forgot all about it, and she desperately wished that Riley had forgotten about it, as well. Or that she hadn't been tricked into the date at all.
Artemis soon finished the picture with satisfaction. Even the look of good- humored pain in Charlie's eyes, and the look of triumph on Portman and Fulton's faces. It was priceless. She flipped the paper, and began to watch the game to find her next subject. Connie passing the puck to Guy, Guy going for the goal, and faking, then passing the puck to Dwayne who shot the goal and scored with a yee-haw. Artemis couldn't help but grin at his enthusiasm.
Ken retrieved the puck, after Goldberg shot it out, he passed it, but it was intercepted by Adam, Adam passed it to Averman, but Luis got it and took a breakaway, shooting to the other side of the rink, he crashed into Julie, but their side was rewarded a point anyhow.
Julie scowled at Luis, who shrugged, and Artemis laughed. Kenny just avoided being checked by Charlie by ducking (no pun intended) and spinning out of the way, and Artemis began to draw it. She always felt like a huge weight lifted off of her shoulders when she drew. There wasn't any sensation like it in the world. She could draw for days on end if she had to, and be perfectly fine.
The picture was finished quickly. Since Kenny's face was a profile, and Charlie wasn't looking toward Artemis at all, the picture wasn't hard.
Artemis was getting rather sick of drawing hockey, though. Even if the subjects were fun to draw. Coach O'Rion was her next target. He wasn't wearing any hockey gear; so it would be more fun to draw . . . . . . . Twenty minutes later, and unable to contain herself, Artemis drew horns on the Coach's head and a tail curling up his shoulder. She giggled uncontrollably for a moment, but left them there. She had decided on giving it to one of the Ducks. Not Charlie, though. He's probably take offense or something.
The scrimmage was over, and one side or the other won. Artemis wasn't paying too much attention. She was drawing too much. She applauded anyhow and began to leave, before she realize that practice wasn't over, so she took her seat.
The team threw off their helmets, and began laps. Coach O'Rion and Charlie both encouraged them to go faster. Artemis hopped up, and threw on her skates. She was bored. She slid onto the ice and joined the ducks in their laps, hoping O'Rion wouldn't catch her.
She nearly gave Adam a heart attack when she latched onto his sides. "Hey bro'!" She said gripping onto him a little tighter.
"Having fun?" Adam asked her, half grinning, but Artemis shook her head in an outright life. "Guess I'll have to go faster then." Adam sped up as much as he could, which, in truth, wasn't much because he was already tired from the scrimmage, but Artemis laughed. She let go of Adam, which sent her flying across the room. Artemis crashed into a wall, but she hopped up and continued skating. "Owe." She grinned.
"That had to hurt." Connie laughed when she found herself at Artemis's side.
"Well. Yeah, actually, it did." Artemis shrugged, speeding up some. "But I'll live. Hey Cons, do you think I'll get in trouble for skating these laps with you."
"I doubt it, Artemis." Connie replied, and then pursed her lips, thinking for a moment. "Kenny isn't here, so why don't you try to play hockey?"
"That's easy. If I was to get checked hard I wouldn't be able to get up." Artemis answered with another shrug, as if the answer was completely obvious.
"Well, then. We'd better make sure you don't get checked uh?" Said a deeper voice. Coach O'Rion was right behind them.
"No way! I can't play hockey!" Artemis objected quickly.
"Sure you can. And right now we'll figure out what position you play. "DUCKS! TAKE A KNEE!" O'Rion yelled. Artemis was a bit surprised when all the Ducks surrounded the Coach, kneeling on a knee. "We're going to try Artemis out for the team. We don't know what position she plays. So we're going to find out."
"Go Artemis!" Adam laughed, and similar cheers came from the rest of the Ducks.
"I want to let you all know how much I hate you. I don't want to play.' Artemis groaned.
"Oh relax. You'll love it." Charlie grinned. Adam laughed under his breath. That was so a Charlie thing to do. Just because he worshipped hockey he expected everyone to do the same.
"Charlie, calm down. Some one get her suited up." Coach O'Rion laughed. Connie and Julie nodded and each grabbed one of Artemis's arms and pulled her to an equipment room.
~~
"I feel like an idiot." Artemis giggled from beneath her pads.
"Yeah, well, now you feel like you look!" Adam teased.
