I don't own the Mighty Ducks.

It was mid afternoon and both ducks had finally found a way up the cliff that was a steady incline. It would take time but it was safe. The trek was slow and tiring and there was a lot of mud. So both ducks found themselves slipping and sinking into knee deep mud most of the way up, making the trip horrible. Then it started to rain.

"And fuck you too!" Nosedive yelled up at the sky as thunder sounded out in the distance turning the rain into a downpour. "Mal we have to find cover! We'll get sick if we stay out in this!" He narrowed his eyes at the sky as if it had done him a great wrong.

She nodded to him, both were already soaked. "Over there!" Mallory pointed to a large rocky over hang. It looked very stable so they didn't have to worry about being flatten. Once under the rock both huddled close together, wanting to get warmth back while hiding from the rain and the wind.

Nosedive glanced at Mallory every so often, she stared out at their surroundings seemingly not aware of the turmoil her teammate was in over her. Sighing to himself he tried to think about anything but his growing feelings towards the red head next to him. "And I thought that they couldn't get any stronger, boy was I wrong." The storm finally passed and they were on their way again.

…..

Hours later the sun was going down and they had found a cave not far from a natural hot springs with a small waterfall in it that could act like a shower. "I call dibs!" Said Mallory.

Nosedive growled at her, grumpy that she had called it first. "Fine. I'll grab food." He went off seemingly grouchy. "Females." He growled to himself while looking for food. He found a rabbit and was able to catch it and kill it quickly. He skinned and gutted it away from where they would be sleeping and washed off the blood in a nearby river. After he cleaned off his utility knife, he made his way back only he didn't realize he had taken the wrong path. When the trail started going up he looked around himself. "Oh crap."

Then he heard what he thought was that small waterfall. Walking towards the sound he finally found it again. Happy he wasn't lost he merrily walked to it only to freeze mid step. His eyes went large at the sight before him. There was Mallory completely naked and standing under the waterfall, washing her hair. Her left side was to him but still it gave him a great view of her shapely and lean body. Her head was back letting the water run down her face and down her body. She ran her hands threw her hair and pushed it back out of her face, then ran them down her front to wipe any remaining mud off of herself.

Nosedive swallowed his drool and couldn't stop himself as his eyes wondered down her elegant neck to her large perky breasts. The water running over her and making her body look shiny in the moonlight.

She started turning towards him, her eyes still closed and Nosedive took this as the sign to get moving before she saw him. He left as quickly and quietly as possible. Leaving a completely unaware Mallory to finish her bath without him ogling her.

When she came back into camp, she was refreshed and clean. Smiling she made her way to the fire and sat down next to a nervous Nosedive. "Your turn." She played with her hair, combing her fingers through it and pushing it back out of her face. With her arms above her head and her sitting on her knees she looked like she was modeling for a swimsuit add. Turning away quickly before she caught him staring, he got up and walked to where the bathing area was. "Rabbits almost done." He called out as he walked away. Mallory didn't pay his oddly tense reaction much mind since she was too happy that she had taken a bath.

Mallory was feeling very relaxed and calm as she waited for the meat to finish cooking but Nosedive on the other hand was feeling like his mind was going to too may different directions. The image of the beautiful red head under the waterfall was forever imprinted in his mind now. "Oh man! It would have been easier if I never saw that. Talk about blowing your mind!" He ran his hand through his long muddy hair.

Once he was at the waters edge he took his clothes off washed them and got in. Washing the mud and grim from himself as quickly as possible, he tested his head wound and found it was healing nicely. "Well at least that's going my way." He groaned, very frustrated. "Why is she so unreachable for me?" He asked himself looking up at the moon in the sky. "Why can't she just love me like I love her?" He stared at it sadly.

Meanwhile back at camp Mallory's mind kept wandering to Nosedive. He was surprising her with how well he was doing out here with her. He could have easily been in the PSF. She was impressed with his maturity in dealing with everything that has happened so far. Especially when they were laying together naked in order to save her from hypothermia. Most males that she knew would have had a hard time controlling themselves and Nosedive had an intense crush on her. Though Tanya seemed to think it was more then that, none the less he did well. She smiled thinking about the young duck having a crush on her. It wasn't so bad, not like he wasn't attractive or anything. In a way it was a complement but at the same time she wasn't surprised. Most males tended to find her attractive anyway. Back on Puckworld she had plenty of boyfriends and the fact that she lived on her own because she ran away from her father was a bonus to them since they could try and get her alone without fear of the parents walking in on them. Ha! Most of them were sorely disappointed when she kicked them out on their asses, she wasn't a hussy. Her thoughts were interrupted when Nosedive came back into camp.

