A/N: Hey guys! I'm back with another chapter in this short anthology. And before I start, I just wanted to thank those who've been reading and leaving reviews on this story. It means a lot to me!

Now, onto the author's note!

Y'see, I was originally working on TC and Huck, but every time I did, I ended up going right back to this idea I had for Touché and Dum-Dum. And this happened so consistently that I decided, "Screw it, I'll just finish this story up." And my buddy VK agreed that I should post this first, hence why you're getting this instead of T.C. & Huck.

Ricochet and Droop-a-Long, and Quick Draw and Baba Looey, will always be my top BroTPs, but I still absolutely adore the dynamic between Touché Turtle and Dum-Dum. Despite their opposite personalities and mental prowess (and Touché is quick to insult Dum-Dum every once in a while), there's no doubt that they're the "ride or die" type of friends. Dum-Dum would do anything for his pal Touché, and Touché values Dum-Dum's company a lot, though I'm willing to be some of his statements can be seen as posturing, haha!

Normally when I write this pair, Dum-Dum takes center stage, but here I've done my best to make sure both get the equal spotlight. Touché honestly took more of the spotlight when I was first writing it, but Dum-Dum ended up getting more scenes in the end as well, haha.

This is possibly the longest chapter in the story thus far (and I thought the Snooper and Blabber one was long!), and one of the darker ones. See the warnings below. So I hope you're not too squeamish before I ask you to grab whatever drink of choice you have, because it gets dark near the end some areas. Hopefully, not so dark you need a flashlight XD

Enjoy!

WARNINGS: Contains grisly violence, mentions of suicide, familial abuse, rape/sexual assault (though non-graphic), and mild swearing. You have been warned.

Disclaimer: Warner Bros made it very clear that I don't own Touché Turtle and Dum-Dum. And if this story is anything to go by, it's probably a good thing.

Story 4: Trial by Fire

Characters: Touché Turtle, Dum-Dum, Dirk Dugan (OC), Edith Liévre (OC), Angel (OC)

Universe: For Love and Glory Remastered verse (uses a lot of the same characters from the original, plus some new ones and new concepts. See bottom note for more details)

The countryside was a sea of fire.

The blue skies were long gone, now a dark amber mixed with muddy browns and yellows as fires raged the villages below. The king's castle, once a proud monument to the country's success, was no more than an empty husk, it too having been burned from the inside by the perpetrator. The screams had long since stopped-many had been consumed by the dragon's fire, and few had been able to escape the sudden onslaught with their lives, retreating into the cities where it was safer...for now at least.

One of those who had escaped walked towards the last remaining building: an elegant Gothic church that towered over most of the small homes in village. The multicolored glass windows shone a beam of iridescent light on the charred path, beckoning entry. A regular person would wonder why it remained unscathed. Others, far more religious, would be calling it a miracle, a sign from God.

Touché Turtle knew why this church still stood, and it had nothing to do with God.

No, it had everything to do with the Devil that stood on the altar, who dared to call herself such.

Resolutely, he marched towards the church, burning the sights and sounds around him to his memory. The bloodied, battered bodies of men, women and children scattered the streets. The shops and homes were reduced to their barest foundations. The horrified cries for help from the few survivors who remained, slowly but surely dying out.

Touché Turtle made sure to commit these to memory. He'd be sure to make the Devil pay her dues, even if it cost him his life.

As he stepped closer, his body became tense and his skin felt clammy. Lightning-hot heat seared across his head and he screwed his eyes shut, biting back a cry of pain. Geez...No matter how many times Edith prepared me for this, magical feedback is murder!

When it finally died down, he opened up his eyes, forcing his vision to refocus. If what Edith had told him was true, then what he'd just experienced meant there were two very powerful people in his building.

The first had to be the Devil that he needed to cast out of this place.

And the other...

His resolve steeling, Touché drew his sword. In place of his trust bent foil, he wielded a gold spadroon, elegantly designed with a red and blue gem encased in the guard. Both gems glowed intensely, and the golden blade shone in the dim, smoky light.

"Light the way, Devilsbane!" And with a swift, yet mighty swing, he severed the magical barrier surrounding the church. The earth trembled and shook, sending him to his knees from the force. Lightning crackled around him and the wind gusted, but the terrapin wouldn't be deterred. He stood his ground as the doors to the church were blown open, slamming against the walls.

The noise died down, and Touché rushed into the smoke cloud, stopping a few feet from the altar when he heard a low, rumbling laugh. He looked up to face his two targets.

The first was an older golden retriever, grey streaking across her face. Her orchid and black suit, with several military badges adorning her jacket, clung to her full figure. The purple, gold and black emblem on her sleeve gave her away as the highest ranking member of the Keeper's Collective, a Kings-keeper. She stood with a dignified air one would have expected from royalty: untouchable, unflappable, and demanding respect. A smile graced the old woman's maw. The Devil's smile.

Not breaking her gaze, she trailed her fingers trailed along the left shoulder of the second figure: an old English sheepdog who was leaning against the podium, his gaze focused on the ceiling above. His white coat was tattered and splattered with blood and smoke, and the skin underneath was lined with cuts. If he was in pain, he didn't show it, for his brown eyes were glazed over with a red glow. His jaw hung slack, and drool dribbled down his chin and onto a steady puddle on the floor. Atop his head was an elaborate gold and silver crown, adorned with all manner of jewels, all of which were glowing faintly and casting a similar red glow on his fur.

"Ah, Touché," the golden retriever started, her deep voice carrying a sick mirth upon seeing his glare. "I assume you want an audience with the Keeper, yes?"

"Angel," he growled out, brandishing his sword, "I'm going to give you exactly ten seconds to release Dum-Dum, or I'm going to release him from your control myself."

"And how do you plan on doing that?" Angel asked, a teasing lilt in her voice.

"Think hard," he ground out. "It'll come to you."

Angel chuckled. "My, is that how gentlemen treat ladies nowadays? For shame, Touché." Her smile dropped slightly. "Though I suppose this means we'll have to take you serious this time."

"Time's up," he snarled, and rushed forwards, his left hand drawn back to strike her full on. Anybody who laid a finger on his best friend was in for a world of pain, and he'd make sure she knew this.

His strike was halted, however, when he crashed into an invisible barrier. He flew backward, skidding along the charred floor on his shell. He looked up to see Dum-Dum standing in front of Angel, his right hand glowing with white power. Behind him, she was smirking, watching him get to his feet.

"Time's up for whom, exactly?" She turned towards her captive. "Keeper, if you will."

Dum-Dum lowered the barrier and drew his weapon-an ornate saber made of the finest steel, its pommel and handle brandished with the finest diamonds known to man. When Dum-Dum unsheathed it, the room was flooded with red light, contrasting against the blue glow that came from Devilsbane. This light caused heat to flood the room, and demanded respect and fear from all who basked in it.

Touché stared at it in shock. That's the Dugan family's sword, Oathkeeper! The story said it chooses its master, and can't be wielded easily...nor can it be controlled. If that's so, then how is-

The rush of air snapped him out of his thoughts. Touché spun to avoid Dum-Dum's charge, and then his subsequent downward swing. The sudden change forced him onto his shell, but at an angle where he could swing himself up again. He did so just in time to block his next strike. The blow was powerful, but Touché wouldn't allow himself to buckle here. He looked into his friend's glazed, reddened eyes, searching for a trace of the Dum-Dum he knew. Dum-Dum, please wake up!

His silent cry went unanswered, and Dum-Dum broke the lock, before charging in again. Letting out a yell of fury, Touché met him head on with a series of multiple thrusts. Dum-Dum parried each one before going on the offensive again, practically gliding on air as he did so.

This might be a challenge...but it's never stopped me before! Touché deflected Dum-Dum's next strike, before brandishing his sword again, muscles tense. "En garde!"

By way of an answer, Dum-Dum once again went on the offensive. Undeterred, Touché met each thrust, strike and swing with just as much intensity, pushing himself to the limit. Red and blue fire flew across the damaged walls as they dueled, both practically dancing on air. Metal crashes reverberated through the fire-damaged walls. Pews flew across the room, and deep trenches appeared in the foundations of the church as the strikes increased in intensity.

Atop the altar, the Devil watched the duel with a knowing smile.

Touché found himself getting unnerved. Dum-Dum hadn't been much of a slouch when it came to sabre (and Edith's lessons certainly helped him improve in that regard), but under Angel's possession, as well as wielding both the crown and Oathkeeper, he was proving to be more than a match for Touché himself. At this rate, someone was going to die.

He saw Angel's expression from the front, and he growled angrily. That's probably what she wanted: either for me to die at Dum-Dum's hands, or for me to kill him.

They broke their duel after a few minutes, Touché breathing heavily, while Dum-Dum looked like he'd hardly broken a sweat. How ironic.

"This has been a fun battle, but it's getting rather tiresome," Angel said. "Keeper, it's time we wrap things up here and head out."

"Dum-Dum," Touché breathed, desperation in his voice, "wake up. Please. I don't want to hurt you."

"A little late for that, Touché," Angel said. "You hurt him when you told him that the Dugan Clan's heirlooms were useless in a moron's hands."

Hearing his words thrown back at him made his blood boil, and filled his heart with regret. Him and his big mouth. "I know!" he snapped. "I know what I said to him was wrong! I didn't just hurt him. I destroyed him..."

"You admitted it. I'm almost impressed. But if I can be honest, you should've left him be. He's-"

"No." He glared at her. "Forgive me for saying this in a church, but there's no way in hell I'm giving up on Dum-Dum. I spent a month and a half searching for you two, and my mission is to bring him home. And if I die trying, so be it," he said. He brandished Devilsbane, his eyes narrowed. "At least I can die knowing that I made peace with my brother!"

Angel rolled her eyes. "Ugh. You just had to go there," she groaned. She waved him away dismissively. "Keeper, finish him."

She turned away for a moment...and then paused. An icy feeling had come over her veins, making her limbs feel like lead. She was no stranger to magical interruption, but the way things were now, this shouldn't have been possible.

Her mind raced. My power combined with the Dugan Crown should have silenced him completely-why is-?!

She spun around to see Touché staring at Dum-Dum with wide eyes. The sheepdog, his saber now lowered to his side, was shaking with sobs.

How the hell did he-?!

"Dum-Dum...?" Touché started, taking a small step forward. Dum-Dum's eyes had returned to normal, and were filling with tears. He actually had to concur with Angel here; the sudden change startled him, too. "Dum-Dum, can you hear me?"