"Little brothers are so annoying." Artemis groaned, then turned to Ken ignoring Adams cry of 'Who're you calling Little?!' "Ken, you have got to tell me how you managed to skate with all these pads!"
Ken shrugged. "Practice, maybe. I don't know."
"A lot of help you are." Artemis spoke, rolling her eyes.
"Thanks!" Ken answered with a cheeky grin, leaving Artemis to roll her eyes again.
"Don't your eyes get tired of that?" Averman asked, smiling mischievously. Artemis laughed dryly, and put on her helmet and slid onto the ice. She skated a few circles to get used to the pads and once she nodded to Coach O'Rion to signal that she was ready. The coach nodded his approval, and they began.
~~
The next hour was spent seeing what position Artemis was good at, and she played defense fairly well, and couldn't play goalie in the least. She was good with offense (mostly. She wasn't exactly enforcer material) but center was her best, so that was what she was assigned to play. (no, really?) She actually got second line, and a lot of support from her teammates. Artemis finally broke down and agreed to play.
O'Rion faithfully delivered his defense speech to Artemis, who zoned out fro most of it. She had learned to look like she was paying attention while she wasn't over the year with living with her mother and Kenny. "Thanks, Coach." Artemis replied when the coach stopped yakking. Before he could even open his mouth again, Artemis was gone. The moment she got to her dorm she began to draw her journal entry for the night . . .
****
September 14
Today the guys made me try out for hockey. Yeah. Hockey. I told
them that I don't want to play, but that doesn't make a difference to them.
I guess that they just really either want to be friends, or they
really want me to play. For some reason, I don' think they want me to play.
I ended up playing center, second line. They're telling me it's good.
I'd be perfectly happy just ice-skating, but I'll just stick with it . . .for now.
Today's picture is of Kenny Wu.
Adam really wants me to play. He told me so, today, in the locker room,
a bit after practice. I'm not exactly sure if I can play. I don't want the whole
school finding out about me. So far, only the Ducks know, and I know that
they won't hold it against me, or anything. But I'm not ready
for more people to know. And I sincerely doubt that they would be able to
handle it.
On a slightly more depressing note, I had another nightmare last night. I
haven't had one in ages, but if they come back full force I'll never get
enough sleep to study. And I really need to.
For some reason, I just have this feeling in the pit of my stomach, that something
major has happened. And I really want to know what it is.
Oh, god, now I have ESP. Well, I'd better just not think about it. I have school in
the morning.
--Artemis L. J. Banks
Artemis closed her journal with a sigh. This was one of her least depressing entries so far . . .
~~~~
'Just because I said I'd meet him doesn't mean that I'll go to his game. Besides. I've got to play.' Artemis mentally reassured herself as Julie braided her hair.
"I wish I had your hair." Connie spoke enviously, breaking through Artemis's train of though, while eyeing the prized hair in Julie's hands.
"You can have it. It's such a hassle, I have to get you guys to braid it. It's so long!" Artemis whined and smiled when she knew that Julie was done. "Thanks Julie!" Artemis beamed and Julie gave Artemis a smile of her own.
"Anytime. So let's go. Let's play some hockey!" Julie smiled and Artemis, Connie, and Julie headed down to the rink. It was a home game, so they weren't really worried about being too late.
~~
"You're late." Guy pointed out blandly once the three girls got there.
"Almost." Connie grinned and the girls were ready in a snap.
"Why can't y'all girls be ready that fast when you're goin' out?" Dwayne asked innocently, and Julie threw a shoe at him. "Hey!"
"Hey guys is everyone ready?" Charlie asked a chorus of yeses and yeahs echoed from around him in response.
"Guys?" Came a new voice, when someone walked in.
"Coach?' Sever people exclaimed. "Coach Bombay, why are you here?" Portman added.
"I just stopped b for a visit, and to ask you a question. And to see you guys win a game, of course." Gordon Bombay answered.
"Well, you picked a good game to stop by on. Our newest player is showing everyone what she's got." Charlie grinned, shaking hands with Bombay.
"Really? A new player? A girl?" Bombay asked; his curiosity piqued.
"Yep. Her name is Artemis." Adam answered, smiling rather proudly.
"Where is she?" Bombay asked, eager to meet the new duck.
