No Matter What It Takes Part Two

by KidHeart4

The Mighty Ducks continue their adventures in their new home on Earth. Along with familiar foes, a few new ones begin to rear their heads. Some new allies will be met along the way as well. In this part 2, Heart's locked away past will be unveiled, bringing on more adventures for them to tackle as a team.

9. 34 Eye to Eye

Heart:

"How did he talk us into this?" Duke asked as we drove up to the condo on our bike.

"He caught me without an excuse," I replied, "He said they really wanted to meet us, and with the others out of town, and you sparring in the gym, he caught me off guard."
"Couldn't tell 'em we were goin' on a date?" Duke replied.

"Too late now," I shrugged.
We then walked over to the building where we found Phil waiting in the backyard of his condo. With him was a small family talking amongst themselves.
"There you are! Come on over guys!" Phil called to us, forcing us to walk over to them.
"Hey Phil," Duke greeted cheerfully enough while I waved.
Duke slipped an arm along my shoulders as we then waved to the family. Phil quickly said to us, "Thanks again for this! It'll be a good time!"

Duke raised a brow, but said in reply, "I'm sure it will be?"
Waving them on, the father of the family gestured for them to come over. Tall, handsome according to human standards, with slick combed black hair, and dressed in a suit much like Phil's, he sported a strong looking build and a rugged five o'clock shadow.

"Oh absolutely! My family and I have been waiting to met you all! The name's Frank Garuo, and this is the missus, Betty."

The woman next to him, blonde and wearing an apron skirt seemed to be the epitome of a stay at home mother.

"Hello there! I've heard all about you Ducks! The kids have been so excited about this! Haven't you?!"

The young girl, looking to be eight or so with pigtails and wearing a pair of overalls with a frilly pink shirt nodded. "Yu-huh!"

While the son, in his late teens, just let out a huff. Dressed in just a black shirt with a skull along with torn up jeans, his black hair hung down to his shoulders, "Sure... I guess..."
"Sorry the others couldn't make it. They're out of town at the moment," I mentioned apologetically.

"Still, it's always nice to meet our fans," Duke said pleasantly, "Nice to meet ya, kiddos." He looked to the son and daughter with a nod. Duke, who had kept his arm around me, was dressed in a burgundy high collar long sleeved shirt with a jersey over it, and a pair of black pants tucked into his tabi boots. While I was dressed in teal leggings and a short sleeved team logo shirt with a burgundy vest over it. I also had opted for boots. Phil, standing over at the grill, was wearing his vacation threads, sunglasses and all.
"Oh! It's alright! While they had their hearts set on meeting all of you, just having one of the team is a pleasure! Isn't that right Susie, Fredrick?" The father said, placing his hands on the shoulders of the kids.

"Yeah dad!"

"... sure..."
Were their respective responses.
Duke tilted his head slightly, "One of...?" He gave a slight laugh, "Aw, Heart might not be on the ice with us durin' a game, but she is a member of our team."

He gave me a bit of a squeeze as I tried to shy away.

"Cute kids, by the way," I then commented, "Have they been to a game yet?"
"We've been meaning to, but, you know how life is." The mother commented, giving a friendly smile.

The son just rolled his eyes, and stuffed his hands into his pockets.
"We could probably get ya in as guests, seein' how your friends with our manager?" Duke offered, "Call it a house warmin' gift?" Duke glanced at the son, "Who knows, ya might find somethin' you're into, like a new hobby?"
He just gave an apathetic shrug, illicting a strong nudge from the father, "That would be wonderful! Really generous!"

"Sure..."
And so, the little party would begin, as the father was grilling some food for the group, and everyone began to chitchat between each other.

"So, Heart was it? What is it exactly you do with the team?" Asked Mrs. Garou.
"Well," I tried to think of how to answer. It didn't seem that they were aware of the crime fighting side of things. It wasn't a secret to the public, but also wasn't fully understood either.

"I provide support for them on the ice. Though my part of things comes more into play off of it. We're sort of like town heroes," I finally went ahead and answered, "We help keep the streets of Anaheim safe."

I glanced over at Duke, who was helping Phil fix the grill to get it cooking. I couldn't help but smile as I watched him slip something into his pocket that no one else noticed. It had been one of those corn on the cob pokers, and I could only imagine he wanted to try and pick a lock with it later on out of practice and curiosity. To this I added, "And I support him."
She raised a brow, but kept the smile on her face, "Is that so? That's so very... interesting! Behind every great man is a great woman."
"You bet hun!" Frank commented, raising up the spatula as he stood at the grill.
Duke glanced at me with a smile on his beak, but commented, "I prefer Heart beside me." Like clock work, I knew I was blushing. Clearing my throat, I said, "You have a very friendly family."
"Thank you!" She said, as the daughter came up with a plate of drinks, "Oh, thank you hun! Now you two, feel free to help yaself. She made some lemonade for you all."
"You have some cute kids," Duke commented cheerfully to the father, taking a glass, but setting it down to finish fixing the grill, "They seem happy...for the most part."

He glanced at the son, "I can relate to havin' to take some time to figure out your way."

I took my glass, but held it for the moment while we talked still, "Thanks, kiddo."
The kid gave a smile, before she ran off. "So, you said all your friends are out of town? That's really a shame.." The mother asked, as she took her glass, and began to sip her drink.
"They had things of their own to take care of," I answered while watching the child rush over to play.

"If you come to a game, they might get to meet the others then," I mentioned.
"That would be nice... say, it's awfully warm out, isn't it? I can't imagine how it must feel under all those feathers." She added, as she swirled her glass gingerly while glancing at Duke.
"He's used to it," I mentioned with a look over at the dark feathered drake as well.

The grill was at last fixed, and he was wiping off his hands with the cloth Phil provided. Our manager was nervously rubbing the back of his neck with an apologetic wince of a smile as he started cooking. The drake seemed to be distracted by something for a moment, something the father was saying I think?

Duke:
"So, you're enjoying it here on this planet? I can imagine it's quite the culture shock after all!" Frank asked, looking back at Phil to make sure the grill was working right.
"It was a bit different to get used to at first," I acknowledged with a bit of a shrug, "Though the weather is nicer here than Puck World. Earth has been a a new realm in a number of ways."

