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Alternate Lives	By : Nightbloom Category: +M through R > Mighty Ducks Cartoon Views: 2278 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own the Mighty Ducks, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 1-Part 1
- 2-Part 2
- 1
- 2
Author's Note and Disclaimer: Mighty Ducks do not belong to me, andsince I needed to make sure that a disclaimer was up, I also went throughand tried to make some corrections on the mistakes, including the fact thatthe story seemed to have cut off somewhere. To make it easier on me,I split it into two parts.
Alternate Lives (Part I)

Nosedive slowly washed the dishes as he stared out of his home's window. His back felt as if it were on fire from the recent beating that hehad received.
Outside, several building were still smoldering from recent fires.
The skies were dark from all the smoke that droid factories emitted.
It had been four years since the Saurians took over Puckworld. Threeyears since the Resistance began. Two years since he was left all alonewith Canard.
And one year since Canard officially became a traitor.
Nosedive wiped away a tear and then stared at his hand that bore the Saurianmark. Property of Dragaunus's soldiers. More specifically, Canard. A slave in his own world to his own species.
He began to rinse the dishes as his mind wandered to a more romantic notion.. . What if Canard was really playing at being one of Dragaunus's goons. And only pretended to treat him bad? And that he was really helpingCanard in secret meetings?
Or better yet. He imagined a Puckworld without a Saurian invasion. A world that his family still existed in, alive and well. Surroundedby friends. If only. . .
If he were a hero in another world. . .
The front door slammed opened and Nosedive flinched. Shit, hethought to himself. I'm not done yet! He's going to fucking killme!!!
"Nosedive!!" bellowed Canard's voice. "Why is this place still afucking mess?!"
Nosedive rushed into the living room, eyes wide in fear. "I-i'm sorry..."he stammered. "I... I was j-just about to start that."
"Are you patronizing me?" Canard snarled, in a low voice.
"N-no, no!" Nosedive responded, heart beat racing wildly.
Canard stalked over to him and backhanded him.
Nosedive bit back a cry as he fell back, smashing his head against the wall. Stars exploded in his vision, and he couldn't help but let out a patheticwhimper.
Canard laughed. "Oh, how the mighty have fallen. A strong familyknown for their generosity, and bravery, reduced to a scrawny sniveling stringyhaired hatchling." He leered. "It excites me to know that I helpedreduce them to this."
Nosedive bit back another cry of pain as Canard hauled him up from the wrist,dragging him to his room.
Nosedive went along without fighting back. This had been the weekly ritualever since he was branded. And he knew better than to struggle. Thepain didn't last as long. Unfortunately, the act never was quick enough.
Nosedive let out a rush of air as he was thrown to the bed face down.
He let out a small sob as he closed his eyes and waited for the inevitable.
"If only your father could see you now," hissed Canard, with manic glee. "Let's fuck. . ."
X
Nosedive slowly opened his eyes, mentally assessing personal injuries. Sofar the pain was the usual, so nothing that needed immediate medical care.
Canard's snoring insinuated deep sleep, as did the stench of alcohol in hisbreath.
Nosedive grunted as he pushed himself up, rolling Canard to his side. Hegot up from bed and quietly gathered his clothing to cover himself up.
Nosedive made his way to the bathroom to clean up, not bothering to lookback where Canard lay unconscious to the world.
He stared at the mirror.
His once vibrant and fluffy hair was now stringy. His eyes looked sunkenin. His feathers had lost their shine. Even his beak looked dull. He hated himself. He hated his world, he hated his life, he hatedevery damn thing.
And yet. . .
No matter how many times he thought about ending it. . . he couldn't. Hewas too afraid.
"You're pathetic," he told himself.
Then his hatred turned to anger. "Fine. If I can't kill myself,the least I can do is run to the streets and die there!"
With a sudden burst of energy, Nosedive walked back into his room and beganto stuff clothes into what had once been his school back pack. Thenhe walked out the front door and onto the streets, under the cover of thenight.
X
Nosedive shivered as his stomach growled. His second night out andhe had no idea what to do.
Nosedive let out another sniffle as he passed a pile of rags.
He let out a yelp as a scaly claw grabbed his ankle.
"Got a smoke?" asked a raspy voice.
"N-no," Nosedive replied, looking down.
At his feet lay a withered Saurian. "Oh well," he said with a chuckle. "Things'll kill me anyhow. You new here, ain't cha?"
Nosedive slowly nodded.
The Saurian laughed. "You have no idea what you're in for. Facelike that. . . use it to your advantage." With that, he rolled back up underhis rags and began to snore.
X
Hunger can make any being go to the extremes. Even sell themselves just fora bit of cash.
Nosedive slowly ate the remaining half of a burger from earlier in the day,trying not to think about where the money had come from. It made him angryto think that he had taken the advice of a homeless Saurian.
Speaking of which, Saurians were funny creatures. As far as he could gather,there were three types. The ones that ruled Puckworld, greedy and evil, theones the protested the treatment of the slaves, who were either with theResistance or in a jail, and the ones that were neutral.
The neutral ones who liked their lifestyle but felt guilty enough to be generouswhen paying.
Thanks to a neutral kinky couple, he had enough to last him a month. If hewas careful.
Nosedive crumbled up the wrapper and tossed it into the dumpster.
X
Nosedive had been hungry for a few days when he was approached by a maleand female Saurian.
"Well, now," said the female. "Here's a promising one."
Nosedive looked up at them, fear growing in his heart.
"You are new to the streets, aren't you?" asked the male, dressed in elegantSaurian robes.
Nosedive slowly nodded.
"And in hiding," said the female, pointing at the slave mark.
Nosedive pulled back in fear.
"Don't worry, little one," said the male. "We just have a propositionto make."
Nosedive warred with himself mentally. In the end, he took it, knowingthat cash was necessary if he wanted food.
X
Nosedive came out of the shower, dressed only in a robe.
His body trembled with fear as he took in the view of the hotel room.
Right in front of him was a large bed dressed out in silken sheets. Thefemale Saurian was already on top of it, a glass of wine in her hand.
A teddy was all she was wearing, and it was very revealing.
Standing next to her was the male. He, too, wore a robe.
The Saurian male motioned for Nosedive to move forward.
Nosedive did, feeling scared, but realizing if he wanted to eat, he hadto go through with this.
The male gently pushed him down so that he was sitting on the bed.
The female came up behind him and began to massage his shoulders. "Relax,sweetie," she said. "We take good care of everyone we pay."
Nosedive nodded and closed his eyes as the female pushed him down ontohis back.
One of the two opened his robe slowly, and he could also hear the soundsof clothing hitting the floor.
Gentle hands skimmed over his chest, parting the soft feathers that coveredhim.
His body jumped as a wet tongue began to lick the insides of his thighs,while a claw gently massaged his crotch.
Nosedive bit back a groan as a pair of lips nibbled him along the collarbone.
"You've never been with a female, have you?" asked the latter.
Nosedive shook his head and opened his eyes, staring into female's eyes.
"Let me make you feel good, then," she said. "I don't often get thisprivilege."
Nosedive shivered as she trailed her tongue up his neck, then blew onit gently.
He let out a gasp as he felt something warm and moist come down on hishalf aroused cock.
The fire between his legs began to grow.
He glanced down and was stunned to see the male Saurian pleasuring him.
The male took him all in and hummed.
Nosedive threw back his head and let out a cry. The vibrations had sentan astonishing wave of pleasure.
