Thicker Than Water - Chapter 5

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Bushroot made a small noise in the back of his throat as he wrapped his lab coat tighter around himself, his knees brought up close to his chest as he sat in his favorite large flower pot.

He had managed to find some of his old clothes that had been tucked away in storage after his mutation. Save for the few times he wore clothing for his disguise for when he went out in public, Bushroot was no longer accustomed to wearing anything; his mutant plant body normally allowing him not to bother. Not to mention the fabric blocked out the life-giving sun. It was easier for him to soak in the sun for nutrients without the cloth barriers getting in his way.

But he wasn't a mutant plant duck anymore, he thought sadly to himself as he examined his hand. He studied the fluffy white feathers that he had once been used to.

Liquidator gave a grunt as he sloshed his way over to his companion, his arms crossed over his chest as he glared out the Greenhouse windows. "I think they're gone for good, Reggie."

Bushroot nodded distantly, his thoughts elsewhere. He flexed his fingers, having forgotten what it was like to have four separate digits instead of leaves.

"I don't get it. Why would he un-mutate me like this?" asked the former mutant quietly. Liquidator glanced over at him, not sure if the other had meant to say that out loud or not.

"I don't know, Reg, but it's Negaduck. Who knows what that brute has up his sleeve? This customer certainly isn't willing to wait around and find out!" gurgled the ex-salesman.

Bushroot titled his head in confusion. "What do you mean by that?"

Liquidator turned to finally face Bushroot properly and jutted his thumb to point at himself with a large grin on his face. "This consumer is going to read the fine print to this deal! I'm gonna do some investigating!"

Instead of the boost of support he had been expecting, Liquidator watched as Bushroot stared at him with large blue eyes as he curled in on himself as he rubbed at his temples. "I really wish you wouldn't..."

Liquidator would have blinked if he had possessed the ability to. Instead he quirked an eyebrow. He didn't even bother with a sales pitch. "Why not?" he asked bluntly.

Bushroot gave a whimper. "Because you need to stay here so I have someone to talk to so that I don't go mad from the silence." Seeing that his liquid lover was not understanding his suffering, he explained further. "You don't get it, Buddy. I'm used to hearing a constant dull roar of voices in my head at all times. It's all the plants around me. I'm so used to them talking and making noise and sometimes even conversing with me when I'm near that NOT hearing them is driving me mad! The plants don't even have to be talking to me, specifically-But I still hear them. And now I can't and I-" He paused as he shivered and winced. "I don't think I can handle NOT listening to them!"

Liquidator took a moment to soak all this in before saying, "You know that's what they made noise makers for, right?"

"A noise maker?"

Liquidator nodded. "Yeah, my ex-wife went through something kinda similar to what you're describing, I guess. Once our son was old enough to sleep through the night without waking, she had to start using a noise maker because the silence started to drive her nuts. She'd gotten so used to listening for any crying that the noise maker helped calm her down and help her sleep well at night."

Bushroot just stared at him.

Seeing the lack of reaction, Liquidator shrugged. "I mean, personally, it drove me up a wall and was but one of MANY reasons I stopped sharing a bed with her. But hey, I digress. If a noise maker will help you, then a noise maker we shall use!"

"Well, for that matter, I could just turn on the radio or something. I mean, when you put it like that, it's all I would really need, right?" said Bushroot meekly, resting his chin on his knees.

"Do you HAVE a radio?"

Bushroot thought about it for a moment before replying, "No. Not one that could pick up any kind of signal from out here in the middle of nowhere. But I have the stereo system you insisted on stealing for me, but Spike ate through all the wires so it doesn't work anymore."

"Oh, right! I forgot about that thing..." chuckled Liquidator as he recalled the memory. He'd stolen so many things over the years he'd lost track of it. Didn't help that Bushroot had shoved it in the back of the Greenhouse where they hardly ever went, claiming it was too loud and disturbing for his plants. He shook his head and came back to reality. "Look, its still early. The sun has barely risen over the horizon. All the stores are still gonna be closed for a least a couple more hours. Let me just rush into town real fast and I'll get you a noise maker. It'll be a cinch! In and out! I'll be a half hour tops!"

Bushroot debated it for a moment, fiddling with the hem of his coat with his newly returned fingers. He closed his eyes. "I REAAALLLYYYY can't handle this silence...So maybe you should."

Liquidator flashed him a large grin. He leaned over and gave Bushroot a kiss on the cheek. "Anything for my flower!" He pulled back and gave the scientist a solemn look. "You sure you'll be okay while I'm gone?"

Bushroot made a positive sound in his throat but shook his head in negative at the same time.

Liquidator chuckled. "You know, you could technically come with me."

Bushroot's eyes widened. "Are you mad!? I can't be seen out in public looking LIKE THIS!"

A cricket chirped in the silence that followed.

"Like a regular duck?"

Bushroot nodded.

"Looking completely normal like an everyday citizen?"

"Exactly! No one should have to bear seeing me like this!" He pointed to his face though Liquidator guessed he was more concerned about his hair; or rather, the lack of hair.

"So...You're okay with people seeing you as a mutant plant duck, but not as a regular duck?"

Bushroot growled in annoyance. "Don't make fun! I know it sounds strange! But-I'M NOT LEAVING!"

Liquidator shook his head with a smile. "Fine. Have it your way. Look, you'll be fine! I'll be quick and sly and back before you know it!"

Before Bushroot could say anything more, Liquidator dropped his form into that of a puddle and surged out of sight.

Bushroot just stayed where he was, watching after his partner in crime. It was then that he felt Spike nudge his elbow. Bushroot glanced down at him, watching the large tongue hang out of the mutant's mouth. The two of them stared at each other, silence filling the space between them.

After a moment, Bushroot grunted loudly and stood up. "I CAN'T HANDLE THIS SILENCE!"

