The Prince of Darkness

Author: Roaming Tigress

Email: ladyscarkeeper@yahoo.com

Fandom: Darkwing Duck

Summary: Steelbeak gets back into a relationship with Bushroot, but can he maintain it under Negaduck's shadow?

Categort: Slash, hurt/comfort, drama, humour

Paring: Steelbeak/Negaduck/Bushroot

Rating: R for noncon sex, killing of a well-known character, etc

Feedback: *Please* R/R!

Archive: Feel free!

Disclaimer: All characters except Javert and Faith Mallard are © Disney. Javert belongs to me, Roaming Tigress, Faith Mallard belongs to Tammy Wraight.



The Prince of Darkness
(A Continuation of The Slash Saga: My Funny Friend and Me and Birds of A Feather)
By Roaming Tigress


Chapter One: In the Shadows

It was a cold January night when Bushroot cautiously emerged from the woods behind St. Canard Park. As far as anyone could tell, the thin plant duck was alone, but not for long. Nearby, his rooster companion, Steelbeak, ran up behind him and out of breath. They were desperate to escape from the hidden enemy was closing in on them
-- F.O.W.L.

Ever since Steelbeak had been with his relationship with Darkwing Duck, F.O.W.L wanted to rid itself of their best agent forever. Their reasoning behind this? To permanently get rid of the bad image he had placed upon them. Once so loyal to the organization, he had turned against them by sleeping with the enemy. He truly felt a great deal of shame for giving them a bad name, but there was nothing he could do now to get back on their good graces.

A lot was on the rooster's mind. His organization wanted revenge -- in the form of death, or perhaps possibly worse, by getting fired. Without a job, without a reputation, Steelbeak would be nothing as far as maintaining an image goes. Additionally, a week had past since he got back into a relationship with the member of the Fearsome Five, and he wanted to make sure he was able to keep him now.

"Dey're still followin' us, we's gotta go!" The rooster panted, looking over his shoulder for a moment to see how far away his pursuers were. Using the stars as his direction guide, Steelbeak tore off into a northerly direction with his boyfriend.

Two quarters of a mile away, a tall duck with a black patch over his left eye mounted a chestnut stallion. He was determined to bring Steelbeak into the organization for whatever punishment was appropriate and rather hoped it involved the firing squad. This duck was Javert, a villain with a heart made of ice and a spirit made with fire to go along with his passion to kill the rooster.

"Ze tracks are fresh . . . I'll catch him soon enough!" He remarked to himself, placing the horse in a trot through an opening in the forest. He made the animal quicken its pace, and before long he managed to catch up with what he was looking for.

"Steelbeak, I can't leave you out here with that - that - that monster!" Bushroot said in desperation, holding Steelbeak by an arm as he made a run for the direction of the inner city. In doing so, he was dragged across the snow for a short distance as the rooster failed to stop for his demand.

Quite suddenly, Steelbeak stopped fleeing. He looked down at Bushroot as he caught his breath, and the expression on his face was that of confidence.

"I'll be back, Bushroot. I just gotta create a diversion and we'll get rid of dem!" With that, he took off back towards the forest were he had last seen the other F.O.W.L agents.

Bushroot looked on, hoping for the best. For fifteen minutes he sat on a bench and shivered, waiting for Steelbeak to return to him. A pang of worry set in his gut, and he raced back into the woods were all he found were footprints and one feather that belonged to the rooster.

"Tell me what happened!" Bushroot called out to an evergreen, desperate to find his rooster. "Please, please tell me were Steelbeak is."

Following a gust of wind, a haunting voice from the tree's pirit spoke back. "They have taken him away, Bushroot."

"Where?"

Without another word, one of the tree's branches pointed to an easternly direction. With a quick thank you, Bushroot ran off to that direction. A million thoughts ran through his head; was Steelbeak dead, or wounded? He hoped to reach him before anything drastic happened.

At the headquarters of The Fiendish Organization for World Larceny, Steelbeak was escorted into the High Command chamber by two armed Eggmen. Each time he fought back, Javert gave him a jolt from his taser until they finally reached their destination down the hallway.

"You're only making things more difficult for yourself, rooster!" The French-accented duck taunted. "Cease your resisting, zere's no way out zis time!"

