It is never easy being different. It can either be medical, cultural, or even my the teams we route for in sports. It is important to know that, even when there are those against you, you are not alone.

Please enjoy.


Just like you

Tampa Bay...

The area around the restaurant gave a nice ambiance, lights glistening in the dusk skyline. Not the place the Guardians were expecting to have a meeting for the planning of the next season, but it was nice. Peg-Leg had offer them to come here after all with Spot and Sonar, as they were next on the list for preparations. The said Buc was looking at a menu with the others.

Ish: You really didn't need to invite us to dinner.

Peg-Leg, looked off the menu towards them smiling.

Peg-Leg: Nonsense, after all you kids did helping us it's my treat.

Sonar: Besides, it's been awhile since we just hung out and not worry about the enemy.

Spot absently nodded, which caught everyone's attention as well as the ear twicking in annoyance.

Ash: Is everything alright?

Spot: Yeah, but that group across from us...

Spot eyes the group of individuals, and Peg-Leg felt his heart freeze.

Marty: Yeesh, i don't like the look of their attitude. *Looks at Peg-Leg, his face was covered in a shadow* Peg-Leg? You O.k.?

Peg-Leg: Huh...Y-Yeah, I-I'm fine Matey...

Tua: *Concern* You sure?

Peg-Leg: Yeah... Let's...*small meek smile* order alright...

The group shrugged as they ordered their food. When it came it was very noticeable that Peg-Leg was slow, watching the group as if he was on high alert.

Man 1: Oh my gosh...look over there, isn't that-

Man 2: It is! I'm surprise he in public here.

Man 3: I know, and with children. How is that dolphin and Jaguar friends with him?

Peg-Leg thoughts: Just ignore them, Especially HIM. You got the Guardians, Sonar and Spot here, he won't do anything stupid...right?

Peg-Leg wanted to enjoy the meal, but he felt shivers all over him. Once the check arrive, Sonar paid the waiter (tipping him of course).

Troy: Gotta admit, nice place had good food.

Sonar: Yeah, hoping it would. We should come here again soon.

Peg-Leg was lost in his thoughts keeping his head down to avoid eyes. He prayed they reach the door soon, till-

Man: *Peg-Leg bumps into him* Hey watch where ya-AHA! It's you!

Peg-Leg face paled, starring at him.

Man: Peg-Leg the Buccaneer Rusher, what a pleasant surprise. How long has it been?

Peg-Leg: *grumbled* Not long enough...

Spot: *Walks over* Peg-Leg, we're about to-oh, um..friend of yours?

Man: Of course! We go way back don't we?

Peg-Leg thoughts: WAY back unfortunately...there's goes my initial thought.

Peg-Leg eyes were covered by the shadow, as Sonar and the other Guardians came over.

Man: Allow me to introduce myself, my name is Sebastien Hankins.

They nodded, noticing the uneasiness in Peg-Leg.

Sebastien Hankins: Aw, you didn't mention me to them?

Peg-Leg: *Grumble* Why should I...

The air was getting tense, and the group knew something was up with this man.

Ricky: Um...are you sure your friends?

Sebastien Hankins: Of course! Remember all the fun times we had~~

Peg-Leg: *Eye twitch; irritated* You mean the fun times YOU had..

It was immediatly, this guy was NOT a friend. The guardians and two present Rusherz got into a defensive position.

Sebastien Hankins: Aww, you mad about that Leggy.

Peg-Leg jolted his head up at that, disdain on his face

Peg-Leg: *anger* Me name is NOT leggy.

Sebastien Hankins: Oh pardon me... would you rather your given name Buccaneer De-

Faded Voices *Flashback*: DEMON! DEMON! SEE THE BUCCANEER DEMON! DEMON! DEMON! SEE THE BUCCANEER DEMON!

Peg-Leg: *Rage* DON'T YOU DARE CALL ME THAT!

His voice echoed in the restaurant as he sent daggers at the man. He blinked and quickly changed that into embarrassment as he looked around seeing everyone starring at him, his face going red. This was enough as Sonar place a protective arm around him, Spot growled and the Guardians sent glares at him...this man was NO FRIEND.

Ish: I think, it's best if we go..And you *to the man* Stay AWAY from Peg-Leg. FAR AWAY.

With that they quickly left the restaurant. Peg-Leg was trembling as they walked away.

Ash: *Concern* Peg-Leg-

Peg-Leg: I am so sorry for me outburst...I-It will not happen again, promise.

