Think this story is moving slower than a snail? Me too! So, in case you've forgotten…Mastermind, Sypher and Massive are still out there…and they're still out for blood. Important high light that needed to be pointed out in case you're sitting there and you're like "Oh come on you infuriating person, just get to the damn plot line already I'm getting board!" So yeah, now that that's been pointed out, you can now continue with this lame ass story! YAY! Things start to really pick up in this chapter, so the waiting is over. I'll shut up now ^w^
Ch. 7: Unmasked
"How much longer?" Sypher asked as he and Massive watched Mastermind pase back and forth in front of them. "I don't think I can handle that little brat for much longer."
"We're getting close." Mastermind assured them. "Massive has set that no good drunk on the bunny's trail, you've slithered up to the duck's sister, I've made my little presents for all of them, now I just have to make my intrusive move."
"Why wait so long to act?" Massive asked. "I want rabbit stew today."
"I know. I know." Mastermind said impationately. "But if we move too fast then they'll connect the dots. They know we're back, that we survived. If too many unfortunate events happen at once they'll have our names written all over them. This way, they think Lady Luck has just turned a blind eye to them."
"So what exactly are you going to do?" Sypher asked.
"I'm planning a little reunion for that mutt. And of course, I have a little something planned for that beak faced lover of his."
Sypher and Massive looked at each other.
"Why exactly does Tech and Rev's being together bother you?" Sypher asked confused.
"Oh, it doesn't." said Mastermind. "The point is Tech has someone he would die for…someone he would kill for…that's all I care about." She laughed. "I don't need to lay a hand on him, just his bird friend."
"When exactly is this supposed to take place?" Massive asked. "When are we going to make our move?"
"Tonight." Mastermind said cheerfully. "Sypher…I mean, 'Stephon', will ask Marina out on a romantic date that's marks their two month anniversary and then on the way to the restaurant, you abduct her." She cackled madly.
"I can't tonight." He mumbled, looking embarrassed.
"Don't tell me you're actually falling for the little duckling." Massive said disgustedly.
"Don't make me sick." Sypher snapped. "She just wants me to meet the rest of the team tonight after 'work'."
"You can't meet the rest of them." Mastermind said. "Duck's stupid enough to fall for your disguise but the others aren't."
"Maybe Slammy." Sypher laughed.
"You're not seeing them." She growled.
"If I don't the brat will get suspicious."
"If you do they'll find you out and they can't before we kidnap her." Massive said. "You're not screwing us over another time. I want to be the one to tare that pink head off the little princess and make her pay for-" he stopped. Poor guy still couldn't bring himself to say Weather Vein's name. He shook his head, arms crossed and teeth bared. "You stick to the plan or I'll add your head to the list."
"There might be a way." Sypher said."Why can't Mastermind just make me one of those awesome disguise belts like last time?"
"Then Marina wont recognize you, you dolt." She hissed.
"Come on. Won't this actually make it easier?" he asked. "They see she's with me and then it wont be a shock when we call them."
"We WANT them to be shocked." She growled.
"This was your mistake the last time." He snapped. "You always want to play around instead of getting right down to busness. You know how I stole their powers before? I didn't waiste time dancing around the subject. I just reached out and took what I wanted. If Tech hadn't built those damn suits I'd of kept them too."
"He sort of has a point." Massive grumbled. "We shouldn't fool around this time. I want my revenge."
"Besides." Sypher added smugly. "It would really piss Duck off to see his little sister kissing me."
"Now who's playing around?" she snarled.
"All I'm saying is that this way, I can keep my cover, piss Duck off enough to make him attack poor innocent me, and shake things up before the actual fun begins. I'll still stick to dinner. I'll just make a pit stop at the Loonatic's HQ first. I've always wanted to see what it looked like."
"Fine." She snapped. "But this time, if things go wrong, don't blame me."
She walked over to a box in the corner of the wear house they were using as they're hide out and rummaged around for a minute.
"Here." She said, tossing the belt over at him. "Just don't change too much. The duckling won't know you anymore. Then our plans are really fucked up."
"I know she has a boyfriend, Rev, but I've met him. He's not good for her." Rip said over the phone, speaking low so his parents wouldn't find out. "I ran into them during lunch about two hours ago and he's a jerk. He doesn't even smile at her or show any sign of warmth towards her. Actually, the way he looks at her suggests he'd like to smack her. She deserves better and if that's not me then fine, but she should leave him at any rate."
