It was hard to sleep that night. The thought of losing his crew was still haunting Dodgers and the dream he had didn't help at all. In his dream, Dodgers was fighting against his own reflection in a battle of wits. They were playing poker, which he knew he would win, but this time gambling over pigs and kids. Dodgers lost the fight and watched the death of all the swine and children. The sound of their screams sounded familiar. They were his own. The burning, beatings, loss of limbs, and stabbings were similar as well.

He can't think of the dream anymore. If anything like that was more terrifying, it would be the Society of Darkness. They'll show up again and finish him. As for now, he was tied on the column without having to move a single muscle. Everything on him hurt, the fire never left, and the ropes were still on him. Even his eyelids hurt. Dodgers slowly opened them and saw from his right, a red balloon. Penny was back. Back to haunt his nightmares. But there were feet. Penny's feet? No. They were sneakers. Behind the balloons, pass Penny's evil face, was the Martian Commander asleep. It was a mystery how the Martian came on the ship and plus, to be with him in the room.

How did he get here? Isth he with them? Isth he? Isth he going to hurt me to? They killed E.J. and Cadet! They're gone! I'll never sthee them again!

Thinking about them was hard enough that Dodgers sniffled back tears.

"Good morning Dodgersth."

He knew that voice all too well. Looking up to the door coming into the room, was the Society of Darkness. All of them.

"Today, you have a big sthurpristhe," Darkstar went on while he walked closer. "Would you like to know?" He wasn't supposed to talk that Dodgers only shook his head. This surprise could be anything but good. "I didn't think stho. You're justht a sthcaredy duck." Then he walked to the Martian. "Hey, Martian!"

Dodgers again looked to his right but to see Commander X-2 waking up. He was being kicked from Darkstar.

"Get up!"

"Okay, okay!" X-2 said grumpily.

Something was going to happen. Dodgers knew it. What it would be, he didn't know.

"What do you want?" X-2 moaned.

Instead of Darkstar talking, Z-9 walked up to X-2 and said, "We have plans for today but not with you. I won't tell you the details but it's a presentation only involved with Dodgers. First of all, Dodgers needs his exercise and so will you. The same punishment."

What will the Society do? Are they doing something different? What was it?

"Get Dodgers off the pole."

Z-9's orders were obeyed by Hilgalgo. He walked closer to Dodgers and cut the ropes off with his laser sword. First it was the ropes on Dodges' ankles and then from his arms.

FLOP!

"UGH!"

Dodgers instantly fell to the floor and landed on his legs. The fiery wire was still on them and dug deeper into his scars. With his only hand, Dodgers tried upright himself but he fell to the floor; forgetting his hand was crushed.

"LEAVE HIM ALONE!" X-2 roared.

Through raspy breathing of his own, pain was everywhere on Dodgers and coping with it was getting tiresome. It was breathing he always did and he still breathed. If only fire wasn't around him, Dodgers wouldn't have to huff and puff.

"Stand him up," Z-9 told the henchmen ignoring X-2.

Hands were holding Dodgers by the shoulders, which were the New Cadet and Whoosh, and he heard, "And have your fun."

Suddenly, there was a punch to his face and then his chest. He wasn't sure who punched him but it was Taz who hit him on the chest. The rest of the henchmen punched him even more but also kicked him on the legs. That was Crusher who did that.

"OOWW!" he shouted. "That is hot! OW! Hey, no one touch that wire!"

"Fine!" Canasta pouted giving a punch on Dodgers' face.

But the ones who did were Silver, Muerte, and Taz. Without a doubt, the fire on the wire was still steaming hot, burning their fingers, not just Dodgers' legs. The wire was tied deeply on his legs and gave out blood. The sight of them was unbearable for Dodgers to look. More punches came to his face and his chest, just to his legs. There were punches from his back thanks to the New Cadet but one was on his shoulder, his left shoulder, and that was from the Whoosh. And it was loud.

CRRRACK!

"RRRGGGHHH!"

Dodgers leaned further to the ground about to fall but the New Cadet held him up.

"Get up Dodgers!" she yelled. "Get up!"

Fire didn't sting, something broke. It just broke, whatever it was. What was it? What was that loud pop? It didn't hurt a lot but more like a pinch.

"Get on your feet!"

But he couldn't. Dodgers could only lean on her for support. His feet were barely moveable. Were they dead? Was he dead?

