Trust and Torment
Author's Note: This chapter is rated M for graphic violence. The worst of it takes place in the first part of this chapter. If you don't want to read it, scroll down until you hit the first divider in the story and you'll be in the clear.
Waking up was an odd sensation for Bud Flood. He was still a little hazy and his eyelids felt heavy as he regained consciousness. Taking a brief glance at his unfamiliar surroundings, he knew he was in trouble. He found himself in was a dark room with black floors, walls and ceilings. There were no windows and the only light source was a dim, flickering fluorescent light bulb that was incessantly humming. It was then that he realized that he had been tied to a wooden cross with ropes and barbed wire. The sharp spikes had been skillfully woven around his wrists and ankles so that he was hanging just slightly off the ground. He squirmed a little bit to see if the wires had any give, but it was no use. As soon as he tried to pull away from the cross, the spikes dug painful cuts into his skin. Not giving up yet, he examined the room again, looking for any feasible way that he could get out of his bonds when a familiar voice caught his attention.
"Are you awake, Buddy?"
The dog jerked his head forward to see Morgana Mawcaber standing before him as serene as she always was. A sense of relief washed over him to see a friendly face in the awful room he had been placed into.
"Morgana, you have no idea how glad I am to see you. You've got to help me! Please cut these bonds for me so we can get out of here—wherever here is."
The witch gave the captive water salesman an odd look before she calmly walked over to the barbed wire tying down his wrist on his right side. He gazed at her expectantly as she grasped the wire in her delicate fingers. She abruptly met his dark black eyes with her green ones with an unreadable expression on her face.
"You know Buddy," she said slowly, her eyes boring into his, "there's something I've wanted to tell you for a long time..."
"What?" He questioned politely, knowing in the back of his mind that this wasn't really the time for talk of any kind whether it was important or not. Without warning, a sharp stabbing pain shot up his right arm. Morgana had pushed the barbed wire into his right wrist and was holding it in place as he struggled.
"I've wanted to tell you for a long time," she repeated slowly, pushing the wire in a little harder, "that you're an absolute fool."
Bud let out a small hiss of pain as he gazed down into her green orbs, not believing what he was hearing. Then, he remembered the kiss they'd shared back at his competitor's water company. How he'd fainted shortly thereafter.
"You..." Bud's voice was a mixture of shock and betrayal. "You brought me here? But-But why...why would you...?"
"Oh, don't look so surprised." She scoffed with an eye roll. "You really weren't stupid enough to believe that I was around you because I actually liked you, did you? Then again, judging by those big puppy dog eyes and that dazed expression you're gracing me with, maybe you were. Let me make this very simple. You've been considered a potential problem for a long time. Someone sent me to watch over you and inform them if it was the right time to get rid of you. The only reason you've survived this long is because you are an influential business man and it was hoped that eventually you'd see things differently. Obviously that didn't happen."
"Someone...?" Buddy asked with his heart sinking. He had a very good idea of who this someone was. His worst fears were confirmed when the double doors to the room opened and in strode a familiar evil face.
"Well, well, well. Looks like Prince Charming is finally awake." The deep sneering voice of Negaduck filled the small room as he approached the captive canine. He looked just like he had in the photos in the newspaper with his yellow suit, black cape and red fedora hat. Bud was a little surprised that the self-proclaimed overlord of the Negaverse was such a short statured duck. As he got closer, the water salesman was able to study his enemy's face and it was then that he understood what was so intimidating about this duck. His beady black eyes were ice cold and his face was set in a permanent scowl, as if the only things he'd ever felt in his life were anger and hatred.
"Did you enjoy the kiss from your princess?" A cruel grin spread across his beak as he glanced over at Morgana. A similar grin spread over her face as if they were sharing some kind of inside joke. "Oh yes. Morgana has told me all about how you flirt with her. How you kept making eyes at her and telling her she was beautiful just because she said the things you wanted to hear. How you shared your desire to settle down with a good woman and start a family." The last sentence was spoken while he clasped his hands by his face and made his eyes as round as they could go while batting his eyelids. Dropping the act, he pointed at the dog and broke into fits of laughter. "You're a complete sap, Flood! Morgana is loyal only to me. She's been playing you almost the entire time."
"Almost?" Bud questioned in a small heartsick whisper.
"Yeah, there was a time when she did believe some of the inane things that you do." He waved his hand as if to brush the whole matter away. "Fortunately, she began seeing things my way and she's never turned back."
Dreading what he'd see and wanting it all to be a nightmare or a bad dream, Bud finally turned his gaze to Morgana Mawcaber. He had put his full trust in her, defended her when others had accused her of working for the crime lord and had even hoped that one day they might be more then just friends. He didn't want to believe what was taking place was real.
"Morgana," he pleaded softly, "is that the truth? Did you really say all those things just because you thought it was what I wanted to hear? You didn't stand beside me because you actually cared about me, but...but because you wanted to find the right time to kill me?"
