"Why are we practicing now?", Nosedive asked as the ducks skated around the rink for the fourth time, "The new sports season doesn't start til August."
Wildwing kept his eyes forward.
"All the more reason to get back into shape.", he answered, "We won the Stanley cup, but just barely. We need to keep ourselves in top condition since the teams Phil is having us play are quite the athletes."
Canard rolled his eyes.
"Oh yeah, the pre-season game he's advertising so that he'll get a huge payout. Is there nothing Phil won't have us do to make a quick buck?"
"Canard, you don't know the half of it.", Duke said, "Like the one time he had us pose for fashion magazine."
"And don't get me started on the Food in a Boot gig.", Mallory scorned, "That was one of the most humiliating shoots I had to go through."
"Not to mention the food wasn't all that good.", Nosedive put in, "I had one slice and wanted to spit it out."
"I found it difficult to find my inner anchovy.", Grin said in a bored tone.
Wildwing tried not to let it get to him.
"Hey, Phil may have some ideas we don't agree with, but it wasn't all bad."
Nosedive nodded as the team turned a corner.
"Yeah, that fashion line was pretty styling. I even got a cool watch out of it."
"And that time he had me star on the cover of Slick magazine was a bonus.", Duke put in.
"And the one time he let me be interviewed for Science Monthly.", Tanya put in.
As they continued their laps, Morpha was nearby trying to shift into a set of cheerleaders, but clearly was having difficulty. Thrash and Mookie came over as it shifted back into it's dog form and it's blue color points turned a darker shade of blue signifying it was feeling down in the dumps.
"Hey, why so blue morphing dude?", Thrash asked as he adjusted his glasses.
"I think Morpha is feeling a little down cause it can't do that five cheerleader form like it used to.", Mookie guessed.
Morpha looked up at her and nodded, but it's coloring didn't change. Thrash then smiled and snapped his fingers.
"Hey, why not me and Mook here help cheer lead with you?", he asked Morpha, "If you focus on only one body, it'll be easier for you to change and keep up appearances."
Morpha's dark blue coloring changed to yellow in an instant and it's tail wagged which was a sign saying that it felt up for the idea.
/
A couple hours later, the ducks hit the showers. Wildwing noticed Nosedive massaging his throat and looking concerned.
"You okay baby bro?", Wildwing asked.
Nosedive looked his way.
"I'm just a little shaken over what happened a couple episodes ago.", he answered(breaking the fourth wall again).
"Hey, you didn't know that those lizards had some way to steal spells from us.", he said reassuringly, "It caught me off guard too."
"Yeah, but I really liked that sound so when they took it, I felt like I was loosing part of myself with it."
Canard couldn't help but overhear and came over.
"That's how enchantium works.", he said placing a hand on Nosedive's shoulder, "When you've been with a spell long enough, it becomes just that. It's hard to give up, but at the same time you know you can't keep it."
Nosedive looked Canard in the eye.
"Did that ever happen to you?"
Canard's expression softened.
"Yeah, I got snared by a couple saurian assassins once. Paralyzed my Aura spell and when it happened, I felt so lost and scared like I lost a best friend. Even though I regained it later on, the event still haunted me for at least a week til I got over it."
He paused for Nosedive to take it all in.
"That's when I learned my real strength isn't in my magic, it was in me."
Nosedive looked better.
"Thanks. I needed that."
Canard smiled back.
"See you on the mats. Your combat training is overdue."
As Canard left, Wildwing came over to help Nosedive walk to the dojo.
"Hey Wing, you think I can match Canard this time?"
Wildwing gave a smile.
"Sure you can. As long as you keep at it, you'll be fine."
/
Mallory and Duke went head to head in sword fighting and clearly they were at a stand still.
"Nice moves sweetheart.", Duke commented as he deflected a swing at his side.
Mallory didn't share his optimism.
"This isn't suppose to be fun.", she said firmly as she managed to catch Duke's saber in midair, "We're sharpening our skill for when those lizards show up again."
Duke raised an eyebrow.
"Sounds like you and Canard share the same ideals, but clearly Canard has learned to accept what he has."
Mallory must have taken that offensively cause Duke son found himself under pressure as Mallory's attacks got more intense. Her Sword spell seemed to glow fiercely and she was looking less and less feeling and more savage which made Duke a little bit scared. Luckily Grin intervened by using Freeze to hold both ducks apart.
"Do not let your emotions drive your actions as it will lead to defeat.", he said sagely.