"Y-You...y-you came for me." Shock filled Dum-Dum's voice as he spoke for the first time since they fought. "Y-You actually came...!"

Touché's heart soared, and he felt a lump form in his throat as he looked at his sidekick-nay, his brother. "Of course I did, Dum-Dum," he replied. "I-I...I'll always come to help you, no matter what. I never should've said what I said to you. I never should've...I-I'm sorry, Dum-Dum." He swallowed back a sob. The thought that he nearly lost his oldest, dearest friend because of his words was too much to bear. "I'm sorry..."

"Touché, don't-" Dum-Dum's eyes went wide, and then a horrible, anguished scream escaped his throat, one that sent gooseflesh up Touché's arms. His eyes were once again turning red, and his limbs were moving on their own accord, as though controlled by a wild puppeteer.

"DUM-DUM!" Touché shouted, looking past him to see Angel standing directly behind him, her right hand aimed at Dum-Dum's back, and glowing with red power. She looked almost half-crazed as she manipulated Dum-Dum into swinging his saber again, the blow nearly cutting off Touché's head.

"T-TOUCHÉ, R-RUN!" Dum-Dum screamed, his body moving against his will. "ANGEL, PLEASE STOP!"

His captor simply narrowed her glowing eyes, and poured more power into him, making him cry out in pain again and using her telekinesis to drag him to her side. She seized him by the scruff of his neck, bringing him close to her face. Her eyes were the color of hellfire.

"Not until you wrap things up here, Keeper!" Using her power to lift Dum-Dum off the floor, she turned that dangerous glare towards Touché. The sounds of Dum-Dum's strangled cries filled her with glee, glee she hadn't felt before nor since. "You called him your brother, didn't you? Now then...kill each other, as brothers have done from the beginning of time!"

"N-N-NO! I-I DON'T WANT-!" Dum-Dum's cry was cut off as her power reached his neck, cutting off his voice.

Angel's voice had dropped to a dangerous growl. "Finish him off, before I finish you off."

Devilsbane lit up with blue fire, clashing against the red coming from Oathkeeper. Touché Turtle, no longer stupefied with shock, gripped his weapon with both hands, red filling his vision and anger setting his blood alight.

"You monster..." Monster was too kind a word for her, and for half a second he didn't care that they were in a church. The Devil simply smiled back at him, increasing his fury. "You're practically begging for this!"

"Oh ho! What are you planning on doing with that, Touché?" Angel asked, her tone mocking. "You haven't even mastered its power yet!"

He didn't even bother to reply. Closing his eyes, he focused on the incantation that he'd learned from Edith, the one used to unleash just half of this sword's immense power. "Ethereal fire, tear a rift through the heavens, one that will strike fear and awe into my enemies!"

He felt some satisfaction at making Angel's eyes go wide. "No...that's-" The shock melded into an enraged, crazed look in her eyes. "THIS ENDS HERE AND NOW, TOUCHÉ TURTLE!"

"Indeed it does," Touché said, watching as she commandeered Dum-Dum. His limbs were growing heavy, but he was determined to see this through. "Keep a stiff upper lip, my old friend. I'm gonna get you out of this."

Dum-Dum lifted Oathkeeper into the air, which was covered with white and red light. Dum-Dum's eyes, flickering between bright red and brown, were filled with tears of desperation as he looked down at Touché. He struggled to move his left arm, trying and failing to keep his sword arm from moving on its own. "NO, TOUCHÉ, R-RUN! RUN AWAY!" he yelled. "R-RUN AWAY!"

"Not this time, old friend," Touché replied. "I promised myself that I'd bring you back...even if I die trying!"

Angel let out a cackling laugh as she swung her hand down...

...causing Dum-Dum's to swing down also.

Now, it's time to finish this.

"Pierce the darkness! Mystic Arte, Spiresbane Blade!"

Drawing his sword arm back, Touché thrust his blade forward, meeting Oathkeeper's attack head on. Sun-like heat flooded the room and a deafening explosion rocked the church, blowing the remaining structure into oblivion. Blue, red and white energy exploded outwards in a massive dome before dissipating into a mushroom cloud of smoke, which billowed out into the ruined streets. Onlookers would describe the sight as a clash between dying stars.

When the noise, and the light finally died down, Touché fell to his knees, his seemingly infinite strength having been depleted. He breathed heavily, the magical feedback numbing nearly every part of his body.

"TOUCHÉ!"

Dum-Dum...

Using the last of his strength, Touché raised his head to look up at Dum-Dum, who was standing in what used to be the altar of the church, his sword arm shaking--not from Angel's power, but from his sobs. He shook his head vehemently, horror distorting his features. "Oh no...what have I done? What have I done?!"

It seems my ploy worked, he thought, sending a silent thank you to whatever was watching him above. Oh, and terribly sorry about my language earlier. Hope that won't complicate things.

And then he slumped forward, all senses numbing out as he slipped into unconsciousness.

"NOOOOOOOOO!"

Shaking off the pain, Dum-Dum raced to Touché's side. With the Crown's power, he could see the extent of the magical feedback he'd endured, and the sight of his dark, splotchy skin made his heart seize. Kneeling on the ground, he picked up his fallen friend, taking care not to drop him as though he were a china doll. His eyes were screwed shut in a painful grimace, showing he hadn't gone out quietly.

No...Toosh, you can't be dead. I-I thought you was kiddin' about that whole "I'll die tryin'" bit! I didn't expect you to actually die! Oh gosh, this is all my fault, it's all my fault-!

Angel laughed, a scornful sound that made every cell in his body boil. "Well, that does it for the great Touché Turtle. I suppose I'll be having some turtle soup after all," she said. There was a loud clack as her boots clacked against the earth. "Dum-Dum, do stop being a little twat and come on. We have more places to go after all."

Dum-Dum didn't hear her, his gaze focused on Touché. Touché, who had taken him under his wing all those years ago to teach him the ways of the sword. Touché, who went through hellish training and a literal hellscape to apologize to him and bring him back. Touché, whom he loved like a brother and respected more than anybody-and who cared for him equally in return.

And this...this woman-he wouldn't dare call her by her name, after all the things she'd done to him and innocents-had the nerve to suggest something so cruel? After forcing him to kill his best friend?

Dum-Dum wasn't mad.

No, he was furious.

"DUM-DUM!"

A sliver of fire raced down his back, and he let out a cry of pain. "I will not have you disobey me! Collect his corpse and let's go! You sheepdogs are so damn sentimental, I swear-!" Angel yelled. She was using her powers again, trying to get him under her control.

Even thinking was a challenge. His head felt like it was being sucked into a vacuum, and holding on as hard as he could made it feel like it'd explode. He saw black spots at the edges of his eyes, a sign that he was losing the fight. Soon, Angel would have him under her thumb again, and he'd be back to watching himself attack innocent people, burn down a village or two.

He knew he needed to fight it, but it was getting hard. So unbearably hard...

In his struggle, he looked down at his hands...where Touché Turtle lay. His hero, his best friend, his brother. The only real family he'd had, whom he'd been forced to kill. Whom Angel had forced him to kill.

That's right. She did this. She forced me to kill him! My family! The closest thing I had to a brother out here!

Once that revelation came to mind, it wouldn't leave. Rather, it started to clear the fog that was coming over his mind...and bring anger to the surface.

She made me kill my family. She made me kill my family. My brother's dead because of her. She must pay. She must pay.

The anger grew, until it started to overpower that vacuum-like feeling. He held onto that mantra like a lifeline, each reverb filling him with both conviction and righteous fury.

She must pay! She must pay! SHE MUST PAY!

Dum-Dum shuddered again, but this time not out of anguish. He felt like his blood was boiling, and that his skin was unbearably hot. Sun-like heat rolled off his body as he got to his feet, Oathkeeper gripped tightly in one hand. The sword, which had been glowing with red light due to Angel's control, was starting to shine a brighter gold in response to its master's desire.

SHE MUST PAY! SHE MUST PAY! SHE MUST PAY!

Dum-Dum had made an oath two years ago when he'd become the Keeper of the Dugan Crown, where he'd sworn to not only take care of Lucre's Bluff and the areas beyond, but to also use his powers for good and not for evil, as his forebears had. He'd added one other oath: should any member of his entourage be harmed or killed, it was his duty, and right, as the Keeper to avenge them by eliminating the threat, especially if they had done similar things to innocents outside his circle.

Angel--no, the Devil--had done all this and worse. She had kidnapped him, tortured him, doing things to him that he wouldn't wish on his worst enemy. When she realized that she couldn't break him as easily as she thought, she used her powers to possess him. She forced him to use his powers against the people he'd swore he'd protect, resulting in the deaths of hundreds.

That alone should've brought about this fury. But the Devil didn't want to stop there. She decided to have him add Touché to his list of casualities. His best friend. His hero. His brother, who'd literally braved hell on earth to apologize for their fight, to bring him back.

It was time for the Devil to pay her dues.

"DUM-DUM!" Angel's roar was barely audible over the rushing of blood in his head, and the steady beating of his heart in time with the sword's. At this point, her power over him had literally evaporated, and every attempt at trying to regain control sent her to her knees from the feedback. She stared at him, eyes wild with anger and shock. "What the hell are you doing?!"

He didn't bother answering her. His mind mind up, he spoke to his charge, his voice taking on a deep, echoing timbre that shook the earth with its command:

"Heed my call, Oathkeeper!"

And then, blinding gold light and fire filled the field, enveloping both him and Angel, who screamed upon coming in contact with the light. She fell to her knees as its power licked away at her shields, burning part of her uniform. It flooded her bones, setting her nerves alight with pain. She held her ground, however, refusing to give in, even to this holy power.

When the light died down, she uncovered them, blinking away the white spots in her vision...

...and found herself staring into the sun.

Oathkeeper was blazing bright gold, and had extended to its full length, curving somewhat at the end, the blade white with heat. The jewels within the hilt and pommel of Oathkeeper, as well as the jewels on the Dugan Crown, were glowing bright, looking like miniature stars surrounding their master. As for Dum-Dum, he stood steady, poised in front of his fallen brother, Oathkeeper's awakened form pointed directly at her. His brown eyes were now a bright shade of green, and a gold aura had coated his fur. Unbelievable power radiated from him in steady waves, and the controlled fury in those eyes could've convinced a legion of demons to convert.

