Disclaimer: Okay, if anyone honestly thinks I own Darkwing and company…
Again, my reviewers, you know who you are, and I can't thank you enough. And to those who are reading this and have yet to review, well, what are you waiting for?!
*~*~*~*
Fallen angels at my feet
Whispered voices at my ear
Death before my eyes
Lying next to me I fear
She beckons me
Shall I give in
Upon my end shall I begin
Forsaking all I've fallen for
I rise to meet my end
EVANESCENCE
*~*~*~*
"You traitorous piece of scum! You make me sick! See Drake, this is where heroism leads you!"
"No, don't listen to him, virtue is its own reward!"
Darkwing sluggishly opened an eye. His eyelids felt like lead, and the slightest movement was a struggle all its own. When he finally managed to slightly open his eye, he half expected to still be atop that building, his father hovering over him…
Instead, the bright lights reflected off of the shiny S.H.U.S.H. lab tables and into his eye, producing an instant headache. The crime fighter quickly squeezed his eye shut. His mind swam and a wave of nausea passed over him. Where was he? What was going on?
His brain seemed to work at snail speed with the occasional spark of a synapse. Darkwing felt as though a hammer inside his head was entertaining itself by pounding against his skull.
The mallard tried to rub his temples only to find that his arms would not budge. He looked down lazily and noticed he was bound tightly to a lab table with a thick black cord.
"Great," he muttered drearily.
Suddenly Darkwing heard a soft moan beside him. He painstakingly turned his head and discovered Aviana bound shoulder to shoulder next to him. She shifted slightly, her eyes still closed, but on the verge of waking up.
The sight of her caused the memories to slowly return. Darkwing shut his eyes as well, forcing his aching brain into action. The memories came gradually at first, then began to snowball. Taurus Bulba…he was facing Taurus Bulba…J. Gander and Dr. Bellum were trapped…Bulba shot at him…made a hole in his cape…ah jeez, that was the fourth cape in two weeks…he shouted to Aviana…Bulba sent Launchpad to attack him…but instead he attacked…oh no…
Darkwing groaned and looked reluctantly over his other shoulder. Sure enough, there sat his mirror image, bound as well. As if on cue, Negaduck slowly turned his head and met Darkwing's gaze. His eyes became cold and narrowed beneath the black mask.
"You…" Negaduck seethed in a low hiss, "this is all your fault."
"What?! Who are you trying to kid?!" Darkwing retorted.
"No one you bonehead! You couldn't have screwed things up worse if you tried! It's actually come to the point where I bank on you tripping over your own stupid feet in order to get away! A guy could set his watch to your little 'whoopsies.' But the worst part is, I've had to spend more time with you than I would have ever liked the past couple of days, and it makes me sick that I let you live! I can't believe I let myself be lead into this whole heroic adventure crap! If I could move my arms right now, I would rip out your damn throat with my bare hands!" Negaduck roared.
Darkwing said nothing for a moment, as if letting his opposite's speech sink in. He then said calmly, "Are you quite finished?"
Lucky for him, and the rest of St. Canard for that matter, Negaduck was securely strapped to the table. His blood pressure soared off the charts as he struggled vainly against the ropes, screaming a slew of select words in Darkwing's face. His outburst came to an abrupt end, and he stared his own reflection in the eyes with a chilling intensity.
"I'll kill you," Negaduck said in a frighteningly level voice.
Darkwing stared back, unfazed.
"Temper temper," the crime fighter chided, "considering that I seem to get a death threat from you approximately once a week, I'll let that one slide. Now why don't you put all of that extra bloodthirsty energy into getting us free?"
"I'm not doing anything. You're the idiot that got me stuck here!" Negaduck returned.
"Oh yeah? Well I didn't see you exactly leaping to stop Taurus Bulba! I didn't force you to tag along either. You came on your own accord. If I didn't know better I'd say you were following her around," Darkwing declared, jerking his head in Aviana's direction.
Negaduck leaned forward the best he could and looked around Darkwing. His face hardened. Then, taking advantage of his free feet, he dealt Darkwing a hefty kick to the shin.
"Am not!" Negaduck shouted.
"OW!" Darkwing Duck cried indignantly.
The masked mallard retaliated by kicking Negaduck in the shin and adding a "Take that!"
