Author : Wild-Melody

Disclaimer : Um, another one? You know it all already so I'm gonna cop out and not do it…other than saying that the ducks themselves belong to Disney, but Nightshade, Windracer, Wind Dancer, and the rest of them belong to me…ha, they're all mine. Mine you hear? All mine! Ok, that's over with, I feel better now.

Rating : Um, nothing major…no fighting really, not a lot of swearing, so it's pretty clean this time around.

Warning : same as the rating, this chapter is pretty clean.

Please review, I love reading them…I get all warm and fuzzy inside, oh sorry that's the alcohol taking effect. Wait, I don't drink, never mind.

THE MIGHTY DUCKS IN :

HISTORY REVEALED

Chapter 4 : The History of Nightshade

Mallory collapsed on the grassy ground near her car, it's bright blue paint gleaming dully in the pale moonlight. It's just not possible, she thought, looking up at the duck that was holding her so tenderly, just like a mother would her babe. Or is it? She hesitantly reached a hand up to touch the other female's face. "Can this actually be possible?" she wondered out loud.

Windracer turned her face towards Mallory's hand. It's very much possible, the thought gently caressed her mind. I know what you've been told of my death, and I also know that you blame yourself for it too. Her mind-thoughts were like a gentle spring breeze through Mal's mind. It was not your fault and there is no reason for you to blame yourself for it. You were not even born when I passed away, at least not yet.

Mal looked up at her mother, curiously. But how is this possible? You are supposed to be dead, aren't you? I mean it is true, you did die right?

Windracer laughed and smiled down at her only child, she then sat down next to the younger female. It's part of your heritage Mallory, part of who you are. All magick-users of Puckworld can communicate this way, all those living and dead.

There was that word 'magick' again. I don't believe this, Mallory said, her eyes suddenly narrowing. I don't believe you. This is some sort of trick of Nightshade's. She moved away from Windracer, eying the other duck wearily. It was to much for her to find out all at once and to much of an overload for her brain to handle. She couldn't believe it, not yet at least. My mother is dead, so therefore you are not real! "Nightshade, wherever you are at, this little trick of yours won't work! Do you hear me?! It won't work, it'll take more than some apparition of my mother to get me to believe a damn word you say, you lying bastard!" Mallory screamed at the top of her lungs. Her voice echoed out over the ocean and softly carried back into her.

The smile faded from the other duck's face and she suddenly appeared sad and tired. Yes, I am dead but I'm not an apparition conjured up by your enemy, she said, her voice carrying a note of remorse with it. I'm the spirit of the duck I once use to be…she paused in her thoughts. I died giving birth to you but never truly passed onto the next life because I knew I would be needed again, sometime. I knew you would be needing my help. But not even in my wildest imaginings had I ever thought that it would be Nightshade that you would be needing help with.

Mal's heart froze at the mere mention of the evil sorcerer's name. Nightshade. Her body shuddered convulsively. Why is he here? What do you know of him? What can you tell me about him? Why is he so interested in me? Am I really a magick-user…? The last she really didn't want to know, dreaded the answer to.

Windracer smiled, So many questions for such a young duck.

I still don't trust you, Mallory cut Windracer off. I still don't know if you really are who you claim to be.

I can answer all of your questions as long as you have the time. She looked thoughtfully at her daughter. Do you have time for a long story? I'll tell you everything that you want to know.

I'm not enthused about going back to the pond, not after what I did to Wildwing, Mallory thought sadly. They'll probably shoot first and ask questions later…

It was unfocused magick Mallory, Windracer said, embracing her daughter once more when it appeared the young duck would brake down in tears. Mallory tried to shy away from her mother's touch. It was not your fault, Mal was about to protest when Windracer put a finger to her beak. Shh, let me tell you the story of Nightshade and your ancestors, it may explain a lot for you, maybe then you will believe the truth about who you really are..

Mallory got comfortable and readied herself for a long story, still not really trusting the other duck.

Windracer began the tale:

Nightshade came from a very powerful and very wealthy family. He was spoiled, and was not use to the word no. He wanted for nothing, whatever it was he wanted was gotten by any means, whether it was by money or magick. It didn't matter.

He got all, all that is except for one thing, your great grandmother, Skysong Swanfeather. Nightshade met her at one of the Covent meetings and fell in love with her almost instantly. Skysong wanted nothing to do with him though, but Nightshade was not use to being told no.

So I have found out, Mallory said wryly.