"Rip,-maybe-he-just-doesn't-like-showing-his-feeli ngs-in-public. I-know-Tech's-like-that,-and-so-is-Ace-and-Duck. Wait,-is-fear-and-annoying-feelings? Because-if-that's-the-case-then-cross-Duck-off-tha t-list."
Rip snorted. "Whatever, bro."
"I'm-meeting-him-tonight,-Rip,-so-I'll-check-him-o ut. You-know-we-wont-let-her-get-hurt."
"Yeah." Was the only reply.
"So-how-are-mom-and-pop-doing?"
"After your little bomb shell last night? Pissed and hurt, how else should they be?" Rip asked.
"They-don't-hate-me-do-they?"
"You hit your head again? I thought that cracked skull of ya's was supposed to have been healed by now."
"That-was-Duck-who-cracked-his-skull,-I-just-got-a -gash." Rev said, referring to the injuries of the last battle he had had with Massive and the rest of the Evil Kenevil gang.
"They don't hate you, Rev, they're worried for you. Pop keeps asking where they went wrong and mom keeps crying. They'll come around, it'll just take a while. I keep trying to talk to them but you know what happens whenever that happens."
"They-still-don't-listen-to-you?" Rev asked.
"Are you kidding? Pop never listens and mom just fusses over me like I'm still a kid. They don't want me talking to you though."
Rev felt a pressure on his chest, like his heart was being squeezed.
"They said they're going to just cut off contact until they can wrap their heads around this. But you know me, I love doing the opposite of what the rest of you guys do and say so I decided what the hell, I'll make sure you don't go off the deep end. You are okay, aren't you?" his voice, usually laid back and expressionless, held the tiniest hint of concern.
"Corse-I-am,-Rip."
"Liar."
"Okay,-maybe-not-totally-okay,-but-I'm-not-going-o ff-the-deep-end."
"Good."
Rev finished the conversation with his brother then hung hup.
"So, how are they?" Lexi asked, looking over at him. They were watching Tv while Tech showed Ace and Duck a new setting on the simulator. Slam was next to her on the coutch, fast asleep. She was scrolling down a screen she held in her hand.
"Well,-it's-only-been-a-day-and-not-even-technical ly-a-full-one,-only-about-18-hours-or-so,-so-I'm-n ot-surprised-that-they're-not-okay-with-all-of-thi s-yet. I-just-wish-they-hadn't-left-the-way-they-did. But-I-can't-really-blame-them-either,-I-know-they- need-time. I-just-wish-time-was-as-fast-as-I-was."
"Aww, but then you wouldn't be unique, Rev." she joked. "You wouldn't have that one quality that no one else does that makes us all love you and want to tape your beak shut at the same time."
"Yeah,-I-guess-so. Hey-what-are-you-reading-anyways?"
"A fame magazine." She said, holding it out so he could see it. "Duck'll apriciate this. Misty Breeze is coming out with her own clothing line."
"Explain-to-me-why-she's-so-popular? I-mean-she's-a-weather-reporter-not-an-actress-or- singer."
"No, but she is an egocentric bitch who's so full of hot air that she can be classified as a blimp. And you know how popular blimbs are. Everyone's attention is drawn to them whenever they pass by." She said. "I honestly think Duck has permanate brain damage if he's still obsessed with her. As for her, I'd of thought she would of stopped with all this merchandise crap for no other reason than the fear of Duck going out and buying it and then begging her to sign it."
Just then the doorbell rang. Lexi glanced at the clock. "Four thirty, they're early."
"I'll-get-the-others." Rev said, getting up and speeding down to the simulator. Lexi walked over to the door. But instead of Marina and Stephon, she saw two envelopes on the floor. One was pink the other green. She looked around but didn't see anyone. She did however hear the distant sound of a motor engine.
"Lex?" Ace asked, concern in his voice. "Who is it?"
"I don't know." She whispered. She bent down and picked up the two envelopes. The pink one was addressed to 'Princess' and the other was addressed to 'Technatius'. She stared at the second letter, a terrible erge to burst out laughing rising rapidly. Soon it escaped and she was bent over, holding her sides and trying to catch her breath.
Slam jumped up off the sofa where he had still been sleeping and looked around dazed.
