Chapter 8

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It had once again started to rain as the citizens of St. Canard finally received a moment of peace. It appeared that the attacking plants seemed to be slowing down. Frightened St. Canardians fearfully looked out their windows, whether it was at work, after having been trapped inside, or in their own houses.

The plants were gathering around in the middle of the city where Dandren had lost their master. Dandren waited for them all to come, happily looking around towards the damage he and his family had managed. He only wished their master was as pleased as they were.

'My fellow plants, we have a problem! It would appear that our master is still lost to us! He is still unable to see the great need of this war. Yes, he had agreed to it, and yes, he had allowed us to cause this wonderful damage, but he is still at a loss.'

'Master is still lost?'

'Master is lost!'

'We must help him!'

'Yes, find him!'

'Save him!'

'I am glad you all think so. For that is why I have brought everyone here. We must find our distraught master and bring him back to us! Once we do so we must make sure to take very good care of him as we desperately make him see things our way.'

'Distraught? Master is distraught?'

'Distraught, yes.'

'Poor master!'

'Now go, my friends, and find our beloved master!' cried Dandren, ordering them around in the absence of his master.

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Darkwing grunted as the rain continued to pour down on them, even in the alleyway, with no protection. He pulled down his hat, angrily looking about. If he didn't know that the villain's plants had decided to go against him, Darkwing would have placed the cuffs on the green fiend ages ago.

With angry pout, Darkwing eyed some of the plants that were walking by, thankfully leaving them undetected, and stage whispered, "How am I supposed to know this isn't just some grand scheme of yours, eh, Bushy? I mean, I've dealt with some pretty devious foes in my day and this could just be just another elaborate trick on your part!"

He glanced over at the green mutant when he didn't get a response, urging himself not to roll his eyes as he noticed that the duck was still standing there, leaning up against the wall, his eyes fixed on the cement in deep thought. He was just glad Bushroot wasn't still muttering to himself like he had been a moment ago.

"Ugh! Earth to Bushroot!" snapped Darkwing, starting to lose his patience. Bushroot looked up, his eyes wide as though he was just now realizing that Darkwing was still there.

"Oh!" he squeaked. "Sorry! Got a bit lost in though there. But uh- I figured out how to stop him!" Bushroot said with nervous glee. His blue eyes shone as he peaked around the other side of Darkwing to see the road beyond it.

"Care to share it with me?" grumbled Darkwing, hating that he was clearly out of the loop.

Bushroot opened his beak to do so, but nothing came out. His blue eyes turned to Darkwing. He tried again, "Well-" The vigilante just waited for the duck to say something, his face showing how unimpressed he was. "I'm going to get rid of Dandren.."

Darkwing blinked several times. "Yeah. I kinda figured that, Bushy. But HOW!? Besides, you're not exactly the most trustworthy in this case. You expect me to believe you're going to willingly kill a fellow plant?"

"Yes, I mean-ugh! I don't want to, but it appears it's my only option! If I don't, Dandren will just continue to pester me and never give upon this war until-" he dare not think of the extremes Dandren would want to make sure his master wasn't tormented anymore. He sighed heavily, shaking his head back and forth to get rid of the amount of water that was now clinging to his foliage. "Uh...I knew I should have been a science teacher..."

Darkwing grimaced at that, wondering how hard for it to be for the mutant to even consider killing a plant. He remembered the time whenever he had to get rid of his crazed potato bride that had gone berserk. He knew that hadn't been easy on Bushroot regardless of how much of a failure the actual plan had been. Or the fact that at one point he had planned to marry the baked potato on steroids.

Darkwing placed his hands on his hips. "Well, now what? We can't just sit here and wait for things to happen! We need to get moving! Follow me! "

Bushroot watched in bewilderment as Darkwing stepped out of the alleyway, before following him.

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Back up in the Tower, Launchpad had been tinkering with the Ratcatcher shortly after Darkwing left, figuring that with Gosalyn asleep, he may as well get some work done. He didn't find anything wrong with his plan until he heard the soft stirrings of Gosalyn on the couch.

"Gos? You awake?" he called out, coming out from being underneath the Ratcatcher.

