Author: Wild-Melody
Disclaimer : Um, do you really need one of these? I don't own it, not a thing, except for maybe the basis of my story, but that's it and I'm making no money on this, though I wish I was….darn!
Rating : This won't be to bad, but it might get worse in the later chapters…I don't know yet what I'm gonna have happen for Wildwing and Mallory yet, but I do know they will end up together…after some really nasty stuff happens! I'm evil…but I love to write this way! That was my evil twin talking, not me. Ok, warning for swearing also.
Ok, on to the story, hope you enjoy…
Chapter 2 : The Offer's Made
Wildwing woke up to pounding on his bedroom door. What the hell? He though, swinging his legs out over the side of the bed. He looked over at the alarm clock, 3:30 in the morning! He fairly shouted out loud. This had better be important for someone to be waking me up this early in the damn morning! He thought grumpily. He looked over at Nosedive asleep on the other side of the room, his little brother didn't so much as stir. Kid could sleep through an earthquake, Wildwing thought. He threw his bathrobe on, not knowing if it was one of the girls or the other guys of the team on the other side of his door. Better to be safe than sorry, he thought.
He pushed the button to open the door and was greeted by Tanya's worried face. Her purple-tinted glasses were sliding down her bill, and her hair was all mussed up like she had just hurried and threw her usual purple jumpsuit on and quickly put her hair up it the ever present ponytail. "Wildwing!" She said, her breath coming in uneven shallow breaths. The nasaliness was even more pronounced now than it usually was. "Good, it's you."
Wildwing looked curiously at her, "Who else would it be?" He asked, he stepped back and motioned for her to come in.
She bashfully walked past him, her eyes quickly surveying the surroundings. She looked at each wall, the beds, the dressers and closets. Her eyes skimmed over the door leading to Wildwing's and Nosedive's personal shower. Her eyes came to rest on the youngest member of the team still asleep in his warm comfortable bed. "Um…Wildwing?" She asked, glancing curiously up at her leader.
"It's alright," Wing said, looking over at where Nosedive was sleeping soundly. "He won't wake up, believe me. This place could be hit by an earthquake and it won't shake his butt outta bed." He sighed and motioned for Tanya to take seat on his bed. "What's got you up this early?"
Tanya sat down on the bed, her back and posture remained rimrod straight, like she was severely nervous. Wildwing sat down next to her and she quickly moved over a few inches, putting more distance between herself and her team captain. Wildwing chuckled, "I won't bite, don't worry."
Tanya blushed, "It's not…um, nyat-er, that. It's jus-s-st…well, um…s-s-see-s…" She paused, unable to meet Wildwing's eyes.
"What's up Tanya?" Wildwing asked, turning so he was facing her. "It's ok, just go ahead and tell me what ever it is that's bothering you. You know you can tell me anything." He said, Just as long as you don't tell me that you're secretly in love with me…I see the way you look at Duke, not to mention the way he looks at you. He thought, a smile creeping across his beak.
"It's Mallory." Tanya said, her voice braking even more than usual.
"What about her?" Wildwing asked, his heart doing a sudden lurch into his throat. "Is she alright?"
"Um, well…th-that's just it. I-I d-don't know." Tanya stuttered. "Sh-she's not in our r-room. I c-can't seem to f-find her a-an-anywhere. It's j-just like she d-dis oh, is gone." Tanya quickly got up and started pacing across Wing's and Dive's floor.
"Whoa, just calm down Tawny, I'm sure she's got to be somewhere here in the base or up in the rink. Did you check upstairs?" Wildwing asked, grabbing at straws. Mal just has to be here, where would she go? She wouldn't go anywhere with out telling someone, at least not this early in the morning.
"Y-yeah, I l-looked upstairs. S-she's not there." Tanya sat back down on the bed and nervously looked at Wildwing. He was thinking, his beak resting in the palm of his hand. "Um, Wing?" He looked at her, his eyes boring into her's. "Mal d-did a lot of t-times s-sneak out at n-night."
"WHAT?!" He almost exploded. Dive moved in his bed, mumbling something about fifteen more minutes then he'd get up. "What do you mean she'd sneak out at night? Where to? Why didn't you ever tell anybody?"
"W-well, I-I always th-thought she w-was coming t-to see y-you." Tanya stuttered, worse than ever. Wildwing was really making her nervous. I guess he really does have feelings for Mallory, to bad she won't listen to me and ask him out sometime. Tanya thought to herself.
"Me? Why me?" He asked, incredulously. He blushed slightly before turning his head away from her.
Ah-ha! Tanya thought, I saw that! I knew I was right! Why can't you two just admit it and get it over with already? "I just thought, w-well, that s-something…" she paused, trying to gather her wits about her. "Oh, never m-mind, I don't k-know! P-point is she's m-missing, and I d-don't know where she c-could be at!"
"Right," Wildwing said, he looked over towards his younger brother. "Sound a code red, I want everyone in the control room in five minutes. Try to see if you can locate her comm signal, we'll start there and see where we can go after that."
Tanya nodded her head and dashed out of the room.
*****
Mallory slowly woke up, her head feeling like a thousand Saurian troops had been using her for their marching grounds. Her arms were tied behind her back, and her ankles were bound together. She tried opening her mouth only to find that someone had tapped her beak shut. Shit!! She swore, looking around the cell she was being held in. Typical Saurian holding cell, she thought, her eyes wondering around the small cramped room.
No, not typical. A voice said, she whipped her head around, trying to find the speaker. She saw no one.
What the hell? She thought to herself. Am I going insane now too?
Not at all, the same voice said calmly in her mind.
Who the hell? Show yourself! Mal thought. What the hell am I doing, talking to myself now too? I am going crazy! Maybe I shouldn't have eaten that last slice of pizza before going to bed last night. The tape binding her mouth shut suddenly dropped to the floor at her feet. Her eyes widened as she glanced down at the offending piece of gray tape.
Pizza has nothing to do with it. The voice said calmly in her head once again.
