Part 2: Shanty
Raymond James Stadium, Tampa Bay...
High at the top of the famous ship of the Stadium, Peg-Leg looked through the telescope smiling and he hummed a buccaneer shanty. He looked at the city he loved dearly, watching as couples made their vows to children playing on the sandy shore. It was then he heard the sound of the portal and looked down, seeing Alto and Troy land.
Peg-Leg: *curious* Hmmm, what brings the Saints to Tampa Bay on off season.
.
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Troy: *looks around, sees the ship* I gotta admit, the ship really adds the touch.
Alto: Oh yeah, you should of seen Peg-Leg's face when he first saw it. He was in tears saying it was like the one he grew up in-speaking of him.
Peg-Leg swung over landing on the field. Even not wearing the team's uniform, he still had the look of the Buccaneer.
Peg-Leg: *smiles* Alto, Troy. It's good to see you, but what brings you to Tampa?
Troy was a bit embarrassed to explain the situation, so Alto took the reigns.
Alto: Troy's troubled with what happened on his first day and at Jr. Titains camp.
Peg-Leg: *concern* How troubled are we talking about?
Alto was hesitant on what he was about to say next.
Alto: *hesitant* Troubled that he-KINDA ran away back to New Orleans...at night.
...
Peg-Leg: *horrified* NEW ORLEANS AT NIGHT, TROY ARE YE INSANE! YOUR A CHILD! NEW ORLEANS OUTSIDE OF SPORT IS NO PLACE FOR A CHILD!
Troy: *Blushes a bit* I-I know-
Peg-Leg: *horrified; To Alto* Alto please tell me he wasn't anywhere near the 'party central' district-
Alto: *quick* NONONO, He was where his old house was no where near that area.
Peg-Leg sighed in relief hearing this, though Troy was left confused.
Troy: *confused* Um, 'Party Central' district?
Alto: Bourbon Street. That's where the bars are and TRUST ME, your not going anywhere near that area till you past twenty one got it?
Troy: *nods* Okay, I'll take your word for it.
Peg-Leg: -groans- Aye Troy your gonna be the one who gives us heart attacks. I'm glad Alto found you before you found yourself in a dangerous situation.
Troy: Yeah. Sorry for causing a panic.
Peg-Leg: *warm smile* Not your fault lad. We all had our troubling moments. I must ask, what do you need my assistance for?
Alto: Well I thought maybe Troy can hear us Rusherz of the NFC South, take a break from all the drama of recent events.
Peg-Leg nodded with a smile.
Peg-Leg: That's a good idea. Hope you don't mind hearing this Buc muse.
Troy: *Smiles* Don't mind at all.
Peg-Leg nodded as he led the two out of the stadium, continuing to hum the shanty as they left.
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Peg-leg took a deep breath, sighing in content as he looked out to the glistening water.
Peg-Leg: Beautiful isn't it.
Troy, Alto, and Peg-Leg were looking out at the waters on the Tampa River-walk.
Peg-Leg: It's becomes gorgeous once sun rise and set comes.
Troy: I bet.
Alto: He's right, it sure gets pretty when dawn and dusk come.
Troy: It's really soothing too..you must come here alot when-well..
Peg-Leg eye rose.
Peg-Leg: Let me guess, when me team is being 'lacklustered'?
Troy: A-And-the disappointing games they played and do on games. You have to be dissapointed sometimes.
Peg-Leg: 'DISAPPOINTED'?
Troy bit his lip nodding-prompting Peg-Leg to laugh and surprise the Guardian.
Peg-Leg: *laughs* W-When in the universe would i be dissapointed with me boys?! T-That is insane!
Troy was surprise at the reaction as Alto chuckled.
Alto: Troy, Peg-Leg has more pride for his team that even those heckles had to admit his dedication. Trust me, not one bit is he ever dissapointed in his team.
Now that made Troy even more surprise hearing this as Peg-Leg calmed down.
Peg-Leg: Ahh, that's a new one for me. *looks at Troy* Best to better explain me-self.
Troy: *really surprise* Uh YES. Not to be rude but the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are, KINDA have the lowest team percentage of winning.. .404.
Peg-Leg gave a small chuckle as he looked out at the water.
Peg-Leg: Aye..I don't think about wins or loses, i think about learning what to do next. How to improve with each win and lose. I see how my team puts their all in, and even when we lose i know they put their heart and souls to it. They never give up, nor let those hecklers bother them, but-I'll be honest, the only time i was worried about us was when i found out about the issue.
Troy: Issue?
Alto flinched at Troy's question, and Peg-Leg face fell.
Peg-Leg: *looks down*-Me team was heading to bankruptcy. *Troy's eyes widen* Turns out the owner that passed that time had a lawsuit and a trust account gone awol. I had no idea what was to come, what was to happen to my friends on the team...I-I thought I was gonna lose them. The others did all they could to get enough for maybe me to buy the team but, nothing. I still am grateful for their help during that time.
Troy:-What happened? Your team is still here so what happened?
Peg-Leg gave a small smile, a small tear falling.
Peg-Leg: HE CAME-
January, 1995...
Alto sighed as he looked at the bucket, seeing the pocket change inside.
Alto: -sighs- Still small...
He looked up hearing flapping as saw Talon land with a bucket as well.
Alto: Any luck?
Talon: *shakes his head* Not even close.