"What is it Lexi?" demanded Duck, arms crossed. He stomped over to her and glared at the letters in her hand. He read the name on the green one and he too lost it. The two stood in the door, laughing their heads off.
"C'mon ya guys, what's so ammus'n?" Ace asked. He glanced at the other three who were looking just as annoyed as he felt. Finally the two turned and showed them the envelope. Everyone but Tech busted up as well.
"Who sent that?" he asked, humiliation and anger showing on his face.
"Beats me." Lexi panted, still laughing.
"Rev did you know your boyfriend's name was Technatius?" Duck asked, the last word spluttering out through a fresh wave of laughter.
"No,-but-it's-certainly-interesting-to-discover-it ." Rev giglled, a hand on Tech's shoulder to steady himself.
"(What kind of name is Technatius anyways?)" Slam asked through his gruff chuckles, tears pooring down his face.
"I don't know." Growled Tech. "But it's not that funny."
"Yeah, it kinda is, buddy." Ace said apologetically, a grin plastered on his face.
"Come on, just give me the damn letter." He sighed, holding his hand out.
"Oh-come-on-Tech-don't-be-sore-we-don't-mean-to-be -mean-or-anything." Rev said still giggling. "It's-just-nice-to-have-something-to-laugh-about-w ith-all-this-bad-stuff-happening-now-a-days-ya-kno w?"
Tech glared at him. "Technatius is not a funny name, I think it was my great grandfather's name."
"You think? What ya don't know ya ownfamily tree?" Duck asked accusatorily.
"No, Duck, I don't." Tech said flatly. Duck blinked but decided not to reply. Tech opened the letter and his eyes bulged.
"Lexi, who sent yours?" he asked quietly. She opened hers and the pink tinge to her fur from her uniform paled so much it almost looked white.
"No." she whispered, a fearful quiver to her usual confident voice. "No, he couldn't have…that bastard."
Ace gently took the letter from her and read it quickly. "Son of a carrot." He handed it to Tech, knowing better than to stare at it too long or read it aloud. Tech took it and read:
Princess,
You looked so sweet sleeping in your pink bed. Almost as if you never had aged and you were still that soft, sweet, loving child you once were. It's good to see you still have your doll collection, though I am disappointed you don't have any of the ones I gave you when you were little. They used to be your favorites, what happened? Anyways, you really should wear something more than just a silk gown to bed. You never know when someone will want a game of 'peek-a-boo'. See you around,
Daddy
Tech felt his blood boil. He looked up from the letter to see Lexi shaking, tears freely falling. He'd give anything to have her laughing at his name again, but this letter, this damn taunt from Dale took all humor from her. He growled, low and menacingly. He cought Ace's eye and noted that the bunny's eyes were bright yellow.
"Ya sleep'n in my room from now on, Lex." Ace snarled through gritted teeth.
"What's going on?" Duck demanded.
"Dale," growled Tech."has been spying on her…here at HQ."
"I thought you upgraded security." Duck snapped.
"Well, obviously he found away around it." Tech snarled, his teeth bared. His eyes fell on his own letter. It wasn't much better.
"(What does yours say?)" asked Slam.
"Nothing important." Tech said evasively. Rev snatched it before Tech could crumple it up and read it silently before looking at his coyote in horror.
"I-thought-you-said-he-was-dead,-Tech." he whispered.
"He is." Tech said gruffly. "He was killed four years ago, in front of me."
"Who?" Ace asked.
"Zippy Gonzalez, my old mentor. A few months after she was arrested, Mallery escaped. It was how we discovered she could manipulate metal and the reason I had to design a new prison for her. She escaped and tracked me down. I was visiting Zip, explaining that I had been hit by a ray from the meteor. This was about a week before Zadavia found me and teamed us up. I didn't quite understand my powers so I didn't know I could have stopped it. Anyways, she knew he was close to me. That he had been the reason I was where I was to begin with. She killed him, right there in front of me. And all I did was stand there, not doing a damn thing. I was too stunned. I couldn't believe what had happened. By the time I came to my stupid sences police were taking her away and I was on the back of an ambulance being treated for shock. Zip…or what was left of him…was in a body bag." His voice had cracked and he was fighting tears of his own.
"This-says-he's-back." Rev whispered. "And-that-he's-excited-to-see-that-you've-found-so meone-special. That-you've-found-your…reason?" he looked questioningly at Tech. "What-does-that-mean?"