"Who the hell are you and show yourself, would you?!" Mal yelled at the top of her lungs. She flexed her jaws, feeling her jaw muscled pop.
A duck just a hair shorter than Wildwing stepped out of the shadows. He was dark black with evil red eyes, his feathers looked like the ends were tipped with a crimson coloring. His red eyes bored into Mal's, she was forced to look away from his menacing glare. He was broadly built, his arms and legs well muscled. He looked like he could take Wildwing or Grin down with no problem. He stood before her clothed in a dark blue cloak embroidered with blood red moons. The hood on it drooped over his face, but didn't hide it from sight, Boy, I wish it did. Mal thought to herself.
He grinned evilly at her, his red eyes lazily caressing her body. Mal shuddered, her stomach suddenly feeling like it was going to heave all it's contents on the floor of the cell. "How in the hell did you get into the pond in the first place?" Mallory asked, trying to take her mind off of the evil thing leering at her. "Tanya had equipped it with the very latest in security measures, you shouldn't have been able to get in!"
It wasn't that hard to get by your primitive defenses. He sneered, leering even more evilly at her. Your friend forgot to take into account magic.
"No she didn't. She had shields set up that would repel Saurian magic."
Ha, ha, ha…so very damn funny, the evil creature laughed, coming up to the bars of the cell. She took into account Saurian magic, did she ever consider Puckworldian magic?
Mallory's eyes widened in disbelief. It just can't be…no, it's just not possible. Your all suppose to be dead. They took care of you a long time ago…it just isn't possible.
I'm here, aren't I? Apparently all things are possible. The evil duck snickered. I was hoping that I'd catch you first.
Oh? And why is that? Mallory shot back, her eyes narrowing.
I know who you are Mallory McMallard. Or should I say, I know what you are?
Her eyes narrowed even more. "And what is it you think I am?"
A Puckworldian Sorceress, I know it ran through your family's blood quite strongly. It grew stronger with each generation, occasionally skipping one or two generations. I thought it had skipped you, but now I'm not so sure. I think you maybe perhaps the strongest of your line.
"I don't know what your talking about." Mallory said, glaring daggers at the evil duck.
Oh, you don't?
Mallory shook her head, really having no clue as to what the lunatic was talking about.
Your first mistake was answering me. If you didn't possess the magic than you wouldn't be able to hear me, let along respond to what I'm saying. And second, I can feel it coursing through your blood. I can feel it radiating off of you.
Who in the hell are you? Mallory asked, struggling with the ropes that tied her wrists together. If only I can loosen these slightly then I might be able to get free.
You have a lot to learn Flaming Bird, I can hear all of your thoughts, just as you can hear mine. He chuckled softly in his throat, As for my name, I am called Nightshade, Priest of the Delkta-triad. Your friend Dragaunus brought me here from the Dark Realm in hopes that I could help him in defeating you ducks. Never in my wildest dreams, or his for that matter, had either of us thought that one of you lowsy do-gooders would be a magius. What a surprise it was when I learned that one of you possessed quite a significant amount of magickal energy.
Sorry to disappoint you Nightshade, but I think you have the wrong duck. No one in my family knew or knows how to do anything that involves using magicki, not even remotely near that notion for that matter. Mallory thought, still working at trying to loosen the binding on her wrists.
Oh, don't sell yourself short Flaming Bird, you will surprise even yourself. I can teach you how to use your powers. I can show you the potential of your gift!
You'll turn me evil.
I'm the only one who can teach you how to use your powers, there's no one else on this mudball that can teach you the ancient Puckworldian Art of Magius. Think about it. With that said, the evil shadow that cloaked the Priest Nightshade disappeared and Mallory wondered if she was trully alone this time or was he still hiding somewhere in the shadows, just waiting for the opportunity to pounce on her raw emotions.
*****
Wildwing and Nosedive were the last to make it into the control room, Tanya was already sitting at Drake 1's control panels, punching in series of different sequences of numbers. With each series of numbers a different screen would show up on Drake 1's main computer screen, but there was no activity on any of the screens. Wildwing glanced at the rest of the assembled Ducks. "What have you got for me Tanya? Have you found her yet?"
Tanya punched in another sequence of numbers and the picture on the screen changed one more time, this time a bright red dot blinked on the screen. "I uh, found her comm signal." Tanya said, her stuttering under control now. "She's still here in the, uh the pond." Tanya said, turning around to face Wildwing. "Uh, she's actually up in the, uh rink, at least according to Drake 1."
"Good, Tanya I want you to stay down here with Drake 1 and tell me how close I'm getting to her comm signal. I'm gonna go up and try and find her." Wildwing says, rushing out of the control room.
"Boy," Tanya breaths, "This is, uh proving to be an interesting morning already." She says as she watches the blip on the screen that represents Wildwing. It moves up through the levels of the secret base until it finally reaches the uppermost level, the Hockey Rink. Now the two blips are only mere centimeters apart. She flips the comm toggle. "Um, Wildwing, you should be right on top of her now."
There came a sound over the comm, that could only be described as a scuffle then Wildwing gently swearing. "It's only her comm unit." He said, "I'm not liking this one bit. Something's happened here and we're going to get to the bottom of it. I'm on my way down, better come up with some other ideas as to how we can find her."
A few moments later Wildwing walked through the control room doors. "Well?" He asked, looking at each of the team members individually. "Anyone come up with any ideas at all?"
Tanya cleared her throat, all eyes turned towards her. "I'm thinking! Believe me, I'm thinking!"
Wildwing shifted his eyes back to the rest of the team. "Well, the rest of you thought of anything?" He looked at Duke, the older man wouldn't meet his gaze, just kept avoiding it. Grin stood like a statue, his mind deep in thought. Nosedive was staring up at the ceiling, acting like his mind was a million lightyears away. "Anything at all?"
"I say it smells of Draggy!" Nosedive hissed. "This is just like something he would do. Capture one of us to send the rest of us into turmoil."