He walked back shirtless, placing his armor down he got the excess water out of his shirt by twisting it and then hanging it close to the fire. The fire light danced over his handsome face and well define stomach muscles. Without her consent her eyes traveled over them down to the V shaped pelvic muscle that was strongly pronounced on him. It was very attractive.

He turned back to her but she quickly looked to the fire as to not seem like she was staring. He looked at her staring at the fire and wondered what she was thinking. "Wonder what kind of man you'd have to be to attract someone like her? Probably perfect and stoic like she is." He thought bitterly.

Neither said much for the rest of the night as they put out the fire and slept against the trees for the rest of the night, baring the cold.

…..

Nosedive awoke to find himself alone. Sitting up quickly he looked around for Mallory, wondering where she was. "Mal?" He got up and rubbed his arms. He was cold from last night and it only seemed to be getting colder at night. "Mal?"

She suddenly appeared out of the bushes to his right. "We need to move, now!" She whispered. Nosedive didn't argue. He grabbed his gear and they both ran quickly into the forest. Climbing up a tree quickly, she leaned down and helped Nosedive up. Taking her hand he was able to get to a branch next to her. Both stood and watched and a bald man with a black beard and one mechanical red eye come walking through the forest with a large gun in hand. He was dressed in a safari getup with three mechanical wolves following him.

Nosedive recognized this guy from Wildwing's descriptions, he was Baron Von Liechtenstomp. The nut that tried to kill his brother, Duke and Tanya. Mallory recognized him too, they were in a worse situation then she had originally thought. This guys knew they were here and was hunting them. It was a good thing they put their fire out last night or he would have found them.

She had woken up early, feeling like something was wrong. Glancing over at Nosedive she saw he was still asleep. So she went to check the surrounding area knowing that he would be okay for a second. In her exploration she found the Baron armed to the teeth and talking to Dragaunus. The others had to run from the island because Duke was hurt badly but now they couldn't land back on the island thanks to the Baron's defense systems. If they tried to land they would be shot out of the sky. They couldn't get to them, that's what was going on. Mallory then quickly made her way back to Nosedive and here they were. Hiding in a tree.

She was so focused on the ground and the Baron walking by that she didn't notice the large snake slowly wrapping its head around her left hand that was holding the branch above her. She turned her head slightly to see the large boa constrictor slowly slithering down her arm. Holding very still she tried not to provoke the snake. Nosedive could only watch nervously as the snake moved it's head toward her neck, go around it and gently slither around her waist then down her right leg until it made it's way down the trunk of the tree to the ground. The Baron had already passed with his wolves while the snake was making it's way down to the ground. Both ducks breathed out a sighed of relief.

Climbing out of the tree they went in the opposite direction as the Baron. While running Mallory updated Nosedive on the others situation and theirs. He took it all well. "So that means we're going to have to shut down his defense system if we ever want to get out of here." Nosedive had his guns out just in case.

"Yep."

"So let's follow this Baron back to his hideout."

"It could be dangerous Nosedive. We don't know what kind of security defenses he might have around his base of operations."

"Yeah but we've got no choice Mal." She sighed, he was right.

"Alright. We'll plant a tracking device on his jeep back there and wait to see where he goes."

…..

Mallory planted the device while Nosedive kept watch. Once done they sat back and waiting for the vehicle to start moving. Two hours later it finally started moving. "Oh finally!" Nosedive said.

"Shh!" Mallory hushed him as she watched her watch to see where the vehicle would stop. It finally stopped towards the right side of the island. Maybe five hours from their current location. However it would be five hours if it was just flat terrain but theirs was mountainous, so it would be more like a day. She sighed, marking the spot in her com.

"Alright. Mind as well make camp." She closed her watch. The loud sound of a laser being fired from a above went off just barely missing Nosedive's head. They both jumped back and looked in the direction it had come from. A medium sized metal bird was flying above them circling their current location.

