Every thing swum stars bursting in front of her eyes. Bright,
brilliant flashes of lights blind her, making her sick. She could
fell her strength draining from her, then
Skygem sat upright in her bed, washed in cold sweat, her sheets
on the floor. She held her head in her hands. <Why are they
coming back? My dreams stopped years ago. Why are they coming
back now? >
She got up and walked into the living room of the cabin that
she lived in with her teacher, Juniper Nightwind. "My, aren't
you the morning bird?" Skygem looked up at the taller woman.
"Mum." Was her only comment.
"Is it those dreams again?" Skygem looked at Juniper,
"What?"
Juniper gazed out the window. "You're having those dreams
again, aren't you?"
Skygem frowned. "Yes, I am." She went over and
sat by Juniper's feet, and looked up, her face filled with questions,
"Why? Why are they coming back? And
.." she paused,
"I can feel her presence again. It was with me this morning."
Skygem's emerald green eyes saddened. "She died years ago."
"I don't know." Juniper shook her head. "The
only thing we can do is wait." She gazed out the window
again, "I know I can feel a presence, but, I don't know,
that was so many years ago, and." She whispered softy, then
broke off.
"We're in range of Puckworld Lord Dragonvas."
Dragonvas looked down at Siege (Sabe: Hey, wait'd a minute,
show of hands, who has this totally memorized? Humm, I thought
so, I'll just skip ahead.)
Okay a week later, there was very little resistance against
the Smarins. Butt, there was some.
Skygem walked sighlently through the hallways; not making
a sound that might alert the Smarin guards. She was on a mission
of her own, to free Juniper. <Why in the world did she get
caught!? She could've used her magic to get free or something!>
She angrily thought.
She stopped at the next door, leisting to hear if anyone was
coming. She slipped in and grabbed some keys from a desk. Then
she slipped out of the room and headed down to the prison cells.
Juniper wasn't there. Skygem stared in shock at the empty
cell<They took her away. Now she's gone.> she thought as
she stared at it.
"Hey, if yar lookin' for dat lady who was in there yesterday,
'hey took her away." Skygem whipped around to face another
girl, about a year older than her own 18 years. "Who are
you?!"
The girl shrugged, "Sabe, Sabe DeVaine." Almost
imdentitly Skygem had her blaster to the girl's throat. Sabe
didn't budged, just raised an eyebrow. "Humm, guess ya've
heard of moi."
Skygem glared, "Who hasn't, Sabe DeVaine, the bounty huntress
who works for those Smarins scum!"
Almost as soon as Skygem had said these words, the blaster was
yanked out of her hand by a blue whip, which Sabe held. The girl's
blue eyes blazed. "ME! Work for THEM!" She roared.
Skygem winced, "Well, for starters, ya could shut up! You'll
get all the guards on our backs in seconds!"
Sabe was quite. "Fine."
Skygem nodded, then started out, "Hey, where are ya goin'?!"
Sabe demanded.
Skygem shrugged, "I'm out of here. Nothing more I can
do." Sabe whipped her around, "Actually, there IS something
ya can do. Somethin' I can do too." Skygem thought she
detected a trace of sadness in the bounty huntress' voice. "What?"
"The Ressinece." Skygem raised an eyebrow. "Yeah,
right, buttttttt, just about every tom fool is goin' to be there
wantin' glory and the chance of bein' hailed as a hero."
Sabe shrugged, "Yeah, but so will the people who'll make
a difference." Skygem thought about that, then smiled, "Well,
for Rowan's sake, I'll go with you." She held out her hand,
Sabe looked at her, then shook it.
"Captain, there's some new recruits to see you." Canard shifted in his chair. "All right, send them in." The young solider nodded and walked out.
"You may go in now ladies." Skygem batted her
eyes at the young solider, "why thank you." Sabe rolled
her eyes then pulled Skygem by the arm into the office.