"Get up!"

Another punch came but on his stomach. His burned, written stomach.

"Aaaarrrrgggghhhh!" Now the fire was stinging. More punches came and the burning. "Aaarrrggghhh!"

He leaned further onto the New Cadet but this time bucking his legs.

"Get up!"

Even though more punches came to him, on the face, someone held him from the left side and he was struck again.

"Aaarrrggghhh! Rrrggghhh! Ugh! Ugh!"

"Wow," he heard Van Chancey, while rubbing his hand. He was one of the people who punched Dodgers on the chest, upon the written words. "That is hot. How much does it burn Dodgers? Are you in a lot of pain? How much?"

The Catapoid growled in Dodgers' ear that she reached over to bite his left hand. At least that didn't hurt but the fire was engulfing his stomach.

"How much does it hurt?"

Dodgers couldn't give an answer but he breathed heavily and only gave out whines. His sad expression was the best reply he could do.

"Stop it!"

The punches stopped and everyone's attention diverted over to the Martian Commander.

"Leave him alone!"

"Never!" Hilgalgo told him. He gave a punch to Dodgers' stomach again.

Dodgers groaned, "Rgh!"

"Leave him!" X-2 yelled again. "Leave Dodgers alone!"

"How about we do this to you, amigo?" Hilgalgo offered while walking to X-2. "The boss said we could. Right?"

"Go ahead," said Darkstar. "I don't care." Z-9 nodded.

With an evil smile, Hilgalgo, Muerte, Moonbeam, Fudd, and Silver walked towards X-2 and held him. Fudd and Moonbeam were the ones who held X-2 while Silver and Hilgalgo gave the punches on X-2's face.

Beatings were everywhere, not just on Duck Dodgers but Commander X-2 as well. He had many punches and kicks while Dodgers was only punched. It was when X-2 had a punch on the side of the face that his helmet came off, rolling on the floor. Dodgers didn't see it but the Martian was bald. All he had was a round head in the shape of a ball making everybody, except him and Dodgers, laugh uproariously.

"You make me very angry!" X-2 yelled. "Give me my helmet!"

"Finders keepers," Crusher laughed while taking it. He put it on. "Hey, I think it fits me!"

"You make me very angry indeed!"

Another punch came towards X-2 but on the face. He didn't see that coming but there was a flop to the ground. That was Dodgers.

X-2 was lucky that he wasn't falling to the floor himself but there were stars around. Pretty colors but at least he can still see the Society. Most of them were laughing but not everyone. There on the floor was Duck Dodgers. After Fudd and Moonbeam dropped him, X-2 knelt wanting to get to Dodgers.

"Dodgers!" he yelled. Suddenly, there was a stab on his arm. "AAARRRGGGHHH!"

In front of him, X-2 saw the short dagger struck on his right arm that explained the sudden stinging. It stung so bad, it was like a bee sting.

"OOOWWW! This hurts! Ooww!"

"You'll live," he heard Darkstar say. The evil duck walked closer to X-2 and knelt to him, face-to-face. There was something about this stranger that was odd.

"Justht watch the show, Martian."

"You can't do this!" X-2 begged. "Leave Dodgers alone and let me go!"

"Why do you care for him?"

"I don't! He's my arch-enemy, not yours!"

"Tough love. Duck Dodgersth isth my puppet for pleasure and Z-9'sth hosthtage. He'sth oursth."

This was all too real. As much as X-2 kept begging the Society, fighting them was a challenge. He can't tell why but for some reason he was starting to care for Dodgers. Mars was in trouble but so was his rival. What will he do? There's a dagger in his arm and he's had many punches enough to make him dizzy. What else can these people do?

"Who are you?" X-2 had to ask.

"We're the Sthociety of Darknessth," Darkstar replied. "Put two and two together."

"Society of Darkness? This is very bad."

"Justht watch and learn. Watch and learn."

"Boss," said Skunderbelly. "I have an idea for him, Dodgers."

Darkstar stood up and X-2 looked further down. With Dodgers lying on the ground lifelessly, Skunderbelly wasn't that far that he suggested, "I haven't had a turn on him so there's waterboarding I can do. I've always wanted to do this to Dodgers after he passed the absurd tickle torture. Someone has to hold him down while I put this towel on him and pour the water."

"Go ahead," Darkstar assured. "Sthoundsth interesthting."

