Little Bloom 1

Summary: What if Dr. Bushroot took a different path after his mutation? The plant-duck is now on the SHUSH payroll and enjoys the luxury of working in his own greenhouse. At least, until Negaduck sends a certain water-dog to steal his secrets.

Blue eyes peered through the foliage at the two squirming people his trees were keeping prisoner. The mere sight of the insane jester and the electric rat from the news had Reginald Bushroot quaking at the roots.

Questions filled his mind as he watched Spike dart back and forth beneath the pair, yapping up a storm. Why did they break into his greenhouse? What could supervillains wants from a botanist? Granted, he wasn't an ordinary duck anymore, not since the experiment, but very few people knew about his mutation or even his research, so why were they here? Oh, where was Darkwing Duck when you needed a hero?

The plant-duck was too entrenched in his thoughts to notice the puddle moving toward his hiding place until it was too late.

"Neat trick with those vines. Have you ever considered the life of a supervillain?" a suave voice purred over his shoulder.

Dr. Bushroot spun around with a squeak of surprise, coming face to face with a canine made entirely out of water.

"AAAAGGGHHH!"

Liquidator blinked in shock as mutant duck, who also happened to have the most stunning blue eyes he'd ever seen, went running toward the far end of the greenhouse. Well now, that was interesting. Negaduck had sent him to steal a botanist's secrets, but he'd found a unique beauty instead. Perhaps he… or she, it was rather difficult to tell, could direct him to the scientist.

Ignoring his entrapped companions, the former water salesman surged after his prey.

Reggie had almost made it to freedom when a wave washed him into the wall. Pinned by the mass of blue liquid, the plant-duck could only whimper in fright as it formed itself into the watery creature he'd been attempting to escape from.

"Is all this running and hiding making you thirsty? Try Liquidator brand water for all your plant needs," the dog grinned, getting far too personal for the botanist's liking.

"I – I don't know who you are, but I won't tell you anything," Reggie announced, attempting to sound braver than he felt.

"I am the master of all liquids: The Liquidator. And don't worry, little bloom, I'm not going to hurt you, but I can't let you go without information," the water-dog insisted, tapping the botanist beneath the bill.

"Hey! I have a name, you know." All those years of being called 'Reggie the veggie' were enough to make him dread nicknames with a passion. Although, 'little bloom' wasn't all that bad.

"Is it Posey, perhaps? Or Violet, like your petals," Liquidator wondered aloud, reaching a watery hand up to fondle the flower-like hair on the other mutant's head. He received an unexpectedly delicious moan, which the plant-duck tried to hide by stuffing leaf hands against his/her mouth.

"You know," the villain pondered with a grin, "plants and water get along quite well. Perhaps we should…"

"Unhand him, Liquidator!"

The canine turned sharply, his eyes narrowing on the masked crusader who had managed to sneak up on him.

"Darkwing Duck!" the plant-duck cried out in relief.

"I have the cement, DW!"

"Until next time, little bloom," Liquidator promised, before surging down a nearby drain. Reluctant to simply make his escape, the villain waited in the pipes, listening to the conversation going on above him.

"You were too slow, Launchpad. That watery villain managed to escape," Darkwing stated, stuffing his gas gun into his belt.

"I'm so glad to see you, Darkwing," the plant-duck sighed, stepping closer to the vigilante.

Liquidator eyed the root-like feet standing near the drain. It was quite curious to see the little mutant from this angle. He wondered what it would be like to stroke the creature's leaf-like tail. Would the little duck moan for him again?

"Just glad to be of service, Dr. Bushroot. We've already apprehended Megavolt and Quackerjack," Darkwing assured the plant-duck.

Ah, so the little mutant was actually the botanist Negaduck had sent him to terrorize. What a delicious turn of events. No point in sticking around, now that he'd discovered enough to satisfy his boss, but he'd be sure to return soon. It wasn't every day that you met someone so unique, and Liquidator intended to get closer to the little scientist.