"I think I have away, why I didn't uh, think of it earlier is like beyond me." Tanya said, swinging around in her chair to look at Wildwing. His facial expression told her to go on. "Well, ya see, I've um, been working on these new rocket skates, they kinda ya know go from ice blades to skates for regular…" she quite talking for a second, pausing from the glare she was getting from Wildwing. "Um, well, you see they have a built in homing beacon in them. You know, just in case something like this was ever to happen. If Mal borrowed them from my lab, like I know she's been wanting too, then well, I can use the beacon to find out where she is."
"Alright Tanya!" Nosedive crowed. "Score one for Tawny!"
"Nosedive would you mind keeping it quiet just for a little bit while Tanya runs this scan?" Wildwing asked, resting his hands on the back of Tanya's chair. His eyes were glued to the computer screen.
Tanya begun punching in a few more codes, the screen flashed quickly, the diagrams on the computer screen turning into a blueprint of the secret base. Five red dots began to steadily blink, "The skates are still here," Tanya says. "They're still…um wait a minute!"
"What is it Tanya?" Wildwing asks, looking closer at the computer screen.
"One of the skates is missing. There is only five pairs in my lab. Mallory must've taken the last pair!" Tanya pushes another button on Drake 1's main control panel, the screen changes once again, this time showing a map of Anaheim. A solitary red dot begins to blink, "That's got to be Mal!" Tanya says excitedly.
"Tanya, I want you to stay here again, the others and I are gonna go and look for her. I want you to tell me if that dot starts moving or if anything strange seems to happen." Wildwing says. Tanya nods her head yes in understanding. "The rest of you Ducks to the Migrator, we've got a teammate to find!" Tanya watches as Wildwing, Nosedive, Duke and even Grin all run from the room.
"Left here again all by my lonesome," she sighs to herself.
*****
The Migrator stopped just outside of what looked like a turn of the century farmhouse. Wildwing was the first one out, he stopped just outside of the Migrator and stared up at the farmhouse, Something's just not right here, he thought to himself. Touching either side of the mask he scanned the old building. His eyes narrow, Duke stops next to him, "Whatdya see Wing?" Duke asked, noticing the look on his leader's face.
"Trouble," Wildwing said, "It's the Raptor."
"I told you this whole thing smelled of Lizard Lips!" Nosedive said, his voice rising with his excitement.
"Yeesh," Duke said, putting a hand on Dive's shoulder, "Calm down kid, your tiring me out just watching you bounce around with that excitement of yours."
"What are we gonna do? Just stand here and gawk up at the Raptor or are we gonna storm it?" Dive asked, his voice growing that much more excited.
"We don't know what they're doing to Mallory, let alone why they caught her." Wildwing said, studying the Raptor with the mask. Something just didn't feel right here.
"I say we just blast our way in!" Dive said as he started for the cloaked Raptor. "Here we come Draggy, ready or not!" He shouted as he started firing exploding pucks at the 'old farmhouse'.
"Nosedive, NO!!!" Wildwing yelled, running after his impulsive younger brother. Suddenly the cloak of the old farmhouse disintergrated and the Raptor stood in all it's evil glory there in front of the ducks. Lazer fire shot down from the Raptor, trying to reroute the attacking ducks.
"Enough of this!" Wildwing shouted as he blasted a hole in the side of the Raptor. "Come on Ducks!" He yelled as he dove into the interior of the Raptor, the rest of the Ducks weren't far behind.
*****
Mallory jumped as the warning claxons began their loud blaring, almost braking her eardrums. I wonder if Wildwing and the others have made it in yet…I hope they get here soon, that Nightshade is really starting to scare me! She glanced towards the door that lead out of the cell block. She swore she could see his glowing red eyes in the shadows, watching her. Admit it though, his offer is tempting, a little voice said in the back of her mind. It is not! She screamed back at it, There is no way I would learn the evil side of the Puckworldian Art of Magius. My family only practiced the side of the light, it would be disgrace to all that they were and all that I am if I even considered delving into the evil arts.
Admit though, it's a tempting offer…the voice continued.
It is not! Mallory shouted, Now just shut up and let me alone would you?!
It appears you friends have finally made it, Nightshade from the shadows. I was wondering how long it would take them…I figured they would be here a lot sooner than this. Your team leader must not be very bright.
If I could get out of this cage I'd kill you right now with my bare hands! Mallory growled. I suggest you take that back about Wildwing right now, or if, no when I do get out of this cell, I will personally rip your head off and feed it to you!
Touche aren't we? Is this Wildwing something to you? More than just your team leader perhaps. I thought it was against Military Code to get involved with a Superior Officer. At least it was in my time, I don't know about yours.
I swear once I get out of here I'm gonna kill you with my own bare hands! You hear me?
Yeah, hear you, kinda hard not to when your yelling like that. He slunk out of the shadows and walked up to the cell bars, looking in at the female duck sitting on her tail feathers on the floor. I can teach you everything you'll ever need to know Flaming Bird, if you'd just let me. I could be your Master. The thought enter her mind.
I doubt that, Mallory hissed through her teeth. The evil Magius stepped back into the shadows and disappeared. Is he still here or did he teleport out of here? Mallory wondered.
I'm still here Flaming Bird, just in another part of the ship, that's all. Remember my offer, I can teach you everything, you could have anything your heart desires…
You wish! Mallory spit back. Suddenly one of Draguanus' fighter drones entered the room and took up a sentry position at the door, it's gun pointed ahead, towards the doorway, waiting for someone to attempt to try and come through the door.
A puck ricocheted off of the doorframe and struck the drone in what could only be called its chest. The drone blew up, sending pieces of melted metal flying towards Mallory. She blinked and tried hiding her face from the explosion. No such luck, she thought as she felt a piece of hot shrapnel hit her in the side of her face. Ouch!
Wildwing walked through the door, glancing around trying to find Mallory. "Mallory, stand back, I'm gonna blast the door." He said once he looked in the cell at her. He fires an exploding puck at the cell door and Mallory watches as the door disintergrates in a debris of smoke and rock shrapnel. Wing rushes into the cell, quickly cutting the ropes from her feet and wrists.
