AAOOOSC! Rivalry!

Meanwhile, in the CWHL power players’ headquarters, Julie is sitting at her desk behind her computer in the large room the stolen database computer is now situated. The massive computer is behind her, being worked on by Dru and Erica.

Ding ding ding! comes a sound from Julie’s computer.

Julie peers up at her screen from her keyboard, spotting a notification of the NWHL power players calling.

“The NWHL is calling,” Julie announces seriously.

Dru scoffs from behind her. “Must be begging for their computer.” She pats the edge of its control panel heartedly.

A bolt is heard slipping out and clinking against the cold ground.

Erica gawks at the fallen bolt then at the hole where the bolt once was lodged. “You wrecked it!”

“I did not!” Dru snaps back at her. “A bolt just got loose!” She swipes it from the ground, holding it in the air. “I’ll fix it.” She then inserts it into the hole and twists it back in.

Julie accepts the call. She sends the video call to a television situated in front of her, displaying the call to the whole dreary room.

“Hilary, Emily, Nicole, and Katie,” Julie says to the screen, naming each of the ladies shown on the screen.

“Hello, Julie,” Hilary greets with a small smile.

“What seems to be the matter?” The CWHL’s Master interlaces her fingers on her desk with her eyes upon the screen.

“I’m just curious…” Hilary tilts her head. “...do you know what happened to our leagues?”

Hilary’s question is answered by Erica bawling behind Julie.

Julie herself nods her head slowly. “Yes, I did receive the unfortunate news from Sami.”

“And do you know who’s behind it?” Hilary asks, cocking her head.

“It was that Matthews guy,” Dru snarks out from behind her Master.

“Yes, he did drop by with a message regarding his plan,” Julie confirms with a solemn expression.

“What are your thoughts on it?”

“It’s cruel and unusual.”

Hilary narrows her eyes. “Would you go up to his challenge?”

Julie raises her eyebrows at her. “Are you?”

“I asked the question first.” The NWHL Master gives her a closed smile.

The CWHL Master casts her eyes down as she mentally gains the opinions of each of her power player members. She then lifts her eyes back up at Hilary. “We’re debating about it.”

“I say we should!” Dru hollers from behind her.

“Well, we four have accepted the challenge,” Hilary replies pridefully with a smirk, adjusting the cuffs her on sleeve. “And we also have a challenge for you, if you’re interesting.”

Emily, Nicole, and Katie smirk at Julie as well.

“Speak,” Julie orders, appearing unamused.

“The first group to defeat Matthews becomes the true GWHP.”

Emily wiggles her eyebrows. “How about that?”

“And the defeated group?” Julie asks with a hint of interest, her interlaced fingers holding up her face.

“EWHP,” Hilary answers ominously. “What we consider each other.”

Emily, Nicole, and Katie exchange expressions of trepidation.

Julie nods her head slowly, increasing its speed as she mentally receives the agreement of the challenge from the rest of her group. “Sounds fair enough.” She lifts her eyes up at them. “We accept the challenge.”

“Great.” Hilary gives her a sturdy nod. “There’s no time limit, just that the first one wins.”

“Sounds good.” Julie reaches out for her mouse. “See you later--”

“Oh!” Emily’s eyes fly open, catching sight of the stolen database. “Can we have our database back--?”

“NO!” Dru hugs the thick side of the computer in overprotection.

Emily makes a small frown. “Pooeys.”

Hilary then gives the CWHL Master a small wave. “Bye, Julie.”

“You don’t want to rejoin the CWHL, Hilary?” Julie gives her a tempting smile, digging up Hilary’s past.

Hilary pauses for a moment. Her mind takes her back to the days when she was the power player of the Boston Blades. Having the ability to generate, manipulate, and maneuver blades so effortlessly was a useful power.

But when the NWHL began, she chose to join the new league with the promise of becoming Master. Now, she is the Master and with an upgrade of powers: the power to manipulate pride, even form it into an energy-like state.

Hilary shakes her head at her former power player partner. “No. I’m satisfied with the trade to the NWHL. Good-bye.” She presses the side of her intercom, ending the call.

She then turns to her current power player partners. “It’s on.”

Notes