Perils in Space

by stephthewriter2

At first things were miserable between Duck Dodgers and Cadet but at least it gets better after Dodgers has a new crew member. With them working together, a group of villains kidnap Dodgers. Can his crew save him on time or will Dodgers lose his own life? (Rated T for brutal violence and dark themes) {Inspired by true events}

10. The Revelation

"Hey, he's out of the c-c-closet!" Cadet shouted happily. "The-the-they got to him! Oh, thank you!"

If only Cadet gave Hubie and Bertie walkie-talkies, he could've told them to guide Dodgers back to the camera room but he could only watch. Dodgers was already walking out of the living room and into the hallway with the mice trailing from behind. In the meantime, E.J. still needed directions such as X-2. Cadet was about to tell X-2 to move until the Whoosh came from behind the wall. In an instant, X-2 hid without being seen. There could be a slight chance that E.J. and X-2 would make it to Dodgers. If only E.J. wasn't that far behind or for X-2 not to hide in a far bathroom.

Dodgers was lucky to have his feet unbroken that he easily walked through the hallway and plus no one was around, but he had to be extra careful. The Society could be anywhere and he can't experience the pain again. There was absolutely no inclination that Dodgers would want to endure that, but the fiery pain wouldn't leave. Since there was a crossroads in front of him, after leaving the living room, Dodgers had a feeling that the left lead to the main bridge.

No. I'm not going in there. Can't let them hurt me again.

He took the right route and then a left. There were no windows but just a steel wall and flooring. Close by was a door that Dodgers looked inside but the fiery pain struck.

"RGH! Mm. UGH!"

He leaned against the wall that Dodgers was tempted to put his arm over his chest while he huffed. Barely, Dodgers could lift his arms. The right and left were battered since the hole on his left and the bones on his right made it impossible. How is Dodgers going to open the door? His hands are useless! The right hand was gone and the left was squashed! Should he use his teeth? That's one way. Or maybe he should just keep walking.

With fire burning through his stomach, Dodgers again stood up and headed further down the hallway. The Society could be in the room anyway. He has to get out. The escape pods would be further down the hallway, beyond the main bridge. But it was a long walk. Hallways were everywhere and the doors can only be open with metallic door handles. Plus, the fire was coursing through Dodgers. From the stomach up to the shoulders.

"RRGGHH!"

Again, Dodgers had to kneel against the wall to regain his strength. Why can't the fire stop? Where were Hubie and Bertie? Where'd they go? Did they leave him? Why does his stomach have to burn? If only he knew what they read, Dodgers can see. To answer that, there was a mirror shining from inside a room. Since that door was open, hoping the Society wouldn't be inside, Dodgers pushed it open. Luckily, no one was in there and it was a bedroom. The mirror he saw was on the wall and Dodgers walked closer to it but slowly.

Now he can see the words and his reflection. Judging by the sight, Dodgers' face was completely bashed yet pale. There were two black eyes, bruises on his cheeks and forehead, his bill was slightly upturned, and there were holes coming from his arms. One on each shoulder but with dry blood running out, the left arm had a wide hole through it, and for sure, his right arm was gone up to the elbow. At least that wasn't bleeding but only from the cuts on his chest, arms, and legs were bleeding; yet slightly. And there were the words written on his stomach and he can finally read them.

"I'm a duck dumb and proud of it," he read while shaking. "No! No, I'm not! Thisth isth terrible! No one should read thisth! I'm not dumb! And I'm not happy about it! What am I going to do? I hate it! I hate it! UUGGHH!"

Cringing his face didn't do the trick but Dodgers fell to the dresser the mirror was hanged from behind. At least he fell on his right bicep that Dodgers looked back to the mirror. Just the sight of not having a right arm still gave Dodgers the goosebumps.

"I look ugly. Not handsthome. Ugly! RRGGHH! Thisth hurtsth! My sthtomach. Ugh."

After another look to the mirror, despising himself, Dodgers leaned further down the dresser and rolled his head.