"Yeah. Where's dad?"

"He went out to try and stop those nasty plants."

Gosalyn's eyes widened, her memory suddenly coming back to her. She pushed herself off the blankets that were on her and rushed over to the pilot. "Launchpad!" she cried, clinging onto Launchpad's pilot outfit. "It's Bushroot! He's not really bad, just like we suspected!"

"Woah, there, Gos! Calm down! We know that now! DW's not after Bushroot, he's just trying to set things straight. Although, I must say, he did look rather angry when he left. Seeing you all beat up really messed with him" explained Launchpad in the best way he could. He didn't want Gosalyn to get the wrong idea.

Gosalyn scoffed. "I can't look that bad." She checked her reflection in the rear view mirror of the Ratcatcher. "Keen gear! I look like I just got beaten up by a zombie!" Her excitement at the concept of looking like a zombie vanished quickly. "No wonder dad is upset. I'd better go and find him and let him know I'm okay!" Just as she'd said these words, she gave out a great sneeze that nearly had her fall backwards.

The tall duck took action. "Oh, no you don't! DW told me to keep you right here where I can keep an eye on you!" Launchpad countered, picking her up and trying to put her back on the couch.

Of course, she didn't take this lightly. "Nonsense! I'm fine!" she resisted, knowing she sounded terrible. Though a second later she sneezed three times in a row. She looked up at Launchpad with a sheepish expression. She knew she was getting a cold, or probably already had one, but since when did that keep her from doing what she wanted? "Okay, okay, fine! Maybe I SHOULD stay here!"

Launchpad beamed at her response. "That's some good thinkin' there, Gos!"

She allowed him to place her on the couch, wrapping the blanket around her. She smiled up at him and he smiled back. Though just as Launchpad was underneath the Ratcatcher again, she saw her chance and ran towards the nearest exit.

Hearing the door shut behind her, Launchpad called out, "Gos? Was that you?" When he didn't get a response, he got up and headed over to the couch. He saw that it was empty and smacked himself on the forehead. "Boy, that girl is a handful..."

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The rain insisted on falling as the night wore on, never allowing a chance of rest. The shadows of Darkwing and Bushroot crept over the walls and sidewalks that they passed as the few lamps posts that hadn't been pummeled to the ground continued to shine.

"So, where exactly are we going now?" asked Darkwing.

"I need to go back to Dandren. I need to-you know..." he wasn't even able to say it. It went against his every fiber just thinking about it.

"So, what exactly was the point of leaving Dandren to begin with!?" seethed Darkwing. "Because, frankly, Bushroot, I'm getting pretty tired of following a talking begonia bush!"

Bushroot rolled his eyes. He stopped and whirled on the vigilante. "Look, I'm a Lyceum Nycanthropis! I look NOTHING like a begonia! If you're going to insult me, at least insult me correctly!"

Darkwing growled and pulled down on the sides of his fedora hat. "Whatever! Just tell me why we leave that walking Tree Hulk to begin with!"

"I wasn't sure of my plan then, alright!? Besides, Dandren was ready to make us both into pancakes..."He turned to the hero and shrugged. "Well, you at least..."

Darkwing growled under his breath as they walked past another alleyway. "Believe me, I KNOW! I was THERE!"

The two of them were about to turn a corner when Bushroot suddenly felt the air in his lungs push out in a gasp as a strong arm wrapped itself around his neck. His leafy hands immediately started trying to pull it off, but he stopped at the deep maniacal voice of Negaduck.

"Well, well, well. Isn't this charming? Helping out the weeds now are we, Darkwing?" snickered Negaduck.

Darkwing repeated Negaduck's words in a mocking voice. "'Helping out the weeds', eh? More like ridding this town of scum like you, Negaduck!" He took a step forward, his gas gun at the ready, when Megavolt and Quackerjack jumped out in front of him.

Quackerjack cackled with glee. "What's your rush, Dorkwing? We were just about to get the grill going for the barbecue!"

"Yeah!" sneered Megavolt. "Featuring: roast duck and grilled vegetables!"

