Note: A scene was inspired by an episode of a TV i love watching.

Ish mentions it later on, can you guess what show it is?

Countdown to the Draft

Part 4: Toast to the man with the most

March 25, 2014; HOK...

Liberty: *worried* Come Stampede, where are you?

Liberty, Freefall and RZ were waiting at one of the screens for Stampede to call. The yearly owners meeting for new and changed rules of the league was tomorrow, and they wanted the Guardians to join in one today to let them know in advanced.

Stampede however, had not return for Buffalo since last night.

RZ: I have not seen any Anticorian activity on the rader which, being honest, worries me.

Freefall: Same here, they've been too quiet. But, Stampede would of-

A microphone symbol appeared on the screen.

Stampede's voice: H-Hey guys.

Liberty: Stamps where are you? We're meeting with the Guardians after school to talk about the meeting tomorrow and you haven't showed up yet.

Stampede's voice: S-Sorry Lib but I-I won't be able to join this time around.

That got them worried, and the tone of the Bill Rusherz' voice did not help.

Freefall: *concern* Stamps, what's wrong? Did something happen?

Stampede's voice: Y-Yeah, I'll tell you all about it this evening. But, I'm going radio silent till then. I-I wanted to let you know in advance. I promise it's not Anitcorians or an attack just..trust me on this okay.

RZ: Stampede, are you alright?

Stampede was silent for a while there.

Stampede's voice: I-I'm not right now, don't worry the teams with me. I-I promise I'll explain later but, please.

Both Rusherz and AI looked in concern, but trusted his words.

Liberty:...A-Alright. But please tell us what is going on when you come back on air.

Freefall: Please Stampede, let us know if there is anything we can do.

Buffalo, New York...

Stampede: T-Thanks guys. I-I'll talk with you all later.

With goodbyes said, Stampede hung up and went on silent mode...shakenly sighing as tears fell from his eyes.

Stampede: Knew this day would come, but it still hurts.

The door opened as C.J. Spiller walked in, going down to Stampede and placing a hand on his shoulder.

C.J. Spiller: You going to be okay Stamps.

Stampede: Y-Yeah. Got the okay from Lib and Frees to skip the meeting...I'm, still nervous about what's going to happen to the team.

C.J. Spiller: *small smile* He had a game-plan for all this when the day came, even on who gonna join in the fight for it. I promise everything will be okay.

Stampede gave a small smile nodding as he wiped his eyes.

Stampede: Yeah, your right. Thanks C.J. -sighs- We better meet up with the others, heard both Anchors Bar and Duff's Famous Chicken Wings are colabing for this *small chuckles* rare times those two rivals worked together.

C.J. Spiller: *warm smile* Just make sure you wear the suit, gotta follow his instructions to a T.

Stampede smile grew a bit as the two walked out.

HOK, Later...

The Guardians, Liberty and Freefall were sitting around the table, RZ standing next to them.

Liberty: Thank you six for coming in after school. The Owners meeting is tomorrow and we wanted to make sure you kids were in the know with the new rules.

Ish: No problem...*looks around* Where's Stampede?

Both Rusherz faced filled with worry hearing the question.

Freefall: *worried* He's..unavailable today and gone radio silent after letting us know. Why, h-he says he will tell us this evening.

Liberty took a breath nodding, looking at the paper as he tried (key word tried) to start the meeting. The Guardians could see the worry in their eyes along with RZ.

Liberty: *worried* The league decided to removing the whole 'Dunking' the football over the goal post and/crossbar dubbing it a unsportsmanlike conduct, Jimmy Graham tendency to do this has gotten the league worried the guy would one day bring down the whole post.

Freefall: *worried* The discussion from our playoff game with the 49ers has come to a agreement to now expand replays to recover loses balls even if the play if dead...*trails off*.

It was silent around the table after that.

Ash: Worried about Stampede?

Liberty flung the paper back as he and Freefall slumped in their seats.

Liberty: *worried* Yeah been for the whole day, bad idea trying to do the meeting with that in mind.

RZ: It is worrisome that Stampede would be off and radio silent for a whole day without tell us why.

Marty: Why not check the news? Maybe something happened.

Freefall: -sighs- We're still trying to get the screens working from the storm the other day and that power flicker.

RZ: I've been doing my best to get them all working sooner than later, but it will still be two more day still they are working again.

The Guardians looked to eachother, nodded in agreement.

Tua: How about we wait till tomorrow for this, we should call the others and wait for Stampede.

Liberty and Freefall gave small smiles nodding, as did RZ.

Liberty: That sounds like a good idea. Mind helping us RZ?

RZ: Of course. Will alert them immediately.

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Hours later...

All the Rusherz had returned and been waiting in the main room for any response from Stampede. Needless to say as the hours went on, so did their worries increased.

Steed: *worried* Come Stamps where are you?

Ricky: It's must be something serious if he's been gone for this long-

At that moment, they all heard a beep. Liberty frantically looked at his NFLComm.

Liberty: *relived* RALPH WILSON STADIUM! HE'S AT RALPH WILSON STADIUM!