"I hate thisth. I hate it. Ugh. I want to get out. Ugh."

Failure is not an option.

"That'sth right. It'sth not. I have to get off thisth ship. I can't sthtop. I can't."

Dodgers lifted his left arm up to a dresser handle and shoved himself up but with a loud groan.

"I have to get out."

"Hey Duck. Duck."

Dodgers looked up, trembled, and only saw two faces looking at him. The face of two mice.

"What are you doing?"

At least it was Hubie talking to him while Bertie was alongside. Relieved, Dodgers helped himself to get up and replied to them with, "I wanna get out."

"Come with us." Listening to Bertie, Dodgers walked with the mice out of the bedroom.

No longer was Duck Dodgers in the bedroom hating himself, he was now determined. The Society can never find him and he will get out. The words written on him were horrific enough but it won't stop his determination. More doors were around him that Dodgers didn't stop to open them. He just followed Hubie and Bertie. Hopefully, they're taking him to the pods.

He went right, left, left again, then right, left, right, left. It was like he was in a maze. A maze of hallways that was difficult to keep track. If the mice know the routes, Dodgers was okay with that. But he spoke too soon. Fire came back that Dodgers again had to take a breath.

From what Cadet noticed from the cameras, the mice were taking Dodgers in the wrong direction. And here he thought the mice know the ship by heart.

"How far long?" Dodgers asked them.

"Wasn't it this way Hubie?" Bertie asked Hubie.

"I know it is Bert! Who asked ya?!" Hubie slapped Bertie on the face but kept walking.

And plus, he saw from the camera in the living room was the Society. Earlier they were talking in the main bridge but switched rooms. No doubt about it, Z-9 and Darkstar noticed Dodgers was gone.

"EEL!"

It was after Darkstar told Sa'am to get Dodgers but was told he's gone. Black Eel woke up after the loud scream from Z-9 that he looked up to them.

"WHERE IS HE?!" Darkstar roared.

"He's in there," Black Eel replied while pointing to the closet.

"HE ISN'T! Where is he?!"

"Seaman must've gotten him."

"All of you! Get him! Now!"

Z-9's shout was enough to convince everyone but with Black Eel…

"You sthtay here," Darkstar told him. "I have sthomething for you sthoon enough."

Only the henchmen left the room spreading around in the hallway that Cadet had a feeling they know the spaceship by heart.

"Oh n-n-no," Cadet stuttered. "E.J., Ma-Ma-Martian, hurry! Martian, go to your l-left! E.J., stay in there, b-b-b-b-b-b-b-hide!"

E.J. was already inside one of the bathrooms that she remained in the room but replied to Cadet, "Why?"

"The So-So-Society know Cap'n D-D-Dodgers escaped! They're on th-th-their way!"

"He escaped? How? Where is he?"

"I have my eye on him. Oh no." Just then, Cadet noticed the New Cadet and Muerte were on their way to the camera room.

"I can't t-t-talk right now. I'm going off air."

"Wait, Cadet. Tell me, where is the captain?"

"Just t-t-turn it off. You to, Martian."

Without another reply, before E.J. could say anything, Cadet turned off his walkie-talkie and quickly looked around the room. From behind him was a closet that he quickly ran inside. Just on time to. The New Cadet and Muerte instantly came in the room that Cadet only left the door slightly open, so he could see what's happening.

"Where is that duck?" Muerte wondered while he and the New Cadet walked to the cameras.

"There he is!" The New Cadet exclaimed pointing to the camera in one of the left-wing hallways. "Boss, we found him. Dodgers is close to the gym."

"Good." Cadet heard the voice of Z-9 somehow. He had a feeling they were using walkie-talkies. "Tell the others."

"Yes sir. Oh, and I can see one of the intruders. The Martian Commander is here."

"Where?"

"He's close to the kitchen."

"What about the others?"

"I don't see them."

"As long as we get Dodgers back and obtain the Commander, we have what we want. Then we'll find the others. You two stay in there until I call you to return."