The female continued her delicious attacks on his torso.
Nosedive felt the male let go of him, and the female quickly shifted overand straddled the young mallard.
"Just relax," she whispered.
Nosedive let out a small whimper as she slowly lowered herself on him.He was unprepared for the tightness around him. He almost came.
Then she flipped him so that he was on top of her.
He caught himself, his feet on the floor.
The female wrapped her legs around him.
"Start slow," she said.
Nosedive slowly began to move, pulling out almost all the way, then slidingback in.
The female moaned as her eyes rolled back. Her hands reached up to fondleher own breasts. She reached for Nosedive's hands and pulled them forward.
Nosedive watched in a trance as he felt the supple mounds of flesh.
Then he tensed as he felt something slick touch his own opening.
"Just relax," said the male. "When done properly, it's very enjoyable."
He knows, thought Nosedive, trying to relax.
"Focus on me," said the female, hands touching his chest.
Nosedive stared into his eyes as something intruded in, slowly.
There was a mild ache, but it went away, and then the thing pushed ina bit further, growing wider.
The female continued to encourage him, telling him to keep moving slow.
Sweat began to drip from the control he was trying to possess.
The Saurian female's skin shone as she continued to moan and slowly writheunderneath him.
Nosedive felt whatever was entering him leave, and then he hissed as hefelt something large and throbbing replace it.
The Saurian was sliding his cock into him, and it didn't hurt like whenCanard took him.
The female tightened her legs around Nosedive, keeping him still.
The male continued to slide into him, then paused.
Nosedive trembled at the sensations he was receiving from both ends.
The male slowly slid back out of him, then thrust back in.
He hit something deep inside Nosedive that made him cry out. His wholebody felt as if it were on fire, and he wanted more.
The female relaxed her hold on him as the Saurian behind him pulled backout.
The male slammed himself back in, causing Dive to move hard against thefemale.
Both he and the female cried out in pleasure as the male Saurian set therhythm.
He grunted at each thrust while the female gasped in pleasure.
Nosedive moaned as he was overwhelmed by the sensations of fucking andbeing fucked. The female let out a cry as her body shuddered, tighteningaround Nosedive.
Nosedive let out a cry as he felt himself exploding inside her.
The male slowed slowed down his relentless thrusts, hitting that spotinside him each time.
Nosedive panted for air, his legs feeling weak as the female moved awayfrom him.
The male pulled him back but continued to thrust into him.
Nosedive let out another groan as the female kneeled before him and beganto suck him back to life.
She bobbed her head, taking him in all the way and moving back up, kissingthe tip of his hardening cock.
Nosedive leaned back against the male, moaning.
The Saurian's pace began to speed up and Nosedive could feel the firebuilding up again.
The female continued her administrations.
Nosedive cried out as he felt himself cum a second time.
The male grunted as he, too, came.
The female swallowed Nosedive's juices.
Nosedive passed out from the sensations.
When he woke up, he had been left a note.
He was to clean up and use the room to his own personal satisfaction forthe rest of the night.
A bundle of one thousand credits had been left on the table next to him.
X
It had been enjoyable, there was no denying. But it was something he didn'twant to do regularly. And while life on the streets wasn't easy, he didn'thave to deal with Canard. He just wished he could find a trace of the Resistance.Not that they would accept someone like him to join the ranks. But maybethey knew where he could find shelter.
It was hard trying to buy stuff with a brand on his hand. Most of thetimes, he chose to order from crowded places, in which the employees weretoo flustered to pay attention.
The only risk lay in that someone would recognize him.
Yesterday, for example. . . one of Canard's Saurians had been standing nextto him for ten minutes. But he didn't notice Nosedive.
Nosedive nearly had a coronary right then.
A runaway slave was punished severely, to the point of death.
Nosedive wanted to be completely dead before being recaptured.
Nosedive sighed as he retreated back to his sleeping place.
Most back alleys were perfect. A lot of them had so much junk behindthem that they served as personal alarms and hiding spots. He had meta few homeless beings, but kept to himself. It was stupid tobefriend a being that was likely to die within the week.
He settled down behind his dumpster, pulling up a thread bare blanket overhim. He closed his eyes.
A strong breeze brushed his face, causing him to open his eyes.
Wind that strong was unusual.
Curiosity got the better of him, and Nosedive crawled out of his spot toinvestigate. Not far from where he lay, he was awed by the vision ofa small glowing orb. Tendrils of electricity wrapped around it, andsuddenly, it began to cackle and grow.
Nosedive stepped back, mouth agape.
There was a sudden rush of gale forced winds, a loud boom, and a blindinglight. The sound of someone yelling.
Then it was gone, and something collided into him.
Nosedive grunted at the weight as he was slammed to the floor, flat on hisback.
He moaned and opened his eyes, forcing himself to sit up.
Two pairs of eyes met.
The face in front of him looked strangely familiar. The duck was wearinga strange outfit that looked like a white armor with a teal body suit underneath.
Then he recoiled as the other did the same thing.
"You're me!" they both shouted.
X
Nosedive blinked as he stared at a grungy looking replica of himself.
The twin was wearing a baggy t-shirt with a button down long sleeve shirtthat had definitely seen better days. Tattered jeans covered his bottom,and worn out shoes protected his feet.
Judging from the grime that coated his face and fingers, he hadn't takena shower in a while.
His other self was staring at him in a similar way, with disbelief.
"Where did you come from?" he heard himself ask.
Nosedive blinked. "Um, where am I?" he asked in return, a bit forcefully.
His twin looked at at the ground, fear clouding his eyes. "Puckworld."
"But that's impossible," Nosedive said to himself. "If I was on Earth,I should have still been on Earth. If that was a portal like the other one..."
"What's Earth?" asked the twin.
Nosedive looked at him. "Dude, we are going to have to compromise onwhat to call each other. Cause I get the feeling your name is Nosedive."
The twin looked at him with awe. "How did you. . ?"
"It's my name," Nosedive replied, with a sigh.
The other Nosedive glanced away. "My brother use to call me ND," hesaid.
"And my bro calls me Dive," responded Nosedive. "Well, actually hecalls me baby bro, but let's not get into that. . . " Then he understoodND's implications. "'Use to?'" he asked, hesitantly.
ND looked at the floor. "He's. . ."
The sound of choppers filled the air, and ND's face took a look of pure terror. "We have to hide!" he said.
Dive just took his word for it and followed. Man, he thoughtto himself. Wildwing would kill me for just trusting my twin. Imean, dude, what if this is a nega-verse and like, he's completely evil? Dive shook the thoughts from his head.
ND ran ahead of him, dodging behind dumpsters and cans each time the helicoptermade a pass with the light.
Dive followed close behind, adrenaline rushing.
He slid across the pavement and barely made it behind some boxes when thespot light swept over them.
A few moments later, the helicopter began the sweep in the opposite direction.
"We have to go underground," said ND, yanking open a sewer gate.
Dive made a face. "If we come across some mutants. . ." he started. He stopped at the blank look on his twin's face.
Both blond ducks jumped into the sewer and closed the grate above them.
X
Dive sighed when he realized he no longer could smell the stench of the sewers. Took an hour, but. . .
"So where did you come from again?" asked ND, after the prolonged silence.
"Abridged version or unabridged?" Dive replied with a wry grin.
"Huh?"
Dive shook his head. "Never mind. Um, I came from Earth."
"Is that the name of your planet?"