Angel actually took a step back, her mind racing as she stared at him. Despite the heat that was radiating through the field, ice filled her veins, and true, unadulterated terror was reintroduced to her aging body for the first time in decades. He'd done it. This dopey, sleepy sheepdog had actually done it. He'd awakened the true form of Oathkeeper, the final trump card that had been hidden for over two hundred years: the Keeper's Eminence, a power that turned the Keeper into a being so awe-inspiring and terrible that even the mightiest warrior king would be humbled. A power that would stop at nothing until threats to the Crown, the Keeper, or their entourage, were utterly annihilated. A power that awoke under great distress...or pure, tangible fury after tolerating one wrong too many.

Everything she'd done to this sheepdog--every last, unsavory, despicable thing--played out in her mind like a movie. And the revelation sent her to her knees, brown eyes wide with fear, face ghastly pale.

Oh, no...

Silence filled the battlefield as the two stared at each other. Angel swallowed nervously. She hated it when her subordinates did this, but there was no reason she couldn't appeal to this oaf's kinder self. "I-If it pleases you, Your Eminence, I would-"

"SILENCE!"

The roar that came from him nearly threw her on her back. Even his voice wasn't the same anymore. No longer was he stuttering, or speaking with that dopey voice. No, his voice carried the authority and tone of a king: a very pissed off and vengeful king, who had every intention of using his full power to make her suffer for what she'd done.

She backpedaled when she noticed he was coming towards her, Oathkeeper trained at her head. She braced herself as he stepped forwards, his glower darkening. "You, who dared to enslave the Keeper of the Crown, strip him of his dignity and free will, and force his hand against both innocents and allies, now plead for mercy?! Where is the mercy you extended towards him?! Where is the mercy you extended towards the villagers, your subordinates, your opponents?!"

Angel's throat had closed shut, unable to even respond.

"Rest assured, the same amount of mercy you showed them will be returned to you."

Swallowing heavily, she replied with, "M-My sincerest apologies, Your Eminence. I-I will never do this again. I swear."

Silence met her half-hearted apology. The Devil crossed her fingers, praying that he would spare her.

And then, His Eminence smiled. An executioner's smile.

"Indeed."

Angel's eyes widened. "Wha-"

Those turned out to be her last words.

He disappeared in an instant, and she was unable to track him, to locate his signature. The next thing she knew, white hot steel pierced her clean through her back to her chest, lighting every nerve, every organ, every one of her senses on fire, evaporating the evil blood that coursed through her veins. Through her peripheral vision, she saw him standing behind her, that dangerous glower still on his face, his green eyes glowing brightly. She made to speak, but a wad of blood spewed out her throat instead. Her blood burned away upon touching Oathkeeper, which refused to allow the blood of the wicked to stain its righteous light.

I-Impossible...!

"Rest assured, you will never do this again. I will make sure of it."

He yanked out the sword, sending her on her hands. She was struggling to breathe, to think, to even process what'd happened to her, when her body was reintroduced to Oathkeeper again--this time, by swiftly severing her head from her neck. She was dead before her decapitated body hit the ruined earth, her head landing twenty feet away.

Silence reigned for a total of ten seconds as His Eminence stood up, glaring down at the Kings-keeper's slain body. It was finished. The wrongdoer had paid her due, and was no longer a threat to him, nor to his entourage. His wrath had been satisfied. His hero, his friend, his brother, had been avenged.

It was time for His Eminence to depart, having done what he'd been summoned to do.

As quickly and abruptly as it'd appeared, the sun vanished in a flash of gold and white light. Dum-Dum fell to his hands and knees, Oathkeeper clattering next to him, back in its sealed state. His head pounded, his vision was fuzzy and his limbs had gone weak. He didn't know what that was, or how he'd tapped into it, but he knew that he was in full control of himself when he'd wielded it. Angel's horrified face before he'd ended her life was an ugly sight, but he couldn't feel guilt over it. After what she'd done to him, and Touché, she'd had worse coming, but he wasn't one to draw out an enemy's suffering. If anything, he was amazed he hadn't gone right for her as soon as he'd tapped into that form.

He sighed as his senses started to return to normal. The thought of Touché was sobering. His eyes once again flooded with tears as he turned around to look at his friend's body, which was still laying several feet behind him. Edith would be heartbroken once she heard the news, as would the rest of the Heroes' Society.

The least he could do was take him home to give him a hero's burial. He deserved that and more for his actions today.

As he started to make his way towards Touché, however, two things stuck out to him. One, his face had relaxed somewhat. Two, a warm blue glow was surrounding the turtle's body, flickering in and out at intervals. Now, Dum-Dum was no mortician, but he figured that Touché's face should've remained in a grimace if rigor was starting to set in. And if he'd learned anything from being stuck in that hellhole with Angel, it was to recognize life signatures from people, especially those that were his intended target.

He hadn't seen that earlier when tending to Touché. And if he was seeing this now...then that meant...

I-I knew he couldn't be dead! I-I just knew it! Dum-Dum's heart soared. The old boy's still got some fight in him!

His hopes were quickly dashed when he saw the glow start to disappear--slightly at first, and then at longer intervals. Spoke too soon.

Dum-Dum wasted no time. He took off, leaving Oathkeeper in the dust, and gathered Touché into his arms again, terror seizing him as he watched the turtle's life signature start to fade in and out.

"TOOSH! TOUCHÉ! Y-You've gotta fight it, Touché! You can't give up now! W-WAKE UP!"

I can't go on…

How long had he been out? Touché Turtle honestly had no idea. All he could recall was Dum-Dum's scream, Angel's laughter, and the pain-oh, the pain was something else-completely taking over him in seconds. Though he'd talked brave in front of Angel, even he was starting to lose faith in his strength and abilities.

How ironic. The great Touché Turtle, renowned hero and known as the modern day D'Artagnan, who could give Ricochet Rabbit a run for his money with his stubbornness, was actually dying.

A muffled cry reached his ears, but he could only make out bits of it. It sounded mildly familiar.

"...ché!"

I simply can't go on…

The voice became more insistent, and Touché was certain he recognized the voice, but as he sank deeper into darkness, it became harder to concentrate.

"Tou…!"

There's no need to go back. After all, Dum-Dum will do a good job in my stead…

The numbness was almost welcoming. He heard the voice scream once more, but his mind was so muddled, and everything hurt so bad. His body was shutting down, and there was no point in fighting it.

"TOU…!"

I-I…I might as well. As Sebastian said once, I've done what I set out to do.

And so, in spite of the voice's insistence, he allowed himself to sink into darkness, welcoming the relief it brought him. Finally, it didn't hurt anymore...

The darkness was giving way to light, however, which forced him to open his eyes. He was no longer swimming in the darkness, but standing on the beaten path of the national park, the landscape around him lush green, flower petals raining down in all directions. Touché stared at the sight, awestruck. In all his natural years, he'd never seen a sight like this, even during the springtime.

Is this the road to heaven? Touché briefly recalled reading about it in some books, how people had described it as being a tunnel of light or a long, beautiful path. If that's the case, the books didn't do it justice. This is simply majestic.

He started to move forward, when laughter caught his attention from behind. He turned around, and through the rush of petals, he saw his latest protégé, Augustin, practically falling over with laughter, to where he almost tripped over a root. He was going on a mile a minute to Dum-Dum, who had his pitcher's glove on. Augustin always had an odd sense of humor underneath his reserved personality, and for some reason, Dum-Dum's corny jokes never failed to send him into belly laughs.

To Dum-Dum's left was Edith, dressed in a white and gold dress, a few marigolds in her ears. She was shaking her head at the pair, though Touché didn't miss the smile on her face. "Alright, come on, boys. We've got to get home. I want to make sure dinner's nice and ready for Touché when he comes home. He deserves it after such a mission."

At that, Touché felt a pang of regret. If he really was dying, then this would be the last time he'd see her again. It'd be the last time he'd see his protégé again. It'd be the last time he'd see his best friend again. There was so much he wanted to teach Augustin. There was so much of the world he wanted to explore with his oldest friend. And then...there was something he needed to tell Edith, though he hadn't worked up the courage to do that yet.

He wondered, briefly, if he could turn around, to make his way back to where he came from. The mere thought of them living without him was too hard to bear.

"You've finally realized it."

Touché's eyes widened, and he turned around to face the voice. Standing in front of him was his fallen mentor, Sebastian Lièvre, dressed in the same regalia from the day of his death. His yellow eyes, normally fatherly and comforting, were sad and wistful as he looked past the scene in front of him and then at Touché. "I was hoping you'd wake up before you got this far, petit tortue."

What are you doing here...?

Sebastian stepped forward, looking down at Touché. The seriousness in his eyes seemed to cleave Touché's being in half. "Are you going to leave them all?" he asked. "Are you going to leave everyone you care about because of a simple mistake?"

The turtle finally found his voice. "It's not a simple mistake", Touché said. His voice was choked with a sob. "M-My words are what caused Dum-Dum to end up where he is!"

"Indeed, you were rather harsh."

"Harsh doesn't begin to describe it. I insulted his lineage and his calling in the same breath. I-I'm amazed he even spoke to me, during our fight," Touché continued.

"Dum-Dum is many things, but unforgiving is not one of them. You, on the other hand..."

"Ugh, don't remind me." Touché sighed. "I...I think it'd be better if I left, Sebastian. Dum-Dum deserves a better friend than me, anyhow."

"Is that so?"

"Yes, I wholeheartedly believe that. And then...well, p'shaw. I've done all I've set out to do." He saw the happy image behind him, and turned back to face Sebastian again. "There's no need to go back."

"Have you now? If that's the case, then why do you have regrets?"

Darn it. Sebastian always had the habit of seeing through his posturing.

"I...I don't know how else to put it, Sebastian! As much as I've fooled myself into thinking so, I'm not the best person in the world. And I'm not the best friend that Dum-Dum deserves."

"Admitting it is a good first step. But you can become better, and be that friend that he both deserves and needs. And trust me, the Big Guy definitely appreciates that," Sebastian said, giving him a small smile. It faded entirely, revealing the heaviness and sadness in his eyes that Touché had seen a few times.

"S-Sebastian, what's wrong?"

A deep sigh, and then Sebastian put a hand on Touché's shoulder, which the turtle noticed felt unusually heavy. "I've been sent to give you a special assignment, petit tortue. Your friend, Dum-Dum, he...he has been through a lot, and suffered horrors no one, not even a sworn enemy, should have to go through. Not just from Angel, but from those closest to him, those who were supposed to protect him. Your shortsightedness is your greatest flaw, so naturally, you never noticed it. But underneath his smile is a heart that's been stabbed so many times that he's just letting it bleed."

