Underdog 2
by Imagigirl20
Disclaimer: I own nothing pertaining to Underdog, only the character/s I've created.
Jack Unger watched from the front porch as Dan came to a screech in front of their house and rolled the window down.
"Dad?" he said, confused as he ran down to meet him. "You sounded really anxious on the phone. What's going on?"
"Jack, there's no time to explain", said Dan. "Shoeshine's been hurt. Get him inside, fast!"
Without saying another word, Jack dropped his dufflebag and opened the back door. Shoeshine whined as Jack carefully picked him up, and groaned.
"Jack?"
"Hey, boy. Did you miss me?"
In answer, Shoeshine weakly wagged his tail. Jack chuckled dryly as Dan skipped the steps and opened the front door.
"In here, son", he said, motioning to the living room.
"Dad, shouldn't we take him to the vet?" said Jack, setting the dog down on the couch.
"And tell them what, that your superhero dog got struck by lightning during a-agh-showdown?" said Shoeshine. "C-come on, Jack, I thought you were...supposed to be at...c-c-college."
"Shh, Shoeshine, don't try to talk right now", said Jack, stroking the dog's head. "Just rest. I'm gonna go talk to my dad."
Shoeshine nodded, and then groaned. Jack went into the kitchen where Dan was researching something on the internet.
"Dad, what's going on? What happened?"
"It's a long story."
"Well, I'm not going anywhere. And neither is Shoeshine, so."
Dan sighed.
"You remember your cousin, Elizabeth?"
"Yeah."
"Well, her mom died almost a year ago, and she came to live with us. She's been staying here for a few weeks now, and before you ask, yes. She knows about Shoeshine."
"Okay, so where is she?"
"A few days ago, I discovered that her dad, Conrad Conger, escaped from prison. I tried to keep the truth from her to protect her, but she found out and ran away. I went after her, and that's when I found Underdog injured in the alley. He told me that Elizabeth had been kidnapped by her father."
"What are we gonna do?" said Jack. "What are you doing right now?"
"I'm trying to find out more about Conrad's escape", said Dan, typing rapidly. "Him and this Electric Eel character showing up can't just be a coincidence."
"You think something happened during his escape?"
"Exactly. Something that caused him to obtain electrical abilities."
Jack handed over his phone.
"Something like this?"
Dan took a closer look at the news article on the screen. It described an abandoned laundry truck that had been caught in the middle of a terrible storm earlier that week.
"Yes, that has to be it. Conrad must have been struck by lightning during his escape after the truck crashed!"
"So, my cousin is in the hands of a dangerous, wanted criminal."
Dan closed the laptop, handed Jack his cell phone, stood up from the table and threw on his jacket.
"We have to find Elizabeth."
…..
Elizabeth Conger's vision swam and her head ached as she opened her eyes. She could see nothing but dark all around her, except for a single light in the distance. She groaned and tried to rub her head, only to find she couldn't move her hands. As her vision cleared, she looked down and saw her hands bound in front of her. A length of rope was wrapped around her waist, keeping her tethered to the chair she just realized she was in. Her ankles were bound together, as well.
Elizabeth thought of yelling for help, but decided against it. Just then, she heard a thud and a door slid open. She tried to look as relaxed as possible, like she hadn't woken up yet, as someone approached her.
"Elizabeth", someone whispered. "Lizzy. Wakey, wakey, eggs and bakey."
She opened her eyes.
"Hey, sweetheart."
Conrad Conger rubbed his daughter's cheek with his thumb.
"You miss me?"
Elizabeth scowled up at him.
"Hardly", she said. "What am I doing here? How could you do this to me?"
"I wanted to see you, lovebug."
"You don't get to call me that. I'm not a little kid anymore."
"Aww, but you'll always be my little girl."
"If you care about me so much, then let me go."
"No can do, cupcake. You see, I need your help with something."
"After what you did to Underdog? Fat chance."
"Now, now, Elizabeth, don't make this any harder than it has to be."
Elizabeth gasped as Conrad's fingertips sparked with electricity.
"What do you want?"
"I already have part of what I want: You, back by my side."
"Not exactly by choice", said Elizabeth, struggling against the ropes.
"The other thing I want is revenge. Revenge on the people who took me away from you. And away from your mother."
Conrad relaxed, taking a seat beside his daughter.
"Which reminds me, what are you doing with her idiot brother in another town? Did you run away from her, Lizzy? Because you know how-"
"Mom's DEAD, Dad!"
Conrad froze, his face registered with shock.
"W-w-what?"
"She died ten months ago, from liver damage. She drank herself to death."
"But...but why?"
"Wow, you really don't know anything, do you?" said Elizabeth. "The night you got arrested changed our lives forever. She started staying out late, drinking at the bars. She'd always try to hide it from me whenever she came home, but I knew what was going on. Over the last few years, I've been taking care of her. I gave up my chance to go to college to take care of her medical expenses. The night you showed your true colors DESTROYED HER, and I blame you completely for everything that happened in our lives afterwards."
"Elizabeth...I...I am so-"
"So what? Sorry? No, it's too late for that. She's gone, and I don't want anything to do with you, Conrad. You may be my father, but you are not my dad. You lost that privilege a long time ago."
To her shock, Conrad slapped her on the cheek, and leaned down in her face.
"I came here to get you back", he said. "You're never leaving my side again. And to make sure of that, you're gonna help me destroy the law."
Elizabeth gasped.
"Are you crazy?" she said. "You can't destroy the law, the law is everywhere!"
"That's why I'm starting small", said Conrad. "We are going to place a bomb in City Hall and the police station. Once those are destroyed, we'll move on to the president."
"You are", said Elizabeth, struggling now more than ever. "You are crazy. And what's all this "we" talk? You're even crazier than I thought if you expect me to help you!"
Conrad sighed and got up.
"I was hoping it wouldn't come to this", he said, "but you leave me no choice."
He picked up a remote and hit a button. A small projector screen came to life in front of Elizabeth's chair. She gasped when she saw her Uncle Dan's house on the feed.
"You care about your uncle, right?" said Conrad.
Elizabeth was too stunned to speak.
"How about your cousin?"
The footage zoomed in to reveal Jack caring for Shoeshine in the next room.
"Or that dog?"
"Leave them alone!" Elizabeth suddenly yelled. "I'll do whatever you want, just...leave them out of it."
Conrad smiled.
"That's my girl."
He clicked the button again, and the screen disappeared. Conrad walked behind his daughter and kissed her forehead.
"You'll see, baby", he said. "This'll be really good for us."
He patted her head and turned to one of his goons.
"Get her ready."
Elizabeth gasped as the goon withdrew a knife and sliced her bonds open.
"I'll see you later, sweetheart!" Conrad called over his shoulder as he walked out. "Daddy's gotta go cause some chaos."
Elizabeth grunted as some black clothes were forced into her hands.