Claw: *runs over* Same here. Got a call from Sonar and he's not having any luck.
Alto: It's the same with everyone else.
All three Rusherz looked down at their buckets, seeing only pocket change inside. Sadness was on their faces.
Claw: What are we gonna do, this-this is nowhere near enough for the Bucs.
Talon: And Peg-leg's on his last tread. If this keeps up he's gonna-
?: Excuse me?
All three turned-mouths dropping at the man walking up to him.
Alto: *shock* Y-Your Malcolm Glazer!
Malcolm Glazer: *chuckles* Seems i have a reputation even in the Rush Zone.
Talon: Not just the Rush Zone, you one of the biggest real estate magnate on the list! You even got control of a president's oil and gas company! Not to mention you success on the diversifion on turning oil into fish protein and making the Caribbean Supermarkets is huge.
Malcolm blushed at all that.
Claw: *Confused* Um, pardon me but-why are you here in Tampa?
Malcolm Glazer: I'm looking for the Buccaneer Rusher, do you know where he is?
All three bit their lip in worry.
All three: Yeah, Currently about to have a melt down.
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Later, Tampa Stadium...
Malcolm Glazer: Oh dear...
Peg-Leg was frazzled at the rickety desk surrounded by bills and legal paperwork, shaking as he tired to figured out how to get his team out of this mess. Talon knocked on the door startling the Buc Rusher.
Talon: Sorry Peg-Leg but um-you have a visitor.
Peg-Leg looked up seeing Malcolm, though surprise he gave a small weak smile.
Peg-Leg: Malcolm Glazer, I-It's a pleasure to meet you. I-I would like to offer you a seat but um-kinda on a time crunch right now.
Malcolm Glazer: Time Crunch?
Peg-Leg: *smile falls* Aye, if i don't figure out how to get us out of the red money wise-*trails of..shakes his head*-i don't want to think about that. Thinking equals worries.
Malcolm Glazer: Well you shouldn't have to worry. In fact, you shouldn't have to be doing all that paperwork now.
That got him confused as were the other three.
Peg-Leg: *confused; worried* But-but the time and-and the bills-
Malcolm Glazer: Oh don't you worry, my sons got that all handled. It's gonna be their jobs for a while after all.
...
Peg-Leg bolted up running over hearing this with the papers flying; Alto, Claw and Talon were speechless at what he said.
Peg-Leg: *Stunned* How-you-i mean-did you-
All three Rusherz: *regains mind* YOU BOUGHT THE BUCS?!
Malcolm laughed warmly with a nod, going down to Peg-Leg with a warm smile.
Malcolm Glazer: Won with $192 million smackers. My family will make this team more active with our friends and we'll make sure your Shard is in good hands. My sons Avram, Bryan, Edward and Joel are handling the financial situation right now and we are fully committed to having you team stay in place-all be it with a new stadium, seriously you need a better office than this-
Peg-Leg almost fell to his knees but grabbed Malcolm, tears and sobs of pure relief on his face.
Peg-Leg: *relief, tears, and sobs* B-By the Core I-I just-I thought-shaky breath- Malcolm, thank you.
Malcolm hugged Peg-Leg calming his racing heart.
Present...
Peg-Leg: *pricked tears*-If not for Malcolm and his family, I fear i would lose the people I come to love, Both city and team. I'll admit, I grow attach easy..but i can't help it. I been nothing but blessed meeting my friends, team, and fans.
Troy eyes were pricked with tears too as he rubbed them, Alto placing a comforting hand on his arm.
Troy: I-I had no idea just how much your team means to you. I know your teams mean alot but-you really cherish them huh Peg-Leg.
Peg-Leg nodded with a warm smile.
Alto: You were so happy when you guys won your first Super Bowl.
Peg-Leg: Heh, gonna be honest thought Pillage's team would have us by the throats. We were against AL DAVIS'S TEAM, the man could still send shivers down ye spine even beyond the sky.
Troy: Oh yeah, i remember reading about it. Called the 'Pirate Bowl' given both teams.
Peg-Leg: -sighs- Ah but it was a glorious season. Perhaps the time will come again when the world is faced with the unknown for us to raise silver again. For now, *Smirks* I'm patient. I've been rewarded doing that, so I'll be patient.
...
Troy was in awe at the Buccaneer Rusher. Peg-Leg was devoted to the Rusherz, the NFL, and his team. He truly loved his team dearly, he didn't care about what anyone said about them. To him, THEY WERE MORE PRECIOUS than even the Super Bowl trophy. Peg-Leg was face with any sport teams worst nightmare and was working hard to save his team-he never gave up. HIS TEAM NEVER GAVE UP.
Troy:-The Bucs are really blessed to have you.
Peg-Leg looked over at Troy with a smile.
Peg-Leg: Thank ye, Troy.
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All three were walking down the riverside back to the stadium.
Peg-Leg: So, i suggest meeting with Claw next. The panther beens though nightmare and back.
Troy: Claw-he's one of the Rusherz that got Blitz right?
Alto: -sighs- Yeah, he's also the one who helped break Ish out of Sudden Death's clutches..and got punished for it.
Peg-Leg: Got the heart transplant thanks to that. No clue how he feels about it being a few years since then, if his mind has healed fully from the ordeal. So, tread carefully Troy.
Troy nodded, his thoughts wondering to the Panther Rusher. He had to be careful not to bring up bad memories regarding that.
To Be continued..