"Ugh, what do YOU guys want? Can't you see I'm in the middle of something?!" whined Darkwing.

"Too bad. This doesn't concern you, Dip Wing. This is between Bushy and me." Negaduck gripped Bushroot's neck even tighter. A moment later he shouted in alarm as Bushroot grew out his vine-like arms and tripped the yellow-clad villain. As Negaduck fell, his grip loosened and Bushroot was able to get free. "Arrrrghh! You KNOB!" He stood up and watched as Bushroot ran as fast as he could towards the center of the city.

Bushroot didn't pay any mind to Darkwing or the others. He knew where he had to go. He knew Dandren was still at the center of the city. He could tell from his telepathy. The volume of the plant's voices rang louder in his mind the closer he got.

'Master!' cried voices of his children as he ran past them.

'Master, Dandren is waiting for you!'

Bushroot ignored them and ran back to where Dandren stood the entire time during the war. The large tree moved its branches in a welcoming way as it saw its master come to him.

'Master, you have returned! I am grateful to see it!'

Bushroot rushed up to Dandren's trunk. He stopped, panting for breath, feeling bliss as he knew he was in the company of Dandren. "Oh, Dandren! It's so good to see you!" His eyes then widened as he remembered why he had needed to find Dandren so quickly. He was so used to being comforted by the large tree's presence after all these years.

"Dandren! I-" For the second time that night, Bushroot was suddenly at a loss of breath as Negaduck's hand wrapped around his throat, making sure it was harder for Bushroot to try to bite him again. "Ah! Negaduck! Please...I just have to-"

"Shut it, bush breath! I don't want to hear another word from you. In fact" he leaned up towards Bushroot's ear since the mutant duck was taller. "I don't want to know the knowledge that air moves in and out of your lungs with each breath. I want that to stop. NOW!"

Negaduck was about to strangle him to death when a large branch wrapped its way around Negaduck's torso from behind. "What the-!" cried the mallard menace and letting go of Bushroot in the process. A string of curses came out of the mallard's mouth as he wriggled in the branches tight confines. "Just wait until I can reach my chainsaw you pile of splinters!"

Bushroot regained his breath before looking up to see Darwking, Megavolt, and Quackerjack a ways away. Darkwing was trying to avoid some of Quackerjack's toy teeth as the jester giggled hysterically.

"Finally! My turn to have some fun!" cackled Quackerjack. None of them seemed aware that Negaduck was currently trapped in Dandren's branches.

"Darkwing!" cried a voice from the other direction.

Darkwing looked up in horror as he watched his ill daughter run up to him and tackle him in a large hug. Darkwing looked down at her with wide eyes. "GOSALYN! What are YOU doing here!?"

"I had to-come here and let you know that I was okay! Launchpad said you were really worked up-about having seen me all-beat up" explained the duckling through pants of breath. Gosalyn was soaked to the bone due to the rain, just like the rest of them, but the fatherly side of Darkwing could tell that it wasn't all water. Her feathers were covered in a thin layer of sweat as well.

"Ugh! YOU should not be here!" groaned Darkwing as he pulled her close. "Ugh, that's what I get for leaving Launchpad to look after you! I should have KNOWN you'd manage to sneak past him!"

Gosalyn simply gave him a sheepish smile.

"Bushroot, I swear to God, if you don't tell this overgrown weed to put me down, I'll make sure you become a compost heap!" shouted Negaduck in pure rage as Dandren continued to hold him tightly in the air.

Bushroot was about to react when Dandren took more of his branches and snatched Megavolt. "HEY! Let go of me, you crazy tree!" growled the rodent. His helmet began to spark as he began to attack with electricity, but the heavy rain made his precious electricity useless since he was burnt out. "D'oh! I hate the rain!"

Quackerjack tried to jump out of the way with one of his back flips, but another branch caught him from behind. "Hey! No fair! You have too many branches, I can't keep track of them all!" whined the jester. He wriggled his hands in hopes to get out more of toy teeth. The toys fell to the ground instead. "Attack! Attack the tree, my little beauties!" However, the toy teeth took one look at Dandren, whimpered in fear, and began chomping their way to a different direction down the street. Quackerjack gasped loudly as he watched them go. "TRAITORS!"