Touché stared at him, the gears turning in his head. What exactly did Dum-Dum go through? And if it's so terrible, why didn't he tell me?

"I know you want to escape what happened, and you're curious to see what lies beyond this...but I was sent to tell you it's not your time, my pupil. Go back."

"H-How…? How do I do that?"

"Well, you used the hard way to bring Dum-Dum back," Sebastian said, mouth quirked into a small smile and looking over his shoulder. Edith and Augustin were gone, but Dum-Dum remained, standing with his back to Touché. "And I think Dum-Dum's going to go the old-fashioned way."

And right as he said this, Dum-Dum turned around. Touché was struck by the heartbroken look on his face, the tears that stained his muzzle.

Dum-Dum…my old and faithful friend…

Another clap on the shoulder. "I'll leave you to it, Dum-Dum," Sebastian said, walking away. He only took a few steps before he disappeared into light.

Touché barely heard his mentor's final words, focused instead on the sheepdog, who was now running towards him, the fresh tears erupting from his eyes.

"TOUCHÉ!" he shouted, his voice cracking with a sob.

Touché hesitated. He wanted to move forward, he really did. But his harsh words came back to mind, where he'd mouthed off at Dum-Dum, who was still struggling to control the powerful heirlooms left in his possession. His friend's crushed face came to mind, the utter hurt plain as day on his face, as he realized that nobody, not even his best friend, believed in him. If Touché had been in Dum-Dum's shoes, he would've sworn off of that friendship altogether.

But here he was, running towards him, trying to bring him back. Ready to forgive him and all, in spite of his hurt. In spite of who'd hurt him.

No. No, he didn't deserve this. He didn't deserve a friend like Touché.

He took a step back, which made Dum-Dum increase his speed.

"TOUCHÉ, D-DON'T LEAVE ME! DON'T LEAVE US! DON'T!"

Maybe if I turn around, I can still make it in. I-I can still make it, can't I?

Sebastian's words bounced back into his mind, and a sinking feeling came to his stomach. Apparently, Dum-Dum suffered through something so awful that Sebastian, who wasn't one to withhold information, hadn't wanted to explain. And he'd been tasked to help the sheepdog with it, to be his support and keeper through this. But Dum-Dum deserved a friend who would hear him out, who wouldn't lose patience with him so quickly, who wouldn't praise and hurt him in the same breath. Lord knows Touché had done too much of that to him for the last twelve years.

No. No, he didn't deserve this. He didn't deserve a friend like Touché.

He shook his head, and attempted to turn around-

"YOU'VE GOTTA STAY WITH US, TOUCHÉ!"

Though he'd resolved to do it, Touché found he couldn't turn around. It was like someone was holding him in place, in spite of what he wanted to do. Probably the Big Guy, who'd sent his old mentor to tell him that he couldn't enter. And though he wasn't happy about it, Touché figured he'd better keep quiet. He didn't want to ruin his chances of getting in later on down the road.

As he turned back around to face Dum-Dum, who was rapidly closing in, his rational side--his good side--spoke to him. Was this really what he wanted to do? To leave his dear friend to suffer alone, with nobody to help him through the pain and trauma he'd endured? If he left now, and Dum-Dum suffered even more, he could never forgive himself.

A thought came to mind, of Dum-Dum, sitting in the Dugan Keep. Dum-Dum, known countrywide for his good nature and kindheartedness, sitting at a desk, grieved and sobbing, having aged within days. Dum-Dum, who ran at the sight of guns, taking one out of a gold and brown box, loading it, and pressing it to his temple, eyes screwed shut-

If he were still breathing, his heart would've seized with horror. Oh goodness, no. No...I can't let that happen! I don't want that to happen to him!

He shook his head, erasing that imagery, but not his guilt. Everything that'd happened to Dum-Dum before this was his fault, and his alone. Even now, in this limbo between life and death, he was giving him all sorts of grief. And yet for some reason, the sheepdog continued to forgive him, and still loved him dearly, outright calling him his brother. He hung on to every word he said, showing empathy and concern for him in his lowest moments. Heck, Dum-Dum had saved him from his lowest point, and it hadn't even occurred to Touché that he should do the same. Shortsightedness was too kind a word for what Touché had.

No. No, he didn't deserve this. He didn't deserve a friend like Touché.

And yet...

"TOUCHÉ!"

And then Dum-Dum reached him, scooping him up into a hug so tight, he was practically crushing his shell. "PLEASE, TOUCHÉ! DON'T LEAVE US! DON'T LEAVE ME! DON'T!"

And then it all hit Touché at once. All those doubts, the fears...they all disappeared once he realized it.

Sebastian's right. I'm not the friend Dum-Dum deserves...but I can be the friend that he needs.

After what felt like an eternity, he chuckled, embarrassed that he'd even considered leaving him like this, broken and in need of help. How silly he was.

He returned his brother's embrace just as-no, twice as tight. "I-I'm not leaving you, Dum-Dum...not by a long shot..."

And then light, sweet, blessed light, overpowered his vision.

Dum-Dum's panicked, tearstained face was the first thing he saw when he came to. He drew in a breath to speak, but his throat was thick with saliva. With some effort, he rolled over on his broken arm, coughing out a wad of saliva and blood on the soiled earth.

"T-TOOSH!" Dum-Dum shouted. "TOUCHÉ!"

The next minute was tough as he ended up puking up the remains of his lunch and whatever acid remained in his stomach. When that was finally over, Touché struggled to speak through his burning lungs. That feedback would kick in any moment, but he still needed to say something to his oldest friend. "D-Dum-"

That was all he got out before he was scooped up into one of Dum-Dum's infamous bear hugs. He'd thought the sight of Dum-Dum on his path to the afterlife was bad, but reality--where he could feel the heaves of his chest, and hear the bitterness and relief and terror in his sobbing--was sobering, making his physical agony feel miniscule in comparison.

"Y-Y-Y-You're okay…y-you're beat up an' all, b-but you're okay…!" Dum-Dum sobbed. "I-I thought you was gonna d-die, Toosh! I-I thought you was gonna die on me!"

After a few seconds, Touché found strength to return Dum-Dum's embrace. He was grateful that he was buried in the sheepdog's fur, for tears were starting to pour down his face as well, and his anguish had made it hard to speak. Dum-Dum…thank you, he thought. Thank you, my old, dear friend.

They remained like that for a minute, before Dum-Dum finally let him go. Touché wiped his eyes, and looked up at the sheepdog, who looked like he had the weight of the world on his shoulders, and then some. The Dugan Crown remained on his head, lopsided as it was.

Heavy is the crown, indeed, Touché thought. "Are you alright, Dum?"

"Y-Yeah...now I am." He sniffled. "T-Thanks for savin' me, Toosh. I-I thought I was a goner."

"Well, I can't say that it was nothing, but you made it easy, somewhat." He paused. "Dum-Dum, I meant what I said earlier. I'm sorry for what I said. You're still learning how to use both the Crown and Oathkeeper, and you've made wonderful progress, in spite of everything. I was the one who held you back. And rather than taking responsibility...I-I took it out on you. I should've never said that. If I hadn't, I-"

"Aw, Touché, it's alright."

"No, it's not, Dum-Dum!"

"W-Well, I say it is! A-An' I forgive ya, Toosh. It's all water under the bridge."

"...why?"

"Uh, why, what?"

"Why do you keep forgiving me, after all I've done to hurt you?" Touché asked plainly.

Dum-Dum stared at him, his eyes wide with shock and hurt. He started to open his mouth, but that was when a deep baritone voice escaped his throat.

"You certainly made quite a mess here."

Dum-Dum's whole coat stood up in fear upon hearing that. With a trembling jaw, he turned around to face the speaker around the same time as Touché.

An older English sheepdog shuffled over to them slowly, his cane clacking against the ruined earth. If it weren't for the differences of fur coloration and his posture, Touché would have sworn that it was Dum-Dum, albeit older. However, he had none of Dum-Dum's kindness in heart or spirit. His hollowed eyes shone with evil, the same kind of sickening evil that had been on Angel's face.

It then occurred to him that Angel was nowhere in sight. That quickly became the least of his worries, however, when he noticed the elder dog had Oathkeeper, which was coated with a thin layer of dirt from being dropped on the ground. "For once a Dugan is given a name that fits him," he said, addressing Dum-Dum.

Dum-Dum was shaking like a leaf. "G-Grandpa..."

Touché stared at him. "Your grandpa? But I thought you told me he was dead!"

Grandpa Dugan chuckled darkly. "Tales of my death were greatly exaggerated."

Touché rolled his eyes. "People actually say that?"

"Trust me, Toosh. I wish they weren't just tales." Dum-Dum's voice, though still fearful, had taken a harder edge. An angrier edge. "Y-You got a lot of nerve, comin' around here after all this, Grandpa."

"I just came to congratulate you on finally completing your training," he said. "You have made wonderful progress, and even unlocking the Eminence form after six weeks shows that you do have some talent within you." A small smile came to his maw. "Too bad it took a couple of hard knocks to get it out."

The Eminence form? What in the world is that-? Touché's thoughts were halted when Dum-Dum got to his feet, knocking him down.

"T-That was not a couple o' hard knocks!" Dum-Dum yelled. His face was an angry red. "What you an' Angel did...I-I'll never forgive you or her for what happened!"

"Oh please." Grandpa Dugan scoffed. "Compared to the Keeper's Collective, my obedience training is nothing. And if you think dealing with an older female is some 'trauma'-" Here he added a derisive laugh. "Well, dear boy, it's painfully obvious that you lack experience in that-"

There was a bright flash, and Grandpa Dugan's speech was cut off by a scream as Oathkeeper disappeared, and reappeared in Dum-Dum's hands. The blade glowed slightly as the sheepdog brandished it as his grandfather, deadly fury in his eyes.

"You're sicker than I thought you was, y-you bastard!" Dum-Dum yelled. "Y-You let her...you sat right there and let her...!" His throat closed up with a sob.

Touché stared at Dum-Dum, shocked at his use of language, but also alarmed by his reaction to his grandfather's words. What in the world had she done to him, aside from possessing him? His gut feeling was telling him it was worse than simple torture, and he was starting to feel sick at the implications. No...no way. She couldn't be that evil.

The older Dugan simply chuckled, and then pointed a finger at Dum-Dum. Even in his weakened state, Touché could feel the power emanating from it, and ice filled his veins. "Dum, look out!"