I noticed Heart's smiled, knowing the number of ways I was referring to without saying it.
"I can imagine! I think I would be rather taken back if I was to go to a planet where small, human like creatures were part of people's regular diet." He said with a chuckle, patting me on the back.
I cleared my throat, with Phil holding up the pack of burgers to prove it wasn't poultry. He also pointed to the veggie burgers and fish he already had on the grill.

"I don't exactly focus on that," I replied.

"You don't want to put some meat on those bones? The girl's already so skinny," Frank teased with a raised brow as I noted him giving a glance over Heart.

I realized that he was also asking me, rather than Heart. Though I was relieved she hadn't heard or seen this. Though on the surface it sounded friendly enough, there was something off about the comment.

Before I could answer, he nudged my arm a bit and asked, "So how'd you two hook up anyway? I'm just curious how a duck and a human make it work?"

To this I responded in a carefully forced pleasant tone, "We just do. Not much more to it than that."

"So you're new to Anaheim though, that's still exciting?" I heard Heart say to the mother, fortunately unaware of the awkward conversation,"Are you liking it here?"
"Oh absolutely! So many interesting people here! We have been sorta cooped up ourselves back in our little home in the woods." She said, as she sipped her drink.

"Yeah, though the privacy out there is nice." The father added.
"I guess I can understand that," I noted, "Though I really love the view the city gives."

"I've grown used to it myself," Heart realized, "It's busy; but the lights can be rather breath taking from high up, almost mirroring the stars at times."

I picked up his glass and walked over to me, resting a hand on her shoulder as she sat in the lawn chair still.
The son, leaning up against the wall of the house, was just looking to the side, letting out an annoyed sigh. Frank gave a raised brow at this, before just shaking his head, "Don't mind him, he's going through a... lone wolf phase."
I looked at the teen and said, "That's normal, honestly. He'll find his way."

I squeezed her shoulder slightly, "There may jus' be a lot on his mind."
"Perhaps..." Frank said, as he returned his attention to the grilling.

Mrs. Garou would continue to chat with Heart, "So, I imagine it must be so thrilling to be with a celebrity like him! You must consider yourself a lucky girl."
I watched as Heart blushed at this remark, or more so from me looking to her with a confident smile to add to it, "I...I do, but not because Duke is a star. He's my best friend, and our life together is the adventure I never dreamed I could have."

She then cleared her throat a bit before asking, "Surely you know that feeling with your own beloved?"
She nodded, giving a smile. "Oh absolutely! He is effeminately the leader of the pack, and I wouldn't want to be with anyone else. Though I do need to reel him in when he gets a bit too excited."

"Oh?" Heart raised a brow, "How so?"
"Ooh... he just needs to be reminded that while he may be the alpha wolf... he isn't the one that wears the pants in the family," she chuckled, as she gave a wave to her husband.
This was all very odd to hear. Glancing over at the other human, and then up at me beside her, and back to the wife, she said, "I don't really understand that notion, I guess?"

"Different styles, I guess," I shrugged while thinking over my previous conversation with the husband.
"Oh, all men are like that. You have to make sure their hungry eyes stay on you," she said with a smirk. "It's in their nature to roam after all."
Heart blinked in bewilderment at this. Meanwhile my grip on her shoulder grew quite firm as I stated, "Believe me, Heart's got my attention."

"I trust Duke," Heart stated clearly, tugging at my chest as she always did when saying those words.
The human mother shook her head, and smiled, "Oh hun... of course you can trust him... but you must know what men are like still! We're all still animals at our core."
"I'm afraid I will have to simply agree to disagree. I know Duke isn't like that," Heart said with a drying throat out of irritation she was masking from everyone but me, as I could feel the tension in her shoulder under my hand. Feeling this, I took a breath as I glanced at my own drink. Glancing up at me, Heart saw that we shared in this frustration.
"Hmm... well... how are you two going to handle having children? I imagine you two will have to adopt since... well.. you two are quite likely incompatible."
We both looked at her, a bit thrown off by the question. Our teammates had teased us on this once before, but there was love and curiosity behind it. Not this time. As Heart started to recoil, I kept a steady hand on her shoulder as I said, "Heart an' I don't base our compatibility on that. I didn't fall for Heart based on whether she could give me kids or not. I want to be with her, it's as simple as that."

I glanced at Heart, my remaining eye meeting with hers. The understanding she found drew a smile from her.
"Well... isn't that sweet." the human mother commented, before taking a sip of her drink. She eyed the two of us over, and grinned. "Your drinks are going to get warm..."
Gathering her composure, with the aid of me kissing the top of her head as I whispered, "I love ya, sweetheart."

Heart gave a true smile, "I love you too."

We both then took a few sips to try and help our now dried throats. Phil was sipping his own as well after the father took over at the grill. I then stopped abruptly, gripping her shoulder tightly as we both realized too late.
"About time, I thought they were going to take forever!" The son exclaimed, crossing his arms.

"Patience is a virtue, kiddo," The father said, as he approached the group of us as we began to falter in our movements. "Now... let's take them to the real event."
Heart tried to jump up to only fall onto her side as I crumbled beside her. In my attempt to get back up, I placed my arm over her, shielding her as I collapsed. I then looked to Heart just as my eye unwillingly closed, and hers followed suit.

My eye snapped open as I awoke with a start. My head was still spinning a bit, making it difficult to register that I was tied up. Trying to get up helped with that, as I was abruptly stopped by cords and rope. My arms were bound behind the chair I was seated in, my legs tied to it's. There was a useless bit of cloth for a gag in my beak that I quickly shook loose from well remembered practice of pulling at the weak points of the material until it tore. I quickly felt for my comm, only to find it missing. Looking around in alarmed realization, I found that I was alone in a very dark room.

The door to the room would open up, and as the light came in, I realized I was being held in what looked like a wooden shed. The Father strolled in, with a wry smirk as he pulled up a chair himself, and sat down in front of me, using the back of it to lean forward, "Good morning there! Did you sleep well?"
"Eh, I've slept in weirder places," I shrugged dryly before cutting straight to the point, "Now where's Heart, ya two faced creep?"

I looked around the shed quietly and quickly to get an idea of what was in it. Frankly... there wasn't much here. Just seemed like a storage shed, but with little in it. Though there was some left over rope and cords from what they'd used on me.