"I'm right here." A soft voice answered from near Kenny and Dwayne. Artemis walked up to the Coach with her helmet under her arm. She wasn't exactly smiling, but her eyes were bright. "Artemis Lana Janine at your service."
"Coach Gordon Bombay." Bombay answered, and the two shook hands after Artemis pulled off her glove. "How'd you get onto the Ducks halfway through the season?"
"Bad luck?" Artemis spoke in a whisper with a dry laugh and a shrug.
"What do you mean?"
"I don't play hockey, Mr. Bombay. But Coach O'Rion asked me to try out, so I did." Artemis replied and Bombay nodded in understanding.
"Hey Coach, what was your question?" Charlie asked, and everyone turned their attention to Bombay, curious to see what he had to say.
"Well, how do you guys feel about a reunion? All the original Ducks, even Coach McKay, Yan (sp? Not Hans, his brother who was in the second movie), and Mr. Tibbles will be there. You're welcome to come too, Artemis. O'Rion and myself, too. What do you say? And it better be yes. We've been planning this for near two months." The Ducks all looked at each other, grinning.
"Naaah!" They shouted together. Bombay looked at them feigning annoyance, but then burst out laughing. "Of course, then. I'll just tell them that you don't want to see them." Bombay shrugged, and laughed again when they all objected. The Ducks joined him in the laughed (all except Artemis) and they flooded past him and out the lock room doors.
~~
"And here's the first face off. Number 41 for the Ducks and number 27 for the Devils. And the puck is dropped and Janine easily handles the puck within a second and shoots it to Conway, and man! She high-tailed it outta there!" (As to not get Adam and Artemis confused I'm calling Adam Banks, and Artemis is going by Janine.) Artemis tuned out the announcer. She didn't have time to concentrate on him. She had to make sure that no one checked her, and that she followed the puck. She was doing just that, well, to the best of her ability, when to her utter shock that she found the puck right in front of her stick. She faked a shot, which the goalie dived after, and she passed it to Germaine, and he shot and made it.
After a team hug and a cheer, they were off again.
Artemis quickly found out why the Devils were called the name they were called. They were vicious. They tripped, checked, and did everything that they possibly could the harm the Ducks and get the puck. Yes, that was the main objective to hockey, but they were dreadfully extreme.
Artemis did a good job ducking and swerving around the devils (several times with possession of the puck) but the Ducks hadn't scored another goal. Eleven minutes after the first face off, the score was 1:0.
~~
Artemis took a big swig of water as she sat down on the bench. She pulled off her gloves and helmet, and pushed back her frizzled hair, which was glistening with sweat. "I can't move." She said with embellishment to Russ Tyler who just nodded back and laughed.
"I know."
Artemis rolled her eyes. "Where are my words of wisdom?"
Russ shrugged.
"Thanks a lot."
"No problem."
"Ouy va."
~~
Artemis was back on the ice, and the score hadn't changed. Banks took the face off and was quickly knocked to the floor. The opposing Devil went off with t he puck and was hit by Fulton and Portman.
Artemis got the puck and shot it to Averman, who then sailed it to Mendoza, who then, on a breakaway, got checked. Apparently the ref didn't notice because he was trying to not get hit by several of the Devils and Ducks. Artemis popped off her helmet and got to Luis's side as quickly as she could. She carefully, so as not to jar him, took his helmet off, too. "Luis. Luis? Mendoza! Are you okay?" Luis just groaned. "Conway! Get over here!" Artemis called.
Charlie skated over from working defense, having Dwayne take over that. "Luis?"
"Yeah, Luis. He got checked hard, but the ref didn't catch it. We have to get him off the ice." Artemis replied. Charlie nodded, then tried to call the ref to his attention, but the ref was too busy with trying to see what was going on at the other end of the rink. Artemis knelt down by his head. "Luis, wake up. Can you hear me?"
"Yes." Luis answered in a moan. "I hurt all over."
"Good." Artemis smiled and nodded to Charlie, and the two helped him off the ice and to the medic, who was off to the side.
Artemis sated over to O'Rion and informed him that they were a man down. O'Rion but Ken out, and the two skated off. The last face off of the game was beginning. This time the Devils got the puck, and the checking began again.
Player after player (More like Duck after Duck after Devil after Duck after Duck after Duck . . .) went down. Portman, Fulton, and Goldberg tried to even the odds a bit, but three enforcers against a team of them doesn't even anything out.
