Arrow Hawk: Birth of the Hockey Avengers

Evelyn O’Reilly returns to Boston, twinkling into appearance in the middle of the main floor of the North End headquarters. She walks in, immediately running into Brad Hawkley. She skids to a halt to prevent bumping into him.

“Evelyn?” he questions.

“Hey, Hawkley, I have a question!” she says.

Hawkley eyes her and motions for her to follow him. “Alright, what’s up, Eve?”

The heroine deactivates her hero look via a star symbol on her waist and follows him. “I visited Val and he’s super depressed over the fact that he can’t save himself. He loves me, but he’s getting a little tired of having to be saved all the damn time and frankly, I don’t blame him. Jonny was the same way.”

Hawkley pauses in the doorway to his control room, where he spends a majority of the day searching and running the supercomputer for threats for the heroes to respond to. He spins to her. “And you’re telling me all this because...?”

“Because he asked me if he could have powers. He suggested archery.”

“Like Hawkeye?”

“No, better!” Evelyn repeats Val’s words. Hawley looks at her strangely. “His words.” She shrugs.

Hawkley continues to look at her. “Well, I guess I can train him in archery. If he’s willing and ready and also- not a complete beginner. But I can see him being a Russian Hawkeye type. I’ll give him a shot. But if he can’t live up to my training or my expectations...there’s nothing I can do.”

“Oh, he’ll be eager….and he’ll meet your demands. With proper training and the right equipment, he’ll impress you Hawkley. I’ve seen him...during the off-season he goes to the field and practices. He’s really a natural.”

“He’d better be. I want him here tomorrow at noon. I’ll judge if he has what it takes to be a “Russian Hawkeye”...now can you do me a favor and pop in on the Blackhawk. I’m still trying to figure out a way for him to control that impressive anger of his. Just see if he’s snapped lately.”

Evelyn nods. “Thanks Hawkley, Val will be thrilled. And I didn’t have to get Kelly’s help!” She gasps and throws her hands over her mouth.

Hawkley looks at her. “What did you say?”

“Nothing. Nevermind. How’s Kelly’s training?” She breathes a sigh of relief, thanking her fast cover-up skills and ability to change the conversation.

“She did superbly. She’s out with Vlad right now.”

“Namestnikov?”

“No, Tarasenko.”

“Tara! Oh! She finally got a date with him! I’m so happy for her!” Evelyn claps her hands together excitedly.

“Yes, they make a fine couple. I look forward to working with the new hero. If any more hockey players want to be heroes though...I’ll have to find a new trainer!” He enters his room and leaves Evelyn, chuckling dryly to himself.


The next day,

Evelyn finishes popping in on Jonathan and then taking care of a burglary in Downtown Boston and then heads to Dallas, via her stellar teleportation ability. She appears at the American Airlines Center and deactivates her look, before darting inside. She makes her way to the back-ice area, where the locker rooms are.

She enters the locker room to a chorus of “‘Sup Evelyn!”

Evelyn greets them back with, “What’s going on boys? Are you going to take care of those bastards from Montreal?” She slaps hands with a few, including Jason Spezza and Antoine Roussel.

“Yeah! I’m going to grab that PK Subban and run his face into the boards!” Roussel growled, making his fist as him and his other hand as Subban and showing her what he’d do.

She giggles and then calls out, “Where’s my precious Baby Russian Nichy!?”

Val pushes his way forward instantly and hugs her. “You came!”

“Of course...are you suffering from any memory loss there baby?” She pushes him back, surveying him. He chuckles, breaking a clueless smile. “Of course I came, I have news and I wouldn’t miss a Dallas Stars game EVER! Especially when you are playing those cheating Habs!”

Val looks at her, curiously. “What news?”

“Hawkley said yes,” she leans toward his ear and whispers.

Val blinks and smiles super largely. “Yay!”

“But,” she leans back and puts a finger to her lips. “You can’t tell anyone. Keep the excitement inside and explode on the ice. I expect you to get 20 goals Mr. Valeri Nichushkin.”