A young, about 24, male duck was sitting behind the desk. He
studied them. They both had pitch black feathers, but the one
with the shappire blue eyes was taller and had a different air
to her. The other short female duck was very pretty, in fact,
striking was the word. Her wavy black hair was pulled back into
a tight high long ponytail with wisps of bangs coming out. Her
almond eyes were the color of an emerald, and had depth to them.
In fact, he thought as he looked at both of them, they both
looked like they knew how to fight and could. <But that doesn't
mean they can> he reminded himself. "Well, what are your
names?" He asked.
The short duck spoke up sooner than the other, "Skygem,
er, DeVaine." Sabe looked at Skygem in masked surprise,
and then caught on as Skygem gave her a hidden wink. Sabe shrugged,
"Da name's Sabe DeVaine. And please don't go jumpin' out
off yar seat ta alert da guards. It gets old." She commented
as she saw the male duck's mucales tense then relax. "DeVaine.
Hummm." He looked at Skygem, then Sabe, "Is she any
relation to you?"
"Little sister." Sabe lied. He nodded. "I
see." He got up. "My name is Canard Thunderbeak, and
I'm the leader around here. Now, just because of this whole name
whopedy doodad, doesn't mean yar in." He glared at them;
"I don't want any glory seekers in here, and no one who
can't take care of themselves." Sabe had a bored look on
her face, he got the feeling some time, and some where, she'd
heard all of this before. "I'm going to take you to the
gym, and we'll see if you live up to the requirements."
Skygem nodded and followed him along with Sabe to the gym.
There she was surprised. It was a huge place, full of people
training and more. "Whoaa!" Was her comment. Sabe
shrugged, "Eh, ya seen one trainin' grounds, ya seen dem
all." Canard glanced at this black feather female. <Is
this the wise thing to do, letting a bounty huntress in? Well,
we'll soon see just how good she is.> he thought.
"For starters, can any of you climb a rock wall?"
He asked. Skygem looked up with a trace of a smile. Sabe had
a kindda DUH! look on her face. Canard smiled. "Well go
to it ladies, oh, and you can't use any equipment."
Skygem walked up to the fake rock wall and in five seconds
was at the top. Even Sabe was admazed at the speed and skill
this short girl showed. "Your turn, "but before Canard
had gotten the words out of his mouth, Sabe was waiting at the
top with Skygem. He shrugged, "Okay, next can you handle
a weapon?" Sabe burst out laughing. "Whaa hooohoohooo!
Dat's a good one!" She laughed, slapping him on the back.
He winced. This girl was stronger than she looked. Skygem
had another trace of a smile, then bowed her head, letting a lock
of raven black hair sweep away from an emerald green headband,
which had an emerald in the middle. Canard noticed small flickers
of green fire coming from her long slender fingers. She smiled
lightly, "Well, you could put it that way."
He raised an eyebrow; "You're a Talent?"
Skygem looked up at him in surprise, "Yes, the green Talent."
She answered with puzzlement in her voice.
Sabe looked at both of them, "K, now what's next?"
She interrupted.
Canard shook his head, "Well, ladies
"
Skygem held up a hand, "Please, call me Sky." She
answered. He nodded, "Ok, Sky, Sabe, Welcome to the Resistance."
"We made it?" Sky had a slightly admzed looked on
her beautiful face. Canard smiled, "Yes, you did."
Skygem was in her quarters; she'd just gotten back from
a hard spy mission and was pooped. And she'd just reported to
Canard, so she was free for the rest of the day. She sighed and
fell back onto her bed, resting her tried mucauls. Suddenly there
was a bright flash of light and her head split open, sparks flashing
in front of her emerald green eyes, she moaned. The lights moved
faster and faster, making her aching head dizzier. Stars danced
in front of her eyes, then strong arms warped around her, holding
her in one place. Slowly the world stopped spinning, the lights
fading.