He pushed Spike out of the way and ran over to his lab table, knocking over bottles and formulas in the process as he desperately searched for any clues as to how to get him back to being a mutant plant duck. "And to think I actually WANT to be a mutant outcast now! Ugh! WHY MEEEEE!?" he groaned into the quiet emptiness that surrounded him.

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Another paper was tossed to the side of a growing pile of uninteresting sales reports that Scrooge was currently trying to look through. Owning as many companies as he did had its benefits, to be sure, but at the same time, there was a great deal of paperwork to be sorted through and frankly, a good portion of it was not worth his time.

The old miser clicked his tongue as he tossed another one to the side. He was currently propped up with several large fluffy pillows on his bed, having decided to try to get some work done at the mansion for the first half of the day rather than at the Money Bin. Gizmoduck and Gyro had already evaluated the damage that had been caused by Taurus Bulba and it was only a matter of waiting for the bricks and cement to be delivered before any construction to fix it could start. He would go to the Money Bin later in the afternoon.

The faintest of grunts was heard from the body that was lying half on top of him. Fenton's head was resting on Scrooge's chest, the rest of his body stretched out to the right side of Scrooge, his feet dangling off the side of the bed. The accountant claimed that he loved hearing the sound of Scrooge's heartbeat and that it helped calm him down and fall asleep easily. Scrooge found it quite strange, if he was being honest with himself, but if it shut the lad up for a while as he read over these reports, he would allow it.

Scrooge's right hand was subconsciously running through the feathers on top of Fenton's head as the other slept. He bit back a groan at yet another useless report that didn't need his attention. He tossed aside the report and looked away from the files, no longer interested. Fenton made a soft snoring sound making the older duck flinch. Though instead of being annoyed, it only caused Scrooge's thoughts to flash back to two months ago when they had reached Sitka, France in search for the Golden Heart.

The trip in itself had been...enlightening.

The rich duck didn't like to think of that particular trip too often. If he did, it was only to think of how close the trip had allowed him to become with Fenton. That was truly the only good thing about the trip. The two of them had shared quite an adventure and learned a lot about the other. Particularly Scrooge's deep feelings and attraction for the other mallard.

Fenton squirmed beside Scrooge, causing the older duck to move with him as the accountant found a comfortable spot. The lanky mallard was now half on top of Scrooge, but he was unwilling to disturb him. Scrooge discreetly made himself comfortable in Fenton's new position.

Fenton give a small whimper and Scrooge was alarmed to find the lad to be trembling. He decided to rid the accountant from his obvious discomfort.

"Fenton" he spoke quietly. "Fenton, laddie, wake up."

Fenton's eyebrows furrowed as he grumbled. "Hmm...I don't want anymore cookies..."

Scrooge raised an eyebrow and decided to play along, finding himself oddly amused. "I have no intention of giving you any cookies, lad. Now get up!"

Fenton huffed and slowly sat up, stretching and scratching his stomach through his shirt. "Scroogey?"

"Aye, who else?"

Fenton pushed himself up into a proper sitting position and gave his paramour a dopey smile. "Finish looking through your reports then?" he asked before stretching his arms high above his head.

Scrooge shook his head. "Nae. I'm sick of lookin' at them though."

Fenton glanced out the window and into the sunshine, smiling as he saw Donald, Daisy, and the triplets playing. "I didn't know Daisy was here" he commented. He rubbed gently at his throat, which still had bruises hidden under his plumage from where Taurus Bulba had strangled him.

"Aye, Daisy came about an hour ago" replied Scrooge as he shook away his darker thoughts. "Duckworth came in to inform me, not that it matters. She's practically family after all." He looked out at Daisy through the window with a smile on his face. "She's a fine lass and has a head on her shoulders, thank goodness! Far from a push over and clearly willing and able to put up and even tame Donald's horrid temper."

Fenton turned away, not quite sure how he felt about Scrooge's comment about Daisy practically being family. If he thought that way about Daisy, did he think the same about Fenton; his boyfriend? Having Donald around has certainly made it quite obvious that despite Donald being enlisted in the Navy and hardly ever being around, the Duck and McDuck family was a strong and closely knitted family. Or rather, that's how it appeared to be to Fenton.

Something Fenton was entirely unfamiliar with.

Scrooge was busy gathering all the reports he had tossed aside as Fenton sat there in thought. It was the slightest twitch that caught the old miser's attention out of the corner of his eye. Glancing over, Scrooge watched as Fenton's right hand, which was resting on his knee, trembled and shook; fingers twitching minutely, but erratically.

Fenton didn't seem to be aware of it in the slightest and Scrooge wasn't sure that was a good thing or not. So, the trembling hadn't been from an oncoming nightmare then. Just another reminder of what Fenton had gone through in Sitka, France.

Fenton sighed and turned back to Scrooge, his usual goofy smile on his beak. "So, what's the plans for today, Scroogey, my love?" Before Scrooge could answer, he took note of the reports in his paramour's hands. "Oh! Let me get those for ya!"

He leaned his body over across Scrooge, not quite leaning across the other mallard's lap, and reached for the pile that Scrooge had yet to grab. Yet halfway through pulling himself back up to sit properly, his still trembling hand lost its grip on the papers and they all fell in a disorganized mess in Scrooge's lap.

In any other circumstance, Scrooge would have found his temper rising, despite how kind the gesture, but since he knew the reason for the mishap, he couldn't bring himself to be upset.

"Good grief! Slippery little buggers!" guffawed Fenton, his voice somewhere between surprise and guilt. "Sorry about that, Scroogey! I'll clean them up!"

Scrooge reached out and snatched Fenton's trembling hand. This caused Fenton to pause. In Scrooge's firm grip, it was more obvious how badly his hands were shaking since Fenton was causing Scrooge's own hand to shake as well.

