Ch.5: Shadows of Evil
Grunts rumbled as the earth shifted and moved, forced upwards thanks to the strength of Slam Tasmanian.
The collapsing subway station would have almost become a tomb for him and his friends had not Tech erected a magnetic shield at the last moment, deflecting away most of the debris.
Only one simple task remained, digging themselves out. And that, was exactly what Slam intended to do.
Seconds later, grateful lungs burst into the glory of fresh air, when Slam finished moving the last piece of dirt, finally able to relax and breathe.
"Great job Slam" said Ace, crawling onto his feet wearily, as his teammates did the same " you and Tech really saved our hides back there."
"You're welcome," grumbled Slam, and Tech nodded at the praise.
"I wonder what caused the subway to collapse?" asked Lexi, brushing some of the dirt out of her fur.
"Who knows?" said Tech " Probably for lots of reasons. It was an old subway station after all. Of course it could have been…"
Before Tech could continue his fascinating explanation his speech was suddenly interrupted by a worried Rev.
"Hey Guys!" said the runner, attracting all of his friends eyes " Where's Duck?"
It was only then that the Loonatics noticed that their foul-tempered friend wasn't among their ranks. Wordlessly, all of their eyes looked over to the collapsed subway tunnel, fear gripping their souls.
Did Duck manage to quack himself out? Was his body buried beneath all of that stone?
Ace didn't want to think of the worst, and barely had time to think of a decision to act when the sudden barking of angry dog exploded in his sensitive ears. An elderly man's yell wasn't far behind it.
"It's those evil Loonatics!" stated the man, calling out in a frantic voice "Police! Police!"
Knowing better than to stand around and get caught, the Loonatics quickly fled to find a safe spot where they could hide. They had been with animosity ever since the moment they had got back. It was better to stay out of the public view.
After a few minutes of running, the Loonatics finally found a place where it looked safe and secure; an old, abandoned warehouse down on the outskirts that looked like it hadn't been used in a long time.
"What is going on?" asked Lexi, soon after they had arrived.
The same irritating question was burning in all of the Loonatics brains. Why the populace so hostile with them? Who were the goons who chased them away from the army? And more over, was Duck alright?
They had been here for barely fifteen minutes, and already they had possibly lost a member to their team.
Ace quickly shook his head with frustration. He refused to believe the worst until he was absolutely positive Duck wasn't alright.
"I don't know Lex" said Ace determinedly, looking at his team " but we're going to find out. Something bad has happened in Acmetropolis while we were gone, and it's our duty as heroes to set things right."
Meanwhile, up in the Loonatics tower, the woozy figure of Danger Duck was finally beginning to stir, confusion reflecting in his eyes as he yawned and stretched awake in his room.
"How in the world did I get here?" thought Duck, slowly getting off of his made-up bed.
It was unusual for him to go to sleep without taking off the covers first, and switching his uniform out for bedtime clothes.
In fact, why was even back in his room in the first place? Didn't certain death threaten to rain down upon his head a few minutes ago? How did he manage to escape the collapse? And where were all of his friends?
Deciding that hiding in the room wasn't going to provide him much answers, Danger Duck opened up his door, and walked into the main living hall. The den looked about the same as always, except there was a curious lack of sound that made Duck feel more disturbed.
Even the TV was muted, tuned to a station where static seemed to be the main pastime. It was clear from the atmosphere that Danger wasn't alone. But just who was him remained to be seen.
"Glad you're up Duck," said a sudden voice, making Danger turn around in surprise.
There, facing him right now, were all of his Loonatic friends. Tech, Slam, Lexi, Ace, and Rev, all looking as normal as they could be. But in their eyes, something was off, and Duck quivered a little in fear.
"Ace…" said Duck slowly before spitting out questions rapid fire. " How did you guys get here? When did we all get back?"
"Don't you remember Duck?" said Ace, walking up to the mallard slowly "We saved from the subway collapse. Me and my friends here have waited a long time to meet you."
"His friends?" thought Danger Duck confused, until his mind flash-backed to those last few moments when he was saved.
His blue eyes suddenly went wide with realization as his shaking fear returned.
"You're not my friends!" stated Duck sourly " Who are you?"
"You'll know soon enough" said Dark Ace, smirking an evil grin " Given time, I think you will like us better than your old team. Now Duck, time to join the dark side."
