This story is in memory of Jim Brown.
Forever the Greatest
May 19, 2023; Cleveland Browns Stadium...
K-9: -*looks at a paper* Okay, so first game is the preseason opener at the hall of fame with the Jets. Then we go up against the Commanders at our place, then the last two area away games before the season opener.
K-9 was reading over the schedule in his office, making sure the dates and times were correct for the 2023 season. He sighed.
K-9: And then-oh boy- we have DOUBLE RIVALRY GAMES BACK TO BACK, facing the Titains week three before another rivalry game. Dang. I get their big money sellers and fan hype but we're gonna be exhausted with these-
The phones ran next to him, catching his attention. His eye raised at the number as he picked up the phone.
K-9: K-9, Cleveland Browns Rusher.
?:-K-9.
He sat up straight recognizing the voice.
K-9: Jimmy why are you calling from another line?
The owner was silent there, worry the Rusher.
K-9:-Jimmy, what's wrong? What happened?
Jimmy Haslam: K-9, listen to me careful.
K-9 nodded, and The owner of the Browns spoke-
-k-9 dropped the phone.
Few minuted later, HOK...
Fang: Seriously, back to back games between Rivals RZ. And poor K-9 having a third one the week after three.
RZ couldn't help but chuckled at the Bangles face, Blow-Torch sighing.
Blow-Torch: They probably want to amp up Ohio more with that idea.
RZ: in any case, we'll still keep an eye for any trouble-
A screen popped up, showing it was from the Browns Stadium.
Blow-Torch: Probably K-9 asking the same question as you Fang.
He opened the screen-and all three paled seeing K-9's face. He had a look of shock and sorrow on his face, tears falling from his eyes.
Fang: *worry* K-9 are you alright?!
He just starred at them.
RZ: K-9, What's going-
K-9: Dead.
They felt their stomachs dropped hearing his voice.
Blow-Torch: *fear* W-What?
K-9: He-He's dead.
Fang: *hesitant*-Wh-Whose dead?
K-9:-H-He's dead.
A portal opened as Scavenger walked, before running over seeing the scene.
Scavenger: K-9?!
RZ: K-9 please, you need to be specific.
K-9 just starred, saying the same line.
Blow-Torch: I don't think he's in the state of mind to talk.
Scavenger:-I know who he is talking about, i was just about to give you the news.
Both turned to look at the Raven, wearing a solemn look on his face.
RZ: Scavenger, WHO DIED.
Scavenger took a breath and-
Scavenger: Jim Brown. Age 87.
The room fell silent at this, only K-9's line repeating.
Blow-Torch: We have to get K-9 home now.
The three nodded before running off, stopping to turn to RZ.
Fang: R-RZ-please, let the others know. E-Especially Marty.
RZ: Of course.
Marty's house...
Marty: *solemn* Y-Yeah, saw the news. It's-a shock for sure but-87 is a pretty long life.
Marty sat in the living room, his friends and family around him. Needless to say, the loyal Brown fan Guardian was left in shock at the news.
RZ: I agree, he did live a long life. But-it's still sad that he has left us.
Marty father: I agree. Just let us know if there is anything we can do and we'll be over.
RZ: I thank you all for the offer.
Marty: *realization* -K-9. How is he handling all this.
RZ shoke his head sadly.
RZ: He's-in catatonic shock.
Ish: I can, sadly, see that.
Marty: Should we come over to check on him?
RZ: The rest of the AFC North Rusherz had gone ahead to see him and to help him.
Harper: Not to mention, i think we should give him some space.
Marty nodded.
Marty: Just promise to keep us posted on him, as well as when the funeral is.
Meanwhile, Cleveland Browns Stadium...
K-9: He's dead.-He's dead.-He's dead.
Those words kept repeating even after the screen went dark, now starring at the wall. The door opened as Fang, Scavenger and Blow-Torch ran over.
Blow-Torch: Man he's really out of it.
Fang, not knowing what else to do, rubbed his head to K-9's giving a comforting purr. Scavenger gentle grabbed K-9's hand.
Scavenger: K-9? K-9 can you hear us?
Blow-Torch went over, sitting all of them down as he shoke the Brown Rusher.
Blow-Torch: K-9?
K-9 finally stopped, blinking as he looked around seeing all three Rusherz present.
K-9: I-I just-guys what-?
Blow-Torch: You were in shock repeating the same line over and over. Don't blame ya though.
K-9, remembering what had happened, sighed as his tears fell faster.
K-9: *tears falling* Jim Browns dead-I-I mean, he was getting up there in years but-hard to tell with how much these guys are like spring chicks. I-I just-you get use to it, but it still hits you.
Fang curled around him in a hug.
Fang: We know. We're so sorry K-9.
K-9: *Closes his eyes* T-Thank you...can we go home. I-I want to take a break from here.
Scavenger: Of course.