The three shadowy figures of the big shots looked down at Steelbeak with their beady eyes, making him uncomfortable with their creepy presence alone. Javert remained by the door, ready to fire should he make any attempt to get away.

"You can try to run away from us, but eventually we will find you!" The center figure, Juno, hissed in a tone that was enough to make Steelbeak cringe back. She had thoughts of killing the chief agent but was leaning to a fate that would be worse than death.

"Shall we carry out the nessesary punishment now or throw him in the cell until we decide upon what should be done?" Asked the figure to the right, Jerold. "The boys in the firing squad are rather bored, they haven't killed anyone for a week now. Maybe -- "

"Well, let them be bored for a while," Juno smugly replied, looking pointedly in the rooster's direction. "Chief Agent Steelbeak, as of now you are banished from F.O.W.L. This means no tresspassing upon F.O.W.L grounds or participating in any of our operations. Do I make myself clear?"

"Fire me?!" Steelbeak yelped, recoiling from the shock. "Youse can't fire me! I-I'm yer best agent! Youse can't do dis to me!"

"Oh, but we can!" She answered snidely, showing her sharp teeth. "You chose to break the rules, and therefor you deserve whatever punishment we see fit."

"I'm . . . Sorry I've failed youse," Steelbeak said with sorrow, wishing there was something he could to do change their decision.

"All my life I wanted ta meet de approval of someone, to show 'em what I'm made outta."

The High Command matriarch's order stung Steelbeak right in the heart. He would rather face the death penality than be fired -- the ultimate humiliation of all. Bowing his head in shame, he slowly trudged out of the High Command chamber with Javert marching up behind him. The duck wanted the make sure the rooster made his way out the back door, and did not resist the temptation to poke him a few times with his gun to get his point across.

Steelbeak felt rejection, shame, anger, depression, all at once. It was only his shred of pride that had stopped him from crying.

"Enough already!" He snapped, feeling the end of the gun jab against his shoulders. When he didn't cease the poking, he grabbed the gun and smashed it against the wall before stalking off to find "his" plant duck. The son of High Command had pushed him to his limits, and the death penalty was the only thing that stopped him from doing more damage to him.

"Someone has anger issues . . . " Javert remarked, regaining his composure after being startled by the ex-agent's rage.

A block away in the entrance of an alleyway, Steelbeak suddenly jumped when he felt someone crash into him. He staggered back a bit and let out a closed mouth growl of irritation. He had a bad day to begin with, he didn't need some clumsy nitwit to make it all the more worse for him.

"Awright, who -- "

The sight of Bushroot nervously edging away had calmed him down. With a small smile, he gestured him to come over for a hug. As the hybrid moved in closer, he could see the smile was forced and that something was bothering Steelbeak. He gave him the hug he requested, gently placing a vinelike arm around his waist. Whatever it is that is making him upset, I'll give whatever it takes to cheer him up. It wouldn't make up for my abandoning him, but it is better than nothing.

"What's wrong?"

Steelbeak didn't want to tell him about being fired from F.O.W.L, not because he was afraid Bushroot would laugh at him, but rather because he was too ashamed and depressed to even mention in. He couldn't lie to Bushroot, though, and with a choke to his voice he decided to let the cat out of the bag.

"I . . . I was fired."

Bushroot's heart sunk. He tightened the embrace as they walked away and he couldn't help but to feel angry with High Command. Another villain might have took too revenge, but Bushroot just wanted to stay by Steelbeak's side and offer comfort in any way he can.

"I'm very sorry to hear that . . . " Bushroot replied as if he found out his companion was dying from cancer. "I - I just really don't know what to say."

"No need ta be sorry, Bushroot," Steelbeak glumly answered, feeling tears streak down his face. "Ya don't really need to say anyt'ing, really. What's been done 'as been done, and what matters to me de most is dat I still 'ave youse."

In the shadows lurked an ominous figure. Its eyes shone through the alleyways, and the figure crouched down like a cat lying in wait for it's prey. Someone, something, was following the boyfriends.



Chapter Two: Mine Alone

Stealthily, the shadowed figure stepped out of hiding. A black and red fedora gave away the identity of the shadowed figure -- Negaduck. He saw that the two were headed for the direction of the greenhouse on the other side of the city, not far from the park. Keeping a low profile, Negaduck decided to follow them to the ends of the earth if need be.

