Okay, so. I think it would be a good idea to put a small warning here for the first three chapters cause it involves a situation that might trigger those with claustrophobia (fear of tight and/or close in spaces).

Please be cautious reading the first three if you are.

Ricky and the NFC West

Part 1: Red Sea

HOK...

It was all hands on deck at the HOK. Hall of fame game came and went, and preseason was in full swing now after the first week...but there was a problem.

RZ: Rampage, please respond.

Rampage, the Rusher of the Rams, had been missing since they got the call TWO DAYS AGO.

Sonar: *increasing panic* Rampage come on! TWO DAYS?!

Troy went over patting the Dolphin Rusherz' back. Needless to say when the Guardians did not meet with him, they let RZ and Sonar know-they got the word the situation escalated within the twenty four hour. The only thing they could find was he was SOMEWHERE around the stadium, but that was it.

Ish: Where is he? He's still there but why has he not responded.

Ricky: Could be a number of reasons, I just hope he's alright.

Ricky had been looking over EVERY SINGLE FOOTAGE around the stadium, to see if those Ninja Blitzbot had anything to do with the Ram Rusher disappearance. He turned to the side when-

Marty: Uhhh hey Ricky, your hat-has a hole in it.

Ricky froze, quickly removing his hat on his head. Sadness formed upon seeing the hole on it and his friends went over.

Ash: *concern* Oh Ricky-

Ricky: It must of gotten hit from the attack...I-I think it can be fix but-this is a pretty bad hole.

Tua: Not buying a new one is off the table, I take it it's an erlum?

Ricky: *nods* Yeah, it's been in my family for decades. This hat was bought from the Cardinals first stadium in Chicago. So I don't know if it can be fixed all the way or not.

The others pondered what to do, when Sonar went over to RZ, whispering in his ear. RZ smiled nodding as he turned to the kids.

RZ: I have a suggestion Ricky, and perhaps this can help with our current situation.

Ricky looked over to the AI.

RZ: I suggest you go to Arizona, Peck will be there and you two can check the Ram's stadium for Rampage.

Tory: We'll stay here in case of a attack just to be safe.

Ricky nodded, though he had to admit he was confused.

Ricky's thoughts: Does Peck know a good semester? Well, only way to find out.

Ricky: Keep me posted guys!

With that Ricky ran into the Cardinals Portal.

University of Phoenix Stadium...

Ricky landed holding his hat as he walked, looking for his favorite team's Rusher.

Ricky: Hard to believe this stadium isn't that old, now where is-

Ricky froze, remembering something. He opened the MAP on his NFLR and spotted a colored dot.

Ricky: In his office, well I don't expect him to be outside in this heat. He'd be roasting.

Ricky went to the location, opening the wall and headed down the elevator.

.

Peck had a small smile on his face, looking over a photo album as he sat on the couch. So many memories, he couldn't help but smile. He chuckled at one picture not hearing the elevator coming down.

?:..Whatcha doing-

Peck squeaked startled closing the book in the process, turning fast to see Ricky over him.

Peck: *heart racing* Ricky, startled me there. Didn't help I was out of it, sorry for deafening you there.

Ricky: It's okay, sorry for starting you.

Peck: It's okay-hold on why are you here?

Ricky sighed as he sat next to the Cardinal Rusher, showing him his hat and pointing to the hole.

Ricky: We were looking for Rampage again today when Marty pointed this out. This hat means alot to my family and I was told you could help, before RZ asked if we could check the Rams stadium for him.

Peck gently took the hat, looking it over.

Peck: Hmm...Not a burn, looks like a sem broke off. Don't want to ruin the material given it's thick-*nods* Alright, think I have an idea.

Ricky was confused as to what Peck was talking about-that confusion turned to surprise very soon. Peck taped his helmet revealing some spools of thread, grabbing the one that matched the color of the hat. He plucked out one of his feathers with his beak before tieing the thread into a knot and around the tip. In a swift movement, the sewed the hole shut with the feather reduced to a steam and bit the remaining thread off, returning it to it's spool before shutting his helmet.

Peck: *smiles* There we go, good as new.

Ricky: *surprise/awe*-How did you do that? I mean, how-

Peck looked over seeing Ricky's reaction.

Peck: Practice. Football isn't the only thing I'm good at.

Ricky blinked, before smiling.

Ricky: Okay, you got me there. Thanks *takes his hat back; looks at it* gotta say this is pretty great. You can't even tell it was ripped. *Looks at Peck* Your really good at this, this a hobby?

Peck gave a smirk.

