Chapter 37:
I'm so sorry with how long this has been. My beautiful horse got very ill and passed just a few days ago. As you can imagine I have not been in the creative mood. I want to wish you a happy new year and I am working on a quick festive piece that will work alongside this story, but more of a one shot based on what I have been through. I will post this as soon as I am happy with it. For now, here is one more chapter to tide you over. xxx
"Tell me about these Puckworlders." Akane demanded of Wraith when she found the elderly saurian surveying something on a vid-screen. Wraith turned to study her for a moment then turned back to the screen.
"Why would you not ask my lord Draganus about this?" He asked.
"Your lord is a blind fool." Akane sneered, "Anyone who would deny their mystical heritage deserves failure. His few successes were sheer luck!" She scoffed. "You on the other hand are skilled, despite your advanced years. I sense your power, and that cretin should treat you with more respect. No doubt you were quite the force to be reckoned with when you were in your prime."
"Ah yes." Wraith sighed, "Many feared my power but why are you so interested in the inhabitants of Puckworld?"
"The youngest, Nosedive was it?" Wraith nodded to her and she continued, "He was able to resist my power to a certain extent. Few can resist an Amayan mystic. The few that can, are often from mystical races themselves. Yet these ducks," She sneered as if speaking of the mighty ducks was beneath her, "seem to be more technologically inclined."
"Even I am not old enough to know for certain," Wraith began, "but there are stories of the ducks once possessing similar abilities to myself. Although, I am convinced their power was inferior, and I believe it was merely a select few. The stories say that they were enough of a threat to target in the original invasion carried out by my saurian ancestors. Before we were banished of course."
"I see," Akane tapped her chin with her forefinger, "and was there any evidence of such abilities when Draganus attacked this time around?"
"None." Wraith admitted, "Although, the mask Wildwing wears is a relic from the original saurian rule of Puckworld. However, that appears to be more technological as opposed to mystical. I could not tell you how they created it so long-ago though."
"And what of Puckworld?" Akane studied her nails for a moment, then looked up, "When those bird fowl chased you and your leader from his citadel, did their plan work? Is the planet truly free? Or are there saurians remaining there who will be keeping the people of Puckworld in check?"
"Forces remain on Puckworld." Wraith told her, "I believe Lord Draganus does communicate with them, but he rarely informs us of the status of our forces there." The saurian said with a hint of disgust for his master, "For all we know, what little is left of our comrades are within a Puckworld prison at the mercy of the Puckworld forces."
"I see." Akane said with a small smile. "Your files have information on Puckworld I presume?"
"Of course." Wraith brought up some files on the computer before him and stood to the side to allow her to browse as she wished. "You have yet to enlighten me as to why you are so curious about Puckworld my Lady."
"My dear Wraith," She gave him a sweet smile, "I haven't lived this long by placing my full trust in someone I have only known for such a short time. But I will say this;" She sifted through the electronic files, appearing more pleased as she did, "Your master seems incapable of ensuring all situations are planned for. To his credit, he is very sure of himself. But his confidence is also his greatest weakness. He has got by with brute force and luck to this point." Akane stepped away from the computer and looked at Wraith again, "I have my own plans that have been in motion for decades and I believe that my son's alliance with your Lord could result in those plans finally moving forward."
"Draganus will likely betray you the moment you are of no use to him." Wraith warned, surprising himself that he had potentially betrayed his lord and master.
"I would expect nothing less." Akane chuckled, "I would and will, do the same to him in a heartbeat." She added with a venomous edge.
"And yet you trust me enough to tell me this sliver of information." Wraith raised a brow.
"I am a very good judge of character, my dear Wraith." Akane said in a soothing tone, "You are beaten down, unappreciated and over worked. You master treats you as if you were a joke. And I am a kindred spirit of sorts. Someone who understands the talents you have nurtured through your lifetime. Someone who has also nurtured similar talents. While you are loyal to your Lord. That loyalty is wavering, and your curiosity is peaked." She moved closer in an almost sultry manner, "And if you are a true mystic, your desire to increase the power you hold, will override any loyalty you might have for Draganus." Wraith glared at her for several moments but eventually sighed.