RZ: *relived* EVERYONE, please head there immediately. I'll keep an eye on things here but please head their fast.

Ish: *runs to the portal with the others* Thanks RZ!

With that they all scrambled to the Bills portal.

Ralph Wilson Stadium...

Stampede sighed as he placed the last box of glass drinks on the side. It was good to see all the Bills members today, and it was a good time too.

KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!

Stampede: -sighs- Now for the finale.

Stampede went to the door and opened it...surprised as he was hugged by Ash as the stumbled back in his office.

Ash: *relived* Thank goodness your okay!

Stampede: Y-Yeah, *sees everyone* sorry about the scare there everyone.

Ash broke the hug...now her and everyone else seeing he was in his pin-stripe suit.

Grizzly: Stamps, why are you wearing your suit?

Marty: Not to mention what happened that you needed to go silent?

Stampede nodded, leaning up on his desk.

Stampede: Promised i would tell you and i will..just, need to get some context out.

Both Guardians and Rusherz looked on in concern and worry as Stampede took a breath.

Stampede: Now our first year was..PRETTY bad. Had good defense but our offense was HORRENDOUS. So, it was our first home game on September 18, 1960 at the War Memorial Stadium. It was a lose but Ralph decided to take us out for wings, to celebrate our team's founding and our first game at home despite the loss. *Tiny smile* We all had fun, laughing and joking. Ralph told stories of his navy days, and he made me tell stories of me and Grizzly's escapades when we fought against the Mafia's in the 30s. Soon, when the team left for the evening, me and Ralph talked over some Coca-cola. It..was a very fun evening. We were about to head home when we noticed we still had alot, and i mean ALOT, of Coca-Cola left. *looks over;Smile falls* You kids heard of a Tan-Ten?

Ish: *raises his hand* I do, my dad explained it to me when we were at my grandparents house, watching a army/medical show. He told me it was french and that it was when the last person survives they receive a gift after a promise with a group or individual-*realization/sorrow* Oh no.

It hit the others fast as their eyes pricked with tears. Stampede took a raspy breath.

Stampede: knew it would hit at the explanation. Yeah; Ralph told me that, when his time came, me and the team all past and present would go out for wings. And in the evening, after he told me where to find these bad boys from the sixties he stored, i would share a toast with you guys and, when the time came, the guardians. Reason why I'm wearing the suit was part of that promise.

Pillage: *sorrow* Stamps...y-you don't mean-

Stampede: *nods* Today; March, 25 2014 at age 95, Ralph passed away at his home.

Arrow-Head: *tears* Stamps.

Arrow-Head and Lasso ran over hugging the Bill Rusher, who hugged back. All were in sorrow at the loss of a pinicale icon of the NFL/AFL History and a great man as their tears fell.

Lasso: *tears* Stampede we're all so sorry for your loss.

Stampede: Thanks...but *hug breaks* he lived a long life he did. Ninety five years full of joy and laughter. It sucks, ABSOLUTELY SUCKS, but...he had a lot of good memories. I have no idea what's gonna happen next, but he has a game-plan in action for this too. *looks at everyone* For now, i wanna celebrate his life with my friends and family. *small smile;eyes the drinks* You kids don't mind joining?

Ish: *nods;small smiles with the others* We'd be honored Stamps.

With that Stampede opened the boxes, handing everyone present a glass bottle of Coca-Cola.

Stampede: *cracks his opens with the others* Okay, you ready?

Ash: *small smile* You want to take the first drink? Say a few words?

Freedom: *nods* I agree. You should take the first drink since you were his partner working with the team.

Stampede smile grew a bit as he nodded, lifting his bottle up.

Stampede: To Ralph Wilson; US Navy vet of WWII, art collector, thoroughbred racing breeder and owner, Philanthropist, our team's owner and founder for Fifty four years and a guiding light for for the Great Merger. You were the voice of our team, the most vocal on your concerns on the league, *small chuckle* stubborn and tough as nails ta boot too. You were a amazing friend to us all even before you became our teams owner. *tears falling* I-I'm gonna miss seeing ya everyday buddy, thank you for the many years of fun, tears, laughter, sorrow, and joy. -raspy breath- M-me and the boys love you.

Stampede took a sip of his drink, sighing.

Stampede: *impressed;Small smile* Heh. Had no idea if this still tasted good, gosh darn it Ralph even when your not here you never cease to amazing me.

He looked up at his friends, who all wore warm smiles. He nodded in determination. Cyclops rose his up, followed by the others.

Cyclops: You and Bud keep an eye on all us ya here me. And don't go causing trouble.

That made Stampede chuckled, knowing full well the two friends were catching up now.

Stampede: *quiet* Onward to the future. *normal* Now with the present, *raises his again* to the league and our friendships

All: HERE HERE!

And with that both Guardians and Rusherz drank in celebration to the life of a icon, who would not be forgotten.

To Be Continued...

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TICK

TICK

TICK

EIGHT WEEKS TILL THE DRAFT.