Quest For Yzerchuk 3: The YIPs

8 - The Truth About Vladdy Namestnikov

May 1st, 2014

In another part of Tampa, FL,

Vladislav Namestnikov is sitting on the couch. Rain is pounding against the windows and ceiling of Steven Stamkos' beach house in Clearwater. Lightning streaks across the sky outside and the wind howls. Jonathan Drouin and Jonathan Marchessault are battling one another in NHL13.

Drouin kicks Marchessault in the hip and jams his finger repeatably on a button on his controller, playing and controlling the Tampa Bay Lightning. "Take this!" He pulls back the right analog stick and flicks it forward for an underhand shot.

"Jo, come on, you're too aggressive!" Marchessault complains. "And don't kick me!"

"Just wait until I get my hands on you Jo!" Vladdy teases from the couch. "I'm gonna go all Patrick Kane on your ass!"

"Ha-ha you can certainly try to, Vladdy Boo," Jo laughs. "But I'm practicing so I can kick JT's ass! He always wins! I wanna win!" Jo gasps in shock as Marchessault commands a Dallas Star player to score with his controller.

Vladdy snorts with laughter. "Well, for one JT doesn't get distracted by me and let someone score. Come on Jo-Jo!"

"HA! Suck on Tyler Seguin!" Marchessault boasts, mocking a celebration in his sitting position.

"Ewww, that's Jamie Benn's job!" Drouin snarls, as he quickly makes the game continue on, jamming his finger down on his controller's buttons. "Think before you speak, man! For example, eat my ice you dirty Stars!!"

As Drouin presses the square for a wrist shot and then immediately on the circle for a slap shot, a bright flash happens outside as a Lightning strikes the ground right outside and unleashes a terrifying crack of thunder.

"Looks like the Hockey Gods are on my side, Marchy," Drouin boasts, raising his head up proudly.

Vladdy suddenly pauses in place, curled up on the couch, as a voice enters his head. A foreign, yet familiar one, the voice of Wayne Gretzky. Vladislav Namestnikov, I have heard the request from your GM and his friend. I know about the cheating from the Canadiens and soon you and your team will too. I have made a magical lightning bolt that will help in combatting the Habs, however it is best to split up the powers. I am bestowing the powers of healing and electrokinesis that will forever link you to the Lightning offense and a magical Lightning Bolt soon to be named Yzerchuk.

Why me? Vladdy finds himself thinking.

The voice continues on, saying, Because we deem you worthy. The lightning bolt will be tied to you. It will be smarter to have the powers separated. The Lightning Bolt will be powerless without and you, powerless without it. But should one be separated from the other for any reason, Tampa will not completely suffer. Only when both are removed should the problem arise.

But what do you mean?

You will understand someday, for now that is all I can tell you. Now, it's time for you to receive your powers and become Tampa Bay's Hero! Another lightning bolt will strike and you will forget Wayne Gretzky, ruler of the Hockey Gods, protector of the balance of the NHL, ever spoke to you but you shall recieve your powers.

Vladdy blinks and then, sure enough, another blinding flash comes and the forward notices himself glowing royal blue. He screams and Drouin and Marchessault spin around to him, cocking their heads.

"What's wrong with you? Scared of a little thunder Vladdy?" Drouin teases.

Vladdy realizes that the glow has vanished before they can see it. He shakes his head and opens his mouth, suddenly very lost. "I don't-I don't know why I screamed...I'm not scared of lightning...or thunder, Jo! And from the looks of it, you're not doing too well against Marchy. Is that an 'L' I see in the score?"