"Indeed," said Z-9 nearby.

"Hey, we didn't either!" That was Roy Serpenti. "Right snake?"

"Yeah," Royal agreed. "We have a plan on him to."

"Go ahead," Darkstar told them. "Do whatever you want."

From what X-2 saw, the Serpenti brothers held large pliers. With Dodgers held up by the New Cadet and Whoosh, the brothers walked closer to him.

"Let's do it Roy," Royal said to him. "You do that arm."

"Okey dokey."

Royal was by Dodgers' right arm and Roy to the left. With their pliers, the snakes held them up onto Dodgers' arms and positioned the tools onto the arm bones. They squeezed the pliers tightly. Tighter, tighter, tighter, and tighter the brothers squeezed until there was were popping sounds.

CRRRACK! CRRRACK, CRRRACK, CRRRACK, CRRRACK!

Dodgers didn't scream but gave loud gasps while X-2 yelled again, "Leave him alone!"

A kick came to X-2, on the face, that he rolled onto the floor. Admitting defeat, X-2 straightened himself up, blinked away the bright lights, and looked up to Dodgers.

CRRRACK, CRRRACK!

The brothers didn't stop until the pliers were deeply embedded on the arms and the cracking sounds stopped.

"Dodgers?" X-2 called.

After a punch from Fudd, Skunderbelly was ready for his part. Dodgers didn't speak a word and his entire body was shaking aggressively. X-2 knew Dodgers was in considerable pain. Trying to save him wasn't going to help and neither begging. Dodgers needed help. He was slightly crying and muttered from his gagging throat.

"Bring him to the table," he heard Skunderbelly say. "I'm ready."

The Crusher and Canasta went to take Dodgers. Dodgers feet were dragged on the floor while he came to the coffee table and held down by the two. Somehow, the table was bent on one side that Dodgers' head was leaned on that side.

"What are you going to do?" X-2 demanded. "What will you do to him?"

"Just watch and shut up!" That was the New Cadet who yelled to X-2.

"Yeah, shut up!" the Fudd agreed. "Thewe's nothing you can do, so shut up!" After looking to the Fudd, X-2 had his attention back to Dodgers without saying another word.

Everyone had their eyes on Dodgers. He knew what they would do, they were going to hurt him more, worse than anything before, that he didn't know what. Fear was impending on him that Dodgers didn't speak while his body continued to shake. Now that he opened his eyes, Dodgers saw the henchmen who were staring back at him with serious, angry looks. It was a little hard to see them through the slits of his eyes and the colors that surrounded him.

They're going to hurt me. They're going to hurt me. They're going to hurt me.

He couldn't see very well but Skunderbelly held a wet towel he obtained from a water-filled jug. First, he put the towel over Dodgers' face covering his eyes, nose, and mouth, and he poured the water all over his face.

Cold water was poured upon him. Dodgers couldn't see nor breathe but gargle. The fire was still within his stomach but now cold liquid was coming on his face, in his nose, and in his mouth. In the meantime, his legs and his arms were twitching. Breathing was impossible. Water was splashing on him, in his nose and mouth and he continued gargling. The choking sound with water inside. Just on his face he could feel the water, not on the throat. Trying to take a breath couldn't work. Water kept pouring down on him that the gargling went on; and did his twitching. Water was over him. All over him.

Once all of the water was poured out of the jug, Skunderbelly dropped it down to the floor. All eyes were upon the twitching duck where they heard him choking. He was twitching so badly it was as if Duck Dodgers was literally drowning. He's drowning, he's drowning, he's drowning, he's drowning. There was water all over his face but he wasn't in a pool of water. It was just a wet towel being drenched with water covering Dodgers' will to breathe. No one said a word but stared with deadpan faces. If Z-9 had a mouth, it would've smiled, like Darkstar was doing.

His arms and legs were jerking up to a couple of seconds that Skunderbelly took the towel off Dodgers. Dodgers coughed out a lot of water from his mouth and even his nose. He coughed hard, hard enough to get the water out of his body; or his face; that once the water was out Dodgers shook hard. He took more coughs until Dodgers could breathe and it was finally gone. Not just more coughs came out, but so did strong gasps of breath.