"Boy! What gives? I can't seem to get my hands to stop shaking! You'd think I was nervous! Or terrified! " Scrooge heard Fenton say, laughing it off.

Really now, was the lad completely incapable of taking any situation seriously? Did he not wonder if there was more to the tremors? Perhaps it wasn't anything more at all. The tremors certainly weren't as bad as they had been when Fenton had-

No, Scrooge wouldn't allow himself to finish that train of thought.

"Aye, you do seem a bit peaky" Scrooge said after a beat. He released Fenton's hand and felt the accountant's forehead. "No fever. So, that's good!" Playing it off to him as being under the weather was a lot easier for the rich duck than to think about any other possibility. "How's about we go check in on Mrs. Beakley and see if she can't whip us up some lunch. hmm? Perhaps some soup?"

Fenton didn't respond at first, giving his lover a peculiar look before smiling and bouncing off the bed. "Sounds good! I'll go on ahead while you clean up this mess-Or rather-Maybe I should be the one to clean the mess up-Seeing as how I made it." Fenton began to pick up the papers when Scrooge interrupted him.

"Nae, Fenton! I'll handle this mess, you go on to the kitchen!" he ordered the younger duck lightly.

Fenton stood there awkwardly for a moment before asking, "Scrooge, is there something wrong?"

Blast, perhaps the lad wasn't quite so oblivious as he had expected, thought Scrooge with a smirk. Out loud, Scrooge replied, "Hmm? Wrong?" He turned to his accountant and feigned the best innocent look he could muster. "No, laddie, nothing is wrong." He quickly turned back to the papers.

Fenton looked skeptical.

Scrooge was positive that Fenton had left the room, the other duck was so quite, so he jumped slightly when Fenton's voice quietly asked, "It's about what Magica said, isn't it? She said something bad happened to me. That's what has you all worried."

Scrooge sighed heavily and set the papers he was gathering on the bed. He turned to his younger boyfriend with a sad smile. "Aye, lad. Yeh got me. I am indeed worried. Magica is a formidable foe; one who is not to be taken lightly."

Before he knew it, arms were encircling Scrooge and Fenton was pulling him into a close hug. "Don't you worry, Scroogey my dearest! I won't let anything that ol' witch says get me down! I'm fine! Honest! And if she DID do something to me...Well-" he trailed off as though he suddenly wasn't sure how to finish. "Well-Then, we'll deal with it! So long as I'm with you, everything will be okay! You wouldn't let anything bad happen to me, after all!"

Scrooge winced at that last part as his hold on Fenton tightened. It didn't help that he could feel Fenton's trembling hands on his back. He didn't know if Fenton was lying about feeling fine or if he truly didn't notice his tremors and Scrooge wasn't sure which way he would prefer it.

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Liquidator had not been lying when he told Bushroot he was would be in and out of the store with the noise maker within minutes. Transportation through the water pipes of St. Canard was truly the fastest and easiest way to get around, if Liquidator was being honest with himself. As a solid sales dog back in his youth he had known the city like the back of his hand, for he had always been an extrovert, especially once he had gotten his first job working in his early teens. But now he knew the city even better. He literally knew the city inside and out.

He had purposefully given himself more time before returning back to his unhappy lover so that he could make an extra stop.

Minding the noise maker that was in a plastic bag to protect it from his liquid body, Liquidator morphed himself out of the sewers. A look of disgust was on his face. "I do NOT want to know what the McCluckster family eats next door!" he announced to the empty street around him. The sewers were a great way to get from place to place, but in cases like this, Liquidator wished it wasn't the greatest transport.

Pushing the nasty things he had seen and smelled in the sewers, Liquidator looked up to the large macabre mansion that was his destination.

"This place would give even the most stubborn and foolish door to door salesman a run for their money" he muttered under his breath.

He pushed down his own nerves and walked through the gate and past the grave-filled front yard. The McCawber Mansion had been restored back to its former glory after having been burnt down by Negaduck three years ago. If Liquidator hadn't known any better, he wouldn't have thought the fire had happened at all.

Liquidator made his way up to the front door and knocked.

The brass door handle sprung to life, large menacing eyes opening and glaring down at the liquid mutant. "Heeey! Watch it, before I start knocking on you!" the door handle said in a deep brutish voice.

Liquidator blinked at the spectacle before him. "A talking door. Now there's a door buster if I ever did see one."

"Who are you callin' buster, Buster!? If you don't high tail it out of here, I'll-"

"Ahh! Rattling the chains of a possible investment?" interjected Liquidator as he raised a finger in the air.

"Say what!?" came the confused reply of the door handle.

"You shouldn't get testy with the visitors, for one never knows when opportunity comes knocking!"

"What are you on about?"

"Confused? Lost? That's just fine, Liquidator will brighten your metal!"

"How do you-"

Liquidator didn't let him finish and raised the bag in his hand higher for the door handle to see. "Why, inside this bag could very possibly be just what you need to stay rust free and live longer!"

"What?"

"All you have to do is let me inside this fine mansion!" finished Liquidator.

"I-Well- You'd better not be lyin'!"

"Now, sir! I am an aqueous, water-controlling, all powerful mutant! Do you really think I'm capable of such a thing as lying!?"

Silence greeted his question as Liquidator's flowing words seemed to have confused the door handle. "Erm...I guess...Maybe...Uh...I don't know?"

Liquidator nodded in understanding. "I get it. I've been in this business long enough to understand when one is overcome with the decisions that need to be made in any business transaction. Why don't you let me inside while you figure out whether I'm capable of lying and save us both the time and trouble?"

"Uhh...Yeah, sure...Alright" said the door handle uncertainly.

Without anymore hesitation, the door handle, now too confused to say anything more, swung the door open. With a smirk, Liquidator slid inside.

