Wildwing tore through the brush as he dashed away with Canard, Klegghorn, Nosedive, Duke and Mallory alongside him. Canard was carrying what looked like a turkey except it had gold markings where most turkeys had white and it certainly didn't look calm.

"Wing, tell me why we broke into Hunter's domain to steal a turkey again?". Klegghorn huffed.

"This is a very rare species of dimensional turkeys.", Canard explained, "Which only gives Hunter more reason to have it for Thanksgiving dinner."

They had rounded a corner only for a wall of flames to erupt cutting off their exit. Hunter showed up not long after it did and man did he look ticked off.

"I believe you birds stole something that is mine.", he growled as he drew out a large shotgun, "Hand it over!"

At that moment, a huge tree sprang back and a large pad underneath Hunter sprang up and sent the tiger flying off.

"Well that went well.", Nosedive smirked as he took Create out from behind him and it faded away along with the flames.

"And you chose now to use it?", Klegghorn asked harshly, "We could've been shot back there."

The Aerowing landed nearby and the ducks filed in.

"So how did it go?", Phil asked.

The turkey noticed all the other ducks around and that was when it panicked. The Aerowing barely took off as most of the ducks tried to catch the turkey but having difficulty.

"Oh yeah, I forgot that these turkeys don't like crowds so they get really riled up when they're away from their habitat.", Canard said shrugging.

Wildwing barely held the controls, and had almost gotten clear except the turkey had made it to the emergency exit and was about to open up the door.

"Oh no you don't!", Phil screamed.

He lunged for the turkey, but it opened the door and both got blown out.

"Great.", Duke grumbled, "We barely get away from Hunter's crazy domain and now we got to go back and save Phil."

Wildwing turned the plane around, but unfortunately Hunter's face appeared as their coms rang.

"Well you tried to make me miss my favorite meal of the year, but sadly your efforts were in vain."

He turned to see Phil gagged and tied and the turkey caged and clearly making a fuss.

"You put up a good fight, but I won. Happy Thanksgiving."

His transmission ended as he cackled. Mallory didn't take it too well.

"When I get my hands on that hunter, I'm sending that shotgun down his throat before I fire it."

Wildwing however didn't look worried.

"Well ducks, we're going a huntin."

/

Draco yawned as the rays of the rising sun streamed through his window. Although Rubyx had allowed him and his guardians to live in her kingdom, something about her seemed a bit off, but he couldn't put his finger on it. He got out and after a slight brush with the chilly ground, the ruby bracelet he had worn to bed drove it away. As he finished dressing, he heard a knock on his door.

"Who is it?", he asked.

"Darcel your highness."

Draco by now had finished dressing when Darcel came in and noticed Draco already out of bed.

"Well, looks like you didn't sleep very well either."

Draco couldn't help but chuckle.

"I'm visiting a kingdom of ice and snow governed by a queen that gives me the chills, and sleeping in a place that barely holds heat. I had to war my ruby bracelet before I could get any winks."

Darcel rolled his eyes comically.

"And Frazzak wants us to be his emissaries until you come of age."

Draco followed Darcel to the dining room. Even though his guardians and him arrived at the palace, he was still a little nervous. In the dining room, Rubyx was already there politely eating her breakfast of fruit, eggs, and bacon. Harzep and Gerazi were there along with Laryx . Darcel brought Draco to a seat, but then the page from yesterday showed up before Draco sat down.

"That won't be necessary.", he said importantly, "The guest of honor is seated on the queen's right hand."

Draco looked a bit surprised, but followed the page to the seat on the right side of Rubyx. Rubyx looked his way and gave a smile.

"Sleep well?", she asked kindly.

Draco nodded, but Rubyx could tell he was nervous.

"Please, don't let my icy domain distract you.", she advised, "People often judge what they don't know."

Draco couldn't help but smile back.

"Your highness, may I request the audience that Frazzak sent me for?"

Rubyx slid her cleaned plate nearby for a servant to pick up and she got comfortable on her seat.

"Audience granted.", she said with an important tone in her voice.

Draco took a breath.

"I've been in your...queendom for a while now, and I must say that you make winter look lovely."

Rubyx looked complimented as Draco continued.

"It gives me honor to say that you are fair and just despite the rumors most would say."

Rubyx gave a nod.

"On behalf of myself, I accept your comments. And Draco, would you and your escort mind attending the Winter's Ball tonight?"

"Winter's Ball?", Draco asked.

"It's the biggest celebration around these parts.", Laryx explained.

Draco took a look to his guardians who didn't seem too concerned as to show he had the right to chose. He then returned to Rubyx.

"Your majesty...we would be honored to attend the Winter's Ball tonight."

/

Wildwing carefully looked past the brush to see Hunter's chateau on the hill with Nosedive, Duke, Mallory, and Morpha alongside him. Canard, Tanya, Klegghorn and Grin had gone off to return the turkey to it's natural habitat which wasn't too far off and would join up later. Before they could go further, his com went off and it was Clyde on the other end.

"You guys okay over there?"

"We're okay.", Wildwing answered, "We'll let you know if we need any of you guys."

"Just don't get yourselves killed.", Julia replied eying Nosedive, "We're up to our beaks in Thanksgiving activities here at the Pond and we don't need nine more super sized turkeys for the dinner table."

Wildwing's eyes went wide.

"Julia, you just solved why Hunter let us take the turkey again."

"I did?", Julia asked.

"Yeah, Phil got taken and we just saved the turkey Hunter wanted to eat, but Phil wasn't anywhere."

"Good luck.", Adam said before the other end hung up.