"Certainly," said Muerte.

There was no possible way that Cadet could call back E.J., and neither to make contact with X-2. For now, he had to stay inside the closet.

X-2 couldn't call anyone, not after Cadet told him he had to hide. He instead quickly opened the door that was close to him and entered the room. Indeed, X-2 was inside the open kitchen where counters, a large fridge, big stove, and a pantry surrounded the room. Tables were the only objects in between. There was no place to hide but maybe behind one of the tables. One of the small metal tables.

"This is not good," he muttered to himself. "Not good at all."

Soon enough, the door was barged opened to reveal the Whoosh. X-2's hiding place did not work as he feared.

"There you are!" yelled the Whoosh. "Come with me!"

"Not a chance!" X-2 shouted back.

"Then fight!"

X-2 was more than willing. He stood up from behind the table and ran toward the Whoosh with an oncoming kick, not expecting his foot to be instantly punched. Falling to the floor, X-2 then gave the Whoosh a punch but that was dodged and given a hit himself. With lightning reflexes, the Whoosh suddenly had X-2 in handcuffs. Metal cuffs that were cuffed on X-2's wrists tightly.

"OW!" X-2 flinched. "How'd you do that?"

"Speed is key," Whoosh replied. "The general will be happy to see you."

"No! Not him! Not General Z-9! He's a traitor!"

"You come!"

The Whoosh took hold of X-2's arm and took him out of the kitchen. The walkie-talkie that X-2 had earlier fell to the floor; the Whoosh heard it clang. Noticing it, Whoosh stomped on the device, breaking it. Then with a strap bound on his wrist, Whoosh said through it to the General, "I've got the Martian Commander."

"Good," Z-9 replied from behind. "Bring him to me. And where is Dodgers?"

Dodgers had to hurry. He had no idea where he was going but he came to a dead end, not noticing. At least there was a door to his right.

"Is this, ugh, it?" Dodgers groaned. "Ugh."

"I'll look," said Hubie.

Dodgers didn't know it but Hubie knew he took a wrong turn. After he looked inside, they only came to the gym of the spaceship.

"Crap!" Hubie shouted in anger.

"I'm going the, ugh, other way."

"Wait!"

Dodgers turned around, but by now he was starting to lower to the ground. If only he could either have something to eat or drink Dodgers didn't have to feel the ache coming in his head. It was getting bad that he could barely keep himself up. For two days, Dodgers hasn't eaten and he leaned against the wall to walk and breathe. By now he was starting to breathe hard up to strong pants and took slow steps. Three more steps Dodgers walked that he fell upon the wall. Sitting down helped him but still the fiery pain came back.

Come on Dodgersth! Keep going! Breathe! Justht breathe!

One, two, three, four, five deep breaths Dodgers took and he stood back up. The fire wouldn't go away but neither will he. He has to keep going and reach the escape pods. He has to get out.

"Dodgers!"

BOOM!

"RRRRGGGGHHHH!"

He fell. Dodgers fell on his knees and slouched on the wall. Now he couldn't get back up. There was a bullet on his chest, close to the words. Breathe. Just breathe. In and out. In and out. In and out. But something was holding back the breathing. Something strong. Strong like a rock and more fire was preventing him from taking a single breath. That can't stop Dodgers now. He has to get out. He has to leave. While on the floor, Dodgers started to crawl but crying loudly.

"AUGH! RGH, RGH, RGH!"

"Where'd ya think ya goin'?" It was Sa'am. He was the one who shot Dodgers and also came running to him. "Yer not goin' nowhere!"

Dodgers didn't reply but shook harder than ever. They came back. The Society came back and they shot him. They shot him. And there was no possible way of escaping. The mice didn't help at all and neither did he. There was absolutely nothing he could do now. He'll be back with the Society.

"Yer coming with me, ya dirty little critter!" Sa'am yelled.