"We gotta move Mal!" Nosedive grabbed Mallory's hand and made a run for it. She yanked her hand back from his and grabbed her puck-canon on her back. Taking aim while running she attempted to shot the bird from the sky but kept missing. Stopping for a moment she took careful aim and planned where the bird would go next and aimed for that. Taking the shot, she laughed to find her aim was true and the bird was blown to pieces.

"Damn I'm good." She smirked to herself. Nosedive was ahead of her giving her a thumbs up for hitting the bird when his eyes went large. He pulled his gun out fast and shot at something over her shoulder. Mallory dodged out of the way just in time to see a headless metal wolf land where she had been standing. She nodded her thanks to him, jogging up to him they both made their way away from the area.

They found themselves by a river large river. It was fairly deep and the water was barely moving but it was still going to be cold. Nosedive looked around for a crossing and found none. Mallory didn't see a way cross either. "We're going to have to swim it Nosedive." Mallory searched the water, finding nothing in it to worry about.

"Oh man." He groaned and jumped in making his way across with Mallory close behind. They were almost to the other side when some started to make its way quickly down the river toward them. Looking at it Mallory was confused by it until she saw a metal fin come above water. "It's a shark!" Mallory yelled. Nosedive looked down the stream to see it coming at them fast. "WOW! What's a shark doing here!" They swam as fast as possible, Nosedive was up on the shore first. He lend down and grabbed Mallory's hand pulled her out just in time to avoid being bitten in half but the large mechanical monster.

"It was metal?" Nosedive said helping Mallory to her feet.

"Yeah. I think I figured out what this place is. It's a hunting sanctuary for him. It would explain the mix of animals that we've seen here. Boa constrictors are only in warmer climates. This guy imports different animals to this island so he can hunt them."

"That's sick!" Nosedive cringed.

"Yeah but now he's only hunting us. Those mechanical animals were all sent by him to kill us. Sick bastard thinks it's a game." She growled. "Come on we need to find shelter from the cold." She said, running out of the clearing. Nosedive nodded and turned to the shark still swimming in the lake, circling where they had last been. Pulling out his gun he took aim and shot it right in between the eyes on it's metal head, making the rest of it explode. "That was for going after Mallory." He mumbled, running after the red head, not realizing that she had heard him. "Is Tanya right? Is Nosedive's in love with me." She thought as she watch the handsome young drake run after her.

…..

Once away from the river they came to a clearing. A very big one. It had to be three miles to the forest on the other side. The only thing they would be able to hide in was tall grass, which could be hiding other predators or robots as well. "Shit." Mallory cursed their luck. This Baron could be hiding in waiting for them to peak their heads out and BOOM! No more Mallory and Nosedive. It was too open, there was too many variables.

"It looks too dangerous Mal. We might have to find another way." Nosedive whispered while searching the area for something that could help them get around the lake. Agreeing with him Mallory was about to open her mouth when the ground started trembling beneath their feet. "What the?" Nosedive yelped with his eyes large.

Looking back the way they came from Mallory turned to see a stamped of water buffalo headed right toward them. "What are those doing here! I thought they were only in Africa!" Mallory and Nosedive were about to jump into the trees when they saw them being knocked down by giant metal elephants. "OH MAN! CAN THIS GET ANY WORSE!" Nosedive yelled.

"Get in the trees! When the buffalo approach we need to jump on them and ride them across the field. It's our only chance!" They both jumped up and grabbed a branch waiting for the right moment to drop onto a buffalo.

"I've said once before and I'll say it again! THIS PLACE SUCKS!" Nosedive yelled, watching the elephants getting dangerously close to them, knocking down all of the trees in their path and the one both ducks were in was next.

"Alright on my mark! Three... two... NOW!" Both dropped down and landed on at frightened buffalo however they seemed to be more frightened of the elephant that just snapped the tree the ducks were in in half.

Mallory and Nosedive rode them across the field, about half way there, a buffalo next to Mallory suddenly dropped and feel under the hooves of the stampeding herd. Seeing the buffalo go down Mallory searched her surroundings. Off to the side of the field she saw the shine of a lens in the distance, taking aim.

"NOSEDIVE GET DOWN!" He ducked just in time of avoid a bullet sailing over head.

