Thank you keiman and kei and daisygirl101 for beta reading and helping me improve!
I do not own Chicken Little. Chicken Little is owned by Disney. I only lay claim to Chauncey Cheetah.
Chapter 18
Acorns fans were ecstatic, letting out triumphant yells and cheers as Chauncey's teammates embraced him tightly at the hard-fought victory.
"It's all over folks! For the first time in thirty years, the boys' basketball team has won the championship!" the Dog Announcer announced with an enormous grin on his face.
Chicken Little and his friends were cheering with the rest of the crowd, while Foxy Loxy stood there, stunned at what she just witnessed.
When Chicken Little had won it all for the baseball team last year with his first and only hit of the season, it robbed Foxy of the MVP trophy.
However, that night was different. Chauncey had been a truly great leader for the basketball team; he had hit shots and made plays when it mattered most, even without the injured Ryan Rabbit.
"You did it, Chauncey! We are champions!" Chicken Little exclaimed after he had found Chauncey in the storming group of fans on the court.
"That we did Chicken Little. We won," Chauncey smiled.
Buck Cluck had come with his son to congratulate their new best friend.
"Congratulations Chauncey," Buck smiled as he held out his hand.
"Thank you, Mr. Cluck," the cheetah smiled as he shook it.
Right after he finished his comment, two of his teammates dumped the container of water all over the cheetah, resulting in everyone laughing. The cheetah, however, was not the slightest bit upset. He had done very well for the team, and that was their way of saying thank you to him.
The trophy presentation soon followed. Fans were asked to return to their seats and watch the trophy being handed out to their team. As soon as the trophy was in the cheetah's hands, he held it up for everyone to see. Everyone cheered and clapped while chanting, "MVP!"
The Dog Announcer was now on the court to present the MVP trophy.
"Congratulations to the Acorns for winning tonight's championship," he announced.
The crowd cheered once again.
"It was one great season we'll never forget. We had our share of setbacks, but in the end, we pulled through them all. The reason why we won was because we stuck together in even the toughest of situations. Due to our great team, it was so much fun to watch this year," the Dog Announcer announced.
Another round of applause.
"Tonight, the MVP award goes to someone who is truly humble and selfless. He never gave up, and was always working hard, even on off-days. What we like about him is he treats everyone the way he would like to be treated. I just know he'll keep getting better every year," the Dog Announcer continued.
The crowd cheered and then went quiet, eager to know who the MVP was.
"Our MVP is…Chauncey Cheetah!" the Dog Announcer exclaimed.
Everyone cheered and chanted, "MVP!" as the cheetah walked over in astonishment to accept the MVP award.
Realizing he was to give an award acceptance speech, Chauncey kindly asked the Dog Announcer to hold his trophy while he held the microphone to give his speech. The dog complied with a smile and handed the microphone to Chauncey.
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The cheetah cleared his throat.
"First of all, I am very thankful to be receiving this award tonight. Most importantly, I would like to thank the men above. Without his blessing, none of this would've been possible," Chauncey elaborated.
A round of applause.
"It was an unbelievable season, to say the least, and I greatly appreciate everyone on our team. My teammates, the coaches, always pushing me to get better and work hard every day, it was a magical ride to be with them. I deeply appreciate Coach Donkey for believing in me and motivating me to do what I love every day and every night. Another thing I appreciate is what my teammates have done for our team this year. They have sacrificed a lot for me over the course of the season, and none of this is possible without them. While it may have been a stellar season for me, this award is not just for me. It is for our entire team. With four other guys on the floor with me, I cannot do it all by myself. I appreciate what our team has done this year, and I'm very thankful to be part of this group," Chauncey continued.
Another round of applause.
"Lastly, I would like to thank my family and friends. I am very happy with how my parents have raised me to become what I am today, and how our butler gives me advice whenever I am feeling down. Without their support, I would not be in this position. Another thing I appreciate is the support of my friends. Chicken Little, Abby Mallard, Runt, and Fish, they are some of the best friends I have ever had. You guys brighten up my day every time we see each other. I would also like to thank Mr. Buck "Ace" Cluck for the advice he gave me before tryouts began. Telling me to get my teammates involved in any way possible, always doing my best, and putting in the effort it takes to be successful. I would also like to thank everyone who came to tonight's game, cheering us on. Cheering us on is what keeps me going, and I am flattered with what you guys did to encourage us not just tonight, but every game this season. Once again, I am humbly appreciative of everyone for your support and I cannot be thankful enough for everything you have done, and I am grateful for that. Hope everyone has a great night. Thank you again. Appreciate it," Chauncey concluded.
A very loud round of applause followed, as well as the chanting of the cheetah's name.
After the heartfelt speech, everyone began to file out of the gymnasium. Before he left, the Dog Announcer gave the cheetah his trophy back and congratulated him once more.
"That was a great speech Chauncey," Chicken Little praised.
"I appreciate that," the cheetah smiled.
"That was one heck of a game tonight," Abby stated.
"I am definitely with you on that. Four overtimes sure is a lot of basketball to play," Chauncey smiled sheepishly.
"I was very nervous the entire time," Runt admitted.
"It's all good Runt. After our slow start, I can understand why you would be. If I were in the crowd, I would be pretty nervous if the team were in that situation," the cheetah explained.
"Congrats on the win tonight!" Fish tried to say.
"Thanks Fish. I appreciate the support," the cheetah winked as he and Fish did a fist-bump.
After Chicken Little and his friends left the gymnasium, the cheetah was about to do the same, until he noticed someone still on the stands.
Foxy Loxy.
Chauncey was hesitant to approach her. After thinking about what Chicken Little and his friends said, however, he decided to try to do something nice for her. Ice cream, perhaps?
As the cheetah approached the vixen, she saw him and then turned away from him.
"Good evening Foxy," he greeted.
Foxy did not respond right away.
"Hey Chaunce," she said after a few minutes.
"Listen, I would like to heartily apologize for stealing your thunder. I did not mean to do that. All I really wanted to do was make friends and just be nice to everyone I am around. Would you like to know something?" the cheetah said.
Foxy turned to him, glaring slightly, "What would that happen to be?"
"Popularity has never mattered to me. All I truly care about is being humble and trying to be the best person I can be every day," Chauncey explained.
Foxy's eyes widened.
"You never wanted to be popular?" she wondered.
Chauncey shook his head. "Even if I had only one friend, I'd still be the same humble person I am."
The vixen nodded.
"Hey, I wanted to say I'm sorry for that incident in the gym at the beginning of the year. I should not have lashed out at you like that. You weren't hurt badly, were you?" Foxy asked, concern in her normally indifferent eyes.
"I appreciate your apology Foxy. No, you did not seriously injure me. To be honest, let us just forget about it. The past is in the past, and it just does not matter. The only thing that matters is right now," the cheetah said.
"You're very smart, you know that?" Foxy said.
Chauncey smiled. "I was wondering if you would like to maybe do something tonight?"
The vixen's eyes widened in surprise. "With me? Even after all those things I did to you, Chicken Little, and his friends?"
The cheetah nodded.
Foxy raised an eyebrow. "Okay. What did you have in mind then?"
The cheetah beamed. "Ice cream maybe? Despite it being very cold outside?"
Foxy smiled and nodded at the suggestion. "I'd like that."
It was a night to remember for everyone in Oakey Oaks. No one would ever forget what Chauncey did to turn the team around.
Foxy was even being nice to the cheetah. However, would she start being nice to Chicken Little and his friends, or would she keep bullying them? The cheetah did not know, but he hoped it would be the former. He decided that time would tell what would happen.