He couldn't move in time. A white and blue bolt, practically a pinprick of light, shot out of his finger and struck Dum-Dum head on. To any outsiders who saw and heard the horrible sight, it looked as though Dum-Dum had been shot with a ball of highly-concentrated electricity, so powerful that one could see flashes of his skeleton. The scream that tore from Dum-Dum's throat was a sound that Touché had never heard, and would never leave him, not even in death.

Dum-Dum hit the ground with a thud, Oathkeeper clattering to the ground. Electricity raced up along his shuddering body as he groaned in pain.

"Good boy," Grandpa Dugan said, his tone patronizing. His dark brown eyes were black with malice. "You remembered who's in charge."

"DUM-DUM!" Touché found his strength and made his way over to his fallen friend. Standing in front of him, he stretched his arms out in front of Dum-Dum, glaring at his grandfather. Hand-to-hand combat wasn't much of his forte, but this man was in for a beatdown if he thought he could do that to Dum-Dum again. "You lay another finger on him, and I'll send you spinning into a casket!"

"Cute, but with what weapon? You can barely master the one you have!" Grandpa Dugan's smile widened. "Oh, I know all about Devilsbane and its powers, Touché. To think, two bumbling idiots getting holy swords that they have no idea how to use." He chuckled. "No wonder you two are so damn close. Birds of a feather have to stick together, after all."

Touché started to say something, but that was when a heavy hand came on his shoulder, and he felt his feet sink into the ground as Dum-Dum started to raise himself up. "Yo-You...y-you'd better stop insultin' my buddy, Grandpa. I-I won't stand for it."

"And you'd better stop talking, you miserable cur, before I cut your tongue myself!" Grandpa Dugan snarled. "It appears Angel wasn't thorough enough in her training. Perhaps I'll have to use the whip to make you remember!"

Dum-Dum stared his grandfather down, but Touché could feel that hand start to shake. He watched the elder dog closely, muscles tense, ready to pounce. He'd barely met this dog, and he already hated him.

And then, the sounds of clanking armor and hooves filled the streets. He turned to see knights on horseback heading their way, the king's flag billowing high in the dry air, men letting out battle cries.

"H-Hey, isn't that-" Dum-Dum started.

"That's the king's army! Preston got my message, thank heavens," Touché started, thanking the Big Guy for the save. Though he'd talked big, he really didn't know what would've happened if he and Dum-Dum were forced to fight. He glared at Grandpa Dugan, who seemed to realize his disadvantage. "Perhaps you'll have to wait another time, Dugan."

He cursed angrily. "Perhaps I must. But don't forget my words, my boy," he said, glaring at Dum-Dum. "I'll be back to collect what you stole from me, even if I have to end your miserable life to do it." He raised his right hand again.

Not while I still have an ounce of strength left in my shell! Touché rushed forwards, almost making Dum-Dum fall over. "STOP!"

Too late. The older Dugan snapped his fingers, and another blinding flash descended upon the ruined streets, halting everyone in their tracks. Touché was barely aware of his own scream amidst the cacophony of horses and men screaming in alarm.

After a few seconds, and after blinking the stars out of his eyes, Touché was able to refocus. Grandpa Dugan was gone, having literally vanished in a flash of light. Only a set of footprints indicated he had been there.

"Drat! And double drat!" Touché snarled, kicking a rock. There was worse he wanted to say, but he remembered that they were standing on the ruins of a church. He supposed it was just as well, though; he and Dum-Dum were both suffering from strain from using their swords, and he was just barely recovering his strength. "Oh...p'shaw, we'll have to get him another time." He turned to face Dum-Dum. "Dum-"

He paused, eyes going wide. Dum-Dum was on his knees, shaking with earnest. His breathing came out in ragged puffs, and his eyes were pinpricks. His face had gone whiter than his fur with fear. Touché, no stranger to a panic attack himself, rushed over to his old friend and held him by his shoulders, which almost caused him to rattle out of his shell from the shaking.

"I-It's alright, Dum-Dum. He's gone. He can't hurt you anymore," Touché said, trying to look into his friend's eyes. Pain and horror was there, pain and horror that went back years. That gut feeling intensified, but he knew he had to ask later. He had to calm Dum-Dum down. "He won't hurt you anymore. Take it easy..."

He was getting concerned when he didn't hear a response, but after a few seconds, Dum-Dum's pupils started to return to normal size, as well as his breathing becoming steadier. "Y-You're right, T-Toosh. I-I've gotta calm down..."

"That's right. You just had one heck of a fight, you don't need to put more stress on your body."

"I-I...y-yeah. I just..." He shook his head. "I-I...I can't escape 'im, no matter what I do."

"What are you talking about, Dum-Dum?"

Dum-Dum froze, and he looked horrified, as though he'd spilled a terrible secret. He tried to cover it up with a small smile. "Uh, forget about it, Toosh. There's no need for you to worry."

"No need to worry my foot! What is going on, Dum-Dum? It's not like you to hold something back!"

Dum-Dum pulled away from Touché then, wiping his eyes. "I-I told ya, I'm fine, Touché! I-I-It's nothin' for ya to worry about!"

"It is if it's got you like this!"

"Touché." And then the captain of the king's army was there, mounted on his white horse. His blue eyes looked down at the two sternly, silencing all arguments. "I got your message to bring both you and Dum-Dum back for treatment once the fight ended. The king also ordered us to look for survivors. I'd like to start on that latter mission as soon as possible."

"...Very well, Preston," Touché replied, conceding. He sent a small glare towards Dum-Dum, the look in his eyes saying, We're not done with this. "Let's head home, Dum-Dum."

"Uh, right, Toosh."

Five days later...

"Touché!"

Touché looked up to see his next guest--a lot of them had poured in upon hearing that the great Touché Turtle had ended up in the hospital--and smiled. Edith Lièvre walked in, carrying a fresh bouquet of gardenias and marigolds, two of his favorite flowers, as well as a small picnic basket. "Well, it's nice to finally see a familiar face."

"I had to get past your adoring fans," she said, thumbing towards the door. "They're about ready to break the door down in order to interview you."

"For once, I'm in no rush to be interviewed," he replied. "Besides, there's so much going on, even I don't know how to process it."

"Indeed. Both the king and the Society were shocked to read your official report," Edith replied. She set the flowers and picnic basket by the nightstand. "It sounded like one hell of a battle."

"Indeed it was." Though he would've preferred using his time in the hospital to rest, duty called, so he had to work on the official report of the incident the day he'd been admitted. His nurse had admonished him for it, that is, until the paparazzi attempted to break in, leaving him to work on it in peace. He had to get some accounts from Preston and his soldiers as well as Dum-Dum, and four of the eyewitnesses who had managed to survive the burning of the town.

There was so much to unpack. The battle that had blown apart the remains of the church. Dum-Dum killing Angel on the battlefield. The appearance of Grandpa Dugan, who had retreated upon seeing the army. And that was just the meat of it; the few eyewitnesses that had remained in the burning town had witnessed a stark transformation in Dum-Dum, brought about by either Oathkeeper, or the Dugan Crown. In either case, the king was very interested in learning about the Keeper's new powers, and had requested an audience with him as soon as he was able.

"Touché?"

"Hmm? Oh, terribly, sorry, Edith, I had something on my mind," he replied.

"You have been spacing out a lot lately," Edith noted, eyeing him warily. "Are you sure you're alright?"

"I...oh, p'shaw, I suppose there's no hiding it from you," Touché replied. He sat up a little straighter before turning to look at at her, a somber look in his eyes. "I must confess I'm worried about Dum-Dum."

"What's got you worried?"

"Well, the fact that since the day he got out, he's been avoiding me like the plague." Dum-Dum had recovered faster than Touché, though that was probably due to training with a holy sword for longer than two weeks. He'd spent a day in, and then was back to the castle, taking care of his own report. He hadn't been in to see Touché since the turtle had asked him for details after their fight. "I've even called the castle, and he won't pick up the phone!"

Edith frowned. "That doesn't sound like him," she concurred. Dum-Dum was practically glued to Touché's side, so for him to not even answer the phone was troubling. "The last time I saw him, he seemed to be in good spirits."

"Yes, it certainly 'seemed' that way." Sebastian's words flitted in. Underneath his smile is a heart that's been stabbed so many times he's just letting it bleed.

"What do you mean by that?"

"After the fight on the field, I met Dum-Dum's grandfather. Dum-Dum hates him, and after only seeing him in action for five minutes, I can understand why."

"I've heard of Dirk Dugan. He's nicknamed Dick by most of his colleagues."

Touché scoffed. "For good reason, I bet."

"He's been wanted by many organizations for his crimes, but he's so good at covering his tracks, any manhunt for him ends within a week," Edith explained. "I honestly didn't think he'd show himself on the battlefield, but if he did, it means one thing-"

"He's there to throw his hat in the ring for the title of Keeper," Touché finished. "He said just as much. He said he'd end Dum-Dum's life to get it, too."

Edith's eyes went wide. "Good Lord, I knew he was unpleasant, but to that extent-!"

"Make no mistake, Edith. While I still draw breath, he won't get a chance to lay a finger on Dum-Dum. I'd make sure he never sees daylight again."

The finality in that statement gave Edith pause. Touché rarely got into his "vengeful hero" speech unless a wrong was done to him or Dum-Dum. The dark glower on his face pointed towards the latter, and she scooted over to him, watching his body language. "What else seems to be bothering you?"

"Something Dum-Dum said when he went off on his grandfather didn't sit right with me. He said that he allowed Angel to do something horrible to him, but he wouldn't tell me, not even when I asked after the fight and when he'd calmed down enough," Touché replied. "I wondered briefly if it was that horrible that he couldn't explain...or if he was still upset with me for that fight."

A soft rap on the head. Edith gave him a "Really now" look. "For what, that fight that happened months ago? Oh, come now, Touché. He's long forgotten that. He's not like you, you know."

Touché chuckled. "You know, your father would've said the same thing." And he actually had, but he wasn't sure if he wanted to share that yet. "Perhaps I'm overthinking it. He did forgive me afterwards, but...Dum-Dum deserves a friend who won't hurt him like that."

"In my opinion, it's not too late to be that friend, Touché. It's true that you both have made your own share of mistakes, and have hurt each other on occasion. But from what I've seen, words alone can't break your friendship," Edith said. "Right now, you've got to be the friend that he needs, even if you don't think you deserve his friendship."