Her deep green eyes met his smaller black ones and for the first time since he met her, he could see the spark of malice in them that he had missed before.
"Yes, it's the truth." Her reply was short, firm and completely unashamed.
Bud stared at her a moment longer for it all to sink in before he looked away and hung his head. A deep sadness filled his heart and he berated himself for being so gullible.
"Aw, now I know you feel bad about being duped," Negaduck said to him in the most unsympathetic tone possible, "but you shouldn't worry about that. I'm sure all the pain I'm about to cause you will make you forget all about your silly little crush."
Abruptly, the yellow-suited mallard grabbed hold of his suit coat and unbuttoned it. He pushed the coat back onto the canine's arms as much as possible so that his dress shirt was fully accessible. Not bothering with the tedious process of disconnecting each button, the crime lord grabbed both sides of the shirt and ripped it open. Buttons clattered down to the floor as he pulled the shirt away to reveal the toned, furry chest and stomach of Bud Flood. Lastly, he threw the blue tie that was still around the dog's neck over his left shoulder before he pulled a long, jagged knife out of his cape.
"Ah, I just love working with a clean slate." As he said this, Negaduck ran the tip of the knife slowly down the dog's body from his chest to his stomach. Bud tried to not to show any of the dread he was experiencing as the blade traveled down his exposed flesh. When the tip of the weapon had reached his belt buckle, the Negaduck brought the knife up to his victim's face. He placed the edge of it on the tip of his prisoner's nose and graced him with a threatening smile.
"Okay, Flood, since I know how fond you are of making deals I'll offer you one right now. Swear that you'll hand over your company and all it's assets to me. Once you do, you'll make a public statement that I am the uncontested ruler of the Negaverse and that you give your full, undying loyalty to me. If you do all of those things then I will make it so that this will hurt a lot less."
Bud snorted as he looked Negaduck straight in his beady, hate-filled eyes. "Is that the best you can do? Ten out ten potential buyers surveyed state that they've gotten better offers at garage sales."
Negaduck merely pressed the blade a little harder into the dog's nose so that it bordered on uncomfortable, but did not break the skin. "Last chance." His tone told the water salesman that he wasn't messing around.
"Even if I did everything that you asked, you would still make my torture as painful as possible . You enjoy other people's pain and you're a sick, twisted bastard who's ruining our fair city for his own gains."He swallowed and tried to make his voice as firm as possible even though he knew he was making things worse for himself. Still, he couldn't turn his back on what was right. "You can try to bribe me all you want, but I'll never support you! That's my final term."
"Spirited, aren't you?" Negaduck chuckled a bit as his face transformed into an ugly glower. "I hate that!"
The evil mallard took the knife away from Bud's nose and made a swift, shallow cut from the canine's chest to the middle of his stomach. A yelp of pain escaped his lips as he felt dribbles of blood run down his stomach from the open wound. He pulled against his bonds at the blow, but that only brought him more pain as the barbed wire cut into his ankles and wrists.
"I'll show you what happens to people who defy me." He made another long cut on Bud's body, this time going up from his stomach to his chest. "Soon you'll understand that everything," he paused to make a horizontal cut across the dog's chest, "belongs to me! The plant life, the water supply, the electricity, the entertainment industry," with each item he listed off, Negaduck cut more wounds into Bud's chest and stomach, "the entire city of St. Canard is mine!" At this last pronouncement, Negaduck took he placed the knife by the canine's right rib cage and made a long, jagged cut that was deeper than the others.
Through the pain of it all, despite every wound that the crime lord dug into his skin, he hardly made a sound. A few soft cries escaped from his tortured body, but he clenched his fists, bit his lip and breathed through the pain. His eyes were still fixed on Negaduck and they still burned with defiance.
When the evil mallard met his prisoner's eyes again and saw that he still wasn't broken, he placed the blade against his left shoulder.
"Do you still think it's worth it? Fighting your little battles against me so that the people of St. Canard can be free?" Suddenly, Negaduck drew the blade up Bud's shoulder. The canine could not stifle a cry of anguish this time and the yellow-suited mallard smiled at his suffering.
"I'll let you in on a little secret Flood. People like you, people who actually stand for something and believe in the side of good, are a complete anomaly in this city. Most of the citizenry like me and appreciate what I've done to St. Canard. It would be a pity if the public didn't get what they wanted, don't you think?"
As he finished his sentence, Negaduck proceeded to slash Bud's right shoulder the way he'd slashed his left. Bud gave another cry of pain and sagged down on the cross breathing heavily. Seeing that he was making some progress with his prisoner, Negaduck took out a handkerchief from his pocket and cleaned some of the blood from his blade. Once it was pristine, he looked back up at Bud Flood who was still hanging his head. His forehead was creased with lines and his mouth was set in a grimace from his aching body.
"Gee, you look a little down in the mouth Flood." Negaduck turned to the witch with an evil glint in his eye. "I'm sure some more of Morgana's affection will cheer you right up."