"Doooh! If I wasn't shorted out, I'd be making you into a barbecued twig right about now!" shouted Megavolt angrily from his wooden prison.

"Reggie!" came Liquidator's voice.

Darkwing smacked himself in the forehead. "What is this, a party?"

No one seemed to hear Darkwing's jibe.

Liquidator just barely managed to dodge one of Dandren's branches. "Hey now! Nobody likes an unhelpful hand!" He dodged and slithered his way over to Bushroot. "Reggie! What's going on!?"

Bushroot winced. "Everything is going out of control, Buddy! Dandren has taken over and none of my plants will listen to me anymore!"

Liquidator and Bushroot looked over just in time to avoid being hit by one of Dandren's branches at the tree tried to keep hold of his prisoners.

Darkwing was still holding on tight to Gosalyn as they were snatched from the ground. Darkwing had seen the branch coming but only had a chnace to tuck Gosalyn closer to him, before they were snatched up. "Brace yourself!" Darkwing warned Gosalyn. Last thing Darkwing wanted to do was lose his ill daughter in the rain.

Bushroot watched in horror and disbelief as Dandren started taking his long roots and climbing up the side of the large building that had been beside them. The final branch of Dandren snatched him up just as the last root was about to leave the ground; bringing him along for the ride.

Liquidator, unable to be caught by Dandren due to his liquid body, followed suit by morphing his torso longer so that he could reach the rooftop as well.

'I have had enough of this master. It is time to end it all. And the best place to do it is a place where all the plant world can see us.'

As he climbed, Dandren's roots crashed into the glass of the windows, allowing the large tree to have steps. The kidnapped group struggled the entire way up, crying out threats that Dandren paid no attention to. After what seemed like ages, Dandren finally managed his way to the top of the building. He tromped his way over to the center of the rooftop and placed everyone down on the ground. He dropped Negaduck last, making sure the duck's fall was unpleasant. He knew very how much torment this particular duck had given his master over the years. More than any of the others.

"Alright, now that the kiddie ride is over" spat Negaduck as he pushed himself up off the roof's cement.. "It's time to get serious..." His dangerous eyes were only on Bushroot as he brought out his precious chainsaw. Bushroot eyes widened in fear as he started to back away, being mindful that they were on a rooftop and that he could fall off it.

"Stop right there, Negaduck!" shouted Darkwing, but it was no use.

"Hey, Darky, the boss is busy! But we'll play with you!" teased Quackerjack. Darkwing turned around just in time to see Quackerjack do a somersault and kick him hard in the ribs, sending him backwards. Gosalyn had dodged just in time to avoid getting hit as well.

"Hey, clown-face!" she hollered at the jester. She pulled out Darkwing's gas gun that she had snatched from her father's cloak. "SUCK GAS!" She pulled the trigger and suddenly Quackerjack and Megavolt were assaulted with smoke, causing them to cough and groan in unison.

Meanwhile, Negaduck turned on his chainsaw, smiling wickedly at the purring sound it made. The villain raised the chainsaw, ready to attack, when someone tapped him on the shoulder. His eyes flaring, he turned around. "CAN'T YOU SEE I'M BUSY?" As soon as the words were out of his beak, his eyes widened in fear at the sight before him. Dandren took a large branch and smacked Negaduck right across the face, knocking the evil mallard out cold, his chainsaw sputtering to a halt.

Bushroot sighed with relief. He then looked up at Dandren and knew the time had come.

'Master. Please listen. I want you to understand that all I want is for you to be happy.'

"I am happy." It was a weak come back, seeing as his very being said otherwise. He was very aware that he was currently standing around a group of people who couldn't hear Dandren the way he could. He probably looked crazy as he spoke to Dandren but he didn't care. He also tried his hardest to ignore Megavolt, Quackerjack, Darkwing, and Gosalyn as they fought each other.

'You are not. You tried living the life of a villain, and you did manage to find some friends, but look at them. They ridicule you and use you only for their needs.'

Bushroot turned away from Dandren, not wanting to hear it.

'You know I am right, Master...'