"WOW!" He yelled grabbing his gun while staying low. Mallory pulled out her puck-canon and fire a long range grenade at the location the Baron was at. It landed close but not close enough to hit him. "Damn. Where too far out of range!" She told Nosedive who grabbed his buffalo and turned it by it's neck deeper into the herd away from the Baron's range. Mallory was about to follow when her buffalo suddenly stumbled forward. She watched in what seemed like slow motion as a bullet went threw it's skull and came out the other side, hitting the buffalo in the neck next to it and causing a large group to trip and fall, getting run over by the back of the herd.

Mallory's buffalo went down face first. Thinking fast she jumped off of it and landed on the back of the one in front of her, barely staying on it as it coarse hair gave nothing to grab on to. Pulling herself up, she steered it towards Nosedive who was on the complete opposite side of where the Baron was shooting from, giving them the cover they desperately needed to get across the field.

Nosedive took careful aim, the Baron couldn't see him now but Nosedive should see the flash of light off of his lens just fine. Honing his skills his took aim a shot. Mallory watched as his puck flew through the air and hit right on target. Destroying the sniper rifle the Baron was using. "NICE SHOT NOSEDIVE!" Mallory cheered.

"No one beats the Dive master general." He twirled his gun and placed it back in his holster. Once they were across the field they jumped off of the buffalo to safety and continued their trek to what they assumed was the Baron's base camp. At least they had avoided him for the time being.

Finding a cave they made camp, ate food and settled in for the night. Noseidve watched Mallory as she cooked the meat. Unaware of her teammate's eyes on her. Once the meat was done they ate quickly and put out the fire. Standing up and stretching Mallory grabbed her guns and started walking off.

"Mal? Where ya going?"

"To find a hot spring. This island seems to have a lot of them and I don't want to bath in cold water." She started walking off again.

"Don't go to far Mal. If your in trouble I need to hear you call for help." Nosedive was a little worried about her going off when the Baron had almost taken their heads off.

She scuffed and walked off. "I can take care of myself." Walking into the forest she didn't looked back at the slightly hurt look on Nosedive's face.

…..

She was right! There was a spring not far from their camp! She checked the area for possible danger and found none. Undressing and climbing into the water, she soothed her sore muscles and aching body. She washed her hair first and then her body. Once done she just sat down and searched the surface of the moon. It's light shining down on her through the thick forest, giving her an ethereal glow as she looked up at the moon. To anyone else passing by they would have thought she was a water nymph.

Since she was taking longer then usual Nosedive grew worried and walked slowly in the direction she had gone. He came across the sight just described and ducked behind a tree. Peaking around it he watched Mallory get out of the water to sit on a rock and soak her feet, running her fingers through her hair to untangle it. Her back was to him but her arms were up over her head again and she arched her back just perfectly to show off her curvaceous form. Her red hair simmered in the moonlight and her peach colored feathers gave off a warm glow, making her look inviting and warm. However, Nosedive knew this is the opposite of what she would really do. Her temper matched her hair, she would be all fire and brimstone if he were to approach her like this. He wondered what it would be like to be the lucky male that she bestowed her attentions upon. Walking slowly back to the camp Nosedive didn't realize that Mallory had seen him there. She watched him leave from the side of her eye.

"Nosedive... Your too young. Please understand that we can't be together." She whispered, knowing that he didn't hear her. As she said this she wondered if she was trying to convince him or herself.

…..

Three hours of searching and they still hadn't been able to find the base camp. Mallory was getting frustrated and Nosedive was too busy in his own world to be any help today. Maybe she should have scolded him when he watched her bathing last night. Actually why didn't she? Normally she would have.

She wondered what she would have done if he had approached her like she thought he might. An image of him taking off his clothes and walking into the water entered her mind before she could stop the mental image, his well defined muscles shining in the moonlight as he came closer. Reaching his hand out to touch her. "WOW wow! Knock it off Mallory! What are you thinking! Nosedive and you! Get real!" She shook her head, scolding herself mentally.

"You okay Mal?"

"Yeah fine... You see anything yet?" She asked trying to sound as stoic as possible and not shaken like she really was. Nosedive reached for her and touched her arm, taking Mallory by surprise but what surprised her more was her reaction to his touch. She felt warm and feverish and had to resist the urge to turn around and press herself into him. Shaking her head again she pushed his hand off. "I'm fine. Really." She didn't sound convincing even to herself. Nosedive just shrugged and walked on.