Artemis and Kenny were whirling in rather idiotic, though effective, circles trying to not be A. smashed or B. hooked while actually A. getting the puck, B. scoring, and C. distracting the Devils all the while. It wasn't working. The Devils presently tried to squash them even more.
One of them, apparently number 64, decided that he was the big evil baddy of the Devils, and checked both Kenny and Artemis at the same time. The ref blew his whistle. Two minutes in the penalty box. A few seconds later, however, most everyone realized that Artemis wasn't getting up. She was right. She wasn't going to get up if she was checked.
Kenny was kneeling by her side, his helmet and gloves off. Adam was next to him in a second. "Artemis. Art. Wake up. Please, wake up." Kenny looked up at Adam, his gaze leaving Artemis's closed eyes. This was the first time that he'd seen Adam so . . . not in control. He was nearly frantic. He was patting Artemis's cheek. Her eyelids fluttered once, but then settled.
A medic came over quickly, and nodded to the ref. Number 64 was put out of the game. Adam and the medic took Artemis out, and Kenny, following one more worried glance, returned to the bench. He was only slightly dazed by the 'love tap' he'd been supplied.
~~
The Ducks won. 2:0. After the game, they set out to check on Luis and Artemis, neither of whom returned to the game at any point, although Adam did.
When they did find them, both Luis and Artemis were up, amazingly enough, and holding a conversation, and laughing at something one or the other had said. "Hey guys!" Artemis greeted her team through a giggle. "You have no idea how crazy this guy is." She added, motioning towards Luis who nodded back, still laughing. "Well, I've got to go. Or I'll probably be killed, just kidding Sun boy, calm down, but I do have to go."
"Uh . . .okay. Bye Art, are you sure you're okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. I think I fainted." Artemis answered her brother with a shrug. "Something with my brain, or one of those other things I can't control. The nurse said it was subconscious. Bye!" She kissed her brother on the cheek and left.
"Anyone else confused?" Charlie asked. Everyone raised his or her hand, except Luis, who was still chuckling inattentively.
~~
'Let's just get this over with.' Artemis told herself, and she headed out to meet Rick Riley.
(a/n: sorry that this took so long to get out, but now I'm not allowed to go on-line during school nights, but since it's Friday I'm able to come on. I absolutely stink at writing hockey games [probably because I don't know much about hockey :p] but I'll work on it. I promise. I really hope you like this, 'cause if you don't . . .oops. Well, please review.)
(Further a/n: All apologies, Digital Tempest. Yes, you did review chapter two, and I hope I posted chapter 3 quickly enough for you. =)
And to Genki (I like your sn): Yes, I know in real mythology Artemis and Apollo are twins, but I just like the name Helios more, and besides Helios is the true god of the sun. Apollo just drives the chariot, and no you didn't sound mean, and I hope that I don't, cuz I don't mean to be. Well, goodnight y'all.)
Chapter 4.
Artemis was in a state of pure resentment when she got back to Eden Hall on Thursday afternoon. She woke in a hospital. That meant they knew it all. After all she'd done to keep it secret. They all knew. Her own brother and his friends had turned her in. What could she do now? She didn't really have anywhere else to turn. If they all knew, good chance Kenny would find out. Where was she going to go now?
As soon as Artemis got back to her dorm (after two days of being hooked up to I.V. lines, and getting other people's blood pumped into her) she began to pack, frantically throwing everything that she owned into a duffle bag.
"Artemis? What are you doing?" Connie asked curiously walking into the bedroom, leaving the bathroom. "Why are you packing?"
"I'm leaving." Artemis answered softly, gently pushing her journal into her bag. "I've got to go." Artemis could plainly see the confusion on Connie's face. "I've been at the hospital. Don't you know what that means? That means that they know. That means that they all know. If I don't leave I'll just get you guys into trouble. There's been enough trouble. I've got to leave before he comes. He'll come to get me. Don't you understand, Connie?"
"Artemis. I think you're just a bit hysterical." Connie said, worry flashing through her dark eyes.
"Me, hysterical? I'm not meaning to be if I am. I just want to get out of here. I'm scared." Artemis continued rapidly.
"Artemis." Connie spoke kindly "Don't worry about it, no one knows. Not even the doctors. I promise. The nurse took care of everything. They don't know a thing. They think that you were in a car accident, as far as I've been told. Just calm down, and unpack. You don't have to go anywhere."