He cackled maliciously as he strode out the big double doors, leaving the two alone. Morgana, who had been watching the whole event from the side of the room, smiled far too sweetly as she approached the captive canine. He stiffened as her fingers ran smoothly over his chest, finally settling over one of his long cuts.
"Well, I guess it's just the two of us now, isn't it?." Morgana's voice was silky and she batted her eyes in mock flirtation.
An intense heat suddenly built up in their tips as she pressed them against his chest. He clenched his jaw to keep from crying out in pain, not wanting to give her any satisfaction.
"What's the matter, Buddy?." She leaned up and pressed her lips against his neck. "Don't you enjoy my attention, dear heart?."
Her fingers were still running painfully along his chest and the kiss she planted on his neck filled him with revulsion. She knew how he had felt about her and still she would do this to him. For the sake of a man he loathed beyond all comprehension.
"This is what you wanted, isn't it?" The witch tried to kiss his lips, but he turned his head away from her. The move didn't phase her and she brushed her lips against his cheek instead.
"No..." His soft whisper was filled with a quiet rage that was building with every word she spoke and every move she made.
"No?" Morgana repeated innocently as she pressed her body against his and wrapped her arms around his shoulders. "You didn't want us to be together?"
"Not here." He hissed down at her. "And certainly not like this!"
"Now, I know this isn't exactly luxurious, but things don't have to be perfect Buddy. What was that old saying? 'You can't always get what you want.'"
"I think the one you're looking for is: 'Be careful what you wish for. You just might get it.'
"Oh, Buddy, you always were a fighter." She laughed in spite of the seething anger that had been clear in his voice. She placed both her hands on the side of his muzzle and held him still. "You constantly made things harder on yourself for the sake of your ideals. For the sake of people who didn't care enough about what was happening to them to defend themselves. For the sake of people who used you to further their cause while they did nothing but watch you toil from the sidelines. For the sake of giving the people of St. Canard some kind of false hope that things could be different somehow. It was one of the things I absolutely couldn't stand about you."
Morgana leaned up closer to him so that she almost beak to nose with captive canine. He glared defiantly at her as she continued to taunt him, still holding his head still with her hands.
"So was it worth it? All this struggling and fighting that you've been doing for to protect some skewed idea of justice? How does it feel knowing you're going to die all alone in this room and no one is going to care?"
Bud kept his face as impassive as he could, but he couldn't help but admit that there was a sliver of truth in her words. As if reading his thoughts, the witch smiled wickedly before forcefully pressing her lips against his. He didn't respond to her cruel gesture, merely waiting for it to be over. When the kiss broke, he jerked his head away from her and spat in disgust to get the taste out of his mouth. Morgana chuckled at the move and brushed her hot finger tips along his bare chest one last time before she left the room, slamming the doors shut behind her.
Once she was gone, Bud Flood just hung listlessly from his cross prison. The humming of the fluorescent light bulb overhead was the only thing that was keeping him company as dark thoughts consumed him from within. He stared blankly at the dark floor that stretched out beneath him as blood continued to dribble down from some of his open wounds.
Is this how it's all going to end for me then? The water salesman thought to himself morbidly. Am I going to die in this god forsaken place at the hands of Negaduck like so many others before me did, who tried to stop him and couldn't? Die nameless and alone...
The chain of thoughts brought him to recall his life up to this point. Since the time he was in high school he had known what he had wanted. He had dreamed of running his own successful business in beautiful burg of St. Canard. Once the canine had achieved a steady income he had wanted to find a good woman to settle down with and start a family. He loved kids and he had always imagined himself raising a son in cozy house somewhere in the city. All he had ever wanted was to live a normal life running his company, spending time with good friends and then coming back home to a loving wife and adorable children. Sadly, the only thing he managed to accomplish was starting his own business and even that had been taken away by Negaduck in the end.
I lived in St. Canard before the days of his maniacal rule over the city. I knew how much better things used to be before he took over the lives of the citizens with his reign of terror. Once he started his campaign for the city, everything changed. Happiness, trust and honesty turned into depression, fear and betrayal. Good people gave up on living, dreaming or hoping and just accepted what was happening to them. They accepted that this was how their lives were going to be...
Bud Flood hung limply on his cross and squeezed his eyes shut. He shook his head feeling the warmth in his chest that had always stayed with him. It was the warmth that came from doing the right thing...from a sense of justice that was ingrained in him.
But I couldn't accept it! I just couldn't! I wouldn't give up hope just because of what one twisted duck tried to do. I couldn't just swallow what was happening around me and do nothing. And for that, I was shunned.
The more the canine thought about it, the more he knew it was true. His face and voice had always been recognizable due to his advertisements on the television, in the papers and on the radio. He was a dog with a lot of money and that alone had always drawn people to him. Unfortunately, once he told them what he thought about Negaduck and what he was doing to St. Canard everyone immediately shied away from him. The women who flirted with him had turned their heels upon him when he voiced his opinion either because they were fond of Negaduck's ways or because they wanted nothing to do with a man that, as they saw it, had a target on his back and wouldn't be long for the world. Bud was rueful when he found that there were more of the former type of women then the latter. It had been one of the big reasons he'd had trouble getting married. Not that he had done any better on the friendship line either for the same reasons.