Skysong was the daughter of a very powerful sorcerer and sorceress, the likes of which have never been seen on Puckworld since…well, perhaps until now. Magick runs strong through our family, Mallory cringed at the mention of this, I'm only sorry I wasn't there to oversee your training. Windracer looked down at her daughter, You were never trained at all, were you? Not even in the basics?

Mallory just shook her head. Father never spoke of such things…to even be associated with magick was something forbidden.

Your father was scared of it, of what you might become…your father was not of the magick caste, as you probably know.

A ghost of a smile crossed Mallory's face, I kind of figured that one out. With the dislike shown toward magick users back home, how did you and dad meet anyways? You two seem so much like opposites.

We were, my parents weren't happy that I married outside of the magick line, but I loved your father dearly. I know he married a woman who was…no, forget it, back to the story about Nightshade.

Anyways, he wanted her like he'd never wanted anything else before on Puckworld. He had to have her, by any means possible. Skysong refused him, she'd already promised herself to another, Darkskies Magickfeather. They were already planning their wedding and their future together.

Nightshade became obsessed with Skysong, he began to follow her all over the place. Rumors began that he was delving dangerously close into the forbidden arts of the Magiusi, the evil side of our magick.

Magiusi? Mallory asked, a confused look on her face.

Yes, Magius is what we call our form of magic. Magiusi is someone who uses it, someone who is prone to be magickly gifted or inherited to it, like you are. Mallory nodded her head in understanding, even though she didn't like the insinuations behind the words. Anyways, Nightshade was delving dangerously into the evil side of Magius, his parents tried talking to him about it. He wouldn't listen, and about a week later we found them murdered in their own house, in their very own bedroom. Someone had killed them while they slept.

Mallory gasped in dismay and Windracer closed her eyes like she was in pain. Nightshade was always suspected of the crime, but it couldn't ever be proven. Skysong married Darkskies a few months later and no sooner had the happy occasion occurred then Nightshade disappeared.

A year later your grandmother Wind Dancer was born. Nightshade reappeared shortly after the birth. He didn't come alone though, he brought with him a group of Dark Magiusi, they called themselves the Delkta-Triad.

A terrible fight ensued after that, a lot of destruction was wrought on Puckworld, Nightshade and his followers were banished to the Dark Realm, where they have been imprisoned until now, when someone has apparently left Nightshade out.

Mallory looked out towards the ocean, the bright moon reflecting off of the still surface. A deep sigh escaped from deep with her soul. This is a lot to take in, a lot to think about and I'm still not sure whether or not I want to believe it. The consequences are limitless and I don't know how the others would react to the idea of me being magickally inclined. I'm still not sure how I will react if I chose to believe such a thing. We're raised now on Puckworld to fear magick and all that is associated with it…it's seen as a great evil.

You have Nightshade to thank for that. Windracer said, her voice suddenly sounding like a breath upon the wind.

The battle that ensued after his return? Mallory asked.

Yes, there were great amounts of damage done to cities…once, those of us that called ourselves Magiusi could walk freely on the streets. There was a time when we were not feared. After the Great Battle, all that changed. We were all viewed as things of evil. That is one of the main reasons why your father hid the truth about your lineage. He didn't want you to be ridiculed for what you were…now, what he thought of as protection may be your undoing. You are not trained, you will not be able to fight Nightshade once he does decide to attack you.

Decides to attack me? He's already attacked me, Mallory said.

That was nothing Flaming Bird, Mallory's eyes narrowed at the name. You do not like your name? Windracer questioned.

Nightshade called me that.

It is worse than I feared then.

Why?

It would have been your given name…If I had lived or you had had contact with other Magiusi, that would've been what you were called. For Nightshade to know it means he must've gotten the Orb of Insight.

Which is what?

An arcaic item of great power. The last I had known it was being kept in the protection of Master Swiftfeather…Nightshade must've stolen it from the old Master…or worse.

Worse?

Nightshade either stole it from Master Swiftfeather or…or else he killed the old Master. If Nightshade does have the Orb of Insight, it will complicate matters greatly. Windracer paused, she turned her head to look up into the darkening night sky. I must leave you for now.

One last thing though Mallory, Nightshade swore he would gain revenge on our family. He would one day return and take the child that would be Skysong's twin for his bride. Windracer sighed, tightening her grip on her daughter's shoulders. He meant you my child. You are the spitting image of your great grandmother. You are her twin, the one he spoke of.

Mallory's eyes widened with shock. That just can't be!

But it is my daughter. I must go now, I will be back, later if you should need to talk. Think about what I have told you.

Ok, this one had a few minor changes made in it as well. Hope you enjoyed.