Chapter 62:
Wildwing had come too, only to find his upper torso securely wrapped in energy bonds and then tied to a post to keep him up. Molly and Jet were crying into his lap as Draganus was droning on about how he would be in control of the universe soon and would become overlord of all of reality. Normally he would roll his eyes and figure a way out of the predicament. Of course, that had been before he had been crippled. He looked around to see what was left of his team glaring at Draganus defiantly. His heart clenched when he saw Kii'era who sounded like she was snarling like a caged wild cat at the overlord. Mookie was close by and she gave him a look that conveyed how terrified the human was.
"Now." Dragnus turned and gave Wildwing a toothy grin before looking at the children, "Shall we begin." Wildwing realised what the monster had planned long before his kids did and he roughly moved his upper body from side to side to try and loosen the bonds enough to at least shield them from his enemies. It was no use, and he began screaming along with his children as they were, once again ripped away from him. Only this time it wasn't to be simply moved. Wildwing felt his mind shattering as he screamed their names, as they screamed for him in return. First he'd lost Jessica, then his mobility and now… There was a part of him who wanted to look away, a part that knew there would be nothing left of his mind if he watched, but he knew he couldn't do that to his children and so he looked them both in the eye. He kept calling to them to let Jet know he was there, that he loved them. And then there was a flash and the female elite guard holding the screaming pair stopped in her tracks. Something moved quicker than he could catch and the saurian dropped to the ground in a heap. Dead.
"What?!" Draganus roared. Wildwing looked up at the pure white figure now crouched before him. Confusion was written all over his face as he took in the saurian holding his precious charges. There was a commotion, but all Wildwing could do was stare as the winged saurian, with kind eyes allowed his children to go to him. He jumped as arms wrapped around his neck and a familiar voice was calling him. It was distant at first, as his anxiety ridden mind struggled to comprehend what exactly was happening.
"Wildwing!" Jessica held his face as she stroked it, coaxing his mind to focus on her
"Jess?" Wildwing finally asked as he took in his wife, decked out in a midnight blue battle suit, complete with chest, leg and arm armour. He could see the butt of a large rifle poking out from behind her left shoulder and handguns at each hip.
"Mommy!" Molly cried and flung herself at her mother. Jet reached out as well and Jessica obliged, pulling both children into her grasp at long last. Tazani moved to help secure one of the saurian guards nearby as their team took control of the saurian force on the stage made into the cliff.
"No!" Draganus bellowed, "I will not allow this!" He charged faster than anyone could have expected and Taz spun to help but a familiar blonde figure got in his way, sword in hand.
"Dive?" It was Canard who said his name, Wildwing could only stare as his lost brother stood tall in front of him and his family. Ready to protect them all.
"Kid!" Duke exclaimed, "You're okay!" He frowned when Nosedive didn't answer as he stared down the saurian overlord who had just tried to slaughter his family. A look he didn't recognise on the younger drake's face. One the ex-thief never thought he would see on someone like Nosedive.
"Fine!" Draganus growled, "I'll start with you!" Nosedive's teammates watched as a dark grin crossed their youngest members features and the blonde attacked. Draganus, to his credit kept up with the drake, his strength and armoured skin making up for what he lacked in speed due to his size and bulk.
"I will assist you my lord!" Wraith appeared as if out of nowhere and flung a fireball at Nosedive. Tazanie pulled her miniaturised staff from her belt and said the power words to enlarge it to full size. The fireball was blocked before it even got close to the battling pair.
"You'll be facing me old man!" Taz spat as red bled into her eyes, causing an earie glow.
"Bah!" Wraith stood tall, "You're nothing but a child, barely out of the rookery! What makes you think you can defeat me." But Taz wasn't paying any mind to his goading, she finished the spell and bellowed the power words. Before her a circle appeared, filled with intricate patterns and hieroglyphs. Wraith realised what was happening and disappeared in a puff of smoke, only to appear elsewhere to throw his own attack at her, but not before a powerful force emitted from the circle and blasted through the area he had been moments before.
"Jess." Wildwing looked up to see Angel was there too. To her right were Mimosa and Yurio, all looked ready to leap into battle at a moment's notice, "What are you still doing here." Angel turned to give them a kind smile, "You should take your family and go. We've already teleported out anyone else unable to fight. It's just you guys." Jessica nodded as she used a device to deactivate the energy bonds around Wildwing.
