Wildwing huffed as he and the other ducks filed into the Pond's arena area.

""Three disruptions in the last hour.", he said before turning to the group, "Everyone okay?"

Most didn't answer, but Nosedive wasn't one to keep quiet.

"First two were okay, but the one in Pestilence's domain reeked.", he griped as he wiped slime off his shoulder), "I smell like a dumpster full of our leftover cabbage casserole, stuffed in old sneakers, slathered with moldy pasta sauce, mixed with some rotten eggs, and sewage filled dead fish with just a hint of skunk fumes."

Mallory held her nose as she sprayed a can of deodorant spray on him.

"That's the third can we used.", she added, "I'm hitting the showers."

Most agreed and after a while, the other team showed up looking just as winded.

"Tell me this is almost over.", Clyde said trying not to fall over exhausted.

Adam was barely standing.

"I feel like I could fall asleep any second. And not just cause my exhaust spell backfired that one time."

Wildwing could see both teams needed some rest so he allowed it. As everyone settled and rested up, a call came in on Drake 1.

"Now what?", Duke asked.

As they answered, Quasleet showed up.

"You guys okay?"

"We're bone tired, used up most of our ammo and did three disrupted rifts in the last hour.", Wildwing told him.

Quasleet whistled.

"Nice. Well Buzz and I did a once over and everything seems stable for now. Why don't you guys take a breather and restock before heading out again?"

"Sure thing.", Thrash said, "I could use some work on my nunchaku."

"And I could double check our medical supply.", Mookie put in.

"My inner peace needs tranquility.", Grin said before heading to his room.

As everyone headed off and Quasleet hung up, Wildwing removed Drake's mask just in time for Drake to show up again.

"Hey, what did I miss?"

Wildwing shrugged.

"We got a day off of fighting and saving the universe. What's on your schedule?"

Drake looked unsure.

"I don't know. Never had anything besides fighting evil back in my time.", he admitted, "What do you guys do to relax?"

Wildwing got that spark in his eye.

"Drake, do you mind if you and I have a training session between us?"

Drake smiled.

"I thought you'd never ask."

/

Back on Sauria, Draco was outfitting himself for the next stop on his travels.

"Where to now?", Gerazi asked.

Frazzak handed over a scroll to Harzep who read it.

"The desert?", he asked, "Why there?"

Frazzak looked thoughtful.

"Oh I just thought it would be fun."

Darcel looked annoyed.

"We have no time for fun.", he grouched, "Charyus and Dragaunus are here on Sauria with knowledge that could end us all."

Geoff rolled his eyes.

"Drama queen."

Darcel looked Geoff's way with his hand on his blade hilt looking like he was ready to go berserk.

"Watch your mouth and your language."

Frazzak snapped his fingers and Darcel and Geoff were frozen in place.

"If you two are going to be such enemies, then this trip will prove enlightening for you.", he said calmly, "Until this trip is over, Geoff is grounded from his magic, and Darcel can't call upon his patron."

He snapped his fingers again and the two regained their movement, but each had a rune etched on their forehead and both didn't look too thrilled.

"So which way and how far?", Draco asked changing the subject.

Frazzak pointed off to the west.

"That way."

By now they were packed up and the caravan they had enlisted was set. Draco had a special tent raised off the ground by a couple large strider like birds which he got into. Inside was cool and the bottom lined with pillows and silk covers in case the passenger wanted to get some sleep. Outside as the caravan got underway, he could still hear Geoff and Darcel exchanging comments left and right.

"What I don't get is how you can be so stubborn after you were exiled.", Geoff started.

"Probably cause you were supposed to support me.", Darcel countered.

"Was that before you tried and failed the entry?", Geoff retaliated.

"It wasn't my fault.", Darcel insisted, "My instructor insisted I try a level three spell before I could barely pass the first stage of spell crafting. I would've shown potential if he hadn't kept pushing me like he was."

"It was a lesson of tolerance.", Geoff snapped, "And you couldn't-

"Zip it!", Gerazi said sharply, "If you two are going to argue like this for the rest of this trip, you can both spend it being shrunk and inside a glass case while under a field of serenity until you get along."

Draco laid down and could tell that Gerazi's speech made an impact on the two opposing members.

/

Drake deflected Wildwing's shot for the third time since they were on the ice.

"Not bad.", Drake said smiling, "Not bad at all for someone who hasn't been outside the goal net before."

Wildwing could barely breath, but he loved it. After a couple more shots, some of the other ducks came out and couldn't help but notice.