All of the henchmen looked down to Dodgers, including Muerte, Fudd, Moonbeam, Silver, and Hilgalgo. Everyone glanced at the gasping duck not saying a word. Neither did X-2, Z-9, and Darkstar. It wasn't just the henchmen who were glaring at Dodgers. The leaders came to him and out of anger, Moonbeam held a crowbar and struck Dodgers' on the head. Blackness overcame Dodgers.

"Now that you're completely broken," said the doppelganger to the unconscious Dodgers. "There'sth no possthible way for you. You're no hero Dodgersth. Remember that I told you not to die? We sthtill have plenty of ideasth on you."

"I think he is," said Sa'am worriedly. "He ain't breathin'."

"WHAT?!" X-2 gasped.

Fudd put two fingers on Dodgers' neck that he again said, "He's only out cold."

"Wake him up," Darkstar pouted. "Sthtop passthing out Dodgersth!

"Wake up!" Z-9 roared.

"Dodgers!" X-2 yelled. "Dodgers!"

With two hands, Fudd pressed hard on Dodgers' chest. One, two, three, four, five. One, two, three, four, five. One, two, three, four, five. One, two, three, four, five. Dodgers' didn't wake. Because he had to, despite hating it, Fudd cupped Dodgers' mouth and breathed into it, disgusting Crusher, the New Cadet, and Silver. One, two, three, four, five, he pressed onto Dodgers' chest again and the same mouth-to-mouth. Dodgers didn't move.

"Dodgers," X-2 sighed.

One, two, three, four, five, Fudd pressed again. He was about to breathe into Dodgers' mouth when suddenly, Dodgers took a gasp. Strong wheezes, coughs, and gasps came from Dodgers but he was given a punch on the face from Fudd.

"Don't wet me do that again!" Fudd yelled. "Your bweath stinks!"

"Take him into the main bridge," Z-9 ordered. "We'll start now. The Commander can stay in here."

While X-2 watched, Roy and Royal held Dodgers up by his shoulders and they took him out of the room. No one looked back to X-2 who was speechless. In the meantime, Dodgers had his eyes open again but to see X-2 looking back to him.

"Dodgers," X-2 said softly.

There was no response from him but a stare. A plain stare that X-2 knew Dodgers was lost for thought. The only emotion Dodgers gave was exhaustion. No words came from him but his eyes made it clear that Dodgers was terrified beyond any kind of horror. He was out of X-2's sight the minute the Society walked out of the room and closed the door from behind them.

"This is horrible!" X-2 said to himself. "I have to save Dodgers! He's going to die. He will! He's been unconscious for two times I've been here! That's the thanks he gets? I have to escape! And I have to save Mars. How can I get out? There's nothing around here! All I can do is take this pathetic dagger off my arm and I'll be on my way. But there's nothing in here to let the collar loose. And where is my helmet?" It was further down in the room, far away from X-2 which he couldn't get. The Society did their work correctly and X-2 knew that.

Over by Cadet and E.J., it wasn't that great either. Still E.J. refused to say a word while she and Cadet ate their breakfast with Moloch.

"No words for ten hours," Cadet heard Moloch say. "Say something!"

It wasn't just him who wanted to hear E.J. speak. Cadet also looked back to her that she looked up to Moloch. E.J. finally spoke but it was five words: "They're going to kill him."

"Who? Your captain will die?"

It seemed that E.J. didn't want to talk about it that she resumed eating the rice.

"Fear is not an option! Face it!"

E.J. was stubborn. Instead of talking with Moloch, she stood up and went to sit near the tree.

"Strong mind but undisciplined. Exactly what we need."

"Wh-wh-what do you mean?" Cadet asked.

"You don't know?" said Moloch mysteriously to the Cadet.

"No. B-b-b-b-I know she's right." Cadet didn't lose his melancholy mood after yesterday's events. "The Cap'n might die. He was t-t-t-t-tortured. I can still hear his sc-sc-sc-sc-sc-sc-shouts. It was loud but…scary." He hung his head.

"Many troubles. Many. What will you save first?"

"I don't know. Wh-What's wrong?"

"Many things. I work for Protectorate but don't live on Earth. Only planet that's close. I know everything. Call your scientist."

Curiously, Cadet took out his computerized watch and pressed a few buttons.

"C-c-come in I.Q. Hi," Cadet called. "Th-th-this is the Cadet."

The screen of his watch fizzed until I.Q. Hi was shown. He didn't seem like himself at first because of the deadpan eyes and the purple triangle on his forehead. After a few blinks, I.Q. responded with a smile, "Cadet! It's good to hear from you. Where are you? Did you get Dodgers?"