With a look of fear, Dodgers faced Sa'am when he took hold of his left arm and was forced to stand. He was going back. Dodgers was going back to Hell. The nightmare was coming back. The pain was never going to leave him. It's going to remain. They're going to hurt him. They're going to do it again.

"I got him," Sa'am called to Z-9. "I got the duck."

"Excellent," said Z-9 fiendishly. "Bring him to the living room. Crusher, bring back the collar."

Sa'am heard Crusher from the watch say, "Yes boss."

There was nothing Dodgers could do but to follow Sa'am. The mice failed him and he was going back now with K'chutha Sa'am. More and more estranged breaths came out of Dodgers' mouth that Sa'am yelled, "Ya'll live Dodgers."

Dodgers didn't reply back. He was shaking too much and sweat was starting to fall from his head; but with more blood flowing out his body. With his head hung, Dodgers noticed the bullet wound coming from his left pec. The words were still on his stomach giving him the strong reminder.

The wordsth. The wordsth. I'm a dumb duck and proud of it. The wordsth. It hurtsth! Everything sthtill hurtsth! Hurtsth! It hurtsth! They're going to hurt me again. They're going to hurt me.

After making a turn, Dodgers' legs almost gave way that he nearly tripped; but he did after stubbing his toe to the metal corners.

"Get up!" Sa'am shouted noticing Dodgers fall.

If Dodgers could, he can get up and take a run for it but no. He laid on the floor moaning and groaning still sweating in fear. Plus, his heart was throbbing harder and harder and he could only take wheezes for breaths.

"Get up!"

Can he get up? The determination Dodgers had earlier was gone and Sa'am took hold of him. Again, Dodgers was forced to walk. There was one more hallway they passed that Dodgers heard the sound of a watch beeping that he heard General Z-9 say from it, "Cadet, Muerte, return. We have him."

Who? Me? Are they talking about me? What elsthe are they gonna do? I don't wanna! I don't wanna go back! No. I don't feel stho good.

For sure Dodgers didn't. There was the feeling that he was going to throw up or fall asleep; not just the burning pain. Walking didn't do that much justice and neither did breathing. As much as he did, more wheezes came out and he couldn't see. Everything was a blur. But a door was opened and he was thrown. Dodgers was about to lean further to the ground but more hands were on his shoulders as if someone pinned him on the wall.

"How did you get out?!" It was the growling, lisp voice of Drake Darkstar that Dodgers didn't dare look at him. "Tell me!"

Dodgers had to answer and said, "I had help."

"From Black Eel?"

That could be Dodgers ticket to have his revenge on the Society. They've been doing unspeakable torture methods on him and here he can take them down. Someone has to pay for his pain. It was them and them only. They will pay the price.

"Yeah," Dodgers answered.

He didn't care that Black Eel glared towards him, but it wasn't just Black Eel. The entire Society was back in the living room, including the Whoosh, Catapoid, and Serpenti brothers, staring at Dodgers with angry looks. There was also the Martian Commander, X-2, but he wasn't angry. The Whoosh was holding him.

"I know what to do with you," Darkstar growled to Dodgers. "But firstht I have sthome busthinessth to attend your helper."

"What is going on?" X-2 wondered loudly. "What'd you do to Dodgers?"

"Shut up runt!" Canasta yelled to him.

Darkstar left Dodgers at the wall and walked towards Black Eel along with Z-9. In front of Dodgers' eyes, while he slouched on the wall, Darkstar and Z-9 held lightsabers in red and black and took a swipe on the breathing hose connected to Black Eel's helmet. Water poured out from inside such as strong gags. Once all the water was out, covering the feet of Magnificent Rogue, the Catapoid, and Hilgalgo, Black Eel revealed a shriveled face, but dead.

"Wow," Fudd said dreamily. "I wasn't expecting that."

"That isth why you should never esthcape!" Darkstar roared to Dodgers. "If you do next time, I won't be stho nice! Now it'sth time for your punishment! Sthomeone get the acid! Take histh bootsth off!"