Peck: Oh yeah. Who'd you think outfitted most of us Rusherz? Was taught this way back in the 1930s and helped us get the proper cloths.

Ricky: *very confused* Uhhhh *waves arms around Peck*.

Peck: *confused-clicks* Oh, yeah, I can't do tight clothes like uniforms. Rusherz like me and Fang have very sensitive skin so tight cloths like uniforms makes our skin irritated. We can do baggy cloths like jeans and such, but tight is no go.

Ricky had to admit, he was impressed with Peck's knowledge on cloth making and fashion.

Ricky: Gotta admit, was not expecting you to have a eye for fashion.

Peck blushed, but a look of longing was in his eyes.

Peck: Well I-I got it from one of our late owners. Violet.

Ricky sat up more hearing that name.

Ricky: Your talking about Violet Bidwell, one of the first female owners to own a sport's team. *Peck nods* Well, I don't blame you for being inspired by her, she was a fashionista with her wardrobe. one thousands coats and-

Peck: Dresses, as well as One thousand five hundred pairs. She didn't inspire me-

Ricky eye rose-and then he saw Peck's eyes filled with tears.

Peck: She taught me.

Ricky eyes widen as Peck sighed.

Peck: Well back then sewing was a hobby among women, those old black and white films try to show that. When she and her husband bought the team in 1933 I was kinda-okay I was extremely nervous around her.

That caught his attention cause for as long as he knew, Peck for some reason had women going gaga over him. Ricky lost count on how many times the Cardinal Rusher was called cute by them.

Ricky: Was it because she was the wife of the owner?

Peck shoke his head.

Peck: It wa-because I was worried i would offend her.

Ricky: Offender her? HOW?

Peck was silent there, the air grew cold and not from the air conditioning.

Peck:-I never knew my mother. *Ricky had to double take there* She died when I was a toddler so it was just me and my father till he passed couple years later. So I had no idea how to interact with them, let alone of the human variety. So having the wife of the owner there was-nerve wreaking. *small smile* Heh but Violet, she was one heck of a women. She and Charles, her husband, already adopted two boys, Bill and Charles Jr, but she decided to adopt ME. She said point blank "a sweet little Cardinal like you needs a mother figure". We bonded over sewing things and making cloths she was-

1948...

Peck chuckled looking over the uniform he was working on with Violet.

Violet Bidwill: Oh I can't wait to see Beast in this! I mean, scarlet and black instead of blues and white. This will be a news breaker!

Peck: Well his team wanted to mix it up this coming season. Beast said it's only for this one, but he wants to keep it for the future just in case.

This was defiantly going to be a head turner, but this was gonna be fun seeing the fans and team's reaction to the colors. Peck started to sew the uniform once again.

Peck: Will say lot of changes going on in the league, you hear that plastic helmets are being prohibited.

Violet Bidwill: And I agree. Those this were more like weapons and the critics made very valued points. And the officials are using whistles and not horns anymore.

Peck: *look over* Really, first time I'm hearing this. Think that's a good idea, don't want to take Basketballs stuff. Need to be more, unique.

Violet chuckled at that.

Violet Bidwill: Very good choice of words dear. *remembers* Oh yes! I heard that the merger agreement is going well between the NFL and the All American Football Conference.

Peck stopped as he set the completed uniform down fast smiling.

Peck: REALLY?!

Violet Bidwill: *Smiles* Indeed. We should have three new teams joining us, of course they had one request. You see, these three teams are the Browns, 49ers, and Colt..I do believe you know THREE PARTICULAR RUSHERZ that match that quota.

Peck practically screamed in joy hugging her.

Peck: *joy* YES! OH man this is amazing. Their gonna go bananas hearing the news mom!

Violet laughed as she hugged him back.

Violet Bidwill: I figured you would love hearing this news. Shall we informed them of the news?

Peck nodded fast, agreeing.

.

.

Peck (on the phone): -And they want you three to join their teams! They want help you guys to protect the shards! What do you three think?

Peck held the phone close to him, making sure the wires did not tangle as Violet sat next to him.

Pick-Ax (other line): THAT IS AMAZING PECK! I'll make sure to ask Bell for the number I want to meet them as soon as possible!

K-9 (Other line): I can meet with the team tomorrow too! Oh man at last!

Stallion (other line): I should make plans to meet with the Colts as well! Thank you so much for telling us Peck.

Peck laughed as he looked at Violet.

Peck: It was actually Mom who found out the news and relayed it to me.

Pick-Ax (other line): Please tell Mrs. Violet she has my as well as K-9 and Stallion's regards for the news. We have a plan of action before we join. What time do you think we shall join?