"N-no sir." I.Q.'s face changed from a smile to forlorn. "We're at M-M-Master Moloch's place."

"Why are you there?"

"We almost had the Captain b-b-b-b-but we were caught. Then we c-came here."

"You've got to do something! The Society has the Protectorate."

"What?!"

"They have us all infected!" said I.Q. worriedly. "In a different way though." He pointed to the triangle on his forehead.

"What do you m-m-mean?"

"ARGH!" I.Q. suddenly cringed his face.

"Sir?"

I.Q. didn't respond. He instead cut himself off from Cadet by shutting off his computer that Cadet called again, "Sir? D-D-D-Dr. Hi?"

He didn't see it but Moloch's face changed from seriousness to apprehensive. Cadet tried to call I.Q. again but there was no response.

"What is g-g-going on?" said Cadet worriedly. "Dr. Hi, where are you?"

Nothing he can do will separate I.Q. from the virus. The whole time it was inside him, he can never control it. For two days, I.Q. was only able to walk and talk like a robot and say whatever he was told to. At least he was still able to do his usual scientific job but not to guide the Protectorate. Now that he had to head for the amphitheater, I.Q. obediently walked out of his office and through the hallways inside the Protectorate headquarters but it wasn't just him.

There was also the President of Outer Space and the First Lady. Star Johnson was also affected by the virus including many citizens. People, aliens, and animals were infected. Every single person on Earth were walking like robots but not talking. While I.Q. followed the large crowd, he noticed the Protectorate captains, cadets, lieutenants, agents, and guards with him. All of Earth's citizens from various countries traveled the world until they came to a futuristic amphitheater. It was more like they were rushed.

The amphitheater was gigantic; bigger than ancient coliseums. It was a large white dome with many plastic seats surrounding the large white stage like a circle. Behind the stage was a technological metal wall revealing a large screen behind it. Big speakers stood from the side. I.Q. took his seat next to the President and First Lady with Star Johnson from his far right. On his left was his brother, Psy-Q Hi.

The many seats surrounding the amphitheater were all taken that some people had to lean against the banisters to watch after losing a seat. From the looks of it, people from all over the country had to come and if they didn't fit in the amphitheater, they stood outside having to watch the screens from there.

"What is going on?" Johnson wondered. "I was just about to blast the Society!"

"This must be important," said the President. "Gravelly important."

"You might be right sir," I.Q. nodded. "The Society haven't stepped foot in Earth before."

They were already on their way. The Society's black and gray spaceship just landed by the docks and came out walking while they held Duck Dodgers. He was being held by Rogue and Van Chancey until Darkstar thought of something.

"Let him walk," he ordered. "Walk Dodgersth!"

The two men let go of Dodgers but the instant Dodgers was on his feet, he froze.

"Walk!"

Dodgers tried to lift a leg but the minute he did, he instantly fell to the ground.

"Get him up and let him walk!"

Van Chancey and Rogue picked him up again. After moving another leg, Dodgers dolled again to the floor. It was ridiculous to Darkstar on how stupid Dodgers was acting.

"Walk!"

"I don't think he can, sir," said the New Cadet. Darkstar glared back to her.

"I don't think so either," said Van Chancey. Rogue, Crusher, Fudd, Sa'am, and the Catapoid nodded.

"It's true, matey." That was Silver. "Those wires, how will he walk?"

"He will," Darkstar snarled. "Stho, shut up! Make him!"

Van Chancey and Rogue held Dodgers up on his feet. That didn't work. Just as Dodgers was standing and pushed by Taz, he fell again. The two men quickly held him up.

"Don't help him!" Darkstar yelled.

"He can't walk!" Royal Serpenti talked back.

As much as he was annoyed, Darkstar growled, "Fine. But he'sth sthtanding when we get there."

They all started walking while Rogue and Van Chancey held up Dodgers, dragging him. The walk was long. It took the Society an hour to arrive at the giant amphitheater where all of the civilians on Earth were sitting or standing. It sure was a large crowd that they took their place on the backstage while the two men still held Dodgers. Dodgers didn't watch but while the two held him, the New Cadet worked on the machines for the screens while Fudd had his parasitic control device. The rest of the Society members walked upstage.