"Acid?" X-2 repeated. "Acid for what?"

Only Dodgers and the Society would know the answer for that. No one told X-2 but he heard from Z-9, "Someone take care of the runt!"

"I will," said the Crusher.

And with that, Crusher brought X-2 across the room from Dodgers, to the wall where they had the chain collar padlocked and tied it on X-2's neck. There was no possible way X-2 could escape and he could only watch. Dodgers was taken by Darkstar and forced to sit on the couch while Canasta took off his boots.

"Someone give me the pan," Darkstar ordered.

Sa'am was the one who went to fetch a large cooking pan filled with smoking watery acid. How hot it was, Dodgers could only tell by the smoke and bubbles coming from it.

What are they gonna do? What are they gonna do? What are they gonna do? What are they gonna do? What are they gonna do?

The pan was pushed closer to Dodgers that Darkstar again ordered, "Someone hold him on the couch."

Canasta and Silver did exactly that. They held onto Dodgers by the shoulders listening to his whimpering and his shaking was seen. Canasta grinned evilly by the sight. The pan was brought closer to Dodgers that Darkstar knelt in front of him. He pushed the pan closer and closer to Dodgers' feet.

"Now to brand you again Dodgers," Darkstar grinned.

He lifted up Dodgers legs, only mere inches away from the metal floor, pulled the pan, and set it under the feet. Dodgers feet were shoved into the pot, right in the boiling, watery acid.

FZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ!

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

That was a scream that only the people in the room heard. A scream that Dodgers couldn't control. Fire has returned. Boiling, scalding, blistering, blazing, steaming, hot fire was on him again.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Fire was back on his body but this time on the feet. And again, his heart throbbed and veins were pumping.

"AAAAAAAARRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHH! AAAAARRRRRGGGGGHHHHH! AAAUUUGGGHHH! AAAUUUGGGHHH!"

How hot can acid be? It sure was hot flaming fire but this time it was clear and hotter than Duck Dodgers can ever imagine. Flaming hot, lava hot, hotter than lava, hotter than fire, hot, hot, hot, hot. Blazing smoking fire, much hotter than that. A single huff wouldn't do the trick for him, not even a breather.

"AAAUUUGGGHHH! AAARRRGGGHHH! AAAUUUGGGHHH!"

Darkstar was holding Dodgers' legs down that he watched him screaming; who was hanging his head and groaning loudly.

"AARRGGHH! UGH, UGH! RRRGGGHHH! RRRGGGHHH!"

"How does it feel, Dodgersth?"

Only a cough came out from Dodgers' mouth and then loud gasps.

"Painful?"

Dodgers nodded after, "RRGGHH! Ah, ah, ah, ah! RRGGHH! Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah!"

"Beautiful."

All of the Society henchmen stared at Darkstar with open mouths. None of them said a word and neither did X-2. X-2 watched the scene in horror before vomiting. Everyone watched the scene. Dodgers kept on gasping and groaning up to loud sighs that the whole time he had his eyes closed but mouth open.

"Isth there anything you'd like to sthay Dodgersth?" Darkstar taunted him. "Anything?"

"Sth-sth-sthop," Dodgers stuttered. "P-p-pleasthe. Augh! RRGGHH! Pleasthe! Augh!"

Darkstar chuckled, "Now to sthee the handiwork. Stha'am, take the pan."

Sa'am walked up to the ducks and pulled the acid-filled pan away from them; from the side handle. Dodgers' feet slid out revealing lost flesh and muscles. Some of the bones were shown with smoke steaming from them. Because Dodgers was shaking and crying, Darkstar held Dodgers by the feathers on his chest and pulled him closer; face-to-face. Canasta and Crusher let go of Dodgers.

"Just stho you know, thisth isth nothing persthonal. It'sth justht for the fun. Torture isth my middle name. Stho, sthtop your crying. You'll live."

A slight gasp came out of Dodgers' mouth and, "P-pleasthe, let me-"

"And by the way, no more talking!"