"Nuh-uh. . . I came from Puckworld too. Except, well, we had a SaurianInvasion, my bro and I hooked up with a team of five other ducks, broughtdown the Overlord Dragaunus, chased him through a dimensional portal, thengot stuck in a planet known as Earth. Now we try to keep it from beingruled by Dragaunus cause he's stuck there himself. Well, at least Idid help keep it from being ruled. Now I'm here."
ND stared at him in amazement. "Wow. . . You. . . you're from a wholedifferent dimension!"
Dive paused. "Actually, I think I'm in a whole different time line. One of those, 'what if?' kind of moments. Whoa! I just realized! I'ma 'Slider'¹!!"
"A what?" asked ND, more puzzled then before.
"Nothing," Dive replied quickly. "But here's a flashback for you. . .
X
It was a dark night as clouds covered what was left of the moon.
In one section of the city, several supposed empty warehouses were currentlyoccupied by hostile aliens. . . and heroes.
In one of the more discreet warehouses, the famous Mighty Ducks were makingtheir way inside.
Canard motioned for the rest of the team to move forward. Up ahead hecould see Lord Dragaunus and his goons hunched over some new machinery.
"So what's the plan, Cap?" asked Nosedive, quietly.
"We circle him and ambush."
"Element of surprise," said Duke. "I like that."
The seven ducks began to slowly circle the Saurians, hidden out ofsight.
Nosedive kept a careful eye on both the lizards and the ground, not wantingto do something stupid like trip and get the Saurian's attention. Notthat he was clumsy or anything, but things never seemed to go his way whenhe wasn't completely focused.
Unfortunately, the surprise was ruined by someone sneezing.
"Shoot them!" Dragaunus yelled, whirling around.
Lasers and pucks immediately filled the warehouse as Dragaunus retreatedback, holding onto a device.
"I'm sorry," he could hear Tanya shouting. "There was so much dust!"
Nosedive rolled his eyes. Figures.
"Use your new Nuero Paralyzer!" Canard shouted.
Nosedive risked a glance to see Tanya holding out her latest weapon. She had told them that it emitted a ray that temporarily paralyzeda being. . . in theory. She didn't have any willing volunteers to testit out.
At the same time, Dragaunus revealed his newest creation. From thelook of it, it was a portable laser cannon.
"Tanya, look out!" Wildwing shouted, as Dragaunus aimed and fired.
The laser blast was intercepted by blue rings of the Paralyzer right aboveNosedive's hiding spot.
Nosedive shut his eyes in pain at the intensity of the light that wasemitted from the blast.
"Nosedive!!" he heard his brother shout.
Nosedive cracked one eye open. . . then both flew open in surprise. Right above him, where the blasts had met, was a growing sphere ofcackling electricity. Trash began to flutter as wind seemingly cameout of it.
Then he took a step back as a vortex began to build. The wind shiftedfrom outward to inward.
Nosedive blindly reached out to grab something as he felt his feet liftoff the floor.
"Nosedive!" he heard his brother cry out again.
"Wildwing!" he shouted back in fear, as he felt his stomach drop. Asplit second later, everything disappeared from sight and he was soon overwhelmedby the numbness that began to seep into his body. He blacked out.
After what seems like hours, Nosedive became aware that he was floatingmid air. As he opened his eyes, he began to feel some warmth returningto his legs.
Up ahead, he spotted a pinpoint of light. It began to grow and hefelt himself rushing towards it.
Without much warning, it threw him out and closed up in a flash behindhim.
X
Dive looked down at the ground where ND was sitting, looking up at him.
"Wow," he said in amazement. "It's like something out of a dream."
"Believe me," Nosedive said. "It's more like a nightmare."
ND stared at the ground for a moment. "A place and time where Dragaunusdidn't rule the world. . . Surrounded by family and friends..."
ND looked up at Dive.
His eyes took a haunted look that raised the feathers on Dive's neck.
"Believe me," he said. "It's a fantasy and a dream here."
Both ducks remained silent.
And then ND began to talk. . .
X
Up until four years ago, Puckworld had been a peaceful place. Everyoneenjoyed life to the fullest, and strived to achieve a perfect world. Within the government, several Avians did their best to better theplace.
One such duck was Governor Stride. He was a handsome duck, withbroad shoulders and a tiny wisp of feathers on the top of his head. Hisbeak was long and his chin was prominent.
Females flocked to him in his youth.
But only one of them caught his attention and kept it by showing zerointerest.
Lillian was a beautiful white duck with luscious blond hair. Shewas smart and witty, and deeply in love with Stride.
So she kept her cool and feigned disinterest.
It drove Stride nuts.
He pursued her all four years of high school. And when graduationcame, the two birds finally admitted their love to each other.
They got married while in college, and shortly after graduating, theyhad their first son.
Wildwing was his father's shadow. He was always more serious thanhis friends. And he gave his trust sparingly.
A few years later, Nosedive was born.
Unlike Wildwing, he took after Lillian, the blond hair and a dark yellowtint to the feathers that hinted to an off white color when he fullymatured.
Nosedive was perpetually cheerful, cracking jokes, pulling harmless pranks,making it a goal in life to make people laugh.
Wildwing ended up becoming possessive and protective of his youngerbrother.
It was amusing to the parents.
Every time it looked like Nosedive was going to get in trouble, Wildwingwas there to pull him out. No bullies ever targeted Nosedive.
As the years passed, both boys grew up without much change.
Except that Wildwing was constantly being harassed by a young male namedCanard.
Everything was always a competition. Grades, sports, girls. . .even family.
By the time Wildwing was nearing high school graduation, Stride was governorof their city. With his new plans of action, criminal activity wassparse due to the strict punishments that were being enforced. Stridewas loved by the community, his wife and children simply adored.
Publicity was an everyday thing.
Canard hated it with a passion and always ragged on Wildwing, callinghim Mister Popularity, and Poor Little Rich Boy. He wooed girlfriendsaway from Wildwing. And then turned his attention on Nosedive.
At first, it seemed like a sincere thing. Canard always lookingout for him, being his cool older friend. But Nosedive was never completelycomfortable around him. He didn't like the way Canard talked aboutWildwing.
But that was the only fault.
Other than that, Canard was fun to hang around with.
Presents were always left for him, as were little notes calling him "MyLittle Bro" and "Coolest Little Dude" and things like that.
But when senior year approached for Nosedive, the Saurian Invasion tookplace.
They were crafty Saurians. With all the technology they possessed,Puckworld had no choice but to surrender. The Saurians gained controlof the government, keeping several of the recent governors and mayors inplace to keep the inhabitant somewhat content.
Stride was among them.
The first year was horrid. Stride was forced to speak in favor ofthe Saurian rule, or risk the protection of his wife and sons.
Canard made things somewhat bearable for Nosedive, sneaking him a fewcontraband stuff, like CD's and video games that were no longer availableto the public. Wildwing, of course, remained distrustful.
Near the end of the first year, Stride did what he was expectedto do by other ducks. . . he actively opposed the Saurians -- undercover.
The Resistance was just beginning, Avians being the first ones to makeup the complete team. A few Saurians joined in afterwards.
Stride supported them financially, and occasionally slipped informationto them.
For a year, Nosedive and Wildwing played devil advocates, playing nicewith the Saurian brats, and then sneaking info to Resistance contacts.
A year later, however, they were exposed.
Nosedive should have seen it coming, but he didn't.
X
Dive watched as his look-a-like stared at the floor. He had gone silent,as if gathering his courage for what he was about to say.