The main room seemed simple enough; covered ceiling to floor in dust and cobwebs. It was everything Liquidator had ever imagined inside. Though he had been expecting a few more coffins. Having never actually been inside McCawber mansion, he had been left to his imagination and the cheap horror flicks he had once watched his son.

Just when he was beginning to think that there was nothing all that scary inside the mansion, a craggy voice spoke out from behind him. Liquidator had to use all his effort not to lose his form as his torso elongated as he jumped in fright.

"Are you one of Morgana's 'Normal' friends?"

Liquidator whirled around to see hunched over Aunt Nasty, eyeing him critically with a ladle in her hand. After calming his non-existent heart down from the scare, the ex-salesman registered her question and answered snarkily, "Ma'am, do I LOOK normal?"

Aunt Nasty looked Liquidator up and down critically. "Hmm...Fair enough. But her 'Normal' friends are always busting in acting as though they own the place..." Aunt Nasty grumbled.

"Any chance you could tell me where I could find Morgana?" Liquidator asked.

Aunt Nasty grumbled and gnashed at her teeth. "Morgana is around here somewhere...I don't keep tabs on her!" She went to move around Liquidator before pausing and looking up at him again. "At what temperature do you typically begin to boil, by chance? You are made of water, aren't ya?"

Liquidator's ears perked up at her oddly personal question. "Yes, I'm 100% pure Liquidator-brand water! As for what temperature I boil at-Well-" He eyed the ladle in her hand. "I suppose every good salesman is entitled to his secrets!"

Aunt Nasty grumbled darkly at his response. She walked past him, muttering as she went. "Fine! I'll figure it out for myself then! Maybe you'll cook that ridiculous clown ex-boyfriend of Morgana's better than regular water! He finally went and dumped her, like we all knew he would. Now if I could just get my hands on him to cook him! Finally!"

Liquidator raised an eyebrow at the thought and insinuation of her wanting to use him to boil whom he could only assume was Darkwing Duck. Talk about ironic. Though for years Darkwing had been a persistent and quite loud enemy of the Liquidator's, these days there were on more mutual ground. Darkwing didn't bother himself or the other members of the Fearsome Four and in return, they tried to be more discreet in their crimes and taking over the world plans. It was a bit like turning a blind eye, in Darkwing's case, but after all they had been through with Negaduck, the Fearsome Four were still recovering and taking it easy. Darkwing, he knew, would show up in his purple smoke if he felt the need to.

"Liquidator?"

At the call of him name, the canine in question walked further into the mansion and found himself before Morgana McCawber, as radiant and mysterious as ever. Had Bud Flood met this beauty before his ex-wife and everything else in his life that came after, he most certainly would have taken to her. Though he needed to forget chances long gone and remember the reason he was here: the love of his life, Reggie.

"Ahh, we meet again, Mistress McCawber" greeted the canine with a suave bow. He may have been off the market, but that didn't mean he couldn't flirt.

Morgana smiled at him, though from the look she gave him, it was clear she knew his intentions weren't real. "Hello, yourself, Liquidator. To what do I owe the pleasure?"

"Ahh, always the eloquent one, eh, Morg?" he smirked. "As much as I would love to say that this is strictly a visit of pleasure, I actually came because I need to ask you some questions."

"Oh? About what?" The last time the two had seen each other was briefly when the Fearsome Four had teamed up with Launchpad and Morgana to help Darkwing get his emotions back. Though their interactions had been brief at best, since the situation was rather dire at the time.

"Something has happened to Reggie" he began. "Negaduck had broken in late last night-or should I say, very early this morning and injected Bushroot with some kind of formula or potion. It was glowing so it seemed more to me like a potion. Whatever it was caused Bushroot to un-mutate."

"Un-mutate? What do you mean?"

" I mean, he's no longer a mutant plant duck, Morg! He's somehow a regular mallard again! He's been reverted back to his old self before he mutated himself!"

"Oh, dear!" gasped Morgana. She took a moment to process the thought."But wait...Wouldn't that be a good thing? Reginald was always going on about how lonely it was to be the only mutant plant duck. Wouldn't he be thrilled?"

Liquidator shrugged. "One would think, with the way he complained, but he's devastated! I think its less about no longer being a mutant and more about no longer being able to control and talk to his beloved plants."

"Ahh, I can see why that would be troubling for him..." sighed Morgana with sympathy.

"Morg, is there a way that a potion of some type could have been made to reverse the effects of his mutation? A potion that reverses any type of mutation? Like, Reginald's or even mine?

Morgana hummed in thought as she turned to look out a window. Archie appeared from the nest that was her hair and grumbled something before settling down for another nap. "Hmm...Well, no. Potions are more exact and precise than that. For example: a potion that would cure one type of mutation wouldn't cure another type of mutation.

Liquidator titled his head to one side. "So...That potion wouldn't have...say...reversed MY mutation, right?"

The witch nodded, turning back to her friend. "Right. Because there are entirely different elements in your mutation. Different chemicals and DNA were used to create your unique mutation as opposed to Reginald's."

"Then, essentially what you're saying is that Negaduck, or...whoever made that potion, made it specifically for Reggie?"

"Correct."

This only seemed to worsen Liquidator's mood. He thought back to earlier that morning when he had woken up to find Negaduck towering over his slumbering flower. "But why? Why would he want to do something like that!? If he wanted Bushroot dead, he wouldn't have left him there! He would have finished the job straight off! But no, he left Bushroot unharmed...Kinda."

Morgana began to pace. "Well, it's hard saying what goes on in Negaduck's head, assuming of course he's even the one behind it."

"Who else would it be? Negs isn't exactly the type for teamwork, Morg" he pointed out. "You saw how well the Fearsome Five went down after all."