"HEY! Why you…"
While Negaduck and Darkwing continued to damage each other's shins, Aviana finally came to. Her head was throbbing, and Darkwing's constant bumping her shoulder did not help. She turned and head and witnessed the childish booting fest.
"Wow guys, that's really low. I had hoped you were at least above playing footsie," she drawled wearily.
"He started it!" Negaduck and Darkwing retorted simultaneously.
"Oh Christ…" Aviana mumbled, shutting her eyes and leaning her head back.
At long last she sighed and opened her eyes once more. For the first time she noticed what looked like a giant hose pointing right at them. This could not be good.
"Um, guys…" Aviana called nervously.
The two mallards continued their bickering.
"Guys…"
More bickering.
"EVERYONE WEARING A MASK AND CAPE! EYES FRONT!"
Negaduck and Darkwing ceased their quarrelling and faced forward.
"Whoa," Darkwing breathed incredulously.
The massive form of Taurus Bulba emerged from the shadows, the moonlight reveling in the malicious glint of his eye. He strode forth, each clank of his metal boots echoing harshly in Darkwing's head. He stopped and leaned forward until he was an inch from the mallard's face.
"You do not know how much I have craved this moment Darkwing Duck," he whispered evilly.
The crime fighter glared back at him fearlessly, too angry for words. Negaduck watched them carefully, knowing from Darkwing's body language just how livid he really was. This was going to be interesting.
"Now, I suppose you three would love to know just what is the contraption you see here before you," the cyborg said, gesturing to the hose-like object, "well, let me say this: my invasion of FOWL was not all about revenge. It seems that in their research, FOWL has discovered a recipe for pain…"
The three imprisoned ducks exchanged dark glances. While Taurus Bulba continued his speech, Darkwing began discreetly maneuvering towards his inconspicuous cufflinks.
"FOWL has concocted a chemical that causes instant and, ahem, intense pain on contact. Coupled with SHUSH's 'brilliant' machinery – " Bulba glanced at the hose, then to J. Gander and Dr. Bellum, who sat bound in a corner, " – my eggmen and I have created an ideal torture device."
Taurus paused for a moment, letting the full weight of his words settle on the mallard's shoulders.
"So the choice is yours Darkwing Duck: I can spray you all with the chemical and subject you to horrific pain, or, you can avoid the torture altogether by telling me the whereabouts of a certain little girl," the cyborg said, finishing with a twisted smile.
Darkwing's eyes widened. Gosalyn. Why would anyone want to hurt Gosalyn? He was facing a monster.
Straining against his bonds Darkwing spat defiantly, "I'll never tell!"
Taurus Bulba chuckled grimly.
"I did not think so. Ah well, I will just have to inflict terrible pain on all of you until you do."
"Splendid," Negaduck muttered sarcastically.
"You," Bulba hissed, facing the black-masked mallard, "I do not know who you are or why you are here. I do know that it will bring me great joy to see you suffer."
The cyborg turned to Aviana.
"And you. I do not know who you are either, but any friend of this meddler deserves to be punished."
The duckette locked eyes with him and gave him a harsh glare. The bull jumped from the strong pulse of fear, then quickly regained his senses. Darkwing looked at Aviana quizzically, but Negaduck just grinned.
Without another word Bulba marched over to the machine. He started flicking switches and turbines began churning.
"So Dorkwing, how's the heroic escape coming along?" Negaduck whispered.
"I'm trying to use my buzz saw cufflinks, but I just…can't…reach them," Darkwing replied, still straining for the buttons.
"Well that's just perfect!" Negaduck barked, "every other time you're able to weasel your way out! But the one time, the one time, I'm actually trapped with you when you're on the brink of disaster, you can't escape. Perfect."
"Any last words, duck?" Taurus Bulba asked from behind the machine.
"Only that when I get home I'm having a big chunk of roast beef," Darkwing answered slyly.
The bull ground his teeth and growled, "Goosalyn will pay," then pulled a lever on the weapon.
Darkwing closed his eyes, praying silently that he would not let where he and his daughter lived slip while he was in pain. He felt Negaduck tense and heard Aviana take in a preparatory gulp of air. There was an odd tinkling sound followed by a loud 'POOM!'
Suddenly Darkwing could feel himself become covered in a dust-like substance. The powder entered his nose and throat, sending him into a hacking fit. This powdery stuff must be the chemical. Darkwing clenched his fists, waiting for the agony to begin.
