(A/N: I do not own Duck Dodgers or Looney Tunes. That right belongs to Warner Bros.)
A week had passed since Dodgers and the Queen had been formally engaged. While the news of the two back together went by quick, the news of their engagement spread like wildfire. Of course, the Queen's announcement was enough to spread it all across Mars and through the grapevine, the Galactic Protectorate had heard the news as well and from there, it spread across the galaxy that the Queen was getting married...again (Or at least planning on one again considering the fact that the other two times she attempted to get married didn't go anywhere).
Of course, Dodgers had to send his resignation to the Protectorate. The Captain had figured that I.Q. would be in tears at the thought of losing his best Captain (At least in his mind) but to tell the truth, he seemed quite happy. Happy for Dodgers, happy for peace with Mars or happy that he didn't have to deal with Dodgers on a regular basis anymore, no one could tell but no one bothered to ask. Dodgers like to imagine it was a combination of the first two choices.
Speaking of peace with Mars, I.Q. had been in frequent contact with the Queen since then and she had agreed that given the circumstances, it would be best for Earth and Mars to renegotiate a new peace treaty. They had a formal ceremony at the headquarters of the Galactic Protectorate.
*At the Ceremony*
The President and and Tyr'ahnee had signed their names onto the treaty and shook hands.
"Why thank you very much for agreeing to reinstate our treaty, your majesty. I hope our two worlds can live in peace with each other from now on" The President had said with a big smile on his face, knowing that this treaty could very well secure him a second term. It seemed that seemed of more importance to him above all else. After all, he was a politician….
"Yes, I do as well. After all, I couldn't very well continue being at war with Earth while proceeding with my marriage to one of your Captains" Tyr'ahnee said in a gratifying manner.
"Of course and congratulations as well. I wish you and Captain Dodgers a long and happy marriage...and good luck" The President said, cheekily at the end. The two of them shared a laugh.
Nearby, Dodgers and Cadet were standing side by side. Cadet was in his usual purple uniform while Dodgers was sporting Martian armor on his chest and legs. After all, now that he was going to be an official from Mars, he had to show it.
"Well Cadet...itsh been a heck of a ride but ash we know, good thingsh musht come to an end" Dodgers said, looking at the Cadet.
"I k-k-k-know, sir. It's been my u-u-utmost pleasure to be at your side throughout these y-years" Cadet said.
"Well just remember to try to keep old I.Q. there under control. I think he's taking me leaving more than anyone else" Dodgers said.
Cadet started to sweat a little bit from nervousness and decided to play along with the former Captain and not tell him about the fact that I.Q. had a party the other day about Dodgers formally leaving the Protectorate.
"U-u-u-uh, yes sir, Cap'n. I-I-I'll be sure to do that" Cadet said with a cheesy smile and salute.
Dodgers gave a nod and patted the Cadet and walked over to Tyr'ahnee who, along with the President, had just finished the ceremony. The two of them formally sealed the newly developed peace with a kiss.
*Present*
It seemed as if everyone was benefiting from the future wedding of Dodgers and the Queen...well, almost everyone.
The former Commander of the Martian Empire, X-2, had heard the news of their engagement. The news was so big, it even spread to the Dungeons of the palace of Mars. The former Commander couldn't have been more heartbroken and discouraged. Why just a few weeks ago, he was on top of the world. Commander of the entire Martian army, he had just captured his mortal enemy and he believed he was getting closer to his Queen. Now, he was stripped of his title, his enemy was marrying the person he'd loved for years and he would soon be King of Mars. How things could change so drastically and so quickly had never ceased to amaze the small Martian.
Now he was awaiting punishment in the Dungeons of Mars and he was fearing for the worst. After the Queen looked at him with that venomous glare that he had never seen before a week ago while sending Dodgers off for care, he was practically expecting to be given the death penalty. The more he continued to wait, the more his nerves got to him. Despite this, however, his sadness greatly outweighed his fear despite what one could tell from his facial expressions.
During one afternoon, while he was just sitting in his cell, two Centurions passed by and banged on the cell door. X-2 looked up and saw the robot looking over him.
"Commander…the Queen has ordered for me to take you to her for...sentencing" One robot said.
X-2 sighed. Time to face the music, he thought.
The robot unlocked the cell door and the Commander walked out of the cell. One robot guard then proceeded to chain his arms and legs. X-2 didn't show any emotion to these actions.
"I'm sorry, Commander. For what it's worth, whatever happens, you were a great leader" The robot said, sincerely.
"Thanks" X-2 said although it didn't make him feel any better.
The robots lifted him by his arms and started to carry him to the throne room. All the way to the palace halls, he was given looks by all who was around. X-2 felt embarrassed. He'd never been so shamed, not even when he was forced to be Dodger's slave for a short time.
The shameful walk continued until the robots carried him into the throne room. Inside, the Queen (Beautiful as ever) sat on her throne with her legs crossed. By her side, Dodgers stood in royal Martian robes. X-2 in normal circumstances would've given a glare to Dodgers being in the position he was in but now there was no point. It was over for him.
The Centurions dropped him a few feet away from the throne room.
"Guards! Leave us" Tyr'ahnee ordered.
"Yes, your majesty" They both said simultaneously and hovered to the door.
They were soon gone from the room, the throne room doors leaving a large bang behind the former Commander.
"...You know why you're here, Commander" Tyr'ahnee said.
"Yes. I do, your majesty" X-2 said.
