Liquidator didn't need to eat. He didn't need to sleep. He'd felt very proud of that fact, but then Negaduck started taking advantage of it.

He was not allowed to rest. At night Negaduck would take him out into the city and made him steal for him. That part wasn't so bad at first, because they started off small. Negaduck didn't care what he stole, as long as he took something and didn't set off any alarms in the store. That part was easy. Liquidator would just retreat into the water systems and come up through the store's bathroom sink.

He could sense, in a way, every drop of water in the place, including in the pipes that were just a little too close to the security wiring. The Liquidator just had to go into the pipes, make them burst and damage the waters, and then the security system went down. He'd been free to take anything he wanted, and nobody would be any the wiser.

Honestly, he wouldn't have thought of this plan if it weren't for his training with Megavolt. He now knew just how sensitive electricity was to water, and how much fizzling one misplaced drop could cause.

Negaduck had seemed pleased with him, and the Liquidator had thought that had to be a good thing. He was allowed to give the clothing and food to Megavolt, and the duck had said that he would make sure Quackerjack was taken care of.

The next night Negaduck had taken Liquidator out again. This time he'd given him more specifics. He was taken to a larger store and told to take at least some jewels and cash, and only after he'd done that would he be allowed to steal what he wanted.

It sounded like a simple enough job, but Negaduck didn't want Liquidator to set foot into the store himself. He made Liquidator stand outside with him and manipulate the water from here.

If he reached really far, Liquidator could feel the water in the piping systems again, but it was hard, and really weird. He may be made of water, but he still felt like a normal dog in a lot of ways. Normal dogs' arms had a reach of maybe a few feet. Just the thought of reaching into the sewers, up into the store, and gripping things he couldn't see was weird and his head resisted it a lot.

He knew that he was physically capable of such a feat. When he was in water form his reach went as far as he could feel water. He became one with any water he was connected to, and it was all in his control, at least as far as he knew. He could move his awareness from one end of the water to the other in an instant. It was just a matter of changing where his focus was.

This was different though. When he adopted a physical form he was still made of water, but he didn't feel as connected to it. He knew he was, but he couldn't wrap his head around it. It was just too hard, for all of him to be nearly solid except for one limb. It was scary. He felt like a stray current was going to grab onto his hand and sweep it away, and then he'd forever be without one of his arms.

He thought he'd be able to get away with just pretending. After all, Negaduck shouldn't be able to tell whether he was using his power out of sight or not. Despite this, when he was doing his pretending for just a little bit, Negaduck just scowled and glared threateningly at him.

"Listen to me, you sorry excuse for a puddle." Negaduck growled. "I think I've been very patient, but if I was in the mood for games I would have stayed home with Quackerjack. I'm not asking very much of you, and if you fail to deliver my loot to me I'm going to get you in a sponge, lock that sponge in a jar, and then put that jar in my safe for a week."

Liquidator whimpered and felt his solid form drip and become more difficult to hold as his focus went down and his desire to run away was almost overpowering. He didn't like being in a sponge. It felt like every part of him was being squished and compressed, and he couldn't move any part of him. Still, it wasn't even the sponge that he was most scared of, it was the vault.

He couldn't sleep. He couldn't turn his awareness off at all. He was just always there, seeing and hearing everything. If there was nothing that he could see or hear, he felt like he would lose his mind.

Liquidator knew that Negaduck wasn't just making an empty threat. If he didn't hesitate to chop Bushroot's arm off, despite the fact that it grew back, then why wouldn't he lock him away?

He still wasn't comfortable with reaching so far out, but he was far more afraid of the consequences should he not. He took in a deep breath, despite the fact that he didn't need air. He could do this. He had to.

He reached and and moved his arm inside the store. Looking for things blindly wasn't fun, but when he closed his eyes to focus better he accidentally realized that he could move part of his consciousness to his arm, just enough for him to just see what he was doing.