The group got to the window near the door and Morpha extended a couple tendrils to allow the ducks to climb up and get a better look. The main room still haunted them with the mounted heads lined along the walls, the pelt rugs on the floor and fierce hunting tools near the furniture which looked to be made of more poached animal body parts. Carefully, they crept inside and Morpha followed and started sniffing the floor.

"Got Phil's scent boy?", Nosedive asked.

Morpha then pointed his muzzle in the direction of a door near the southern end of the room and carefully, the ducks came over to be met with an alluring aroma.

"What's cooking?", Duke asked.

Wildwing and the ducks came into the door to see a kitchen with lots of Thanksgiving dishes already prepared, but Hunter was nowhere to be seen. The thing that caught their eyes was a huge pan with a lid covering the island table in the middle of the room. As they got close, they heard faint whimpers and muffled screaming. Morpha took the lid off to reveal Phil laying on his stomach with his hands and ankles tied wearing no clothes except the red with white heart underwear(hey, I'm not going to go "that far") and an apple in his mouth while being surrounded by sliced carrots and potatoes.

"Phil, what are you doing laying there in that pan?", Wildwing asked as he removed the apple.

Phil looked annoyed.

"First of all in case you forgot, I'm about to get cooked for Thanksgiving dinner in my underwear and covered in thick gravy, and second, GET ME OFF THIS DISH!"

That was when Hunter returned and armed for battle.

"You and your big fat beak.", Mallory said harshly to Phil as the ducks prepared for battle.

/

Back on Sauria, the entire palace was lit up against the setting sun and sleighs arrived at the front door with saurians dressed in their evening best. Draco watched from the balcony above and went back in still looking nervous.

"You okay there?", Harzep(who was nearby and getting his evening wear on at the time).

Draco sighed.

"I don't know.", he admitted, "The ball is starting and I still don't have a speech prepared."

"Don't worry about it.", Harzep told him, "The best speech comes from your heart."

A knock came at the door.

"Who is it?", Draco asked.

"It's Darcel your highness.", came the answer.

Harzep had finished dressing and opened the door to see Darcel in his evening wear.

"It is time."

Draco tried to calm down, but even on his way to the ball room, his nerves still weren't settled. Once they got there, the party was in full swing. Couples were dancing to the romantic music, the buffet tables were laid with fine looking foods, and some were deep in conversation. When Draco appeared at the base of the stairs, a fanfare rang out which caused everyone to pause.

"Her majesty, Queen Rubyx."

Rubyx appeared as she started down a flight of stairs. Her evening gown sparkled like diamonds against the dark furs giving her a more alluring look. She paused beside Draco and adjusted her opera gloves.

"My beloved guests, on this night of the Winter's Ball, I am pleased to introduce a very special guest. May I present his royal highness of the Annectia Seas, Prince Regum Draco."

A round of applause went off as Draco swallowed and stepped forward.

"On behalf of myself, I am most honored to attend such a wonderful time here in the kingdom of the northern boarders.", he started, "Through interaction, I have seen that Rubyx rules with fairness and is very just in her decision making."

Another round of applause went off which calmed Draco down before he continued.

"As a future ruler, I would formally like to extend a grateful thanks to our host for having me and my bodyguards on this beautiful night. When the times arrive, I do believe that this kingdom will be at the ready to assist the empire if needed. Not as a subject, but as an ally and as an equal."

Rubyx looked complimented as a third round of applause rang out and the music began again signaling the speech was over and the activities could resume.

"Well spoken there.", Harzep said as the group descended down the stairs.

Draco blushed.

/

The Pond was pretty busy. Derek and Rosie were helping out with decorating, Danielle and Julia were fixing up the table, Clyde and Adam were keeping watch in case unexpected company arrives, and BRAWN helped Foxy with clean up. Timmy, Snowdrop, and Benny helped wherever they could, but Benny didn't look so enthusiastic.

"Why can't we go to Hunter's domain?", he griped.

Adam by now had floated down and gave a sympathetic look.

"And risk you becoming a trophy on that crazy guy's wall?

That shut Benny up. Not long after they had finished everything, Derek looked a bit nervous.

"Um guys...did we do any cooking?"

Before anyone could answer, Thrash and Mookie came in as the sounds of the Aerowings was heard. The top of the Pond opened and both planes flew in as the rink became the landing pad. Luckily nobody was there so the landing went smooth as silk. After everyone got back the rest of the ducks came in with Morpha carrying a huge dish while the others had smaller ones. The aroma of food hit the nostrils of the other ducks and Adam used magic to levitate the dish Morpha had allowing the amoeba to relax.

"What's in this dish?", Adam asked as he set it in the center of the table.

Wildwing smiled.

"You'll see."

By then the dish's top came off and Phil was still on it in the exact way that he was found and not looking the least bit happy. The other team however couldn't help but laugh.

"Very funny.", Phil griped, "Could someone untie me please?"

The other team was too busy trying to pull themselves together, but the team that came seemed to have themselves pulled together.

"Relax guys, the real turkey for Thanksgiving is back in the Aerowing."

Nosedive noticed Julia pull out a camera from her belt and the sneaky look on her face only got him to smile also. Phil however didn't as they took a couple selfies with him. Adam finally waved his hand and untied Phil's arm and legs and the moment he did, Phil ran into a closet shut the door quick.

"Well, looks like he's not getting his turkey.", Duke said smiling.

Morpha however opened the door, and pulled Phil(fully dressed this time) out looking annoyed and shifted into a stern looking housewife.

"Either everyone eats together or nobody eats at all. And I believe you guys owe Phil here an apology."

Phil felt better after the team gave their apologies and Morpha shifted back.

"So, who wants turkey?", Adam asked holding his hand out and making the turkey dish materialize instantly on the table where Phil once was.

Before long, the whole team was seated and everyone was digging in.