Beginning of an End

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The beginning of an end. Thanks to Kaeera who took a look at this for me earlier. I appreciate it. :) Hope you all enjoy this. Kaeera, I may not work on Tales of Children till you're finished with your fic, if you want. *shrugs* your call. Enjoy ppls.

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Mighty Ducks belong to Disney. I belong to the Great King.

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"Can I have a cookie?"

"No."

"Please?"

"Chameleon, dinner's in five minutes."

"But I want a cookie!"

"You'll get one after supper."

"Aww…"

"Chameleon. No whining."

"Keep it up and you won't get any desert." Mallory this time. Duke snickered as he entered the kitchen area to see Chameleon pouting, Mallory and Nosedive both scolding him as they cooked the evening meal for the team.

"Somebody's been hanging around Wildwing and Tanya." The dark feathered mallard stated. Nosedive quieted and gave a weak smile and shrug, turning a little red beneath his feathers.

"I am kinda' acting like Wing, aren't I?" he asked rather quietly.

"No. Half the time you act like Mom used to." Came Wildwing's voice as he entered the kitchen. "I used to always give in, remember?" at this point Chameleon turned to him, his mouth open. "Don't even start." Chameleon closed his mouth, pouting and hunching over.

"Don't do that. You might get stuck like that." Duke told the now five-year-old. "Stand straight. Shows better character."

"That's what Kazar always says." The child pouted, crossing his arms and standing straight.

"Well, he is right." Mallory stated, moving a hot pan from a burning eye to a cool eye on the stove. "Somebody want to set the table?" she asked.

"I will." Nosedive told her, then he looked at Chameleon. "Wanna help me?" he asked. Chameleon frowned at him for a moment, then sighed.

"Okay." He mumbled unhappily. Nosedive watched him quietly as he stalked over, then carefully handed the child the silverware. Chameleon seemed to calm a little, having been trusted with sharp objects, and began setting the table as Wildwing and Duke spoke in hushed tones about something, Duke snickering every so often and Wildwing seeming to turn a little red.

The table was soon set and food was being placed upon it, as Tanya, Grin, and Canard entered the kitchen area.

"Oh wow. Food!" Canard exclaimed, his hair damp from a shower. Wildwing snickered at him.

"Have fun working out?" he asked as Tanya sat next to him, Nosedive whispering something to Chameleon and causing the child to snicker.

"Yeah. I think I freaked out some of the humans at that gym though." Canard answered as the group began to eat. For some reason or another, Nosedive merely sat there, staring blankly at his meal.

"Something wrong?" Duke asked when he'd noticed. Nosedive shook his head, shrugging.

"No." he said quietly, looking over at Wildwing, who managed to shrug as well. His plate wasn't touched either.

"Waiting for something?" Canard asked them, giving the two an odd look. They seemed to do this often now-a-days, with no explanation as to why they were acting so strangely. They shrugged at Canard, then slowly began eating. It was a daily ritual now it seemed, and Chameleon looked at them a little weird before shrugging and eating happily. By the end of the meal, all was forgotten as the group began joking about Phil's latest publicity stunt.

"Can I have a cookie now?" Chameleon's question popped up while Tanya was pointing out how much better the publicity stunts had been lately. Nosedive got up with a nod and the child cheered, waiting as Nosedive brought back a plate. Chameleon grabbed one as did Duke and Wildwing.

"Where'd you get these?" Canard asked as Tanya took one then passed him the plate.

"I made them. I used to help Mom, Linda I mean, all the time." Nosedive told him.

"What, were you a Momma's boy or something?" Duke grinned. Wildwing and Nosedive both nodded, Mallory snickering.

"Linda wasn't that bad." Canard stated. "But she had some idea's that I used to make fun of Nosedive for doing them." Nosedive made a face.

"You were just jealous that I could." He stated, then he quieted as he began eating a cookie, trying to keep the chocolate from dripping as the cookies were still warm due to being placed on a heat pad that kept food from getting cold. It was then that Drake One went off. Chameleon covered his ears, dropping his cookie with a cry, the others leaping up. Nosedive picked him up and followed the others from the room, Chameleon howling due to the sound hurting his ears.

Once in the ready room, Tanya shut the noise off, Chameleon's whimpering and Nosedive's soothing words being the only sound besides her typing as she tried to find out was the disturbance was.

"Teleportation energy, downtown city park." She told them, as the map popped up on the screen, a red dot flashing somewhere near the center.

"Let's move ducks. Look's like Dragaunus' finally come out of hiding." Wildwing said a little heatedly.

"Chameleon, go stay with Kazar." Nosedive ordered.

"Okay." Came the whimpered reply. Chameleon then ran in the opposite direction of the ducks. He stopped in the doorway to watch as Nosedive and Wildwing ran with the others to the Migrator. He stood still for a moment, fear washing over him like a flood as he hoped they would be okay.

o.o

The ducks exited the Migrator cautiously, the park completely empty as all the humans had been seen running from the area in terror.