And with that, Darkstar threw Dodgers to the floor. He was right in front of X-2 lying curled up on the ground.

Never will Dodgers be able to walk. Never. His feet are in absolute, sickening pain and were throbbing, making his veins bubble. The smoke was smoldering from his fleshed off feet and there was suddenly a punch after he heard, "Can we hit him?" from Roy Serpenti.

"Yes," Z-9 replied.

The punches came back such as the kicks. Right on Dodgers' face they came and also his chest and stomach. The strike on the stomach was the only time Dodgers cringed and rolled on the floor gasping for air. Just then, a kick struck Dodgers on the face and there was blackness.

It was now time to come out of the closet and so he did but it was earlier. Out from his hiding place, Cadet was back at the cameras and was watching the Society beat his captain.

"Why can't they le-le-le-leave him alone?" he hoped.

Because he couldn't take the sight anymore, Cadet turned on his walkie-talkie to hear E.J. calling from the other end.

"Cadet," she called. "Cadet, answer me."

"I'm ri-right here," he replied.

"Oh, thank you," E.J. sighed. "Can I come out?"

"Yeah. Come on. It's s-s-safe."

Cadet watched her come out from a bathroom shower that was covered by the wall, trying to ignore the sight of Dodgers' beating.

"Where's the captain?" E.J. asked. "Where are you?"

"I'm sti-sti-still in the camera room," Cadet replied. "The Cap'n is with them. You have to c-c-c-c-c-c-c-I'll guide you to me."

"Okay. I'm coming. But why can't I fight the Society? What are they doing to him?"

Cadet was hoping not to tell her that he gulped.

"Cadet?"

"Don't ask. Come out of th-th-th-the bathroom and make a right turn." E.J. listened.

Back in the living room, X-2 saw the blood coming out of Dodgers' mouth that he shouted, "Leave him alone! He's not moving."

After Skunderbelly gave a stomp on Dodgers' stomach everyone looked up to Commander X-2.

"I'm serious," X-2 went on. "Dodgers isn't moving!"

For sure he wasn't and his eyes were closed.

"Get up Dodgers!" Z-9 yelled. "Get up!"

Dodgers didn't reply and neither did he listen. He just laid on the floor spread eagled with blood flowing down.

"Get up!"

Z-9 gave a kick to Dodgers on the side but that hardly helped.

"Get up!"

He again kicked him that Fudd knelt down that he put his hand in front of Dodgers mouth and pressed on his throat.

"He's unconscious siw," Fudd told Z-9. "But he's bweathing."

"Wake him up," Z-9 ordered. "He'll be fine."

X-2 glared incredulously at Z-9. Never in his life has he ever seen Dodgers in such danger or neither to become senseless. It's true he's always hated Dodgers and very often annoyed with him but to see Dodgers in this state was beyond words. X-2 didn't say anything but kept his eyes on Dodgers.

Obeying commands, Fudd held out both hands and pressed down on Dodgers' chest from between the words and gunshot wound. One, two, three, four, five, no airway in Dodgers mouth came. One, two, three, four, five, still nothing. One, two, three, four, five, again nothing. One, two, three, four, five, then there was a cough. More coughs came out from Dodgers that it led up to wheezes, gasps, and pants; but he didn't open his eyes. He just shook, trembling like a vibrating bed.

"Put him with the Commander for now," Z-9 told Fudd.

Fudd did exactly that. With Dodgers breathing heavily, he was shoved over to Commander X-2 who instantly walked closer to Dodgers.

"Dodgers!" he said to him. Dodgers didn't respond that X-2 looked back to the Society. "What did you do to him!?"

"Don't you like it Martian?" said Darkstar. "I thought you would. Doesthn't he get on your nervesth?"

"Dodgers may be a snake in the grass, but he's my arch-enemy! What did you do?"

"What he desthervesth."