A few painless seconds later, the crime fighter heard Negaduck question hesitantly, "Is it just me, or does this stuff taste like chocolate?"
Darkwing blinked. He looked down and saw his entire body coated in a brown powder. He glanced at Aviana and Negaduck, who both were equally covered in the dust.
"No!" Taurus Bulba bellowed, "What happened? Eggmen, what went wrong?"
Darkwing stared blankly, surprised to see the cyborg just as confused as he was.
"Hey, this is pudding mix!" Aviana commented pleasantly.
Darkwing Duck's heart froze. Over the years he had learned that unexpected pudding could only mean one thing.
The masked mallard searched the room. It did not take long before he caught sight of the raven black hair, flowing scarlet dress, and emerald green eyes of Morgana Macabre.
Within the second Negaduck discovered the sorceress as well.
"Oh Satan no," he wailed.
"Morgana!" Darkwing shrieked incredulously, "What are you doing here?!"
Morgana said nothing, and instead gazed down to her side. Quiverwing Quack appeared from behind her, waving to her father sheepishly.
Darkwing's jaw dropped.
"Quiverwing…MORGANA! How could you let her come along?"
"She didn't want me to, honest! I came on my own!" Quiverwing countered quickly.
"She insisted that you needed help, so I came. But if you think my aid is below you, I'll gladly leave," Morgana said with an irate edge in her voice.
Darkwing regarded her coldly and said, "Well you're here now, aren't you? Ya might as well make yourself useful."
Morgana's eyes flared dangerously.
"Make myself useful? Fine!"
The sorceress launched a spectacular firebolt at Darkwing. It hit the mallard square in the chest, leaving him a charred mess and the piece of cord a pile of ashes.
"Interesting," Aviana mused.
"Ditto," Negaduck muttered, grinning at his smoking opposite.
"Impressive," Taurus Bulba added, "I think I like this witch. Eggmen, subdue her. She may come in handy."
A group of eggmen lurched forward. Morgana gasped.
"They look just like one of my second cousins!" she remarked spontaneously.
"Don't worry, I got 'em!"
Quiverwing Quack loaded a glue arrow into her bow and fired. It struck an oncoming eggman and exploded, ensaring the group in the sticky goo.
"Quiverwing Quack always sticks it to the bad guys!" she announced elatedly.
The still lightly browned Darkwing Duck marched up to the two newcomers with a stern look on his face.
"All right Morgana, thanks for the 'help.' Now may I ask that you please take Gos – Quiverwing home immediately. I'll handle Bulba on my own."
"Honestly Darkwing, one would think that for someone with a head as big as yours you would be able to remember what happens when you ignore other's aid by now," Morgana rejoined.
Meanwhile, Taurus Bulba was steadily losing patience with the situation. He was beginning to associate the scene before him with a cheesy soap opera. Before Darkwing could announce that he had a long lost sister in Botswana, the cyborg sent a wave of eggmen at the crew. They lumbered towards the ducks like tourists to a gift shop, grunting and growling in a threatening manner.
Watching the zombies carefully, Aviana came to Darkwing's side
"Okay, be prepared for a fight," Darkwing told her.
"Are you kidding? We can't fight all of them, they're way too strong," Aviana retorted.
Morgana chimed in pleasantly, "Need some help?"
"Be my guest," Darkwing growled through a false smile.
With a triumphant grin the sorceress unleashed a spell from her fingertips. The condensed energy sliced through the air like a knife before striking the herd of assaulting eggmen. A split second later and the zombies were encased in a gigantic block of ice.
Morgana raised an eyebrow at Darkwing Duck and placed her hands on her hips. The mallard glared back, trying to salvage his dignity.
"All right, listen up!" he shouted, "Quiverwing, I'll deal with you later, you just find a safe place and don't move from it under any circumstances! Aviana, I need you to free J. Gander and Dr. Bellum over there. Morgana, I don't care what you do. As for me, I'm taking care of that cynical cyborg."
Quiverwing Quack grumbled something inaudible and trudged behind a lab table while Darkwing dashed towards the bull. Aviana and Morgana regarded each other awkwardly before Negaduck suddenly came to a halt beside them. Morgana's eyes widened.
"You!" she cried, then hurled a spell at him without warning.
It struck him full in the face, sending the mallard reeling backwards.
Aviana grimaced then cocked an eyebrow in Morgana's direction. As the sorceress victoriously cooled a smoking finger, Aviana jogged over to where the masked mallard lay.