General Z-9 presented himself in front of everyone. If there has ever been a loud uproar it wouldn't compare to the sound coming from the seats. I.Q. Hi has never heard such a loud booing sound coming from around him. He watched General Z-9 spread his arms out proudly and start talking with a microphone from above him. His face was revealed on the large screen and the screens from outside.

"People, everybody on Earth and more planets, the future is now. You are looking to your new ruler: Z-9."

For sure it wasn't just Earthlings who were watching Z-9. The screens were also towards Mars that the New Cadet hacked into their systems. Many planets were watching to; Groovica, Aquarium, Vacation World, Hollywood Planet, Swinus 9, Niponno, Nostrillia, Nolandus, and Dakota. Many more planets were visited as well.

The Martian Queen was in her throne room inside the castle that she and her Martian military also had purple triangles on their foreheads including many other Martians who were told to watch, just not the Centurion robots. They stayed next to their masters while the handmaidens and K-9 were next to the Queen.

"That treacherous Z-9," she grumbled, noticing the face of her former general. "How dare he!"

More people saw Z-9 such as Goozer, Lady Zorga, Rikki Roundhouse, Sergeant Vasquez, Senorita Therese, Paprika Solo, Victor Von Boggieman, Chancellor Flippauralius, King Great White, and Harry and Edna Wheely.

"I am God and Earth and Mars will unite as one army for a mission," Z-9 announced. "Before I will tell you, I must present a worthy example for anyone dumb enough to fight me. The Galactic Protectorate will do exactly what I command if they wish to see him alive or to expel him for good. I give you the duck captain: Duck Dodgers."

From behind the curtain, now with Crusher holding him and Canasta pulling him, Duck Dodgers was shown. He was forced on his feet and moaned after every movement of his legs. The men had rope on Dodgers' ankles to get him to walk, even though it wasn't easy for Dodgers. He slowly took steps and stood next to Z-9. The rope came off him and the henchmen walked offstage.

A loud gasp came within the amphitheater. It was very loud as if it lightning bolts could strike from behind without anyone noticing. The vision of Duck Dodgers severely beaten was shown on stage and on the many screens. Screens not just from the amphitheater but to every planet available. His swollen burned face, the burning words written on his chest, his dismembered arm, the large open circular wound, the fleshed off feet, and the fiery wire were the visible scars on him. Plus, he had many stabbings and cuts all over his body and two broken shoulders and arms. Dodgers wasn't looking at anyone. He had his head hung with closed eyes, gasping for air.

I.Q. Hi has never seen Duck Dodgers in such horrific injuries such as Star Johnson, the President, and Psy-Q Hi. Master Sergeant Emily Dickinson Jones, Rona Vipra, Agent Yoshimi, Cassiopeia, Steve Boston, Jamie Wynters, Michigan J. Frog, Bigfoot, Lady Chanticleer, Manobrain, Egghead Jr, Dr. I.M. Neighborly, the Trainee, Dave Mustaine, his band and many others were also shocked. It was only children and mothers who cried at the scene, and for kids to have their eyes closed such as Ozmo and Cadet's nephews and niece. The kids from the school Katherine Hepburn High School were also speechless. Harry and Edna Wheely and the Wiggums were among the people who cried at the scene. It truly was a horrific sight to bear witness. The only people who didn't care were Harry Vermin and Rocky and Mugsy.

But it wasn't everyone on Earth who knew about Duck Dodgers. The Queen of Mars gasped loudly among all the Martians. They too were surprised by the sight. Even Paprika, Therese, Rikki, and the Chancellor held their breaths; so, did Counselor Combustion and Flame Valet. Everybody who were watching their television screens or had a hologram saw the terrible sight of Duck Dodgers severely injured.

"Here he is," said Z-9 while holding Dodgers by the shoulder. Dodgers almost fell to the ground but was held up. "Your captain." No one said a word while all eyes were on Duck Dodgers.

"Many times, Dodgers has worked or been with anyone that he's toyed around. If anyone would like to pay him back, now's your option. By all means, come and take a stand."

"I will stop you!" said Star Johnson standing up. "You won't get away with this!"

"I already have," Z-9 snarled.

"This has gone far enough!" Johnson walked from his seat and walked up to Z-9, glaring angrily towards him. "Enough is enough! Let Dodgers go!"

"Are you willing to injure him? He's always been an embarrassment, hasn't he?"

Johnson didn't say a word until he came closer to the stage.