Sonar: *Concern* Peg-Leg, is everything alright?

He nodded.

Peg-Leg: I-I wish to go home...

They nodded, not wanting to pry anymore as they walked back to the stadium as the sounds of the night was the only one remaining.


HOK, bit later...

Ish:-And that's what happened.

RZ and the other Rusherz nodded, the Guardians and two Rusherz had to tell them what had happen after what they witnesses.

RZ: This is the first time i am hearing of this. Peg-Leg has nevered mentioned or wrote about this man in any data.

Liberty: Where is he now?

Spot: In his room, hasn't come out since.

With that in mind Liberty walked off to the Buccaneers room, quietly followed by the others. Making to their quarters he was about to knock, but froze as he heard a muffle sound. Liberty ushering the others over.

Tua: Something wrong?

Liberty gave a quiet sign to them.

Liberty: Listen...

They all listen carefully, and their hearts broke.

Alto: He's-crying.

Troy: Why is he crying?

Ricky: Did this guy really bother him that much?

Spot quietly creaked the door open, seeing Peg-Leg crying in the pillow, his eye patch off but he could not see the said location.

Spot: You think it was about the patch?

Ish: I think so...but if that's the case...that's low...

Peg-Leg did not hear them, as he allow the painful memories back in.


Years ago...

Sebastien Hankins: THIS is the team's Rusher, THIS GUY! How is the world is he a protector for this team, he's missing a LEG for pete sake.

Peg-Leg was writing down the attendance for the game that was going on. He was so invested that he was surprised to find himself on the ground groaning, and slowly getting up hearing laughter.

Teen 2: How are you even able to stand!

Peg-Leg turned to face the three teens, disdain on his face.

Peg-Leg: Do you boys mind, I'm workin-

Peg-Leg found himself staring into the leader's eyes.

Sebastien Hankins: Seriously, how did you lose a leg?

Peg-Leg: I was born without it, there are folks who are born without a limb and still are athletic. I can give you names.

Teen 3: That include you eye patchy.

Peg-Leg blushed at that, holding his eye-patched eye.

Peg-Leg: That's personal information there you three should not be-

The three teens then jumped and try to grab him, the Rusher dodging them as to avoid getting hurt. It went one for who knows how long, when the leader grabbed the eye-patch and ripped it off...and they froze. They saw it.

Sebastien Hankins: *Laughing* # % #$, Look at you! YOUR A FREAK! A GENUINE FREAK! HEY EVERYONE LOOK AT THE BUCCANEER DEMON!

Peg-Leg covered his eye in fear and tears as all three of them chanted.

All three: DEMON! DEMON! SEE THE BUCCANEER DEMON! DEMON! DEMON! SEE THE BUCCANEER DEMON!

Peg-Leg was unconscious minded as he swung his sword at them, the officer running over hearing them and the seeing the crowd. Peg-Leg dropped his sword and ran off away from the Stadium in tears and crying. He didn't hear them calling his name, all he could hear was his own tears as he ran off.


Present, the next day...

Peg-Leg was waiting in the main room. He woke up with tears stains on his face, but he quickly recovered himself as work needed to be down. Those three Anticorians weren't going to be stopped by one self. He smiled seeing the Guardians walk in.

Peg-Leg: Hello Guardians.

Marty: Hey Peg-Leg, how are you feeling?

Peg-Leg: F-Fine. Right now, we got some problems at Tampa Bay. We were, as you remember the conversation, planing to upgrade the megacore vault but those three caught wind and are wandering the area.

Ish: We're on it, ready?

All five: GOT IT!

With a shout, they were armored up and the group being lead by Peg-Leg into the portal...RZ however, had a bad feeling in his system that something was going to go wrong. And it wasn't the idea of losing a Megacore.


Raymond James Stadium...

They landed on the field just in time to see the three rouge heading to the ship.

Peg-Leg: HEY! SCULLEY-WAGS! YOUR CHALLENGE IS OVER HERE!

They turned and glared.

Stellaria: Well, we should have know you would be here.

Ricky: Well you should have known you would cheat, ICE BLAST POWER PASS!

With a shot of Ice the battle was on, as Peg-Leg ran over to retrieve the Megacore. He dodge the clashes of Guardian and Anticorian powers and attacks. Oh how he wished those three would just quit, but then again those three determination were the cause of their anger towards them. Peg-Leg smiled as he reached the chest where the Megacore was when-

Sebastien Hankins: SURPRISE!