The sound of an engine could suddenly be heard and Bushroot looked over and saw that Launchpad had arrived with the Thunderquack. The aircraft hovered above the rooftop before suddenly crashing into the rooftop. Steam came out of the now slightly bent hood of the Thunderquack. Launchpad poked his head out from the inside and nervously laughed. "Heh heh, Sorry about that DW!"

"LAUNCHPAD! I TOLD YOU TO WATCH GOSALYN!" shouted Darkwing angrily before dodging another attack from Quackerjack.

"I'm sorry, DW!" he heard the large pilot say. "But she got away from me!"

Ignoring them, Bushroot looked down at the ground. So much was going on around him, it was hard for him to concentrate.

'Did you honestly think that you would be able to change your ways? Villainy has always been your only path. Without your villainy, you will succumb to depression. Turning away from villainy would mean complete and utter loneliness. You can never fit in with the likes of...Darkwing...'

The next thing Bushroot knew was that comforting liquid arms were draped around his shoulders. Liquidator gently placed his chin on Bushroot's shoulder, speaking quietly in his ear. "Reggie, ignore Dandren. I don't know what he's telling you, but don't listen." He gently turned Bushroot around so that they were facing each other. "Does this have anything to do with what you said about not wanting to be a villain?"

Bushroot looked away but that was all the answer Liquidator needed.

"Reggie, I told you. You'll make it harder on yourself by not being a criminal. I'm not saying you have to be in the Top Ten Super Villains, but its a part of yourself you're going to have to get used to. And I'll be right by your side the whole time, guaranteed!"

Bushroot debated what his friend had just said. For the last several years, ever since his mutation, he'd done evil things. But, over the last few weeks, he's wondered if that is truly what he wanted. If he had truly meant any of it or if it was really just him acting out in his pain. He didn't want to be hated, he wanted to be loved. Bushroot looked over to see Darkwing quickly checking over Gosalyn before handing her over to Launchpad. Quackerjack and Megavolt seemed to have taken a break from fighting them, catching their breath. His eyes then turned back to Liquidator. "I don't know what I want, Buddy."

Liquidator leaned in even further and spoke softly, "You still love me, right? Because, Reg, if you do, just come with me and I'll help you through all this, I promise!"

Bushroot almost looked guilty. "Buddy, if I go with you, I know I'm going to end up doing things I don't want to do anymore. I do love you, but when I'm around you, I'm afraid of who I become. You're a villain and you cheat, and lie, and steal on a daily basis. I don't want to do any of those things! So, how can I be with you if you'll just influence me to do that stuff!"

Liquidator took a step back, his dog ears lowering, and a heartbroken look on his face. "Reggie, it doesn't have to be that way..."

"Bushroot!" cried the small, yet spirited voice of Gosalyn.

Bushroot looked over to her, grateful for the distraction as he stepped away from Liquidator. He smiled and asked, "Are you okay?"

Gosalyn slowly walked over to the mutant, ignoring her father's cries to come back that instant. She stopped before Bushroot, who looked down at her sweetly. He could tell she was truly fighting to keep herself going. He could see all the bandages that covered her cuts and the bruises she received when she had been thrown through the window.

"Yeah, I'm okay" she replied with a grin. "It takes more than a tree and window crash to get rid of me!" Bushroot smiled at her words.

"I'm sorry..." he lamented.

Gosalyn blinked. "Why are you saying sorry? You didn't push me through the window."

"Yes, but-I kidnapped you-"

"Yeah, and you told me the only reason you did was because of Negaduck" she referred to the unconscious duck. "Bushroot, all I'm trying to say is, I honestly don't think you're a bad person. You're just a person who's had bad stuff happen to you. Like me. I mean, I lost my parents and grandpa. I was an orphan and I've seen a lot of bad stuff for a kid my age, but here I am. I'm a good person."

Bushroot seemed amazed by her speech as he smiled down at her. He nudged her back towards a displeased Darkwing.

"Get back here, young lady!" reprimanded the vigilante.

'Master, please tell me you are not going to listen to that brat. She is trying to brainwash you. So is your precious 'Buddy'. I know longer trust him either. Please, tell me you are not going to trust either of them!'