He tried not to think about the fact that he was seeing through his hand. It would just make his non-existent stomach twist. He just started grabbing the jewels and money that Negaduck wanted. He didn't go very quickly, and Negaduck wasn't happy with him, but a few hours before dawn, when he said that it was time to go, he didn't sound nearly as angry as he could have.

"I guess this'll do." Negaduck said irritably as he claimed the small but expensive rings, a few necklaces, and the cash. "But I'm not going easy on you tomorrow." The Liquidator didn't think he would.

He tiredly followed Negaduck back to the house. The adult went to find Bushroot to do whatever he did with him. Liquidator went to the closet that Megavolt had claimed for himself. The rat was sleeping, but he jolted to awareness when he heard the door open. He immediately relaxed when he saw the Liquidator.

"You have more food?" Megavolt rubbed his eyes. "I'm starving."

Liquidator grimaced. He had meant to steal some more snacks, but he hadn't gotten around to it. He should have gotten over his hesitance sooner. He'd just been put off because of an issue in his own head. Not only had he put Negaduck in a bad mood, which he would take out on all of them, but he hadn't gotten food for the others.

Liquidator had yet to see any food in this house, and Negaduck definitely didn't care enough about them to get some himself. Maybe he'd grab just enough to keep Megavolt and Quackerjack from literally starving to death, but Liquidator wasn't even sure about that.

He had the bad feeling that if Megavolt and Quackerjack were going to eat, it would be food that he stole from them. To have the chance to do so, he needed to be good enough to do what Negaduck wanted. He wanted to rest. He wanted it so badly, but he couldn't.

He didn't have the same needs that the others had. Negaduck was taking advantage of that. If Liquidator didn't do the same, he wouldn't be able to keep up with Negaduck's expectations and help the others. He had to be better.

"Not this time." The Liquidator said apologetically. "He's taking me out again tonight. I'll get something."

Megavolt opened his mouth to say something, but he grimaced and looked at the palm of his hand. There was a scabbed over, painful looking injury. The rat pulled his hand close to his chest, curled in on himself, and didn't say anything. He'd been upset and closed off since yesterday. Bushroot had also been shaken up, but neither of them would tell him what was going on.

Liquidator wasn't very good at emotional stuff, but he understood how important physical needs were, despite, or maybe because, of his lack of them.

"I disappointed Negaduck last night." Liquidator said quietly. "Try to stay out of his way."

"That was the plan anyway." Megavolt said. He didn't seem too eager for company, so Liquidator left him alone. He had things to do anyway. He needed to be stronger.

So instead of resting, Liquidator went into the kitchen and stuck his arm down the sink drain and into the house's pipes. He pushed past his discomfort and kept on reaching, and reaching, just trying to get used to the feeling so he wouldn't freeze up he didn't need sleep, and he didn't get hungry, it was really easy to lose track of time. The Liquidator ended up practicing all day.

He started with just one arm, stretching it out. He didn't really do anything with it or try to be dexterous, he just needed to be able to move it. Everything else would fall into place after that. It didn't really feel good, but he could do it without hesitating or squirming away from the thought of having one limb out and about.

After that he sent his other arm down into the pipes and moved them at once, just following the piping of the house. He kept his arms together at first, and then split them apart. It was a different sensation, but not any worse than just one arm. That was simple enough to get used to. Liquidator then turned his attention to not just moving through the pipes, but actually navigating them.

He sent one arm into the bathroom and had it just come out of the drain, reach for the door, and close it. The other hand went down into the basement into the washing machine. He was able to turn on the lights for the basement.

Now that he knew that he could see through any part of his watery form, he could do it much more easily and comfortably than he could do the reaching. It was a pleasant surprise though when he was able to divide his sight so easily. It was weird, but when he got used to it it was kinda fun. Or at least it would be if he wasn't so utterly exhausted.

"What are you doing?" Negaduck growled behind him. Liquidator jolted and lost his focus on his hands. The water in the basement and kitchen fell to the floor as his grip on his hands retreated back to the rest of his form. He pulled his hands out of the sink and held them behind him.

"I…practicing." Liquidator said. He didn't know why he was so nervous. He hadn't done anything wrong. "I'm a lot better now."