Like father, like daughter, Touché thought. He looked up at her with a smile. "Thanks, Edith. I appreciate it."

"Of course, Touché."

Three days later...

Touché Turtle's first night back in his castle was interrupted by a horrified, bellowing scream that echoed throughout the castle walls and rattled the suits of armor in the halls.

"AAAAAAAAAAUUGHHH! HELP! TOUCHÉ! HELP!"

Once the shock had worn off, Touché flew out of bed, racing down the hall upon hearing the horrified scream. Dum-Dum's room was padlocked, but padlocks had never stopped him before. With an angry yell, he blew the door down with a single kick, sending light flooding into the hallway, and drew his sword. Whoever decided to attack Dum-Dum wasn't going to live long enough to regret it. "Alright, you coward, show yourself!"

Nobody was in the room, sans Dum-Dum, who was holding onto the rails of the headboard, terror twisting his features. He'd kicked the covers and all the pillows off the bed in his hysteria, and screamed once again before starting to whimper loudly.

"NO! NO! PLEASE, G-GET HER AWAY FROM ME! DON'T HURT ME AGAIN! PLEASE, DON'T!"

"DUM-DUM!" Touché ran over to his side, climbing onto the bed and gently shaking his shoulders. "Wake up! It's me, Touché! You're having a nightmare!"

What Dum-Dum said next, though, made his blood freeze. "P-P-Please...don't hurt me. I-I could barely even walk last time. I-I'll do what ya told me in trainin', I promise, just don't hurt me...!"

Touché wasn't one for close physical contact, but for Dum-Dum, he'd make this exception. He hugged the shuddering sheepdog, patting him on the back. "It's alright, Dum-Dum. You're safe. No one's going to hurt you anymore."

It took a few seconds for Dum-Dum to return to reality. He sniffled before he looked down at Touché. "Y-You sure about that, Touché?"

"Absolutely. They'll be run through before they can even blink."

"R-Run through..." Dum-Dum shuddered, the memories of how he'd handled Angel coming to mind. "Sheesh, I-I don't think I'd wanna be there for that, Toosh."

"I know you wouldn't. I remembered how you are about bloodshed, old friend." He released Dum-Dum before reaching into his shell and pulling out a clean handkerchief. "Here. Your nose is running all over my shell."

"Oh, uh...s-sorry." Dum-Dum took it and blew his nose. "Thanks. I-I'm sorry I woke ya up again, Touché. It's just a nightmare. N-Nothin' serious."

"It is if you're screaming like this," Touché noted. He sat across from Dum-Dum, arms folded and a contemplative frown on his face. "Now, what's going on with you? Edith and I both noticed you didn't visit me once while I was in the hospital."

"Uh, well, I, uh-"

"I know that you were out helping with the cleanup, as well as seeing the king, and doing your report. But I remember when you fought the Gold Paladin. You risked hemorrhaging to get to my hospital room," Touché continued.

"W-well, I-"

"And then, there's the fact that you're sleeping with all the lights on. Not to mention padlocking your door shut!" Touché pointed at the ruined door for emphasis. "I'm not sure what brought that on, but I'm more concerned about the light bill! Upkeep for a castle is not cheap, you know!"

"S-Sorry, Toosh. I won't do that again," Dum-Dum replied somberly.

"Oh...well, I can't be too angry at you, Dum-Dum. But just..." He paused, realizing what he was doing. His old friend was suffering from some terrible blight, and all he could find to lecture about, to really care about, was the power bill?

Yeah, shortsightedness was too kind a word for what he had.

"Oh, p'shaw. I'll worry about that later," Touché replied. "I'm actually more worried about you, Dum-Dum. You've never been one to lock yourself into your room like this. Or to avoid me unless we had another fight."

"But Toosh, I forgave ya for that fight a-ages ago!"

"I know you did. But your behavior has been worrisome, old friend. If there's something bothering you, you can tell me."

"Touché, I-I'm just tired, it's nothin' ta worry about!"

"Yes, it is, Dum-Dum. And this isn't simple tiredness. This looks like a case of night terrors."

"N-N-Night terrors?"

"I...I suffered a few of them myself, old friend, especially once Nico died. I know what you're going through, in that regard," he said. "But whatever it is that's causing it, I don't know. And I'd like to, if only so you can get it off your chest."

Dum-Dum sat in silence for a while, looking away uncomfortably. "I-I don't know how I can tell ya this, Toosh."

"Just tell me how you'd normally tell me anything else, Dum. I'm not going to interrupt, nor will I judge you."

"But Touché, I-"

"Dum-Dum, you were there to listen when I told you everything that happened with the Black Knight, with Harebrain, and Nico. So, I'm here to do the same for you. I owe you that much."

Silence. Then Dum-Dum took a deep breath, and began.

"Gosh...I-I don't know where ta begin, Toosh," Dum-Dum said.

"Well, start with whatever you feel comfortable sharing, Dum. You can stop whenever you feel like."

"I guess I-I'll start with my grandpa..." Dum-Dum wiped his eyes. "W-When I was a kid, my ma and pa took me to Ireland, to spend a summer with my grandpa. I-I was excited 'cause I'd never known the world was bigger than New York, and I thought it'd be fun to see another country. T-The first week started out great...and then, h-he...he started doin' crazy stuff. He sent me out to some forest to look for somethin', and these huge ghosts with fangs came at me. I ran, and ran until I made it back to the house. Y'know what he did when I told him what happened? He slapped me, callin' me a coward."

"Goodness. That's terrible. And he sent you out there with no training whatsoever?!"

"Yeah. H-He said he wanted to test my skill with how ta fight, uh, supernatural stuff. Seein' 'em wasn't enough. I had ta kill 'em. But Toosh, those things were terrifying. I-I couldn't kill one the whole time I was there, which only ticked him off more."

Touché shook his head, anger filling his soul at this. "What else did he do?"

"For the next few weeks, when he wasn't sendin' me out there to fight those things, t-those Wraiths, or somethin'...he was always tryin' to rally me against Great-Uncle Rutherford, s-sayin' that he deserved the Dugan Keep an' what not. B-But..." He paused. "Somethin' didn't sit right with me 'bout it. T-The way he was actin', how angry he was...i-it was like he'd kill ta get that place, no matter who supported him. Like Jean-Claude did ta get even with you."

"Right."

"A-Anyway, I-I told him I didn't like it. G-Great-Uncle wasn't a super warm guy, but he was just doin' his job. An' I thought that Grandpa was goin' the wrong way about it. He...he'd beat the daylights outta me for talkin' back, for speakin' up. W-With this heavy black whip he made outta cable wire." He shuddered. "After he broke my leg, I-I called my ma, and begged her to take me home. An' when I got back, they made it seem like it was my fault for not agreein' with him, s-sayin' he wouldn't have hauled off on me otherwise."

Touché stared at him, eyes wide with incredulity. "What kind of family does that?!"

"Mine, Toosh. B-But at least they never let me go back there. But Grandpa would come to my house every so often. H-He never failed ta remind me that a-as long as I was in his presence, he was in charge," Dum-Dum replied. "He's always tried ta get me to get behind him w-with the whole Crown thing. N-Now I didn't know what he was talkin' about at first, but when I got named the Keeper, I-I put two an' two together, an' cut him off. B-But...it's like I said. No matter what, I-I can't escape him."

And I thought my family was messed up. "Well, I certainly can't blame you for hating your grandfather, or for fearing him."

"T-That don't even begin to describe it, Toosh. I-I wanna wring his neck, especially after what he did when he brought me to the C-Collective...h-he did a lot worse than that..."

Noticing his friend's shudder, Touché leaned forward in concern. "Dum-Dum, if you don't feel comfortable telling me, you-"

"N-No, I-I need to, o-otherwise I'm gonna go crazy," Dum-Dum said, his voice already choked with a sob. "W-When I was trapped with Angel, s-she did do the normal torture stuff. B-Beatin's, waterboarding, whippings, all that. But one day, after I sorta managed to control Oathkeeper's power, G-Grandpa brought her in. He said that...that she was excited that I was makin' progress, and wanted ta give me a special r-reward for bein' such a fast learner."

Touché's stomach was churning at what Dum-Dum was saying. He was praying that his hunch was wrong, but in his heart of hearts, he knew it wasn't.

"At first I was happy, 'cause I thought I could get outta the Collective earlier. But then s-she walked in...a-an' told me that I-I was really gonna like this surprise. T-The way she looked, Toosh...s-she was sizin' me up, i-it was so sickenin'. An' then she kissed me." He shuddered. "I shoved her away, tellin' her that I didn't like her, and I-I certainly didn't want her anywhere near me. T-That was...That was my first mistake."

"Dum-"

"S-She pounced on me, pinned me down w-with her knees...t-touched me all over..." He hugged himself, his jaw trembling with sobs. "I-I tried to block it out, I-I tried screamin', I-I even begged Grandpa to make her stop..." He shook his head vehemently. "But he didn't. H-He...He just watched. He sat there, and watched her do that to me, that sick bastard!"

Touché had gone bone white. Horror and disgust the likes of which he'd never felt before sealed his throat shut, shut down his brain.

"I-It was like that for the next two weeks. A-Any time I'd make some progress, she'd 'reward' me. A-An' tell me to shut up an' be grateful because nobody else would want me, and I should b-be lucky that I'm gettin' somethin' from her..." His face twisted in disgust as memories came back to him, memories he wished he could forget, memories that made him ill. "An' it wasn't just her...it was a few other people, too. Some women, e-even guys. T-They only c-came in when I screwed up, though. I-I screamed for help, I-I begged 'em to give me another chance. A-An' they laughed. They said nobody was gonna save me, l-least of all you, Touché..."

Touché couldn't say a word, the awful truth having a death grip on his throat.

"A-An' I got ta thinkin' they were right. That you'd never show up, t-that you meant what ya said and y-y-you'd leave me there! And I was so desperate ta make it stop...b-but I didn't want to hurt no one. T-That's when Angel used her power t-ta possess me." Saucer-sized tears fell from his eyes as he lost what remained of his composure. "T-The worst of all, w-was that I was ready to forgive Grandpa for the stuff he did when I was a kid. An' then he does this! He...had Angel an' her cronies hurt me. H-He even brought 'em in himself! T-They hurt me bad, Toosh. T-They hurt me r-real bad...!"

That was all he got out before breaking down again, weeping bitterly. His whole body shuddered with sobs, and every attempt at speaking ended with a loud wail.