Truthfully, Dive wasn't sure if he really wanted to know what had happened.
ND took a deep breath. "It was the beginning to the end of my life,"he said softly.
X
Nosedive was making a joke over the dinner table when their front doorslammed opened. Stride rose first and froze.
Wildwing growled.
Standing in their living room stood a group of five armed Saurian soldiers,two droids, and Canard.
"What's the meaning of this?" Stride asked in a low voice. "I thoughtI was suppose to be left alone."
One of the soldiers with a high ranking badge stepped forward. Hewas a round Saurian, with a club-like tail. "You have been found guiltyof treason," he said, holding out his weapon.
"That's preposterous!" shouted Stride.
"Nuh-uh," said Canard, with a smirk. "ND told me all about it, didn'tyou, Little Dude."
Nosedive was stunned. "W-why?" he asked softly, betrayal evidenton his face.
"Because," Canard leered. "Every day it was Stride's family this,and Stride's family that, and Wildwing this and Wildwing that, and Lillianthis and Lillian that, and Nosedive this and Nosedive that. . . I was sickof it!!! My father was running for governor, but your fucking fatherwon and took all the glory. But that's all right. Because soonit will be my turn."
He motioned the soldiers forward.
Both droids held Stride in place as two Saurians grabbed Wildwing. Lillian was flanked by one soldier, while a fourth shoved Nosedivetowards Canard.
Canard grabbed Nosedive's wrist and twisted it, forcing the teen ontohis knees. "We have a new program going," he said. "All supportersof Dragaunus earned the right to slaves. And I've chosen mine righthere!"
"You son of a. . . " Wildwing's words were cut short as his guard slammeda fist into his gut.
Nosedive flinched. Never had his brother been on a receiving endof a punch. Watching him helpless made things worse.
Canard patted the top of his head.
Nosedive pulled back and spit on Canard's face, anger clouding hisjudgment.
Canard's look turned deadly. A small smirk crossed his face. "Someone needs a lesson to show him who the master is." He yanked Nosedive back on his feet, grabbing him by the hair.
Nosedive struggled and threw a punch.
Canard grabbed his arm, twisted it back, and pushed up, causing Nosediveto rise on his toes to avoid further strain.
"Lesson number one, slave. . . as your master, I possess everythingthat is you. . . mind, soul, and. . . "
He chuckled, releasing Nosedive's hair to reach down and rub Nosedive'scrotch.
"Body."
"No!" shouted Stride, lunging forward.
The droids held him back, snapping one of his arms in the process.
Lillian screamed as Stride collapsed, numb from shock.
Canard threw Nosedive to the floor.
Laughter could be heard coming from the Saurians as Lillian pleaded withCanard to leave Nosedive alone. Wildwing and Stride were shouting inoutrage as Nosedive's screams of pain and sobs of humiliation stuck a painfulchord within them.
Canard was brutal, thrusting as hard as he could into Nosedive, pressinghim down into the table that up until moments ago the family shared a nicemeal together.
Lillian joined her son in crying.
Nosedive retreated into his mind.
Canard made himself presentable when the deed was done.
Nosedive numbly fumbled to close his jeans, his eyes vacant. A fewmore tears escaped from his eyes as he slowly and painfully sank to the floor,hugging his knees and rocking himself.
"Nosedive," sobbed Lillian, trying to get her young son to answer.
Wildwing and Stride remained silent, impotent with fury.
Stride raised his eyes to glare at Canard. "You will die for this,"he said, chokingly.
"Not before you do. Let's step outside."
The entire family was dragged into the streets.
Stride sputtered as one of the Saurians dumped oily liquid over his head,drenching him.
He only had time to recognize the smell when Canard lit a match and threwit.
"Dad, no!" shouted Wildwing, as Lillian screamed again, voice hoarse frommisuse.
Several citizens looked out in the streets and were horrified to see theirbeloved governor being burned alive.
Stride yelled as he tried to put out the fire, but the liquid kept itgoing. The smell of burning feathers and flesh became strong as Stridecollapsed to the floor. Smoke rose and so did the flames.
Stride ceased to exist.
Wildwing openly wept and Lillian continued to scream and cry inremorse as Nosedive stared, completely silent.
"Shut her up," said Canard.
Lillian's screaming was cut short by a knife to her throat.
Her eyes took a glassy look as air escaped from the cut, and she fellto the floor, face first.
Canard laughed and petted Nosedive again.
Nosedive looked down at his mother. His whispered "Mommy," and thenlooked back up, holding himself and rocking on his feet, back and forth.
Canard left Nosedive where he was and went to one of the droids. Hepopped open a hatch and pulled out a branding iron. The tip glowedfrom the heat. He walked over to Wildwing, who now was silent in hisgrief.
A murderous look flashed in his eyes for a moment, before he looked atthe ground, defeated.
"What's the matter?" taunted Canard. "Not the perfect family anymore?Oh, wait, you got to have a family first to even try to make it perfect. You don't have a dad, and you don't have a mom. . . and with this brand.. . you won't have a brother." Canard walked over to Nosedive and grabbedhis wrist.
Nosedive made no move to get away.
The look on Wildwing's eyes were heartbreaking as Canard pressed the brandingiron into the back of Nosedive's left hand.
A faint hiss was heard as smoke rose. Nosedive barely flinched,still in shock from what Canard had done to him in front of his family. Heslowly looked at the burn on his hand.
Canard turned towards Wildwing. "Such a shame," he said. "Thegreat Wildwing, unable to help his brother in the end."
"Oh, Nosedive," whispered Wildwing. "I'm so sorry. . . " Tearscontinued to flow down his face, blinding him. . . keeping him from seeinghis beloved brother's face. In the end, it may have been a blessing.
Canard nodded at the Saurians.
With the exception of the burly red one, they all advance forward, clawsand teeth tearing into Wildwing's flesh.
Wildwing let out a scream as more blood tainted the streets.
Canard pulled Nosedive close, smiling at him as the younger duck juststared.
The burly red Saurian stood next to them. "You'll be one of us soonif you keep amusing us like this, Canard."
"Thank you, Captain Siege."
X
One year later, Canard became one of Dragaunus's Generals. He, withthe help of sadistic and former Puckworld criminals, tore down the beautythat Puckworld once was and helped raise the new Saurian empire.
Nosedive was forced to watch all this as Canard's personal slave. Hewas fed scraps, had to clean everything he was told to clean, was lockedin Canard's house and never let out. And he was to provide relief wheneverthe tan duck was denied pleasure from his Saurian lover.
Everyday, Nosedive wished for death. In the beginning, he did everythingto push Canard, to make him angry enough to kill him with the beatings. But Canard seemed to know what he was doing.
He'd hit him just right to cause immense pain, but the injuries were neverlife threatening.
Later on, Nosedive gave up. He would stare at himself in the bathroomwindow after some of the nightly rituals, a blade in his hands. Buthe never followed through. He was too afraid. He was afraid thathis soul was too tainted to rejoin his family.
Instead he chose to live with the abuse. Only crying when the painwas unbearable.
That was his life. . .
. . . now and until the end.
X
Dive sat next to ND, watching him from the corner of his eye.
ND sat still, trapped in the horrors of his past.
"I cried only for pain," he said dully, his voice low. "But not once.. . not once did I actually cry. . . for my family."
His eyes became glassy. "I never. . . I never cried for them." Asmall tear began to fall. "My brother asked for forgiveness. . . " His voice cracked. ". . .and I never gave it to him. . ."