"Thanks Wing!" Mal says, looking up into his eyes through the mask.
"Come on, let's get out of here!" Wing says, helping Mal to her feet. Wearily looking out of the doorway, checking both ways to make sure that there won't be any surprise attacks, he motions for Mallory to follow him. Duke falls into stop behind them, Mal has no idea where he came from. Up ahead she catches site of Nosedive and Grin.
Wildwing starts to push her out of the hole he created when she suddenly freezes. MALLORY!!! She hears the name echo through her mind. She whirls around, trying to find out where he's at. She can't find him, he's hiding somewhere in the shadows, but she can feel him watching her every move. I can teach you everything, you can have anything beyond your wildest dreams. Just stay here and let me teach you. Put you special gift to use Mallory.
Mallory stared for a few more seconds in the direction he was standing, or at least from the direction his mind-thoughts had come from. Not on your life!
A lazer bolt shot past her head, striking the wall behind her. Mallory turned and cringed. "Watch where you fire those things at would you? Your gonna hurt somebody!" She yelled as Siege and Chameleon came around the corner.
"That's the idea!" Siege growled. "I was trying for roast duck for dinner, but it looks like you got out of your cage." He took aim again, readying to fire at her again. "Charboiled duck doesn't sound half bad so why don't you hold still so I can get a good bead on you?"
"Not on your life you Saurian slime!" Mallory yelled back, grabbing for her puck blaster and belatedly realizing it wasn't there. One was suddenly shoved into her grip, she looked over and met Wildwing's eyes. She nodded her thanks and took a shot at Siege. The Saurian moved out of her range of fire, Lucky for you I guess. She thought malevolently, glaring at the Saurian.
She heard Wildwing order everyone to retreat, she started falling back, Wildwing following behind her. Mallory, think about it…she heard his voice again, in her head. You can have anything you want…anyone you want.
That made her stop for a second time and turn around and face the traitorous duck…Anyone I want? She echoed, the thought spiraling around in her mind. She saw him just barely nod his head in the affirmative. She felt someone grab hold of her, she turned to look at Duke, he was saying something and pointing towards the hole Wildwing had blown in the side of the Raptor. She nodded her head, turning once more to look back at the evil Magius Duck. He was gone already.
It was in that time span that time actually seemed to stand still, she heard a hiss of breath escape from Duke, his one good eye turned towards here, the look filled with pain. She frantically looked for Wildwing, he was trying to drag his little brother out through the hole but the younger duck was fighting the whole way. That's when she say the stray sphere of light angle towards Wildwing and Nosedive. Nosedive took the blast full in the chest, he screamed out in pain and collapsed on the floor.
Duke grabbed hold of Mallory by the back of her shielding and pulled her toward the hole. Wildwing and Grin were both trying to carry the unconscious Nosedive through the small opening. She turned wearily and followed her teammates towards the Migrator. She knew she was going to get it this time, there was no doubt about it.
*****
Tanya was checking on the two ducks vitals for what was probably the hundredth time since they had been brought in. She looked down at each of the Medcom beds controls, trying to find anything that would show that either one of the injured ducks were showing any sign of recovery. Duke's vitals were slowly coming up out of the red zone, he was just starting to stabalize, How did you manage to stay conscious long enough to get out of the Raptor? She wondered looking down at Duke.
She turned her attention to Nosedive, he wasn't fairing any better, actually he was far worse. He had quit breathing on his way to the pond, and no sooner had they gotten him in on the Medcom bed his heart had stopped beating. Wildwing was outside of the infirmary right now, talking to Mallory. Tanya pitied the only other female duck of the team.
Wildwing was glaring at Mallory, "Wanna tell me what happened back there?" He asked, crossing his arms in front of his chest. He leaned back against the wall, waiting to hear the female duck's explanation.
She glared right back at him but didn't give up an ground. Her arms laid loosely by her side, "I don't know," she stated, but she was unable to meet his eyes then.
He was in her face suddenly, "The hell you don't know! Dive and Duke are in the infirmary right now because you 'don't know'! You'd better come up with one heck of a better excuse than that!" His arms had fell to his sides too, his hands were clenched, his knuckles turning even whiter than they already were.
"It's not my fault they're there." Mal hissed, backing up a step from Wildwing. "I didn't shoot them, what do you think I am? A traitor or something?" She said hotheaded.
"That's a good question." Wing said, regarding her strangely. "I don't understand how they got into the pond in the first place," he said, rubbing the bottom of his beak. "There's no way they should've been able to get through the defenses Tanya's put up around this place."
"What are you saying?" Mal asked, her voice suddenly going low and soft.
"Did you help them orchestrate your own capture?" Wildwing asked, holding his breath, dreading the answer.
Mallory stared aghast at him, her eyes suddenly narrowing. "I can't believe you'd ask me such a thing," she said, stepping up to him so they were beak to beak. "What, you think I'm working for the Saurian's now?"
"I don't know, you tell me." Wildwing said, looking down at her.
She just glared at him even more, then he said something that she'd never thought she'd hear come out of his mouth. "Your benched until further notice, and I want someone with you at all times. I mean all times, you don't go anywhere without telling someone where your going and when you'll be back."
"I can't believe you just did that!" Mallory said. The argument grew heated, things were thrown back and forth, things that shouldn't have been said but were, and would never be able to be taken back. Mal grew angrier by the second, until she had no idea how she did it, but Wildwing was getting into her face once more and with a simple flick of her wrist, she sent him flying across the room. She watched dumbfounded as her leader slid down the wall to the floor and sits there not moving.
Mal quickly flips her comm unit on, "Tanya, you'd better get out here, Wing's out cold." After a brief question and answer session with the other female duck, Mal shut the comm unit and turned to regard Wildwing. She squatted down next to him, looking at his face. She put a hand up to his cheek, softly caressing it. A tear slips down her from her eye, trailing a sparkling coarse down over her feathered cheek, "I'm sorry Wing," she says, her voice braking. She gently kisses him on the side of his beak, then she turns from him and dashes out of the area and out of the headquarters.