Touché stared at him through a wall of tears, sorrow, horror and disgust filling his heart all at once. Sebastian's warning hadn't prepared him for the horrific story that the sheepdog had told him. This was sick. Utterly, terribly sick. Those bastards...they, who claimed to want to protect the Keeper's rights, deserved every bad thing the universe could throw at them. Especially the one who called himself Dum-Dum's grandfather. Dirk Dugan didn't deserve the right to call himself such. He was supposed to protect him and give him advice, not do things like this to him. He wasn't supposed to allow things like this to happen to him.

What made Touché truly feel ill was the amount of time that'd passed. While he'd been training to use Devilsbane, while he'd been preoccupied with that mole within the Society, while he was dealing with the other Kings-keepers that had impeded his search...this had happened to Dum-Dum. For a month and a half, they'd repeatedly done this to his best friend. No, his brother, who'd forgiven him for one wrong too many.

So many emotions and reactions fought to take hold of him. He was so disgusted that he wanted to puke. He was so distressed and horrified that he wanted to sit in the corner and cry. And he was so angry, he wanted to round up the entire Keeper's Collective, Dirk Dugan, and even dig up Angel's body, and stab them before lighting them on fire for what they'd done to him.

But he didn't do any of those things, as much as he wanted to.

Because none of those things would truly help Dum-Dum.

His steely composure shattered like glass. Touché finally found his voice as he wrapped his arms around the sheepdog in another hug. "D-Dum-Dum, c'mere." His own body was shaking with sobs. "I-I'm sorry. I-I'm so, so sorry..."

And once again, Touché found himself nearly crushed by Dum-Dum's hug as the sheepdog held onto him for dear life. Touché found himself crying openly, too. His heart bled for his brother, who had gone through this unspeakable pain and trauma, who had been brutally attacked and forced to do such awful things against his will.

The two heroes' bitter sobbing continued long into the night, sobering all who heard it.

The next morning...

Golden sunlight teased at Dum-Dum's heavy eyelids, and reluctantly, he opened his eyes. How long ago was it since he fell asleep? He honestly had no idea. All he remembered was that after he'd told Touché everything, he'd cried, he'd vomited, he'd even cursed his grandfather and the whole Collective for what they'd done to him. It was the first time in a long time he'd felt so many emotions at once, and that intensely, so naturally, it'd wiped him out completely.

He felt a lot better after explaining it all to Touché, though he still felt dirty, fragile, tainted. Angel and her subordinates had taken a sacred part of him, repeatedly, cruelly, gleefully. And his grandfather had allowed them to, even encouraged it, saying he needed the "experience".

Dum-Dum made a resolution then: that even if the ball was in his court, he never wanted to experience that again or put any woman through that experience. I don't think I'll ever want to do that again as long as I live. A-An' that'll be fine by me.

He sat up, stretching and yawning...only to be interrupted when something fell out of his arms and to the ground. He jolted, stopping mid-stretch to see what it was, and gasped. Touché was spinning around in half-circles on the stone floor.

Oh crap! "Gee...s-sorry, Toosh."

A low, echoey sigh. "No problem, Dum-Dum. It was time I got up anyhow." A few seconds later, Touché emerged from his shell, looking up at the sheepdog from his position on the ground. "I figured you'd still be sleeping."

"Yeah, well...that didn't last..."

Touché got up and climbed up onto the bed, concern in his eyes as he looked up at Dum-Dum. "How are you feeling, old friend?"

"A-A little better than I did the last few days," he replied. "But, uh...but I still feel w-wrong somehow. I-If I'd been stronger, I-I might've been able to fight 'em off. I-I should've be able to, but I-"

"Stop right there, Dum-Dum. Don't blame yourself for this." Touché's voice had dipped to a near growl, but he wasn't angry at the sheepdog. Dreams of brutal vengeance against Dum-Dum's assailants had filled the turtle's sleep, resulting in a restless night. "Absolutely none of what happened to you is your fault. Those sick people are the ones to blame."

"I know. But t-they'll never go ta jail for it, Toosh," Dum-Dum said.

"And what, pray tell, makes you say that?"

Dum-Dum looked at him as though he'd sprouted an extra head. "A-Are you kiddin', Toosh?! I-It's basically like accusin' the king! E-Either ya keep silent about it, or they'll silence you themselves!"

"Who told you that?"

Dum-Dum shifted uneasily. Him and his big mouth. "Uh...i-it was-"

"Who, Dum-Dum?!"

"I-It was A-Angel, actually..." Dum-Dum said, his voice dropping to a half whisper at her name. Even saying that word without thinking of his captivity would take time to get used to again. "S-She told me w-while she was...y'know..."

"If Angel's death is anything to go by, the Collective is in for a rude awakening. A long, overdue one for all the crimes they've committed," Touché snarled. "This time, they've gone too far. The Heroes' Society won't tolerate this. I won't tolerate this."

"Toosh, you don't know who you're dealin' with!"

"No, Dum-Dum, they don't know who they're dealing with. There are many powerful heroes for hire here that will run these vagrants into prison in a heartbeat once they hear this. Not to mention me," Touché continued. His face was set into a dangerous, almost murderous glower as he looked up at Dum-Dum. "Mark my words, Dum-Dum. While I still have strength in me, and if it's the last thing I do before I die, I will bring them to justice. I promise that."

Dum-Dum stared at him in shock. He understood where the turtle was coming from--heck, he wanted to do the same yesterday--but common sense had to win out somehow. "Toosh, you can't be serious-"

"Does it look like I'm joking?!" Touché yelled, eyes alight with anger. His tone was so sharp that Dum-Dum physically flinched at it. Nothing, not even the Black Knight conflict, had ever made Touché this angry...which was a feat in itself. "For almost two months, they subjected you to this hellish torture! As a fellow hero, I can't overlook such injustice...but as your brother, Dum-Dum, I'll make sure that anybody who hurts my family will never see daylight again!"

The turtle's angry outburst had stunned Dum-Dum into silence. However, he couldn't help but be touched. "...Toosh, that's...I-I...but-"

"But nothing, Dum-Dum. I meant every word that I said just now."

"I-Includin' that bit about m-me bein' your brother?"

"Of course! I wouldn't have said that if I didn't mean it, Dum-Dum."

"B-But you know that we're not a-actually brothers, right?"

"Of course, silly. But anybody who's fought alongside me this long is one to me. And...well, you're also my oldest friend, Dum, so naturally I'd consider you to be a brother of mine." Touché's gaze, normally steely and unwavering, softened somewhat when he noticed Dum-Dum starting to cry again, though this time not out of pain and fear. "What was that old saying you made up? 'In fair and stormy weather, always together'. That was true back then. And it still holds now, old friend."

Dum-Dum smiled, moved to tears by his friend's words. "T-T-Thanks, Toosh." He then picked him up and gave him a hug, too overcome with emotion. "Y-You're one of the good ones, a-alright."

A small chuckle. "Oh, shucks. You don't have to remind me."

For the first time in days, Dum-Dum couldn't help but laugh. That's Touché for ya, as humble as ever.

The peaceful moment was interrupted by the phone. Both Touché and Dum-Dum shook as Touché's phone rang, the insistent sound rattling the terrapin's shell.

"Uh, I guess you'd better get that, Toosh."

Touché paused, and then his face lit up with a devious grin. "Oh, I will." He reached into his shell, picked up the receiver, and then put it back down again. "There, that took no time at all."

Dum-Dum stared at him, jaw level with the baseboard. In his twelve years of working with Touché, he'd never known the turtle to do this! "Y-You turned it down?!"

"Yup. We're taking the day off, Dum-Dum."

"But I thought that was yesterday!"

"And I'm taking another one off today. That shouldn't be a problem," Touché said, shrugging. "Goodness knows the heroes at the Society could use some extra work." He hopped off the bed, heading for the door. "And goodness knows you need a few days to rest up, after everything. Sit back and get some rest, Dum-Dum. I'll handle breakfast and stuff."

Dum-Dum couldn't help but smile, a true, genuine smile for the first time in days. Touché Turtle was a few things-eccentric, arrogant, kinda hot tempered and picky, just to name a few of his flaws off the top of his head. But a bad friend wasn't one of them, and Dum-Dum had gotten his fair share of those. Pride had probably kept him from saying most of what went through his head, but his reaction to everything, to how he'd acted a few minutes ago, showed the sheepdog that he really did care. He had cared. And he always cared.

Dum-Dum figured he could get a little rest, since he was still dealing with that annoying, icky soreness...and then Touché's last sentence ran through his mind. He sat bolt upright in bed, and turned to the doorway, where Touché had surely disappeared to.

"Uh, Toosh, m-maybe you should just order in breakfast for us."

"What's made you say that, Dum-Dum? You sound like I'm serving you liver!" Touché shouted from the doorway.

Liver would be more acceptable than whatever Touché was cobbling together in the kitchen. "I-I mean...I wouldn't want ta stress ya out first thing..."

"Dum-Dum, I told you, it's fine. Now, will you let me finish up breakfast in peace?"

"Uh, alright, Toosh, but don't call me ta put out the crockpot again!"

"THAT WAS ONE TIME!"

OMAKE:

"Are ya okay over thar, T.C.?" Huckleberry Hound looked over at Top Cat, who responded by hurriedly blowing his nose, and then wiping his eyes, which were leaking with tears.

"Y-Yeah, I'm fine! I-It's just my dust allergies flared up, that's all!"

"Right..."

"I'm serious, Huck!"

"Keep that up, T.C.," Trixie said, not looking up from her phone, "and you'll end up with pink eye for your trouble."

"Thanks, Captain Obvious."

The chatter died down when Touché and Dum-Dum approached, both with water bottles in their hands. Though easy going as always, they noticed that both were red-eyed. And honestly, nobody could blame them. Who wouldn't be, after everything they had to tackle for this particular episode?

"Geez, that was a heavy one." Touché slumped into one of the folding chairs with a long sigh. "I thought this special was supposed to be a lighthearted one, not getting this dark!"

"That's par the course at the moment. Ask Quick Draw and Ricochet how theirs turned out," Trixie said.

"At least their stories didn't turn into something out of a Law and Order episode," Top Cat pointed out.

"T-Tell me about it," Dum-Dum muttered. "When I read the latter half of the script, I almost called it quits!"

"Says the guy who requested a whole extra scene where he gets to destroy his attacker," Touché replied, sending Dum-Dum a pointed look.