Mallory took a few breaths and Sword dimmed back to it's original glow before fading.
"Sorry Duke.", she said, " I didn't mean to go that far, but I didn't like what you said."
Duke took a couple breathers too and looked her way apologetically.
"I'm sorry too. I shouldn't be so inconsiderate of my team's feelings."
Grin smiled as Freeze defrosted and it's captives gained mobility again. Duke and Mallory looked over at the other side of the dojo to see Canard and Nosedive working on hand to hand combat and Canard was clearly having the upper hand, but he was teaching very well cause Nosedive was holding his own. Finally, they backed away from each other, but Canard was barely breathing while Nosedive was clearly winded.
"Well, you managed to almost hit my side that time.", Canard said as he wiped his brow, "But you're still lacking."
Nosedive looked disappointed, but said nothing.
"Still, one can't rush things.", Canard said handing Nosedive a glass of water, "You're getting better though so that's something."
Nosedive felt a little better as he drank the glass of water.
"Yeah, but I'm still getting the wind knocked out of me."
Canard placed a hand on Nosedive's shoulder.
"Don't let it get to you. You'll understand soon enough."
They got off the mats and met up with Duke and Mallory.
"So how's sword training?", he asked.
"It's getting there.", Duke answered, "Although Mal here almost lost herself again."
Canard looked thoughtful.
"At least I managed to restrain myself.", Mallory said defending herself.
"Maybe.", Canard said calmly, "But we'll keep this encounter in mind and see if we can find out how it works."
/
Charyus ran his claws across the freshly cut grass and felt the early morning breeze as the sun shone overhead.
"Okay, so a few of my plans went sour, but all in all, original idea still on track."
He seated himself as his wings kept him afloat.
"What to do about my duck-Earth conundrum?"
At that moment, he felt a force in the air. Something was up, but what was it? He warped back inside the Raptor just in time to be met up with Dragaunus who was at the control panel with Siege and Wraith. The monitor showed a museum downtown in Anaheim and Charyus knew right away what it was.
"So it surfaced again as I predicted."
Dragaunus looked his way coldly.
"If this enchantium is as powerful as you say, won't the ducks get wind of it also?"
Charyus' smile didn't fade.
"All the more reason to obtain it."
Siege pulled out an improved blaster rifle and looked determined.
"Just get me a war tank and we'll fry those birds into cinders."
"May I suggest a more deceitful tactic?", Wraith suggested, "Our last encounter almost worked except that pet of the ducks turned into that monster that made us retreat."
Dragaunus' expression darkened.
"Pretorius!"
Wally came in and his frill went up and down a few times.
"Yes?", he asked.
"You designed this thing.", Dragaunus said coldly pressing a button on the dash and the screen now showed Morpha in it's goo monster form, "Tell me you have something that can bring that thing to heel."
Pretorius scratched his head.
"Well, I've been working on this new splicing experiment in the lab and with the proper execution, I believe that it will provide us with an advantage."
Dragaunus smiled.
"If it destroys and brings this planet to submission, take it with you and Siege as you investigate this spike in enchantium power."
Siege followed Pretorius out, but Wraith looked unsure.
"I foresee disaster for us."
Charyus looked his way.
"Then you should accompany them just in case."
/
Phil was going over his planner as the Migrator drove down the street heading for the museum.
"Phil, why do we have to wear this junk?", Canard asked a little bit peeved.
"It's middle eastern wear.", Phil answered, "I got you guys on a photo shoot for the new Middle East exhibit at the Museum of Natural History today and I'm not rescheduling this one."
The ducks groaned, well, not quite everyone.
"Does this vest bring out my eyes or what?"
They turned to see Nosedive had already changed his attire to the robes and sandals and clearly working it.
"Is there anything he won't do at these things?", Mallory asked rolling her eyes.
Grin was feeling a little down too.
"This cotton is causing mys skin to get itchy.", he grumbled as he scratched under the silk hood.
Phil pulled up around the back entrance where an entire camera crew was getting their equipment.
"We're here.", Phil said smiling.
The others groaned as Phil led them through the door and to the new exhibit where the shoot was placed and the museum director was waiting although he looked a little surprised to see Phil.
"So Phil, it looks like you're sporting the duck surgery that's been going around."
Phil blushed.
"Well, it's time to get this shoot underway."
The ducks who weren't changed did so, though they felt most reluctant. Finally, the camera crew was set and the cameras went flashing.