"Oh, are you?" Negaduck scowled and crossed his arms. "Show me."

Liquidator closed his eyes and sent his arms back down the drain. In an instant his arms were back in the basement and bathroom. He reached even more to send his arms down the halls and back into the kitchen from the doorway. Negaduck just stared at his hands, his expression doing nothing to reveal whether he was impressed or furious.

"O-one came from the basement, and the other's from the bathroom." Liquidator said. He just wanted a reaction. Anything. "I can control them both." He sent one hand to a drawer to open it and pull something out while the other hand grabbd the back door handle and opened and closed it.

Negaduck's gaze darkened. "So you were holding out on me yesterday."

"W-what? No!" Liquidator protested. "I practiced so I wouldn't let you down again."

"We'll see if it's enough." Negaduck said. "We're going out."

"Already?" Liquidator looked towards the window. It was already getting dark out. He really had been working all day.

"You got a problem with that?" Negaduck growled.

Liquidator shook his head. Yes, he was tired, but it wasn't a physical issue. It was just a problem in his head, just like his reaching. He just needed to get used to it.

"I thought so." Negaduck said. "Come on. We're burning moonlight." The young dog followed him to the front door. In the hall they passed by Bushroot. The plant mutant jolted when he saw them. He looked like he wanted to run, but he didn't. He stood his ground. There were tears in his eyes, but he stubbornly didn't let them fall.

After they passed him Liquidator looked back over his shoulder. The tears were falling now as Bushroot bit his tongue to keep himself from making a noise and earning Negaduck's wrath. Liquidator made sure that Negaduck wasn't looking before he reached an arm back and just lightly patted Bushroot's head. The duck stiffened, but he relaxed when he opened his eyes and saw the watery hand.

Liquidator gave Bushroot a reassuring wave and thumbs-up sign. Bushroot smiled weakly and waved back. Liquidator pulled his arm back as he followed Negaduck. They went to another store, same as the last few nights. He was told to do the same thing as last night. Stand here with Negaduck, and reach out to grab some jewels and money. He knew he could do this.

Within the first hour he was able to get more than he did all of last night. He had plenty of time to get some food for the others.

Just when Liquidator was starting to get more confident, Negaduck changed the rules.

"So you can steal." Negaduck admitted. "Bet you feel like a big shot, just 'cause you've got powers. Think you're invincible, do you?"

"I…no?" Liquidator didn't know what he had done wrong. Negaduck sounded upset, but he'd done what he was supposed to do. What else did Negaduck want? Did he want him to use his powers for him or not.

"You look proud of yourself." Negaduck said. Liquidator had been feeling a little proud. He'd practiced all day, and it had paid off. Why wouldn't he be proud? "You're not thinking of stabbing me in the back, are you?"

"No!" Liquidator hadn't even considered it.

"You'd better not." Negaduck said. He stared at Liquidator for a long moment, thinking, before he scowled and snatched up the stuff that he'd already stolen. "We're going to try something new."

Liquidator had a bad feeling about this. Negaduck didn't sound happy at all. If he didn't think that he couldn't get hurt or die in his watery state, he would fear for his life. He followed him anxiously. They didn't head back to the house, but to a warehouse instead.

"Your powers can be useful, but they're basically useless for wide-spread, raw, fast destruction." Negaduck said. "Riches are great and all, but how am I supposed to spread terror with a number of disgustingly cute children on my side?"

Liquidator pouted. That wasn't his fault. "What am I supposed to do about that?"

Negaduck smirked and leaned against a metal barrel. "Get in." Liquidator reluctantly did as he was told. He pulled the lid off and sloshed inside. As soon as he was in, Negaduck began to pour some other liquid in. Liquidator didn't know what it was, just that it wasn't water. He couldn't merge with it. He tried, and it just resisted him.

"Be a good mutt and stay." He heard Negaduck say. There was a clicking sound, and then the sound of him walking away. Liquidator really didn't know what was going on, and he didn't like it.