"Says the guy who knows that if it'd been switched, you'd have done worse!"

Even Touché had to concede there. He'd expressed as much a few hours before. "...Touché."

"But seriously, I wasn't expecting you to go Super Saiyan at the end there, Dum-Dum," Top Cat said. "You sure you didn't end up in the wrong universe or somethin'?"

Both Huck and Dum-Dum looked perplexed at what he was saying. "Super Saiyan? I-Is that different from a normal sayin'? I-I can never get a hold of new slang," Dum-Dum asked, turning to Huck.

"Neither can I," Huck said.

"Oh my goodness," Touché groaned, facepalming. "Even I know what that is."

Trixie laughed as she nudged her boyfriend. "It appears that someone's been watching a lot of Dragon Ball Z."

Top Cat, who was still baffled by both dogs' apparent lack of culture, turned to her with a resigned look. "Blame Peter Potamus for that one. But at least the fights are cool. The power scale's gettin' kinda insane, though."

"...anyway, I was quite impressed with your improv, Dum-Dum," Touché said. "You managed to make do with what you were given and really give a knock out performance!"

"Aw, geez, thanks, Toosh!" Dum-Dum said, scratching the back of his neck, a small blush on his face. Typical Dum-Dum. "I-I read the note at the bottom where it said that I should jus' act normally. Like, if I was actually in a situation like that. A-An' I think I would've reacted like that, but with a lot more swearin'. A-Anyway, I think that really helped me a lot with concentratin'."

"As for you, Toosh, it took you a little bit ta get in your element," Top Cat noted.

"Yeah," Touché replied. "I don't have much experience like you guys do, so I guess I came across as a bit stiff. But it got a bit easier at the end once I figured out where the story was going. And at least I got to do what I did best: fencing."

"Yeah, it was like watchin' one of them action movie fights come to life!" Huck said. "I was at the end of my seat...well, more like fell off it, but still."

Touché chuckled. "Thanks."

"Tell me, what was the toughest scene for ya?"

"Definitely the scene where Dum-Dum was telling me everything. Nobody, not even Dum-Dum, told me what was going on. They wanted to get my genuine reaction to it. And it worked a little too well."

"Y-Yeah. We had to redo that one scene three times," Dum-Dum said. "The first time, you was cryin' so bad, you couldn't even talk!"

"T-They don't need to know that!" Touché yelled.

"An' the second time," Dum-Dum continued, completely ignoring him, "you said, 'I'm not standing for this' and actually called the cops before I could stop ya."

Top Cat snickered. "Dibble was half ready to turn you into turtle soup for that."

"Don't remind me," Touché muttered. "But at least you explained to me what was going on after the police left. It was still a major shock, though." He shook his head. "I'm glad that both your grandfather's and Angel's characters are just roles. They were quite a pair, weren't they?"

"Grandpa can be kinda strict, but he's actually a big teddy bear," Dum-Dum replied.

"And Angel herself certainly lives up to her name. Next to my ma, she's the sweetest old lady I've ever met," Huck said. "I think she cried when she got her script, 'cause she wasn't ready for her character ta be that evil..."

"What's with the nicest actors here bein' good at playin' the most terrifying people imaginable?" Top Cat pondered.

"I'm not sure. Maybe they're just that good at acting," Trixie replied. "But sadly, people like Angel's character exist in this world."

"Yup."

"And as heroes, it's our job to ream them out...though not without a couple of hard knocks, of course," Touché said.

"Damn straight," Top Cat said.

"I'll drink to that," Dum-Dum replied, taking a long swig of his water.

A comfortable silence settled over the group, only for it to be shattered by Huckleberry Hound, who shot out of his chair with sudden vehemence.

"That reminds me, I need ta take care of somethin'," he said, heading for the backstage.

"Uh, Huck, where are you going?" Touché asked.

"I'm gonna ask that Morales feller where he gets off callin' Desert Flower a bitch," Huck said, his tone angry.

And before anybody could stop him, the doors slammed shut. Everyone stared at the sight, and then at Top Cat.

"OK, who told him about that episode? Because I sure as hell didn't, and I used every excuse in the book to keep him from bein' on set."

"'Twasn't me."

"Not me, either," Trixie said.

Dum-Dum, meanwhile, had gone pale. "Y-you mean...t-that was scripted?! He was told ta say that a-about Desert Flower?!"

The next thirty seconds were pure chaos.

"Oh my gosh, Dum-Dum, why?!"

"Well, so much for my bulletproof plan."

"Dum-Dum, this is why we get all the facts first, and act second!"

"S-Sorry, Toosh."

"...I think we need to call the cops."

"Dibs ain't doin' me any more favors. I say we let 'em fight it out."

"TOP CAT!"

The End

It's done. THIS BEHEMOTH IS FINALLY DONE! *blows whistles and throws a party*

Well, as I stated in the beginning, this chapter wasn't supposed to be this long, nor this dark. But ideas just kept flowing, including one that I had a dream about, and my fingers were soon flying across the keyboard when they weren't working. You could say this story had me in a grip, lol.

This chapter was a challenge, but also so, SO much fun to write. I love writing Touché and Dum-Dum, but I don't write about them a whole lot like I do for Ricochet and Droop, or even Quick Draw and Baba Looey, namely because I don't get the "hankering" to write a lot of content for these two. But since rewatching the cartoon, my mind has been filled with tons of ideas, so hopefully that will change soon. And hopefully, I can get some more stories featuring this intrepid duo out there :)

The remastered version of For Love and Glory might include some more of these fantasy elements, but that's mostly in the sequels, especially following the sequel, titled "The Dugan Crown Affair", where Dum-Dum's role and the Crown's reported purpose aren't simply for show. This particular event will probably be detailed in one of the sequels following, which I've tentatively titled as "Heavy is the Crown". I'll be posting the information regarding both our heroes' swords, as well as Dum-Dum's super mode, on my main blog (since there I have way more tags for Touché Turtle and Dum-Dum than on my writing blog).

Now, onto our main stars!

I loved writing Touché in this story. In the cartoon, he's even more of a Marty Stu than Ricochet, with his only flaw being his own dimness when it comes to dealing with people. In my fics, I try to give him more flaws to his character to humanize him in a way that's not out of character. He can be a bit of an egotistical jerk on occasion (and when truly angry, he'll mouth off at people), but whenever he knows he's in the wrong, he'll do whatever he can to make up for it. Pride keeps him from fully expressing his feelings, but he truly does value Dum-Dum's company and friendship, and loves him like a brother. I kinda liken their friendship to Fred and Barney's; sure, they fight, and have their own flaws, but you know they'd give a kidney to the other if needed.

And then there's Dum-Dum. Out of the pair, I truly enjoy writing Dum-Dum the most (this is another case where I loved writing the sidekick more than the main hero), because I love showing different layers to his character that feel right for his personality. At the end of the day, he's an adorably lovable doofus that one can't help but want to hug. And man, did he need the hugs in this chapter. But at least he managed to get revenge against one of his abusers near the middle of the story. Even in the original draft of the story, this was my original intention to have him kill Angel for what she did to him. Touché might've if Dum-Dum had died, but it wouldn't have felt right, to be honest.

Regarding the rape/assault, I did take some cues from Law & Order: SVU on how to handle it in a PG manner. I almost considered bumping up the story's rating because of it, but since it didn't go into graphic detail, I decided not to. Should I go into detail in the aforementioned "Heavy Is the Crown", though, that'll probably get a mature rating.

Angel was also an interesting challenge to write. She was a villain I had drafted during the original version of the series, and she was meant to be a dichotomy from the beginning: she is, despite her name, a merciless, cruel being who could kill puppies with a smile. In the original version, she didn't do the aforementioned rape/sexual assault--she simply had Dum-Dum kill Touché--but a dream I had is why this element was added, and it was to cement her as a truly despicable villain who needed to be punished for her actions. Though Dum-Dum's grandfather is the "true" villain that the duo will have to face later on, there's no mistaking why I referred to Angel as "the Devil" throughout her appearance in this story.

Speaking of Grandpa Dugan, it was interesting writing him out as well. He was modeled after two of my favorite villains in video games, that being King Valentine and King Odin of Odin Sphere fame. Dugan has the ambition, all-consuming hatred and cruelty of Valentine, and the cold, calculating and ruthlessness of Odin, which I admittedly didn't get to show much of in his first appearance. Throughout the rest of the Remastered series, we'll get to see how much of a piece of work this guy is, and you'll probably want to kill him by the end of it, too, haha.

I DID want to include some stuff with Edith and Touché in this story, but my mind was at a blank when it came to them. He does have a crush on her in this version, but he won't admit it yet due to his own pride. And plus, the story is long enough, so any kind of relationship tease will have to wait in another installment. I also thought about including Catalina in this one (my other OC who's kinda intended to be Dum-Dum's love interest, but their relationship starts out as a slow burn first), but I couldn't find a way to fit her in. She will probably appear in the special chapter that'll follow T.C. & Huck's, though, so that I can get a good idea of how to write her. Still, Edith and her father, Sebastian, are two of my favorite OCs to write, so I hope to include them more in the future.

And finally, I had to include a little bit of humor at the end there with the omake, since it was sorely needed after that angst-fest. I imagine Angel being an Aunt Bee kind of character outside of acting, and Dum-Dum's grandfather being much nicer than he is outside of television. I also alluded to the fact that since I don't write about Touché Turtle much, his characterization started out kinda rough, which showed in his "acting"; hence, they had to employ some method acting techniques in his role. It kinda didn't work that well, though, since he ended up calling the cops XD Also, TC making a reference to DBZ was a throw to Jellystone, where he had to deal with Peter Potamus. Looks like Dum-Dum and Huck need to become cultured XD

Oh, and of course, Dum-Dum, being the master of "open mouth, insert foot", is the one who set Huck on the warpath. No humans were harmed in the making of this omake, I promise XD

I'll probably be taking a little break from this anthology to work on a few other projects. For one thing, I've had a few ideas for "Mirror, Mirror" again, as well as writing parts of "Dreamscape Crusade Remastered" every once in a while. But when I pick it up again, the next chapter will definitely be focusing on T.C. & Huck, while the final chapter will focus on Nadia and Roxanne. If I do think of any more H-B BroTPs, though, then I might continue it. Not guaranteeing anything though!

Anyhoo, thanks for reading! Reviews are bread and butter to me! And if you flame it, I'll just use 'em to whip up another story :)

God bless,

Iheartgod175