"Wait!" Wildwing said in a panicked voice, "Nosedive, he…"
"I will protect him." Angel said looking away and observing the fight. "You have my word." It did nothing to alleviate the panic within him, but he had little choice as he was suddenly enveloped in a bright light.
Angel looked up at the sudden appearance of airships as they flew through the air taking out the saurian air support. She knew that GA ground forces would be teleporting in and attacking the enemy ground forces as the two battles waged before her. She was ready to leap in the moment Nosedive needed her, but she was content to allow him to take the victory for himself. The monster was, after all the reason the drake was where he was now.
"We need to help him!" Mallory declared readying her weapon.
"No." Angel stopped her, "Leave this to him."
"What?!" Duke exclaimed, "You can't be serious!" But she wasn't listening to him, "Hey!"
"I sense blood lust." She declared with a look that even unnerved Grin.
"It would appear their elite guard have been mobilised." Mimosa said drawing her sword.
"It's been a while since I've been in a good fight." Yurio declared sounding far too excited.
"Here they come." Angel glanced over at Nosedive who showed no signs of tiring as yet. Draganus, on the other hand was beginning to show signs of fatigue. She could tell that Nosedive would win soon enough, which left Wraith to Taz and the elite to them.
The three Amyan warriors moved like lightening towards the elite guard that approached them, several of the former captives joining to assist where they could, including a now armed Mookie, who ensured she stayed close to Angel. Angel took hold of her swords and felt a buzz of electricity in her hands before the swords seemed to accept her and they sprung to life.
Canard growled as he watched the battle against the elite guard, he was torn. Part of him knew he should order his team to help there, but Nosedive was part of his team too. So, his team formed a protective semicircle around the battling enemies as they watched their teammate warily. Canard hadn't missed the lack of quips. Or the deadly precision of Nosedive's moves. This was the teammate he had wanted in place of Nosedive. Yet, he had to wonder, why did he feel sad and a little ill, watching the blonde battle against their mortal enemy.
Nosedive was getting irritated. He hadn't thought fighting Draganus would be this difficult. He was getting plenty of hits in, but the Saurian's armour was protecting him far too well. He had noticed the lizard was beginning to slow so he focused on finding an opening. A way to disable him. The pair jumped away from each other to avoid a flying spear from the war being raised to Nosedive's right. Neither had looked to see it coming, both having sensed it and moving instinctively. Nosedive could see the Saurian was getting desperate to end the fight and dodged a blind charge.
"Shit!" He spat as he realised that the blind charge wasn't so blind, and the lizard was heading straight for his most petite teammate.
"Mallory!" Canard yelled as the red head began firing, but just as Draganus deflected his sword attacks, the laser fire merely bounced off him. Nosedive moved faster than he had in his life. He jumped against the cliff wall, spun in the air and focussed the energy he had been working with into his blade. With an almighty yell, he slammed the sword into the Saurian's back, right between the shoulder blades. He panted as he realised that the energy charged sword had finally made its way past the armour. He braced his feet against the monsters back and wrenched the sword back out, landing lightly on the ground just as Dragunus dropped to the ground. Nosedive panted and looked at the dying Saurian for a few moments before looking up at his shocked teammates. He looked away, feeling a moment of regret. Instead of waiting for them to address what he had just done, he spun on his heals and rushed into the battle with the elites.
"He…" Mallory swatted Canard's ministrations, as he checked her over for injury, "He just…."
"We should help." Duke said, sounding his age for a change, "Don't ya think?" They nodded and, without another word, rush to do what they could to end the battle. Leaving the lifeless overlord where he lay.
"You're quite skilled child." Wraith grunted as he clutched his burned arm close. "I know when I'm beaten." Taz gave him an unsure look. "Doesn't mean I'll stick around though." He laughed as he was surrounded in greed light and was gone before Taz could reach him. She growled in frustration then spun to assist elsewhere. Only to find that the battle was all but won.