Frank chuckled, and shook his head. "Two faced... oh that's funny. Well, Heart is out there with the Missus... I'm sure they're going to have some fun. And so are we."
"Hard to play anythin' like this, but not impossible," I said smoothly, "What sort of game did ya have in mind? As for Heart, they say ya shouldn't play outside with a storm brewin'." I gave a confident smirk.
"Well... my family likes to play something like tag. I'll let you go, and you run as fast as your webbed feet can carry you... and we'll pursue. If you win, you get to go free... if you don't... well.." The man closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, they had turned a shade of otherworldly yellow, "We'll be having duck for dinner."
My remaining eye narrowed, only somewhat surprised by this point. Granted I didn't know what he was, but I had seen my fair share of strange villains by this point.

"I have played this game before, an' so has Heart, who isn't an actual duck if ya hadn't noticed. So what are your plans for her if ya were to catch me?"

"Or should I say, what were your plans?" I taunted.
He gave a grin, revealing sharp teeth. "Oh... my wife and the little miss is playing the game with her already...she didn't look like much to maintain my interest...anyway while they chase her around, I'm going to show my son the proper way to hunt... which includes letting the prey get a head start."
"I thought I could have an ego sometimes," I smirked as I finished cutting free my bindings with the file I had tucked within my feathers beneath my long sleeves, not ever wanting to be caught with no way out.

With this, I managed to deck him in the jaw and then quickly cut my legs free while he was momentarily stunned. I hurried over to the door, sweeping up some rope and cord as I ran by it, letting out a bit of a scoff, "Then again, I have the skills to back it up...do you?"
I then went to slip through the entrance.
"Looks like we got some fight in you!" He called out, and as I turned to look back, I saw the father baring a mouth full of sharp teeth, thick black hair growing over his body, his suit starting to tear from his growing frame, and his mouth elongating into a vicious muzzle. "Fly little bird! We're going to get you!"
I didn't waste my time as I started looking for Heart, and trying to get my sense of direction back. Outside I found woods and a cabin a bit away from the shed. I could only guess as to why. Yet there wasn't much time for guessing. Without my comm, I couldn't track her. I could try the house, but he had said they were already outside? Either way, I began climbing a rather large tree to at least get my bearings, and blend in with the thick canopy. I made sure not a feather was left behind as I used the branches and thick tree trunks as my road of travel for the time being.

Heart:

I opened my eyes to find a dizzying canopy of trees overhead. I closed them again to stop the world from spinning as I tried to think. Yet I found there was little time for that as I realized I was tied up there on the forest floor. Somewhere I heard a creaking door in the distance open and close, the first time slowly and then quickly the second. I managed to sit up. My comm was missing, so therefore my glaive was as well.

"Duke?" I looked around quickly to find he was missing.
Not seeing anyone else out there with me, I could hear the leaves rustling. Foliage would shake, as something began to make it's way towards me, as a wolf emerged out from the brush. It gave a snarl, as it narrowed it's eyes on me. I tried to jump to my feet, managing a sort of roll that pulled at my restraints. My small frame helped with at least getting my legs loose. I watched the large canine carefully as I moved. The sky had draped it's nightly blanket overhead, and we were far from the city lights we knew. However, with training, my eyes quickly began to adjust in the dark. "Something tells me you're here to play fetch, but not the sort I would want to partake in?" I attempted.
Letting out a howl, the wolf lunged at me, snapping it's jaws in a frenzy as it went to grab me by the arm. The moon light gleaming over us, strangely the wolf's eyes seemed... almost human.
I held my breath, trying to think fast. Getting an idea, I moved just as it lunged at me. It's teeth slashed through the ropes. With adrenaline beginning to pump through me, I didn't feel much else as I pulled free of my bindings. Now free, I tried to run.
As I did, a smaller wolf pounced out at me, but far less skilled than the older one, it didn't even get close. Letting out a howl, the first followed after me, with the younger tailing behind.
I ran until I wound up stuck at a thickly grown grove, with gnarled roots tripping me up as I stumbled into the trunks of the trees. Getting to my feet again, I tried to find a way around or through. Finding nothing but more tree bark, I turned around to face the wolves. I broke off a piece of a thick branch in the process to create a makeshift staff.

"Back off!" I warned, "I don't want to hurt you!"
For a moment, everything seemed still... before, coming out from the foliage, the larger of the two wolves walked upright, gaining a slightly humanoid form. It's lips curled back into a vicious smile, before a familiar voice came forth, "Oh... but we do! Too bad we didn't have all your friends here to join us for the fun."
My eyes went wide before I quickly grabbed a hold of my composure and demanded, "Where's Duke?"

I held the stick ready to strike if she did the same.
Letting out a laugh, she stepped forward, placing a finger to her chin. "Oh... he's in good company... my husband and son are making sure he's... comfortable."
"I'm sure," I hissed while bracing myself.

"So what sort of game are we playing? Hide and seek?" I attempted to laugh while glancing around quickly.

Why did the moon look so bright?
As I looked up, I would realize... it was a full moon up above.

"Oh... you can say that. Ya go hide, and... we'll seek you! Doesn't that sound like fun for the whole family?"
"Not really, but I don't have a choice do I?" I bit back a bit in contempt, "I see you were speaking from your own experience about the whole animal bit?"

I caught sight of the smaller wolf and faltered a little, "What do you think about this, kiddo?"
Peaking from the bush, the cub let out a snarl, before the mother interjected, "I suppose so... and with that, I suggest you run. If you're lucky, you might bump into your duck friend before we get you."
I had little choice as the burning in my legs started, trying to push me forward. Adrenaline took over still as I did. Ducking under branches, it seemed like I was rushing around in circles. I could hear the other two now in the distance, and I could see the moonlight through the trees trying to pull their attention...or maybe my own? Panic rose as I tried to figure out what to do, or where to go. I tried to calm down as I ducked into a hiding space in the thick bushes. Only now did I notice the tear in my sleeve, or rather the blood trickling down from it. Feeling for the wound, I felt the indents her teeth had made.
While they gave chase, the mother would howl, followed by that of her daughter, and two more off in the distance. Despite how fast I would run, they always seemed to be on my tail, jumping over rotted logs and ducking under low hanging branches.
As they drew near, I felt an odd sense of panic gripping my chest as I caught the moon's radiant glow once more. Something about this was familiar, painfully so. This shouldn't have been scaring me, and yet it was. With fear, came bursts of electricity sparking in and out around me. "No!" I begged in a breath of a voice as I tried to stop it and curl up smaller to try and think of a way out.
The wolves let out a yelp, as they jumped away.

