Ash is up now! And let me tell you do I have a surprise for later in the story that i think you Bill fans are gonna love ;).

The chapters are based on the times of day, corresponding to the change of day or a person.

Enjoy ;)!


Ash and the AFC East Rusherz

Part 1- Dawn

HOK...

It had been a few days since the dream incident, the Guardian present in the main room with RZ.

RZ: Guardians, although no Megacore's were stolen; What had happen with you, Arian Foster and Freefall is still worrisome to me. I would like you to go the the other stadiums to check for more of those Blitzbots.

They nodded, Ash agreeing fast as she did not want to repeat those nightmares and worries.

Ish: That's a good idea. Last thing we want is a repeat, so where do we start.

RZ: *Nods* Ish you'll start in Qualcomm Stadium, Ash you will-

BING!

All turned to Ash's NFLR, which was glowing a bright red color.

Troy:-That's new.

Ash: *looks at it* Yeah. What's going on?

Marty: Does it need batteries?

Ish: *confused* No these things don't run on them. RZ?

RZ looked at the color, nodding.

RZ: Ash, a change of plans for you. It appears the leader of the AFC has summoned you.

Ash: Leader of the AFC?

Ish: Oh yeah. Three of the Rusherz lead the Rusherz; Freefall being both sides takes over when one of them is not available.

Tua: So, who leads the NFC and AFC?

Ish: Liberty leads the NFC and all the Rusherz in general. In this case with the red color, this is from Stampede. He leads the AFC.

This got Ash worried.

Ash: What could he want with me?

RZ could see the worry on Ash's face, warmly smiling.

RZ: It's alright Ash. Stampede is a kind Rusher as the rest. I do believe I know the reason he needs you-in regards of Freedom.

...

FREEDOM. He had gone down south once all in the HOK was settled and Freefall was alright, pre requested by the others. Ash slowly smiled.

Ash: Alright, I'll head there immediately.

Ash waved her friends and RZ goodbye as she ran into the Bills portal.

Ricky: Stampede. He's one of the Rusherz that got blitzed right?

Ish: Yeah, but doesn't even remember it. Got knocked out before he got blitzed. Thing is, I wonder how he got knocked out.


Highmark Stadium, New York...

Ash watched as the Elevator went down, opening to the office. She stepped out and couldn't help but whistle. She had to admit, the Rusherz offices were nice looking...She stopped seeing a small frame with a interesting pin on it. It has the combo of a bear paw and a Buffalo hoof-print.

Ash: Huh...interesting.

Ash turned seeing Stampede writing on the desk, seeing paperwork on training and preseason. He looked up seeing the red haired Guardian and smiled.

Stampede: Ash, glad to see you got my call. Thank you for accepting my request.

Ash: *walks over* Of course, though i was not expecting that. Ish explained to me about your role, as well as Liberty's and Freefall's.

Stampede smile grew a bit more hearing this.

Stampede: Glad to hear you all are in the know. I take it you figured out why i need your help.

Ash: *nods* It is about Freedom right *Stampede nods*. How is he and the team?

Stampede leaned back on his chair sighing.

Stampede: Well, progress is being made. I will say Mr. Kraft fast thinking saved the team from ALOT of problems. The whole situation and why is all over the place, the finite answer will be years down the line unfortunately. Freedom is-doing alright. But-listen Ash, i want you to accompany me to Miami to see how Freedom is physical wise. If something serious comes up, it would be nice to have a friend by my side.I would ask Sonar, but I have not heard from him and that has been concerning me as well; So I wish to see if he's okay too.

Ash nodded.

Ash: Then we shall check on him as well.

Stampede smiled as he got up and walked over.

Stampede: Thank you Ash.

With that the two beginning to head to the elevator.

Ash: By the way, you have a very interesting pin over there.

Stampede: *chuckles* Oh that ol pin, yeah. It's seen some interesting events. Maybe I can tell you and the others another time.

With that and a press, the elevator went up.


Later, Miami...

Ash and Stampede landed on the hot sands, Ash taking in the breathtaking view of the beach.

Ash: So Sonar is letting him stay here.

Stampede: *nods* Yes. Sonar offered him to stay here till the Hall of Fame game-

?: Stamps what are yo-ASH?!