"Yeah, give that mysterious look the old nomads gave. Oh yeah, hold that pose. Can we get a different angle on that shot?"
Canard couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed. But when the ducks felt a rumble coming on, they felt a little relieved. It was only confirmed when a large tank like machine crashed through the wall and caused pedestrians to flee.
"Finally.", Wildwing sighed.
The ducks instantly changed into battle gear just as the tank opened fire.
Phil ran for cover, only to have part of a wall fall on him. Luckily he wasn't hurt, but at least he was out of harm's way. The tank opened a hatch on the front and something was stirring inside of it.
"Okay, what is coming out?", Duke asked with his saber at the ready.
Nosedive got a glimpse inside and turned to Wildwing.
"Hey you know what you get when you cross a cobra and a jellyfish?"
Wildwing looked more than a little disturbed.
"Not really."
Out of the hatch came a multitude of transparent tentacles followed by a bloated transparent body with cobra heads out of the top. It was certainly a combination of a jelly fish and a cobra. One of the heads reared up and launched a spray of poison which made the ducks split. Wraith and Siege watched with glee from inside.
"Am I a genius or what?", Pretorius asked.
"Just get out there and find that spell.", Siege told him, "We got everything covered here."
Pretorius made his way out the side hoping nobody saw him. He noticed his creation get sliced only to multiply and make more of itself. Pretorius made his way into the display of middle east artifacts and whipped out a scanner.
"Now, where is it?", he muttered as he slowly made his way around.
Over the sounds of battle, his scanner made a beeping sound so he headed in that direction and came to a display of statues. One of them had what looked like an oil lamp in it's hands and Pretorius frowned.
"This is an enchantium?", he asked doubtfully.
Before he did anything, Phil had stumbled in and had placed his hand on a display only to knock it over and the statues soon followed. Pretorius had gotten out of the way, but he saw the tank was about to blow so he activated his teleporter and was out of there. Phil noticed the oil lamp and not thinking straight, he picked it up and had hit the floor just as the tank blew apart. Luckily nobody was hurt, but the giant hole in the wall and mostly destroyed room was cause for concern. When the director checked the artifacts, they were all unharmed miraculously. The ducks were obviously worn down, but they'll be fine. They noticed Phil rubbing the oil lamp in his hand hoping to get the dust off only for the lamp to glow and become brass with a glowing gem on the lid. Before anyone could do anything, Phil was sucked into the lamp and it fell to the floor. Canard came over and after picking up the lamp, turned to the others.
"We need to get to the Pond. Now."
/
Back at the Pond, the ducks placed the lamp that trapped Phil on the table.
"Is this a spell?", Mallory asked skeptically.
Canard's expression hardened.
"I've heard of this, but I've never officially seen one."
"What?", Wildwing asked, "What spell is this?"
Canard rubbed the lamp, and this time Phil appeared only he was wearing a vest, gold shackles on his wrists, and a flowing wisp of air where his legs would be.
"Okay, what's going on?", Phil asked as he examined himself, "Why am I floating? Where are my legs? And why am I wearing shackles?"
The ducks could see he was overwhelmed by this, but Canard came forward.
"Phil, you're a genie."
Nosedive's eyes lit up.
"You mean, like he has phenomenal cosmic power?", he asked excitedly.
He reached for the lamp, but Canard got there first.
"Careful.", he warned, "Wishing is a dangerous thing. What seems like an okay thing to wish for usually backfires in a big way."
Phil whistled.
"Hello, I want out of this outfit here."
Nosedive took this moment to get the lamp and rub it.
"Fine Phil. I wish you free."
Canard's eyes widened.
"Dive!"
Unfortunately, a swirl of colored wind whipped around Phil and as it lifted, Phil was back to normal, but now Nosedive was wearing silk pantaloons, a violet silk vest and the same shackles Phil was wearing.
"Like I said.", Canard told the others, "Wishing is dangerous."
Mallory was clearly fed up.
"Then I suggest that we wish the lamp was hidden away so that-"
She was cut off cause the lamp sucked Nosedive back in and vanished the moment he did.
"Way to go Mal.", Duke said firmly, "Now one of our teammates is trapped in a lamp and is who knows where."
He and Mallory were about to start a rumble, but Grin and Tanya held them both back.
"Stop arguing. Both of you.", Wildwing said firmly, "We need to find that lamp before Charyus does."
That got everyone's attention.
To be continued...