Yet no matter how many times people rebuffed him, he still held on to what he thought was right. He had firmly believed that the majority of people out there agreed with him and wanted things to be go back to the way they were before. He thought when he spoke up and acted against the crime lord he was giving a voice to the people who had no voice themselves...but now...
Maybe I had it all wrong. Maybe this was the way the people of St. Canard wanted to live. Not that it matters. It's not just that I don't want to live the way Negaduck wants me to. I simply can't live that way.
Tears started welling up in his eyes as he thought about the irony of it all. Here he was, hanging on a cross like the martyr he'd always been, about to die for people who he hoped would look at his example and want to stand up for themselves. People who, in the end, didn't give a damn whether he died or not. People who didn't care whether they really lived or not.
Then what did I do this for? What was any of it for?
He shouted those two questions in his mind, letting them reverberate in his skull. The first two tears left streaks in the fur on his cheeks as they dripped onto the floor mixing in with his blood. The canine tried to remember the last time he had cried and found that he couldn't. He opened his eyes and stared up at the ceiling searching for an answer.
To be honest, I've never wanted to fight against evil or be a hero. I just tried to be a good person. Having the opportunity to use the gifts I was given was enough to make me happy. Nothing more. Nothing less. So then...why was I given life during a period of time when I'd have no real chance to live it? I don't understand...I just don't understand...
Exhaustion finally took its toll on the tortured mind and body of Bud Flood. He let his head fall limply on to his chest and welcomed the darkness that came to overtake him. One last tear escaped his eye before he fell into a deep sleep.
"Buddy? There's blood all over him! Those cuts look terrible..."
"Buddy? Buddy, can you hear us? Check his pulse!"
"Don't worry, he's still alive. I think he's just fainted. Buddy! Wake up. Come on, wake up!"
The water salesman could sense that there were three people chattering around him and one of them was shaking him a little bit. He knew the three voices sounded familiar to him, but he was still caught in the haze of sleep and was unable to identify them. The canine slowly opened his eyes to see three blurry figures standing around him. He blinked his eyes a few more times before they finally came into focus. A feeling of disbelief washed over him as he realized who they were.
"Megavolt?" He said weakly. He cleared his throat to get his voice back to its normal tone. "Quackerjack? Bushroot?"
"Yes, it's us." Bushroot said calmly, his leafy hand still on the dog's shoulder. Bud figured he was the one who'd been shaking him. "Don't worry. We're going to get you off of this thing."
Quackerjack bent down and pulled a small pair of shears out of his puffy pants. He carefully snipped the wires around the canine's ankles, while Megavolt and Bushroot unwound the wire pinning his arms down. Once the jester was finished, he untied the ropes, then stood close to Bud and waited for the final wires and ropes to come off. When the water salesman was completely free, he fell on to his feet and was a little unstable after hanging on the wooden cross for most of the day. Quackerjack had anticipated this and caught the dog in his arms as he tilted forward and steadied him. Bud put an arm around the jester's shoulders as he regained his footing.
"Thank you," he said to Quackerjack as he finally felt stable enough to let go.
"You can thank us by not scaring us like that again." Bushroot told him in a serious tone. He then walked over and gave the water salesman a small hug. "We all thought you were dead..."
"I'm sorry I scared you all," his reply was heartfelt as Bushroot let go, "though I must admit I wasn't expecting anything other than foul company in a place like this."
"Now wait just a minute! Are you trying to tell me that you didn't think we'd try to rescue you?" Quackerjack said with indignation, placing his hands on his hips.
"I thought we all agreed on something when we met you at my lighthouse. We're your friends, Buddy." Megavolt told him with a warm smile. "We wouldn't abandon you when you needed us most, especially when we figured out you'd been sent to this awful place."
The other two nodded in agreement and the canine was filled with a warm feeling of gratitude that wiped away the despair that had overcome him earlier. He took a moment to collect himself, knowing that he could never repay them for risking their lives to come and save his. He was deeply touched and it made him smile for the first time that day.
"I can never thank any of you enough for coming here today. Though I am curious about two things," Bud said as he attempted to find buttons still attached to his dress shirt so he could be properly dressed again, "where is this place and how did you know I was here?"
"This is Negaduck's tower." Megavolt informed him grimly. "It's been said that no one who has been sent up here has ever come back alive. Basically, this is the place where Negaduck makes his enemies disappear. As for how we knew you were here, well, you can thank Quackerjack's old television set for that." The electric rat pointed to the jester who nodded.
"I happened to catch a breaking news story on TV today and it was about the polluting of St. Canard's water supply. When they named you as the culprit and said that Negaduck had taken you into custody, I knew it was a matter of life and death. I rounded up Megs and Bushy and we figured that you'd been taken to his tower. The problem was we didn't know where that was exactly."