Disclaimer : Um, do you really need one of these? I don't own it, not a thing, except for maybe the basis of my story, but that's it and I'm making no money on this, though I wish I was….darn!
Rating : This won't be to bad, but it might get worse in the later chapters…I don't know yet what I'm gonna have happen for Wildwing and Mallory yet, but I do know they will end up together…after some really nasty stuff happens! I'm evil…but I love to write this way! That was my evil twin talking, not me. Ok, warning for swearing also.
Ok, on to the story, hope you enjoy…
Chapter 2 : The Offer's Made
Wildwing woke up to pounding on his bedroom door. What the hell? He though, swinging his legs out over the side of the bed. He looked over at the alarm clock, 3:30 in the morning! He fairly shouted out loud. This had better be important for someone to be waking me up this early in the damn morning! He thought grumpily. He looked over at Nosedive asleep on the other side of the room, his little brother didn't so much as stir. Kid could sleep through an earthquake, Wildwing thought. He threw his bathrobe on, not knowing if it was one of the girls or the other guys of the team on the other side of his door. Better to be safe than sorry, he thought.
He pushed the button to open the door and was greeted by Tanya's worried face. Her purple-tinted glasses were sliding down her bill, and her hair was all mussed up like she had just hurried and threw her usual purple jumpsuit on and quickly put her hair up it the ever present ponytail. "Wildwing!" She said, her breath coming in uneven shallow breaths. The nasaliness was even more pronounced now than it usually was. "Good, it's you."
Wildwing looked curiously at her, "Who else would it be?" He asked, he stepped back and motioned for her to come in.
She bashfully walked past him, her eyes quickly surveying the surroundings. She looked at each wall, the beds, the dressers and closets. Her eyes skimmed over the door leading to Wildwing's and Nosedive's personal shower. Her eyes came to rest on the youngest member of the team still asleep in his warm comfortable bed. "Um…Wildwing?" She asked, glancing curiously up at her leader.
"It's alright," Wing said, looking over at where Nosedive was sleeping soundly. "He won't wake up, believe me. This place could be hit by an earthquake and it won't shake his butt outta bed." He sighed and motioned for Tanya to take seat on his bed. "What's got you up this early?"
Tanya sat down on the bed, her back and posture remained rimrod straight, like she was severely nervous. Wildwing sat down next to her and she quickly moved over a few inches, putting more distance between herself and her team captain. Wildwing chuckled, "I won't bite, don't worry."
Tanya blushed, "It's not…um, nyat-er, that. It's jus-s-st…well, um…s-s-see-s…" She paused, unable to meet Wildwing's eyes.
"What's up Tanya?" Wildwing asked, turning so he was facing her. "It's ok, just go ahead and tell me what ever it is that's bothering you. You know you can tell me anything." He said, Just as long as you don't tell me that you're secretly in love with me…I see the way you look at Duke, not to mention the way he looks at you. He thought, a smile creeping across his beak.
"It's Mallory." Tanya said, her voice braking even more than usual.
"What about her?" Wildwing asked, his heart doing a sudden lurch into his throat. "Is she alright?"
"Um, well…th-that's just it. I-I d-don't know." Tanya stuttered. "Sh-she's not in our r-room. I c-can't seem to f-find her a-an-anywhere. It's j-just like she d-dis oh, is gone." Tanya quickly got up and started pacing across Wing's and Dive's floor.
"Whoa, just calm down Tawny, I'm sure she's got to be somewhere here in the base or up in the rink. Did you check upstairs?" Wildwing asked, grabbing at straws. Mal just has to be here, where would she go? She wouldn't go anywhere with out telling someone, at least not this early in the morning.
"Y-yeah, I l-looked upstairs. S-she's not there." Tanya sat back down on the bed and nervously looked at Wildwing. He was thinking, his beak resting in the palm of his hand. "Um, Wing?" He looked at her, his eyes boring into her's. "Mal d-did a lot of t-times s-sneak out at n-night."
"WHAT?!" He almost exploded. Dive moved in his bed, mumbling something about fifteen more minutes then he'd get up. "What do you mean she'd sneak out at night? Where to? Why didn't you ever tell anybody?"
"W-well, I-I always th-thought she w-was coming t-to see y-you." Tanya stuttered, worse than ever. Wildwing was really making her nervous. I guess he really does have feelings for Mallory, to bad she won't listen to me and ask him out sometime. Tanya thought to herself.
"Me? Why me?" He asked, incredulously. He blushed slightly before turning his head away from her.
Ah-ha! Tanya thought, I saw that! I knew I was right! Why can't you two just admit it and get it over with already? "I just thought, w-well, that s-something…" she paused, trying to gather her wits about her. "Oh, never m-mind, I don't k-know! P-point is she's m-missing, and I d-don't know where she c-could be at!"
"Right," Wildwing said, he looked over towards his younger brother. "Sound a code red, I want everyone in the control room in five minutes. Try to see if you can locate her comm signal, we'll start there and see where we can go after that."
Tanya nodded her head and dashed out of the room.
*****
Mallory slowly woke up, her head feeling like a thousand Saurian troops had been using her for their marching grounds. Her arms were tied behind her back, and her ankles were bound together. She tried opening her mouth only to find that someone had tapped her beak shut. Shit!! She swore, looking around the cell she was being held in. Typical Saurian holding cell, she thought, her eyes wondering around the small cramped room.
No, not typical. A voice said, she whipped her head around, trying to find the speaker. She saw no one.
What the hell? She thought to herself. Am I going insane now too?
Not at all, the same voice said calmly in her mind.
Who the hell? Show yourself! Mal thought. What the hell am I doing, talking to myself now too? I am going crazy! Maybe I shouldn't have eaten that last slice of pizza before going to bed last night. The tape binding her mouth shut suddenly dropped to the floor at her feet. Her eyes widened as she glanced down at the offending piece of gray tape.
Pizza has nothing to do with it. The voice said calmly in her head once again.