Negaduck propped himself up on his elbows and gazed in shock at his body. A thick layer of slick, chunky slime covered him from head to toe, and, combined with his coating of pudding mix, made him look like a reject from the black lagoon.
Aviana kneeled next to him and admired Morgana's handiwork.
"Girlie, meet Morgana, the banshee from Hell," Negaduck introduced flatly.
"She does a mean sludge attack. You really reek," Aviana commented, lifting a grime-covered wrist to her face.
"Not as bad as your shoes do," Negaduck quipped.
Aviana shoved him playfully.
"Quiet you."
Suddenly the duckette heard the unmistakable sound of a polite-but-irritated clearing of the throat. She glanced over her shoulder and spied the tightly bound J. Gander and Sarah Bellum glaring at her impatiently.
"Oh yeah," she mumbled guiltily, "c'mon, help me untie them."
Negaduck pushed himself to his feet. He began walking, only to have his own webbed feet slip out form under him. In a desperate attempt to regain his balance he ran frantically in place. His arms flailed helplessly as if he was trying to grab a firm handhold on the air. He slipped and slid on Morgana's slime until finally both feet shot up into the air and he landed gracelessly on his back.
"I hate that witch," Negaduck said tersely, staring at the ceiling.
Aviana leaned over him and said without a smile, "That was the most humorous thing I've seen in a long time."
"Close your beak and help me up," Negaduck snapped, the agitation clear in his voice.
"Don't talk to me like that."
"Fine. Refrain from speaking and kindly aid me to my feet."
"And that was the most humorous thing I've heard in a long time."
Aviana extended her hand and grasped his slimy one, only to have it slip free. She tried again with both hands, but she could not get a firm grip, and the mallard landed with a wet 'splat!'
Still lying on the floor, Negaduck snarled in frustration. Aviana stood uncomfortably torn between the two scientists helplessly trapped by heavy black cords and the grown mallard having a temper tantrum because he could not stand up. She made her decision quickly.
"Okay, I'm going to help those guys, you, well, you just try and, um, get up."
The duckette left to offer her services to the S.H.U.S.H. members. Negaduck began swiping the cold slime from his feet, mentally picturing a series of atrocious horrors befalling an unfortunate witch.
*~*~*~*
"Whatsa matter, is the big, bumbling bull befuddled because he's being beaten by the someone who's better and braver?"
"Do not bore me with your juvenile wordplay, duck!"
Another powerful laser blast exploded from the end of the cyborg's multitalented arm, which the masked mallard deftly avoided.
"You couldn't hit Canard tower with a tennis racket, let alone me, you plump pushover!" Darkwing Duck jeered.
"We will see about that. Say goodbye to your tailfeathers!" Taurus Bulba roared back.
He fired another searing blast. Darkwing leapt into the air and the laser zipped under his feet. The crime fighter landed gracefully, blowing on his nails and polishing them casually on his jacket.
"Child's play," Darkwing sighed, then added with a smirk, "and by the way, I like my steak well done."
From her spectator position Morgana rolled her eyes, but found she could not hold back a smile. Though he was a self-absorbed, parochial jerk, Darkwing always managed to be a very charming, very cute self-absorbed, parochial jerk.
Suddenly Morgana noticed the bull remove a dark, spherical object from a compartment in his armor. It glistened ominously, and the mists swirling within it exemplified its frightening beauty. Something sparked inside the sorceress. It felt as if she had known about the orb her entire life, like she possessed an inner connection with it. At the same time the orb stirred a deep emotions within her, a bittersweet pain so exquisite in its strength and longing that she felt tears burn in her eyes.
Morgana noticed the cyborg's lips move as he whispered to the mysterious orb. To her surprise, the sluggish eggmen flanking the bull became very alert, and their heads all locked simultaneously on Darkwing. Letting loose a string of uncanny roars, they lumbered towards the mallard.
"Darkwing, look out!" she cried automatically.
He turned to the sorceress and exclaimed sarcastically, "Oh, so now it's 'Darkwing look out' is it? Listen Morgana, I've been in this biz for awhile, I think I'm aware of my surround – YIPES!"
At long last the crime fighter noted the massive group of soulless eggmen heading his way. He backed up warily, his mind reeling with possible ideas for escape, but all were useless. Boy, he wished Launchpad was here.