Bud raised an eyebrow at this, but Bushroot took over the explanation before the dog could voice the obvious question.
"You may not know this, but Negaduck has a daughter named Gosalyn." Bud expression was one of complete disbelief at the news and Bushroot gave him a knowing smile. "What's even harder to believe is that she's a really sweet kid. Anyway, we went to the street where Negaduck lives to see if she might have any idea about where her father took you. Her and her friend Tank, that's the Muddlefoot's older son, showed us the spinning chairs that were really a secret passageway to the Tower. Gosalyn also informed us that she had seen her father drag an unconscious canine man to the chairs, so we knew we had the right place.
"The problem was we didn't know how we could use the secret passageway when Negaduck was already up in the Tower without getting caught. That's when Tank told us that Negaduck likes to do a neighborhood run through shortly after three o' clock to make sure everything is still as unruly and polluted as he likes it. The three of us hid in the house until the crime lord came back from the Tower with his sidekick and the witch Morgana." Bushroot noticed that Bud's expression had darkened considerably at the mention of her name before he continued. "Once we were sure they were gone, the three of us used the spinning chairs to get up to this Tower. That's when we found you and, well, you know the rest."
Bud nodded and finished buttoning his business suit jacket when Megavolt finally voiced the tough question that they had all been curious about since they had arrived.
"It was Morgana, wasn't it?" The electric rodent inquired quietly. "She's the reason Negaduck found out about what you were doing."
"Yes, yes, she was." Bud's short reply held a tone of animosity they'd never heard before. He didn't look at any of them as he confirmed their theory about the witch woman. The three of them decided wisely not to say anything else on the subject for the moment.
"Come on, we'd better get going." Quackerjack was rocking back and forth impatiently on his feet. "Gosalyn and Tank said they'd distract Negaduck and his lackies as long as they could, but it still doesn't give us a very big time window if we want to sneak out of here unnoticed."
The others nodded in agreement and were about to leave the room when they heard a whirring sound in the main room of the Tower. Their hearts all stopped as they realized they were too late. The crime lord had returned with what sounded like his right hand man Launchpad and his witch accomplice Morgana.
"You know, nothing put's me into a good mood like seeing all my hard work put into action. I mean, just look at all those noxious fumes covering the city!" The yellow costumed duck spoke triumphantly.
"Yeah, heh heh, it truly is a sight for sore eyes," came the voice of Launchpad McQuack.
"Speaking of eye sores," Morgana's said in a silky tone, "shouldn't we check on the one we've got tied up in the back room?"
"That's not a bad idea, Morgana." The four people in the room flinched as the sound of his voice got closer. "I think I'm about ready to remove this particular eye sore with a little help from an old friend."
The buzzing of chainsaw met all their ears and they exchanged panicked glances. Megavolt was the first to get it together and he herded the other three to the door. He placed Quackerjack by the right side of the door with Bud standing in between him and Bushroot. The sparking rodent maneuvered himself to the left side of the door and prepared to fire a shot of electricity into his enemy's back to stall him.
"Alright, listen up! We don't have much time." Megavolt whispered as quickly and quietly as he could. "Once Negaduck is far enough into the room, I want you three to head for the chairs and get out of here. I'll be behind you, but I want to make sure I stun Negaduck first so we have a little more time. Everybody got it?"
The other three nodded and they all pressed themselves back against the wall. Seconds later, the self-proclaimed ruler of St. Canard burst through the double doors and strode into the room. As soon as he had walked far enough in Quackerjack silently moved out the door with Bud and Bushroot following close behind. Just as they were past the threshold, they heard Negaduck give a small cry of shock when he found that his hostage had escaped.
"Huh? Hey, where did he—!"
Quackerjack, Bud and Bushroot heard a zapping noise and then a clatter as the crime lord's chain saw hit the floor. Bud took a quick glance behind them to see that Megavolt was hurrying out of the room to catch up to them. They had been lucky so far that the Launchpad and Morgana had their backs turned to them and were too caught up in conversation to notice them creeping across the Tower. Just as they were about to reach the chairs, Negaduck's angry snarl echoed throughout his Tower:
"Intruders! Get them! Now!"
At the sound of their Lord's voice, Launchpad and Morgana whipped around to find the prey in question. Seeing the trio of familiar enemies and their prisoner attempting escape, they both ran forward to stop them.
Megavolt skidded to a stop and turned to face Negaduck, firing another stream of electricity from his fingers. The yellow-suited mallard deftly dodged his enemy's first attack and fired up his chainsaw. The electric rodent kept sending shots of power at Negaduck, but none of them connected.
Quackerjack, seeing Launchpad getting closer, leaped forward and landed a flying kick on his opponent that hit him square in the stomach. The burly duck slid backwards on the floor from the force of the blow. He raised himself on his elbows with a groan, only to duck down again quickly as the jester began juggling his special brand of exploding balls and throwing them in his direction.