Peg-Leg was kicked off the ship, still holding the Megacore and landed in front of everyone. He sat up, shaking his head. He saw everyone looking at him in shock, seeing a man holding a camera.

Peg-Leg: What's going-

He turned...and froze looking at the large screen. He saw himself, and his eye-patch was off. It reveled his eye, which he still had, was a glowing Bloody red. Irirs, Sclera, pupil. all a bloody red as the very enemy Blitzbots.

Sebastien Hankins: *Laughing* SEE THE BUCCANEER DEMON!

Peg-Leg eyes widen...the whole world knew now. The three Anticorians looked disgusted at him.

Angkoro: What the-disgusting...

Stellaria: I can see why you hide it, gross creature.

Peg-Leg shoke in tears, and anger. He turned to the man letting his emotions out.

Peg-Leg: *Tears and anger* IS THIS REALLY WHAT YOU WANTED! TO SEE ME SUFFER! WHAT DID I EVER DO TO YOU HUH? WHAT DID I DO TO RECEIVE THIS CRUELTY! JUST BECAUSE WE'RE NOT POPULAR, JUST BECAUSE WERE DIFFERENT! YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO-TO DO THIS YOU-YOU-YOUR JUST AS WORSE AS THE ENEMY I FACE!

Peg-Leg held the Megacore in his arms as he ran off in tears as Sebastien Hankins laughed, making a portal and disappearing from site.

Sebastien Hankins: Oh this is brilliant! Look at that! The Guardians saw his little Bot-eye!

The Anticorians looked at the Guardians, and quickly left. Sebastien Hankins stopped laughing and froze, feeling the unbridled rage on them.

Ish: *Anger* What, the heck, IS WRONG WITH YOU!

He was about to leave, but then felt pain as he was tackled to the ground. His eyes looked to see a VERY peeved of Derrick Brooks, eyes in anger. His appearance also surprised the Guardians, but then-

Guardians: *Worry* PEG-LEG!


later...

Peg-Leg continued to run. He had no idea where he was, where he was going or how long it had been since he ran off. He finally stopped, panting as he looked up at the sky. It was dusk, and he fell to the sandy ground, covering his face sobbing. He felt so upset, it was not his fault his eye was like this. It was once blind, born with it, but when he lost his parents in a Blitz bot raid on the ship, a malfunction Blitz-bomb went off hitting his eye, giving him his site...but it was now that red coloring.

Peg-Leg: *tears* I-I feel so-stupid...How-Did i really think i could hide this forever, now the others will hate me for this.

?: Peg-Leg?

He looked up. Alto was starring at him in shock, worry and concern. Peg-Leg immediately hid his head again fearing on what the Saint Rusher would do now with this information, But Alto went over and kneeled next to him, gently sitting him up.

Peg-Leg: *tears; fears the worse* P-Please no-

Alto instead, wiped the sand from his face.

Alto: *Concern* Thank goodness your not hurt. Nothing is broken right?

Peg-Leg shoke his head in surprise, before he hugged Alto as tears fell more. Alto returning the hug immediately.

Peg-Leg: *Sobbing* I... I... I'm sorry...I-I'm so sorry...It-It's not me fault I'm like this...

Alto: *Comforting* Shhh, it's alright. It's okay. I'm not mad, i was worried as the rest when we saw you run off. It's okay, they can't hurt you here.

It was a few minutes before Peg-Leg calmed down, sniffles being the only thing remaining in his tired body.

Alto: Come on, you can tell me everything back at the dome okay?

He nodded, as Alto helped Peg-Leg up and led him back to his stadium.


Little bit later, Mercedes-Benz Superdome...

Peg-Leg sighed calmly as he took another drink from the cool cup of Sazerac, Alto made it to help the Buc regain his strength after running for so long. They were sitting in one of the special seating rooms of the stadium.

Alto: You alright to talk?

He nodded.

Peg-Leg: A-Aye... Me eye, once was blind. A malfunctioned blitz-bomb wave hit it and made it this, it did however given me me eye-site back. I know yer all are wondering, why I covered it up..*Alto nodded*..Well, other than the fact i was petrified on how others would react, I was bullied too, here on earth by a gang. *Tears started to form* ...But the worst was that after that one season when they found out, Those gang members once they found out, they called me Pink eye, or Abomination, saying that i should never existed..they said-sa-said-

Alto raised his hand up stopping him.