Dive watched helplessly as ND began to shake and cry. "I watched my wholefamily die and I never wept for them!" His words slurred as the tightnessin his throat cut off air.
Dive switched out of his unforgiving battle armor and into street clothes. He reached out and pulled ND into an embrace.
"I miss them!" ND continued to cry. "I miss them, I miss them, I missthem. . . If only. . . if only Canard killed me instead!"
Dive felt tears track down his face as he rocked his other self gently, runninghis hand through ND's hair, the same way Wildwing would do it when Dive wokeup from nightmares.
ND sobbed, for once releasing his pent up grief. His body shook badlyas he clutched at Dive, burying his face and soaking Dive's jacket.
"I want my family back. . . I need them. . . "
They remained like that for a while, the sounds of dripping water andheart-wrenching sobs echoed hauntingly through the tunnels of the sewers.
Soon the cries lessened, but they stayed still.
And sleep soon came upon them, and for a brief moment. . . gave them peace.
X
Dive slowly opened his eyes, a crick in his neck being the first thing hewas aware of. The ache in his back and bottom followed.
He looked around and stiffled a gasp as everything came rushing back fromhis memory.
He was back in Puckworld, but in a different time-line.
In his arms was his double. Or an image of what could have been himhad the Saurians chosen a more sly approach than the direct one they hadin his time. And if Canard was a sleaze rather than a duck bent onvengeance.
ND stirred in his arms.
Dive took the time to look his other half over. ND's eyes had bagsunderneath them, and his hair was stringy. And even though he couldn'tsee them, Dive could feel ND's ribs through his shirt.
The duck was malnourished, and Dive had a feeling that if they stood besideeach other, ND would actually be smaller than him.
He was startled when ND suddenly let out a cry and pushed himself away fromhim. His breathing was erratic and his eyes were wild.
"ND!" shouted Nosedive. "It's just me! Dive!"
ND's breathing slowed down as the scrawny Avian glanced around. "Oh,"he whispered. "We're in the sewers."
Dive slowly nodded, not wanting to make any sudden moves.
ND ran a dirty hand through his hair. "Um, well, I guess we shouldget something to eat."
"From where?" asked Dive. "I got the feeling that not many ducks wanderthrough the streets."
ND shook his head. "It's a mix culture. About a fourth of theAvian populations turned criminal or are too scared to oppose the Saurians. Another fourth are what make up the Resistance. And the remaininghalf are either imprisoned or enslaved." ND touched the back of hishand. "All slaves are branded with custom made branding irons. That's the only way you can tell the difference between slaves andsupposed Saurian supporters."
"How do you keep them from seeing that then?" asked Dive.
ND sighed. "I usually buy food from busy places. It's still arisk. Someone could recognize me. But since they are so busyhandling customers, they really don't pay attention to the faces and thehands."
ND looked upwards towards a small grate that led to the streets. "ButI bet General Canard is out there, looking for me. Probably has otherSaurians joining the search as well."
Dive stared up there.
"Maybe you could go," said ND.
"What?"
"Sure. . . just need to find a hat to cover your head. Won't be asnoticeable. And since you don't have a scar. . . "
Dive slowly nodded. "I suppose," he said. "But the only cashI have on me is American dollars."
ND pulled out a small bundle from his back pocket. "Here's some," hesaid, pulling a few small bills.
Dive narrowed his eyes.
ND looked at him. Then he stared at the floor. "Some Saurianscan be very generous when you do favors."
"What kind of favors?" asked Dive, dreading the answer.
ND shrugged his shoulders. "Come on. This sewer grate leads rightinto a main sidewalk. There's another that leads behind some buildings." ND began to walk away.
Dive sighed, and then followed.
X
Dive pulled the hat low over his head. Over his body was a "borrowed"Saurian trench coat.
ND had almost had a heart attack when he realized that the emblem onhis jacket was too close in appearance to the Resistance logo.
That had made Dive raise an eyebrow. He wanted to ask ND what theResistance logo looked like, but his double was apparently still troubledabout revealing his history the night before.
So now Dive was buying lunch for two at one of the Saurian owned fast foodjoints. True to ND's word, the place was packed. Saurians andducks were lined up inside.
Dive strolled in as if he owned the place, even though his heart was racingat the though of being surrounded by the enemy.
He waited in line, forcing a devilish smirk on his face.
A few minutes later, he approached the counter.
There was a young Saurian female ringing up the orders. She had a sourexpression on her face when she looked up at Dive.
She was one of the gentler species, and despite the scales, Dive was temptedto call her cute. She was a light orange colored Saurian, with a cutelittle horn on her nose, and two more on her crest. Black hair waspulled up to the front in two braids.
"Koko" was inscribed into her name tag. And her eyes held a certainlight in them.
"How may I help you?" she asked, voice dripping with disgust.
"A date?" replied Dive on whim, deciding to play a typical Avian sleaze ball.
Koko frowned. "Sorry pal, you're on your own. Like, make up yourmind or get out of the line."
Dive raised his hands. "I know what I want, but I couldn't help butwonder if you'd be willing to be a delicious side order."
Koko let out a growl as she glared up at him.
"I'll have two number fours, sweety," Dive said, flashing a grin.
Koko narrowed her eyes as she punched in the numbers. She turned andgrabbed his order from the shelves behind her and shoved them into a bag. As she was placing some napkins in, Dive caught a sight of a ring onher finger. While at first it seemed like a simple band, underneathwas a crest or a gem of some sort.
It was as if it had been turned to hide something.
Then he thought back. ND had said something about Saurians siding with theducks. He wondered. . .
Koko practically dropped his order in front of him. "That will be sixcredits and eighteen in change.
Dive grabbed her wrist and he placed the money on the palm of her hand, thetop of the ring now exposed.
The top side of the ring was indeed a crest. . . with a very familiar lookingemblem.
Koko pulled her hand away, closing it into a fist, her rude attitude suddenlybecoming alarmed.
Dive leaned towards her and said softly. . . "Nice ring." He grabbedhis order and walked out the door, remembering to pull the hat down overhis head.
X
Dive chewed on his sandwich, surprised that it didn't taste too bad. Helooked at his twin in a thoughtful manner.
ND was nibbling at his food.
It was as if he were trying to make it last. That, or he had eatenso little during his enslavement to Canard that he wasn't use to eating afull meal.
Nosedive glanced at his sandwich, suddenly not hungry anymore. It wasa wonder that ND survived this long. ND had said he was afraid to die,but to stay alive. . . that in its own was courageous.
Dive continued to watch ND.
ND stopped halfway and wrapped up the sandwich. He stuffed it intohis pocket.
Dive did the same, realizing that living on the streets, throwing away uneatenfood was a huge waste.
"Where to?" he asked.
ND shrugged. "I want to keep moving west. I hear the Resistanceis stationed somewhere out there. I lost contact with them such a longtime ago. . ."
Dive nodded as he moved to stand next to ND.
ND sighed. "I just don't know what to do anymore. Live day byday. . . hoping that. . . I don't know. Something happens. Dragaunusdies, or some other species comes to save us."
Dive looked away, feeling guilty.
He knew he couldn't do anything, but still. . .
ND led such a rotten life while he had led. . . well. . . one that was aheck of a lot better and peaceful.
A scuffling sound to their right caught their attention.
ND froze as a Saurian figure holding a blaster stood in the shadows.
"Run," he whispered.