Artemis sighed and sat down. "This isn't fair. It was better back home. At least there I understood what was going on. Here, everything's just a big jumble. What am I supposed to do?"
"I don't know." Connie answered solemnly. "Just remember we're all here for you and if you can't talk to us, talk to Adam. He loves you, you know?"
"I know. But this is all so confusing." Artemis said, shaking her head softly.
"I know." Connie replied softly. "Hey, do you want to come to our practice? Ken will be there." Connie smiled mischievously.
"Ken? Why would I want to go to your practice because Ken's there?" Artemis asked hastily.
"Oh, come on, Artemis, do you think that I'm that dense. With the whole skating thing? You like him." Connie accused. Artemis blushed, and shook her head in objection. "Don't be silly. I know about these things."
"How? Because it takes one to know one?" Artemis asked back, causing Connie to blush darkly. "Sure, Cons. Now, let's get to that rink. Practice."
Connie nodded, her blush clearing. "You do know that you're evil, right?"
"Thank you." Artemis answered, and the two headed for the ice rink, but not before Artemis grabbed her sketchbook. Connie noticed that she also brought it to classes with her.
~~~~
Artemis was drawing a picture of Fulton and Portman checking Charlie (which had actually just happened in the scrimmage) when someone laid a hand on her wounded shoulder. She jumped nearly a foot in the air. She turned to face Riley and several of the other Varsity. "Yes?" She asked.
"So, we're still on for tomorrow, right?" Riley asked.
"Yeah, as long as you stay out of my hair. I'm busy. I'll talk to you tomorrow." Artemis answered, and several of the Varsity team members laughed and the group left, Riley winking back at her. Artemis rolled her eyes and continued her picture. In truth, Artemis forgot all about it, and she desperately wished that Riley had forgotten about it, as well. Or that she hadn't been tricked into the date at all.
Artemis soon finished the picture with satisfaction. Even the look of good- humored pain in Charlie's eyes, and the look of triumph on Portman and Fulton's faces. It was priceless. She flipped the paper, and began to watch the game to find her next subject. Connie passing the puck to Guy, Guy going for the goal, and faking, then passing the puck to Dwayne who shot the goal and scored with a yee-haw. Artemis couldn't help but grin at his enthusiasm.
Ken retrieved the puck, after Goldberg shot it out, he passed it, but it was intercepted by Adam, Adam passed it to Averman, but Luis got it and took a breakaway, shooting to the other side of the rink, he crashed into Julie, but their side was rewarded a point anyhow.
Julie scowled at Luis, who shrugged, and Artemis laughed. Kenny just avoided being checked by Charlie by ducking (no pun intended) and spinning out of the way, and Artemis began to draw it. She always felt like a huge weight lifted off of her shoulders when she drew. There wasn't any sensation like it in the world. She could draw for days on end if she had to, and be perfectly fine.
The picture was finished quickly. Since Kenny's face was a profile, and Charlie wasn't looking toward Artemis at all, the picture wasn't hard.
Artemis was getting rather sick of drawing hockey, though. Even if the subjects were fun to draw. Coach O'Rion was her next target. He wasn't wearing any hockey gear; so it would be more fun to draw . . . . . . . Twenty minutes later, and unable to contain herself, Artemis drew horns on the Coach's head and a tail curling up his shoulder. She giggled uncontrollably for a moment, but left them there. She had decided on giving it to one of the Ducks. Not Charlie, though. He's probably take offense or something.
The scrimmage was over, and one side or the other won. Artemis wasn't paying too much attention. She was drawing too much. She applauded anyhow and began to leave, before she realize that practice wasn't over, so she took her seat.
The team threw off their helmets, and began laps. Coach O'Rion and Charlie both encouraged them to go faster. Artemis hopped up, and threw on her skates. She was bored. She slid onto the ice and joined the ducks in their laps, hoping O'Rion wouldn't catch her.
She nearly gave Adam a heart attack when she latched onto his sides. "Hey bro'!" She said gripping onto him a little tighter.