At the greenhouse, Steelbeak sat on a bench while Bushroot stood behind him to rub his back. The rooster had worked for the criminal organization for half his life, and being fired was understandably a devastating blow. His eyes were red from crying, and he was so far into his depression that no more tears could be shed. He gave all he had for F.O.W.L, but at the end they tossed him out like trash. He felt dead, even in the comfort of his boyfriend.

"Twenny five long years . . . " Steelbeak said in a spaced out voice, staring blankly at the glass walls of the greenhouse with his head in his hands. He suddenly grabbed Bushroot and hugged him as tight as he could, realizing that although he had lost his job, he still had his Bushroot. The plant duck was all that mattered to him now.

"Easy there, big fella!" I don't think ya'd want to be hugging onto a piece of plant pulp now, will ya?" Bushroot laughed, feeling himself practically get squished into a pulp by his big boyfriend.

With a chuckle, Steelbeak loosened his hug and was content to let his lover sit on his lap. He was back to his old self again.

"I suppose not! Grass stains are 'ard enough ta get out!"

"Hah . . . Saps!" Negaduck scoffed, leaning up against his chainsaw as he watched them. He had banished Bushroot out from the Fearsome Five when he found out about his love for Steelbeak. His reason for this action? He spent more time with the F.O.W.L fiend than going out with the rest of the gang to commit crimes. He looked away for a moment and shook his head as the two appeared to be getting a little more than familiar.

"Those two . . . " He groaned.

Now that the Fearsome Five was down to the Fearsome Four, Negaduck decided that the group needed a new villain. After some thought, he felt that new villain had to be none other than Steelbeak. Where he lacked in superpowers he more than made up for in the brains and brawn department.

Additionally, it occurred to him that if he could get Steelbeak to be his loverboy, he could hurt Bushroot in revenge for slacking off on his orders. Just how well could he do it, however? Steelbeak was no run of the mill idiot, he knew a trick a hundred miles away. After watching him for a while, however, Negaduck understood why so many woman (and men) flocked to him.

Hrm . . . He *is* rather handsome. Maybe more than rather . . Gah!? What am I thinking? I can't think of Steelbeak in that way!

Negaduck violently shook his head, finding himself staring at Steelbeak as though he was looking at some beautiful dame. He had to admit, he was a handsome devil but nothing more. Previously he never had feelings for another man, so why now? Thoughts aside, he decided to step in and have his fun.

Holding his chainsaw behind him, Negaduck quietly opened the door and grinned maliciously through the small opening he made. Knowing how easily it was to frighten the two (especially Bushroot), he couldn't help but to reenact a horror movie scene.

"Heeeere's Negaduck!"

With a yelp, the terrified Bushroot leapt into the arms of an equally scared Steelbeak. "F-Fancy seeing you here, b-boss!"

Although Steelbeak was a good deal larger than the duck before him, he was beyond scared with just being in the same locale as him. He shivered in fear, expecting himself to be chopped up into chicken nugget-sized chunks. This was just what the mallard wanted -- absolute fear.

"Yes, but who tells the Prince of Darkness were he can and cannot go?" He asked with a rumbling growl in his chest, switching on the chainsaw and holding it high above his head.

"NO ONE!" He roared, swinging it towards their direction.

Instinctively, Bushroot jumped out of Steelbeak's arms while his companion took refuge from under a table. He let out a sharp cry as he was grabbed by an ankle and pulled under. When he realized who grabbed him was only his buddy, he clung to his thick neck and practically strangled the life out of him.

"Can't breathe . . . !" Steelbeak gasped, recoiling up against the wall as Negaduck threateningly peered under the table. In spite of his terrified state, he hugged Bushroot to let him know that he wasn't going to abandon him in this crisis.

He casually switched off his chainsaw and reached his hand into his yellow jacket. The two expected the worse -- a gun, a knife, something that would kill them. If I want that rooster I'll have to get that damn talking plant away from him, and I know just the way to do it . . .

Steelbeak let out a sigh of relief when the thing he brought out was something so benign; a spray canister of some sort. On the other hand, things were becoming all the more terrifying for Bushroot. His fear had became so bad he let out a scream and ran out the back door, leaving his companion to whatever fate Negaduck would deem appropriate. This time, his natural cowardice overcame loyalty.

