This chapter will talk about recent events.
Just to be safe, reader desecration is advised.
April 9, 2024; Detroit...
FEW, MORE WEEKS. IT was only a few weeks away, the DRAFT. Pick-Ax smiled in satisfaction at the banner. Scavenger was right, he needed this..
...He just wish Scavenger was here with them. His smile fell a bit thinking of the Raven Rusher.
?: Worried about him too Pick-Ax.
Pick-Ax turned to see Beast coming over.
Pick-ax: Just, the incident in Baltimore. You think Scavenger is going to be okay?
Beast: -sighs- He will be but, as for Baltimore...it will be awhile.
..Just two days after Scavenger suggestion, a terrible tragedy occurred involving one of the bridges. Scavenger immediately went to help with the search and support those involved. "A GLOBAL CRISIS' it was called, as it also affected more than 8,000 jobs with the situation. The Governor of Maryland declared a state of emergency once he got word.
So far, three casualties were found, three presumed dead, and two were rescued from the river; one uninjured but certainly shaken, and another in serious conditions.
Pick-Ax: Just hope everyone working on this case is alright. We all been on edge recently.
Beast: I know. I heard that the Trade-point is beginning to redirect ships in the next fifteen days with then thousand vehicles, estimated that is being unloaded and processed. The Governor actually called the HOK and promised to send Scavenger back as soon as he can, he doesn't want him to miss the draft and let's all be honest, that would be a good distraction from everything these past weeks had brought.
Pick-Ax nodded, looking at the building where the Draft was to be held.
Pick-Ax: Let's just hope this is calm, ironically...especially with all the news we've been getting these last few weeks. I got a feeling some of us are at a breaking point.
HOK...
Lasso was looking through the screens, an annoyed look on his face. He had a feeling talks would increased with the Kansas City Chiefs' rise to dynasty status.
Were there something that could be replaced, sure...BUT ALL THIS... HE COULD FACEPALM as he got up as walked away.
No matter how many times they explained it, or showed the papers and books, it was hard in this day and age to explain the origins of the name...on HIS NICKNAME.
Mayor Harold Roe 'CHIEF' Bartle, now there was a man that embraced his role.
Harold Bartle was the one who actually convinced the team to move to Kansas City, in fact he was the one who convinced ARROW-HEAD to come with the team to see them. Lasso could remember how ecstatic the Mayor was when he meet Arrow-Head, was told it looked like his face could break cause of how big his smile was. Once the team came in the 1960s, he offered his own NICKNAME. Even after he retired from his position in 1963, he kept a close friendship with Arrow-Head and the team, gaining another nickname from the Rusherz, 'Mayor Bratle'.
...
Harold Bratle: *laughing* I'm not even mayor anymore but you can still call me that all you want boys! Anything to see you all smiling!
...
Lasso hand clenched into a fist as he shoke. The amount of times Freedom had to point to Romans, Spartans, EVEN CAVEMAN on the concept of arrow-head. The talks went on, and on, AND ON...
...whose to say these folks we're not afraid of assaulting the Rusher if said team. They were not afraid of stabbing Beast and left him for dead, they were not afraid of pushing Chief off a building and leave him bleeding, who wouldn't want to try and take out a Rusher who bared the same name of the Champions Stadium. And with what's been going on with the whole state money to sports, this would just be what this situation needs...
Lasso: *anger*...
All to prove a point...
Lasso: *anger grows;grits teeth*...
All just to be right...
ALL TO HURT ARROW-HEAD AND CHIEF EVEN MORE.
Lasso: *RAGE;SCREAMING*
.
GLASS BREAKING!
.
Swoop: *looks up from screen* What was that?
Swoop got up running to the sounds, a few others following behind him.
..
Chief: *getting up* Was that Lasso?
Chief was watching draft news with Arrow-Head and Pillage when they heard screaming and something breaking.
Chief: *to Arrow-Head and Pillage* Be right back!
Chief ran off leaving the two concern.
..
Swoop made a turn going into to one of the room and-
Swoop: *concern* LASSO!
Tua: *coming in* Swoop you find-*shock;very concern* Ohh..
..Lasso was on the ground, holding a now bleeding arm covered in bits of broken glass. What was once a mirror was now a shattered frame.
Swoop: *running over;concern* Lasso are you okay-*sees the wound* YOUR BLEEDING!
Lasso: *bit of pain* I-I'm fine r-really-
Troy: *concern* Uh no your not! You arm is bleeding! What happened?!
Lasso looked away...embarrassed.
Lasso: I-I well...Lashed out.
Didn't take a minute for everyone to know why.
Ash:..You been hearing the news haven't you, about the teams in Missouri and the tax pays.
Lasso: -shaky breath- AND the road incident yes.
?: LASSO!
All looked over the see Chief running in, stopping in place seeing the wound and cringing.
Chief: *cringe* OH that's gonna be a while to heal...what in shards name did you do?
...LASSO WAS SILENT. He nor the others had the heart to tell Chief what was going on with his brother's team recently..