"You lied to me, you interfered with my wedding, you practically committed treason but the one thing that upsets me most is you hurt the one I love" Tyr'ahnee said, giving a longing glance to Dodgers.
X-2 gave a deep sigh, remembering the short time back when she would've described him in such manner. Now it was a thing of the past, it seemed.
"Do you have anything to say for yourself?" Tyr'ahnee questioned, turning her attention back to X-2.
The said Martian shook his head.
"No I don't, your majesty" X-2 said, still emotionless.
"Nothing at all?" Tyr'ahnee asked, glaring at him for his cowardice.
X-2 sighed and looked to the ground with a sorrowful look on his face. "I only did what I did because I loved you, my Queen and have since the day we met. I know what I did was wrong and if I had to do it over, I wouldn't do it at all. However, now it's too late and I'll accept whatever punishment you deem best for me"
"Somewhat admirable…however, given the circumstances, I feel that it is best for the future King to decide your fate. He was your victim, after all" Tyr'ahnee declared.
She turned to Dodgers and nodded.
"Whatever you decide will be his fate, my darling. He is completely at your will" Tyr'ahnee said.
Dodgers nodded and gave her a kiss on the cheek (Which she rubbed affectionately). The former Captain of the Galactic Protectorate walked down the steps to the throne to X-2.
He looked down to X-2. He looked completely and emotionally broken.
Dodgers didn't really know how to explain it. Anyone else would have sentenced the small Martian to rot in jail for the rest of his life...or worse. However but for whatever reason, Dodgers could not bring himself to say such words.
He wouldn't admit it but he secretly thought of the Commander as a friend. Yes, they did butt heads from time to time but there was always this relationship Dodgers felt between the two that was more than just common rivals. Even when he was brought to his death, he didn't have the heart to go down to his level...actually, he couldn't even if he wanted to. He was really short.
"Well, darling...what will it be?" Tyr'ahnee asked her future husband.
Dodgers raised an eyebrow and after giving a sigh, he finally spoke up.
"You know what, babe?...I think hesh shuffered enough" Dodgers said.
Both the Queen and X-2 raised their heads.
"What do you mean, darling?" Tyr'ahnee, shocked to hear this from him.
"I think hesh had enough torture for a little while, babe. Itsh beneath me to rub more shalt in the wound?" Dodgers asked.
X-2 couldn't believe what he was hearing. This couldn't be the same Dodgers that he'd known for years. The one he'd constantly been at ends with, the one whose missions he'd constantly try to ruin, the one who he'd had just tortured just a few days ago for crying out loud!
"Darling, are...are you sure? After everything he did to you? You don't want to inflict any other sort of punishment on him?" Tyr'ahnee asked with an eyebrow raised.
"Yeah, I'm shure, hon. I'm not that kinda duck. Jusht let him go" Dodgers said, giving his love a sincere look.
Tyr'ahnee was disappointed. She was desperately hoping to back at the Commander for hurting her love. However, she wanted to respect her loves wishes so she, with great hesitation, complied with his wishes. She gave a stern look and looked at the former Commander.
"You have no idea how lucky you are...now thank your future king for his generosity" Tyr'ahnee ordered the former Commander.
Dodgers had to admit. That was something he would enjoy seeing. Just because he wasn't a sadist like X-2 doesn't mean he didn't enjoy seeing him in these types of situations.
X-2 on the one hand was overjoyed he would get to live but on the other he didn't for the love of him want to do something so degrading to his rival. However, it was the Queen's orders so he had no choice.
"...T...Th...thank…thank…" X-2 said, finding it desperately hard to spit out the words necessary for this scenario.
"Shpit it out, bub. You're sounding more like the Cadet" Dodgers said.
X-2 resisted the urge to glare at Dodgers and continued.
"...Thank you...your highness" X-2 said, just loud enough for both of them to hear.
"You're welcome" Dodgers said, nodding half-sincerely (The other half was too busy enjoying this).
"While you live to see another day, you will no longer be in command of the Martian Empire. You will resume your former position as the future king's slave" Tyr'ahnee said.
X-2's eyes shot up. "What?"
"Did I stutter, slave boy? Also, don't talk back to me. You're very lucky your head's still on your shoulders" Tyr'ahnee said.
X-2, overwhelmed with mixed emotions, just closed his eyes and nodded. "Yes, your majesty"
"Good. This meeting is concluded" Tyr'ahnee said. She got up from her throne and walked down the steps to her love.
"My sweet, I must attend a meeting with the Council. Will you wait for me?" Tyr'ahnee asked, lovingly.
Dodgers nodded with a smile. "Sure thing, hon"
Tyr'ahnee gave a loving look to him. She bent down to his level and nuzzled her face into his.
They stayed in that position for a long while, long enough for X-2 to get a long look at this. She gave a slight glare to Dodgers but was careful not to do it for too long otherwise the Queen might notice. Despite everything that had just happened in the past few days, he still loved her and hated Dodgers for constantly stealing her away.
After a while, the two lovers parted and Tyr'ahnee left the room without a second glance to X-2.
Dodgers and X-2 just stared at each other with X-2 having an awkward look on his face while Dodgers just gave a smile. Whether or not it was because he was greatly enjoying this or maybe he was happier they were on…'friendlier' terms, X-2 didn't know. It was probably a combination of both
"So...howsh about gettin' the future King some water, my friend. I am poshitively parched" Dodgers said.
X-2 just gave a slight glare. "Of course…sire"
He turned and began to walk to fulfill the needs of his new master...he could tell he was going to hate being his slave even more than the last time….