Val nods, biting his lip. She can tell he is super pumped about the news. He looks ready to burst. She looks at the others in the room. Jamie and Tyler come toward her, entering the room.

“Yo Eve baby!” Tyler says, putting an arm on Val’s shoulder and leaning against the excited Russian man. “What’s a haps with you?”

Evelyn puts her hands on her hips. “Tyler Seguin, I told you I wasn’t interested.”

Val shrugs Tyler’s arm off of his shoulder.

“Stop hitting on my girlfriend Seggy!!” Val whines. “I no like you liking her.”

Tyler folds his arms. “You know me, Val...I got a serious thing for hot women!” He flashes Evelyn a smoldering ‘Tyler Seguin’ look.

Evelyn rolls her eyes at him, annoyed at him for even trying to hit on her still. But she cannot deny that it is so Tyler Seguin.

“Yeah, to cover up all the time he spends with me,” Jamie adds on with a wink and smile.

Tyler gawks at his friend and pushes him playfully. “Jamie!”

“Alright, my precious Russian Bacon Line, I want you to go out there and make me proud, okay? Tyler, tone down the show-off crap and please don’t flirt with the female fans. Jamie, lead like a pro! And Val, be yourself!” Evelyn says.

They all nod. Evelyn shoves Tyler and Jamie out of the locker room and gets Val alone with her. He cocks his head in curiousity.

“So, Hawkley agreed that you can try out archery. He wants you there at noon tomorrow.” Evelyn rounds him. “Are you certain about this? Can you be a hockey player for the Dallas Stars and an archer?”

“I can! If Jonny can, I can!” Val exclaims.

“Then go out on that ice and wipe it with Habs!” Evelyn screams.

“I get 20 goals!”

“Well, yeah. At least get a hat trick!” Evelyn declares. “I’ll be in the crowd.”

She activates her look and vanishes. Val grabs his helmet and stomps out of the locker room, into the hallway. He joins Tyler and Jamie. They all scream at each other and then launch onto the ice. As he skates around, taking a lap, he spots Evelyn in the crowd. She is dressed in her mortal clothes, but the red hair and blue eyes stand out. She sends a wink to him. He returns it.


The next day,

After the Dallas Stars killed the Montreal Canadians with a score of 10-1, Valeri Nichushkin makes his way to Boston. He walks into the North End of the building, looking around, stunned at where he is. He’s never been to this part...or rather inside….

He finds himself in a long tunnel, which branches off to other rooms. One of them, he peeks into, and sees a laboratory. Distracted and unaware of the approaching man, he is taken aback by the lab.

“Welcome, Valeri Nichushkin,” a deep voice says.

Val jumps and spins to see Hawkley standing a few feet away. “Hawkley!?”

“Are you ready to be an archer? I see that we’re off to a good start already...jumping in fright. Do not be scared, if you jump that is how the villain knows you are weak...it won’t end well. I don’t train failures, I train heroes!”

Val nods. “I hero. I can no jump!”

Hawkley puts a hand on his back and guides him further into the headquarters, down the tunnel hallway. They come to another side room and walk in. Inside, Val finds himself in the vast black box training room.

Hawkley has set up his targets, the archery ones. He walks up to a table and grabs a rectangular briefcase. He walks back to Val who is looking around the room. He holds it out to him, undoing the clasps on the sides. He opens the lid up and reveals a collapsed bow inside. He dips his head, signaling Val to take it.

Val looks at him and then slowly reaches out toward it. He takes it in his hand and lifts it from the case. He grips it horizontal in his hand and in a quick snapping motion, makes it flip open into the bow form. He blinks, holding it firming in his hold. It’s different than any other bow he has used.

Hawkley sets the case on the table and then grabs a Victory Green hoodie up. Val removes his long-sleeve white shirt and puts it on, with his black jeans. And then Hawkley returns with a quiver of arrows. Val puts the quiver on, strapping it over the hoodie. Then he reaches back and takes an arrow from the cylinder. He notches it in the bow and raises it up, aiming at the target.