"Yes, I am going to..." he whispered.

'Well, then master. I am afraid I am going to have to knock some sense into you...'

Bushroot looked up, out over the city, a look of confusion on his face. It was then, out of pure instinct, that he managed to duck just in time before Dandren's large branch hit him.

Panicking and knowing it was now time to act, Bushroot ran over to Launchpad. "Do you have any oil or gasoline on you!?" he demanded. Launchpad gave him a puzzled look before muttering, "Yeah" and getting it out of the Thunderquack.

Darkwing glared at Bushroot accusingly, Gosalyn now wrapped up tightly in front of him, his cloak around her to keep her warm. "What are you planning, Bushy?"

The ex-scientist didn't reply, he had to hurry. He knew Dandren wanted to have another go at him. He ducked under another branch as he ran over to Megavolt, who had been standing there shivering due to his lack of electricity. Bushroot grabbed the rodent by the hand and dragged him back over to Launchpad.

"Hey! What's the big idea!?" demanded Megavolt as he was pulled along. Quackerjack and Liquidator could do nothing but watch on. They all ducked another branch of Dandren's and as the branch came around, Bushroot grabbed a small twig from the branch.

'Master! That hurt!'

Bushroot ignored him.

Launchpad quickly came back with a can of gasoline. Bushroot snatched the can of gasoline from him and poured the gasoline over the twig. He then whirled back around to face Megavolt. "Megs, please! Just try one little spark! That's all I need!" he begged at the rodent. "I know you shorted out, but, please I just need one spark!"

Megavolt regarded his friend with wide eyes. "Oh!" cooed Megavolt in intrigue. "A little spark? Eh, I should be able to handle that."

"Then do it! Please!"

Megavolt snapped his fingers several times, trying to make the smallest of sparks come out from his fingers. Meanwhile, Bushroot made sure the gasoline-covered branch was inches away from his hand. Suddenly, a small blue spark emitted from the tips of Megavolt's fingers.

Bushroot pressed the twig carefully towards it. The spark didn't last long since Megavolt was shorted out, but the spark allowed the twig to catch fire. He quickly ran towards Dandren, making sure the twig didn't get wet or that he caught himself on fire.

"Come on, come on, come on!" he ranted quietly to himself as he did all this. The small fire was just enough as he watched it grow on the twig like a torch. With his free hand, Bushroot leaned down and grabbed the can of gasoline he'd dropped there and started squirting as much of it on Dandren as he could. He just hoped that the fire and gasoline would be enough; Dandren was such a large tree.

Once he squirted some on Dandren, he threw the twig up in Dandren's branches, hoping the leaves would start to burn. He just prayed it would work. It didn't help that it was raining.

The fire caught quick and spread just as fast.

Dandren shook his branches back and forth, trying to get the quickly growing fire out.

'Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! Master! Why!? Oh, Master, it hurts! IT BURNS!'

Bushroot covered his ears, knowing it was useless. The guilt he felt inside for doing this to Dandren was enough to drown out his soul. He didn't need to hear Dandren's cries of pain. Dandren tromped back and forth, but to no avail. The fire continued to grow with the aide of the gasoline Bushroot had thrown on him. The tree stumbled, tromping further back until at last, he reached the edge.

Quackerjack's voice barely registered past all the howls of pain Dandren was making in his telepathy. "TIMMMBEEEEEERRRR!" Megavolt, Quackerjack, Liquidator, Darkwing, Launchpad, and Gosalyn all watched as the tree swayed back and forth in its fight for balance as the fire raged on; Negaduck still unconscious several yards away.

Dandren tried to gain his balance, but the large old tree was too overcome by the laws of gravity and in the late night of pouring rain, fell over the large building, burning to his death.

Bushroot fell to his knees, curling up into a ball on the cement of the roof. He sobbed, not caring who was there to watch him. They heard the enormous crash of Dandren falling onto the ground, his cries still ringing in Bushroot's mind. All of his other plant children were deathly silent. It unnerved him.

He sat there and sobbed. "I'm sorry, Dandren..."

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