Arrow Hawk: Battle for the Ice - The Great NHL War (Book 4)

Battle #1: John Tavares vs John Scott

John Tavares walked into the arena first. It was just an abandoned warehouse that happened to be in the Olympic Village in Chicago, Illinois. Nothing special, but the building was a perfect setup for a battle or war. In fact, he'd been invited there by an unknown person. He'd been told to come alone and to bring his guns.

John was already wearing his black suit and tie with a dark blue shirt lined with orange markings. He had on black pants with black boots. Around his waist, the Canadian had a belt, which housed a puck blaster and puck launcher. In his black gloved hand, he held a large machine gun at ready. It was the same weapon he'd pulled out earlier to help his friends out. The New York Islander forward didn't have powers, but he didn't need to have them. He was skilled with a gun or any weaponry.

"Why did you call me here?" he called out, cautiously looking around the arena.

On the ice, he was known for being a goal-scoring force, mostly known for his sharp accuracy with the puck, but off the ice, his accuracy carried over in his gun shooting.

"Come on, don't hide from me, that's just embarrassing!"

Suddenly, the ground shook under him and a man wearing a black armored suit with a black mask on his face darted from the shadows and raised up his own machine gun. He wore black pants, black army boots and a belt for his own guns.

"Don't flatter yourself Tavares!"

"'Wasn't, Scotty. Now tell me why did you call me here?"

"We're going to have a little battle, okay?" John Scott, the San Jose Shark player growled and pulled back the trigger, clicking it back. "Let's see how well your reflexes are, Tavy Boy!"

"With pleasure!"

On the ice, John Scott was known for being a goon, with his toughness, grit, strength and knack for hitting players with tremendous hits or fighting an opponent or two. However, the Canadian didn't know how talented John Tavares actually was.

"Maybe shoulda asked Seabs to bring his swords here, eh?" John Tavares chirped, as his gun clicked.

"Maybe, but you don't bring knives to a gunfight, including his cute little swords."

With that, they both let go of the triggers and the guns noisily sprang to life. The Islander dove to the side, as did the Shark. They both sprang up again, as their bullets crashed into the walls behind them.

"Nice reflexes!" John Scott spat.

"You too!" John Tavares scoffed.

They loaded up again, this time they let a barrage of bullets fly out of the weapons, as they dodged and darted around, aiming at one another. But they were like two electron particles; they couldn't cancel each other out.

The gunfire continued, until John Tavares was finally hit by one of the bullets in the arm. He cussed and dropped to the ground. John Scott darted forward and pointed the barrel of his gun at the Islander's head. The Shark clicked the trigger into place, ready to blow the hero's brains out.

"Not as fast as me, eh Tavy? Got anything you wanna say?"

John Tavares remained on his knees. He gulped, staring at the weapon jammed against his temple. His eyes slowly trailed up to the owner, who was snarling at him. The Canadian Islander wasn't scared but he was shocked. However he was able to maintain a calm facade and not show his weakness.

John Scott kicked the gun from his hand and it flew to the side, uselessly. Great, there went his prized weapon...now he'd have to use the puck blaster or puck launcher! John Tavares felt his heart beating faster in his chest. He had to do something. But what?

"Any last words Tavares?"

John kept his steely-eyed glare steady on the villain, unmoving and unresponsive.

"Speak Tavares!" John Scott snapped at him.

"Can I just say that I'm not Tyler Seguin?!"

"What's that mean?"

"This." John Tavares rapidly grabbed John Scott's hand and forced it to the side. The weapon dislodged a bullet and it flew to the side, harmlessly. He pushed up and rammed his head into John Scott's head, sending him stumbling backward. The Islander reached for his belt and whipped out the blaster and aimed at the Shark, who was still recovering from John Tavares' sudden move. The puck hit him square in the chest and sent him flying backward into the wall behind him.

"How's that, Scotty?"

John Scott tore himself from the wall and aimed his gun at the Islander, who launched another puck at him. The puck hit the weapon and knocked it from the Shark's hold. It clattered on the ground a few feet away from him. Then John Tavares darted forward and did a cool spin-o-rama move, as John Scott pressed the button on the side of his puck launcher and launched a puck at him. The puck missed him, as he spun around and blasted a series of rounds at the Shark.

The pucks connected with their target and he slammed back against the wall again, slumping to the ground. He didn't look too good and looked beaten and bruised. He moaned with pain, as John Tavares hovered over him, pointing the blaster down at his head.

"Fine, fine, you win...this round."

"Never underestimate the Islander! Like I said, I'm not Tyler Seguin." John Tavares held his pose for a few seconds before he deflated and shoved his blaster back into the spot of his belt and then darted away and scooped up his machine gun. He ran from the arena and headed across Madison Street to the practice facility for the Chicago Blackhawks: Johnny's Ice House.

John Scott grumbled and got to his feet. But before he could leave, another figure walked in, blocking his exit. It was Sean Avery, the terrifying Captain of the Hockey Villains Squad. He shook his head. "You have failed the team, Scott," the villain growled.

"I know, Captain. I am sorry." The Shark dipped his head, maintaining a stern look.

"You know what you must do. End Tavares' life, no matter what it takes. You must cheat and defeat him. If you fail again...well, don't let that happen."

"I won't, Sir."

"Good, I am sending out the others to handle the other Hockey Heroes, but you're mission is John Tavares."

"Understood." John Scott dipped his head.

"Excellent, that is all. I must find Jonathan Toews and destroy him...maybe even get after his blond friend," Sean Avery cackled and walked back out of the warehouse, leaving John Scott alone.