"I would certainly be interested in exploring your methods." Wraith admitted. "Where do we start?"
"We start," She grinned, "by targeting that blonde mallard. I wish to understand why he was able to resist my power." She brought up an image of Nosedive on the screen and smiled at it.
"Given his relationship to the ducks' leader," Wraith smiled a toothy grin, "I am sure that Draganus would happily go along with such a plan without too many questions." Akane smiled and began discussing how they would acquire Nosedive.
"You're going to need to take it easy." Alex told his sister who clung to Wildwing like a distressed child.
"I can't see that anything is wrong with the baby at the moment." Alex said sombrely, "But you were bleeding. I don't think it's enough to have harmed the baby, but this is a cross species baby, so it is possible that I'm wrong."
"So, what can we do?" Wildwing said in a calm but slightly hoarse voice, betraying his worry.
"Sh... She needs to r…rest." Tanya said passing Jessica a glass of water which was taken gratefully. "The h...heartbe… heart is still beating str…strong."
"Which means nothing strenuous." Alex declared, "No lifting, only light walking and absolutely no skating alone."
"Okay." Jessica sad quietly, not only worrying her brother with her complete lack of protest, but Wildwing as well. Said mallard held her closer and rubber her arms.
"We'll get through this." He whispered.
"Do I have to stay in here?" Jessica asked without really addressing anyone in particular, "I'd really like to get some sleep in my own bed."
"Here." Tanya walked forward and held out her hand. "Let me l…look at your comm a minute." Jessica held out her hand and allowed Tanya to slip the watch like device off her wrist. The blond duck played around with the device for a few minutes before handing it back with a smile, "I've sy..syn…linked it with the medicom." Tanya turned to her leader, "It will make sure we know if there are any f... fur... other issues."
"Thanks Tanya." Wildwing smiled.
"Can we go to our room now?" Jessica asked Wing in a small voice.
"Sure." Wildwing stood and picked up Jessica bridal style.
"Wildwing." Alex caught the mallard's attention before the duck could leave with his sister, "We need to consider a caesarean." He looked to his sister, "When you've had some rest, I want to sit down with the two of you and discuss how we are going to bring this baby into the world."
"Sure Alex. Whatever keeps our baby alive." Jess smiled at him before Wildwing nodded and carried her towards their room. When they passed the rec room, Jess buried her head into Wildwing's chest.
"Wing?" Nosedive asked from the closest couch. The blonde dared not move because he had Molly asleep on his lap and Angel asleep at his side, resting her head on his shoulder. Wildwing didn't fail to notice that Angel appeared to be clinging to Nosedive's side in her sleep. She also appeared to have a grimace on her face as if she were having a bad dream.
"She's okay." Wildwing assured quietly, "She's just had a scare."
"The baby?" Dive tensed.
"Alive. But Jess needs to rest and not do anything strenuous till the baby comes." Wing repeated what they had been told. Wildwing's attention switched to the slumbering Angel for a few moments as the purple haired girl moaned softly in her sleep then grimaced. "Looks like she's having a nightmare." He commented with a frown. Jessica turned her head to look at Angel herself but didn't say anything. "She mention anything about earlier?"
"She's been pretty quiet." Dive replied with a shrug, "We were all pretty worried about Jess, so…"
"Well, okay." Wildwing said with a cautionary look to Angel before addressing his brother again, "If Molly wakes up send her to our room." Wing said before heading out of the room again, "I'm pretty sure Molly will appreciate it if she stays in with us tonight."
"Sure thing bro." Dive smiled shifting slightly as he felt Angel grip his shirt tighter. He looked down and rubber her back, "Hey." He said in what he hoped was a soothing voice, "it's okay Angel."