"Bushroot, wait!" Steelbeak cried out, too terrified from moving out from under the table. "Come back, youse jus' can't leave me 'ere wit' dis maniac!" His cry went unheard to the plant-duck, who had run off to hide in the woods.

Why did youse leave me behind, Bushroot? Come back . . . Just come back. I need youse . . . I love youse. He looked out the window, expecting him to return to him at any moment.

"Weed killer, gets him every time!" Negaduck sneered, approaching the cringing cockerel on his hands and knees. When he saw him look outside with a distant, betrayed expression, he let out a growl.

"I really don't know what you see in him, ex-agent of F.O.W.L! The can's empty and he took off running and left you behind! How is THAT for love?"

"Bushroot does love me!" Steelbeak angrily retorted in spite of the state he was in. "'E jus' got scared, dat's all. I mean, kin yas blame 'em?"

"Are you trying me?" Negaduck snapped, feeling the other avian was getting too snarkey for his liking. "If you are . . . "

Steelbeak's heart was pounding so loud now that the two of them could practically hear it. He flinched practically every time Negaduck moved an inch toward him, expecting the worse at every second. For exactly twenty seconds, the duck eyeballed him before pulling away and getting to his webbed feet. At the moment, he didn't care how pathetic he looked under the table.

"Get out, Steelbeak!" He ordered, calmly but authoritatively. "Before I drag you out myself. Let me tell you, when I get rough, it's not a pretty picture. "

"Why should I listen to youse, Negageek?" Steelbeak taunted, becoming decidedly stubborn right the moment when the other avian was easing off on the intimidation. Mouthing off proved to be a most unwise decision, even if he did feel good about it.

Negageek!? Rrrr! That does it! Gritting his teeth and growling with frustration, Negaduck reached under and grabbed hold of Steelbeak from the collar of his jacket. He forcibly yanked him out with all the strength he had, wincing and grunting only slightly from the rooster's sheer weight. If Negaduck was to make the rooster a minion, he would have to show him who's the boss right from the very beginning.

"Jus' kill me now, why don't youse?" Steelbeak asked, half- defensively, and half fearfully. He again tried to escape, but froze when he saw a knife being brought to his muscular neck.

"Don't tempt me, roosterboy!" Negaduck hissed, threatening to cut the jugular vein with just a flick of his wrist.

"N-No! Lemme go!" Steelbeak pleaded, feeling the knife come up against his throat and make a slight nick in his flesh. It wasn't enough to make him bleed to death, just enough to make him squirm in which Negaduck took delight in seeing.

"I'm sorry fer callin' youse Negageek! I'll make it up to youse, I promise."

Things are looking up. Now that I've managed to terrorize him into submission, it's time for my next move .

With an smirk, Negaduck placed the knife away and slid a cold hand down the rooster's red shirt. He felt Steelbeak tense up even more with this touch and teasingly traced a finger up and down his chest. His move was seductive, but to his "victim" it was beyond creepy. It was downright unsettling!

Instead of resisting the unwanted attention or giving him a punch to the jaw, Steelbeak merely submitted to it. He as too frightened, too puzzled to do anything else. One moment 'e's killin' me, de next 'e's tryin' to seduce me! I know 'e's off 'is rocker, but . . . I don't t'ink 'e usually treats 'is victims ike dis normally.

"Very well, if you insist!" Negaduck exclaimed as a delayed response to Steelbeak's pleading. He slipped his hand out and almost playfully tapped Steelbeak on the beak. "I have come to you with a sort of fellow villain-to-villain proposition to make to you."

"W-What might dat be?" Steelbeak asked, becoming physically uncomfortable in the same odd, half-cowering position on the ground. He tried to get up, but the other bird shoved him down with amazing strength.

Negaduck wiped the trickle of blood from Steelbeak's neck, and with an evil smirk he licked it off his fingertip.

"If you'll be mine alone, I'll give you a new image -- and a new job."




Chapter Three: The Trick

Steelbeak raised a thin eyebrow as he heard Negaduck's offer and scowled. Nope, no way. I'd rather go jobless den be wit'out my Bushroot. I could always be one of dem independent villains, strike out wit' my pal and conquer de woild! I don't need ta join dis mook's gang! 'Ow dare 'e even suggest such a t'ing to a villain of my caliber! Me? Join de Fearsome Four AND fall in love wit' him? Hah! Who does 'e t'ink I am?