"You didn't say she was a witch Mama!" The cub exclaimed, half in fear and delight.

"I guess I do see why they keep you around..." the mother scoffed.

She then glanced at my arm, "Oh dear, that is a nasty bite isn't it? Why not let me take care of you before it gets so much worse...for you!"
I backed up, not wanting to hurt the child especially. Panic rose as my back bumped into the tree behind me, forcing me to step forward slightly. Blood fell to the grass that crinkled under my boots from my arm.

"Back off!" I snapped a bit.
Letting out a laugh, the mother jumped at me, her maw open with razor sharp teeth. "You can't go anywhere, witch or not!"
Before I had a chance to move, I suddenly felt a firm hand and arm swiftly sweep me up against his lean frame as he swung us up into the branches of the trees above, with him scoffing with contempt, "Wanna bet on that?!"

His voice instantly calmed some of the panic racing through me. We caught a high placed branch and were able to climb up into the thick canopy for some cover.

"Ya alright?" Duke asked while looking me over quickly, and finding the wound from before, "...Heart...?"

"I'm okay, and I'm happy to see you're in one piece," I tried to assure him.

"Where did you get the rope?"

"I borrowed some from these good neighbors of Phil's, an' used a knife from the shed as a grapplin' hook. I learned to improvise when I was jus' startin' out."

"I'm glad you did," I breathed with some relief.
Clawing at the trunk of the tree, the mother howl snarled and howled... before she let out a chilling taunt, "Well, if we can't eat you... you'll join our family soon! You got bit after all... so we just need to wait it out, now don't we?"
Hearing this, panic attempted to take hold as I glanced at the full moon. The mother's voice trailed up the tree again as she mocked, "I'm sure you'll be craving meat in no time? I wonder how your tastes will run once you do?"

Duke:

Seeing Heart starting to panic, I quickly rested my hands against her cheeks to make her meet me eye to eye, "Heart, look at me! You've already got a family. You've got us! You can fight this!"

"How?!" She snapped.

"The same way ya kept me from bein' a garden decoration!" I pushed back, "Jus' focus on who ya are, and on us, okay?"

Heart attempted a nod, but in my hands I could feel the rapid pulse of her heartbeat as she attempted this.
As the two wolves circled the base of the tree, I could hear as the mother uttered out to the younger one, "Go get your dad and brother... we may need help taking down this witch..."

With that, the cub rushed off, darting into the darkness. Looking back up, the mother chuckled, "Won't be long now...I'd get away from her before she learns to bite...I wonder what it would do to you? It may just drive you mad, not all men can take the change after all."
I didn't listen to her baiting us. Nor did I move my hands from Heart's face, my palms lining up along her jawline and throat.

"Heart, listen to me. Ya have to fight this. There's somethin' in ya that can help ya," I insisted, "You have to use it to save yourself now!"

She tried to shake her head, "I barely know how this works! I can't trust it!"
Looking up at us, the she-wolf snorted, "You don't even know how your magic works? Oh dear... looks like you'll be one of us in no time... just give in girl..."
Heart shut her eyes tight, tears escaping from them as she tried to close herself off from those taunting words. Catching them, with my thumb tracing the scar beneath her right eye, I tried to cut through her panicked thoughts, "What about us?"

My voice was low enough to where even wolf ears wouldn't pick it up, after years of practice it wasn't hard. It was enough for Heart to hear as she reopened her eyes. Looking into those sapphires, I asked, "An' ya trust me?"

Through the silence, locking eyes with me, she answered clearly without a voice.

The mother tried to break through the clarity Heart was fighting for, as she clawed at the trunk of the tree. "No matter what you feel, who you have faith in... it will overcome you, and you'll be part of our family. Fighting it just makes it more difficult, and painful."
At this, Heart suddenly grabbed at my shoulders, pulling me against her as she did. I had to grab at the branch to keep my balance.

"Heart?!" I exclaimed.

Then she murmured, at first, her tearful request, "Please...! I don't know how long I can hold this off...! I want you to get away. I want you to run!" Her voice grew louder as a bit of a growl emerged from her throat, "While I can hold on, please get away! I don't want to hunt you!" "Heart?!" I pulled away as she gripped my shirt, tearing the collar of it a bit with a wince of a grimace twisting her expression.

"I'll find a way to help ya...there's gotta be somethin'...I won't give up on ya!" I insisted as she glanced away briefly before rather abruptly and harshly pushing me away from her.

I had enough time to twist into a fall into another set of branches, before leaping into the bit of canopy away from her, vanishing from their sight while I still could. While Heart had no interest in chasing me, I took a brief moment to look up at her as the moonlight washed over her. Then I was gone, slipping through the path of branches and covering leaves before they could trace where I was going.

Heart:
This left me alone with the mother, as I stumbled, grabbing the left behind rope to stable myself rather than falling. Still a bit lost, I made my way shakily to the floor, falling at the last bit to readjust into my new standing.
Standing up on her hind legs, the she wolf lumbered towards me, "So... you let him escape... no matter, we'll find him still...when you're ready to give chase...You decided to join us? Wise decision child.."
"I...I had to try...I am sure you understand, woman to woman? Besides...it's only a bit of a head start, right?" I managed a smirk with the moonlight hitting me, wrapping around me with glowing warm arms in the night.

"I'll find him again," I assured her, "once I've had some time to adjust to the change..."
She nodded, a grin parting her lips,

"I'll accompany you... just to make sure child..." The she-wolf commented, as she leaned in to sniff Heart.
"It...It's racing through my blood, but my magic may be resisting the full change for now," I said, giving into the idea more and more, "I want to feel the adrenaline of the hunt. It sounds more and more enticing, especially with a full moon out..."

I didn't flinch as these words naturally left my lips, "Besides, you may have raw instinct, but I know how his head works."
Letting out a chuckle, the wolf gestured towards the forest, "After you child... let me just alert the family.." And with that, she let out a loud howl, that echoed through the forest.
I listened carefully for steps that would draw nearer, as well as those hurrying further away, keeping track of where everyone was the best that I could through the confusion and disorientation of the woods at night. With this, I began trying to lead the way, mentioning, "He would go deeper away from the house, as I'm sure it would be guarded. His best bet is to try and flag down a ride back to Anaheim. To call his fellow ducks. If he got the others, it would be difficult to take them all at once."
The mother gave a sniff in the air, and furrowed her brow, following after me...