"Yusa." Angel mumbled, "Yusa myonika!" Nosedive frowned. He was sure she was speaking Amayan, but not knowing any he couldn't be sure. "Nyie!" Dive jumped as her eyes flung open and she pushed away from him as if scared. With a yelp, she fell off the couch and landed on her rear end with a grunt. Moogie yowled in surprise then sat to the side watching as his tail flicked from side to side.
"Angel?" Dive remembered last minute that Molly was on his lap. He gently shifted Molly then dropped to the floor and took Angel's shoulders. "Angel, come back to me." Dive whispered aware that the other sleeping occupants of the room were stirring.
"Nyie!" Angel screamed and backed away from an unseen foe.
"What the hell is wrong with her?" Canard stretched, seemingly not too concerned about whatever was upsetting Angel.
"Looks like a flashback to me." Jax chimed in as he gave the girl a sympathetic look.
"Is Angel having another of her bad dreams?" Molly asked sleepily from her spot on the couch.
"Yeah," Dive smiled at her, "I'll deal with it. Your mom is with Wing in their room. Why don't you go make sure they're okay?"
"Will she be okay?" Molly asked in a small voice.
"Come on you." Mallory got up and picked up the little girl. "Angel's a tough kid." She assured Molly, "She'll be fine. So, let's get you to your mom so you can get some more sleep."
"Okay." Molly replied and rested her head on Malory's shoulder. The red head smiled and disappeared.
"Yunaka mie…" Angel muttered as she pulled her knees to her chin and rocked slightly. Her eyes were wide, and tears formed at the edges.
"Kid?" Duke leant down and placed his flesh hand on her shoulder causing a reaction. Angel yelped and backed away again, her back hitting the wall. She curled up as small as she possibly could and Duke looked to Nosedive at a loss.
"It's okay." Dive said. "She just needs space."
"This has happened before, hasn't it?" Jax asked.
"Yeah." Dive replied. "Just leave me to it. I can help her, but she won't appreciate coming too with everyone here."
"I'm surprised the girl can function." Jax said, not intentionally ignoring Nosedive's request but staying out of genuine concern. "I've known men much older who have episodes like this who just shut themselves away. Some have ended it."
"Yeah well," Dive approached his friend, "She's different. Now, could you just leave us alone. Just for a little while?"
"Sure kid." Duke replied and turned to Jax, "I don't think any of us wanna drop you anywhere so I'll show ya where you can bunk for the rest of the night."
"Thanks." Jax replied and followed Duke. With a final look over his shoulder at Angel, he left with the older mallard. Canard made a face but left without saying anything. That just left Grin. Nosedive could only assume Mary had taken Toby to bed and retired for the night herself when they had all been asleep.
"She won't appreciate you being here Grin." Nosedive sighed.
"Her aura is dark." Grin said as cryptically as ever.
"Yeah well, she's been through hell." Dive knelt beside his friend and placed a hand on her cheek. "Angel?" He said quietly. She flinched but something in her seemed to recognise he wasn't a threat, "Come on babe." He brushed his thumb across her cheek to wipe a stray tear away, "Come back to me."
"Yousona kiyue Mama." She whispered in a small voice.
"I'm sorry Angel." Nosedive held his forehead to hers as she had once done to him. He didn't have the gifts she did, but he was hoping the simple touch would help. Grin stood and watched quietly from the corner as his young friend treated a person, he had been told was a terrifying warrior, like a delicate child. The scene would have been touching if it weren't for the reasoning for her episode, he had of course been filled in on what had happened at the museum opening earlier in the night. He didn't know the specific details, but he had been told what Angel's nightmare had been about something traumatic that had happened to her when she was very young that involved her mother.
"Nosedive?" Angel asked in a small voice. "I had another dream, didn't I?" She leant forward and pressed into his chest. "Why did I have to see that again? It took so long to get it out of my head!" She hiccupped as she cried quietly into Nosedive's chest.
