Quest For Yzerchuk 3: The YIPs

10 - Yzerchuk is Vladdy

Back in Amalie Arena,

Things are starting to go from worse to ugly, as the Red Wings up the pressure put on the poor Lightning. That is...until Dylan Larkin acts. He remembers Galchenyuk's words and jumps to his feet in a fury. He hops onto the ice and turns to Pavel Datsyuk, as Dekeyser returns without Vladdy.

"I'm done with this team! I'm done with you! I may not have a lightning bolt on my chest, but I am going to help them out!"

Datsyuk hops onto the ice and skates up to Larkin, who bravely stands looking at the veteran, alternate captain. "Larkin, you child!" He cross-checks Larkin in the chest and sends the rookie stumbling backward. "Bite your tongue! Remember your family... your dear brother... surely you don't want harm to come to them."

Larkin swallows his fear and shoves Datsyuk back with all his strength. "Leave me and my family alone! If Galchenyuk stood up to his best friend, I can stand up to a player I once respected, but who now threatens me and my family!"

"Bad mistake Larkin!" Datsyuk growls, wiping blood from his lip. He swings his stick at Larkin, connecting with his legs and sending him to the ice.

Galchenyuk rushes over with Drouin at his side as Datsyuk pounces on top of his rookie. They skid to a halt as Larkin shoves him off and gets to his skates.

"I'm done Pavel!" Larkin snaps and turns away. He looks at Galchenyuk and Drouin and smiles. "I did it! Thanks Chucky! You've really inspired me! It felt so good to stand up to Pavel Datsyuk!"

Galchenyuk reaches out and puts a hand on his shoulder. "No one should endure the abuse you suffered. I'm proud of you."

Datsyuk scrambles to his feet and barks at Abdelkader. "Get Markov on the phone! Tell him to kill Colin Larkin!"

Larkin suddenly gasps and spins around. "NO!"

Brian Boyle zooms over toward the bench, where Abdekader is standing on the ice, taking his phone out. Boyle skids to a halt at once and unleashes a powerful punch to the Red Wing goon's face, sending him falling backward into the boards. He hits his head and is knocked unconscious. Boyle snorts, cracking his neck.

The phone falls to the ice, ringing and Boyle stomps on it with his skate. "No one's getting hurt, Pavel, except your team!"

Datsyuk boils with anger.

Larkin freezes in shock as Boyle skates up to the furious Red Wing, who clenches a fist and aims at the Lightning player, who easily throws his hand up and blocks the blow. "Let's play hockey Pavel..." He shoves Datsyuk's arm down and glares at him sternly. "And you don't know how badly I wanted to punch that chickenshit!"

Galchenyuk looks at Drouin, who claps his hands with amusement and then he looks at the bench to see Nikita and TJ sharing a sweet smile with one another before TJ hugs Nikita close to him.

The game continues on as Abdelkader slowly recovers and returns to action, going at Boyle, who challenges him and Larkin soon purposefully trips up one of his own players, leading to an Alex Killorn goal from TJ and Nikita that shocks everyone in the building including the small Lightning forward, TJ.

"HOW--?" TJ gasps as he smashes together with Nikita and Killorn. "Vladdy and Yzerchuk are gone, I don't understand?"

A voice enters TJ's head suddenly. Don't worry Tyler, the Hockey Gods are looking out for you and your team. Also, it's time Vladdy knew the truth about who he is! Tell him Wayne Gretzky says hi!

TJ shakes his head and looks around. "Wayne Gretzky? What...?"

"Wayne Gretzky, TJ? Are you loopy?" Killorn asks. "Come on! We beat the Wings in Game 1 without Vladdy or Yzerchuk! It's a miracle!"