Chapter 48: First Practice, New Rivals

The next morning in Vancouver came with a crisp bite in the air and a sky so clear it felt like the calm before something bigger.

At Rogers Arena, things were already buzzing again. Not with playoff chaos this time—but with curiosity.

Because today wasn’t just practice.

It was Finn and Liam’s first time on a real rink.

---

Arrival at the Arena

Jake carried Liam through the private entrance while Alex walked beside Finn, who was already gripping his tiny stick like a pro.

“Big rink,” Finn whispered, wide-eyed.

Liam pointed at the ice.

“Boom… shiny.”

Brody met them near the locker room, crouching down with a grin.

“Alright, rookies,” he said. “You ready to embarrass your dad?”

Finn shook his head seriously.

“No. I score.”

Jake laughed.

“That’s my kid.”

---

First Time on NHL Ice

When they stepped out onto the empty rink, the arena felt massive.

The ice stretched endlessly under the bright overhead lights.

For a moment, both twins just stood there.

Taking it in.

Alex knelt beside them.

“This is where Papa plays,” he said.

Finn slowly stepped forward.

This time, no burst of power.

No sudden ice surge.

Just a careful glide.

Jake noticed immediately.

“Control,” he said quietly.

Alex nodded.

“He’s learning.”

---

Liam Tries Something New

Liam stepped onto the ice next.

He wobbled—

But instead of lifting off like before, he steadied himself.

Then he nudged a puck forward with his stick.

It slid cleanly across the ice.

Liam gasped.

“Boom… real pass!”

Brody clapped from the boards.

“Okay, that was legit.”

---

A Quiet Breakthrough

For the next half hour, something incredible happened.

No explosions.

No accidental powers.

Just skating.

Finn practiced stopping, spraying small bursts of ice like Alex.

Liam worked on balance, sticking closer to the surface.

Jake leaned against the boards, arms crossed.

“This is good.”

Lucien, standing nearby, nodded.

“They’re adapting faster than expected.”

---

The New Team Arrives

The doors at the far end of the arena suddenly opened.

A second group of players stepped onto the ice.

Dark jerseys. Sharp movements. Confident energy.

The visiting team for the upcoming opener.

The Chicago Blackhawks.

Their captain skated forward, eyeing Alex.

“So this is the famous Thorne.”

Alex stood, relaxed but alert.

“Depends who’s asking.”

The captain smirked.

“Someone who plans on ending your winning streak.”

Brody muttered under his breath.

“Here we go.”

---

Tension on the Ice

The Blackhawks players spread out, taking their side of the rink.

But their attention kept drifting.

Not to Alex.

To Finn and Liam.

One player leaned toward another.

“Those the kids?”

“Yeah.”

“They’re smaller than I expected.”

Jake’s expression hardened slightly.

---

A Subtle Test

The Blackhawks captain skated closer.

Not aggressive.

But deliberate.

He stopped a few feet from Finn.

“Think you’ll play here someday?” he asked casually.

Finn looked up at him.

Then down at the puck.

Then—

He tapped it forward.

Clean.

Straight.

Right between the captain’s skates.

The puck slid past him perfectly.

Brody burst out laughing.

“Oh that’s cold.”

Jake smirked.

“Runs in the family.”

---

Liam’s Turn

Liam watched carefully.

Then he lifted his stick—

and gently flicked his puck.

It slid across the ice, curved slightly—

and tapped the boards right where he aimed.

The Blackhawks captain raised an eyebrow.

“Okay…”

He looked back at Alex.

“…they’re not normal.”

Alex shrugged.

“Neither is this league anymore.”

---

The Warning

As the Blackhawks team regrouped, their assistant coach stood watching from the tunnel.

His eyes lingered on the twins.

Too long.

Lucien noticed.

His voice dropped.

“That one doesn’t belong.”

Jake followed his gaze.

“Court?”

Lucien nodded slightly.

“Observer.”

Jake’s jaw tightened.

“They’re scouting again.”

---

Practice Turns Competitive

Coach blew his whistle.

“Alright! Enough sightseeing. Let’s run drills!”

Both teams lined up.

The energy shifted instantly.

Sharp. Fast. Focused.

Alex took his position.

The Blackhawks captain lined up across from him.

“Let’s see if you’re still the hero without overtime,” he said.

Alex smirked slightly.

“Let’s find out.”

---

Finn Feels It Again

From the bench, Finn watched closely.

At first, just excited.

Then—

His expression changed.

“My ice…”

Jake looked down at him.

“What is it?”

Finn pointed at the rink.

“Something… under.”

Liam frowned too.

“Not good boom.”

Jake’s eyes narrowed instantly.

---

Beneath the Ice

Unseen beneath the surface of Rogers Arena, something faintly glowed.

A thin silver vein.

Barely visible.

Pulsing.

Waiting.

---

The Next Threat

High above the arena, hidden in the rafters, a small device activated silently.

A signal.

Far away, deep underground, the Crown Court leader opened his eyes.

“They’ve found the next anchor point,” he said softly.

An advisor stepped forward.

“Shall we proceed?”

The leader smiled.

“Not yet.”

He looked toward the glowing chamber behind him.

“Let them play a little longer.”

---

End of Practice

Back on the ice, practice wrapped up without incident.

But the feeling lingered.

Alex skated back toward the bench, glancing down at the ice.

Jake met him at the boards.

“The kids felt something.”

Alex nodded.

“I did too.”

Lucien stepped in.

“The Court is embedding something beneath the rink.”

Brody groaned.

“Again? Can’t we just have one normal season?”

Jake looked out across the ice.

“No.”

---

Family Leaves the Arena

As they left Rogers Arena, Finn held Alex’s hand tightly.

“Bad ice?”

Alex squeezed his hand.

“We’ll fix it.”

Liam looked up at Jake.

“Boom fix again?”

Jake smiled slightly.

“Yeah.”

He looked back at the arena.

“But next time…”

His voice dropped.

“…we finish it for good.”

---

Outside, the city lights of Vancouver shimmered against the night sky.

The season had only just begun.

And already—

the next battle was waiting beneath the ice.