Both ducks began to run as the figure behind them darted further into theshadows.
Dive grabbed his puck blaster and he turned around to shoot. The Saurianwas gone, but he caught a glimpse of fleeting figures above and around him.
"They're surrounding us," he said, grabbing ND's hand.
The frail duck was slowing down, and Dive knew he had to push him to keepgoing.
Dive turned and fired two shots.
Several lasers fired in return.
ND dropped into a ball, hands over his head.
Dive reached down and yanked him up.
"I can't. . . " ND whispered hoarsely.
"Don't give up now, dude," Dive replied, harshly.
He let out a cry as something hit him in the side. His whole left sidewent numb as he stumbled, falling on top of ND.
ND pushed him up into a sitting position.
Both young ducks looked up at their attackers.
Two Saurians approached.
One was the female from the fast food joint. The other was a female withdull silvery skin and yellow snake -like eyes. Two long horns protrudedfrom the top of her head. Long black hair flowed down her back. Sheraised a puck blaster as the second one remained in her shadow.
"Who are you?" she asked, her voice promising death if she didn't like theanswer.
"Nosedive," Dive said without a second thought.
"You lie," replied the Saurian. She fired.
Everything went black.
X
The first thing he was aware of, his body was intact.
Unfortunately, every inch of him hurt.
The second thing was that he was lying on his back on a flat cold surface.
Dive groaned as he tried to push himself up into a sitting position.
A scuffling sound caught his attention. "Ah, you're awake," said amale voice. "Just wait a few moments and the after effects of the stunblast will fade away."
"Thanks," Dive grunted, letting himself plop back down. He reachedup for his eyes and felt cloth.
"I suggest you don't take that off," continued the male, sounding good natured. "The stun blast makes all your nerves sensitive, including eye sight. You wouldn't be able to look at a candle without getting a massiveheadache. It's all quite interesting. . . um. . . when you are noton the receiving end."
The sound of heels caught his attention.
"Is he awake?" asked a familiar cold voice.
"Yes he is," replied the male.
Dive could almost feel the Saurian move next to him. "Keep your eyesshut unless you want to remain blind," she said.
Dive did as he was told, although his body ached as his muscles tensed.
He felt cool hands remove the cloth from his eyes. A moment later,he felt her placing something that felt like glasses on his face.
"You may open them now," she said, her voice neutral.
Dive carefully opened his eyes to find out that the glasses were sunshades.
The Saurian was standing above him, staring down at him.
The male turned out to be a fellow duck. His hair was a dark blue, pushedback. Judging from the coat he wore, Dive figured him to be a doctor.
"ND has spoken highly of you," the Saurian said.
Dive glared. "Where is he?" he asked, hating his helpless position.
"He is safe," the Saurian said. "My name is Firepassion Nightbloom. Allies call me Nightbloom. I would shake your hand, but my stunblast really knocked your senses out of kilter. Forgive me."
Dive stared at her as if another head had grown from her neck. Thenhe spotted the logo on the upper left side of her purple armor. Itwas an upside down triangle with swords crossing in the middle.
"You're from the Resistance," he said, his voice in awe.
Nightbloom gave him a faint smile. "As you are, from your reality. We wish to thank you for helping ND, and bringing him to us."
"Huh?"
"Had Koko not alarmed me to the fact that you saw her ring, I wouldn't havecome looking for you with the intent to kill. And we would not havespotted our Nosedive with you."
"Um, no problem." Dive hissed as he felt his skin tingling.
The duck stepped forward. "That will pass in a couple of seconds,"he said. "Oh, I'm Dr. Beacon. Forgive me for not introducingmyself, but there, you see, it's gone."
Dive sat up, mentally assessing his body. Everything looked fine andeverything stopped hurting. He slowly turned to sit on the table hewas on.
Then he realized what Nightbloom had said. "Koko?" He mentallywinced at the hopefulness that had come out of his beak.
This time Nightbloom smirked. "Yes. Koko. She's dying tofind out more about you. These kinds of things interest her."
X
Koko and Dive were sitting side by side in the mess hall. Koko waseating peacefully, her eyebrows twitching giving the only indication thatshe was listening to Dive. ND was across from them, hunched over, asif trying to make himself small. Dive occasionally shot him a sympatheticlook.
From across the hall, Nightbloom and Dr. Beacon stood watch.
Dr. Beacon glanced at Nightbloom.
"Do you think that it's fair to ask him to join our battle?"
Nightbloom looked at him. "No. He strikes me as having a nobleheart, always willing to do the right thing. Taking advantage of thatis unfair, but necessary. That young male is a blessing that may giveus the edge we need to bring down Dragaunus."
"But to set him up against General Canard. . . what if he's not ready todeal with such perversion? And what about Iron Wing?"
"I have faith in the hatchling. Right now, he will be our only advantageto catching Canard off guard. As for Iron Wing. . . I will deal withhim."
"But then your involvement with the Resistance will be exposed. You'llbe killed!"
"That is a sacrifice we all must make."
X
General Canard pulled back as a light lavender claw smacked him against theface. . . hard.
"Find yourself a new boy toy if you want it rough," snarled a female voice.
Bed springs creaked and Canard was left alone in a rumpled bed.
"Aw, Lady Malice, forgive me," Canard said in an apologetic voice.
Before him stood a Saurian, sliding into a slim black dress. Blackhair tied in a loose ponytail covered her back. Her crest gave animpression of a crown.
"Don't you use that tone on me," she said, holding her head up. Sheturned to look at him, one claw holding up the front part of her dress. "Iprefer it nice and slow rather than a quick hard fuck. After all, Iam a lady."
Canard grunted as he reached for his jeans. He yanked them up in anangry motion.
"Buy another slave, for crying out loud," continued Malice. She walkedover to a mirror and kept looking at Canard through the reflection. "Amale one."
Canard snorted. "I don't want a male slave. . ."
Malice turned around, her eyes filled with fury. "If you buy a femaleslave, so help me Saurian ancestors. . . I will tear your guts out and eatthem raw."
Canard raised an eyebrow. "Jealous, petite?"
Lady Malice pouted, her eyes looking down. "You are an Avian male,"she said in a sullen voice. "It's normal for you to be attractedto female Ducks. What if one of them turns your heart, and turns youagainst the Empire? And me?"
Canard let out a lustful chuckle. "No need to worry, Lady. Youwill always be the one and only for me to hold and ravish."
Lady Malice shot him a look. "And your escaped slave?" she added,resentfully.
Canard shrugged. "It pleases me to be able to humiliate and violatethe memories of Stride's family years after his death. And believing thatWildwing's soul is watching, unable to do a thing to save his brother."
Lady Malice chuckled. "So it is just an obsession with the family. For a while you had me worried. I was wondering if you were usingme to just appear like a normal hormonal ridden male while enjoying maleson the side."
Canard made a face. "Not a chance. I only like watching Nosedivewrithe in pain. And I will make sure he feels plenty of it when I capturehim. He will regret ever escaping."
"So are you going to bring him to me when you catch him? Surely he hasn'texperienced a female touch yet."
Canard laughed harshly. "Careful, love. Now I might feel a bitjealous."
Lady Malice smiled as she turned her back on him. "Be a doll and zipup my dress."
Canard moved towards her. He pushed her hair out of the way and graspedthe zipper , slowly pulling it up as he kissed her skin before covering it.
Lady Malice giggled.
She sighed as Canard ran his hands across her breasts and stomach as he restedhis chin against her shoulder.