Both turned seeing Freedom, shock on his face. Ash was still not use to seeing the Rusherz out of uniform. Freedom was defiantly in vacation mode with a star bemuda red and white shirt and blue pants, helmet and hat missing. However, Ash flinched innerly seeing the light skin patches on his one side.

Freedom: *confused* Ash, what are-Stampede why is she-?

Stampede: I have requested her assistance for today. I know deep down you would want to see her too.

Freedom blinked..but warmly smiled nodding.

Freedom: You read me like a open book Stamps.

Ash: How are you doing?

Freedom: -sighs- I'm actually doing good. Mind is in a good place, but I'm worried about Sonar. *looks around* I'm actually glad you two came.

This got both of them worried, Stampede taking the reigns as Ash watched on.

Stampede: *serious* Freedom, is something going on?

Freedom: *nods* Yeah...think Sonar is being stalked.

Stampede's eyes widen, but he remained calmed.

Freedom: He's been receiving these messages with very disturbing messages on them. Saying to "give up himself". I saw them the other day and asked him, Sonar went into tears and told me everything.

Stampede: *serious* Is it from-

Freedom: No no, none of that. It's from a outside source.

Stampede nodded as he turned to Ash, a smile forming.

Stampede: Ashley, why not talk a walk with Freedom? I'm sure you both have much to catch up on.

Ash: S-Sure.

Ash really wanted to know what was going on, but given the fact Stampede ask her this she decided to wait...the way he said her full name as he looked at her, it was almost as if he was saying "I'll handle this".

Stampede: *winks* I'll be back don't you worry you two.

With that Stampede walked away, leaving the two Patriots.

Freedom: Oh boy.

Ash: You can tell me later. *smiles* Shall we?

Freedom smiled.

.

.

Freedom:-So far the situation is under controlled. It shouldn't be looming over us during the season, grateful for their re-actions.

The two were walking along the shoreline, Ash barefoot leaving her shoes on the walkway.

Ash: I'm glad the situation is being handled. You looked like you were at your wits end there though.

Freedom: -sighs- Yeah.. just, stress. You should have seen me during the 2001 season. I was a wreak. A lot happened that season; Dick Rehbein's death, then Mo Lewis injury, September, what happened with the Zimmers...

He trailed off. Ash heart broke hearing this...she wondered, she remembered her nightmares of losing her Father.

Ash:-You were stressed about me when I vanished with Sudden Death, were you.

Freedom stopped, closing his eyes.

Freedom: Y-Yeah. I did something, something that I still regret.

Ash was silent for a while, before taking a breath.

Ash: Before what happened in April, before you and RZ made up-what happened? If you want to tell me that is.

Tear began to form in his eyes as Freedom took a breath.

Freedom: *Tears* I-I reacted badly Ash. I-I did something bad, Really bad...I lashed out-


Three years ago, HOK...

Freedom: *Rage* YOU IDIOT! LOOK WHAT YOU DONE!

Freedom was being held back by Pack and Arrow-Head, rage on his face as he sent daggers in RZ (Back then OT) Direction.

OT: *worry* I had no choice, the core said she wasn't ready yet-

Freedom: *Rage* AND NOW SUDDEN DEATH HAS HER! DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA ON WHAT HE COULD DO TO HER?!

OT: *worry* Please Freedom, I did not know-

Freedom: *Rage* YOUR SUPPOSE TO KNOW YOUR A FLIPPIN AI FOR PETE SAKE! IT'S AN AI JOB TO KNOW THIS STUFF!

Pack: *Struggling* F-Freedom calm down!

Arrow-Head: *Struggling* We had no idea that anything like this would happen...her mother just died and-

Freedom: *Rage* I'M SUPPOSE TO PROTECT HER! I NEEDED TO PROTECT HER AND *To OT* YOU SAID NO AND LET HER LEAVE!

OT: *worry* Freedom, please...we'll get her back, I pro-

Freedom: *Rage* SHUT UP ON YOUR PROMISES! YOUR NOT ZIMMER!

Freedom broke away and was about to punch the AI...But instead his fist collided with something else. Freedom froze as OT, Pack and Arrow-Head were in shock. Freedom had accidentally hit Freefall, he was covering his face in pain before slowly removing his hands, reveling a bloody nose. Freedom shoke in shock and fear.