Peck looked over holding the phone up so all can hear.

Violet Bidwell: Well it should be said and done by next year if I am being honest.

She chuckled as she hear one of them cheer.

K-9 (Other line): YES! Just a one year wait! WHOHOO!

Violet nodded with a chuckle with Peck as he brought the phone back to his head.

Peck: Can you guys let Liberty know the news as well?

Stallion (other line): We sure will! WE OWE YOU TWO ONE!

With that all four said goodbye as Peck hung up with a smile.

Violet Bidwell: Oh hearing you boys in joy makes me smile every-time.

Peck: They are so excited about next season, but I want to get through this season first.

Violet nodded bringing Peck into her arms.

Violet Bidwell: Indeed, one step at a time my little Cardinal.

Peck beamed at her nodding.

Present..

Peck: *eyes filled with tears* She was the best, she gave me a chance to have a mother again. She loved all of us; her family, the team, the league, the Rusherz..me. And boy oh boy did she have a plan for anything. She moved the team with her new husband, as Charles Sr passed in 1947, to St. Louis. She knew the bears had Chicago as their territory, and needless to say she did not want to take their attention away. She was sweet, and kind, and-*shaking* And-

Peck sobbed as he tried to wipe the tears away, Ricky going closer worried.

Peck: *Tears falling* -takes a shaky breath- She passed before the Great Merger, in 1962. She left me her sewing materials in her will with the boys and this-*touches his helmet* this makes me feel close to her even though she is no longer with us.

Ricky heart was both broken, and yet touched.

Ricky: I-I-I had no idea you two were so close. F-For you to see her as a mother, I can see why you love doing sewing so much.

Peck nodded, sighing.

Peck: Yeah it's a bit-strange, but it was something she taught me with the same passion as running the team.

Ricky: It's not, it was something you and your mother figure did and bonded over. I think you doing this is a fine tribute to her...I wish I could have met her.

Peck gave a small tearful smile, before sighing and wiping his eyes clean.

Peck: Okay, okay let's calm down. I think that's enough reminiscing, let's find our missing Ram shall we?

Ricky nodded as Peck lead him outside.

.

.

Ricky: Uh, we're not taking the portal?

Peck smiled as they walked out onto the stadium grounds outside.

Peck: Nope. We're taking the scenic route, you got me feeling nostalgic soo-

Peck jumped in the air before grabbing Ricky and into the skies.

...

Ricky was screaming at the sudden reaction for a bit, before he opened his eyes..HE WAS IN AWE. Yes he had the ability to fly but-this was new.

Ricky: Whoa?

Peck: First time flying Rusher Style?

Ricky: I uh, YEAH!

Peck: *chuckles* You should of seen Ish's reaction when he fly to Settle with Freefall, was in just as much awe as you but he was also on a time crunch.

Ricky held on and he looked around, even seeing the ground. Yeah he was-PETRIFIED BUT-He trusted Peck.

...

Peck...he's been here the longest and had seen many stars come and gone. But he found ways to remember them. He never though sewing would be the key though. But then he remembers the others. They wore his work and they smiled, he put alot of handwork to making them. He knew that Violet Bidwell would be so proud of Peck containing to work and sew, really wishing he could meet her in person...Ricky wondered if the other Rusherz had hobbies outside of the sport, if perhaps maybe he himself could expand beyond football when the time came to retire when he made the big leagues.

Peck: ST. LOUIS TEN O'CLOCK!

Ricky looked over...and he was left stunned. The city looked amazing.

Ricky: I have to do this again. I mean I have the armor but with the screen and the stats on it you don't focus on the full view.

Peck: *nods* Note to self then, add cruise mode to the armor. Want you kids to enjoy the skies too.

.

Soon they landed in front of the stadium, Peck gently lowing Ricky to the ground before landing himself.

Ricky: *smiles*Okay, that was fun!

Peck: *smiles* Glad you had fun..now, Let's find Rampage.

.

Inside...

Ricky and Peck walked looking at the MAP on his NFLR, finding themselves in the food court.

Peck: It says he's here but-I don't see him. -sighs- Yeesh the MAP going on the fritz?

Ricky pondered, the MAP showed he was here. He decided to zoom in on the MAP-

HE FROZE.

Ricky: *pale* N-No way.

Peck: *looks over; worry* Ricky, what's wrong?

Ricky: *pale* I-I think I found him.

Peck: Really, where?

Ricky slowly went over to a wall in a food stand, and pointed to the wall-exaclty where the MAP pointed to.

Ricky: *pale* H-He's IN THE STADIUM, LITERALLY.

To Be Continued...