Part 3: String Bands
Ish ran into the Hall of Fame looking for his mom, finding her on the phone and away from the crowd of visitors.
Sandra Taylor: *on the phone*-Thank you for telling me. I'll make sure Ish and the others knows as well.
Ish: *Worry* MOM!
Sandra Taylor: Ish?
She turned seeing her son run up as she hung up, worry on his face.
Ish: *Worry* Mom, have you seen Troy? Me and the others haven't seen him anywhere and he isn't responding to any calls.
Sandra Taylor: *calm* No I have not seen him, but I did get word on where he is. He was in New Orleans with Alto, but is now heading to Carolina with Peg-Leg joining them.
That got him even more worried and concern.
Ish: *Worry;concern* Wait, New Orleans? Is he okay?
Sandra gave her son a smile and nod.
Sandra Taylor: He's feeling better, Alto is currently giving him a tour of the NFC South.
Ish smiled hearing this, relieved that Troy was okay and in good company with the Rusherz...but he was also confused on why Troy was there in the first place.
Ish: Seems Troy is gonna learn about the NFC South like with Marty and the AFC. Hey Mom, can you explain what happened to this point?
Meanwhile; Carolina, Bank of America Stadium...
Troy followed Alto and Peg-Leg down the hall, hearing the sound of a violin.
Troy: Music? Whose playing here, it's not even close to training camp.
Alto: It must be Claw. Sometimes plays his instrument on days like this.
Peg-Leg: Ah the lad must be feeling the blues as you Troy, good thing we're visiting then.
Troy nodded as they reached the outside. Claw was sitting on the wall at one of the end zones playing, eyes close as he softly smiled. Troy-was in awe at the Panther Rusher's playing and both Rusherz saw this with smiles.
Alto: I know, to think he's been doing this three years now.
That made Troy in more awe hearing this. Claw ear twitched as he stopped, lowering the instrument and seeing Troy, Alto and Peg-Leg.
Claw: *bit surprise* Hey guys. Didn't get word from RZ you were all coming today.
Peg-Leg: That because he didn't. It's more of a break day for Troy here.
Claw looked at Troy, concern on his face and he lept down to them.
Claw: *concern* Is everything alright Troy?
Troy: *bit down* Not really..I'm a bit dissapointed with what happened with Titan camp and my first day. Been bugging me lately.
Claw nodded in understanding.
Claw: It's okay, it's not your fault. It's still new to you so their will be bumps, Besides it was a good idea going to the Superdome to clear your head.
Troy nervously chuckled at that, the two Rusherz facepalming.
Troy: *nervous* About that actually-
...
Claw: *shock* NIGHT! YOU WANDERED NEW ORLEANS CITY AT NIGHT?!
Troy: Yeah...
Troy gave a sheepish smiled, Peg-Leg shaking his head and Alto sighed.
Claw:-*takes a breath; sighs* Be very glad Grizzly and Swoop do not know this yet, otherwise you would have your head chewed on for about an hour.
Troy: *nods* Y-eah, I hear rumors that they are protective of kids so I'm-pretty sure that will happen eventually.
Alto: So with him in New Orleans and feeling down, I've been taking Troy on a tour of the NFC South as a break. Peg-Leg joined us back in Tampa and we headed here.
Claw blinked, but slowly smiled nodding.
Claw: Well, so long as you didn't get hurt that's okay. But please next time don't go outside the Superdome alone, it's not a family friendly place unless it's a sports day. More than happy to help Troy.
Troy: Got it, and thank you. *concern* Everything okay? Alto and Peg-Leg said you only played this instrument when your feeling down. Which again, did not know you could play.
Claw smile went small a bit.
Claw: Yeah, just-thinking of someone.
The group went over and all four sat on the field.
Peg-Leg: You talking about Sam Mills jr., right?
Troy: OH! He was your team's Coach back in-*trails off*
Claw nodded, Troy could see a tear fall from his eyes and it click.
Troy: *worry* Oh man, Claw I'm sorry-
Claw: No no, it's okay. It's-It's been a couple years since he left us, but-it still hurts.
Alto: *closes his eyes* Yeah. Been eight years, Sam Mills was a good coach and a good man too. *opens eyes; to Troy* He was a coach for the Browns, my team and Claw's. His life-was tragically cut short due to cancer.
Peg-Leg: He fought as long as he could, defiantly left an impact on you team Claw.
Troy was confused and that's when he remembered the recent change.
Tory: Oh, he's the inspiration for the 'Keep Pounding' motto.
Claw: Yep. It's been on my mind recently so i just thought I play a few tunes. Music has been a huge help with getting back to, whatever normalacy is to us.
Alto and Peg-Leg: *nods in agreement* Preach it brother.
That got the Guardians chuckling a bit, but soon Troy pondered on this-then took a breath and a leap of faith.
Troy: Sorry for bringing up the worst memory of all, but-did you start after what happened with Sudden Death?
Troy was waiting for the bomb drop of emotions-but, it never came. Instead, Claw had a warm smile.
Claw: No, your not but-Yeah. It did, was a few months after the surgery-
June, 2011...