Before anyone could say, "let's get dangerous," a green haze of a spell struck the eggmen. A mass of leafy, green vines suddenly sprouted from midair and began swarming around the drones. The eggmen struggled, breaking through the jungle of creepers, only to be entangled by more.
"There, that ought to keep them busy," Morgana proclaimed with satisfaction, then turned to Bulba, "and as for you big boy, inhale some incantation!"
The sorceress fired yet another spell, and it went searing towards Taurus. The bull quickly made use of his very bulky but very reflective shoulder, and the spell ricocheted off it and hurtled back at a startled Morgana. Her own magic struck her and in a flash she found herself transformed into a tiny, scarlet-furred kitten.
Morgana the kitten sighed and shut her eyes, concentrating heavily.
"Okay…spell reversal, spell reversal, spell reversal…"
Darkwing and Taurus Bulba stared at the ball of fur, both bewildered and disturbed. Finally the cyborg chuckled evilly.
"Ha, how cute. Your lady friend has become a real cat. Just what you have always wanted, I'm sure," Bulba said to the mallard snidely.
Darkwing ground his teeth and his fists clenched involuntarily.
Bulba smiled evilly as the mallard's vulnerability came to light. Hurting him was not the answer. Now the tables had turned.
"And while we are speaking of the women in your life duck, why don't we talk about Goosalyn?"
"Let's not and say we didn't," Darkwing snarled, loosing his cool.
Taurus Bulba smiled and cooed, "Oh, but she is such an interesting topic! A little girl so foolhardy that she practically begs to be a victim for the 'righteous hero' to come and rescue. Tell me Darkwing, how do you put up with such an annoying, unwanted setback?"
Darkwing growled, "For your information, Gosalyn is not annoying and certainly not unwanted. She has more value in her pinky than you have in your whole, chunky body!"
Meanwhile, Quiverwing crept silently to Morgana the kitten's side, watching the dispute intently. She was both touched and worried by her father's vehement defense of her – touched by knowing that there was someone who cared that much for her, but worried that Darkwing would blow a gasket and do something stupid. She hastily looked down at Morgana the kitten.
"Um, Morgana, think you can change yourself back to something that doesn't need a litter box and help Dad?"
"I'm trying to," Morgana the kitten assured, "as soon as I can remember the right spell I'll go help that pighead…I think I got it."
Morgana the kitten took a deep breath, the fur on her back rising.
"Sugnoma sugnuf!"
A large puddle of gooey, orange ectoplasm appeared on the floor, bubbling listlessly.
"Hmm, that wasn't it," Morgana the kitten purred calmly, "okay…counter spells, counter spells, counter spells…"
Aviana, J. Gander, and Dr. Bellum arrived beside the duckling and the kitten.
"How's Darkwing doing…Morgana?" Aviana asked skeptically, picking up the ball of fur and holding it to her face.
"Yes it's me. Now put me down so I can change myself back before I start getting hairballs," the adorable face hissed crossly.
Dr. Bellum gasped and snatched Morgana the kitten from Aviana's hands.
"Incredible!" she breathed, "How did you accomplish this transfiguration? A molecular disrupter?"
The kitten's hackles rose as she hissed and spat ferociously, but Dr. Bellum continued to hold the small bundle of joy and stare at it in awe.
Negaduck slid to a halt on his slime-slick feet next to the crew. He took one look at the scarlet kitten before cackling viciously.
"How's it hangin' Fluffy?" he gasped, clutching his side.
Morgana the kitten lowered her ears and glared at the mallard.
"Shut up!"
Suddenly a laser sizzled over their heads. The startled gang turned their attention to the two dueling enemies.
"I will find Goosalyn! I will make her die a slow, tortured death, while you watch! I will make the both of you pay for turning my life into a hell!" Taurus Bulba roared to the crime fighter.
"You'll never hurt Gosalyn!" Darkwing shouted back defiantly.
The two watched each other fixedly, looks of the truest loathing on their faces. Bent on wounding the mallard enough to get the upper hand, Bulba concentrated his rage and fired another shot from his laser cannon. Darkwing backpedaled feverishly.
The good thing was that he avoided the burning hot laser. The bad thing was that he slipped backwards dramatically on Morgana's ectoplasm, causing him to fall on his back. The air was punched from his lungs and he smacked his head on the solid floor in the process.
Blinking dreamily, he mused, "No, I've had enough potato salad, thanks."