/
Rose watched from a darkened corner of the hanger as Jessica and her son appeared in a flash of light, with the children in tow. Sarah had glanced at her with a questioning look, but Rose found herself shaking her head with a worried look. Sarah and Howie rushed to help, and Rose took in the state her eldest was in. It was clear he couldn't stand; she had been warned of this. Yurio had taken her aside, along with Nosedive and Jessica to briefly explain what had happened to Wildwing after Jessica had disappeared. She had cried in her room for her son, but she did all she could to hold her tears now that she saw him. She watched as Sarah and Howie helped Wildwing towards the infirmary as Jessica picked up her son in one arm and steered her elder daughter with the other. Rose noticed that Jessica glanced around as if looking for something, "Probably me." She thought to herself, but the care of the woman's children seemed to override the curiosity. Rose followed at a distance.
"Her arm." Wildwing said as he was sat on a bed in the infirmary and he saw his wife and children coming in, "I heard it crack earlier, they were… they were holding it too tight and I…" He clenched his fists, "I couldn't…"
"Let's have a look at you then kid." Sarah beamed at the child who looked up at her mother. Jessica nodded with a smile and watched as Molly was lifted gently onto a bed. Sarah began checking the arm as well as taking a look at her generally to make sure there was nothing else that needed tending to.
"Are you a doctor?" Wildwing asked.
"Veterinarian actually." Sarah replied sheepishly, thanking the fates for her dark feathers that would hide the blush she knew would be there. People in the resistance always made that mistake and she wasn't sure why she always got so embarrassed about it.
"Oh." Wildwing looked to Howie for a moment, who gave him a friendly grin. Wildwing nodded but didn't manage a smile. The white feathered mallard then looked to Jessica, "The others…. Nosedive…"
"They'll be okay Wildwing." Jessica assured him as she came over and sat beside him. She ran her hand through his hair, and he leaned on her shoulder. Soon his arms snaked around her and Jet as he sobbed quietly into her shoulder. "It's okay Wing." She said gently, "Just let it out." Jessica rubbed his back as he did and leaned her head on top of his.
"He tried to protect us mom." Molly said as if defending him somehow, "He tried! But he can't walk anymore and… and they… They killed Tanya!" Molly hopped off the bed and ran to her mother as well, "Tanya is gone and… and…" With a bit of effort, Jessica was able to manoeuvre the arm that held Jet to place it on her daughter's back. Jessica sighed.
"You know I think I need a grandmother's touch here." Jessica looked to the doorway. "I know you're there."
"Who are you..?" Wildwing moved so he could look at Jess.
"Damn it Rose!" Jessica frowned, "Help me out here!" Wildwing looked back at the doorway and back at his wife.
"Who are you talking to mom?" Molly asked, equally confused.
"She's… She's talking to me." A voice said from the doorway. Wildwing's head snapped back to look at the door. He knew that voice better than his own, dreamt of hearing it again on a near nightly basis, when he wasn't plagued by nightmares. "I'm just… I'm just a little scared to… to come in. I might upset my boy."
"Mom?" Wildwing would have given anything to be able to simply get up and rush towards the voice but all he could do was stare at the empty doorway desperately waiting for her.
"I'm sorry son." Rose said, the tell-tale signs of tears affecting her voice. "I wasn't strong enough to protect you or your brother. I couldn't even find you. I tried so hard but…" He heard her choked sob, "But in the end it was Nosedive who found me!" She finally stepped into the doorway, cheeks wet with tears and face crumpled as she tried to keep the tears at bay, "I've missed you Wildwing. My brave, brave boy." She rushed forward. Mother and son held each other tightly and wept. Sarah took the time to wrap Molly's arm with only minimal fuss from the child as the small family watched the reunion.
/
It was much later that the remainder of the team returned. By then the small family had fallen asleep together in the infirmary. Nosedive smiled at the site but, rather than join them he walked away to a part of the ship that few people bothered to go. It was a small room towards the upper rear of the ship, and it had a small viewing area, where you could view the stars. He leaned against the doorway to the viewing room and looked out into the void of space. That was where Angel found him.
"You okay?" She asked as she stood beside him and looked out into the stars as well.
"Tanya's dead and my brother is a paraplegic." Nosedive snorted, "I've been better."
"I'm sorry." Angel wrapped her arms around herself and looked to the side, "If I had been stronger then maybe..." Nosedive's eyes grew wide before he growled and pulled Angel to his side, causing the girl to squeak in surprise.
