One year later
The newly constructed Blackwood-Stevenson Arena gleamed in the morning sunlight, its modern design incorporating elements from both original teams—the sleek lines of the Blades' aesthetic and the classic hockey traditions of the Scorchers. Inside, workers made final preparations for the championship game that evening, hanging banners and checking equipment.
Emma walked the empty concourse, taking it all in. After a year of negotiations, compromises, and rebuilding, tonight would mark the culmination of everything they'd fought for—the first championship game for the Titans, the merged team that had defied all expectations to make the finals in their inaugural season.
Her phone buzzed with a message from the league office, confirming details for the ceremony where she woul