Hawkley backs away as Val pulls back on the string and lets the arrow fly through the air, hitting the target. It isn’t a perfect shot, but it impresses Hawkley enough.

“I still need practice,” Val remarks.

Hawkley smiles at him. “I can see that...but….Welcome, Master Archer. Aim and getting the perfect shot will come with time, but you are indeed trainable and a natural at the bow. Evelyn was right about you.”

Val beams. “Thanks...uh, Spasibo.”

“Пожалуйста! (You’re welcome!)” Hawkley responds with a wink.

Val smiles larger. He knows Russian?!

“I know a little Russian, the basics. Evelyn knows more. So, what would you like to be called?” Hawkley questions.

“Well, I Dallas Star...and I like archery….no can take Hawkeye...so maybe Star Shot?” Val suggests.

“Star Shot, Zvezda, Captain Blackhawk, and Magica...look at me, I’m running a hero school here!” Hawkley remarks with a dry chuckle.

Val chuckles. “So, this my bow?”

“It is. It’s a flexible recurve bow. Easily transportable and lightweight...and deadly.”

Val slides his hand along the bow’s shaft. “It cool.”

“And I know one problem that archers often run into is ‘running out of arrows’...not you. I’ve equipped the quiver to restock the arrows for endless shots. It’ll sense when there is one left and it will automatically refill for you.”

“Sick!” Val remarks.

“And like Hawkeye, Green Arrow, all the hero archers out there, your arrows are all special and different. There are normal arrows to explosive ones. And ones that can dispatch a claw hook, in case you fall off a building while fighting Chitauri.”

Val laughs. “I no think Chitauri bother Star Shot.”

“Let’s hope not. Over this week, I’m going to get that perfect shot of yours golden and also teach you martial arts. You’ll essentially become a Russian Hawkeye. Are you willing to do that?”

“Well...Stars have Winter Break for whole two week...I can do it!”

“Great! That look is yours for now, but I’ll try to get you a better one. I don’t know but hoodies aren’t for archers, they should restrict vision and an archer needs that.”

Val nods.

And like that Star Shot, the Master Archer Hockey Player is born. He is put through the intense week and Evelyn visits him, to check in on the progress. She is impressed by how quickly he catches on. In two days he has perfect aim and can hit the center of the target. He can even hit while moving, on the third day.

On the fourth, Hawkley runs him through basic martial arts. And he is a master at the moves and can use his bow as a weapon by the end of the fifth. He also is presented with a new outfit: a black vest and black boots (similar to Hawkeye’s Avengers’ look).


On the sixth day, Hawkley meets up with Val for the next stage of the training. It is time for him to fight an opponent with powers. Val starts off by fighting Hawkley himself and easily wins the battle...

Hawkley brushes himself off after Val has just whacked him across the head and sent him to the ground. In the center of a target, his arrow is sticking out, perfectly placed. He rapidly grabs another and points it at Hawkley. The boss laughs and pushed the arrow to the side, forcing the bow to tilt as well.

“Wonderful job….but let’s give you a true test. I want to see you go again Magica and Zvezda.”

Val plucks the arrow from the target and spins to him. “Okay.”

Hawkley leaves him alone for a few minutes, fetching Kelly first. She has her wand with her, in her hand. The boss clears the floor and has them face one another as though they are going to dual.

Kelly flicks her wand against her hand and Val prepares his bow. Hawkley stands to the far side, safely out of the way and then clears his throat. “Don’t go full out and hurt each other, but just push each other. Now...Let the battle begin!”

Val strikes first, shooting an arrow at her. Kelly cries out an incantation and an invisible force field blocks the arrow from reaching her. She then shouts the familiar, “Flagrate!” A stream of fire blasts from the tip of her wand and she flicks it at Val, who knocks it away with his bow and then leaps to the side.