"I haven't seen anything yet." He grumbled, in a particularly bad mode today. Mallory sighed and continued onward. They were getting pretty high up now. Close to where they were when they landed. Looking around Mallory saw the snowy mountain tops were a lot closer now. The air was colder, even her feathers couldn't hold out the frigged air.

The trees were starting to become more spars as they walked, meaning they would be leaving the forest soon and be out in the open. Coming to the end of the tree line they found another river not far from them only this one was covered by ice.

"Think we could skate across it?" Nosedive checked his surroundings for the Baron or any telltale signs that they were being watched.

"Maybe but I would take it slow. No skates since it puts too much pressure in one spot. Having your weight more evenly distributed will be safer. They both made their way to the river of ice, seemingly completely frozen over, no life in it. Mallory went first since she was smaller.

"Be careful Mal." Nosedive held his hands out as if to snatch her back if the ice gave way. She tested it slowly walking out onto it with gently steps, then slowly putting weight down on her foot to see if it would give way. It was pretty solid. "Looks good so far."

She slowly made her way out onto it. "Nosedive don't watch me, watch our surroundings." She said knowing that he was staring at her. Nosedive did as she said but kept glancing back at her. Once she was halfway across the river she found that it was pretty solid. "Seems safe enough. Come on over." He didn't wait as he walked out slowly to join her. Mallory continued to test the ice in front of her. Trying to cross over to the other side.

"Almost there." She called back. Looking up ahead of her, movement in the forest caught her eye. "Hold! Something is waiting for us in the forest ahead." They both took aim, searching the tree line for danger. They saw it this time, something big and dark was walking just beyond the trees. It's red eyes watched them as it came into view. A large mechanical bear stepped out, it's heavy paws crunching trees and snow under them.

"That thing will break the ice if it gets on Mal!"

"I know! Start backing up!" She called over her shoulder, refusing to take her eyes or her aim off of the robot. It growled at them, it's metal teeth shining in the sunlight that reflected off the snow.

It suddenly charged, running out on the ice without thought. The ice cracked and groaned under it, announcing it's inability to hold the heavy bear up. The bear ignored it and continued to charge, Mallory shoot at it but her pucks didn't do anything to stop it. Nosedive's just bounced off and hit the ice. "RUN!" They pulled out their skates and made a break for the other side.

Seeing this the bear roared, it's computer mind calculating. Lifting the top of it's heavy body it smashed it's front paws down on the ice breaking it just right so that Mallory and Nosedive were thrown off their feet and tossed to the ground by the broken ice. The bear zeroed in on Nosedive and charged. Seeing this Mallory knew Nosedive wouldn't get away in time. She grabbed her gun and fired on the metal beast. "Over here ugly! Come on you bitch!" Seeing her as the more dangerous opponent now it changed course coming directly at her.

"Mal!" Nosedive yelled seeing that she was now the target. He reached for his guns only to find them missing. "Where?" Looking around he found them 20 feet away from him towards the middle of the river, in an area that looked thin. "Shit!" He growled. Getting to his feet and moving as fast as possible to get them.

Mallory kept firing on the bear but suddenly it was in front of her. Using her gun she blocked the first swipe of it's large paw. The impact shattered her gun and sent her skidding across the breaking ice, pieces of her weapon landed around her. She looked up to see the Nosedive had gotten to his weapons and was charging at the bear.

"Leave her alone you mechanical meat head!" Shooting at the bears back as it approached the downed Mallory. At first it didn't respond but finally it turned it large head, it's red eyes focusing on the blond duck. Turn it got on it's hind legs and roared at Nosedive. Dropping down it charged it's opponent.

Seeing that the bear wasn't hurt by their pucks Nosedive came up with another plan. He aimed at the ice far in front of the bear. Shooting through it he weakened it and backed up. As expected the bear ran right into it and sank in. Grabbing onto the ice with it front paws it roared as it tried to lift it's heavy body back up but the ice was too damaged. It finally sunk down into the watery depths of the deep river, it's red eyes fading as it slipped into the darkness surrounding it.