Duke:
I continued my path along the trees, knowing the ground wasn't as safe right now. I hadn't wanted to leave Heart behind like that, but I had little choice at the moment. All I could do was hope she held things off long enough. So I used the canopy, as well as the night sky, to mask my movements, and nudged owls and birds out of their nests every so often to make it seem they were simply going for their own hunt. Soon enough I was near the roof and trying to creep onto it.
As I traveled through the woods, I could hear the howl of the pack behind me... with one, less enthused ahead of me, near the house. As I slipped onto the roof of the cabin, I found it was a simple wood log house, with smoke billowing from the chimney
"Well that's out," I said while glancing at the chimney.

Looking over the ledge, I would find some windows and climbed down to one. With luck, the room inside was empty, and I went ahead in. Still I kept to the shadows of the darkly lit room, using my dark clothing to blend in as much as possible as I crept along the wall to the hallway. I listened carefully to try and hear which wolf was left behind guarding our comms.
Searching through the home, it was a relatively humble place, in contrast to how the couple dressed and behave prior. Sneaking through the house, I would hear the agitated groans of dissatisfied youth, and the faint racket of heavy metal music through headphones.
I looked in carefully to get a better idea of the layout, or better yet if he had our comms. While I could fight hand to hand in combat, my saber would be much more comforting to have. Plus there was Heart to consider. I needed to get back to her and fast. With his headphones masking my steps, I looked in to see them at his bedside table.
In-fact, next to the youth on the beside, were our comms, along with my saber and her glaive. However, as I went to grab them, the boy's eyes shot open. Jumping in his place, he rolled off the side of the bed, "What the heck are you doing here?!"
I gave a frustrated huff of a breath, before giving a shrug, "What do ya think, kid?"

I glanced at the items to sidestep closer to them, "Sorry, but I need to get back to her before it's too late."

Reaching for the items now, I did pause briefly, something in me attempting to say, "I get what you're goin' through. Maybe not the literal change of it...but jus' bein' what others don't want ya to be, or maybe the other way around for you? My family an' I fought over it a lot when I left to start my career...before my better one here. You can take the skills ya have an' put them to better use? Ya don't seem like ya want to jus' hunt, or you'd have attacked by now?"
Getting up from the other side of the bed, the young lupine starred at me, halfway between man and beast. However, unlike the others in his family, he didn't seem aggressive... but more defensive, "Look... man, it's complicated. You better just get out of here but leave the stuff behind... don't need an earful from my old man again."
"I can't kid, but I won't let him know. If it helps, I'll make sure he knows it wasn't your fault. It would be unfair to expect ya to catch a master thief when his prize is on the line," I assured while swiftly grabbing for the items and slipping on my comm. With a quick click,... I quickly found that clicking the button did not reward me. Looking it over, I found they had been tempered with. At least I had my saber though, and I tucked Heart's belongings into my pocket.

"You don't have to be like him, but I know it's complicated. Take these skills, an' make 'em your own. Accordin' to Heart's twin, you'd fit well in the music industry?" I ventured a smile while glancing at the horror rock posters he had up on his wall. "Or maybe you could even be a hero?"
The youth paused for a moment, looking out the window before taking a deep breath... and turning his back towards me, "Just get out of here... I'm planning on doing the same...once I find my sister..."
"I'll take the blame," I promised, "In fact, I'll buy ya some time."

With that I headed right for the front door, and went on out. I started running forward, taking a slight right to hopefully draw the father towards me if he was still close by. Taking this chance, the boy went to grab his backpack, crammed his stuff into it, and with it slung over his shoulders, dashed into the woods, beating his feet while I went on ahead.
I kept running, purposely moving through brush a bit louder than I would have liked. As I did, I listened carefully to my surroundings for any approaching steps.
As I noisily rushed through the woods, shortly I would be cut off by the hulking figure of the father wolf. Grinning wide, showing off his big, long teeth, he lumbered towards me, "And just where do you think you're going, little duck?"
I raised a brow at the remark to my size, but shrugged it off to draw my saber.

"Lookin' for Heart, of course," I stated while preparing to defend myself, "Did ya think I'd leave her behind?"

He smirked, as he came closer, dragging his claws on the nearby trees and tearing off strips of bark, "don't worry... she's in good hands... and she'll be one of us soon."
"Is that so?" I hissed while watching his movements closely, even in the dark, "Ya seem to imply she wasn't in good hands to begin with?"
Shaking his head, he stood before me, towering over me in his lupine hybrid form. His teeth barred, he showed off his razor sharp chompers. "It's more like... you couldn't protect her."
I glared up at him, un-phased by his height. However the bite of his words did sink in a bit. Heart was out there, keeping away from me, and had been so afraid. Yet I quickly gathered myself, knowing this would do little to help her now.

"Somehow I'll make it up to her, by findin' a way out of this with her," I stated boldly.
"Good luck with that," He would snarl, before raising his claw back, and then taking a quick yet powerful swipe at me.
As his claws clashed with my saber, he managed to knock me back a bit from the force behind his paw. I attempted to regain a better balance, and tried to plan my next move quickly. In this form he was much bulkier than before, his strength amplified by his monstrous frame. Yet speed wasn't a problem either with lupine legs to carry him. It was something I was recently familiar with I hated to remember. It was this realization that made me grimace as I thought of Heart going through a similar change, alone and afraid if she couldn't fend it off.