"T'anks fer de offers, but . . . Sorry, no can do!" Steelbeak answered with newfound confidence, finally getting up and pushing Negaduck aside as he started to stroll his way toward the door.

Ooooh no he's not! That chicken likes to think he's so smart, but he's not smarter than I am!

"Thinking about getting away, are you?" Negaduck asked with an evil laugh, jumping in front of him before he had any thought of casually walking off. He smirked as he saw the rooster step back with apprehension and forced him up against the wall with the help of his knife.

Quick, make up a lie, Valentino. Anyt'ing da'ts believable!

"Er, I wasn't gonna get away, really!" Steelbeak explained with an apologetic grin, gulping as he saw his blood on the edge of the weapon. Right about now, he felt like he was dealing with a psychotic Pepe Le Pew; he just couldn't get away from him.

Rolling his eyes, Negaduck threatened to make another nick in his throat. "Then please explain why I just saw you head out that door?"

Er, um, er . . . 'E's got me dere. De ol' 'I got a dentist appointment' won't woik fer 'em. Gotta be more original.

"I was jus' gonna go to de Gents!" Steelbeak lied to cover up his cowardice. "Yas got me so scared back dere dat yas almost made me, you know - - "

"Out in the woods?"

Nonchalantly, Steelbeak shrugged as he leaned up against a money tree. "Yea, where else do ya t'ink I'm gonna go?"

"Um, back there?" Clearing his throat, Negaduck pointed to a little room at the back of the greenhouse. He knew the layout of the place like the back of his hand and saw his fib a hundred miles away.

"Er, um, yeah, right!" Feeling incredibly stupid, Steelbeak nodded and quickly made a dash the bathroom. The other avian quickly pounced him, not trusting him not to escape from the window that was in there.

"I don't think so!" Negaduck grinned, suddenly grabbing him by the crotch and making him crow. "I don't care if you have to piss your pants, I am *not* letting you out of my sight for a second! You can crow about it as much as you want!"

Dis guy's woise den Javert! Steelbeak dreaded the thought of having his privacy invaded and winced as his grip became tighter. A low growl rose from his throat as Negaduck's other hand sneaked underneath his pants and under the band of his silken boxers. I'm not gonna put up fer it! I'm gonna wait 'till 'e t'inks 'e's got me nice an' relaxed, and WHAM!

"Oooh you like that, don't you?" Negaduck asked with a wry smile, mistaking the growl for a sign of appeasement. His wandering hand had reached the rooster's male organs, and he started to fondle them aggressively without any suspicion of a trick.

"Mmmm, yes . . . !" Steelbeak cooed, easing himself into a sprawled out and inviting position on the floor. "Nice and aggressive. I like dat!"

"I just knew you would!" Negaduck winked, leaning his torso on top of his. "It's no wonder you're so cocky, Tinselteeth!"

"Mr. DeNiro's resoived fer soiten 'ands only!" Steelbeak snarled, giving Negaduck a well-aimed knockout punch to the jaw. The hit was strong enough to send the other avian flying across the other side of the greenhouse and right into a tree.

When he was certain the duck was out cold, he ran out the door and into the woods where he had last seen his lover. Finally, at last (and least for now), Steelbeak was away from the marauding masked menace. He knew he would be back for him, but for now his boyfriend was the number one priority. Gotta find Bushroot, 'e should be around somewhere . . .

"Hey . . . Is that my big buddy?" A familiar, timid voice called as he passed by a ageing sycamore tree. "I'm over here, just around the other side!"

Hearing Bushroot's voice was a blessing to the rooster. Out of breath but smiling, he came up to him. "It's so nice to see yer green face again!"

"What was he doing to you?" Bushroot asked with concern, taking hold of his right hand. He saw the mark in Steelbeak's neck from where he was cut with the knife and gulped.

"Tell me, Valentino. Did he try to -- "

"N-no, 'e didn't!" Steelbeak quickly replied, not wanting to even think about the molestation incident. He placed an arm around his lover's narrow torso and walked down a trail in the woods.

"I just gave 'em a punch, and took off."

Bushroot knew there was more to the story than that. He kept it to himself, though, not wanting to make his boyfriend uncomfortable or perhaps worse, angry. I wish I wasn't such a coward and run off on him, leaving him alone with that beast! No use apologizing, now. That'd only bring up the subject.