"Hey Drake, mind giving us some pointers?", Nosedive called out.

"Dive!", said Mallory firmly, "Drake probably is worn after that session with Wildwing."

Drake looked their way still holding that smile.

"Oh it's quite alright McMallard.", he answered, "You guys get to the lockers and meet Wing out on the ice in five minutes."

About ten minutes later, both teams were going at each other with drake holding one goal while Wildwing took the other.

"Feels like old times eh?", Canard asked as he stole the puck from Clyde who was near the right position to fire a goal.

Drake observed the plays on the field and clearly these teams have been working on their routines. Even Thrash, Mookie and Adam showed progress without using his wings or magic. After a couple hours, both teams got off the ice and saw that neither side had scored.

"Okay, now for the beginners.", Drake said turning to Phil, Klegghorn, Derek, Rosie and their kids.

Phil instantly looked unsure.

"You..want me to play?", he asked.

Drake could feel the insecurities, but he was used to them. A short time later, the remaining ducks were on the ice while the two teams got a break. Phil was clearly not used to playing out in the open, but after a few stray shots, he started getting into it. Klegghorn was too albeit faster than Phil was.

"Drake's a great teacher.", Julia commented.

"Hey, he's the best player we ever knew.", Duke answered.

After a bit, Drake led the remaining members off the ice.

"You all did wonderful for beginners."

Phil removed his headgear to reveal he was sweating bullets.

"I feel like I've been working out all day.", he wheezed.

Klegghorn looked amused.

"You know the saying Palmfeather: no pain no gain.", he answered before turning to Drake, "For someone who's a mere echo of himself, you sure can teach."

Drake blushed.

"Hey, I'm the physical embodiment of my best qualities. But I'm afraid I must depart for now."

"You're going away again?", Benny asked sounding disappointed, "But I was feeling pumped and-"

"Benny!", said Snowdrop sharply, "Drake has to go back inside his mask or he disperses into nothingness."

Drake kept his smile on even after he warped back into his mask leaving the whole flock alone.

/

Draco and his caravan had reached the desert and traveling under the cold moon above felt a bit weary, but luckily the heating spell Geoff conjured helped ward it off.

"Show off.", Darcel muttered.

"Hey, don't blame me for natural talent.", Geoff countered, "I learn from the best."

Darcel rolled his eyes.

"Yeah, that's you said when you and the other Drux mages exiled people like me cause we weren't good enough for you. And we had to live on what the land provided with the knowledge we knew."

"It was to teach you respect.", Geoff said firmly.

"Stop arguing! Both of you!", Gerazi snapped, "What happened happened okay? Draco's trying to help Frazzak make amends for our sins and you two are bickering like spoiled children that are still not free."

That shut the two up. They didn't say anything for a while, but then the caravan stopped and made camp. Draco was still sleeping in his tent, but nobody thought of waking him up.

"Don't tell me there is only hard feelings between the two of you.", Harzep commented as he got a fire going.

Darcel said nothing, but gave a glance as he drew protective runes in the sand. Geoff was hovering in the air meditating, but clearly listening. Gerazi looked above to observe the constellations and soon, Darcel, Geoff and Harzep were joining her.

"So can you make out Servain?", Gerazi asked.

Geoff couldn't help but smile.

"I know. Right beside Varc, and Cerox. Wasn't there one constellation that was over there?"

Darcel sighed heavily.

"Harjuk is a spring constellation. And his sister Varajil is in the fall."

"Good to see you're not all anger.", Gerazi said calmly.

Darcel turned away, but Geoff didn't.

"Hey, is it too late to tell you that I'm sorry?"

Darcel didn't turn around, but Geoff knew he was listening.

"I shouldn't have turned you away the way I did. It was wrong and selfish of me. And that's no way to treat your family."

Darcel looked his way.

"And?"

"Yes, I was putting my studies above you.", Geoff admitted, "And I was a total jerk for not seeing the potential that you had if the instructor was patient and calm."

Darcel looked Geoff's way with a raised eyebrow.

"Excuse me, but could you speak into my good ear?", he asked, "I think I hear you admit you were wrong and saying you're sorry."

Geoff smiled.

"Yes, you heard right."

/

In Limbo, Tempus was forming alongside Zeral before he conjured a bauble to reveal Charyus.

"I trust you obtained the spell you sought?"

Charyus held his staff up and the skull at the top flared for a second, but Tempus knew it had it.

"So why did you call me?", Charyus asked.

"My design is almost full circle.", Tempus answered, "And the other should arrive any second now."