It was the first time in more than twenty four hours that he had the chance to just exist and rest. He was nervous, but he still couldn't help but to relax just a little bit.

It was just a minute or two, and then Liquidator's world exploded. Everything got really bright really quickly as there was a flash and a deafening bang. Those were barely minor inconveniences compared to the impossible heat that he felt come over him. It felt like he was on fire. It was agonizing. He tried to scream, but he didn't have a mouth to do so. He was aware and sentient, but he didn't have a form, whether solid or liquid. He had been almost instantaneously evaporated.

He couldn't control a vaporous form the way he could liquid or solid. Or maybe he could, but he couldn't focus enough to figure it out. He could only think of the heat and discomfort. It hurt. He didn't even know that he could feel pain anymore. He wished he didn't know. This was one thing he would have been fine without ever knowing.

There was a fire raging beneath him, originating from the metal barrel he'd been in. Negaduck…the villain had set him on fire! Why? How?

The fire kept burning and growing stronger. Smoke was starting to take over his steam. He needed to get out, but he couldn't move. He couldn't…he couldn't do anything. He was powerless.

Negaduck stepped back into the warehouse, finally looking impressed, and it was a horrifying sight. He seemed completely unbothered by the heat and roaring flames. He just grabbed a fire extinguisher and put it out. He looked up at the ceiling. "Now that's what I call power." He wasn't looking directly at Liquidator, and he had no way of knowing exactly where he was, but the dog felt like he was looking straight into his soul anyway.

"If you can come back from being turned to stone, you can come back from being vapor." Negaduck said. "Get down here, and you can have a break. Try to run, and I'll hunt you down and get rid of you with my bare hands."

If Negaduck could, and would, blow him up just for fun, or to make a point, or because he was curious, or whatever the reason was, Liquidator didn't want to see what happened when his goal was to hurt him.

He pushed down the panic and lingering pain and reached his consciousness out. He wasn't able to find a lot of water, but he was able to get enough of it. He grabbed onto that awareness and used every bit of his will to make the vapor take a physical form. He didn't know how he managed it, but eventually he fell out of the air and crashed to the ground, becoming a puddle. He couldn't get up again. He didn't have to.

Negaduck knelt in front of his puddle and laid a jar in front of it. Liquidator slid into it. He may not have liked being trapped in a jar before, but this was not a prison anymore, it was a sanctuary.

Safe in the jar, he let go of everything. He could still see and hear everything, but he didn't really process it. It all just slid right over him as he shut down and finally had the chance to rest.

He was taken back to the house and set on the kitchen counter. Negaduck walked away and, true to his word, gave him a break. Liquidator stayed in that jar, feeling like he was drifting, for three days. He wanted to stay there for longer, but Megavolt came in looking like he'd been through hell and back. He looked as miserable as Liquidator felt.

Megavolt picked up the jar and set it on the ground. He laid down on his stomach and peered into the jar.

"I don't know what happened to you." Megavolt said quietly. "I know it had to hurt, because nothing that Negaduck does doesn't hurt. I know you want to stay in there, because I'd want to stay in a jar if I could, but I need to ask you to come out."

Megavolt's expression fell to one of raw pain. "I'm so hungry, and I think that Quackerjack's doing even worse, because I can get energy from electricity. W-we need food, but Negaduck won't give us any, and he won't let us get some. He said he'd only let you do it."

Liquidator didn't want to come out. He didn't want to be tested all over again, but the others were starving, and it would be all his fault.

He reluctantly came out of his jar. Megavolt gave him an apologetic and grateful look.

"Be careful." Megavolt said quietly, like he was afraid of being overheard. Liquidator grimaced and left the kitchen. It wasn't hard to find Negaduck. He was working with Bushroot, or maybe just hitting and insulting him for the fun of it. It was really hard to tell. The plant mutant was cowering on the ground, his arms covering his head protectively. His leaves were shaking.

Negaduck was mad at him about something, but as soon as he saw Liquidator he completely forgot about Bushroot. "Finally, someone semi-capable." It was weird to hear a half compliment from Negaduck, but Liquidator knew that it wasn't to build him up, it was to push Bushroot down. "What do you want?"