Then she was aware of the rest of the world, "Hey, Sky,
its okay, everythings fine, don't worry." Slowly Sky's mucauls
relaxed and she just closed her eyes, feeling safe for the moment
in the strong arms that rocked her back and fort, softly talking
to her.
A moment later Skygem looked up into the warm brown eyes, "Thanks,
I needed that." She murmured. Canard looked down at her
and frowned, "What happened?" He asked.
She shook her head, "just an old, er, dream," She
stammered, not wanting to reveal her past. She didn't feel like
having everyone know that her whole family was gone, that she
was the enemy of Nastinya <But Nastinya's gone now, or that's
what Juniper said> She thought, then noticed Canard looking
down at her.
She looked back at him, not flickering an eyelash. Canard sighed
and got up. "I came to ask you of a favor." Skygem
nodded. "Yeah?"
"We need a strike team, composed of people who know how
to fight, and will fight. I'm going to take out Dragovas' fortress."
Sky looked up at him with worry framing her emerald green eyes,
"But you'll need help finding the fortress when it's invisible!"
"I know." Canard lowered his head. Sky was busy
thinking, <I've got to, if I don't spill the beans, we might
.>
"Canard?"
The tan feathered duck looked at her. "Yes Sky?"
She sifted, suddenly uncomftereble, "I well, um, er I
kindda, welll"
"Yes?"
"I know how you can do it, get rid of Dragonvas, I mean."
Interest sparked in his eyes, "Really? How?" He
asked eagerly.
Skygem took a deep breath, "My real name is not DeVaine."
He looked at her in puzzlement, "My real, full name is Skygem
Silvermoon Moondance
. DeCaine."
Canard reeled back in shook. "DeCaine?! But I thought
all the DeCaines died, disappeared centuries ago!"
"They did. My father, my mother, my brother, my little
twin sister, Kit, they all died or disappeared." Sadness
lined her Boston accented voice. Then she snapped out of it, "But
I know, before my dad, died, I know where he hid the Mask."
His eyes when even wider open, "The Mask?!"
Sky nodded, "Yes, the Mask."
"Where?!" Skygem looked up at him, "Well, it's
in a cave in the mountains they now call Twin Beaks
."
Sabe paced in her room. She couldn't shake this feeling
of guilt. Sabe sighed and sat on her bed. <I like that girl
Skygem. She's a good, honest person
.. Everything I'm not.>
She stood up; it was time for her to make her report. But
before she left, she couldn't stop that feeling of over whemling
guilt. <Come on girl, yar a bounty huntress, yar not suppose
ta feel guilt!>
Canard looked up at the mountains. "I think I can
take it from here Sky." She glared at him.
"Not really. The Samarins have a prison camp at the
base of the mountains. Me and Sabe are the only ones who know
everything about it." Canard sighed, "Fine, but you
do what I tell you. Got that?!" Skygem nodded.
Softly and quietly they crept past the prison camp, but
not before the prisoners were brought in. Skygem gasped. "That's
horrible." She whispered.
Canard shrugged, "Humm." But Sky thought she detected
a trace of sadness in his voice. "My best friend and his
little brother are down there."
Skygem's eyes misted over as she thought of her own family,
all gone now. Suddenly her and Canard's heads turned at the commotion
down in the camp. The Smarins guards were beat a young boy, in
fact, not much younger than Skygem. Her eyes blazed and her hand
moved to the black handled green whip that hung at her side. "No."
Canard strayed her arm, then gasped as he saw who it was.
"What?" Skygem asked as she turned around.
"Nothing." He answered, still looking down.
Skygem's eyes narrowed in anger, she'd seen all of this before.
Canard turned around and she was gone. Then he noticed a black
cloaked figure storm over and threw the Smarin guard to the ground,
using an emerald green whip. The figure took a long look at the
kid and pressed something into his hand, "Here, kid take
this! If yar ever in trouble rub it hard!" Then she disappeared,
and Skygem was next to Canard again.
He looked at her, "You know you probably saved his life?"