"Well, Dark actually mentioned someone's name now that I think about it. He said that Magica de Spell was behind the Emoti-Gone potion that you helped him out of. I'm beginning to wonder if she's the one behind this as well. It can't be a coincidence that two rare potions have been used in such a short amount of time."

His shackles now raised and his liquid body closely raising to the boiling point Aunt Nasty had asked about earlier, Liquidator spat out, "Who the hell is Magica de Spell?"

Morgana sighed. "She's a powerful witch descended from a powerful witch line. I've never met her in person, of course, only heard stories about her clan. From the sound of it, she is no one we would find a friend in. She and her brother were once notorious for their wicked ways-Though not much has been heard from her after she became obsessed with trying to further her magic abilities. I don't even know if she was ever successful. Perhaps this is one of her plots?"

Frowning deeply, Liquidator crossed his arms. "I don't know, but this is one villain who's got her on his Hit List." He paused and noticed the rising sun outside the window. "Shoot! Morgana, I have to go! I promised Reggie I wouldn't be long. I left to go to the store to get him a noise maker. He's so used to always hearing his plants, that the silence in his head is driving him nuts!"

"Aww, that's right. He wouldn't be able to talk to plants anymore...Poor thing. That would be like me no longer being able to understand Eak, Squeak, or Archie! How devastating!" lamented Morgana. Archie grumbled on the top of her head in agreement.

"Thank you, Morgana!"

"Anytime!"

Liquidator left without another word, ignoring the door handle's angry shouts since he never did give the door handle whatever was in the bag.

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"Meeeggggavooooolt, enough with the depression, ya mopey butt!" came the irritated and whiny complaint of the St. Canard's resident toy maker gone mad. Quackerjack leaned over dramatically as he walked, the ends of his long jester hat dragging on the ground, making the bells jingle.

Quackerjack and Megavolt were currently walking up the pathway that led to Bushroot's Greenhouse, both of them at their limit after the events of the past week. "You don't get it, Quacky! Such a betrayal! So much potential could have come from those cell phones and I have to stand by and watch it be wasted, all because they refuse to listen!"

Quackerjack straightened up in thought. "Actually, they WERE listening to you, but you said you wouldn't work with them."

"Because Siri didn't even LIKE you! How am I supposed to work together and take over the world with someone who doesn't even LIKE you!? I mean, what's the POINT!?" wailed Megavolt.

Quackerjack shrugged. "I'm a unique brand of madness, Megsy. It's of no shock to me she doesn't like my flavor of it. Though I said from the beginning it was a waste of playtime!"

Megavolt sighed, a sad look on his face. "I should have listened to you, Quacky..."

Quackerjack was sympathetic: for about a second. "Yes, well, let bygones be bygones! Forget about those stupid telly phones and PLAAAAAYY! You've been extra booooriiing the last couple days!"

Megavolt stopped outside the doorway to Bushroot's Greenhouse. "You would be too if your carefully laid out plans had been foiled!"

Quackerjack stopped next to him, his eyes wide and blinking. "That DID happen to me, Megsy! Have you already forgotten my carefully laid out plans to foil WHIFFLE BOY last week!? Never mind that I spent MONTHS planning it out carefully!? Spent MONTHS making-EEEEWWWW-WHIFFLE BOY TOYS just in hopes to take down my worst enemy once and for all!?"

"...I thought that shadowy guy who possessed me that one time was your worst enemy" replied Megavolt quietly.

Quackerjack pulled on the ends of his hat in frustration. "Details! DETAILS!" he screamed. Then pointed a finger at Megavolt. "And we agreed never to mention that dreadful Paddywhack ever again!"

"And you expect me to have remembered such an agreement!?"

Quackerjack slapped a hand over his eyes dramatically as he moved his face up to the sky. "Meeegggssssyyyyyy! You're killing me, here!"

Megavolt opened his mouth to retort but was interrupted but the sound of glass breaking and a loud thud shortly after. The noise came from inside the greenhouse.

"Do ya mind? We're having a conversation here!" groused Megavolt at the greenhouse, as though the building itself had been the source of the noise.

Quackerjack rolled his eyes at his comment. "Sounds like Bushy is making a fuss inside." Without waiting for his companion's reply, he launched himself at the door and burst inside. "HELLOOOOOOOO! It's PLAYTIME BUSHY!"

His shout echoed slightly in the tall building, but otherwise pure silence met them.

"What a warm welcome" quipped Megavolt sarcastically as he pushed through the threshold.

Grunts and playful growls were suddenly heard and a moment later, Spike came barreling towards them. His long tongue flopped back and forth has he came to a screeching halt before the two villains. He panted up at them expectantly, recognizing them as his master's friends.

"What's this thing's name again? Thorn? Thorny?" asked Megavolt.

"Spike, I think" was Quackerjack's answer. He leaned down, his hands on his knees, as he addressed the mutant plant dog before him. "Heeey, buddy! Mind showin' us where ol' Bush-Brain is? Hmm?"

There was the sound of a distinct choking-like sound that came several feet away, the deeper tone of it allowing Quackerjack and Megavolt to know it belonged to the baritone scientist.

Quackerjack gasped dramatically. "Why Megsy!?"

"Yeah?"

"I do believe ol' Reggie-poo is already playing with us!"

"He is? Which game?"

With barely contained glee, Quackerjack squeaked, "Hide and SEEK!"

"NO!" came Bushroot's very distressed cry from somewhere in the greenhouse. "No, Quackerjack! I am NOT playing Hide and Seek with you!"

"Then why are you hiiiidiiiiinnnnggg!?" replied the jester in a sing-song voice.

"I'm not hiding!"

"You know, I once said the same thing whenever I didn't want Quackerjack to see me after I'd spilled paint all down my front. Which is normally not a big deal but...Let's just say it left things to the imagination, cause of the spots I spilled it" reminisced Megavolt as he adjusted his plug hat.