"It's okay Angel." Nosedive held her close and rubbed her back. "You're not alone anymore. You don't have to be alone ever again." Angel cried a little harder as he held her close. Grin left as quietly as someone his size could, satisfied that his young friend did indeed have everything in hand. "Come on Angel." Dive said quietly, gaining her attention, "Let's get you to bed. You'll feel better after you've had some real sleep." Angel nodded her head and allowed Dive to help her to her feet and steer her towards the living quarters. Dive was surprised to be aware that someone was watching them from one of the doorways, but figured it was Duke and he could pat himself on the back for sensing the older mallard another time. Once he had got her into the room, he searched through the drawers and found her something more comfortable to sleep in. "I'm gonna get you a glass of water in case you get thirsty. I'm always thirsty after I've been crying." Angel just nodded and Dive returned to the rec room then slipped to the kitchen. He grabbed a glass and filled it with water then had a thought. Placing the glass down, he made sure there was some water in the kettle and flipped the switch.
"She okay?" Dive jumped at Duke's voice and inwardly cursed, thinking that the earlier sense had been a fluke.
"She's a little shaken." Nosedive replied taking down a couple of mugs then moving to another cupboard where his favourite hot chocolate powder was kept.
"You're pretty close ta her aren't ya?" Duke raised a brow when Dive tensed at the question.
"She doesn't really have anyone else." The blonde shrugged.
"She's got that cat thing of hers." Duke shrugged, "And I'm sure she has a few friends here and there kid." Duke raised a brow when Dive slammed the pot of hot chocolate down causing a puff of brown chocolate powder to rise from the open cardboard jar.
"She's a pirate Duke." Dive snapped, "It may be a label the Plutarkians gave her, but even the people she saves are scared of her! Some aren't," he added remembering the Catatonian who had been so grateful when they had saved Tanya and Charlie, "but most look at her like she's some kind of freak! Even when she's just risked her life to save them!"
"Kind of like how the humans reacted to us when we first got here? Huh, kid?" Duke gave a knowing smirk.
"Yeah, I guess." Dive said more quietly and went back to making the hot beverages.
"It's okay ta like her you know." Duke grinned. "She's a pretty girl and seems pretty smitten over you."
"She is not!" Nosedive cringed at the level of his voice, "She is not." He said more quietly, "She's just not used to having friends. Besides, it wouldn't matter if she did like me like that." Nosedive chose to ignore the way his heart clenched at the admission.
"Why not?" Duke asked with a brow raised glancing to the side as the door opened.
"Because I am pretty sure her mom was the Amayan Empress!" Dive clenched his fists and leant over the kitchen worktop heavily, "Which means she is way out of my league no matter how either of us feel!"
"Maybe you should talk to her about this, little brother?" Wildwing suggested from the doorway looking exhausted as the white mallard headed to the fridge and grabbed a couple of bottles of water. "She does seem pretty fond of you Dive."
"You see!" Duke nodded at Wildwing with a smile, "Even your big brother agrees with me!"
"What does it matter!" Dive snapped, "Weren't you listening Duke?!" Dive huffed and grabbed a small tray so he could carry the glasses of water and the mugs of hot chocolate. "Her mom was the empress of her world! Which means her dad was the emperor and she is a damn princess! Last I checked, I am the son of a singer and a cop! So, it doesn't matter if I like her or not! End of discussion!" Dive stormed off, getting more irritated that he couldn't leave as loudly as he wanted too in fear of spilling the drinks.
"Kid's got it bad." Duke sniggered in Wildwing's direction.
"Leave him alone Duke." Wildwing shrugged. "I'm willing to bet Angel will be the one to make the first move eventually."
"I don't know." Duke shrugged, "Your brother is like a watchdog for that kid! I'm willing ta bet he'll come ta his senses and just ask her eventually."
"Whatever you say Duke." Wildwing said tiredly.