"Having fun?" Adam asked her, half grinning, but Artemis shook her head in an outright life. "Guess I'll have to go faster then." Adam sped up as much as he could, which, in truth, wasn't much because he was already tired from the scrimmage, but Artemis laughed. She let go of Adam, which sent her flying across the room. Artemis crashed into a wall, but she hopped up and continued skating. "Owe." She grinned.
"That had to hurt." Connie laughed when she found herself at Artemis's side.
"Well. Yeah, actually, it did." Artemis shrugged, speeding up some. "But I'll live. Hey Cons, do you think I'll get in trouble for skating these laps with you."
"I doubt it, Artemis." Connie replied, and then pursed her lips, thinking for a moment. "Kenny isn't here, so why don't you try to play hockey?"
"That's easy. If I was to get checked hard I wouldn't be able to get up." Artemis answered with another shrug, as if the answer was completely obvious.
"Well, then. We'd better make sure you don't get checked uh?" Said a deeper voice. Coach O'Rion was right behind them.
"No way! I can't play hockey!" Artemis objected quickly.
"Sure you can. And right now we'll figure out what position you play. "DUCKS! TAKE A KNEE!" O'Rion yelled. Artemis was a bit surprised when all the Ducks surrounded the Coach, kneeling on a knee. "We're going to try Artemis out for the team. We don't know what position she plays. So we're going to find out."
"Go Artemis!" Adam laughed, and similar cheers came from the rest of the Ducks.
"I want to let you all know how much I hate you. I don't want to play.' Artemis groaned.
"Oh relax. You'll love it." Charlie grinned. Adam laughed under his breath. That was so a Charlie thing to do. Just because he worshipped hockey he expected everyone to do the same.
"Charlie, calm down. Some one get her suited up." Coach O'Rion laughed. Connie and Julie nodded and each grabbed one of Artemis's arms and pulled her to an equipment room.
~~
"I feel like an idiot." Artemis giggled from beneath her pads.
"Yeah, well, now you feel like you look!" Adam teased.
"Little brothers are so annoying." Artemis groaned, then turned to Ken ignoring Adams cry of 'Who're you calling Little?!' "Ken, you have got to tell me how you managed to skate with all these pads!"
Ken shrugged. "Practice, maybe. I don't know."
"A lot of help you are." Artemis spoke, rolling her eyes.
"Thanks!" Ken answered with a cheeky grin, leaving Artemis to roll her eyes again.
"Don't your eyes get tired of that?" Averman asked, smiling mischievously. Artemis laughed dryly, and put on her helmet and slid onto the ice. She skated a few circles to get used to the pads and once she nodded to Coach O'Rion to signal that she was ready. The coach nodded his approval, and they began.
~~
The next hour was spent seeing what position Artemis was good at, and she played defense fairly well, and couldn't play goalie in the least. She was good with offense (mostly. She wasn't exactly enforcer material) but center was her best, so that was what she was assigned to play. (no, really?) She actually got second line, and a lot of support from her teammates. Artemis finally broke down and agreed to play.
O'Rion faithfully delivered his defense speech to Artemis, who zoned out fro most of it. She had learned to look like she was paying attention while she wasn't over the year with living with her mother and Kenny. "Thanks, Coach." Artemis replied when the coach stopped yakking. Before he could even open his mouth again, Artemis was gone. The moment she got to her dorm she began to draw her journal entry for the night . . .
****
September 14
Today the guys made me try out for hockey. Yeah. Hockey. I told
them that I don't want to play, but that doesn't make a difference to them.
I guess that they just really either want to be friends, or they
really want me to play. For some reason, I don' think they want me to play.
I ended up playing center, second line. They're telling me it's good.
I'd be perfectly happy just ice-skating, but I'll just stick with it . . .for now.
Today's picture is of Kenny Wu.
Adam really wants me to play. He told me so, today, in the locker room,
a bit after practice. I'm not exactly sure if I can play. I don't want the whole
school finding out about me. So far, only the Ducks know, and I know that
they won't hold it against me, or anything. But I'm not ready
for more people to know. And I sincerely doubt that they would be able to
handle it.
On a slightly more depressing note, I had another nightmare last night. I
haven't had one in ages, but if they come back full force I'll never get
enough sleep to study. And I really need to.
For some reason, I just have this feeling in the pit of my stomach, that something
major has happened. And I really want to know what it is.
Oh, god, now I have ESP. Well, I'd better just not think about it. I have school in
the morning.