With his friends otherwise occupied, it was up to Bushroot to stop Morgana. The witch had halted her approach when she her two allies get assaulted by their enemies. Instead she had started casting a spell and now she had her own army of little red hot flame balls dancing around her, waiting for their orders. Seeing a bag of confiscated fireworks nearby, the plant duck extended both of his arms to grasp the bag.
"Get behind me!" He ordered Bud as he used his extended arms to throw the bag in the direction of the advancing fireballs.
The fireworks made a direct hit with the fireballs and as a result the bag exploded in a deafening bang. Colors of all kinds began whirling and hissing around the Tower, making a smoke screen between Bushroot and Morgana. The mutant scientist was about to use the chaos to get the water salesman to the chairs and away from the wretched place they were in when an excruciating pain in right arm made him scream.
"Reggie!" Bud cried out in alarm as he caught the reeling botanist from behind. Bushroot grimaced with pain as he retracted his arms back to his body only to see that his right arm had been severed at the elbow.
A familiar whirring noise alerted them both to danger as Negaduck appeared before him with sap stains on the blades of his chainsaw. He had used the smoke screen to his advantage to lose Megavolt and sneak up on Bushroot in the process. Sap poured out of the gaping wound as Bushroot and Bud warily watched the yellow-suited mallard approach. Their enemy raised his chainsaw menacingly and started to run towards the two of them when he convulsed violently. Blue light traveled through his body before he collapsed forward with a groan. Megavolt had made his way through the smoke and had hit Negaduck with a shot of electricity.
"Bushroot!" He ordered as Negaduck twitched on the floor and tried to regain his senses. "Take Buddy to the chairs and get him out of here!"
His voice held no room for argument and Bushroot just nodded. The plant mutant grabbed Bud by the shoulder and forced him to turn around with a shove. He kept a leaf on the dog's back and pushed him forward as he ran behind him. When they reached the chairs, Bushroot forced his companion into the left chair while he seated himself in the right. The smoke from the fireworks had finally cleared and Bud could see that Launchpad and Morgana had teamed up to fight Quackerjack. The jester expertly dodged blows from the slower Launchpad, but Morgana was adding her small flames to the mix and it was getting harder for him to stay ahead of his enemies. On the other side of the room, Megavolt was standing between Negaduck and the chairs. Electricity shot from the amperes on his hat, which the mallard was quick to dodge. He swung his chainsaw at his enemy and its whirring blades narrowly missed the electric rodent.
"Wait!" Bud's voice was lined with desperation as he watched the continuing fight. There were so many close calls happening every moment and all it would take was one wrong move for either one of their allies to be killed. "What about—?"
He never got to ask his question as Bushroot hit the Great Mouse Detective on the head and the chairs spun. The canine was hit with a wave of disorientation before he realized that he was traveling through a deep tunnel. As they continued to their steady descent, Bud turned to Bushroot who was still having a tough time. He was clutching his stump, which was bleeding a little less, and trying to control his expression so that his pain wasn't too obvious.
"The others—"Bud started, but the botanist wouldn't let him finish.
"Will be fine." He said sharply meeting the dog's eyes with his blue ones. "You don't have to worry about them. They've been fighting against Negaduck and his ilk for years. They know what they're doing. If you really care about them, then you'll do your best to escape."
Bushroot was being short with him, but the water salesman took no offense to it. He knew that the plant duck was in pain from his arm and that he was worried about his comrades, whether he wanted to admit it or not. Silently, he nodded to the other in understanding. He received a small smile as his reply before they were spinning again.
When the chairs came to a stop, Bud found himself in a trashy living room with torn curtains, dirty carpets, a broken TV and a couch with springs coming out of the cushions. He thought that it was the most unkempt house that he had ever seen. His displeasure at his whereabouts faded when he realized he wasn't alone. Staring at him with big green eyes full of concern was a little gosling child. Her red hair was perfectly curled and tied in pigtails with green ribbons. She was wearing a frilly pink dress with a pair of perfect black dress shoes. Her hands were clutched tightly in front of her as if in fear and that's when it occurred to him that his torn, bloody clothing and haggard appearance were probably upsetting this little girl.
"Buddy," Bushroot's voice startled the canine. He'd forgotten that the other duck was there because he'd been so shocked by the presence of the young duckling. "Remember the girl I told you about earlier? The one who helped us find you? Well, this is her. Her name is Gosalyn Mallard and she's a very nice young lady."
Bud's eyes widened in amazement and disbelief as the little girl before she graced him a perfect curtsy in greeting. He couldn't imagine how it was possible for such a sweet young girl to be in the hands of someone so cruel.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Flood." Gosalyn greeted him in a soft-spoken voice. Her green eyes met his and her expression was one of pure sorrow. "I'm so sorry about what my father did to you. I should have gone for help sooner." She bowed her head and stared at the dirty ground. "I'm sorry..."
"Don't be. It isn't your fault kiddo." The salesman told her firmly, bending down on one knee and placing his hands on your shoulders. She looked up at him with uncertainty and he gave her a big smile. "Besides, I can personally guarantee you that my cuts are going to heal just fine and I have enough money to buy a new suit. I can also personally endorse that neither one of those things would be possible without you."
