Kristy was sitting against the back wall of her small cell with her chin on her knees. That wasn't Canard, she thought, I couldn't have been. She made up her mind that it was some kind of trick or something. Maybe it's mind control... Loud footsteps came echoing down the hall and she stood up to see who was coming.
"Come one, let's go kid," said Canard, opening the cell door. Something's defiantly wrong, thought Kristy, I've gotta get out'a here. When Canard reached for her, Kristy stomped down hard on his foot.
"Ow you stupid duck! Canard morphed into a skinny green lizard, but Kristy didn't stay around to watch. She ran for the door, only to crash into something big, orange, and scaley.
"You're not going anywhere," said seige, grabbing Kristy's wrists and pulling them together.
"Chameleon, get the energy bands," he ordered, "Dragonus wants to have a talk with her."
"Yeah, yeah," said Chameleon, tightening the bands around Kristy's wrists.
"What are you?" She asked, starring at the green saurian.
"What's the matter toots?" Chameleon morphed into a 50's gangster. "Never seen a shape shifter before?" The two Saurians led Kristy to Dragonus' control room.
The evil overlord turned from a computer panel as they entered the room. Seige pushed Kristy ahead and she stod staring up at the tall Saurian.
"So, she figured out our little ruse," stated Dragonus, seeing Chameleon in his true form. Kristy's hands were bound in front of her and the only exit was blocked by Seige, but she tried to put up a brave face.
"You're not gonna get away with this," she warned, "when my brother finds out what you've done he'll come find me. And then you'll be in trouble."
"Foolish girl!" Dragonus leaned down, close to her face. "I want Canard to know you're here. In fact, he already does."
"You're lying!"
Dragonus backhanded Kristy and sent her crashing into the wall.
"Know thing duck," he said, looming over the stunned teen, "you are going to help me destroy the accursed mighty ducks."
Not a chance," answered Kristy, trying to get back on her feet.
Dragonus grabbed her around the neck and lifter her off the ground. "Your brother and his friends refused me once, but my patience is running thin. Now you will beg him to give me the mask!" Dragonus brought her over to a giant monitor. "Wraith, send a transmission to those meddlesome ducks," he ordered, releasing his hold on Kristy's neck. She fell to the floor in front of the large saurian, gasping for air.
"Ah, Canard, Wildwing, everyone, we're receiving another message from the Saurians," exclaimed Tanya over their comms.
Canard practically trampled Mallory trying to get to Drake 1.
"Where's my sister Dragonus?" He demanded as soon as the screen flashed to life.
Dragonus bent down and Kristy tried to crawl away, but she was still to dizzy from the hit and the lack of oxygen. He grabbed her by the neck again, and Kristy could feel his talons sinking into her shoulder.
Wildwing had to hold Canard back when Dragonus lifted Kristy up to the screen. Her face was twisted in pain and it was obvious that she was having trouble breathing.
"You sick, twisted, monster! Let her go," demanded Canard, struggling free of Wildwing. Dragonus just tightened his grasp and Kristy gave a whimper as he crushed her throat. "Leave her alone!"
"You could have prevented this Canard," he taunted, "now I'll tell you one more time. Give me the mask or she dies."
"No, Canard..." Kristy was silenced when Dragonus tossed her against a wall. She crumpled to the ground and didn't try to get up.
"Be as this building in one hour," an old warehouse filled the screen but the saurian's voice continued, "and bring the mask." The screen went blank
"Wildwing, I have to..." Canard looked at his friend with pleading eyes.
"Don't worry. We'll do everything we can to get her back." Wildwing took off the mask and handed it to Canard. "Even if it means giving up the mask."
Canard saw looks of encouragement from the rest of the team. "Are you guys sure about this? I mean, it could give Dragonus the upper hand."
"Eh, what's the use in saving the world if we can't even protect our own family?" Asked Duke.
"Besides, Kristy is way cooler than some dumb hunk of magic metal," said Nosedive, earning him a look from his older brother.
"I think what my little friend means is that the life of an innocent is of more value than an inanimate object," clarified Gin.
"And it's not like Dragonus can use the thing," commented Mallory.
"That's it! Mallory you're a genius!" Tanya jumped up embrace the other girl.
"Um, Tanya, you feeling alright?" Asked Duke.
"Didn't you here her?" Tanya received a room of blank looks. "Dragonus can't use it. And the first thing he'll do is probably destroy it!"
"That still doesn't help us," commented Canard.
"We can give him a dud!" She finally explained.
"Tanya, what are you talking about?" Asked Wildwing, tired of these riddles.
"Oh, we give dragonus an exact replica of the mask and leave the real one here. The copy doesn't have to do anything because Dragonus wont be able to test it, and he's probably going to destroy it anyways so..."
"Tanya that's brilliant!" Canard threw the mask back to Wildwing and twirled Tanya around in the air.
"Whoa, hold on Canard. You've gotta put me down!" He obeyed. "Wildwing, bring the mask to my lab. I need to do this fast, but I think it will work..." Tanya trailed off as she ran down the hallway with Wildwing following behind her.
"You guys try 'n come up with a plan," called Wildwing before he disappeared into the lab.
"Fat chance," commented Nosedive. Mallory hit him lightly in the back of the head. "Ow! Mal, that hurt!"
"I didn't hit you that hard Dive,"
"And it's not like she hit you anywhere important," said Duke.
"Hey, aren't we supposed to be scheming and planning?" Asked Dive, trying to turn the attention away from himself.
"I hate to admit it, but the kid's right," said Canard. Dive stuck his tongue out at the older mallard. "So back to business, any ideas?"
"Divide and conquer," stated Grin.
"Ya know, that could work," said Duke, "Canard brings 'em the fake mask while two or three of us find the girl and get her out'a there."
"Oh, oh, pick me for the rescue group," exclaimed Dive, jumping up and down with his hand in the air.
Canard turned to the teen with concern in his eyes, "Sorry, but there's no way I'm risking Kristy's safety by letting you..."
"Hey," interrupted Duke, coming to Nosedive's defense, "give 'im a chance!"
"Yeah, better to have him in the background than out in front where he could give us away," said Mallory.
"Thanks. I think," said Dive.
"So we're agreed," stated Duke, "the kid is coming with me to save the girl while the rest of you distract Dragonus and his goons long enough for us to get away."
"That 'girl' is my kid sister," warned Canard.
Duke stepped back. "Ok, what ever you say bud."
Canard and Mallory then preceded to scope out the schematics of the warehouse they were going to as well as every building on the block. Grin just listened and Duke reviewed some sneaking basics with Nosedive.
Canard checked his watch and noticed the time. "Hey Wing, you guys almost done?" He asked over the comms.
"We're good here. Did you four figure out a plan?"
"Yeah, we can clue you in on the way."
"Ok. Ducks, let's move!" Ordered the team captain.