--Artemis L. J. Banks
Artemis closed her journal with a sigh. This was one of her least depressing entries so far . . .
~~~~
'Just because I said I'd meet him doesn't mean that I'll go to his game. Besides. I've got to play.' Artemis mentally reassured herself as Julie braided her hair.
"I wish I had your hair." Connie spoke enviously, breaking through Artemis's train of though, while eyeing the prized hair in Julie's hands.
"You can have it. It's such a hassle, I have to get you guys to braid it. It's so long!" Artemis whined and smiled when she knew that Julie was done. "Thanks Julie!" Artemis beamed and Julie gave Artemis a smile of her own.
"Anytime. So let's go. Let's play some hockey!" Julie smiled and Artemis, Connie, and Julie headed down to the rink. It was a home game, so they weren't really worried about being too late.
~~
"You're late." Guy pointed out blandly once the three girls got there.
"Almost." Connie grinned and the girls were ready in a snap.
"Why can't y'all girls be ready that fast when you're goin' out?" Dwayne asked innocently, and Julie threw a shoe at him. "Hey!"
"Hey guys is everyone ready?" Charlie asked a chorus of yeses and yeahs echoed from around him in response.
"Guys?" Came a new voice, when someone walked in.
"Coach?' Sever people exclaimed. "Coach Bombay, why are you here?" Portman added.
"I just stopped b for a visit, and to ask you a question. And to see you guys win a game, of course." Gordon Bombay answered.
"Well, you picked a good game to stop by on. Our newest player is showing everyone what she's got." Charlie grinned, shaking hands with Bombay.
"Really? A new player? A girl?" Bombay asked; his curiosity piqued.
"Yep. Her name is Artemis." Adam answered, smiling rather proudly.
"Where is she?" Bombay asked, eager to meet the new duck.
"I'm right here." A soft voice answered from near Kenny and Dwayne. Artemis walked up to the Coach with her helmet under her arm. She wasn't exactly smiling, but her eyes were bright. "Artemis Lana Janine at your service."
"Coach Gordon Bombay." Bombay answered, and the two shook hands after Artemis pulled off her glove. "How'd you get onto the Ducks halfway through the season?"
"Bad luck?" Artemis spoke in a whisper with a dry laugh and a shrug.
"What do you mean?"
"I don't play hockey, Mr. Bombay. But Coach O'Rion asked me to try out, so I did." Artemis replied and Bombay nodded in understanding.
"Hey Coach, what was your question?" Charlie asked, and everyone turned their attention to Bombay, curious to see what he had to say.
"Well, how do you guys feel about a reunion? All the original Ducks, even Coach McKay, Yan (sp? Not Hans, his brother who was in the second movie), and Mr. Tibbles will be there. You're welcome to come too, Artemis. O'Rion and myself, too. What do you say? And it better be yes. We've been planning this for near two months." The Ducks all looked at each other, grinning.
"Naaah!" They shouted together. Bombay looked at them feigning annoyance, but then burst out laughing. "Of course, then. I'll just tell them that you don't want to see them." Bombay shrugged, and laughed again when they all objected. The Ducks joined him in the laughed (all except Artemis) and they flooded past him and out the lock room doors.
~~
"And here's the first face off. Number 41 for the Ducks and number 27 for the Devils. And the puck is dropped and Janine easily handles the puck within a second and shoots it to Conway, and man! She high-tailed it outta there!" (As to not get Adam and Artemis confused I'm calling Adam Banks, and Artemis is going by Janine.) Artemis tuned out the announcer. She didn't have time to concentrate on him. She had to make sure that no one checked her, and that she followed the puck. She was doing just that, well, to the best of her ability, when to her utter shock that she found the puck right in front of her stick. She faked a shot, which the goalie dived after, and she passed it to Germaine, and he shot and made it.
After a team hug and a cheer, they were off again.
Artemis quickly found out why the Devils were called the name they were called. They were vicious. They tripped, checked, and did everything that they possibly could the harm the Ducks and get the puck. Yes, that was the main objective to hockey, but they were dreadfully extreme.
Artemis did a good job ducking and swerving around the devils (several times with possession of the puck) but the Ducks hadn't scored another goal. Eleven minutes after the first face off, the score was 1:0.