"If anyone sees a really big lizard, let me know." Duke called as they began to fan out in search of the saurians. Nosedive grinned at him, pucklauncher in hand.

"Okay!" he called back cheerfully. "And you let me know if you see any doughnut welding short guys with a really big mouth! I gotta tell him the bakery's been blown up again." He grinned mischievously. Canard's snort caused the two to laugh, then quiet as they got further away from each other.

"Don't get too far apart." Wildwing's voice suddenly came softly over everyone's coms. "Dragaunus isn't too far off." He said.

"Siege is over near the lake." Nosedive's voice came over the coms this time.

"Yeah. I'm guessing he took some lessons from Wraith." Wildwing's voice answered.

"He's giving himself away, like a beacon or something." Nosedive was saying.

"Could be a trap guys. Can you sense Dragaunus Wildwing?" Canard asked. There was silence for a moment. Then;

"Be on your toes everyone. I can't sense Dragaunus and the mask isn't picking up anything."

"Should we go after Siege then?" Duke asked.

"Be careful that he doesn't get any shots in." was Wildwing's reply.

"I'll take that as a yes." Said Nosedive.

"I'll go in first." Mallory's voice came. It was then that all heck broke loose.

O.o

Dragaunus watched the ducks move out, then smirked when he saw the flames dancing across Wildwing's body. Again they were transparent, almost as if they were dying out.

"Not getting enough training now are we?" he growled softly. He was standing atop the Migrator, having teleported himself there after the ducks had moved away.

Siege nodded as he caught his leaders eye. They ducks were headed straight for him, as was the plan. With him shooting golden lightning from his body, it was like cheese on a mouse trap. The ducks were heading straight for him and it killed out any 'scent' of Dragaunus. The evil dictator's smirk deepened and darkened. Soon these feathered nucienses would be gone for good.

o.O

Nosedive stopped advancing and stood straight, then looked upwards in confusion, something seeming to tug at him from within.

"Wing?" he asked into his com. There wasn't an answer for a moment.

"Yeah." Came a distracted reply.

"You two okay? Why'd you stop?" came Grin's voice.

"Dunno'." Wildwing's distracted voice came again, almost as if he were paying attention to something else… something of more importance. Nosedive understood the feeling. There was something calling for him. Something that deserved his full attention and whatever… no, whoever it was, they were going to have his full attention.

A deep calm washed over him, one such as he had never felt before. Something was telling him that everything was going to be okay… just look behind him. He did as he was 'told' then started as he heard his brother tell the others to stop where they were. It was a trap. Dragaunus was watching them from atop the Migrator. There was a loud snarl from behind as Dragaunus glared at them, then Nosedive cried out as something slammed into his back sending pain shooting up through his spine. He crumbled to the ground as he heard Duke shout something, then the sound of something being repelled off the ex-thieves saber. He groaned as a dull pain throbbed and looked to see Mallory running towards him, puck bazooka firing at something near him, and Canard following with a look of fury on his face. Mallory kneeled next to Nosedive, asking if he was okay as Canard let out a battle cry and leapt for whomever Duke was fighting. There was a loud roar and another battle cry in the distance. Wildwing and Dragaunus were now fighting as well. A cry, a snapping noise, then thundering footsteps. Mallory cried out as something grabbed her by her hair and flung her away.

"Now you die little duck." Came Siege's growl. Nosedive looked up in time to see Siege resort to a laser rifle, aiming for the teens head. There was a shout of anger, tinged with fear, and black colored boots were in front of him as the saurian fired. There was a short sound of pain. The last thing Nosedive saw was Duke falling in front of him, then silver as he lost control.

O.O

"Wildwing watch out!" Tanya cried as Dragaunus pulled back a fist glowing gold. Wildwing dodged, then yelled, white light blasting from his hand slamming Dragaunus backwards. There was yelling in the distance, then he felt something tug at him and he stumbled. Nosedive? He cried out as a scaled fist connected with his jaw.

Dragaunus cried out in fury as Grin leapt on top of him and yanked the saurians head backwards as Wildwing regained his footing, then leapt at the dictator and punched him twice, then kicked him in the stomach as Grin released his hold in him. The two ducks stood together as Dragaunus stood, glaring at them, then let out a roar and attacked them again, his entire body covered with dancing gold lightning. Wildwing fought back, the flames starting to dance brightly, no longer transparent it seemed, the eyes of the mask glowing a furious red. Grin stepped back, standing with Tanya and waiting as Wildwing and Dragaunus locked fists, and pushing at each other, trying to throw the other off balance. Dragaunus won this battle and flung Wildwing, causing the white mallard to grunt, then cry out in pain as he was flung rather harshly into a tree, a cracking noise sounding. He sat still, pain written in his features as Dragaunus laughed at him, forgetting about the others behind him.

