Part 4- Hail
Thor moaned as he slowly woke up, conscious returning as well.
Thor: *bit of pain* Oww, what hit me?
?: A ladder, and a hard hit too.
Thor vision swam, but he could see Grizzly and Pack by him.
Grizzly: Ladder got lose from the rope and hit you hard.
Thor: *bit of pain* How hard? My head's killing me.
Pack: *helps him sit up* Hard enough to bruise you badly.
Thor reached for the bruise, wincing at the small touch.
Thor: *bit of pain* Ohh yeah, not feeling good there. Gonna hurt for days..*looks around* Where are we?
Grizzly: *helps him sit up* We're in Detroit, Ford Field. Tua carried you on his back cause you were not able to walk in the state you were in.
..That caught his attention.
Thor: *bit of pain;curious* Why's Tiny here?
.
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Beast: *holding bags* O-KAY! That's everything, should be good for the week. Thanks again for helping me Tua.
Tua smiled as he got out of armor grabbing some bags full of food.
Tua: No problem, I'm happy to help.
Beast: We should see if Thor is up...*thinks* Hotdish would be good for dinner tonight, got alot of vegetables in it and it's a hot meal, those are good for headaches.
Tua thought on what Beast was saying as they returned to the office, seeing Thor up.
Tua: Hi Thor. How are you feeling?
Thor: *Bit of Pain* Bit better but, *rubs head slowly* arg, massive headache. I was told what happened, thanks for helping me there Tiny.
Tua: *smiles* Of course. Though, you really need to relax, you sounded tick on the phone and that got you distracted from the scene. Know you want the new stadium, but make sure you don't dive into it too deep.
Thor chuckled at that.
Thor: *bit of pain* -sighs- You sounded like Bud there, worry about my health.
That got his attention as Tua sat down with the three Rusherz smirking. And what he said reminded Thor of him...Tua had to admit he felt a bit honored sounding like him there.
Tua: THE Bud Grant, right? The Bud Grant that lead not only your team to the Super Bowl AND the Winnapeg Bombers to the grey cup?!
Thor: *bit of pain* The exact Bud Grant. He's still with us even after he retired, our Consultant really. Even though he's not a coach anymore he still keeps his eyes on us, I'm not the only one who got tick with the whole inflatable roof situation.
Beast: *low chuckle* Oh he was so ticked that day when I called him. Both relieved you were safe, and ticked at the stadium.
Thor: For good reason. He has always been cautious with the weather since the Armisitice day Blizzard back in 1940.
That sent the room in cold silence, all four Rusherz shivering. Tua understood the reaction very well, as they around during that time.
Pack: I still remember that day, it was horrible. So many lives lost in the blizzard, all those lives.
Grizzly: I'm thankful you made me stay in your stadium-but -groans- I'm mad, my city bad communication caused so much carnage-
Pack: It didn't help back then the technology was still in the works. Least we all got a state weather channel for all our location.
Beast: -sighs- Yeah but-It was bad, Bud manage to be one of the hunters who escaped freezing to death with his buddies.
Tua nodded.
Tua: He's very lucky. My Grandfather told me about that day, Bud hid in a gas station and his buddies in a farm house. And so many turkeys died too with the casualties, Over 1.5 million of them! 1.5 MILLION! The ducks went wild, one survivor said over thousands of them were flying!
Thor: *bit of pain; smiles* Your grandfather is very wise, and yeah, lot of birds involved too. Bud also have poliomyelitis, so add that and it was a hard day for him. Since then he's been making sure we were okay during the weather games, and he took that with him when he became our coach. He might of lack showing emotion, especially during games, but he really cared about our health no matter what-
November 7, 1976...
Thor was freezing, 28 °F with it being -2 °C..Then again-IT WAS MINNESOTA, got cold FAST. He was bundled up and yet he was still freezing, he has been freezing all day even if he was sleeping inside. He woke up cold, he walked inside cold, he was freezing; And it was seen by all at the game especially the coach-and Bud knew he needed to take action once again.
Bud Grant: Okay, Rusher is not looking good; Thor?
Thor looked over shaking.
Thor: *stuffy* Yeah Bud?
Bud went down getting a closer look at him. He was pale, eyes red, and he was sniffing...he was also holding his weapon.
Bud Grant: *sees weapon* Uh oh *Thor about to sneeze* ALL DUCK DOWN NOW!
Dispite not sounding worry or stern all followed-Thor sneezed as a large bolt of lighting from his weapon went into the air in the silence area from his weapon. Beast, who ducked behind a bench, poked his head up before running over as everyone slowly got out of their hiding place. Bud Grant kept his cool as the team watched in awe.
Bud Grant: *hidden cation* Okay Thor, let's not hold the weapon that can level cities *gentle grabs the weapon and places it away* while you are ill. Okay?
Chuck Foreman: *shaken* How are you still calm after THAT?
Needless to say the team was very shaken being close to a attack like that.
Beast: *Reaches them* Thor's sick? Why didn't he call off.
Bud Grant: Obvious weather confusion to body temp. Timeout the game, we're taking him inside.
Thor: *stuffy* Sorry Bud, sorry boys.