"How's the spitfire?" Duke changed the subject.
"Sleeping." Wing shrugged, "She woke up for a few seconds saying she was thirsty then dropped off again with Molly snuggled up to her. I figured I would get a drink ready so she could have some water when she wakes up again."
"You got any sleep yerself?" The older drake asked.
"Not a wink." Wildwing replied yawning as if to emphasis the point. "I dropped off for a few minutes but then I dreamt Jess miscarried and the blood loss… Well, it woke me up pretty quickly."
"Jessica's tough Wing." Duke assured him with a comforting squeeze to the white mallard's shoulder. "And your kid is going to be a handful and a half if its parents are anything to go by!" Duke quipped with a wink. It took Wildwing a couple of moments for his brain to register the joke.
"Thanks Duke." He snorted.
"Anytime kid." Duke said as he watched his once again leader leave the room, "Anytime."
Nosedive carefully carried the tray along the hallway and used his elbow to press the button that would open the door to Angel's room. Once back inside he saw Angel was staring at the wall before her, with her knees pulled to her chest and her arms wrapped tightly around her legs.
"Angel?" Nosedive called to her gently. She jumped and looked at him like a deer in the headlights. Nosedive chose to file the fact that she hadn't sensed him coming for later and sat beside Angel on the bed. "Here." He passed her one of the hot chocolates with cream and marshmallows. She took the mug and looked at it apprehensively, "It's my drink of choice when I'm feeling down." He grinned, "It's good, I swear." Angel looked at him then at the drink before bringing the mug to her lips. She took a sip and made a humming noise in appreciation, but as she lowered the mug, Nosedive sniggered then flat out laughed. Angel realised her nose felt wet and realised that the cream had essentially painted her nose. She crossed her eyes to look at the offending cream, which only made the blonde laugh more, this time doubling over.
"It's not that funny!" She protested, but she had her own smirk on her face as she wiped the cream off.
"It so is!" Nosedive wiped his eyes and took a sip of his own.
"Yeah well," Angel rolled her eyes, "Not all of us are designed to drink whatever this is without certain appendages being put at risk." Nosedive laughed into his drink which proceeded to go down the wrong way and resulted in a coughing fit. Angel rolled her eyes again and slapped his back a few times to help him get the liquid out of his windpipe.
"Thanks Angel." He noticed she was smiling properly for the first time since they all came too from Akane's enchantment. "You feeling better?"
"A little." She replied taking one of the teaspoons from the tray Dive had placed on the bed between them and scooping the cream from the beverage and simply eating it, then finding the marshmallows and humming in her approval again. The pair drank their hot chocolate in silence for a while. "Thank you Nosedive."
"For what babe?" Dive placed his mug on the tray and accepting hers as she passed it to him. He placed the tray on the nearby table and ensured the water was close by for Angel to drink, should she want it.
"Never mind." Angel curled up in her bed and pulled the covers over her.
"Goodnight Angel." Nosedive said with a sigh, before picking up the tray and his own water, then going to leave.
"Stay." Angel said tensing as she waited for his reply. When none came, "I don't want to be alone right now and Moogie took off." Nosedive sighed again and put the tray back down before kicking off his boots. He got comfortable on the floor by the bed as he had done several times since first doing so on her ship. It felt like such a long time ago to him now, but it had only been half a year ago. He closed his eyes and waited for her arm to wrap around him like a giant plushie but instead he felt the bed behind him shift then opened his eyes as Angel began curling up on his lap and leaning against his chest. Nosedive's cheeks flushed.
"What are you doing Angel?" Nosedive asked quietly.
"Just hold me." She whispered, the request more like a mumble due to her face being buried in his chest. "Please." She added in a begging tone. Nosedive remained a little tense for a few moments but wrapped his arms around her and squeezed her comfortingly. The blonde mallard waited until he was sure she was asleep before putting her back into her bed and resuming his position on the floor and dropping off into a dreamless sleep.