Freedom: *Horror* I-I-I didn't mean to-what have I-

Freefall: *covering nose; calm* Freedom it was a accid-

Freedom, in tears, ran out of the HOK, the others trying to stop him. Talon, seeing the whole thing, rushed after him.

Talon: *worry* Freedom wait!

.

.

.

It took awhile, a few hours at best, but Talon finally found Freedom in the park, tears in his eyes as he tried not to cry. Talon was lucky no one was out and he walked slowly over.

Talon: *concern* F-Freedom...are you okay?

Freedom turned to Talon, and all his resolve broke right there. He started to cry and Talon quickly went to the bench and hugged him softly.

Talon: *Soothing* It's okay...let it all out. It's alright. We'll get her back...I KNOW we will get her back.


Present...

Ash: *Shock* You hit Freefall?

Freedom: *Tears* I-It was an accident! I-I didn't mean to...I-I was just so anger that-I hurt him...I HURT HIM ASH! I BROKE HIS NOSE IN ANGER! Ash...If I would've known that Sudden Death pull a stunt like that on you, I would have been there beaten the life out of him. I-The core can only do so much, bring a dead human being back is impossible, believe me we tried and I would of love to bring her back but-. *tears falling down, broken smile* Heh heh...to think he would use someone after they lost a loved one even though he took mine from me, cruel isn't it...

Ash heart SHATTERED as Freedom shoke trying to hold in his cries.

Freedom: *tears* -raspy Sighs- I-I'm sorry about what happened at the Hall of Legends three years ago...I-Maybe if we talked-

Ash: Freedom, it wasn't your fault..I-I was really going through a hard time losing my mom and-

Freedom began to shake hard, so Ash went down and hugged him. Freedom tears fell faster as he tighten his hug a bit. Ash was in shock, he was that upset she left. Freedom finally silently cried into her arms. Ash gentle rubbed his back, trying to calm him down.

Ash: *Soothing* Shhh, it's okay Freedom. You were just worried. Everything is fine now. I promise.

Freedom actually began to hiccup as his tears made his eyes red and puffy.

Freedom: *Tears* Promise me...Promise me you won't go off in that place again or near anyone like Sudden Death...promise me..

Freedom buried his face into Ash as she continued to comfort him.

Ash: I promise, to the core itself, I really do.

...

Freedom breathing slowed to normal nodding, as his tears finally stopped looking at Ash.

Freedom: S-Sorry about the waterworks.

Ash: No it's okay, in fact it must feel a bit better having that off.

Freedom: -sniffs- Yeah, it's been on my mind so-I'm glad to have it out in the open. Thank you Ash.

Freedom gave her a tears pricked smile, Ash returning it.

She had no idea that Freedom, her favorite Team Rusher, had so much worry and stress on his mind. Ash wondered now just how much Freedom had on his mind when these events happened. What happened in September, the Zimmers, April and June of this year-

Freedom: I'm-really glad you came Ash. Stampede knows how much you mean to me.

Ash's smile grew.

Ash: Listen, you need anything just call me okay? If Talon, Stampede, or the others are out you can call me anytime.

Freedom: *smile warms* T-Thank you. I-I'm always reminded that i got great friends and team by my side.

...

YES. Freedom was never alone in those moments. Even when it looked bleak, the other Rusherz and his team were right there with him through think and thin. Freedom was grateful for them, for everything. Ash only knew her father was worried sick for her when she vanished, but she didn't know how the Rusherz reacted back at the HOK and now hearing this-she knew that she was missed by them dearly, especially Freedom.

Freedom: -sighs- Okay. Okay...*calms himself* Enough tears falling now. I've already had many of them shed these past months.

Ash smile warmed as she looked around, spotting something.

Ash:-You want to get some ice cream?

She pointed to the ice cream truck coming up the road, making Freedom smile.

.

.

From above, the sounds of a jet was heard. It stopped seeing Ash and Freedom walking with ice cream in hand.

?: Ash? Wonder what brings her here.

With that the being flew down, curious as to why the red head Guardian was here-but, he had a hunch.

To Be Continued...