Alto: You don't need to say anymore. I heard what that jerk said on the TV, right thing he was arrested.

Peg-Leg eyes widen at that.

Peg-Leg: He was arrested?

Alto: Of course he was! After what he did to you-Why in the world would we allow someone like that out and about! I- -Sighs- I just wish you told us sooner.

Peg-Leg: I just though it wouldn't be that much of a trouble to put you through...until, last night at the restaurant.

Alto nodded in response taking a sip of his own drink.

Alto: We also heard you crying last night.

Peg-Leg checks turned a dusty pink at that, knowing that the others heard him. It was then the door opened, revealing Toro walking in and closing the door.

Toro: Others should be here soon, never heard such panicked voices in their call.

Peg-Leg turned to Alto, confused as to how Toro was here.

Alto: Was helping me with planning the defenses when we saw what happened and we went looking for you, called him while making the drinks.

Peg-Leg nodded in understanding...Alto remembered how the Guardians and other Rusherz were still in shock, how could one of there own be tormented like that just for one difference.

Peg-Leg: I really thought that this guy would finally leave me alone, guess i was wrong.

Toro: You should have told us this was going on in the first place. Especially about your eye.

That made Peg-Leg blush a bit at that.

Peg-Leg: Well, how in the world would i know how you react seeing the eye of the enemy on your friend.

Alto: It's still YOU though, red eye or not your still you.

Peg-Leg gave a small smile at that.

Peg-Leg: I guess...

Toro: ALSO, if it make you feel better Derrick Brooks and the rest of the Bucs put the beat down on that punk.

Peg-Leg: Hold on wh-

The door knocked again, catching their attention.

Alto: He's here, you can come in.

The Guardians, de-morphed, came in closing the door behind them, relieved looks on their faces.

Ish: Thank goodness your alright.

Peg-Leg: Y-Yes, sorry for running off like that.

Ash: Peg-Leg, it's okay. You were upset and for good reason. That guy was way out of line for calling you that name.

Marty: Though, we're kinda glad you left cause when the rest of the Bucs came out, it was a beat down of the ages on that field.

Peg-Leg was quiet shuffling in his seat at that. His TEAM found out, and by the sounds of it they were NOT happy.

Peg-Leg: Oh boy...Scale of one to ten, how big of a beat down?

Troy: Enough that even the retirees visiting got shots in.

Peg-leg flinched. If any anger came from this discover, it came from the team- once they found out...no mercy was given to that man. If this guy made not only present day players but also those from the past and retired, he was very glad he DID NOT had to witness the brutality that man received.

Peg-Leg: 12 then. Great the media is gonna have a field day.

Tua: Already are, that camera man was there filming a documentary and caught the entire thing.

The three Rusherz paled at that, especially Peg-Leg when he remembered seeing the camera man on the field when he fell.

Alto: Even that beat down-

Troy: Full thirty minutes of it, live.

Peg-Leg paled even more at the last word.

Peg-leg: *pale* L-Li-Lil-Li-Live?


little bit later, Raymond James Stadium...

Peg-Leg was sweating as he and the others went to the locker room. It took some convincing but they decided it was best for Peg-Leg to explained what happened. Opening the doors they saw the team, as well as the people documenting.

Peg-Leg: Oh boy...

Ish, who was in Guardian armor like the others, went down to him and went quiet.

Ish: Peg-Leg, i know how you feel right now...but they want to help you. Bolt and my mom helped me when i was bullied, they will help you.

Peg-Leg took a breath and nodded, walking in as everyone looked at him and took his hat off.

Bryan Glazer: *Concern* Peg-Leg...

Peg-Leg: E-Everyone...I-I'm truly sorry for not telling you about me eye...i-i was scared..of what you would think of me with it, a-and it did not help that those men-

Peg-Leg trailed off looking away, sighing as tears fell.

Peg-Leg: W-We Rusherz might be completely different from humans, but we're a bit just like you in the end...we-we all have something we fear. We all have our faults used against us..

Joel Glazer:...We know...we just, what that guy did was low, extremely low.

Tony Dungy: The way he treated you, we just kinda...okay we really lost it there.

Peg-Leg looked at them surprised.

Charley Hannah: Let's be honest if not for the Guardians that ugly mugs face would be unrecognizable.

Peg-Leg: H-Hold on a moment...you, you did that to stand up for me?

Randall McDaniel: Of course we did! Even though some of us were traded from the Bucs or were not on the team long, we'll always have you guys backs.