"Iron Wing hasn't had much fun recently, and I was thinking he might enjoyhelping you punish your slave," she said. "And if you are willing toshare. . . allow him to find some relief. After all, for someone hissize, it's hard to find a compatible body to bed. I'm sure he's nottoo picky about partners at this point."
Canard kept quiet for a few moments. Then a malicious gleam sparkledin his eyes. "Iron Wing has been known to inflict enough pain to wringconfessions out of traitors. And I think I like the idea of tradingDive off. Yes. . . I think I'd like that. It would be a nicesource of income." He turned Lady Malice towards him.
Lady Malice laughed. "And I will be there to soothe some of his painseach time."
"And inflict new ones," added Canard, his voice growing husky.
"Does that thought turn you on?" Lady Malice asked, claws gently scratchingCanard's chest.
Canard just stared at her, hands gripping her hips.
With one quick movement, he lifted her up and onto the bed behind her.
Lady Malice let out a squeal of surprise.
Canard shoved her dress upwards, exposing her to his hardening cock thathe freed from his pants. In one hard thrust, he entered her, delightingin her moans of pleasure.
X
Lady Malice stood in front of a tall and well built Avian. He stoodin the shadows, his metal arm gleaming from the little light.
"My dear Canard wants his slave back," she said. "He told me he'd allowfor you to play with him in any way you desire if you help look for him."
The shadowed figure nodded.
Lady Malice chuckled. "Just don't sample him before Canard and I teachhim a lesson. Young Nosedive must pay for escaping. And for puttingmy sweetheart in such a foul mood."
X
A red Saurian male glared at the screen before him.
"Lord Dragaunus?" a male duck called out. "You requested my presence?"
Dragaunus whirled around to face him. "Why haven't you found the sourceof that anomaly yet?" he roared.
The male looked as if he was withering. "Um, well, you see. . . um.. . we figured it out to be a portal of some sort, but whatever came throughwas alive and quickly left the scene."
"So why hasn't it been found?"
"I. . ."
A beeping sound caught their attention.
The screen flared to live, showing a red dot on an electronic map.
"There it is again," pointed Dragaunus. "Gather a team and find outwhat it is now!"
The male duck nodded and fled the scene.
Dragaunus glared at the monitor, eyes narrowing.
X
ND and Dive glanced at each other as Nightbloom and a few other high rankingResistance leaders dashed into one room.
Curiosity got the better of Dive as he stood up to see what all the commotionwas about.
As he entered the room, Nightbloom was already barking some orders. "Redteam, approach from the east. Black team, the north. Gold, fromthe south west. Approach with caution. Dragaunus will surelyhave noticed this as well."
"What's going on?" asked Dive. ND approached from behind.
Nightbloom looked at them. "Don't worry about it. This alarmmight not be anything. However, I do wish to speak to you over a certainmatter."
Dive noticed Dr. Beacon flinching and turning away.
"What's wrong with Doc Beac?" asked ND.
"He's against what I'm about to ask you."
"Which is. . ?" asked Dive, suspiciously.
"We want you to help us. I need you to help us. With your help,I believe we can take Dragaunus down."
Dive looked at the floor, lost in thought. It was odd, being askedto help, instead of rejected like his time line's Canard had done the firsttime around.
He looked at ND, quietly taking in the haggard appearance his other selfhad. The baggy eyes, the haunted look, a broken look. He suffereda great deal, from what he had heard. How many others suffered thesame thing?
Dive looked at Nightbloom. "I'll do whatever it takes," he said.
Nightbloom smiled.
X
Zane Freefall lowered his night vision goggles. Light blue eyes narrowedas brown hair fell across his tan face.
"See anything?" asked a fellow Avian. Zane glanced at the hawk next to him.
"Nada," he replied. "Whatever it was, it's gone. Saurians haven'tfound anything, either, from the looks of it."
"Well, that's good. Do you think it could be the same thing that broughtover ND's twin?"
Zane slowly nodded. "Maybe. But just what came through? Waitup... " Zane pulled up the night vision goggles again.
He could spot General Siege pointing at something on the ground. Hezoomed his lenses and spotted what the fat Saurian was looking at.
There on the ground, next to an unevenly placed sewer grate, were severalfoot prints. And recent ones at that, being that they were still wet.
"Something definitely came out of there," said Zane.
"What was it?"
"I don't know. But I'm sure we'll find out soon enough."
X
Water sloshed against the sides of the sewer gutters as a pair of hands helda small device. On it was a small red blip that lay in the westerndirection.
"He's here."
X
"Dive, you don't have to do this," pleaded ND, looking as if he were readyto cry.
"Of course I do, bud," responded Dive, throwing ND's shirt over himself. "How do I look?"
"Nothing like me," ND responded, glumly.
Dive looked at him strangely.
"He's right, you know," said Dr. Beacon. "This mission is already afailure. Dive doesn't have the scar, he doesn't have to look.General Canard is going to realize something is up the minute he seeshim. And those shoes look too new."
"Hey, the shoes are staying if I have to make a quick get away," Dive said.
"But if General Canard sees them..."
"Street people are always stealing or selling favors," interjected Nightbloom,in her cold leader voice. "General Canard will only be focused on makingND pay. How well are you at acting, Dive?"
"Um, I think I can manage, under pressure as a means of motivation," Divereplied, looking nervous.
"You'd better if you wish to survive."
"That's . . . good motivation."
ND clearly opposed the mission.
"What if Canard captures you or something? What if he captures me?"
"You don't have to go," said Dive.
"But I know where those charts would be hidden," ND responded, his voicethreatening to crack. "If you go, I have no choice but to go."
"Then go and avenge your family," added Nightbloom.
ND froze with a small whimper.
Dive shot Nightbloom a look. She was a strange being, and he had afeeling she had multiple personalities. There were times when she acted kindly,and then reverted to a hardened leader.
"I'm scared. . ." ND whispered. "I don't know if I can."
Nightbloom continued to stare at him. "We will be there."
ND sighed and nodded. "I know..."
Dive took a deep breath. "All right. Let's break in and steal thoseblueprints."
X
Dive wondered if the trip to this alternate reality fried a few of hisbrain cells.
With a painful twinge in his heart, he realized that that comment would havecome from either his brother or Mallory. And Duke or Tanya would have addedsomething along the lines of not having enough as it was.
But Wildwing wasn't here, and neither were the others. He was flyingsolo this time, with aliens he barely knew being his reinforcements.
Dive took a deep breath as he saw, for the first time, General Canard's house. It looked pretty nice from the outside, but then again, all loyalmembers of Dragaunus lived it up nicely. Inside was suppose to be nicelooking too, but what went on in there...
Dive dashed towards the house. He stopped at the front door and slowlyput his hand against the hand print lock.
It worked. The door clicked open and Dive walked in. He tuggedon the glove on his hand, the one that would have covered the mark, if hehad it.
Walk in, distract, get out, walk in, distract, get out, he kept repeatingto himself in his mind.
He heard a noise from upstairs and felt a chill run up his back. GeneralCanard was home. And he was upstairs. Just where ND needed togo.
Dive slowly made his way further into the house, peering up the stairs. Hecouldn't see Canard from where he was. He crept a bit further, hisheart pounding against his chest. And then he was in the kitchen.
Dive nearly had a heart attack when he saw another blonde duck. Hethen realized it was his reflection.
Dive caught a glimpse of how he looked. He was almost an exact replicaof ND. This mission had him scared out of his wits, so the nervouslook was down pact.