"Who the hell are you and show yourself, would you?!" Mal yelled at the top of her lungs. She flexed her jaws, feeling her jaw muscled pop.
A duck just a hair shorter than Wildwing stepped out of the shadows. He was dark black with evil red eyes, his feathers looked like the ends were tipped with a crimson coloring. His red eyes bored into Mal's, she was forced to look away from his menacing glare. He was broadly built, his arms and legs well muscled. He looked like he could take Wildwing or Grin down with no problem. He stood before her clothed in a dark blue cloak embroidered with blood red moons. The hood on it drooped over his face, but didn't hide it from sight, Boy, I wish it did. Mal thought to herself.
He grinned evilly at her, his red eyes lazily caressing her body. Mal shuddered, her stomach suddenly feeling like it was going to heave all it's contents on the floor of the cell. "How in the hell did you get into the pond in the first place?" Mallory asked, trying to take her mind off of the evil thing leering at her. "Tanya had equipped it with the very latest in security measures, you shouldn't have been able to get in!"
It wasn't that hard to get by your primitive defenses. He sneered, leering even more evilly at her. Your friend forgot to take into account magic.
"No she didn't. She had shields set up that would repel Saurian magic."
Ha, ha, ha…so very damn funny, the evil creature laughed, coming up to the bars of the cell. She took into account Saurian magic, did she ever consider Puckworldian magic?
Mallory's eyes widened in disbelief. It just can't be…no, it's just not possible. Your all suppose to be dead. They took care of you a long time ago…it just isn't possible.
I'm here, aren't I? Apparently all things are possible. The evil duck snickered. I was hoping that I'd catch you first.
Oh? And why is that? Mallory shot back, her eyes narrowing.
I know who you are Mallory McMallard. Or should I say, I know what you are?
Her eyes narrowed even more. "And what is it you think I am?"
A Puckworldian Sorceress, I know it ran through your family's blood quite strongly. It grew stronger with each generation, occasionally skipping one or two generations. I thought it had skipped you, but now I'm not so sure. I think you maybe perhaps the strongest of your line.
"I don't know what your talking about." Mallory said, glaring daggers at the evil duck.
Oh, you don't?
Mallory shook her head, really having no clue as to what the lunatic was talking about.
Your first mistake was answering me. If you didn't possess the magic than you wouldn't be able to hear me, let along respond to what I'm saying. And second, I can feel it coursing through your blood. I can feel it radiating off of you.
Who in the hell are you? Mallory asked, struggling with the ropes that tied her wrists together. If only I can loosen these slightly then I might be able to get free.
You have a lot to learn Flaming Bird, I can hear all of your thoughts, just as you can hear mine. He chuckled softly in his throat, As for my name, I am called Nightshade, Priest of the Delkta-triad. Your friend Dragaunus brought me here from the Dark Realm in hopes that I could help him in defeating you ducks. Never in my wildest dreams, or his for that matter, had either of us thought that one of you lowsy do-gooders would be a magius. What a surprise it was when I learned that one of you possessed quite a significant amount of magickal energy.
Sorry to disappoint you Nightshade, but I think you have the wrong duck. No one in my family knew or knows how to do anything that involves using magicki, not even remotely near that notion for that matter. Mallory thought, still working at trying to loosen the binding on her wrists.
Oh, don't sell yourself short Flaming Bird, you will surprise even yourself. I can teach you how to use your powers. I can show you the potential of your gift!
You'll turn me evil.
I'm the only one who can teach you how to use your powers, there's no one else on this mudball that can teach you the ancient Puckworldian Art of Magius. Think about it. With that said, the evil shadow that cloaked the Priest Nightshade disappeared and Mallory wondered if she was trully alone this time or was he still hiding somewhere in the shadows, just waiting for the opportunity to pounce on her raw emotions.
*****
Wildwing and Nosedive were the last to make it into the control room, Tanya was already sitting at Drake 1's control panels, punching in series of different sequences of numbers. With each series of numbers a different screen would show up on Drake 1's main computer screen, but there was no activity on any of the screens. Wildwing glanced at the rest of the assembled Ducks. "What have you got for me Tanya? Have you found her yet?"
Tanya punched in another sequence of numbers and the picture on the screen changed one more time, this time a bright red dot blinked on the screen. "I uh, found her comm signal." Tanya said, her stuttering under control now. "She's still here in the, uh the pond." Tanya said, turning around to face Wildwing. "Uh, she's actually up in the, uh rink, at least according to Drake 1."
"Good, Tanya I want you to stay down here with Drake 1 and tell me how close I'm getting to her comm signal. I'm gonna go up and try and find her." Wildwing says, rushing out of the control room.
"Boy," Tanya breaths, "This is, uh proving to be an interesting morning already." She says as she watches the blip on the screen that represents Wildwing. It moves up through the levels of the secret base until it finally reaches the uppermost level, the Hockey Rink. Now the two blips are only mere centimeters apart. She flips the comm toggle. "Um, Wildwing, you should be right on top of her now."
There came a sound over the comm, that could only be described as a scuffle then Wildwing gently swearing. "It's only her comm unit." He said, "I'm not liking this one bit. Something's happened here and we're going to get to the bottom of it. I'm on my way down, better come up with some other ideas as to how we can find her."
A few moments later Wildwing walked through the control room doors. "Well?" He asked, looking at each of the team members individually. "Anyone come up with any ideas at all?"
Tanya cleared her throat, all eyes turned towards her. "I'm thinking! Believe me, I'm thinking!"
Wildwing shifted his eyes back to the rest of the team. "Well, the rest of you thought of anything?" He looked at Duke, the older man wouldn't meet his gaze, just kept avoiding it. Grin stood like a statue, his mind deep in thought. Nosedive was staring up at the ceiling, acting like his mind was a million lightyears away. "Anything at all?"
"I say it smells of Draggy!" Nosedive hissed. "This is just like something he would do. Capture one of us to send the rest of us into turmoil."