Forcing myself to shake this off, I braced for the next attack while figuring out a plan of some sort to try and find where Heart was. Hoping, "It's not too late, I'll find ya..."
Going for another strike, when I managed to blow this attack, it shoved me back several feet, my back lining up against a tree. Nearly frothing at the mouth, the wolf-man let out a cruel laugh, "Perhaps I'll just bite your head off, little bird? Save her the horror of hunting you down herself? Then once you're gone...we'll take good care of her."
"You'd have to catch me first!" I taunted while getting my footing steady, "An' I'm harder to knock down than ya think. Ya think I'm gonna leave her in your claws?" I held up my saber in warning.
Rearing his head back, the wolf man then snapped at me, his jaws coming to a close mere inches away from the tip of my bill, frothing spittle splattering on my face. I managed to hop back a bit, avoiding his jaws. As I did, I struck at it with the hilt of my saber to help knock him back. Then I slashed at his arm, giving me a slim chance to get by as I heard him lunging at me.
The brilliant blade cut into his flash, causing a surprising yelp to escape from his maw. As I took my chance to run, he howled after me, "Run while you can duck! When we get you, we're going to tear you limb from limb!"
He was at my heels as I tried to dart forward, hearing a swift jump . I landed harshly on the ground, twisting just enough onto my side as he had shoved me down. Looking up, I maintained my composure as I glared up into his feral eyes.
Taking his hand back, he smirked. "Any last words... duck? Perhaps about how you failed your girl? Or perhaps how you fell so easily for our trap? Or maybe how you can't even protect yourself?"
"Not at all what I was thinkin'!" I growled as I managed to get a hand free from under him. I used the other to try and shove him off of me, or at least keeping his jaws away from me.

"I was thinkin' how wrong your girl was...!" I managed a scoff to try and gain a few more seconds.
"You leave her out of this, or I'll tear every feather off of your body!" He bellowed out, looming over me.

"So protective? When she has to worry about reignin' ya in?" I dug in a little more as he grew angrier.
His vision going red, he then balled up his clawed fist, and struck me across the face, "You shut your beak! You know nothing about us!"
As I breathed through the sudden harsh pain in my face, I heard him then giving a particularly dark chuckle. Glancing up, I would notice how his teeth were like razors as he opened his maw to speak, "I doubt you could handle knowing either. Though it would be fun to see you try! You think you're so different right now? That you're not an animal at your core? Which is already funny seeing how you're a duck already! Your ideals and standards would be shredded to pieces!"

Rather than unease, I could feel a rush of fury emerging from my core as he laughed, "You see, those that can't handle this gift simply go feral, their minds lost to the fury and lunacy of the change. Rather than embracing what they've become, men are embraced by it!"

"Is that why she has to reign you in? Are you more beast than man at this point 'cause you can't handle it?" I questioned with contempt gripping my voice.

He gave a bit of a twisted chuckle, "Oh, I've always been this way...I'm just man enough to go after what I want! My girl understands that, and I provide for our family as she expects me to."

He then sneered, trying to push past my hand trying to keep his jaws away from my throat, "Now then, let's see how much animal you really have in you! I wonder if your real tastes will come to the forefront? You can't really be attracted to that scrawny thing you call a woman! You'll see how alike we really are despite our feathers and fur!"

"I'd never be anythin' like you, ya bloodthirsty dog!" I growled, before grasping for the rock I'd been reaching for, "If you're what a man is supposed to be, then I'll keep being a duck!"

With it in hand, I slammed it into the side of his head, striking his jaw with one swift strike to his temple. Letting out a pain howl, the wolf stumbled away, clutching his head as I scrambled to get away. Pulling out chunks out stone from his face, he snarled, "You're going to pay for that!"

As I scrambled to my feet, I snapped, "Heart will never have to worry about my eyes wanderin' from hers!"

With that I took off into the woods, knowing also that I had little time to waste. In the distance I could hear Heart with the mother and daughter.

Heart:

We had been wandering for a while now. The moonlight guiding us with a bit of light. In the distance I had heard a howl of pain break the silence, and then it had faded. My Heart raced in my chest to know that Duke seemed to be nowhere close. I wondered where he might have been while we continued our hunt for him. Unsure of how long I could keep this going.

Though as I walked alongside the mother and the returned daughter, I began to wonder over some things.

"Did he change you? Your alpha wolf, or husband?" I asked.
Letting out a chuckle, she shook her head. "Not quite.. in-fact, it's the other way around. I invited him to the pack.. he had the qualities a good alpha needs."
"Is that so?" I asked with a raised brow as I continued leading us through the woods.
"Indeed... cunning, smart, cut throat, and willing to take what he wants. Sometimes he can be a tad... greedy... but, he provides for the pack."
These things rattled around in my head. A slight smile curved my lips that twisted as I thought of the similarities and differences being brought to mind, "I suppose that makes sense...however, you seem bothered by a bit of that? What do you do when he wanders as you put it?"
Letting out a huff, she shook her head. "Oh.. he goes to clubs with the boys... but, he always comes back with his tail between his legs."
"I see..." I winced from discomfort.

I looked over my shoulder to see the cub following us, and was relieved to hear that she seemed unaware of this topic.

"You would think he had higher value in what family he has to protect? A devoted partner to give him such a gift to squander? I wonder...does he turn back around because you would know how to hunt him down?"
She let out a dark chuckle, as she turned around to me, "He is just a man still... it's in their nature. And you're darn right I'd hunt him down if he was stupid enough to run off."
"Maybe I was just lucky enough then..." I said under my breath as I thought of the drake I called my husband.
"Is he really worth chasing after?" I then questioned, "If he doesn't value what he has? I know love is complicated, but..." I was trying to choose my words carefully while listening to my surroundings, "Doesn't it bother your kids? They can't be blind to this?"

The longer this went, the more something in me fought.
She let out a huff, and shook her head, "You're too young to understand... we're all just animals. Deny it if you want, but deep within we're all beasts... my family just wear it on our skin."
"I understand plenty," I assured while looking up towards the moon, before something in the distance caught my attention.

Something that made my heart race as a pained snarling grew louder, "It seems the alpha is nearby?"
As we drew closer to the source of the noise, we would indeed find the father, clutching the side of his face.

"I'm going to rip him to bits!" He exclaimed, as his wife rushed to him.

I bit my lip to settle the jump in my heart that I felt.

Looking him over, she gave a scowl. "You wimp, he just hit you with a rock!"
I watched on in bewilderment to their interaction. Looking to the cub, I wondered how she felt about all of this. She looked more frightened than eager to hunt. In fact, she was ducking behind me a bit as her parents bickered over their lost prey.

"He got away?" I asked with an air of mischief in my voice, "Do you need help hunting him down?"
The two of them looked towards me, as they murmured between each other. I knew my timer was running out as something ran through my blood. Something that burned for me to find Duke.

The father looked down at the cub, "Go to the house, and get your brother."