The gel they ran through his hair made it look greasy, as if he hadn't takena shower.
The only thing off was that he still looked somewhat healthy. He seriouslyhoped that Canard wouldn't notice it right away.
Dive opened the refrigerator. Part of the plan was to make it appearas if ND had made his way back to steal some food. The other part wasthe fight Canard off after ND escaped with the plans.
Dive gritted his teeth.
He still had a hard time believing that there were ducks vile enough to betraytheir own race. And having Canard being on the enemy's side... well,it was weird. And eerie with the fact that Canard was so well trustedthat he had the most recent blueprints of Dragaunus's new fortress.
Apparently, Canard was in charge of security.
Dive snorted as he thought about the irony.
Mister Hot Shot with security and his own house wasn't even fortified.
Dive closed the refrigerator, one arm holding a bunch of food. He turnedand stopped.
Canard was standing right in front of him.
X
ND froze.
He spotted Canard when he was coming down the stairs.
He so desperately wanted to warn Dive somehow to be prepared.
He felt his heart in his throat when it looked like Dive had spaced out atthe fridge. He had been so attentive at first.
ND approached the open door as Canard stood next to the fridge, watchingDive silently.
ND knew that a silent Canard was a deadly Canard.
But he had to get those blue prints and fast. Then Dive could run forit.
ND crept into the house and towards the stairs.
Dive still hadn't realized that he was being watched.
ND held back a whimper and ducked behind the wall. He climbed the stairsas fast as he could without making a sound.
X
Dive realized why Canard was so feared in the second it took to realize whowas standing next to him.
Canard's eyes held nothing but a cold fire that promised death.
"So..." he said, in a calm yet deadly voice. "My little slave cameback."
Dive backpedalled, dropping the food.
"C...Canard!" he stuttered, the fear in his voice not faked at all.
Canard moved forward.
Dive felt the wall against his back.
"Now why did you do a stupid thing like run away from me?" Canard asked,gently gripping Dive by the chin, tilting his head up.
Dive shut his eyes, his breathing speeding up. Guess Nightbloom was rightabout focusing just on me.
He felt the hand leave.
Dive cracked one eye open in time to see a fist swinging his way.
He let out a yelp and let himself drop.
Canard's fist landed on the wall with a loud slam.
"Shit!" he shouted, pulling his fist against his stomach.
Dive glanced up and saw the dent in the wall.
He felt two hands grab him by the color of his shirt.
He was picked up and slammed up against the wall.
Dive raised his hands over his face, both out of fear and acting.
What he really wanted to do was try and fight back.
But one, he didn't know this Canard's fighting techniques, and two, he wassuppose to be ND. Ducking was something ND wouldn't have done, causeCanard was really pissed now.
"You little mother fucker!" he shouted.
Nosedive saw stars as his head bounced against the wall.
A part of his mind registered that a hand was tugging at his waist band.
"I'll teach you to run away. After we're through, you won't be ableto move! You'll be fucking bleeding all over the floor, you littlepiece of shit!"
Dive grasped Canard's wrists as he croaked out a weak "No."
It seemed to fuel Canard.
All the air left Dive's lungs as a fist made its way into his stomach.
Dive collapsed to the floor, trying to inhale enough air to gain his energy.
X
ND heard the sounds of fighting.
He frantically rifled through Canard's desk.
Dive was working with limited time.
ND felt a panic attack coming on. "Not now, not now, not now," he whisperedto himself as he opened another drawer.
There on the top was a folder, unlabeled but filled with a large stack ofpapers. With a shaky hand, he opened it. Inside were severaldiagrams of wiring and blue prints of several floors of a castle. NDthought his heart would stop.
"This is it," he said to himself. He shoved the folder into the waistbandof his pants. He quickly ran out of the room and down the stairs.
At the bottom, ND glanced towards the kitchen area and froze.
Canard had straddled Dive and looked up to see ND standing there.
Their eyes met.
X
Dive grunted when he had felt Canard kick him in the ribs. He triedto fight back but he was still struggling to draw in enough air.
A pair of hands grabbed him by the back of his shirt and yanked him up. Amoment later, his back connected with the wall with a resounding crack.
Canard and everything else split into two.
Dive let out a groan as he slumped to the floor, unable to get his bearings.
He felt Canard push him forward onto his stomach.
His mind screamed for him to get up when he felt the pair of hands returnto tug at his waist band. Get up! Get up now! he was shoutingto himself, while weakly struggling.
Then the thundering sounds of rushing footsteps on stairs pulled him outof his daze.
His eyes snapped open at the same time that Canard froze on top of him.
In the doorway of the kitchen stood ND, looking like a deer in the headlights.
"You!" exclaimed Canard, his grip loosening in shock. "Then who?" heasked in bewilderment, looking down at the body underneath him.
"Your worst nightmare," grunted Dive, taking the opportunity to buckCanard off.
"Run, ND!" he shouted, scrambling up to his feet. "Run now!"
ND sprung to life and ran for the door as Dive whirled on Canard and threwa punch.
His fist connected with Canard's jaw and he sent him flying back to the floor.
He turned around and ran.
No sooner than he had stepped out of the mansion, alarms began to sound atevery corner. He glanced behind him and saw that Canard was rushingtowards him.
Dive slammed the door shut and leapt forward, catching ND by the shoulderand pushing him forward. "Run, just run. I'll be the decoy!"
ND ran off in one direction as Dive waited for a moment.
The door swung open and Dive waited long enough to make sure that Canardspotted him. He then ran the opposite way that ND had run, dashinginto the nearest alley and racing through the maze in the back of each buildingsand housing complexes.
Dive could hear Canard behind him, and he could hear the sounds of sirens.
Dive slid to the floor and under a wooden gate that was broken underneath.
He hissed when he felt the jagged edges catch his shoulder, tearing intothe shirt that covered his arms.
"What I wouldn't give for my armor," he muttered to himself. He leapt upand banked a right, heading back out into the streets.
A cruiser that resembled the police officers back home blocked his path. Two Saurians stepped out.
Dive looked up and saw a fire escape ladder just a few inches above him. He leapt up and caught hold of it, and began to climb as the Sauriansfired several rounds at him.
He could feel the heat of the lasers as they passed right by him.
"Don't kill him!" he heard Canard shout. "I want that bugger alive!!"
Dive panted for breath as he neared the top. Looking down he couldsee that Canard and the Saurians were starting to climb up after him.
"Time to ditch these guys for good," Dive said, leaping to the top of thebuilding. He ran from the edge, stopped, and turned around.
He activated his jet powered roller blades, glad that he at least kept thispart of his armor with him.
He shot towards the edge and then jumped at the last possible moment.
Canard let out a shout of surprise as Dive flew over towards the next building.
Dive repeated what he was doing for a couple more buildings before rushingdown the fire escape ladders.
He reached the bottom and activated the skates again, moving farther andfarther away from his pursuers.
He began to circle around, hitting sections that he hadn't gone through before.
His eyes kept a careful watch for friend or foe.
He arrived at a sewer grate, one that had been pointed out as his escaperoute.
Dive lifted the cover and jumped in, letting the grate fall back into place.
He waited a few moments, letting his eyes adjust to the darkness, and catchinghis breath.
He took a step forward and collided into something firm.
A light flared and Dive felt his stomach drop. "Canard..." he murmured, asa hand grabbed him by the upper arm.

tbc...
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Alternate Lives