Gosalyn didn't seem to be entirely convinced, but she did not argue with him about it. Abruptly, she started digging in her pockets and pulled out a small, pink handkerchief with white lace and started looking around the room for something.
"Inquiring minds would like to know what you're searching for?"
"Oh, I'm sorry it's such a mess in here." She gave him an apologetic little bow as she continued her flustered explanation. "I thought I left it in here. We have a bottle of rubbing alcohol around here somewhere. I would like you to have it so you can clean some of your wounds."
"It's okay Gosalyn." Bud said to her, feeling very touched. "Medical journals everywhere have written that cuts like mine won't kill me. Besides, you've done enough for me already."
"But—"
"But if you insist on continuing to help me, there is one thing that this bottled water salesman would certainly like to see after a long day."
"What is it? If we have whatever you're looking for, I'll be happy to get it for you."
"That's quite a bargain. Then, how about a nice, big smile from you?" She seemed surprised at this request, but the canine continued on unabashed. "If there's one thing that I one hundred percent disapprove of, it's making a child unhappy. So, I would feel so much better if you stopped worrying about me and smiled. Please?"
The red-haired duckling did as she was asked and gave him a big smile. Bud was amazed at what a difference it made and ruffled her hair in gratitude. Just as he was about to pay her a compliment, another young duckling rushed into the room. This one was a stockier male duckling, with fluffy brown hair, big glasses and a sweater. He had obviously been in a hurry because he was panting as he came to a halt in front of Gosalyn.
"Tank, what's wrong?" She questioned as her friend placed his hands on his head so he could breathe easier.
"My...parents..." He wheezed out as he finally caught his breath. "My parents are coming!"
"Your parents?" Bud asked with raised eyebrows, not understanding why this was so important. Bushroot expression, however, changed to one of panic and he grabbed the water salesman by the wrist.
"Buddy, this is Tank Muddlefoot. All the Muddlefoots, except for Tank here, are some of Negaduck's loyalest and most brutal followers. If we don't get out of here before they see us we're going to be dodging gun fire."
Bud didn't need to be told twice and both of them scurried towards the front door. Unfortunately, the Muddlefoots were walking up to it at the same time and the pair of them back peddled, trying to find another way out.
"Quick, sneak out the back!" Tank said and Gosalyn pointed towards the kitchen where they could make their way into the back yard. "We'll distract my parents."
"But you kids—" Bud started, worried for their safety, but Tank wouldn't let him finish.
"Get going! We'll be fine. Hurry!"
"Be careful!" Gosalyn said to their backs as they ran into the kitchen just as the front door burst open.
Bushroot carefully opened the back door so that no sound could alert their enemies to their presence. Gesturing for the canine to go, Bud slipped quietly out the door, all the while listening to the voices conversing by the front door.
"Tank, dear, would you or Gosalyn have happened to see two strange men walking through the house that Lord Negaduck wants to have sliced up into tiny bits and then burnt up in a roaring fire?" The sinister question was made by a sickeningly sweet voice.
"Actually, mother, Gosalyn was just telling me that she saw some strangers disappear into one of the rooms up the stairs. As a matter-of-fact, she and I were just about to come get you when you arrived."
"Excellent job, m'boy." A husky voice stated enthusiastically as the sound of a gun cocking filled the air. "Nothin' fer you kids ta worry about. We're just gonna have a little looksie upstairs and shoot anybody we find up there."
That was the last thing either of them heard of the conversation as Bushroot quietly closed the back door with a shiver. The plant mutant and his canine companion wasted no time in sneaking around to the front of the house and down the sidewalk. Once they figured they were good distance away from Negaduck's house, the pair picked up the pace until they were both sprinting away from the scene.
"All fugitives on the run desire to know what the plan is now?" Bud called over to Bushroot as he ran beside him.
"The plan is to get away from this residential area and into the city. Once there, we can take some back roads to the warehouse district and hide out there. Even if Negaduck figures out where we went, it will still take him a while to find us, by which time we can be long gone."
Bud nodded and the two of them continued running in silence for a few more blocks. They had just reached the end of the suburb and both of them were starting to relax for the first time in the last hour. Bushroot stopped them on the outskirts of the city so that they had a chance to rest. Scarcely a minute later, the plant duck glanced behind him and what he saw made him stiffen in alarm.
"Look out!" He cried as he ran into Bud as hard as he could to tackle him. The two of them toppled over just as a large fireball, that had been aimed at the water salesman, zoomed harmlessly overhead.
"Thanks..." Bud whispered with a hand over his heart, realizing how close he had come to being fried.
Bushroot nodded in response, got up and helped his friend to his feet. Both glared back at their attacker, who looked back at them with contempt. The sorceress Morgana had used Bushroot's severed arm, which had been left behind at the Tower, to create an effective tracking spell and, once she had locked on to her prey, she warped straight to them.
