Episode 22: The Thrill of the Hunt
Anaheim awoke to a brilliant dawn, but the people were set in finishing preparations before the new school year began.
At the Pond, the Ducks were in the middle of practice for their next game against the Pittsburg Penguins.
Wildwing, however, was thinking about Pearl and was worried since she hadn't come in yet.
"Wing, pay attention!" Nosedive demanded, as he easily swung the puck into the net.
"I'm sorry guys, I can't seem to shake it, you know that I'm in love with Pearl," the leader informed.
"Yeah and we're waiting for you to tell her, you said you would when we got back from camp," Tanya replied.
"I just want to tell her in a perfect setting, not just blurt it out, otherwise she'll think I'm crazy," the mallard informed.
Just then, the Ducks' communication alert buzzed and Subria's voice was heard, "Guys, it's me, Pearl is sensing another spell, but she said it's not in the city or in the countryside."
"I'll have Drake 1 do a scan on a 100 mile radius," Tanya said and they immediately went to the super computer.
Awhile later, Drake 1 found a reading on the last place they expected.
"Licktenstamp? What's a spell page doing there?" Duke asked.
Then, the doors opened and the two princesses and Phil arrived.
"Did you find anything?" Pearl asked.
"Yeah, on an island called Licktenstamp," Nosedive informed.
"Wait a minute, isn't that the home of that crazy hunter that almost tried to kill you a few months ago?" Subria asked.
"Correct and I just hope that loony bin isn't around," Tanya replied.
"We better get a move on before tonight's game," Wildwing commanded, but Phil stopped them.
"Can't you hold it off for a couple of hours? I got a sweet deal on…"
Pearl held up a hand, causing Phil to stop talking. "Uncle, if we don't capture spell pages, they have free will to cause mayhem and by the way, these promotional gimmicks have to end. You're going have to face the facts and stop buying items that are useless to us and stop eating take out, Subria and I can cook now," she informed, bitterly.
Everyone stared at the princess and Nosedive replies, "Ouch! She really told on you, Phil!"
"About time someone said that, I'm just sorry it wasn't me," Mallory said, having her arms folded over her chest.
"Oh, you really did it this time, Pearl. I should make you clean the entire mansion and…" Phil stopped in mid-sentence when the Ducks, excluding Wildwing and Nosedive, stared at him.
"Mansion? You live in a mansion?" Tanya asked, hands on her hips.
"Should I do the honors in telling your big secret?" Wildwing asked, but Phil shook his head.
"Ah, that's not necessary, go on and save the world!" he quickly replied and was about to run off, when he turned and says, "You know what Pearl, don't bother coming home, you can spend your days here!"
The princess was shocked and so were the Ducks, "Well, that went pretty well," Mallory replied.
"I think we should tell you guys anyway," Nosedive said.
"Tanya, Nosedive, can you do us a favor and stay behind, in case Louran is up to his old tricks?" Wildwing asked the two.
"I'm all in, nothing can make me go back there," the science-wiz Duck said.
The four remaining Ducks and the two princesses got on to the Duck boat and they headed out to the ocean.
()()()()()()()
When they arrived on the island, Pearl's senses went crazy, "There's definitely a spell page in there," she said, pointing to the castle up ahead.
"Oh, anywhere but there," Duke replied.
The group went up the stone stairway, clearly uneasy by the island's atmosphere.
They got to the top, but the castle looked deserted and they entered into the foyer, where the trophy heads of animals lined the walls covered in dust and cobwebs.
"These poor creatures; in our time, we hunt on what we need, never for sport," Subria said, staring at the face of a gorilla.
Pearl spotted an outline of light under the door and went up to it.
"Let me go first," Wildwing informed, preparing his puck blaster.
He pulled the door open, revealing another room that had a big screen computer and it was turned on, revealing surveillance of the Ducks and the princesses.
"Vell, vell, vell," said a thick-accented voice from the chair, "If it isn't the Mighty Ducks, back again?"
Then, the Baron Von Licktenstamp showed himself in the light.
"Baron, how did you get out of…?" Wildwing asked, hiding Pearl behind him.
"I have a few tricks up my sleeve," the half-robotic man replied and noticed the two girls.
"And who are these lovely ladies?" he asked.
"Don't waste your breath, Baron, I never give information about me and my friend to people who try to kill our comrades," Pearl replied, but the Baron shook his head.
"It was a simple hunting game," he said, but Mallory stepped forward.
"Set up by your lizard friend, Dragaunus," the female Duck replied.
"I am vondering vhere is my comrade?" the Baron asked.
"Gone to a life of loneliness," Grin answered him.
The Baron seemed to be confused by the giant Duck's words and Duke translated, "He's gone to Dimensional Limbo, you'll never hear from him, again."
"You know, about zee hunt," the Baron said, "I never had the chance to finish."
Subria stepped forward, holding her spear up to the Baron's robotic eye. "If you dare harm my comrades, I'll start with your other eye, than your arm, and finally your leg," she said, threateningly.
Suddenly, something shot past Subria's face, but she dodged it, and they turn to see a figure in the door-way.