She shrugged; he looked down again, "That was my best friend's
kid brother."
Skygem looked down and frowned lightly. "I think he's
of DeCaine blood." She whispered softly. Canard looked
sharply at her, "What?!"
She shook her head, "Nothing."
Sabe glanced coldly at the Smarin guard, "Ya want da
password, I'll give ya da password!" She growled as she
held a blood red saber to his throat. "Er, no, go ahead,
none needed!"
She nodded and put away her saber. "That's what'd I thought."
She walked in to the compound, past the prisoners to the central
command.
But as she did, she couldn't help but see the prisoners. <Poor
souls.> her shappire blue eyes showed no emotion as she looked
at them, but she felt it, <No one should have to go through
that, no one.> was her thought, then she shook it off, <NO!
I can't do that, mustn't think that. I've got to keep my cool,
it's the only way.> The former leader of ICE brushed off.
She marched up to the five Smaurins that were lying around.
"Hey, Halt!" One, a blue male Smaurin hissed at her.
Sabe glanced, "I'm on orders from Dragonas himself. Now
ya wouldn't want ta make him mad would ya?" she answered
vemiomsly.
He gulped and let her past, "Ahh, yes, very well then."
Sabe had gone about five feet when instinct made her whip around,
saber and whip in hand. What she saw mad her eyes turn ice cold
blue.
The Smaurin had been angry when that female had beaten him
so easily; he lashed out at the first person he saw. And that
person was a young (About six) year old boy.
Sabe growled low in her throat, the worst possible sign of anger
with her, and lunged at the guard, plunging her blood red saber
into him.
Her whip cracked and the other one fell to his feet, taking
another one down with him. Sabe twirled, slashing the one that
was sneaking up behind her, then leaping up and over the last
one, her whip jerking him to his knees. She looked at him; her
sword poised, then lowered it. <No, I can not do it, not in
cold blood.> That disirbed her deeply, <What's goin' on?!
I should do it! Think of all the misery and pain he's caused
to others! I've killed before in cold blood, I can do it again.>
She held her saber at the smaurin's throat, her eyes blazing
a hole through him. Then she sighed and whacked him with the
flat of the blade, knocking him out.
Then for the first time she noticed the kid. He was short,
thin and ragged. His sandy blond hair was tussled; his big, baby
blue eyes wide open at what had just happened. <Guards! There'll
be more coming!> Suddenly she remembered.
"'K, kid, ya got a choice, ya can come with mah and maybe
get killed, or ya can stay here and most likely get killed, which
one do ya take?" He looked up her and put his hand in hers.
Sabe was shocked. No one had ever done that. Kids had always
steered clear of her, but this child here was holding her hand,
his blue eyes trusting.
She nodded, "Okay, kid, just follow me." She took
off running to the wall, but as she ran, the faces off those poor
souls tugged at her. <I'll come back, I promise!> she
vowed in her mind.
They skidded to a halt in front off the wall the surrounded
the prison compound. Sabe pulled out a thin line of rope, twirled
and threw it, catching it on the top of the wall.
She tugged a couple of times to make sure, then turned to the
kid. "To get up this, I need my hands free. So I'll give
ya a piggy-back up, 'k?" He nodded, climbing up on her back,
thin arms wrapped around her neck. Sabe pulled her self up, her
slender strong arms pulling her whole weight up the 50-foot wall.
At the top the kid slid off, Sabe turned to him, then to the
commotion below. The other guards had arrived. She sighed and
motioned for the kid to climb back on her back for the trip down
the wall.
About five min. later, they were out off range of the compound,
safe or the moment. She dipped her face into the small sream
that ran through the grove of woods they were in, refreshing her.
Then she looked at the small kid. She sat down next to him,
"Hey, kid, what's yar name?" She asked as nicely and
unfrighting as she could.
"Nightwinger." He answered. Sabe nodded and stuck
out her hand, "Nice ta meet ya Nightwinger. I'm Sabe DeVaine."
