Quest For Yzerchuk 3: The YIPs

Epilogue - What Is Cheating?

In Washington D.C.,

Dylan Larkin follows Alex Ovechkin, who is dressed in a dark hooded cloak down a torch lit hallway underneath of the Verizon Center. "Where are we going? Where are you taking me? Can I know yet?"

Ovechkin puts a finger to his lips as he opens up a barred cage door. Larkin cautiously steps inside and freezes in place at once. The older Russian dips inside, closing the door behind him. He walks across to where a Bald Eagle is perched on a branch.

"Um...." Larkin manages.

"Dylan Larkin, meet Trotlellan, our lucky Bald Eagle. He's in charge of providing our offense help when we need it against those dirty cheaters from Philly!"

Larkin gasps and steps back. "Trotlellan...is he Washington's Yzerchuk?"

Ovechkin smiles, petting Trotlellan on the head. "You have much to learn about the NHL, rookie. Not all teams are as they seem. Some of us get guidance and help from the Hockey Gods. It helps to maintain peace and zero out the cheating. Teams deemed worthy enough, get special help in the form of Trotlellan."

Larkin blinks. Tampa isn't the only one with a special gift! And that means, because his ex-team didn't have anything...Detroit isn't worthy!

Ovechkin smiles, turning to the rookie. "Burkie and Kuzy were just like you, Dylan. The NHL itself knows only of Yzerchuk, but there is a LOT more to the NHL teams... Larkin. Teams worthy enough, do not cheat to gain a win or an advantage, but simply combat the cheaters in the league already."

"But isn't having an eagle...a magical eagle, cheating?" Larkin questions.

"Not if you know when to use it. For instance, Trotlellan is only activated against a bad team. And Trotlellan knows the bad teams!"

**

In Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania,

Evgeni Malkin and Beau Bennett are the last ones to come off the ice from their 11 o' clock practice. They walk back to the locker room together, shower and get dressed as Geno starts the conversation.

Geno looks up at Beau as he is tying his tennis shoes. "Ever since I was little boy in Russia, I always want to be in NHL, and now I here. Beau sit." Beau sits down next to Geno as he opens his life up to his friend. "I came to America to play in NHL with Sid! Sid best! But I better!"

"And yet he was the one who didn't get hurt..." Beau laughs and then continues to listen to the Assistant Captain.

"No interrupt, Beau. I never thought I be captain with Sid, but I here. After I score first goal in NHL, Sid and coach thought best to make legend with gift. Including the famous Hockey Gods." He glances up at the ceiling of the room.

There is a definite pause, before Geno gasps.

"Wait, moment." Geno gets up and looks around the empty locker room, indicating that the coast is all clear. He grabs a large, black leather case with metal latches and brings it over to the younger player.

"This was molded for me and is best for team." He unhooks both metal latches and reveals the gold Bauer stick with the black blade and knob.

"Why? What's it for? Why is it best for the team?" Beau asks.

Geno chuckles to himself, as he holds the stick in his hands. "It help even score against Flyers, they like cheat. Coach and Sid thought best for team for me have to fight against Flyers. And Hockey Gods tell me...famous Russian hockey icon in NHL, Viacheslav Fetisov, entrust me with owning Iceburgh!"

"Iceburgh?" Beau questions. "That's our mascot's name! The Penguin!"

"Iceburgh is name of stick too. Like name. Iceburgh is best! Iceburgh is crafted from Russia!"