Everybody looked back to Dodgers. He was still shuddering and took heavy, strong breaths that were turning into gasps. Just the sight of him would've shocked anyone that X-2 was the only sane person in the room to be so. The rest of the crowd was hardly perturbed. The many scars on Dodgers were hardly bleeding but remained on him. Where blood was coming from was his mouth and nose and the bruises on him were getting darker and purple. It wasn't hard for X-2 to know that Dodgers was in serious pain.

"Well, Dodgers has always been a jerk," said X-2. "But I've never seen anything like this! Never!"

"Isthn't it lovely?" Darkstar taunted. "Justht peachy?"

"As you know Commander," said Z-9 while X-2 scowled to Darkstar. "Our planet has always wanted to overthrow Earth and the Protectorate."

He walked closer to X-2 who looked back to him.

"Now we have Dodgers, we have power. I know for a fact you would go to extreme lengths for the Queen, always hated Dodgers, and had many attempts to overthrow the Protectorate, you could have your turn on him."

"You're a traitor Z-9!" X-2 yelled to him. "A traitor to Mars!"

"And you would've said 'no' anyway if I asked you to join. How predictable. We've all had our turn on Dodgers so I suggest you could do something upon him."

Darkstar walked to the coffee table, where the weapons sat, that he took out the fishing hook that had two claws.

"What do you sthay, Martian?" said he while showing the hook to X-2.

It was a tough decision. X-2 can see the pain that Dodgers was under that he couldn't think of what to do. Here, he was captured by the enemy, not knowing what Cadet and E.J. were doing, witnessing the torture on Duck Dodgers, and is given the chance to hurt him. He's never maimed Dodgers before but always wanted to. Now would be his chance to do so. Should he? Should X-2 hurt Dodgers? Should he do it?

"No," he replied. "I won't do it. And I heard Dodgers loud scream earlier."

He didn't see it but Dodgers opened his eyes and look towards X-2.

"I think he's been through enough."

"Enough is never enough," Z-9 replied. "Go ahead. Do it. Everyone has."

"I was the one who cut his arm!" Canasta brought up. "Go ahead Martian!"

"And I've been the one who's given him balloons of the dancing clown," said Rogue.

"I broke his shoulder," the Whoosh told him.

"And we impaled him," said Hilgalgo while pointing to himself and Crusher.

Crusher nodded and told X-2, "That was why Dodgers screamed. It hurt my ears."

It was beyond anything X-2 could ever think of, and that would explain the scream he heard. He had no idea that Dodgers' crew are shocked as well. Just the thought of being tortured inhumanely was sickening.

Muerte said evilly, "And I drunk his blood. It was delicious!"

Then Van Chancey mentioned, "And I cut him!"

"I shot him," said Sa'am.

"I did the drilling," the New Cadet told him.

"Me and Fudd put salt on him!" said Moonbeam. Fudd agreed with him but he didn't say anything.

"I haven't done anything yet but soon enough I will," said Skunderbelly. "A brilliant idea."

"Neither have we," Royal Serpenti brought up. "But we will anytime. Right Roy?"

"That's right!" Roy agreed. "Oh, and the Tasmanian Warrior also broke Dodgers' shoulder. Not just the Whoosh. You can do something to! It's fun!"

They did all of this to Dodgers?

X-2 didn't have the heart to speak out to the Society. He took another glance to Dodgers knowing the Society tortured him. Just the sight of Dodgers beaten was hard to swallow. How can anyone be so cruel as to torture a person nearly to death? Dodgers was out cold earlier but luckily, he made it. What's going to happen to him?

"That'sth why you need to punish him to," Darkstar smirked. "If you don't, we'll do the sthame to you. Would you like that?"

After a moment staring at Dodgers, X-2 looked up to the evil doppelganger and replied with, "Who are you?"

"Drake Darkstar." Darkstar smiled the sound of his name but he gave X-2 a hungry stare.

"Where'd you come from?"

"The paranormal hasth itsth own way."