"I think I have away, why I didn't uh, think of it earlier is like beyond me." Tanya said, swinging around in her chair to look at Wildwing. His facial expression told her to go on. "Well, ya see, I've um, been working on these new rocket skates, they kinda ya know go from ice blades to skates for regular…" she quite talking for a second, pausing from the glare she was getting from Wildwing. "Um, well, you see they have a built in homing beacon in them. You know, just in case something like this was ever to happen. If Mal borrowed them from my lab, like I know she's been wanting too, then well, I can use the beacon to find out where she is."
"Alright Tanya!" Nosedive crowed. "Score one for Tawny!"
"Nosedive would you mind keeping it quiet just for a little bit while Tanya runs this scan?" Wildwing asked, resting his hands on the back of Tanya's chair. His eyes were glued to the computer screen.
Tanya begun punching in a few more codes, the screen flashed quickly, the diagrams on the computer screen turning into a blueprint of the secret base. Five red dots began to steadily blink, "The skates are still here," Tanya says. "They're still…um wait a minute!"
"What is it Tanya?" Wildwing asks, looking closer at the computer screen.
"One of the skates is missing. There is only five pairs in my lab. Mallory must've taken the last pair!" Tanya pushes another button on Drake 1's main control panel, the screen changes once again, this time showing a map of Anaheim. A solitary red dot begins to blink, "That's got to be Mal!" Tanya says excitedly.
"Tanya, I want you to stay here again, the others and I are gonna go and look for her. I want you to tell me if that dot starts moving or if anything strange seems to happen." Wildwing says. Tanya nods her head yes in understanding. "The rest of you Ducks to the Migrator, we've got a teammate to find!" Tanya watches as Wildwing, Nosedive, Duke and even Grin all run from the room.
"Left here again all by my lonesome," she sighs to herself.
*****
The Migrator stopped just outside of what looked like a turn of the century farmhouse. Wildwing was the first one out, he stopped just outside of the Migrator and stared up at the farmhouse, Something's just not right here, he thought to himself. Touching either side of the mask he scanned the old building. His eyes narrow, Duke stops next to him, "Whatdya see Wing?" Duke asked, noticing the look on his leader's face.
"Trouble," Wildwing said, "It's the Raptor."
"I told you this whole thing smelled of Lizard Lips!" Nosedive said, his voice rising with his excitement.
"Yeesh," Duke said, putting a hand on Dive's shoulder, "Calm down kid, your tiring me out just watching you bounce around with that excitement of yours."
"What are we gonna do? Just stand here and gawk up at the Raptor or are we gonna storm it?" Dive asked, his voice growing that much more excited.
"We don't know what they're doing to Mallory, let alone why they caught her." Wildwing said, studying the Raptor with the mask. Something just didn't feel right here.
"I say we just blast our way in!" Dive said as he started for the cloaked Raptor. "Here we come Draggy, ready or not!" He shouted as he started firing exploding pucks at the 'old farmhouse'.
"Nosedive, NO!!!" Wildwing yelled, running after his impulsive younger brother. Suddenly the cloak of the old farmhouse disintergrated and the Raptor stood in all it's evil glory there in front of the ducks. Lazer fire shot down from the Raptor, trying to reroute the attacking ducks.
"Enough of this!" Wildwing shouted as he blasted a hole in the side of the Raptor. "Come on Ducks!" He yelled as he dove into the interior of the Raptor, the rest of the Ducks weren't far behind.
*****
Mallory jumped as the warning claxons began their loud blaring, almost braking her eardrums. I wonder if Wildwing and the others have made it in yet…I hope they get here soon, that Nightshade is really starting to scare me! She glanced towards the door that lead out of the cell block. She swore she could see his glowing red eyes in the shadows, watching her. Admit it though, his offer is tempting, a little voice said in the back of her mind. It is not! She screamed back at it, There is no way I would learn the evil side of the Puckworldian Art of Magius. My family only practiced the side of the light, it would be disgrace to all that they were and all that I am if I even considered delving into the evil arts.
Admit though, it's a tempting offer…the voice continued.
It is not! Mallory shouted, Now just shut up and let me alone would you?!
It appears you friends have finally made it, Nightshade from the shadows. I was wondering how long it would take them…I figured they would be here a lot sooner than this. Your team leader must not be very bright.
If I could get out of this cage I'd kill you right now with my bare hands! Mallory growled. I suggest you take that back about Wildwing right now, or if, no when I do get out of this cell, I will personally rip your head off and feed it to you!
Touche aren't we? Is this Wildwing something to you? More than just your team leader perhaps. I thought it was against Military Code to get involved with a Superior Officer. At least it was in my time, I don't know about yours.
I swear once I get out of here I'm gonna kill you with my own bare hands! You hear me?
Yeah, hear you, kinda hard not to when your yelling like that. He slunk out of the shadows and walked up to the cell bars, looking in at the female duck sitting on her tail feathers on the floor. I can teach you everything you'll ever need to know Flaming Bird, if you'd just let me. I could be your Master. The thought enter her mind.
I doubt that, Mallory hissed through her teeth. The evil Magius stepped back into the shadows and disappeared. Is he still here or did he teleport out of here? Mallory wondered.
I'm still here Flaming Bird, just in another part of the ship, that's all. Remember my offer, I can teach you everything, you could have anything your heart desires…
You wish! Mallory spit back. Suddenly one of Draguanus' fighter drones entered the room and took up a sentry position at the door, it's gun pointed ahead, towards the doorway, waiting for someone to attempt to try and come through the door.
A puck ricocheted off of the doorframe and struck the drone in what could only be called its chest. The drone blew up, sending pieces of melted metal flying towards Mallory. She blinked and tried hiding her face from the explosion. No such luck, she thought as she felt a piece of hot shrapnel hit her in the side of her face. Ouch!
Wildwing walked through the door, glancing around trying to find Mallory. "Mallory, stand back, I'm gonna blast the door." He said once he looked in the cell at her. He fires an exploding puck at the cell door and Mallory watches as the door disintergrates in a debris of smoke and rock shrapnel. Wing rushes into the cell, quickly cutting the ropes from her feet and wrists.