Chuck Foreman: *shaken* It's okay, not your fault you got sick. Just rest for today okay?
Thor nodded as he was lead inside by Bud and Beast.
.
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Thor sneezed as he was bundled up, sitting on one of the beds of the first aid room with Bud looking through the cabinet.
Bud Grant: Thor, can you tell me when you began to feel cold.
Thor: *stuffy* Since this morning -sniffs-.
Beast: So you woke up cold?
Thor: *stuffy* Even though I was bundled up warm.
Bud sighed.
Bud Grant: Woke up sick...*comes over with thermometer* okay then.
He placed the thermometer in Thor's mouth. Few minutes later he took it out and checked it.
Bud Grant: Glad we caught it first quarter, and that it's just the common cold. But I want you staying in here for the rest of the game.
Thor: *stuffy* Loud and clear, Sorry coach for getting sick.
Bud Grant: Not your fault you got sick.
Beast: I'll get something warm for you to eat, be right back.
Thor: *stuffy* Thanks Beast.
Beast smiled as he walked off leaving the two alone.
Thor: *stuffy*-I can tell you got worried about me.
Bud sighed, nodding in response.
Bud Grant: Even hiding all that you can still tell.
Thor: *stuffy;smirks* Just a Rusher thing.
Bud Grant: Well then you know you scared me to death with your weapon.
Thor: *stuffy* Didn't even know I had it in my hands. Thank goodness for your quick thinking Bud...You SURE your okay with me being in here. I mean, I'm a Rusher of a team that plays in WINTER WEATHER-
Bud couldn't help but snicker at the remark, nodding.
Bud Grant: Yes. There is a huge difference between us not having heaters outside to focus on the game, AND the fact of fighting a illnesses equal to the cold.
Thor chuckled-then, a thought occur.
Thor: *stuffy* Bud, is the reason for your cold weather ritual cause of that snow storm in 1940?
Bud was quiet there.
Bud Grant: I won't say no, but I won't say yes either.
Thor nodded, understanding the answer but-he had an idea that might be a player in his coach's idea. Bud gave Thor a small smile, one he only gave to him secretly in games.
Bud Grant: But right now I'm focus on your health and the health of my team. Know my wife would KILL me if you stayed outside.
Thor gave a stuffy laughed nodding as Bud stayed with him until Beast returned.
Present...
Thor:-*smiles; Pain fading a bit* Bud was a amazing coach, EVEN with his little rituals, he was amazing. I'm so happy he stayed with the team even after he retired. *To Tua* A leader, yes they had their quirks, but they make sure they are second when watching over the people that are following them. A leader needs to stay clam, collective and focused when situation arises.
Tua smiled nodding-but it soon faded as a thought occurred to him. Bud was still alive but-
Tua: It's, gonna hurt when he leaves? And I don't mean retiring.
The three Rusherz got worried but also knew. Thor smile fell for a bit as he sighed.
Thor: *bit of pain* ABSOLUTELY. It hurt when we lost his wife back in 2009 but-to lose him. Yeah, it's gonna hurt, it's gonna hurt so much.
Tua heart broke-but then..
...Thor gave a sad smile.
Thor: *bit of pain* But, it's also gonna be a celebration. I'm gonna miss him sure, but I will be happy to have known such a amazing man like him. It's always been like that with players, coaches, staff, even fans. When he goes I'm gonna make sure we go all out to celebrate his life. And when we finally get that ring, I'm gonna make sure he gets it.
Tua gave a small smile hearing this; Beast giving Thor a gentle head rub as Pack and Grizzly nodded.
...
The Minnesota Vikings, of course you needed someone who could brave the elements of both city and weather and Bud Grant was your best bet. Dispite hiding his emotions to keep the team focus (as well as the strange winter ritual), he cared for their health and kept a cool head in situation. Thor could see that, in fact he could read his emotions even when Bud was hiding them. His passing would defiantly leave a wound in the Viking Heart, but Thor would keep his memory alive as with all that have moved on. Thor loved his team and all that they do, and he was adamant to keep their memory alive-
-In fact, all the Rusherz are.
Pack: Will say, one ritual got a trend going. The National Anthem ovation.
Tua turned at that.
Tua: He started the team standing in unison?
Grizzly: Yep! Other teams saw it and it spread.
Thor nodded as he stood up but-
Thor: *wobbles; holding head; pain increasing a bit*
Tua: *steady's him* Whoa.
Thor: *bit of pain* Okay...bad idea to stand up, and stand still. Wow that's gonna hurt, Bud's gonna flip hearing this.
Grizzly: Why not we head back home before you pass out.
Tua: I agree. *to Pack* Know anyone with medical experience?
Pack: I do, Freefall is out for a meeting but Swoop is in today.
Beast: Learned from Freefall so he will defiantly help.
Tua:*nods* Good. We'll go to him and have him check the bruise...we might have a crack skull.
Thor groaned in both pain and worry.
Thor: *bit of pain* If that's the cause Bud is REALLY GONNA FLIP.
A portal was made as they headed back-Tua hoping it wasn't anything serious.
To Be Continued..