"Would anyone like to? If so, I think, it'll be better for either Star Johnson, the President of Outer Space, or Dr. Hi."

"No," I.Q. gasped. "Not Dodgers. This isn't good at all. Those two have to get him!"

With his watch, I.Q. was about to make contact with Cadet but he received a jolt of electricity coming from inside the triangle. Instead, he watched Star Johnson walk up to Z-9 and hide his watch under his rubber glove. The message came through that he stood up and walked to the stage including the President.

"Let him go!" Johnson shouted to the Martian general while pointing to Dodgers.

"Yes!" said the President loudly. "We'll never negotiate with you but you will let Dodgers go, and the Galactic Protectorate, and Earth itself!"

Z-9 chuckled. From what I.Q. noticed, Z-9 gave a thumbs up to the Fudd who held a control device, and zapped the virus into the President and Johnson, like he did with I.Q. earlier.

"Yes, let him go!"

That was Rona Vipra and Agent Yoshimi. Both two women stood up while Rona pointed her finger to Z-9. It wasn't just them who stood up, so did Steve Boston, Captains Rodman, Long, Peters, and Soleil, and many other captains. More people stood up including Dr. Neighborly, the trainee, and the Master Sergeant.

"Let him go!" they all yelled.

The Martian Queen also said behind her screen, "Let him go Z-9! Leave Dodgers alone! Where is the Commander? Why didn't he get to him? What else do you have up your sleeve? Let Dodgers go!"

Z-9 answered them, but not the Queen, with a jolt of electricity. That forced them to sit down. Star Johnson was near the stage that he cringed his face.

"Let that be a reminder to anyone who dares talk back!" Z-9 shouted. "And this as well. Go ahead Tasmanian."

The Tasmanian Warrior held a baseball bat and used it to whack Dodgers' legs from the back.

"Rrgghh!"

The captain fell to the ground bringing another loud gasp from the crowd. Dodgers nearly fell to his stomach but Roy and Royal held him up. There came another whack on Dodgers' legs but from the front.

"Rrgghh!"

Then Taz gave another whack on Dodgers' legs but on the right side and then the left. The barbed, burning wire was dug deeper into his legs giving off steam. Again, Taz struck Dodgers' but this time on the stomach and then the back. There Dodgers fell to the ground after the brothers let him go. Dodgers fell on his left side groaning. His cringing, gasping face gave it all for people to understand what kind of pain Dodgers was feeling. His eyes were shut tightly and the teeth were clenched. Until a few seconds Dodgers opened his eyes. It was shown on the large screen behind him.

A huge crowd was in front of Dodgers that revealed everyone from the Galactic Protectorate. Even the beautiful women Dodgers saw before where there in the audience. Many people were in front of him that it was hard to count everyone. But at least I.Q. Hi, the President, and Johnson were close by looking back to him. No thought came in Dodgers' mind but…

Cadet. E.J.

If Cadet and E.J. were back, Dodgers would easily find them; being the only pig cadet and girl in turquoise; but they were nowhere in the crowd. They're gone. Never to return. Now that his legs were burning more than before, he shook again. But at least after a blink, Dodgers could see E.J. and Cadet smiling back to him. Them and him were laughing while they were talking about movies, enjoying popcorn, and listening to music. Megadeth would be playing and then it would lead to The Wizard of Oz and talking about animals. Would Dodgers ever see them again? And why does he have to be in public? What will everyone think about him? He's not attractive. He's ugly. The words on him were visible than ever and everyone can read them. What will he do now?

It was in his eyes that I.Q. knew how Dodgers was feeling. They were full of dread, fear, and worry. If there's anything he could do, I.Q. would get Dodgers in safe hands. As for now, he didn't stand a chance.

"Hey, I want to do something to him!"

That was a kid from the crowd. An obnoxious overweight boy stood up from the crowd including Rocky and Mugsy.

"We do to," said Mugsy.

"Come on up," said Z-9 happily. Then he looked towards Johnson. "What about you two?"

"Never!" Johnson yelled in unison with the President.

"Fine then. Return to your seats. Anyone else?"

While I.Q. watched Johnson and the President sit down, he saw gangsters and tough looking people walking up. More people surrounded Dodgers and they looked back to him. First it was a stare and the obnoxious kid gave a kick to Dodgers' on the chest. Kicks were upon Dodgers not just from the kid but the gangsters as well.