Lucretia materialized and brushed her still torn shoulders.

"I suppose you want me to thank you for breaking Abyssal's hold on me?", she asked harshly.

Tempus smiled.

"I make good on my word DeCoy.", he answered, "As long as you cooperate."

Lucretia waved her hand and her injuries started healing.

"Let me guess, it's another Endgame?", she guessed.

Tempus' smile didn't fade.

"You'll see.", he answered, "But for now, Zeral needs an awakening."

He snapped his fingers and Zeral woke instantly.

"Why are you here?", he asked harshly as he noticed Lucretia, "And what's with the new form?"

"I've inherited a new form of power.", she purred, "Frazzak rules in your stead and your underlings are on your home world preparing your arrival."

Zeral didn't look pleased.

"Allying with an entity with his own agendas to fuel your own ends is deceitful and despicable.", he said before smiling, " I knew I made the right choice in allowing your services in my goals."

Tempus frowned.

"Don't flatter yourself saurian.", he said firmly, "You have work to do."

He waved his hand and Charyus' bauble disappeared along with Zeral leaving him and Lucretia alone.

"So what now?", she asked him.

Tempus waved a hand and she vanished away too as the place dissolved into space dust and floated away.

"Now we prepare.", he said coldly as two baubles appeared revealing the Pond and Sauria, "Let us see how both sides fare against my latest play."

He raised both hands and colorful mist flowed around them before dispersing into chains that slid into both baubles and vanished like they were slipping into water.

"Fate is cruel and life unfair.", Tempus said smiling, "Let us see how much they care."

He took the time to cackle to himself knowing too well that his plan was on a roll and soon his foes would know the meaning of fear and despair.

/

Before long, the ducks were getting outfitted and double checking the weapons on hand.

"Okay, particle projection cannons, reinforced shield padding, and new communicators.", Wildwing said proudly as the ducks got set up and he tested his new com on his ear, "Testing."

The others gave a thumbs-up meaning theirs were working also. Nosedive and Benny were totally excited.

"So when is our big season finale?", Nosedive asked(breaking the fourth wall as usual), "We're already about five seasons of the show."

"Yeah.", Benny agreed, "When do we do actual fighting?"

BRAWN looked stern.

"When you grow up.", he said polishing his bronze frame.

Foxy and Morpha were at the ready also as Adam reformed a silver dollar coin into a set of shoulder pads which he put on.

"Special material enchantment.", he stated as he noticed the other's expressions, "It's one of the perks of being a follower of Harjuk."

"Just save your trickery for our enemies.", Derek said as he got his new puck blaster on his belt, "We can't afford errors in this fight."

"We'll manage.", Julia said as she adjusted her biker gloves.

Phil looked unsure.

"So this is it then?", he asked, "We succeed this mission, and then we go home?"

"We go home when our job here in Limbo is done.", Klegghorn said firmly, "Besides, I'm still looking for payback against those lizards."

Duke and Clyde polished their sabers as they prepared.

"I admit Bronzefeather, you got skill.", Duke admitted, "You're almost as good as me."

Clyde blushed.

"I learn from the best."

Canard noticed Wildwing and Mallory make a brief eye contact and look away, but said nothing.

"So, we set to head out?", Danielle put in.

Wildwing looked at the faces of the team who all looked to him as he held Drake's mask in his hand.

"Okay Ducks, this is it. We win this fight, the Keepers will help repair most of the still lingering damage in Limbo. Expect the unexpected, be on guard, and never go anywhere alone. Dragaunus may have started all of this, but we end it all. Tempus is sure to set in motion something to really test our limits. You can't hesitate to do what is right. If that means taking one of our own down, we will. Any questions?"

Nobody answered, so Wildwing placed Drake's mask on his face.

"Then move out!"

Before long, both Aerowings were soaring out of the Pond and into Dimensional Limbo's reaches with a meteor shower giving a spectacular light show as a sign of encouragement. Theo observed from afar and unseen by either plane though he could tell that they were heading to Temporal Caverns.

"Okay Ducks, all you have to do is finally destroy Tempus' avatar in Temporal Caverns and your task here is done. But be warned, this task will not be as easily conquered as the others and not all of you will return."

He turned to the open book floating beside him and the page it was open to that only he saw.

"Round two of Endgame is in motion.", Theo said to himself, "Then again, I already knew it was coming and the final outcome."

With a snap of his fingers, Theo and his book vanished away as the Aerowings kept flying into the unknown until they became two little specks that faded out of sight faster than you can wink an eye.