With that, the girl rushed off into the woods. After she left, the couple turned towards me. "... lead the way," the wife said.
I listened carefully to the woods around us, every so often looking up at the moon as though it were pulling my attention to it as some heat in me continued to rise. Unease crept up my spine as it did, trying to maintain some sort of control. I picked up my pace, with the two following me still. It was getting quite late by this point.
The two would continue running on all fours as they let me the way to their prey. With the moon over head, their eyes glowed a brilliant yellow, keeping watch for the thief... and on me, I realized, just in case.
"Where are you...?" I asked...trailing off when I noticed the footprints on the ground. Mixed sets of three separate pairs , the smaller ones of the girl, and those of the brother, both running away after they'd come together in the middle. Running far from the house and us I realized. I slid my foot over it, silently erasing their steps as the two caught up. Then the third pair, more recently made, I was crouched down making sure the first two were covered when the wife and husband crept up at my sides.

"This way," I said quickly as though something had caught my attention.
The couple nodded, as they crept along side me. Looking around, the father snorted, "I don't see him.."
"He wouldn't let you see him until he was ready...Is he getting the better of you?" I taunted. I gave a bit of a smirk, "However, I always seem to find him...and this time will be no different..." I reasoned with them and myself, "And something tells me he's this way...!" I said this looking up through the canopy, with the moonlight showing through it. With this I started to try and get to my feet, stumbling a bit as a heat started to take hold of me, as though something in me were fighting for control. My heartbeat raced as I said with a growl in my voice, "Believe me...I want him found... !"
Letting out a huff, the matriarch rushed ahead of me as I tried to move forward, cutting me off.

"Stop it right there... you think you're smart? You think you can outwit us? We can smell him, you dumb child... one of us or not, such an attempt to trick us won't be allowed... Honey... help take out this trash, would you?"

At that, the husband darted up from behind me, raised up his claw, and slashed at my right shoulder. As he struck, I was knocked back onto the ground from the force of his paw behind his claws. Yet despite this, I quickly realized that there wasn't a gash in my shoulder as there should have been. Glancing at it, through the very torn fabric, I would see something shimmering in the moonlight, attached to my very skin I realized as I brushed a hand over it. The scales I'd had back on the island.. the ones we thought had been an attempt of some sort of trick by the mad doctor...were there once again. Like a plate of armor merging with my skin, they had deflected the claws with a defiant clash.

However, I didn't have time to focus on this as I looked up at the wolf looming over me. He gave a twisted sneer with his frothing maw open enough to show his sharpened teeth. A dark chuckle emerged with his growling voice, "I think I know exactly how I'll make that duck pay...!"
I still gave a light laugh, perhaps out of contempt, "Is that so?"
"It'll be satisfying to see him realize you're both nothing but prey compared to us, and he lacks the traits needed to prevent that!" She answered back, before joining with her husband on the attack, snapping and clawing at me.
As the two jumped at me, I managed to flip myself back, narrowly dodging their claws. In this motion I was able to get to my feet just in time as I heard from above, "Heart!"

I reached out and caught the base of my glaive as it was tossed down to me, the metallic base whistling through the night air. Quickly I activated the blade just as Duke jumped down after. We now stood back to back, blades drawn, and ready.

"You sure about that?!" I said to the mother wolf, "Loyal, clever, brave, confident, and the skills to back it up. Keep chasing your wandering wolf, I'll stick by my drake!"
The bestial couple growled, before going at the two, claws and fangs flying as they attempted to maul the two of us.

"You both will feed the family! We'll tear you to shreds!" The husband yelled, as they attacked.
"The family, huh?" Duke taunted from behind me still as he faced him, "You're actually aware of them? Or do ya mean jus' throwin' them some bones hot scraps while ya take care of yourself first?"

While we fought, blades met with claws. It was a careful dance of keeping the other covered and fighting at the same time. The two would keep up with their barrage, forgoing banter for pure animal fury. As they fought, the more bestial and brutish they became, pushing us further back into the other with each strike.
"Come on duck... you just picked up the scraps yourself, and there she is by your side! Can't even find somebody of your own species... how pathetic!" The husband then snarked, before swinging his massive paw and slamming the drake behind me into a tree at our side.

Duke:
My back buckled from the impact, and I let out a bit of yell from the harsh pain of it.
"Duke!" I heard Heart cry as she managed to block the attack of the other werewolf.
Her voice rang through my core, drawing me to glance over at her as she fought to reach me. Despite the lingering harsh words in the air, she didn't care. To this, I gave a confident smile as I found my footing and managed to shove him off of me. I then swung my saber, cutting his shoulder, to knock him back a bit more.

"You're jus' a hungry dog that your wife has to keep track of! Why do I need to look around when I have her lookin' at me?"

I started pushing him back more and more, until I was standing in the center of the grove we'd been fighting in. As I did, I would feel Heart fall against me as she was knocked back a bit by the mother wolf. My lean frame and steady stance provided enough support for her to stand, giving me the push to do the same. For a brief moment we felt for the other, our fingers lacing to give a quick check that the other was okay.
The wife, turning her attention from Heart, rushed into strike at me now as she realized what I'd said, "Don't you talk to my man like that!"

With her taking me, the husband would go after Heart, swiping at her now, "Stupid girl! You could've joined our family! Well, you'll serve us still, as our dinner!"
We both blocked the claws attempting to reach us. With both of us turning in an odd dance, as we defended the other from the onslaught.

Heart blocked another swipe of the mother's claws as we turned again, pushing her back a bit, "Wouldn't you rather have someone at your side than worrying over keeping him attached?" While I shoved the husband back once more, "Heart has a better chance of growin' feathers than she does bein' anythin' like you!"

With these words, and one more lunge we managed to shove them both back, and we would hear two sudden snaps as the traps I'd set up were triggered, pulling them both up into nets of cord and thick ropes I had found in the shed while Heart kept them wandering about.

Caught up in the net, the two would struggle and fight, snarling as they attempted to break free.

"Darn it! How dare you?! Just wait until we get out of here!" He exclaimed, as he grabbed the cords and shook it violently.

"I swear, we'll make you both pay!" The wife screeched, as she chewed at the ropes.

"Get in line," I half scoffed as I turned back to Heart.

She was catching her breath a bit, steadying her stance as she did. From how close I was, I could see the sweat on her brow from the fight, as well as her struggle from within. I wondered if her own magic has essentially forced it out. For as we stood there in the moonlight, I could see the scales from before, their metallic sheen glowing from the soft light washing over us.