No one said a word. The only sound heard was Dodgers' labored breathing while everyone stared at Darkstar. The Catapoid didn't growl, Muerte was pale if he could be, and Z-9 was also speechless. Cadet also heard Darkstar from behind the camera that he dropped his walkie-talkie on the desk. It was a sound of disturbed silence that even Dodgers stopped panting. He to heard the response. The crowd heard the reply but not E.J. She was busy walking while Hubie and Bertie reunited in the camera room that they came on time to hear it. Everything and everyone was silent that Darkstar grinned evilly. He was proud of it that he again offered the hook to X-2.

"Are you going to do it?"

Darkstar was the one who broke the eerie silence that he walked closer to X-2 with the hook in his hands. In defiance, X-2 refused.

"No thank you."

"You're not afraid of pain," said Darkstar. "Are you? Didn't you get hurt earlier? I've heard you've been shot. Well stho wasth Dodgersth. He enjoyed it stho much, he kept sthcreaming. Sthcreamsth of tearsth. What do you sthay?"

"No."

Z-9 then got involved.

"This has nothing to do against you Commander," said he. "This is mainly punishment for Dodgers. He's part of the Protectorate and we can finally have our revenge. Didn't you hate him?"

"Yes, but…"

"Didn't you ever want him dead? Or better yet, to injure him? Hasn't the Queen as well?"

"Indeed."

"We'll let you do it and that'll be it for this session. You'll be coming with us."

"For what?"

"You'll find out soon enough. As for now, go ahead do what you want on Dodgers. He's the enemy. Never give the enemy compassion. Do what you must."

X-2 again looked down to Dodgers that until a few moments he sighed, "Okay. I'll do it."

"Good."

Darkstar picked up Dodgers and put him on the couch while X-2 was let go from the collar. With the Society surrounding X-2, he walked over to Dodgers who still moaned but laid down with his back shown. He took the hook. Dodgers wasn't watching. His eyes were closed and clenched as if he was expecting it. The hook X-2 held was above Dodgers' back that he hesitated.

"I don't know if I can do this," X-2 inhaled. "I can't do it."

"He's always been the enemy Commander," said Z-9. "Enemies must be punished. Am I right? Claw him. Claw his back."

"Yesth," Darkstar agreed. "Claw histh back."

While taking in a breath, X-2 leaned over and touched the back feathers with the claw.

"You always hated him Commander," Z-9 told him. "Dodgers must be punished for defeating you. He always has, correct?"

That is true. Dodgers has.

"Claw his back."

Then there came Darkstar's voice.

"Make sure you do it deep. Blood won't show but there will be claw marksth. Dodgersth needsth histh punishment."

With the claws on Dodgers' back, X-2 pulled them down on the blackened feathers, to the skin, and sliced them down on Dodgers' back; slowly. Dodgers didn't scream but he yelped silently.

"Agh!"

X-2 held the claws further down to Dodgers' pelvis. It was on the spine he did the claws, letting out a little bit of blood. In the meantime, Dodgers was groaning slightly but gasping loudly.

"Do it again," Darkstar whispered.

Again, X-2 started from the top to the bottom but on the right. Then the left after hearing, "Again. And again."

Dodgers never screamed but he was still twitching madly the more X-2 clawed his back. He couldn't stop nor did he want to finish. It was hard for X-2 to stop himself that he clawed more markings on Dodgers' back that bloody lines were visible.

"Good job," whispered the voice of Drake Darkstar. "Now you have to come with usth."

He did it. He scratched Dodgers' back with a claw. That was X-2. He clawed Dodgers leaving scratch marks of blood on his back. A huge weight overcame X-2's shoulders, a weight he couldn't get off and hated. It was either guilt or despair, he didn't know which; but he couldn't say a word. With his heart starting to pump, X-2 put the hook down to the floor, hearing it clang on the metal.

Without putting up a fight, X-2 went with the Society out of the room. The only two who looked back to Dodgers was X-2 and Fudd. More blood was coming out of him and a few feathers were flying around.