Mallory walked over slowly. "Nice job Nosedive." She smiled at her teammate. He impressed her more and more everyday.

"See what happens when you pay attention in class!" He crossed his arms looking proud of himself. Mallory laughed.

Nosedive smiled charmingly at her but his eyes suddenly went wide and he shoved Mallory down to the ice. The sound of a high powered gun went off and his body was knocked backwards. His chest piece shattered on the right side below his shoulder from a laser. The smell of blood and burnt feathers hit her nose and Mallory watched in horror as he fell backwards between some broken ice.

"NOSEDIVE!" Looking where the laser came from Mallory saw the Baron coming, his gun aimed at her. She dodged and barely avoided getting hit.

"You stinking ducks! You destroyed by beautiful bear!"

"Fuck you and your bear! I kill you!" She grabbed her puck-gun and set it to lethal. Shooting at the Baron as she ran for cover. He dodged and fired back at her. Trying to get a hit off but was being backed into a corner by the enraged female. "NOT SO EASY WHEN WE CAN FIGHT BACK IS IT ASS HOLE!" She was relentless.

"Icarus Jr I need your help. SCHNELL!" Mallory was gaining on his position ready to put a bullet in his head. Rushing forward she made her move, blood pumping through her veins and rushing in her ears. Eyes zeroed in on her target, gun in one hand and knife in the other. The Baron saw her charge too late. He raised his rifle to take aim, only for Mallory to kick it out of his hand. Sending it skidding across the ice into the frozen water. Taking her knife she slash at his face cutting deeply across his cheek. The Baron screamed and held his cheek which was bleeding profusely now.

The barrel of a gun was suddenly in his face. "Any last words." She asked coldly, glaring down at the human that dare attack her team and make a game out of it and now he may have killed Nosedive. The human looked up in horror at the fearsome image she portrayed. Her red hair danced up around her head. The sun was behind her head making her hair seem like it was on fire with her rage but it also cast an eerie shadow over her, making it almost impossible to she her features, just her vibrant green eyes which glowed radiantly down on him, their intent deadly and clear. Her feminine figure was cloaked in showed but beautiful none the less.

In this moment the Baron thought he was looking at a goddess of the hunt. A game he so worshiped, the only thing he worshiped. To kill her... would be the ultimate prize. This creature was born to hunt and to survive. He always painted a picture of his memorable moments in his hunts after they were done, if he got out of this, this moment would be the picture he painted.

Mallory's cold eyes narrowed on him as he stared up at her in wonder. "There are vorse vays to go then at the hands of a voman like you. I love how cold and unfeeling your eyes are. Your just like me." He smirked up at her. Her finger tightened around the trigger but stopped when she heard the sound of a mechanical screech. Looking up she jumped back and barely avoided the sharp claws aimed for her throat.

The Baron saw his chance and made a run for it. Mallory took aim at the back of his head but had to dodge the missiles being fired at her from the hawk. The same missiles that shot at the team back by the Aerowing. "That fucking hawk!" She glared. Somersaulting backwards she dodged the on coming missiles. Changing her pattern of movement to flipping backwards like a gymnast Mallory took aim and shoot the hawk down while mid flip. Landing gracefully on her feet she watched and the bird fell to the ground and exploded. Searching her surroundings she saw that the Baron had gotten away.

Turning to find Nosedive. She found him sitting up on the ice, soaking wet and freezing. He smiled shakily at her. "Damn Mal. Your scary when your pissed."

She stared in disbelief at the young duck who had somehow managed to climb back onto the ice without help with an injured shoulder. Nosedive was tough.

"NOSEDIVE! YOUR OKAY!" She ran over and wrapped her arms around him in a tight hug, his good arm went around her back and pressed her to him. He breathed in the scent of her hair and buried his cold face in her neck. She moved back and checked his shoulder. "Does it hurt?"

"It's sore but not really no. It's just a flesh wound. Nothing the Dive can't handle." He said, shaking.

"Come on, we need to get you back to the cave we were at." She helped him stand and both slowly and carefully made their way off the of ice. "You scared the life out of me." She whispered to him.

He looked over at her, seeing the haunted look on her face. "I'm okay Mal and so are you. That's all that matters." He leaned into her a little harder, giving her a hug which she reciprocated.

…..