"Oh, yeaaaaaah!" smirked Quackerjack at the memory. "HAHAHA! That was a FUN afternoon!"

Bushroot could be heard groaning from wherever he was hiding. "Well, I can assure you, this is most certainly NOT that kind of situation. I'm just-ehh-In the middle of something. Errr! I mean-I'm-BUSY!"

Megavolt furrowed his brows. "So? You've seen us in the middle of stuff before without problem."

Quackerjack leaned over to his confused friend and whispered something into his ear.

Megavolt's eyes widened and his face went red. "Woah!"

"That's right, Megsy. THAT'S the kind of game he's playing!" giggled the toy maker.

"I am NOT playing any kind of games! And I am MOST CERTAINLY NOT playing whatever game you THINK I am!" came Bushroot angry shout.

Quackerjack wordlessly gestured for Megavolt to follow him, the two of them slowly and quietly making their way around the Greenhouse in search of their shy friend. Out loud, Quackerjack asked, "So, Reg, if you're not playing any games, then what exactly are you doing?"

Bushroot didn't respond at first. When he did, Quackerjack and Megavolt started heading to the source of his voice. "Umm...You know, normal stuff. Plant experiments. Why do you wanna know?"

Bushroot, who was cowering on the ground in a thick batch of bushes, whimpered a bit when he was met with nothing but silence. He knew that was far from a good sign. He was proved right when a moment later, two hands rested on his shoulders from behind him, causing the scientist to yell in fright, jumping up from his hiding spot in the process.

"FOUND YOOOOOUUU!" cackled Quackerjack happily. The jester began doing cartwheels once he stepped back out of the bushes.

Megavolt, meanwhile, gave Bushroot a funny look.

The botanist had recovered from his fright, making sure to keep his back to his friends as he put the collar of his coat up over his head.

"Saaay, you okay there, Bushy? You're lookin' a bit pale. And where your petals? They wilt and die or something?" inquired the electrical rodent.

Quackerjack stopped in his happy victory dance at Megavolt's questions and peered at Bushroot. "Megs is right. You okay there, Reggie?" His voice actually held slight concern for the other.

Bushroot flinched and seemed to curl in even more on himself. "A-Alright, fine! Negaduck-He-He did something to me! He injected me with some kind of-I don't even know! A formula or something and it-It turned me back into a regular duck!"

Quackerjack and Megavolt exchanged a look of disbelief and shock before Megavolt asked, "Wait, so, you're not a mutant anymore?"

"No...I've been reverted back to how I was before my accident..." whispered Bushroot in defeat.

A beat later, Quackerjack was bouncing in his spot. "Ooooh! I wanna see! I wanna see!" He quickly got around to the other side of Bushroot, who took a step backwards. Megavolt stepped up beside him. "I wanna see how ol' Bushbrain used to look before he became our favorite grass stain!"

Before Bushroot had a chance to pull back, Quackerjack reached around him and yanked the back of his lab coat down, causing Bushroot to loose his grip and leaving his head and face completely exposed.

"Holy Jell-O, Batman!" guffawed Quackerjack at the sight of his un-mutated friend. Both the jester and his companion became laughing loudly, both holding onto their sides at the sight of their friends.

Bushroot's face turned beet red at their hurtful laughter. "Oh, shut up!" he spat out darkly. "You guys aren't perfect looking either!"

"But-YOUR BALD!" Quackerjack managed through his laughter.

This only seemed to worsen Bushroot's mood. "Premature balding runs in my family!" he defended weakly.

This only seemed to make Quackerjack and Megavolt laugh harder and louder.

Bushroot looked like he was torn between fleeing from the scene and whacking them over the head with the nearest object he could find. Yet he didn't have to, for a wave of water came hurtling at the two laughing villains, instantly electrocuting them the instant the water hit Megavolt.

After about ten seconds of electrocution, Quackerjack and Megavolt collapsed next to each other with defeated groans.

"Are you taunting another? Laughing in someone's face at their expensive!? Well the Liquidator won't HAVE it!" growled the liquid canine dangerously as he morphed into his dog form next to Bushroot.

"Aww, thank you for shutting them up, Buddy" spoke Bushroot in a quiet whisper so that only the mutant dog could hear him.

The meek scientist was rewarded with a warm grin from his watery lover, who leaned in and gave him a light kiss on the cheek. "Anything for my weeping willow!"

A blush appeared on the white feathers on Bushroot's face as he was awestruck that even despite looking as horrible as he thought he did, Liquidator didn't even bat an eye at his changed appearance; as though nothing had even occurred.

Sputtering, Quackerjack began to do one of the things he did best: whine. "No faaaaiiirr, Likky! Why the theatrics!? We were just having a good laugh with Bushroot at his predicament!"

Liquidator raised a hand to object. "Correction: you were laughing at his EXPENSE! There is a difference, Quackerjack! And I suggest you learn it well unless you want more cold showers from yours truly!"

The jester in question grumbled as he stood up and helped Megavolt stand as well. "Well, fine then! But you can't tell me you don't want to laugh at the way he looks!" He gestured to Bushroot's poor posture, balding hair, sunken in eyes with bags under them, and pale complexion.

"If you must know, I think Bushroot is perfect the way he is! Now, what are you two doing here!?" demanded Liquidator.

Bushroot squeaked at the sentimental remark, subconsciously inching his way closer to the mutant as he tried to rid himself of the lovesick smile now on his face.

"P-Perfect!? You call that perfect!?" laughed Megavolt as he pointed to Bushroot. "I'm not sayin' I'm the best lookin' guy around here either, but come on!"

"Yeah, seriously! Weren't you once quite the ladies man, yourself? Always going after the prettiest and fairest?" asked Quackerjack, leaning in and wiggling his eyebrows.