Scavenger made the portal home as K-9 was helped up by Blow-Torch and Fang. All four walked through the portal.
Quarters, Few hours later...
Stampede: How is he?
Blow-Torch nodded turning to the couch. The word spread fast with the NFL sending thoughts to Jim Browns family, friends, and teams. K-9 sat looking emotionally exhausted with Fang curled up and to him on one side, and Scavenger comforting him on the other.
Blow-Torch: Not in shock anymore, just reflecting on memories. He's gonna be out of it for a while though.
Stampede: I'm glad you guys went after him. Who knows what could of happened to him in that state.
Blow-Torch: I can-almost happened to me. *turns to the couch* We got an eye on him, promise.
Stampede warmly smiled at that.
Stampede: I know you three do. We'll be making preparations for the funeral. Freedom's got the HOF flag at half mast, so I'm gonna go check and see what else we can do.
The Steel city Rusher gave a nod as Stampede left. He went over to the microwave getting out a warm drink, walking it over and handing it to K-9.
Blow-Torch: Something warm to help.
K-9: Tha-Thank you.
K-9 took a sip before Blow-Torch sat down.
Fang: It's gonna be weird not seeing him come in here.
Scavenger: Agree, but we still got good memories. Not to mention if one of us gets-well, pummeled-we see him.
K-9 nodded in silent agreement. He was still in a bit of shock on the news and Blow-torch knew that.
Blow-Torch:-You know i have great respect for him.
K-9 nearly dropped his drink as he, Fang and Scavenger turned in shock hearing this for the first time.
Blow-Torch: Mind you i had it even before I reconciled with you Karniverious. Never told you this but man Jim was persistent with wanting me to talk to you about those one sided quarrels. *smirks* When he finally heard I stopped fighting you after the incident during your hiatus, he gave me the BIGGEST, COCKIEST SMIRK I've seen on his face saying 'See how easy it was'. I swear he could had been one heck of a coach if he wanted to.
K-9 covered his mouth with a free hand chuckling, the two snickers at this.
Fang: Oh yeah, my team before we joined still remember how FAST he was on the field. 1, 863 rushing yards, BURNED in my brain. It's no wonder why he could never be tackled.
Scavenger: Never, it would take the entire defensive squad to take him down.
K-9 chuckled a bit at the memory, as well as the shocked looks on newbies faces when they saw Jim Brown in action.
K-9: I remember when he started playing for a big screen audience. Rio Conchos, October 23 1964. He got the talent for both sports and screen, but that movie was so-cringing that i can't help but make it a guilty pleasure of mine.
Fang: Oh shards YES! He played Sergeant Franklyn in that movie. He got alot of movie roles after that. My favorite was 100 rifles. Ya know the one with Raquel Welch and Burt Reynolds. That's my guilty pleaser movie.
They chuckled at that.
Blow-Torch: He's probably challenging Franco up there right now. Franco nearly made Jim come out of retirement when he was close to breaking his all time running record.
K-9: Oh ohhh yeah, he was tick. He called me to vent for about a whole hour, saying how he had the obsession to run out of bonds.
Blow-Torch: YES! And then the two raced against eachother!
K-9: 5.72 second for Jim. You can retiree form Football but you can't take it out of the player.
The were smiling in silence for a while. K-9 groaned pinching his nose.
K-9: As many good memories i had with him he gave me SO MUCH STRESS afterwards. I think you know what.
All three nodded.
Scavenger: Well, the 1960s were a stressful time as is so it's hard to remove all that stress-
He trailed off, as all three looked at the bridge of K-9's nose. He closed his eyes-before removing the white tape on it revealing a scar. He gentle touched it feeling it stinging a bit, though not in pain but there was some discomfort.
K-9:-I'll admit, that day was not my finest moment. I still wonder, if I haven't talked back with that guy, if i just took Jim and walked away.
Fang went close to him giving him a hug, followed by Scavenger, and Blow-Torch.
K-9:-Guess, there no reason to worry about that. Huh? Besides, I'm lucky to have known him.
He gave a small smile with the others as they remained in silence.
.
.
.
.
Night had come at last. K-9 sat on the roof of the hall fo fame looking at the night sky. He heard the sound of jets and someone landing, giving a small smile.
K-9: Figure you would come here soon.
Marty de-transformed walking over and sitting next to K-9, bot looking at the sky.
Marty: Sorry for you lose K-9.
K-9: Thank you, know he lived a long life but it still hits you hard...How are you doing? I know Jim was a big influence on you.
Marty gave a sad smile.
Marty: I'm okay. It's still a shock, but i know his life was good-
K-9: And at some points stressful.
Marty: *chuckled* Yeah.
Both looked at the sky.
Marty:-I'm glad i met him.
Silence.
K-9: Me too. He defiantly is, and forever will be, the greatest.
Both smiled as they continued to watch at the sky.
K-9: Come and visit sometime. Or, i can visit you. Till next time-Old friend.
THE
END