He formally shook her hand.
She looked around, "Well, Nightwinger, we're a ways away
from my base, do ya think ya can make it that far?" He nodded.
With that Sabe and Nightwinger started out.
Canard stared at the golden mask he held in his hands.
The Mask. The leagedry mask of Drake DeCaine. "Yo, Canard,
we don't have all day. We've got to get out of here before the
smaurins get an idea that maybe we're up here." Skygem yelled
from the mouth of the cave. He took one last look at it and stuck
it into the brown pouch that hung on his left side.
"Now we can do." His brown eye shone bright. Skygem
nodded, "Good, me and Sabe.."
"Will stay at the base."
"WHAT?!"
He looked at the brisling girl who glared up at him. "Skygem,
we need people to stay, there will be after affects if we throw
Dragonus." She glared at him. "But without me.."
"I wouldn't have been able to do this. Thank you."
With that, he leaned over her and gently kissed her. Skygem
pulled back, her emerald green eyes wide open.
"Now just a min
.. What was that?!" They both
whipped around poised and ready for action.
"Great, Smaurins." Canard with out a second thought
whipped out the mask and activated it.
About five min. later, the smaurins were, shall I say, gone?
Skygem caught her breath, then started down the mountain after
Canard.
A week later
..
Canard rubbed his head, Sabe was really mad at him. But he
wasn't goin' to have to take care of a six-Year-old kid, for stars
sake! There was a knock on the door, "Yes, come in."
The door creaked open and Skygem walked in, "Hey, Canard,
Me and Sabe got all the info on Dragonus's tower. Every little
thing."
He nodded, "Good, now all we need is a strike force."
She looked up at him, then timidly raised her hand, "Um,
I'm still an option here."
Canard frowned, "No. No, Skygem, yar staying here."
She glared at him, "Why?" She challenged, folding
her arms across her chest. He sighed, then placed his hand on
her arm, "Because if something happens to us, we'll need
people who know what to do, who if the need arrives, to lead another
resistance."
She growled, "I'm not leadin' anything! I'm not leader
metiral just because my dad was Drake DeCaine, for Rowan's sake!"
Canard shook his head, "No that's not why. You and Sabe
are the only ones besides me who know where the Tower is, and
you and Sabe are the only ones who'd be able to get back in if
we fail."
Skygem's eyes there for a moment showed a pain, "No, you
guys won't fail. I know it. Um, but ya really need a team first."
"I know, I've already chosen them, it's just a matter of
getting them here." He pulled out a piece of paper. This
is a list of the names. Find out everything you can about them.
Then we'll get them here."
Skygem read along the list, reading off the names
"
.Mallory
McMallard, Tanya Vanderflock, Wildwing McDrake?" she looked
up at him.
Canard nodded, "Yes, that's my best friend, we'll need
his skills." Skygem took one last look at the paper, then
nodded, "Well, I'll see what me and Sabe can do sir."
She turned to walk out of the room when Canard caught her arm,
"Sky, don't call me sir."
She arched an eyebrow, "Really?" Then walked off,
turning at the door, "Canard, ya know, ya should let that
kid Nightwinger in." He groaned out loud, "Everyone's
on my feathers about that!"
Sky laughed, "For good reason, that kid is good with computers!"
Sabe and Skygem collapsed into Canard's office. "Ayi,
ayi chiefy." Skygem waved a finger.
He rosed out of his chair concerned, "Are ya guys okay?"
He asked.
"Oh yes, we're just hunky dory. We only got blasted at
by a couple million droids, a handful of smaurins, some traitors,
nasty lasers that hurt and many more." Sabe growled, still
having energy to argue. He raised an eyebrow. "Okay then,
did ya get them?"
Skygem nodded, "Yep, I got half, she got half, but they
moved the camp that Wildwing was in before we could get there."
"We know where it is now though."