Liquidator put a hand to his forehead in aggravation. "You two are really riding my patience. I ask again: why are you here?!"

"Just wanted to see what Bushroot was up to! We're bored!" answered Megavolt. He then halted and turned to Quackerjack for confirmation. "That WAS the reason we came here, right?"

Quackerjack nodded.

"Well, go away! We have bigger problems to worry about then entertaining you two!" snapped Liquidator. He turned around, grabbing the bag that had been placed beside him. He took Bushroot by the shoulder and turned him around to follow.

"Now hold up!" piped out Quackerjack. "You said Negaduck was the one who did this?"

Turning back around Bushroot was the one who answered. "Yeah. He did this to me this morning. Which means Negaduck is in town, which means you two had better be watching your backs! Who knows WHAT he's up to!"

Megavolt and Quackerjack both cringed at the idea of Negaduck lurking about. It was plain knowledge that Negaduck had a death sentence over their heads and would like nothing more than to kill the four of them in one sweep.

"Uhh...But shouldn't we stick together if Negs is around? There is better chance of winning against him with four of us..." suggested the electrified villain.

Liquidator paused in consideration. "Hm...Four against one IS better than two against one..."

"Just don't LAUGH at me!" snapped Bushroot.

Quackerjack thought about that for a moment. "Can I laugh behind your back?"

The jester had no chance of avoiding the large tidal wave of water that was Liquidator and Bushroot's response.

()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()

Later that day, Drake found himself once again sitting at his new desk and trying to figure out what to do with all the paperwork that was currently sitting on his desk. The short mallard felt mentally drained; no where near up to the task of sorting through the papers before him.

Everything that had happened in such a short time was starting to drain him physically. He was delighted to have Gosalyn back in his life and things seemed to finally be trying to get back to normal, but there was an unease in the pit of stomach. A feeling like things were only going to get uglier.

He drummed his fingers on the desk. He should be out scouring the streets for clues. Anything to explain why Taurus Bulba had found the need to team up with Magica de Spell. And who was she exactly? What did she want with him? She was Scrooge McDuck's enemy, right? Not his. So why was she bothering him?

His thoughts were interrupted at the soft shriek the woman at her desk behind him gave out. Drake whirled around in his face. "Is everything alright, Mrs. Kettleburn?" He was in full Darkwing mode, instantly scanning the room.

The small petite mouse pointed to something up in the air behind him. "Bats!"

Drake looked up and saw Eek and Squeak flapping their little wings and panting, one of them carrying a piece of paper. He slouched slightly. That was it? That was the big fuss. "Relax, Miss Kettleburn. They won't hurt us."

Fenton, who had heard the commotion, turned around in his own seat and whistled. "Boy! I knew having that one light out made it slightly darker in here, but this is ridiculous! Bats?! Really?"

Drake rolled his eyes at Fenton, his budding friendship with the accountant having instantly gone down the tubes once he learned he was Gizmoduck. He KNEW the accountant reminded him of that overgrown tin can!

As his fellow co-workers, minus Fenton, squirmed in their seats at the sight of the bats, Eek and Squeak flew down so they hovered right above Drake's desk, dropping the little note for the mallard to see. "Uhh...Thanks..."

Seeing that their job was done, the two bats flew out of the building.

Ignoring the curious looks he knew he was now getting, Drake looked at the piece of paper before him, recognizing Morgana's handwriting.

Dark,

Sorry to bother you while I know you're busy working, but we need to talk. NOW. Meet me outside the Money Bin.

-Morg.

"Launchpad sendin' ya love letters now?" chuckled Fenton, leaning over Drake's desk in hopes to catch a glimpse of said letter. "If so, I wanna know how he trained those bats."

Drake looked up and glared at the accountant. "It's actually from Morgana..." He stood up, tucking the note in his pocket.

Fenton blinked at Drake owlishly. "Morgana? But I thought you and Launchpad were like...unofficially together now." The accountant gave a small gasp. "You're not CHEATING on him, are you!?"

Drake scowled at his fellow co-worker. "I am NOT! I'll be right back."

Fenton watched him go. "You know this'll be coming out your paycheck, right?" he called after him.

The comment fell on deaf ears.

It didn't take long for Drake to get outside and he quickly looked around to see the enchantress he knew and cared for. "Morgana?"

"Right here, Dark" came Morgana's sultry voice.

Drake turned and smiled at her, stepping closer. "Hi, Morg" he said almost shyly, old habits rising. "What can I do for you? You said it was important?"

Morgana nodded. "I'm afraid so. See, Liquidator stopped by the mansion earlier today to talk to me."

Drake's large bill down turned into a worried frown. "Liquidator? What did he want?"

Knowing how worried and carried away Drake could get, she quickly explained. "He only came by to ask me some questions and a bit of advice, really. See, he came by to tell me that Negaduck has done something to Bushroot." She quickly explained everything Liquidator had told her, watching as Drake grew more and more worried. "And Dark, we both know Negaduck doesn't know magic, let alone potions. I'm beginning to think Magica de Spell might be behind this as well. It's too big of a coincidence that this has happened so soon after the Emoti-Gone fiasco."

Before Drake could reply, a voice cut in from behind them. "So yer tellin' me that Magica de Spell has been botherin' you as well, laddie?"

At the sight of Scrooge McDuck, both blinked in surprise. Fenton was standing a couple feet behind them, smiling and giving a small wave. Morgana recovered quicker and gave a small curtsy and bow to of the head. "Oh, hello! Mr. McDuck, is it? I'm so sorry to have taken away Drake from his work, but this was urgent."

Pleased by her manners, Scrooge smiled up at her as he leaned on his cane. He raised his top hat and bowed his head in greeting. "Hello to you too, my dear. And yes, it does sound rather urgent. Is what yer sayin' true then? Do you know Magica de Spell and what she's up to?"