"Thanks Wing!" Mal says, looking up into his eyes through the mask.
"Come on, let's get out of here!" Wing says, helping Mal to her feet. Wearily looking out of the doorway, checking both ways to make sure that there won't be any surprise attacks, he motions for Mallory to follow him. Duke falls into stop behind them, Mal has no idea where he came from. Up ahead she catches site of Nosedive and Grin.
Wildwing starts to push her out of the hole he created when she suddenly freezes. MALLORY!!! She hears the name echo through her mind. She whirls around, trying to find out where he's at. She can't find him, he's hiding somewhere in the shadows, but she can feel him watching her every move. I can teach you everything, you can have anything beyond your wildest dreams. Just stay here and let me teach you. Put you special gift to use Mallory.
Mallory stared for a few more seconds in the direction he was standing, or at least from the direction his mind-thoughts had come from. Not on your life!
A lazer bolt shot past her head, striking the wall behind her. Mallory turned and cringed. "Watch where you fire those things at would you? Your gonna hurt somebody!" She yelled as Siege and Chameleon came around the corner.
"That's the idea!" Siege growled. "I was trying for roast duck for dinner, but it looks like you got out of your cage." He took aim again, readying to fire at her again. "Charboiled duck doesn't sound half bad so why don't you hold still so I can get a good bead on you?"
"Not on your life you Saurian slime!" Mallory yelled back, grabbing for her puck blaster and belatedly realizing it wasn't there. One was suddenly shoved into her grip, she looked over and met Wildwing's eyes. She nodded her thanks and took a shot at Siege. The Saurian moved out of her range of fire, Lucky for you I guess. She thought malevolently, glaring at the Saurian.
She heard Wildwing order everyone to retreat, she started falling back, Wildwing following behind her. Mallory, think about it…she heard his voice again, in her head. You can have anything you want…anyone you want.
That made her stop for a second time and turn around and face the traitorous duck…Anyone I want? She echoed, the thought spiraling around in her mind. She saw him just barely nod his head in the affirmative. She felt someone grab hold of her, she turned to look at Duke, he was saying something and pointing towards the hole Wildwing had blown in the side of the Raptor. She nodded her head, turning once more to look back at the evil Magius Duck. He was gone already.
It was in that time span that time actually seemed to stand still, she heard a hiss of breath escape from Duke, his one good eye turned towards here, the look filled with pain. She frantically looked for Wildwing, he was trying to drag his little brother out through the hole but the younger duck was fighting the whole way. That's when she say the stray sphere of light angle towards Wildwing and Nosedive. Nosedive took the blast full in the chest, he screamed out in pain and collapsed on the floor.
Duke grabbed hold of Mallory by the back of her shielding and pulled her toward the hole. Wildwing and Grin were both trying to carry the unconscious Nosedive through the small opening. She turned wearily and followed her teammates towards the Migrator. She knew she was going to get it this time, there was no doubt about it.
*****
Tanya was checking on the two ducks vitals for what was probably the hundredth time since they had been brought in. She looked down at each of the Medcom beds controls, trying to find anything that would show that either one of the injured ducks were showing any sign of recovery. Duke's vitals were slowly coming up out of the red zone, he was just starting to stabalize, How did you manage to stay conscious long enough to get out of the Raptor? She wondered looking down at Duke.
She turned her attention to Nosedive, he wasn't fairing any better, actually he was far worse. He had quit breathing on his way to the pond, and no sooner had they gotten him in on the Medcom bed his heart had stopped beating. Wildwing was outside of the infirmary right now, talking to Mallory. Tanya pitied the only other female duck of the team.
Wildwing was glaring at Mallory, "Wanna tell me what happened back there?" He asked, crossing his arms in front of his chest. He leaned back against the wall, waiting to hear the female duck's explanation.
She glared right back at him but didn't give up an ground. Her arms laid loosely by her side, "I don't know," she stated, but she was unable to meet his eyes then.
He was in her face suddenly, "The hell you don't know! Dive and Duke are in the infirmary right now because you 'don't know'! You'd better come up with one heck of a better excuse than that!" His arms had fell to his sides too, his hands were clenched, his knuckles turning even whiter than they already were.
"It's not my fault they're there." Mal hissed, backing up a step from Wildwing. "I didn't shoot them, what do you think I am? A traitor or something?" She said hotheaded.
"That's a good question." Wing said, regarding her strangely. "I don't understand how they got into the pond in the first place," he said, rubbing the bottom of his beak. "There's no way they should've been able to get through the defenses Tanya's put up around this place."
"What are you saying?" Mal asked, her voice suddenly going low and soft.
"Did you help them orchestrate your own capture?" Wildwing asked, holding his breath, dreading the answer.
Mallory stared aghast at him, her eyes suddenly narrowing. "I can't believe you'd ask me such a thing," she said, stepping up to him so they were beak to beak. "What, you think I'm working for the Saurian's now?"
"I don't know, you tell me." Wildwing said, looking down at her.
She just glared at him even more, then he said something that she'd never thought she'd hear come out of his mouth. "Your benched until further notice, and I want someone with you at all times. I mean all times, you don't go anywhere without telling someone where your going and when you'll be back."
"I can't believe you just did that!" Mallory said. The argument grew heated, things were thrown back and forth, things that shouldn't have been said but were, and would never be able to be taken back. Mal grew angrier by the second, until she had no idea how she did it, but Wildwing was getting into her face once more and with a simple flick of her wrist, she sent him flying across the room. She watched dumbfounded as her leader slid down the wall to the floor and sits there not moving.
Mal quickly flips her comm unit on, "Tanya, you'd better get out here, Wing's out cold." After a brief question and answer session with the other female duck, Mal shut the comm unit and turned to regard Wildwing. She squatted down next to him, looking at his face. She put a hand up to his cheek, softly caressing it. A tear slips down her from her eye, trailing a sparkling coarse down over her feathered cheek, "I'm sorry Wing," she says, her voice braking. She gently kisses him on the side of his beak, then she turns from him and dashes out of the area and out of the headquarters.