"I want to try again." Liquidator said. "I want to be stronger."

"About time." Negaduck growled. He sent one more kick at Bushroot's chest before he approached Liquidator. "Let's see what you've got." As they left Liquidator sent one more look at Bushroot. The plant was still shaking, but there wasn't fear and hurt in his eyes, there was anger. Liquidator wondered how much of his shaking was from fear, and how much was from barely restrained fury.

He couldn't really worry about Bushroot right now. He had a job to do.

"I guess Megavolt finally whined to you." Negaduck said. "You kids are way too soft for my liking, but if it'll make you do something useful, so be it."

Liquidator's mind still strayed and drifted. He didn't want to do this, but he had to. He didn't really have a choice. He went through the motions as he followed Negaduck into the sewers and made their way towards a grocery store. The sun wasn't down yet, and the store was still open. Liquidator thought that if he went carefully he could swipe some food and remain undetected. Unfortunately, Negaduck didn't have the patience for being careful.

"You have two minutes." Negaduck said. He pulled out an hourglass and everything. "When time's up, I'm pulling out the concrete mix and turning you into a statue."

Liquidator didn't want to be trapped, even if it would allow a break. He wanted a break to happen on his terms, but he was starting to realize that he really didn't get a say. His life was in Negaduck's hands.

And Quackerjack's and Megavolt's were in the Liquidator's.

Short time restriction or not, he needed to act. Using his power was the only thing he had control over, even if he had no idea what he was doing.

Liquidator sent his arms right into the store and hurried them to the food isle to grab whatever crackers or cookies had containers that were small enough and had water-proof containers that he could work with.

Staying unnoticed was strangely simple. He just had to go from above and wait a second for people to look away. When he had very little time to work with, every precious second wasted felt like an eternity.

For the first minute he worked with both hands, but then he grew paranoid and sent one hand back to the rest of his body with what little food he was able to grab. He kept half his gaze on the stealing, and the other half on Negaduck, just to make sure he didn't try anything.

The sand slipped through the hourglass, and far too soon he was out of time. He needed to bring the rest of the food back. Megavolt and Quackerjack needed everything he could get for them. He needed just a few more seconds, but Negaduck wasn't giving it to him.

"Time's up." Negaduck said maliciously. He pulled out a bag that was surely full of concrete powder. Liquidator knew that normal concrete mixes didn't set instantly, or even all that quickly, but he somehow knew that this stuff was different.

Negaduck ripped open the bag and threw it at him. Liquidator acted quickly. He ducked to the side and moved his arm to knock the bag out of the way. The powder hit his hand, and it immediately turned to stone. He could feel the mixture spreading inside of him. He didn't have long at all, but he didn't have the food yet. He needed just a few more seconds, though it was a few seconds that he really didn't have.

He did the only thing he could think of. He had spent all that time working on his reach and awareness, and now he did just the opposite. He pulled his awareness back. In a brief moment he held onto every bit of him that he knew hadn't been corrupted by the concrete. Everything else, which encompassed his entire arm, fell to the ground.

His still hardening hand cracked when it hit the ground. The rest of his arm just splashed with lifeless water.

Liquidator had no time to breathe. He pulled the rest of the food to him and faced Negaduck, ready to defend himself in a fight. The duck was just looking at him. He almost looked excited.

"That's what I'm talking about." Negaduck went over and grabbed Liquidator's arm. "You've had very few known weaknesses, but Darkwing Duck uses them so easily that it's pathetic. If you can just drop a weakness like this, Darkwing won't know what hit him."

Liquidator didn't know what was going on, but he wasn't getting hurt or even yelled at. He wasn't going to complain. He had gotten the food for the others. Sure, he had the bad feeling that Negaduck was going to experiment with him resisting concrete and other stuff, but at least he wasn't hurt and the others weren't going to starve. That was probably the most he could hope for right now.

He just wished that he could get some rest. He was so tired.