Canard nodded, "Good, I'll get Wildwing myself."
Now it was Sabe's turned to raise an eyebrow, "Beggin' pardon,
but, mumm, ain't that kindda dangerous?"
"Yes, but worth it to see my old friend."
"'K, but try not to get fried?"
A day later
..
Skygem was on her bed in her quarters, pouting; she still wanted
to go. They had everyone now, but funny, She hadn't gotten to
see any of them. She sighed, then yelled, "Come in."
To the knock on her door.
It was Canard. Sky looked hopefully up at him; "Can I
go?" She asked yet again. He shook his head and sat down
next to her.
She glanced at him, "So what are you here for then?"
She asked puzzledly.
Canard took a deep breath and ran his fingers through his hair.
"Well, one, to say good bye, two to say perk up and three
"
"Too be happy that I'm here safe." She glared at
him
Canard shook his head, "No, to say" he took another
breath, Sky looked at him worriedly. "Are you okay Canard?"
she asked, laying her arm on his. He took her hand and seemed
to be studying it, holding it gently in his own hands. "Um,
Canard, hate to tell ya, but my hand isn't food."
He looked at her and almost stared laughing. Skygem shook her
hand and looked to the sky, "Ohh, boy, here we go. Canard's
goin' off the deep end."
He shook his head, "No, just little nervous, I think."
"Really? A little? Humm, I wonder why, could it be because
you're only goin' up against the most powerful head honcho dude
in the Saurian thing-bober?"
This time he did laugh. "Well, yes, that's part of it,
but, Sky, Before I go, and just supposing I don't come back.."
He raised his hand and caressed her face; " I wanted to
say I love you." Skygem's mouth dropped open in total surprise.
"Er, could ya say that again, I think I was hearin' things."
"You weren't." Then Canard pulled her to him and
kissed her long. And Sky kissed him back, snuggling up to him
in his strong arms. Then Canard finally pulled away and looked
at her, "I've got to go now Sky, but, will you wait for me?"
She nodded and caressed his cheek with her slender hand, "Forever."
She mummered.
He kissed her one last time, then stood up, hugged her, and
then walked out the door.
Sabe nearly whacked into him trying to get to Sky's room. "Hey,
Skie? Ya here?"
"Yes."
Another head popped around the door, Nightwinger. "Hi
auntie sky!" He yelled jumping up and hugging her. Skygem
knelt down and huged him back, "Hey there Nightwinger!"
She looked up at Sabe, "Canard said he could stay?"
Sabe nodded with a twinkle in her eyes, "He must've been
in a really good mood!" she joked.
Skygem laughed along with the older women, then looked down
at Nightwinger, "So, ready to be in the resistance buddy?"
He nodded.
"Come on Nightwinger, time for yar nap." Sabe pushed
him out the door towards her quarters where the boy stayed. She
smiled after him, "Ya know, I'm thinkin' about adoptin' that
boy as my little brother or something."
"You should, he's a sweet kid."
"Yeah, "Sabe rolled her eyes, "And a genius with
computers!" Skygem laughed. "Well, did he tell ya?"
Skygem looked at Sabe, "Tell me what?"
Sabe rolled her eyes, "Don't play innocent with me. Any
one with two eyes could see that he's fallen head over heels for
ya." Skygem blushed, "Well, yes, and in a strange way,
I think he proposed to me.." her words were cut off as Sabe
gave a whoop and hugged Skygem hard. "Ow, ow ow! Stop it,
yar crushin' my ribs!" sky laughed, Sabe giggling along with
her.
"Great, two hyped and crazed spies. What's the world comin'
ta?!" Sabe laughed. "I don't know." Sky answered,
shaking her head, still laughing.
Disclaimer: Okay, the mighty ducks are Disney's, but the rest are mine! Skygem, Nightwinger, The Rowan, Juniper, Sabe and all those guys! Please do not use with out permission, but email me to ask and I'll most likely say yes!