~~
Artemis took a big swig of water as she sat down on the bench. She pulled off her gloves and helmet, and pushed back her frizzled hair, which was glistening with sweat. "I can't move." She said with embellishment to Russ Tyler who just nodded back and laughed.
"I know."
Artemis rolled her eyes. "Where are my words of wisdom?"
Russ shrugged.
"Thanks a lot."
"No problem."
"Ouy va."
~~
Artemis was back on the ice, and the score hadn't changed. Banks took the face off and was quickly knocked to the floor. The opposing Devil went off with t he puck and was hit by Fulton and Portman.
Artemis got the puck and shot it to Averman, who then sailed it to Mendoza, who then, on a breakaway, got checked. Apparently the ref didn't notice because he was trying to not get hit by several of the Devils and Ducks. Artemis popped off her helmet and got to Luis's side as quickly as she could. She carefully, so as not to jar him, took his helmet off, too. "Luis. Luis? Mendoza! Are you okay?" Luis just groaned. "Conway! Get over here!" Artemis called.
Charlie skated over from working defense, having Dwayne take over that. "Luis?"
"Yeah, Luis. He got checked hard, but the ref didn't catch it. We have to get him off the ice." Artemis replied. Charlie nodded, then tried to call the ref to his attention, but the ref was too busy with trying to see what was going on at the other end of the rink. Artemis knelt down by his head. "Luis, wake up. Can you hear me?"
"Yes." Luis answered in a moan. "I hurt all over."
"Good." Artemis smiled and nodded to Charlie, and the two helped him off the ice and to the medic, who was off to the side.
Artemis sated over to O'Rion and informed him that they were a man down. O'Rion but Ken out, and the two skated off. The last face off of the game was beginning. This time the Devils got the puck, and the checking began again.
Player after player (More like Duck after Duck after Devil after Duck after Duck after Duck . . .) went down. Portman, Fulton, and Goldberg tried to even the odds a bit, but three enforcers against a team of them doesn't even anything out.
Artemis and Kenny were whirling in rather idiotic, though effective, circles trying to not be A. smashed or B. hooked while actually A. getting the puck, B. scoring, and C. distracting the Devils all the while. It wasn't working. The Devils presently tried to squash them even more.
One of them, apparently number 64, decided that he was the big evil baddy of the Devils, and checked both Kenny and Artemis at the same time. The ref blew his whistle. Two minutes in the penalty box. A few seconds later, however, most everyone realized that Artemis wasn't getting up. She was right. She wasn't going to get up if she was checked.
Kenny was kneeling by her side, his helmet and gloves off. Adam was next to him in a second. "Artemis. Art. Wake up. Please, wake up." Kenny looked up at Adam, his gaze leaving Artemis's closed eyes. This was the first time that he'd seen Adam so . . . not in control. He was nearly frantic. He was patting Artemis's cheek. Her eyelids fluttered once, but then settled.
A medic came over quickly, and nodded to the ref. Number 64 was put out of the game. Adam and the medic took Artemis out, and Kenny, following one more worried glance, returned to the bench. He was only slightly dazed by the 'love tap' he'd been supplied.
~~
The Ducks won. 2:0. After the game, they set out to check on Luis and Artemis, neither of whom returned to the game at any point, although Adam did.
When they did find them, both Luis and Artemis were up, amazingly enough, and holding a conversation, and laughing at something one or the other had said. "Hey guys!" Artemis greeted her team through a giggle. "You have no idea how crazy this guy is." She added, motioning towards Luis who nodded back, still laughing. "Well, I've got to go. Or I'll probably be killed, just kidding Sun boy, calm down, but I do have to go."
"Uh . . .okay. Bye Art, are you sure you're okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. I think I fainted." Artemis answered her brother with a shrug. "Something with my brain, or one of those other things I can't control. The nurse said it was subconscious. Bye!" She kissed her brother on the cheek and left.
"Anyone else confused?" Charlie asked. Everyone raised his or her hand, except Luis, who was still chuckling inattentively.
~~
'Let's just get this over with.' Artemis told herself, and she headed out to meet Rick Riley.
(a/n: sorry that this took so long to get out, but now I'm not allowed to go on-line during school nights, but since it's Friday I'm able to come on. I absolutely stink at writing hockey games [probably because I don't know much about hockey :p] but I'll work on it. I promise. I really hope you like this, 'cause if you don't . . .oops. Well, please review.)