"Anyone ever tell you that stalking is impolite?" The mutant scientist inquired as he got in front of Bud. "Not to mention completely unattractive."
"It isn't 'stalking' if the other person likes it. Isn't that right, Buddy?" She asked with a mock innocence. The water salesman brushed the comment off with a low growl.
"Buddy," the green duck jerked his head around so he could address the dog standing behind him, "I want you to run as fast as you can into the city. Once you're safe, you need to find a way to get as far away from here as you can. I'll hold her off, so get moving!."
"No deal." Bud replied with finality. "You can't expect me to leave you here after—"
"I expect you to do what's sensible!" Bushroot interrupted and plowed forward before the salesman could have a say. "I expect you to respect what my friends and I—your friends have done for you. If you don't, you'll waste everything that we've risked and fought for today."
Bud closed his mouth, thinking of nothing he could say that could counter that. A doleful expression on his face, the water salesman took his first hesitant step away from the plant duck.
"I'll be fine." Bushroot reassured him. "Go!"
Bud turned around and started to run, but he didn't get very far before a familiar voice sent a shiver down his spine. He looked over his shoulder to see the short form of Negaduck tapping a gas gun against the palm of his left hand.
"Gee, Twiggy, it sure is brave of you to stay behind and try to fight us off." Negaduck said with a false sweetness. "Especially since you're just going to end up like your captured compatriots."
Launchpad had come skulking up behind the crime lord and he carried a limp body under each arm. The bulky sidekick gripped the two bodies by the wrist and held them up for Bushroot to see. One was Megavolt's and the other was Quackerjack's, both of whom looked ragged and beaten. Launchpad let them go and they fell unceremoniously onto the pavement, neither one of them showing any signs of movement. Negaduck laughed at the worried expression on Bushroot's face as he handed Morgana a canister of gas.
"Morgana, there's a certain flower that needs a good throttling. Mind doing the honors?"
Morgana pointed to the small canister and it disappeared instantly, only to reappear right in front of the plant duck's bill. The canister opened and started spraying weed killer. To make matters worse the small container swirled around its victim, making sure that he was surrounded by a cloud of toxic gas. Bushroot covered his bill and tried moving away from the cloud, but it was no use. Morgana's eyes were locked on her enemy and she made sure that the weed killer followed him wherever he went. The botanist inhaled the gas and started coughing violently. He felt his body weakening and collapsed onto his knees as he felt the strength leaving his body. Finally, he fell forward on the concrete and lay still as the weed killer overpowered him.
Bud, who had been glancing back at the scene with dread, stopped only a short distance away from the attack. Part of him thought that he should still be running away, but another part of him didn't want to leave Bushroot behind. He stood still for a minute in debate, until Negaduck approached the prone body and pulled out his chainsaw with a delighted cackle. That sight made up his mind instantly and he ran back towards the crime lord at full speed.
Negaduck was about to rev up his chainsaw when Bud slammed into him, sending the yellow-suited mallard skidding back towards the sidewalk. The water salesman bent over the now unconscious Bushroot and was about to pick him up when something wrapped around his ankles and forced his legs together. Off-balance, he fell to the ground where he felt something continue to slither around him, binding his legs and arms. It was a rope that had come to life all on its own. Wriggling desperately in the hopes of getting free, he heard Negaduck's triumphant laugh come from somewhere above him.
"Excellent work Morgana." The crime lord nodded in approval at the witch before leaning over Bud with a sneer. "Did you really think these three losers could save you from me? You could have just accepted a quick death back in the Tower, but no. You had be spirited and try to escape. Do you remember how I feel about spirit?" Not waiting for an answer, Negaduck gave Bud a hard kick in the side. "I'll be sure to reward your spirit, Flood, with the science of pain. Morgana, give the salesman a little free sample of his upcoming demise."
Obediently, Morgana floated forward and halted on the other side of Bud. A small black vial with a poison emblem on it was held in her right hand. She opened it with a short pop and tipped it slightly so that a single drop of green fluid dribbled out of the bottle and onto the canine's left leg just above his knee. The liquid immediately burnt away the fabric of his clothing where it hit and burned away the skin beneath it. Bud let out a howl of pain and struggled against his bonds as his flesh sizzled. Enjoying the scene, Negaduck waited until the initial reaction had wore off before he spoke again.
"So, did that meet your customer approval, Flood?" He questioned as the dog glared at him, managing to sit up in his bonds. "If you liked that, I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that there's going to be an entire vat full of it and its reserved especially for you."
This time, Bud couldn't hide the growing dread that had filled him at Negaduck's words. The evil mallard grinned at the fearful expression he was given and signaled to Launchpad to get behind the canine.
"Launchpad, give Mr. Flood some of your patented anesthetic."
"No problemo, boss." A husky voice behind the salesman said as he felt a sharp blow hit him in the back of the head. The world spun and Bud Flood quickly lost consciousness. The last thing he heard were three voices joined in maniacal laughter.