Chief: *deadpans* You all been looking way to into the whole situation with the teams and those taxpayers haven't you?
THAT surprise them as all turned to the Rusher of Washington, who had an expression of 'Of course ya did' and annoyance.
Chief: *pinches nose* Don't answer, you reaction confirmed it. Ah geez, we both knew after the hundredth season victory this was going to be a nightmare-
Liberty: YOU WERE AWARE OF THIS? ALL THE WAY BACK IN 2020?
Chief nodded as he went over, looking at the wound.
Chief: Was inevitable actually, once something gains popularity and notice folks are gonna go in feasting on the drama and controversy. Much as it was a pain, you learn alot when you team was once a top teir conversation.
Marty: *confused* And you aren't, uncomfortable thinking about that?
Chief sighed at that.
Chief: If it was years ago, I'd be a mess but now...now I'm just annoyed with all this. *Worry* But Lasso, why did you do this to yourself? I get it's frustrating but you didn't need to break your arm.
Lasso shoke as he looked away, more guilt on his face.
Chief:...Lasso I know your worried about me and my bro, beleive me reading on all this isn't helping the situation either. *sternly* But, your gonna end up in the hospital AGAIN if you keep doing this.
Lasso actually blushed with Chief using the fact he had indeed done this before and end up in the hospital...ALOT; Something he had been working on in recent years.
Lasso: -sighs-..I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY IT HAD TO BE YOU TWO.
Chief soften hearing this, bring Lasso gently into a hug avoiding irritating the wound.
Chief: Lasso none of this is your fault, we weren't expecting any of this when we landed decades ago. Is it bad, Yeah, but we always found a way though it.
Lasso: Chief...
Chief: *breaks hug; looks at Lasso* I know the past four years have been stress inducing, no help from the whole Pandemic Panic.
Lasso: *slumps* Yes but...really thought all this was done when Harris' group got your team.
The others nodded on agreement on that notion.
Cyclops: All of us thought all was said and done when that sale was made-
Chief: Uhh not really.
That got their attention as Chief looked at everyone.
Chief: It's a start, but it's not gonna solve everything all at once. It takes time and process for stuff like this to either slow down or just vanish when the 'NEXT BIG THING' takes over the media. It's..kinda like revitilzing a team. Your gonna go though lot of work, candidates, LOT OF FACE-TIME Calls and interviews, lot of meetings and research-
Ish: *shock* What the hey was going in in Washington when you were there?
Chief laughed seeing everyone's shocked faces, even Lasso who once was feeling guilty now had a look of stunned on his face.
Chief: NEEDLESS TO SAY, these guys get me more involved in their duties. It's a nice change of pace. They really want to improve on the win-lose ration and so do I...except for that Bears game Grizzly you NEEDED that win for Butkus.
Grizzly gave a small smile hearing that they were thinking of him on that day too.
Chief: It's how I found out about the huge changes on the rooster for the next season; Oh boy the fact we got the second choice for the first round of the draft that's gonna help us alot.
Tua: Oh yeah, the trade to Chicago with Montez Sweat.
Chief: *nods* Right! But you all get the idea right? It's not gonna be instant, we might have a new owner at the helm but it'll take time. Just like the current situation, it'll take time but things will get better.
Lasso finally took a breath, tears having begun to fall from his eyes as he listened. He wiped his eyes nodding.
Lasso: Y-Your right I just..You two deserve better.
Chief: We have all you guys, our teams, and our fans, we're going to be fine. I promise.
Lasso finally smiled as he hugged back with his one good arm, Chief returning it.
Lasso: Al'right...heh, you changed alot this past year.
Chief: Well all it took was ticking me off an nearly decimating the stadium in front of the new owners, not gonna do that again. This time, I'm going to face these head on and stronger than ever. I'm done being pushed back, so...Let me face these guys for you.
Lasso nodded in tears...before he winced in pain.
Lasso: *pain* Yeah think I need to get this looked at.
Chief: *breaks hug;sees wound begin to bleed more* OH YEAH You need stitches UH SWOOP!
Swoop: *going over fast* ON IT!
Swoop immediately went to work as Ash called Freefall.
Chief: Okay, you all need a vacation-
.
.
Arrow-Head: What in the world is going out there?
Pillage shrugged as the two sat waiting for Chief. It was quiet between the two Rusherz of the oldest teams of the AFC.
Arrow-Head:...*worried* Pillage are you alright? And please be honest.
Pillage sighed as he slumped on the couch.
Pillage: I really thought I lost you that day. As soon as the news came on and I saw...I went into complete hestaria thank goodness Mark held me back and kept me in check.
Arrow-Head: I-I figure you would react like that...*looks away* given what you went though back in 2017.
It was quiet at the mention of that scary night.
Arrow-Head:..Pillage there was nothing you could have done you had no idea that was going to happen.
Pillage: I-I know I know just, I just wish you guys were spared of such a ordeal. I felt so helpless watching from LV, so when Mark gave me the okay to travel I was so relived...B-But seeing you look so, broken and scared I just-I didn't want to leave your side not after what you went though.