Morgana shook her head. "No, I'm afraid not. I've not actually ever met Magica, despite us both being witches. She is a part of a old clan, the de Spell clan, who have always been known for their powerful dark magic. My own clan, the McCawber clan, have moved on from the dark times in regards to the use of dark magic. We are a friendlier clan to Normals and Non-Magical Beings unlike some others."

"I'd like to beg to differ" deadpanned Drake quietly as he remembered all the threats and arguments he's had with her family.

"So you are an enchantress as well?" was Scrooge's next question.

"Yes."

"Hmm...Magica is an old foe of mine. She's been after me Lucky One Dime fer years!" he explained.

Morgana made a surprised sound. "Oh! Is it because this dime holds a great amount of importance to you?"

Scrooge stared at her in wonder. "Uh, why, yes. But-uh, how did you know?"

"What very little I know about her is that Magica has long since been obsessed with furthering her magic and becoming more powerful. It's said that if one were to find an object of great importance and value, particularly one that has been treasured and connected to great deals of emotion, it can be used to become a stronger master of magic" Morgana clarified.

Scrooge sighed. "Yes, that sounds about right..."

Fenton spoke up, "Gee, Scroogey, what do you think it all means?"

Scrooge looked away in thought. "I'm not sure lad, but I don't like the sound of this. She's planning something." He looked up at Morgana. "Yeh say she did somethin' to a friend of yours?"

Drake nodded, hating the fact that he was practically being left out of the conversation. "That's right! And worse, the nefarious Negaduck seems to be connected as well!"

Morgana turned to Drake. "I'm sorry, Dark, but I have to go. But you know how to reach me if you need me for anything!" She started to leave. "It was wonderful to meet you, Mr. McDuck." She waved to the three of them and in a puff of smoke, she was gone.

"Boy, must be nice to just poof in and out of existence!" sighed Fenton.

"Fenton?"

"Yes, Scrooge?"

"Don't talk."

Fenton pressed his lips together.

Drake crossed his arms. "How did you know I was out here?"

"Isn't it obvious?" asked Scrooge. After a pause, he continued. "If ya haven't noticed already, laddie, Fenton here never shuts up."

"Hey!" cried the accountant indignantly.

"Meaning he tells me everything. And he waltzed right into me office and told me about the appearance of bats and your mysterious letter from someone named 'Morgana'. And seeing as how yeh've only worked here for a grand total of three days and yeh've already led two scoundrels to me Money Bin, I thought it best to check things out."

Drake forced himself not to roll his eyes. "Fair enough."

"Now, I think it high time we start playin' defense, since it's clear something is gonnae be happenin'" began Scrooge. He turned to look back at Fenton and gesture for him to step up beside him. Fenton happily did so. Turning back to Drake, Scrooge continued. "I want you and Gizmoduck to work together and be on the look out for any more trouble!"

This earned Scrooge protests from both parties.

"I don't need some clown in a tin suit to help me!"

"But this is my city! I've protected it before without help!"

"Oh, don't even go there, pal! After all the times you've gone into MY city and hogged all MY glory!"

"But St. Canard had needed my help all those times!"

"Quiet!" commanded Scrooge with authority.

Ignoring Scrooge's command to be quiet, as usual, Fenton asked, Drake, "And what do you mean, 'your city'? You're not a super hero."

"I am TOO a super hero!" shouted Drake indignantly, his evident annoyance and anger growing.

Scrooge tilted his head at Fenton. "Not a super hero? Fenton, ya great buffoon! He's Darkwing Duck! You were there the other day when his cover was blown!"

Fenton paused and thought about the Taurus Bulba incident. "Oh...I must have been too busy trying not to be choked to death. It was a bit distracting, as you can imagine."

"How could you not have noticed! I am the terror that flaps in the night, I'll have you know! It's not every day you find out the secret identity to a legend like myself! And just for the record, Bub" he said, pointing a finger at Fenton. "I don't NEED your help either! I'd be fine on my own! I just can't BELIEVE that all this time it's YOU of all people that everyone has been PRAISING!"

Fenton squawked at the insult. "Hey now! What's THAT supposed to mean!?"

"Just LOOK at you! You're just some wimpy annoying accountant!"

"Oh, aye? And you're any better, laddie?" quipped Scrooge. Drake turned to him. "You're the walking definition of both 'wimpy' AND 'annoying'." He looked to both mallards. "It's a wonder how either of you are heroes to begin with!"

Ignoring the jibes, Fenton continued on a cord that had struck with Fenton on one of the other mallard's comments. "Hey now, I've deserved each and every one of those praises, I'll have you know, 'Wingy'!"

"Oh, please. Your suit does all the work FOR you!" grumbled Drake.

"Alright, alright!" grumbled Scrooge as he pushed them away from each other. "Yer both wonderful and terrific super heroes, I'm sure! But I don't care! I want you two working together because two heroes is better than one!"

Unsatisfied, Fenton continued to press. "But Scroogey- If this is about the other day, I'm fine! I can take care of myself! My bruises may not have fully healed yet but I've still get a pep in my step! Don't you worry!"

Fenton grabbed a hold of Scrooge's hand and held it tightly. This caused Scrooge to look at their hands, his heart going sore as he could feel the tremors that were still in Fenton's own hands. He looked up at his younger boyfriend with a sad smile. "Trust me, Fenton. It would be best if you worked with Darkwing for the time being. Do it for me?

Fenton thought about it, then blushed at the soft expression on his paramour's face. "Aww, shucks, Scrooge, you know I can't say no to ya!"

Satisfied, Scrooge looked to Drake. "Sound like a plan?"

"If I must" mumbled Drake unhappily.

Fenton nodded slowly. It was clear that neither of them liked the plan at all.