Claw was taking a walk around the city with Sam Mills III, looking at the stitches on his chest. He kept on rubbing it still feeling the marks and suechers-
Sam Mills III: *gently grabs Claw hands* Easy Claw, your gonna accidentally rip the stitches open.
Claw's mind returned to the present, nodding a thanks.
Claw: Sorry Sammy, still bugs me a little.
Sam Mills III: I understand completely. Your still on the mend mentally so take your time.
Claw gave a smile nodding.
Claw: Thanks. Just, looking at it I can't help but fiddle with it. Feels so weird.
Sam III nodded. Claw had been fiddling with the healed stitches recently (as would some when healing from surgery), so he and the team have been trying to find ways to keep his hands off of them. It was there they heard music, Claw's ear twitching as he went to the sound with Sam III into the large crowd. Sam III saw a young women playing a violin, and he could tell she had skill. He looked down to speak to Claw, only to see him watch in awe.
Claw: Lindsey Stirling. I heard her violin skills and passion have been a huge hit online lately. Look at her go.
Sam Mills III: Yeah-*noticed his hands*
He could see Claw fingers follow the beat and a small smile on his face-and that when it click. An idea formed in his head as he smiled.
.
.
The next day...
Claw lept out the portal ready for training camp when the team came over smiling.
Claw: *smiles back* Hey guys, you seem excited for training camp.
?: It's not just that.
Claw got curious seeing Talon and Alto walk over with a case.
Claw: *curious* Alto? Talon? What brings you both here?
Derek Anderson: We actually talked with them and the others on something Sammy found out yesterday. Figured this will help keep the claws from the stitches.
Alto smiled as he handed Claw the case, noticing that it had his team's colors on it.
Alto: Peg-Leg wanted to join but a meeting came up, he says he hopes you like it.
Claw gave a small smile as he set the case down, opening it-and he was glad he placed it on the ground. It was a violin, black wood and blue highlights on it. The team and the two Rusherz smiled.
Claw: *awe* Whoa *feels the Violin*...this-this is mine?
Danny Morrison: Yep, we figured you like listening to violins so why not play it.
Talon: Give it a test Claw.
Claw slowly lifted the instrument, bringing the bow up to the strings. His eyes closed as he played some notes. Eventually, he got lost and merge the notes; Playing his team's song with a smile on his face. He stopped, lowing the bow as he opened his eyes-he blushed seeing he was still in the presence of his team and friends, who were in awe.
Claw: *sheepish smile* Hehe, sorry. Got lost in the notes-
Greg Olsen: *awe* Claw that was amazing.
Claw: *blush vanishes* Really?
Alto: *Awe;smiles* Yeah, some sessions here and there you'll be a professional fast.
The team and Talon agreed as Claw smile grew, feeling gratitude and love for his team and friends.
Claw:-Guys, thank you. Thank you so much.
Present...
Claw:-It's become a hobby of mine playing it since then. I-I know it doesn't erase what happened, being blitz and the punishment Sudden Death gave me for saving Ish. But, I'm really happy to have all you by my side during all those times.
Troy smiled after hearing this, as well as being relived.
Troy: *relieved* I'm gonna be honest, I was worried I brought up some bad memories.
Claw: Well if it helps I didn't know I was Blitz till I was freed. Nor did i find out about my heart till a week later. Our of the six; Me, Pillage and Stampede so far are the only ones who were unconscious being Blitz. Spot, he hasn't talked about it so it's up in the air if he knew or not. Not gonna push it on him to tell, no way.
Alto: Well right now The important thing is you all back, and now safe.
Peg-Leg: Agreed. Not to mention your healthy and your hearts is beating strong, just like your team.
Claw smile warmed hearing this as did Troy's, the Panther Rusher purring against Alto and Peg-Leg.
...
Being Blitz was a horrifying experience, especially to Claw who was punished in that from for saving Ish. From being blitz to having a failing heart and needing a transplant (how Freefall done it and saved an organ of all things Troy had no clue as of yet), Claw was placed in one trial to another. Still, Claw had his team and friends backing him up in his healing. Troy could see how the Panther appreciated them all, even the ones who sadly were not with them anymore. Troy hoped one day he could leave a mark-
The sound of his NFLR beeping caught their attention as Troy answered it.
Troy: Hello RZ-
?: *desperate* I NEED HELP! HEL-
The sounds fo something crashing down was heard as the three Rusherz paled.
All three: *panic;worry* TALON!?
Troy face paled, but he shoke his head thinking on the situation.
Alto: *panic;worry* THAT WAS TALON!
Peg-Leg: *panic;worry* What in the world is going on?!
Claw: *panic;worry* Given the tone he must be in danger-
Troy jumped up fast with a shout, armor on.
Troy: Alto make a portal fast! We need to get to Talon ASAP! No clue what we're facing but it's better than waiting!
Alto did not hesitate as he made the portal and all four ran into it.
Troy's thoughts: Talon..why do i have a feeling it might be a little difficult? No matter, he matters right now!
To Be continued..