Bulba's eye came alive with sick glee. He dashed forward and stood above the fallen crime fighter.
"No Darkwing. I won't hurt Goosalyn. You will."
While the dazed Darkwing Duck pushed himself to his elbows and tried to register these words in his swimming brain, the cyborg thrust the Devil's Eye in his face.
"Kcu dehts nwadyl krad!" Taurus Bulba hissed quickly.
"Cover your eyes!" Aviana screamed.
Quiverwing did not listen. She couldn't. Without thinking Aviana hid the girl's brilliant green eyes with her hand, and quickly closed her own tight.
Darkwing on the other hand was too stunned from his fall to heed the duckette's warning. He stared directly into the orb as it glowed a dazzling white.
The air rushed ominously, and Quiverwing's heart felt like a rock being thrown repeatedly against her ribcage. She could not stand it. The duckling forced Aviana's hand roughly away from her face. The sparkling emeralds of her eyes widened as a gossamer white mist slid into the Devil's Eye, and her father's body slumped limply to the floor.
Her own safety forgotten, Quiverwing Quack sprinted forward with reckless abandon.
"Gos, no!" Morgana the kitten hissed helplessly.
Aviana reached forward wildly and grabbed Quiverwing's cape but the girl struggled free. The duckling ran towards the bull and the mallard, her heart ready to leap out of her mouth.
"DAAAAD!" she screamed in a heartbroken voice.
Taurus Bulba froze and stared at the masked face. That voice was so familiar…those green eyes…that red hair…
And that was when it hit him. It was her. The little girl he detested savagely, the little girl who had always managed to squirm from his clutches was standing right in front of him. It was Gosalyn. But the most shocking part of it all came in her very emotional outburst.
"So, Goosalyn…that is why you two always seemed so close…Darkwing Duck is your father…" the cyborg whispered with heated delight.
Quiverwing Quack whipped out her bow and drew a sharp arrow on the string.
"That's right!" she seethed, "So that means you're gonna pay, fatso!"
Taurus Bulba chuckled, "I do not believe it is I who will be doing the paying."
Quiverwing's eyes narrowed skeptically.
"Huh?"
"Darkwing! Get up!" the cyborg barked.
The crime fighter shifted. He pushed himself up, his joints bending unnaturally. Though still hunched over, he swayed left to right slowly.
"Dark?" Morgana the kitten whispered in a frightened voice.
"Dad?" Quiverwing whimpered meekly.
For the first time since Quiverwing had called him by that name, Darkwing did not respond. He merely straightened himself up, allowing her to view him in full. Quiverwing's bow and arrow slipped from her numb hands, clattering loudly against the floor.
Darkwing's entire body seemed emaciated though his figure had not changed, and his normally pressed and starched clothes dangled from his gaunt body. Worst of all was his face. The warm and friendly features Quiverwing had once found security in now revolted her. His beak had turned a sick mix of orange and green, and his now scraggly cheek feathers were a ghostly gray in pallor. The eyes were cold and white as bone behind the purple mask. All recognition had vanished from them, leaving two hollow orbs staring meaninglessly at nothing. The eyes were the window to the soul, and Darkwing's eyes were empty.
Quiverwing shivered and fought back the urge to retch at the sight of her gruesome father. Morgana the kitten gaped while Negaduck raised an interested eyebrow. Taurus Bulba smiled devilishly, revealing his hellish pleasure.
"Now you shall receive the retribution you have for years deserved. When I lift the curse from Darkwing he will see the carnage he himself has created."
Bulba paused for a but a moment, then continued.
"Darkwing Duck, kill Goosalyn."
Darkwing's eyes gleamed a fiery red and he let out a bloodcurdling screech that echoed in a voice not his own.
Quiverwing stood stalk still, trying to force the bull's words to make sense in her brain. The revelation never came. So she trembled, utterly horrified, as the person she cherished the most in the entire world marched towards her, craving her death.
NOTE: No, this isn't the end, there's a bit more to go yet. Which brings me to this: if anyone is finding the length problematic, if it's getting boring, or you just want me to end the Goddamn story, please let me know. And BE HONEST, it's my first fic and I don't know how everyone feels about lengthy stories, so sugarcoating it won't help. If you find the length is indeed a problem, I'm not too sure that I can salvage this particular fic, but I will keep it in mind for future written endeavors.