Arrow-Head nodded in understanding, holding himself.
Arrow-Head: I completely understand; all those emotions that day you felt all that night, to not know where you were or if there was anyone you knew that was around or-or if they were okay...and then *Pillage sat up more* to see one of them running towards you. The look of relief and joy, tears...
Pillage:..Who found you?
February 14, 2024...
Arrow-Head was shaking underneath the stage, everything around him silent in his brain despite the screams. HE, WAS, TERRIFIED. It was no help at all he was alone, even more so that his team was separated from him.
Were they alright?
Were their families alright?
.
.
Patrick Mahomes: *panic* ARROW-HEAD!
Andy Reid: ARROW-HEAD WHERE ARE YOU!
As soon as the all clear was given for the area, the team went straight back once they discovered fast Arrow-Head was missing. It took a couple of stressed and panic hours for them to get the word to search.
Clark Hunt: *Panic* ARROW-HEAD! PLEASE! Come on where are you please, PLEASE BE ALIVE AND UNHARMED.
Travis Kelce: *panic* Ahh come on Arrow please-*remembers* THE STAGE! WE LAST SAW HIM ON STAGE!
All on the team eyes widen and bolted to the stage looking around.
.
Arrow-Head: *TERROR* Please,please,please-
?: HEY, I HEARD SOMEONE!
?: UNDER THE STAGE!
The world gained sound once again as Arrow-Head looked up to see a shadow.
.
The team took a breath, ready for anything they might seen. Donovan Smith and Bryan Cook swiftly opened the curtains under the stage...
Andy Reid: Anyone there!
...
Arrow-Head cautiously sticking his head out...
Travis Kelce: IT'S ARROW-HEAD!
Patrick Mahomes: Is he okay!? I don't see any wounds on him but I want to double check.
Andy went to his knees to check over their Rusher, the owner anxiously waiting on the side.
Andy Reid: *checking on Arrow-head* He's banged up but there's no injuries, however I can tell he's not okay despite not being hurt.
The coach was right, Arrow-Head looked a wreak. Helmet was crack in places, he was covered in dust and was bruised in some places. But it wasn't the state he was in that got them worried, it was his reaction. His eyes were pinprick and red, puffy from the tears still falling from his face. Clark, once he got the okay from Andy, immediately hugged him in relief as their Rusher returned the hug in quiet sobs.
Clark Hunt: *relief* Thank you Dad, thank you mom for protecting him.
Present...
Arrow-Head: I can see how Mark felt when he found you; the relief and weight falling off his shoulder.
Pillage: *small chuckle;weak smile* He refused to let me go, you remember he even kept a hold of me even when Freefall wanted to check up on me. Stayed at the HOK that night.
Arrow-Head: *small chuckle* Oh yeah, he was not letting you our of his sights.
Both chuckled with small smiles, Pillage soon taking a breath sighing.
Pillage: I-I'm glad your okay Arrow-Head. I-If there is anything you need or-or If you need someone to talk to about this I'm right here-
Arrow-Head brought Pillage into a hug, the Raider Rusher returning it immediately.
Arrow-Head: I know, thank you..Spike.
Pillage chuckled hearing Arrow-Head use his nickname.
...
Chief: HEY! I'm back!
Both broke the hug...their smiles turned to shock seeing Lasso's bandage arm; Ish and Liberty next to the two.
Arrow-Head: *shock* WHAT THE HEY DID YOU DO?
Lasso: *nervous laugh* I uh, took out some anger on a mirror. Not the best idea.
Pillage: *wincing* Ohh ouch. Yikes.
Liberty: Yeah needless to say, I think we got all we need and need a break from the news. Chief made a suggestion, but I think you three would want to hear it first.
Ish: Told us first and wanted to get the okay.
All three: Okay to what?
Chief gave a warm, yet sheepish smile.
Chief: Well I-it's spring now and it's already in full swing B-But I was wondering if I can take everyone to the Cherry Blossom festival this year. Little break before the Draft and it's been a long time since you guys were outside the team's stadium. Of course I'll be mapping out the places on where to go to and to avoid given the, RECENT EVENTS. So what do you-*looks up* Uh guys?
Arrow-Head, Pillage and Lasso starred at Chief in tear pricks of surprise and shock.
Chief: Guys? You okay? Did I blue-screen yo-
Arrow-Head was practically screaming in joy as he hugged his little brother, spinning him around in place before the two were brought in a hug by Pillage and Lasso.
Chief: *Smiling* S-So I take it as yes?
All three: *Joy* ABSOLUTELY!
Arrow-Head: Chief that is a wonderful idea!
Lasso: I agree, it's been TWO DECADES SINCE YOU INVITED US OVER JUST FOR FUN!
Pillage: Seriously where were these guys in the 90s!?
Chief: I think most in school and pro sports.
Liberty and Ish watched on in smiles, happy to give the good news to the others on where they where going soon.
To Be continued...