"You idiot." He rested his head on top of hers. "It's not your fault and it never will be."
"It's not your fault either." Angel pointed out as she leaned into his chest, a small smile gracing her features.
"Then I guess we're both idiots." He whispered into her hair.
"I guess." Angel replied before pulling away slightly, "By the way. Yurio wanted me to tell you that we would be discussing what our next move is in a couple of days." She leaned back into his chest and hummed as she felt his arm give her a gentle squeeze.
"Draganus is gone." Nosedive said in a tone that suggested his mind was elsewhere, "The GA just have to round up all the saurians and their allies on the Earth, then they can help rebuild."
"The others were worried about you, you know." Angel said quietly, "While I'm more than happy to stay here like this, I'm pretty sure your friends would like an explanation."
"Our friends." Dive corrected with a sigh, "I guess you're right." He pulled away and took her hand, "come on, babe." The pair made their way to the mess hall where they and the children had been using as a common area. As they approached they could hear raised voices.
"She's a damn saurian!" Nosedive heard Canard growl loudly.
"Yeah, but she's with Nosedive!" They heard Duke point out, "Which means she's gotta be trustworthy if the kid…"
"Hah!" Canard spat as Angel and Dive silently walked into the room to take in the scene. The children and Kaya were in the far corner of the room. It looked like they had been doing crafts at some point, but all were now watching Canard warily, with Kana standing protectively between them and the arguing ducks in the room. Nosedive then spotted the subject of the heated conversation. The pure white saurian stood to the side of the room, her wings drooping and one arm across her body clutching at the other. Her cheeks were flushed red in clear embarrassment and she seemed to be trying to look for a quick exit. "Like we can trust the brat's judgement." Nosedive felt Angel tense beside him, and he heard Duke's growl of frustration.
"Now look…!" Mookie stepped forward this time but Tazani stopped her.
"Please!" She stepped between them and dropped to her knees bowing before Canard, nose to the ground, "Don't fight. You have every right to hate me after everything my kind has done to you all! For what it's worth, I'm sorry and I swear to do everything I can to assist in righting the wrongs my people have done!"
"Get up!" Nosedive bellowed angrily glaring at Canard for making the girl feel she needed to reduce herself to such an act. He stormed forward and grabbed her by the elbow to bring Taz back to her feet, yet the girl still looked away with a guilty expression on her face. "You," He stressed strongly looking back to her, "haven't done anything to any of us! So, there's no point in apologising for something you haven't done." He snapped his head back to Canard, "And you! Back off or you'll find out I'm not the push over I was before I got taken! Got it!" Canard, to his credit took a step back in shock at the young drake's threat, images of Dive's victory over Draganus flashing through his mind's eye. The tan mallard stared into the eyes of the drake he had known since birth and saw a stranger. Like before, he wasn't sure what to think but he found embarrassment, anger and fear boiling up inside him as he watched Nosedive wrap a protective arm around the saurian's shoulders and steer Taz away from them and towards Angel who looked at him with the cold expression he had become all too familiar with since meeting her. Canard supressed a shudder but opened his beak anyway.
"Don't come crying to me when she stabs you in the back!" Canard snapped as he folded his arms with a huff and turned from the sight. The room watched as Nosedive growled and was on Canard in an instant. Canard gasped as Nosedive pressed his forearm against the neck of his brother's best friend.
"I'm not a kid anymore Canard." Nosedive said dangerously, "I'm all grown up and I am more than capable of handing your tail feathers to you." The drake growled at Canard dangerously, "Make Taz feel like she doesn't belong on this ship again and you'll be the one leaving. Got it?!"
"Dive?" Both men looked to the new voice in the doorway to see Howie and Sara looking warily at the scene. Sara moved to check on an obviously upset Taz, whilst Howie, the one who had spoken, stepped forward with his hand on his blaster. The worried gaze of the green haired drake moved from Nosedive to Canard and hardened as he heard a quiet sob from Taz. "What's going on? Why's taz upset?" Nosedive released Canard and sighed.
"A difference of opinion." He glared at Canard, "It won't happen again. Right?" Canard scowled.
"I'll leave the saurian alone." He stormed past everyone, only to be followed by Mallory who only gave Nosedive an apologetic look. Dive returned her look with his own scowl before going to check on his friend.
