Nikita, the superdog companion, had always been there for Black Scorpion and even Tyler Seguin. He was a loyal golden retriever and he loved his owner a lot no matter whether he was a mortal hockey player or being the spy saving the world and the NHL. He loved him almost too much. He wanted Tyler to be happy. When Tyler was happy, Nikita was happy and when Tyler was sad, Nikita was sad.

Today was no different.

Tyler got off the phone, after talking with Jamie Benn. He looked pretty shaken and upset. He’d found out some pretty horrible news. The young forward was in the hallway of the Dallas Stars’ practice facility in Fresco. The recently turned four-month old puppy was with him. Tyler had to run by the facility to grab something that he had left behind and he’d brought his superdog along with him, thinking nothing of it.

The centreman had thrown on a black jacket and jeans and a white and black patterned scarf. He’s put a beanie on his head. Some of his fashion had been inspired by Jamie and some of it had rubbed off on his captain too. He looked like a winter-dressed hockey player.

The dog saw Tyler stuff his phone into his pocket. He then looked at the gorgeous golden retriever puppy, his eyes sparkling with water and then he slumped against the green spray painted concrete walls. He gradually slid down to sit on the floor, leaning against the wall. He looked down at his feet and sniffled. He was too stunned to do anything.

Whatever he’d heard or talked to his friend about had been really bad, enough to shake him to the core. Nikita rarely saw his owner like this.

The golden retriever padded over and halted at Tyler’s side. He paused there, cocking his head. Then he decided to sit back on his haunches and he looked up at his owner with big worried, questioning puppy dog brown eyes. He bent his head to the side and nuzzled Tyler’s arm, then backed up and gave a small yip bark sound as though asking, “What is wrong, Tyler?”

“Oh Nikita, Uncle Jamie told me Marshall…” Tyler choked, unable to finished his sentence.

Nikita whined and put a paw on Tyler’s leg as though in comfort and to say, “I’m here, I got you, master.”

“Marshall’s dead,” Tyler finally finished, before his eyes welled up with tears. “And I didn’t even get to say goodbye!” He buried his head in his hands and cried.

Nikita howled a mournful cry to the air and then nuzzled against his owner, trying to comfort him. In his dog brain, he couldn’t help but be sad by the news. He’d just met the old chocolate labrador, who’d been Tyler’s first doggy companion. And now...he was gone. He also knew Cash wouldn’t be far behind.

Tyler wiped his eyes after a few minutes and turned to the golden retriever. He picked him up in his hands and lifted him onto his lap. He wrapped his arms around Nikita tightly and sobbed some more. Nikita twisted into a position, where he was able to open up his mouth and he licked Tyler’s cheek gently.

Anything he could do to make his best friend happier. But Tyler’s eyes were squeezed shut with water squirting out of his eyelids. Even though Nikita knew Tyler to be a tough hockey player, he had a heart and he cared about his friends...his children. He cared tremendously for Cash, Nikita and Marshall.

So with Marshall’s death, it was almost like he were losing a part of himself and a part of his heart and Nikita understood his pain. “Marshall,” Tyler cried his former dog’s name over and over again.

The two remained in the hallway for the next hour, Tyler sobbing about the loss of Marshall and Nikita trying to comfort him and make him feel better.

Notes

This is the outcome of trying to make a cute Nikita-Tyler edit and creating something sad instead. :( Sorry Tyler... how old is Marshall though?