Val notches another arrow in his bow and aims at Kelly’s wand. The white blonde is surprised as the arrow knocks the wand free. Direct hit! Val beams and stands up, relaxing. Kelly smirks though, channeling her energy. She focus and blasts Val backward, shouting out, “Incendio Tria!” Val flies back and hits the wall.

He shakes his head. “No fair. I no think you have powers other than wand.”

“You’ve got to be prepared though for anything, Nichy,” Hawkley shouts out.

“Yeah, you may move like a hawk, but it means nothing if I can trick you and you aren’t ready for it. You must be ready for ANYthing and EVERYthing!” Kelly exclaims.

“Okay…” Val grumbles, getting up to his feet. “You say I hawk like…”

“Yeah, just the way you move and attack, it’s like a hawk attacking its prey. And also it’s VERY similar to Hawkeye.” Kelly shrugs and goes to pick up her weapon. “Hawkley says your codename is Star Shot. I’ve been thinking and what if instead you’re name is closer to ‘Hawkeye’s’...how about...Arrow Hawk?”

Val cocks his head. “Arrow Hawk?” he repeats with his thick Russian accent.

Kelly puts her wand away. “I’m sorry but Star Shot sounds too childish.”

“So do Magica...it too plain sounding!” Val responds, picking up his arrows.

“Look I’m not forcing you to change the name, I’m simply suggesting. I like Arrow Hawk better than Star Shot.”

Val nods. Hawkley comes over and gives them both a pep talk. Then over the next few hours, Evelyn and Kelly take turns testing out Val’s fighting capabilities some more. After holding his own and managing to win all three battles eventually and making sure he is prepared for Kelly’s “tricks”, he finds he is still able to shoot a perfect shot at the end.

During breaks, he takes time to contemplate Kelly’s new name suggestion. Star Shot isn’t too “manly” as Kelly had suggested...Arrow Hawk is. He ultimately decides that he wants to rename himself to Arrow Hawk, taking a liking to the name better.

Eventually…he walks up to Kelly. “I think about “Arrow Hawk” as new codename...and you right! Star Shot no good enough.”

Kelly smiles. “I’m glad.”

“I is Arrow Hawk!!” Val exclaims. “Я Стрелка Ястреб! (Ya Strelka Yastreb!)”

Evelyn and Hawkley look at him.

“Oh my God, Valeri that’s such a cool name!! I like it!” Evelyn remarks.

“Kelly help me find my name. Magica is best!”

Kelly pats his shoulder and laughs. “Haha, I’m not so sure I’m sold on Magica as my nickname. As you said, Magica is kind of boring. And it has nothing to do with my telepathic abilities. But I don’t know what I should be called.”

Evelyn steps forward. “Well psychic abilities and magic, plus the fact that you’re a girl...how about something like ‘Psychica’? Is that tougher sounding….and cooler?”

Kelly nods. “I love that actually Evelyn! Psychica!”

“And Arrow Hawk!” Val adds on.

“And Zvezda and Captain Blackhawk!” Evelyn finishes.

And soon...on the seventh day, Arrow Hawk is officially born and sent on a mission with Zvezda… their mission is “PyroHab”...

Notes

Remember to keep all comments classy and respectful. If you have nothing nice to say, keep it to yourself. Please and thank you.
If you don't like Kazer as a couple, 1. My stories aren't for you and I don't know why you'd dare to continue to try to read them, 2. I don't care for your opinion, they're a cute couple to me and I will write them how I want to, 3. I know that they aren't a real couple in real life but this is Hockey Fan FICTION, meaning it can be the case, 4. You're missing out on the adorableness, 5. Bite me you jealous bastards!!
I'm trying to be nice here, but the above is totally true. If you don't like the stories, don't read 'em, comment on 'em with your opinion and piss off. Go enjoy the straight romance or whatever the hell you enjoy. You aren't putting me down or chasing me away or anything, all you are doing is bullying and - pardon me here - but being a fucking asshole.
Okay, anyway....I think I'm good here.


Next up: Remember that one-shot with someone called PyroHab????