It was a little girl with pink hair in two pony-tails, she wore strange blue clothes, and she had a bow in her hands.
Pearl's eyes widened, "Where did you find her?" she demanded the Baron.
"She actually found me and she demonstrated her skills as a hunter, but she's not a talker," he answered.
"That is actually the 'Arrow' page; she is a skilled archer and she never misses a shot," Pearl explained to the Ducks.
"And I believe, I vould like to finish our hunt," the Baron replied, he had Subria in a chocking hold with his robotic arm.
"You let her go!" Duke demanded, taking out his saber.
"Now, now, let's not be hasty, if you want to save her, we will finish our hunt," the Baron said and turned to the 'Arrow', "My dear, take our guests outside."
"I don't think so!" Duke replied and was about to charge, when the Baron tightened his grip on Subria's neck, chocking. Duke stopped in his tracks, staring at Subria, but he had to back away.
"Subria, it'll be okay, we'll get you out," Pearl said to her bodyguard.
The 'Arrow' held up her bow and a glowing arrow appeared in her hand, and she forced the Ducks and the princess outside.
However, they didn't stop there; the 'Arrow' forced them into the depths of the jungle, and she dashed off into the brush.
"We have to go back! There's no way I'm going let the Baron hold my Subria hostage for hours!" Duke said, angrily.
The others stared at him and he realized what he said, "I guess I have a lot of explaining to do," the ex-con replied.
Just then, a robotic tiger crashed through the brush and roared at them.
"Enjoy your last few minutes of living!" the Baron called from his tank that was atop a hill.
Inside, Subria's hands and feet were tied tight and she struggled to get free.
The Ducks and Pearl ran away from the tiger and it chased after them.
"Split up!" Wildwing ordered as they came to a clearing and they ran into different directions.
The tiger decided to go after Pearl and Wildwing and it proved to be the fastest to them.
The Baron then summoned a lion and a pack of dingoes to go after the other Ducks.
"You're crazy, Baron! Leave them alone!" Subria demanded.
"Oh, don't cry little girl, very soon you'll feel the thrill of the hunt," the Baron said and switched his tank to gear.
Subria then spotted her spear, resting beside the wall, and she began to crawl towards it.
Pearl and Wildwing were cornered by the tiger when they reached the edge of the cliff.
The princess then got an idea and she summoned the spell book.
"'Water', please help protect us from this creature!" she commanded and the spell appeared.
The 'Water' featured its sharp teeth and it summoned a wave of water and splashed it on the robotic tiger.
Sparks flew from the mechanism and it twitched and it caught on fire.
"Excellent work!" Wildwing said to the princess and the spell.
Then, they heard Grin and Mallory cry out for help not far from where they were.
The two saw that both the giant Duck and the karate soldier were trapped in a tree as the pack of robotic dingoes snapped at their feet.
Pearl rushed to get as close to them as possible and she calls out, "Mallory! Grin! Summon the spells that are under your name!"
The two were afraid at first, but Mallory went first, "'Sword', I command you to come to my aid!"
The spell did as it was told and the 'Sword' appeared in her hand.
Grin followed by saying, "'Power', my little friend, come to my aid!"
The 'Power' appeared and the dingoes looked at her and charged, but the spell gave incredible punches that destroyed the robots.
Mallory jumped down, piercing a dingo with the 'Sword' and Grin jumped down from the tree.
"Well down," the giant Duck said to the 'Power', patting her head.
The spells returned to the book and the group realized that Duke was missing. Wildwing used the tracker and found his comrade's location, close to the ocean.
"We can't get to him on foot," Mallory replied.
"What other choice do we have?" Wildwing asked.
Then, Pearl's face lit up, "We fly," she said and turned to the 'Fly' page.
"'Fly', I command you to give us the ability of flight!" she demanded and the spell obeyed.
Wings appeared on their backs and they were lifted off the ground.
"On second thought, running is better for your legs!" Mallory cried out.
"This way!" Wildwing replied and they followed him towards the sea-cliffs.
()()()()()()()
Duke was exhausted from running from the mechanical lion and he rushed towards the brush. He stopped when he realized that he was on a cliff over the ocean.
The ex-con took out his saber as he heard the lion's growling, "Come to papa," he taunted it.
"Duke!" someone shouted and he saw his comrades flying above him.
"Quick, summon the 'Mirror'! It'll fool the lion!" Pearl called out.
"'Mirror', I command you to show my image!" Duke commanded and the spell came to his aid.
She stared at him and then transformed into the perfect doppelganger of Duke and the real Duke went off to hide, "Don't worry, I'll be right here," he said to the 'Mirror'.
The lion appeared, but the doppelganger Duke showed no fear as the mechanical creature leapt into the air.
'Mirror', however, jumped out of the way in time as the lion fell from the cliff and crashed into the ocean.
"So, you've outsmarted my robots yet again!" the Baron shouted as his tank crashed through the trees.
On top of the tank, the 'Arrow' was in battle pose, pointing an arrow at the group.
Inside, Subria was able to kick her spear down and began to cut the rope binding her.
"Who should I shoot first? Or should I let you all go down to your doom?!" the Baron asked, closing in on the group.