At least what was left of the moonlight.
For the first signs of morning light appearing ahead. While behind us, a set of lights screamed for our attention. Turning around we saw Phil's headlights bursting through the woods and charging towards us. Beside it was a police car, with it's lights flashing in warning to anything that got in it's way. The tires of both screeched to a halt when we were caught in their sights.

"Duke! Heart! Thank heavens!" Phil exclaimed as he hurried out of his baby blue and white painted vehicle.

"Phil?" I asked in disbelief as he approached us with clear worry in his eyes.

"We've been looking for you all night!" he said in exasperation.

By now Kleghorn was getting out of his car, but checking on someone in the back of Phil's car I realized. Looking over, I would see the two kids. Both looked really anxious about being brought back this way, especially when they met the eyes of their parents. With the moonlight leaving them, the two now reverted back to their even stranger selves, still growling in a wild fury to get out of their own nets.

"It's okay, kids, we'll figure something out," the officer assured them in a considerably comforting tone.

"You lead them to us?!" the mother exclaimed, "How could you do this?!"

"We don't want to be monsters!" the daughter shouted back, "I don't like hurting people like Miss Heart, and Mr. Duke!"

"We want to do something more than hunt to just eat! There's better things to do, and easier ways of getting a meal!" the son backed her up quickly.

"You're just a coward, boy!" the father snarled, "Hard to believe you're my own flesh and blood!"

"This is crazy..." Phil said with shock in his eyes, "They seemed so...neighborly!"

"They just don't like to lose," I shrugged, beyond irritated by now.

I looked to Heart, who gave a knowing nod as she went over with Phil to talk to the kids. Meanwhile I assisted an officer for once in making sure his culprits didn't escape when we released them one by one. He began reading them their rights while arresting them one at a time and making sure they were secure in the car. The two continued to bombard their kids with vicious insults, especially the father to his son. The mother seemed more disappointed, maybe even betrayed. For she fairly quickly fell into silence, taking in the reality of having pushed her own children away. The father was already disowning them, which was a surprise to no one by this point.

"Did I say you have a right to remain silent?" Kleghorn insisted while nearly slamming the door shut once the father was secure.

As the morning light grew brighter, I would catch another glare from the father through the window, but just shook my head in response.

"What about the kids?" I asked the captain.

"We'll have to figure that out, but they'll be safe at least," he confirmed.

"I might be able to pull some strings to give them a better home life, and together," Phil offered, "Let me make some calls. Their both really smart, maybe unbridled technologies could be a connection for them?"

"Please do whatever ya can, Phil," I requested.

"Of course, now let's get you two home," Phil said with a relieved smile breaking through.

I couldn't help but give a light smile of my own as I realized he'd probably been terrified by all of this. Yet here he was, pulling through.

"I wonder why they left you behind?" Heart then asked from beside the kid.

"They were hoping he'd alert the others and lure them in for another hunt," the son stated from the back seat, his arms folded rigidly over his chest, "I told them that was dumb if they were out of town."

"They also said he wasn't healthy to eat," the girl blurted out before covering her mouth, "Sorry!"

Phil gave a good natured laugh, "Well, I guess that worked in my favor for once."

I then looked to the son as the police car was driving off. The unease in both kids was felt to my core. With a heavy sigh, I attempted, "Ya don't have to be like them. My father was never around, an' died before I could meet 'em..."

I caught Heart's eyes flashing with empathy at this. Still I pushed forward and said, "I was told I'm a bit like him...but I always made my own decisions on who I'd be...even if my parents didn't want it. You can do the same."

"You both have an incredible gift, and should use it as one...but we know it won't be easy," Heart chimed in gently.

"We just wanted to get away from this," Frederick said with frustration and relief clashing in his eyes, "We thought...I thought if I could protect my sister from them...then it would work out somehow...but I didn't know how to do it..."

"Well, at least this game helped in that then," I said while patting his shoulder, "An' you did the right thing, even if it was hard to do."

"Thanks...I guess...?"

"I know it's probably confusing right now, but things will get better," Heart insisted.

"Can...can we still come to a game?" he then asked, "I really was looking forward to that...even if I knew it probably wasn't going to happen."

"We'll do ya one better, we'll get ya passes so you can come any time," I promised.

"Really?!" the daughter exclaimed with eyes as wide as her brother's.

We both gave a nod as Heart assured, "It's a house warming gift, remember?"

With that we got in the back of the car with them as Phil took the front. I offered Frederick to sit up in the front passenger seat, to which he was very pleased to do. As we headed for home, we began talking with the kids about their true interests and ways our teammates may be able to help them grow away from what their parents wished for them. Even if it was small steps here and there.

After a while, the two drifted off however after such a long, eventful night. As the morning light found us still driving along the highway back towards home, I glanced over at the young woman now watching the sunrise. With the brilliant display of pinks, oranges, and yellows blending together before us, it seemed to calm her fears from the night we'd just survived. At least most of them. For I then noticed those scales she'd had washing away for the moment it seemed. As though she knew this, Heart looked to me, our eyes meeting in their quiet gaze.

I wondered what these scales meant for her, and what they would bring upon us. Something in my core told me that they had saved her from the bite's curse, but we didn't know what they were replacing it with. Tension tried to claim us as we both seemed to be worrying over this. Until, that is, I reached over and rested a hand against her cheek. My thumb traced the scar beneath her right eye, the one she never had an answer for; along with the other at her side.

Then I offered a steady, sweet smile to her, attempting to reassure her without drawing unwanted attention from our manager still driving with a hum in his throat. This seemed to be enough for the moment, for a light smile began to curve her lips, and relief touched those sapphires of hers. Seeing this, I gave a subtle nod, as if trying to say, "We'll get through it."

Without words, I heard her clear answer in my head, "I trust you."

My own smile strengthened with hers as she then turned her attention back to the sunset. As she did, she would lean her head against my shoulder, being careful not to bump or squish the young child sitting between us. Before long I would hear her breath shifting as she gave into her lingering fatigue, and drifted off to sleep. With my head tilted to rest against hers, I followed suit. Telling the other, we would be able to pull the other out of any uncertainty trying to rip us apart, as long as we could in some way meet eye to eye.