Author's Notes 6/17/02:
Hey Everyone! thanks for the great (and slightly resentful, hee hee) Reviews on the first two chapters. This one took longer than I expected because I had the idea in my head for some time but I had to be careful how to word it! But Alas, here it is! Additionally, I would like to profusely thank "Justsomeone" for their VERY generous reviews on both this Story and "Never Say Forever." I was humbled by your words of Praise for my writing, and I only hope that I can continue to please you with my works of literature in the future. :)

Author's Notes 6/24/02:
Hey again guys! Whoa! can you believe Fan Fiction going down like that for a week!? And just as Luck would have it, I went out of town the DAY they got it working again. But now I'm BACK! And yes, the next Chapter awaits your critical eyes!

~Windresss


When Nobody Wins.

Chapter 3: Yield (or Be Hit).

Chameleon hadn't expected the rush of headlights that met his teleportation from the Raptor. Time seemed to slow for him, stretching into moments so long he could analyze each second, as honey dripping from a jar.

The startled look in the Duck's eyes..The instantaneous jerk of the handlebars that spun the bike to one side. He watched the tires clutch fruitlessly at the wet pavement, his odd lizard eyes flaring wide when the bike's gravity tipped, and both duck and machine slid to their side, sparks flashing as metal struck stone.

He remained unmoving, a silent and indifferent witness to that beyond his control, as the torn and grinding machinery roared in his ears, the Duckcycle nearing the edge of the ditch. Without pause, it slid off the rim, and Chameleon's world went silent in the space before the broken vehicle slammed along the side of the incline.

He saw NoseDive jump, thought, almost belatedly, to move and help him. But he only stood, as feathered fingers flailed uselessly, then disappeared in the gorge.

Suddenly, time snapped back into place, washing over him in a current that sucked the air from his lungs and forced the saurian to stagger back. He stared dazedly at the place he saw the Mighty Duck disappear.

"I am so going to get it for this..."

Hesitantly, Chameleon walked to the edge of the road, craning his neck over the ditch's cliff and peering down into the darkness. He could just barely make out the sprawled form of the duck, faded white in the blackness. Dive was slumped limply on the ridge just above the water's lethal currant, his body dangling partially into the water.

He wasn't any good to them dead, Chameleon knew. That would only bring the wrath of his brother upon them more fiercely, and they would have no trump card to play. The Saurian shivered at the thought.

Dragaunus's minion considered the steep hill, it's concrete paving a danger to anyone, be they in control of their descent or not. Slowly, his green skin began to stretch, growing and contorting as wings sprouted from his back and his neck elongated. When his figure finished morphing, Chameleon resembled a mythical dragon, smoke billowing from his nostrils in much the same way Dragaunus's did.

He opened his wings, pumping their lengths experimentally, and then leapt fluidly off the rim of the ditch. The large appendages caught the upward rising wind, and the dragon form of Chameleon lowered with surprising grace to land alongside NoseDive. He reached out, scooping up the unconscious Mighty Duck with his fore claws, and rising back into the air. The morphed saurian seemed to reconsider landing on the road, knowing the consequences of remaining too long in a single place outside the Raptor. He sailed easily on the strong winds of the fading rain, undeterred by the drizzle that gave Anaheim a surreal appearance.

Finding a remote area on the outskirts of the town a distance from the crash site, Chameleon's Dragon figure lowered to the ground, his claws sliding in thick mud, and set NoseDive beneath a tree with surprising care.

The Massive reptile began to slowly shrink, the jointed length of his wings folding into his back and merging with the saurian's spine as his posture grew more upright. Taloned hands withered into the harmless fingers of the smaller lizard, and his countenance lost its snout. Soon, the creature that had pulled Dive from the maws of death was gone, and in its place remained only Chameleon.

Moving hesitantly to the duck's side, He began to analyze the extensive nature of the wounds Dive had received in his tumble into the ditch. Shredded fabric revealed the bent, but otherwise in tact, feathers of the teenager's chest, and his helmet seemed to have spared the youth any real head trauma, though a large bump was going to remind him of the event for quite some time. There was the arm wound, which slowly oozed blood from a wide gash, looking older than this recent crash. Chameleon could only assume NoseDive had acquired it in their previous battle, and had never treated it.

The Minion stared at the injury, debating for a long moment. He couldn't chance the duck losing so much blood that it endangered his health. Dragaunus would need him awake and pleading for his "big brother." Besides, it looked like it hurt.

The green creature shrugged, tearing a strip of fabric from Dive's already mutilated uniform, and wound it about his upper arm, tightening the compress until blood stopped seeping from the wound.

"There." Chameleon was incredibly pleased with himself. It wasn't often that someone needed help from -him.- Suddenly the unconscious duck stirred, uttering a soft groan and nearly falling forward. The Saurian caught him by the shoulders and carefully pushed him back to lean against the tree again.

Abruptly, Chameleon was apprehensive. Even injured, the ducks were a force to be reckoned with... But he wanted to prove to Dragaunus that he could handle at least one of them on his own. The lizard held his breath as Nosedive's eyes slit open, their depths clouded with pain...

They stayed like that for a long moment, simply staring at one another as the clouds, now emptied, slid away from the setting sun. Pink rays filtered through the tree's shade, falling in small patches over the mismatched pair.

The blonde duck finally opened his beak, seeming hesitant. He shifted again and glanced down as pain prickled along his arm. Seeing the bandage, he cast another glance to Chameleon. "Your handiwork?"

The saurian nodded, still not speaking. He was waiting for the battle cry of 'Die Saurian Scum!'... none seemed forthcoming.

".... Thanks.." Dive reached up with his free hand to tuck a blonde strand away from his face, and grimaces when his finger's ghosted over the large lump on his temple. He sighed, glancing around him at the peaceful scenery, the silence between them stretching.

"...So.." Chameleon finally spoke, feeling slightly uncomfortable and wondering whether he wasn't falling into some sort of trap and Nosedive was signaling the rest of the Ducks to come kill him. He gulped, glancing up to the sky hastily, then back. He was surprised to find Dive watching him quizzically..

"..So..." The teenager mirrored his words, then gazed at him expectantly. Chameleon lofted an eye ridge. It looked almost as if the boy was waiting for him to tell him his name. He sighed, finally replying

"Chameleon.."

"So, Chameleon..." NoseDive began again, nodding slowly, careful not to damage his head any more than it already was,

"..would you mind terribly telling me who I am? ..I'm....Having trouble remembering..."


**** Muwahahahaha! Oh, the beauty of a Thickening Plot! Yes, Kids, I *AM* leaving you with this pitiful cliffhanger. You will simply have to Dangle until I get the next chapter out for your reading pleasure!****