Everyone agreed.

Bryan Glazer: GRANTED, we may have gone overboard.

Joel Glazer: The two of us especially...


An hour ago...

Derrick Brooks: *Rage* WHAT THE ACTUAL %#$ %!

Sebastien was bruised and Bloody as he starred in horror at the VERY TICKED off team of Tampa Bay who were giving him glares and range, the Guardians holding them back a bit.

Sebastien Hankins: L-Look, can you blame me for the fact he's a freak.

They were about to go at him once again when the owners came in.

Joel Glazer: What is going on-*sees the scene*-WHAT THE HECK!?

Bryan Glazer: Whose this?

The Buccaneers did not hesitant, in fact they were ready to see what the owners would do with this.

Mark Dominik: *Anger eyed him* This guy, he's been messing with Peg-Leg, bullying him even on his eye.

Jason Licht: FYI, he still has but it's all red. Calls him the *Spats in anger*Buccaneer demon. Attacked him during a FIGHT for pete sake!

Silence.

Glazer brothers: *Rising rage* BUCCANEER. DEMON.

Steve Wilson: *Bit of fear* Bo-boss?

They went to the man in anger slowly.

Glazer brothers: *Rage* BUCCANEER. DEMON...*Bother choke hold him* BUCCANEER DEMON!?

Immediately the team and Guardians had to retrain the owners as Tua super sized and held the man in place.

Bryan Glazer: *Rage* DEMON! DEMON! WHAT THE ACTUAL %# IS WRONG WITH YOU?!

Joel Glazer: *Rage* PEG-LEG IS THE FINEST RUSHER THIS TEAM IS BLESSED TO HAVE! YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO TREAT HIM LIKE THAT!

Mike Smith: *Winces* E-EASY!

Ish: *Load* ENOUGH!

Ish's voice echoed in the stadium, startling the team and his fellow Guardians. He took a breath to calm himself.

Ish: Call the police, we'll have it personally so that this man never gets near Peg-Leg again. Speaking of him he is the major concern right now. He ran off and we can't get a response from him...we have to find him.

Gosder Cherilus: *Nods* Guardian's right, we have to find Peg-Leg. As much as we want to make this, man' eat it, we should be looking for Peg-Leg.

Both the brothers calmed down and sighed agreeing.

Bryan Glazer: Right. Guardians, you create a search, given we're live we'll explain the situation to the best of our ability to the crew.

Joel Glazer: Keep us post, and please...bring Peg-Leg back, Bucs not the same without him.


Present...

Peg-Leg shoke, before he chuckled softly and smiled weakly as his tears fell faster.

Peg-Leg: Dang it boys. Really..you went THAT hard.

Ryan Fitzpatrick: CAN you blame us. The team might be lack luster at time but when it comes to the folks we love, we go ALL IN.

Peg-Leg slowly smiled, shaking his head at the comment.

Peg-Leg: I-I don't care what those media folks say, i got the finest crew of players that are worth more the silver, more than a ring. You all...are just perfect.

Bruce Arians: Just like you, red eye and all. Never forget that you got alot of folks who love you, no matter what.

He sobbed at the line nodding, he allowed his emotions he had been hiding from them forward.

Peg-Leg: *Sobs* I-I just-Thank you, all of you...

Peg-Leg went over as his team comforted him, the Guardians, Toro and Alto sighing in relief. As for the people documenting, well...it was still going live so they best decide to stop for the day after that, after all this ending of this part of the documentary was perfect. Peg-Leg tears gleamed from his red eye, the Rusher no longer afraid of hiding it from his friends and family...maybe, he could skip the eyepacth sometimes during the games. He was not afraid to let his eye show, cause he was not alone...he never was.

THE

END


Wrote this for Anti Bullying November. This had been in my mind before even writing Noble Six's Endgame Story 'inner Darkness". The concept of why Peg-Leg wears an eyepacth was always in my mind when i started watching the show, and it just stuck there. As a Buccaneer fan i can say i fully know well what's it's like to be scared to show something...cause I was afraid to tell folks in PA I was a Buc's fan in fear of being beaten up for not being a Stealer of a Eagles fan when i was little (They do not sugar coat what goes on with fans during games). I have grew out of that thankfully, knowing that there are alot more fans kind and sweet.

Anyway, I hope you don't mind this little conversation and thank you for reading this. Until next time, Catch you on the flip side :)