"So, um . . . Were are we going now?" Bushroot asked, leaning into Steelbeak's torso. "I don't really feel right about going back to the greenhouse, although I would like to check up on my babies."

His companion felt understandably uncomfortable about returning there, and whispered. "Kin we's check back at dem in de morning? I t'ought we's kin go back my place fer a little hokey pokey, a bit o' cuddling, a good night's rest."

He's been through all this and having sex is a priority? Bushroot laughed a little, and went along with his suggestion Steelbeak wore the trousers in the relationship with him, and was willing to do whatever it took to make him happy.

"All right, all right, you win!"

"I'll put on de fire, make a little hot coco and go from dere!"

"Sounds wonderful!" Bushroot cooed, wrapping an arm around Steelbeak's.

Back at the greenhouse, Negaduck had woke up from his unwanted nap. He wiped the blood from the side of his bill and let out a horrible growl as he saw Steelbeak had been long gone. Had he not want him for three reasons alone he would have skipped right to the dismembering. Regardless his usefulness, he was sure going to teach him a lesson or two, but he had to find him first.

Outside, the wind had picked up, blowing the snow over Steelbeak's and Bushroot's tracks. Negaduck now cursed himself for exchanging his Dobermans in for a tank, knowing their sense of smell would certainly speed things up in trying to find them. When I get to the bottom of this, I'm going to get him and his little plant duck, too! How dare he even think about punching and tricking the Prince of Darkness.

Something off in the distance caught the duck's attention, and he pulled out a pair of binoculars for a better look.

"Ooooh, what do we have here?"

Sure enough, it was Bushroot and Steelbeak.

"This duo is going to be turned into an uno!" Negaduck sneered, pulling a gun out from his jacket. He took aim for Bushroot and fired not once, but twice.



Chapter Four: The Initiation

"REGGIE!" Steelbeak yelled, instinctively recoiling as his boyfriend was shot down. The bullets had struck the side of his head and in his rib cage area, and a green ooze had leaked out of the wounds and onto his white jacket. It was blood, plant-duck hybrid blood.

"Please, speak to me . . . " Steelbeak pleaded, kneeling down beside him. To his relief, Bushroot was alive, but just barely.

From behind an evergreen tree, Negaduck watched Steelbeak scoop him up in his arms and take off with him. The rooster was moving at a good pace and was too fast for him to go after him in the thick blanket of snow. His legs were too short to plow himself through, and it was then that he came up with a plan to slow him down.

"Nobody tries to get away from Negaduck without getting hurt . . . " He loaded another bullet into his handgun and shot Bushroot's rescuer in the right leg.

I'm gonna kill dat duck! Steelbeak let out a roar of pain as he felt the bullet tear through a hamstring, but he tenaciously kept making his way back to his apartment, dragging his wounded leg. Bushroot was the number one priority; he would deal with his wounds and his shooter later on.

"Lets see you run away now!"

He didn't realize how close Negaduck was coming in on him until it came too late. Following a hard whack to the back of his head with something heavy he was out for the count. From there, Negaduck fastened a rope around his legs and started to drag him off toward the bad part of town. He left Bushroot in to forest for whatever fate would come of him -- death being the most likely outcome.

Spike had been frightened off following the chaotic break and enter, and escaped through the bathroom window where he had been sleeping. He sniffed around the park, trying to find any trace of either his master or his master's companion. There was nothing -- not a feather, not a petal. Dejectively, he made his way back to the greenhouse in hopes that when he gets back there he would find at least one of the avians.

"Hrrf?" Spike suddenly snorted, seeing a drop of Bushroot's blood on the fresh fallen snow. Like a hound on a chase, he tore through the woods, determined to find his owner.

The sound of his loyal friend crashing through the shrubbery surrounding Bushroot caused him to panic. Delirious from the lack of blood, he felt himself slip away. He's back. He's back to kill me! Why didn't you kill me the first time you shot me, Negaduck? Leave Steelbeak alone, take me away instead forever. Luckily for him, a plant enzyme had slowed the bleeding and eventually stopped the flow.

"Oh, just you . . . " He moaned, patting Spike on the head when he came into view. His view was blurry, but not enough to make him not recognize his pet.