"How 'bout this?" Rocky suggested.

With the cigarette he had in his mouth, after a gangster kicked Dodgers, Rocky knelt down and stubbed the cigarette deep onto Dodgers' cheek.

"AAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

Dodgers' scream was loud, it reverberated around the amphitheater speakers making every single person drop their jaws and widen their eyes. I.Q. didn't see it but Paprika, Therese, the Martian Queen, Cassiopeia, and Yoshimi covered their mouths in horror; despite the Queen not having a mouth. He wasn't the only one.

Dave Mustaine grumbled, "Oh my God!"

"Ugly," Zorga said disgusted.

And the Chancellor and King were speechless.

No one heard Darkstar say, "I never thought of that. Brilliant."

"Let me try," said the obnoxious boy.

The terrible obnoxious boy took a cigarette from one of the gangsters and slowly put it on Dodgers' right shoulder.

"AAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

Another gangster butted his cigarette on Dodgers but on his right foot.

"AAAARRRRGGGGHHHH!"

Then another gangster placed his on Dodgers' wrist.

"RRRRGGGGHHHH!"

And another gangster put one out on Dodgers' right elbow.

"Ah, ah, ah. RRRGGGHHH!"

More and more gangsters burned Dodgers with cigarettes that Dodgers kept giving out god awful screams and groans along with strong breaths.

"Ah, ah, ah. Rrrggghhh! Aaaarrrggghhh! Rrrggghhh! Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah. Aaaarrrggghhh! Rrrggghhh! Ah, ah. Rrrggghhh! Aauugghh! Rrrggghhh!"

Dodgers' cries of pain kept screaming everywhere in the building that it was even loud to the other planets who were watching. Some people closed their eyes, held their breaths, covered their mouths, vomited, fainted, or stood in horror. Dodgers was panting hard and hard that he shook again like a vibrator. I.Q. couldn't bear watching the entire thing that he closed his eyes during the entire scene. He looked back up after Dodgers stopped shouting. By now he was giving shaking breaths. Just watching it made gave I.Q. the goosebumps and chills.

"I want to try again," said the boy on stage. With another cigarette, he burned that one on Dodgers' beak.

"AAAAARRRRRGGGGGHHHHH!"

That scream was louder that again I.Q. shook. It wasn't just scars that were around Dodgers; burns were on his arms, feet, and face.

"Is that good?' the boy said to Z-9.

"You forgot about one," said Darkstar from the shadows. He walked up to Dodgers, took a cigarette from Mugsy, and instantly placed it on Dodgers' rear end.

"AAAAAAAARRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!"

"And here to."

With a different cigarette he took from a gangster, Darkstar butted it right onto Dodgers' stump of an arm.

"AAUUGGHH! Augh! Ah, ah, ah. Rrgghh."

Then Darkstar said, "Beautiful."

Darkstar was the only person who spoke a word in the building. I.Q. Hi heard him and so did everybody else. The other aliens from opposite planets also heard him. An eerie atmosphere overcame the amphitheater and the only sounds that were heard were Dodgers' pants for air.

"LET HIM GO!" Johnson yelled again.

Everyone looked towards Johnson who stood up bravely.

"NOW!"

Instead he was given a zap of pain.

"That might be it for now," Z-9 sighed. "Everybody, leave."

The gangsters and the boy were forced to sit.

"Everyone else must to. Earth and Mars will be working together to conquer the planets in the galaxy, so they better get going."

"No!" said the Martian Queen behind the screen. "No! Not Dodgers and not my kingdom! No! Generals, we need to talk!" But instead they had zaps upon their heads.

"We will never do anything for you!" Johnson rebelled. "Never!"

Again, Z-9 gave the orders to the Fudd who zapped Johnson back.

"You will obey. Now, to the ships! Begin the attack!"

There was nothing anyone can do. Nothing. Johnson couldn't fight against Z-9, I.Q. couldn't reach Cadet and E.J., and Dodgers was getting broken by the minute. All of the opposite planets couldn't help either. They had to worry about their own planet knowing Z-9's military will attack them. I.Q., his brother, Johnson, the President, and the rest of the Protectorate suddenly had zaps buzzed through them, such as the many Earthlings and Martians to start. Instead, I.Q. fought. How, he didn't know. All he knew was that his feet were dragging him out of the amphitheater and followed the large crowd into downtown.