Finally, Subria was free of her binding and she took her spear and placed the handle in front of the Baron's neck and began to choke him.
He was losing control of the tank and it swerved in different directions, making the 'Arrow' lose her balance and she jumped off the tank.
The group jumped out of the way as the tank was getting close to the edge.
"SUBRIA! GET OUT OF THERE!" Pearl cried out.
The African princess jumped up to the door and was about to jump off, when the Baron grabbed her foot with his robotic hand.
"I'm not through vith you!" he shouted.
Subria took her spear and using the hilt, gutted him in the throat and he let go, just as the tank toppled over the cliff.
The African princess jumped, grabbing an outstretched root and listened to the Baron's cries as the tank crashed into the ocean.
"SUBRIA!" Duke and Pearl screamed and watched as the tank toppled into the depths of the sea.
"She's gone, there's no way someone can—" " No! Don't tell me that!" Duke snapped at Wildwing.
"She is a fighter! I know she is!" he said, tears filling his eyes.
"Duke," Mallory replied and adds more, "I've seen tanks in combat and when they topple, they take everyone inside."
The ex-con pressed his hands to his face and his knees buckled and he began to sob.
Unknown to them, Subria climbed up to the safety of the cliff and saw the group tending to Duke.
"I never…never got the…chance to…tell her…" he choked on his words, "How much…she met to…me…"
Subria quietly crept up to the group and listened to Duke as he adds, "I would…no, I will…beg Death…to let him take…me instead…"
"Awe, Duke that is so sweet," Subria finally spoke.
Everyone turned around and were amazed to see that Subria was alive! "Subria?! Is that you?!" Pearl exclaimed and hurled her arms around her friend and bodyguard.
"Nothing can tear me apart from my duty to you, milady," the African princess said and gave a cry as Duke crashed into her.
"Don't scare me like that!" he exclaimed and held her tight in his arms.
"Love can be a painful thing, but it's a bond that is never easily severed," Grin said in his Zen pose.
"Guys, shhh!" Pearl quieted them and pointed to the 'Arrow', who was lying on her back.
She stood up and noticed that the group surrounded her and was about to reach for her bow, when Subria used her spear to stop her.
The spell went into prayer pose as if begging them not to harm her. Pearl stood in front of her and calls, "'Arrow', I command you to return to the spell book from where you can!" The spell's body swirled in the air and she vacated in an empty page.
"Wow, what a day," Mallory said, sitting down on the ground.
"No time to rest, we better get back to Anaheim," Wildwing reminded them and they hurried back to their boat and were on their way back.
()()()()()()
That evening, the Ducks were battling against the Penguins, tying the game at 1-1.
"Don't give up, guys!" Subria cried out over the crowd. The timer was down to the three minute mark and Duke had the puck. He skated across the ice and his teammates protected him from the other players.
When he reached the Penguins' goalie net, he took a hard swing and the puck flew into the net, scoring another point for the Ducks.
"THE DUCKS WIN!" the announcer called over the intercom.
The crowd cheered and the Ducks did their trademark cry, "DUCKS ROCK!"
Awhile later, the team were celebrating in the locker room, but something was amiss.
"Hey, where's Duke?" Nosedive asked.
Pearl entered in and replies, "You didn't hear this from me, but he's at the pier with Subria."
"Oh, that is probably not good," Tanya said and they changed into their regular clothes.
"Did I say something?" Pearl asked and followed them towards the beach.
The sun had set over the ocean, but a glow still lit the sky. Duke and Subria had watched the event from the pier and the ex-con couldn't hold it in any longer.
"Subria, when we first met, my heart skipped a beat, but I was devastated when I saw you go out with Nosedive," Duke said.
"Well, he is okay, he is not ready to be the 'protective' type," Subria replied, but noticed that Duke held out a single red rose.
The others had arrived and watched as the spectacle unfolded.
Subria looked at the rose more closely and saw a silver ring in the middle and stared at Duke.
"No, I'm not proposing, it's a promise ring. Back home on Puckworld, it's usually tradition for the guy to offer his girl a ring, just to tell other people that you're taken," he said.
"What are you promising?" she asked.
"To protect you from any danger and to say this; I love you, Subria," he replied, slipping the ring on her finger.
Then, Duke leaned in and kissed her, on the lips and she returned it with a reply, "And I love you."
"Well, one of us is gone," Tanya said, turning away.
Suddenly, Pearl was gasping for breath and her eyes widened as her sensors went crazy.
"Pearl?! Pearl! What is it?! What's wrong?!" Wildwing cried out and she slumped into his arms.
Subria and Duke heard the commotion and rushed to them.
"Milady! What happened?!" the African princess demanded.
Pearl's face was so pale that she looked like she was dying and her lungs pulled in every ounce of oxygen.
After two minutes, the seizure was over and Pearl stared at the Ducks and her friend.
"I felt it, the one spell," she said, but they looked at her.
"What do you mean?" Wildwing asked and the princess looked at him with wide eyes.
"The one spell I mentioned, the one that can bring Canard back," she answered and everyone gasped and everything fades to black.