"It was something we talked about frequently." Tech said shakily. "My reason for living…he had tried to help me find it ever since…" he trailed off.
"Ever since what?" Lexi asked looking at him, tears falling down her face, a fearful knowing in her eyes.
"Ever since I tried to kill myself." He whispered. They all stared.
"I was fifteen and before I got accepted into Acme Tech, I was fed up with all the stares and prejudice I was getting. I knew there was no way I could rise above that…no mater how smart or givfted I was. So I tried to slit my wrists." He pulled back his sleeve and pushed his brown fur back from the skin beneath it to reveal three very pale scars running horizontily over a buldging vein. Zip found me and saved my lfie. Then he told me that living for inventions wasn't enough. I had to find something more than myself to live for. My inventions were an extion of myself so they couldn't be enough no matter how many I made. I needed a real reason to live and hold on to that reason. I have." He looked around at them all. " I started loaning my services to the city, helping with the designs of security systems, building structures and so on. And then I got powers and started helping others in even bigger ways I never could've imagined in a million years. And then there's all of you, with the exception of Zip, you are the only family I know. Even Duck." He gave a weak grin. "But I don't understand." He continued. "I SAW him die. I SAW him explode into pieces. The only thing that had been in tact was his head, severed from the body and…his eyes" He didn't say wasclear thathe was still seeing Zippy Gonzalez's dead eyes staring at him. He gulped, looking almost as pale as Lexi. "But that's his handwriting…and not even Malery knew about my suicide attempt…he's the only one who would know to use the word 'reason'."
They all sat around the living room, Slam slumped in an arm chair while Lexi and Ace took up the sofa. Duck sat against the wall, his eyes closed and a look of disbelief on his face. Tech and Rev sat next to the coutch, Tech's hand reached up to grip Lexi's comfortingly. Rev had his arms around Tech's waist, securely under his other arm, his head on the coyote's chest. They stayed like that in silence, Ace gripping Lexi tightly, trying to keep his anger down and Duck still trying to absorb all of this, even Tech's suicide attempt.
He remembered Ace's a few months back. It had been the only time when he had been the one to talk sense into him instead of the other way around. Tech had helped him and Lexi talk Ace down but none of them had picked up on the fact that Tech was speaking through experience. They just thought he had learned how to deal with this kind of thing when he went for his minor in the medical field. He was after all the team's unofficial doctor.
Duck thought how he would feel if either of them left like that. Just was gone, beyond return. He mentally shook himself. He couldn't allow that kind of thought to enter his mind. They were aggravating, a little prideful at times, but Duck knew he'd fall apart from the inside out if just one of his team mates died. He needed them. They were, like with Tech, his family.
They all jumped when they heard the door bell. Slam and Duck pulled out blasters and Ace and Tech hid Lexi and Rev behind them, Ace's eyes lit up and Tech's blaster held out in mid air and a shield up,hiding all of them.
"HEY! IT'S ME!" sqeaked out Marina as the door opened and she saw them armed to the teeth. They didn't respond right away, Duck blinked and Lexi had to squeeze Ace's hand gently before they understood that they weren't being attacked.
"Marina." Duck groaned, dropping his blaster and walking forward. "Sorry bout that, come in." he gave a hug and whispered, "things are pretty bad right now, we didn't mean to scare you."
She nodded understandingly, her fear ebbing away and replaced by concern. Lexi stepped forward.
"You okay?" Marina asked, looking at her friend's tear soaked face. Lexi gave her a reassuring smile and nodded.
"Corse I am, this your boyfriend?" she held her hand out to Stephon who came in behind the female duck. He took it.
"I heard the Loonatics were bad asses but that doesn't even begin to explain you guys." He said shaking Lexi's hand.
She quickly withdrew her hand and stepped back. She glared at him unfriendly like and pulled Marina behind her.
"What are you doing here?" she asked harshly.
"Lexi?" Marina asked, disbelief in her voice. Lexi did not back down.
"Duck, you said you thought you recognized Stephon from somewhere." Lexi snarled.
"Yeah, but he's not from here…I can't have met him before." He said, just as confused as his sister.
"Oh yes, you have." Lexi said. "Stephon is Sypher."
…confused? Creeped out? Want to give Tech and Lexi giant bear hugs? Keep reading! Also, I'm curious to hear any theories you guys might have on Zippy Gonzalez's mysterious reappearance after a four year death.