"I will finish you off DuCaine!" he gloated, raising his hands over his head to release the killing blow. He cried out in pain as something slammed into his back, throwing the blast off. He turned and cried out as a puck slammed into his chest.

"Get away Dragaunus!" Grin cried, Tanya firing once more. With a wave of his hand Tanya and Grin were sent flying backwards with a cry.

"Or what? You'll stop me?" Dragaunus asked sarcastically. He cried out in pain as something slammed into his back once more, this time knocking him over and pinning him down. He looked to see that it was Siege, Nosedive standing a distance away, staring at them with glowing silver eyes, his hands at his sides and his hair flying. Wildwing was standing, the white flames dancing, then flaring out. The two saurians cried out, then disappeared for they had teleported away. Wildwing grunted as the flames died and Nosedive collapsed.

"Duke's hurt!" came Mallory's cry. Wildwing grunted again as Grin helped him up.

"Help them." Wildwing then ordered the larger mallard. Grin looked at him for a moment. "Go!" Grin released him and did as he was told, Wildwing wavering a little till Tanya came over and offered a helping hand by allowing him to lean on her.

"Are you okay?" she asked him. He nodded.

"Duke and Dive…"

"I know."

"Let's get back to the Pond quick."

"You think you can drive?"

"I will." Came Canard's voice softly. He was holding his side, a wound bleeding on the side of his head. Wildwing nodded slowly.

"Let's get home quick." He said quietly.

O.o

Kazar was sitting in the infirmary, Chameleon laying in his crossed front legs, sleeping quietly. It was a rather disturbed sleep for the child kept jerking and whimpering every now and then, but it was rare when he said anything. He was worried and afraid. He'd seen when the ducks had returned. None of them were left unscathed, Tanya sporting a few scratches and a bruise on her left arm, Grin scratched up and bruised as well. Mallory was a mess, her hair in disarray, a burn on her left shoulder and Canard was bleeding from a wound in his head, sporting a bruised rib or two. Nosedive was unconscious, Wildwing nearly as bad, and Duke… Kazar closed his eyes wishing he'd seen Duke before Chameleon had, for then he could have blocked the dark feathered mallard from the child's view. But that was not how it was. Chameleon had seen Grin and Canard carrying Duke together, the elder mallard unconscious and bloodied from previous wounds the dragon was guessing. But there was a scorch mark on Duke's chest… Kazar was surprised that the duck was even breathing.

Even now as Duke lay on the medicom bed it was hard to believe that he could possibly have survived such a blast. From what Canard and Mallory said, Siege's shot had been fired at point blank. Duke should be dead, not lying in a coma. There was only one explanation as far as Kazar was concerned. The Great King was watching over them, for only He could have kept death so far at bay.

The dragon looked up as the doors to the infirmary opened and nodded as Wildwing walked in. Nosedive was laying in the bed next to Duke, still out cold. After being treated, Wildwing had been sentenced to his room for rest, Tanya staying with him and sitting on the floor beside his bed as he slept, worry for him not allowing her to leave his side. Wildwing nodded back.

"Any change?" he asked softly, the mask gone from his face. The doors opened again and Tanya walked in slowly, Mallory following behind her with red eyes. The red head immediately went to Kazar, sitting next to him and resting her head on his back, her arms covering her face as her back began shaking. She was crying. Tanya put a hand on her shoulder to comfort her. Kazar shook his large head.

"Nosedive is still unconscious, and Duke…" he nodded to the machines hooked up to the ex-thief showing heartbeats. "There has been no change for the better or the worse." He told them. "I am surprised that he has lived long enough for you to even patch him up." He shook his large head again slowly, dipping it downwards a little as he closed his black red rimmed eyes. "It is the work of the Great King that he is still with us." He said quietly. Wildwing said nothing, turning and looking at his brother and teammate worriedly.

"I don't know what to do. How can I help them?" he asked softly. Kazar looked up at him.

"Times like these are good times to pray." He said quietly. Wildwing looked at him.

"I haven't prayed in a long time." He muttered, Tanya looking up at him. Kazar frowned.

"It is the Great King who grants you the gifts that you have, and it is he who kept you all from being killed today." He rumbled.

"It's the most logical explanation I've heard." Came another rumbling voice. They looked to see Grin in the doorway, Canard standing near him. Kazar nodded.

"Why don't we pray Wildwing? It may help." He offered as the two ducks joined them. Mallory sniffled looking up and nodding.

"Why don't we?" she asked softly. Wildwing nodded slowly and the group came together, bowing their heads as Kazar prayed.

-_-

In my darkest hour of need I come to you my King

Please watch over and protect us and help us as we try to go on

Our friends are hurt, please heal them

And do not let them travel from this world to the next

For to loose them would be a pain too great for us to bear

Great King, Lord of Lords, Heavenly Father

Show us your mercy once more

And keep us in your care

For without you we have nothing

And with you we are complete

Amen.

TO BE CONTINUED…