As he looked around, he noticed that Steelbeak had gone missing. A feather, a depression in the snow and a splattering of blood was enough to cause his brief panic to return once again. At a moment like this, he wished Darkwing Duck was there to help him, and it was then that he decided to go off and look for him.

At the headquarters of The Fearsome Five, Steelbeak laid unconscious on the cold floor with his shoes and clothes tossed into a corner. He was naked with the exception of his now-torn boxers, and the wound to his leg was haphazardly covered with a piece of cloth. After all the trouble he went through to capture him alive, Negaduck was in no hurry to finish him off now. If he turned out to be a bad lover or a backstabbing minion, then maybe he would change his mind.

The caped king of cruelty had taken advantage of the rooster's state and had preformed sexual intercourse with him. Negaduck watched Steelbeak as he stirred a little, remaining on his hands and knees in a catlike stalking position. He was ready for round two now, and this time, he wanted Steelbeak to be awake for it.

"Five more minutes, 'igh Command . . . " Steelbeak groaned, squinting his eyes the moment he opened them. He passed out again

Not yet, Negs, not yet. Wait to the moment he tries to struggle up onto his feet, only to discover he's not going to get anywhere fast. His drive to make love to the rooster was uncontrollable, but he managed to contain himself somehow. While he remained in his half- asleep state, Negaduck used another piece of rope and a stolen pair of handcuffs to secure his muscular arms.

"Wakey, wakey . . . !"

Steelbeak growled at the sound of his gravelly voice and tried to get to his feet, only to discover that they were tied together. The rope brushed against this bandaged leg, causing intense pain to the wound. As he felt the duck's hundred-pound body pounce onto his back, he tried to buck him off but with no avail. He didn't give up just yet, for he could still use his jaws.

"Unless yas wanna loose both dose arms wit' one nip, I'd suggest youse get off of me!" Steelbeak demanded, baring his teeth and snapping his jaws. There was no fear in his eyes as he made his warning; for now, any fear he had of Negaduck had gone out the window.

Oooooh I'm scared! The big chicken's gonna bite me because he doesn't wanna be molested. Awww, how sweet. Should I respect his feelings? NO!

Unfazed by his threat, Negaduck hopped off to grab his beak and snap on a muzzle on him. "Lets just say it's time for your initiation Negaduck style! There's no use playing hard to get now."

Playin' 'ard to get?! Dat's what 'e t'inks I'm doin'? Well, I'll show 'im a t'ing or two . . . I'll show 'im dat I ain't a boid ta push around!

When the added restraint was taken care of, Negaduck laid his slightly paunchy abdomen ontop of Steelbeak's muscular back. He very firmly held onto the scruff of his neck to secure himself in the event he should be tossed off. Once more Steelbeak tried to do just that, and he held himself on by straddling his legs around his massive torso.

The thrashing ceased for a moment, but then suddenly started up again with Steelbeak becoming all the more violent. He rolled twice, hoping to crush Negaduck under his weight. In spite of his injury, Steelbeak was remarkably powerful and the pain had probably helped to motivate him to strike back. At the end, however, his efforts to escape had worn him out.

Now that the power struggle was over, Negaduck was ready for the next step in the initiation -- the seduction.

When he was certain the rooster had no fight in him, the mallard released his neck scruff hold and slid his body back until his tail touched Steelbeak's. With a sly grin, he slipped a leg under the rooster's abdomen and stretched it towards Steelbeak's crotch were he massaged the target with his foot. For someone who had never seduced another of the same sex, Negaduck handled it like a pro.

"I don't hear you complaining . . . !" Negaduck exclaimed in a half growl, half coo as he intensified the massage with his other webbed foot. He felt the initially tense rooster slowly relax and knew this wasn't out of mere tiredness. He removed the muzzle, but kept the rope tied to his legs and wrists.

"Dat's because I can't complain!" Steelbeak exclaimed with a wide grin, purring ever so slightly as he felt Negaduck's body slide down further. It seemed that for now his loyalty for Bushroot had gone astray; he was enjoying himself too much to spare a second of concern for him.




Chapter Five: In Comes Faith

"Yas couldn't get any rougher, could'ja?" Steelbeak grunted as Negaduck gave him a strong pelvic thrust to deepen his penile to chicken butt penetration. It was strong enough to nearly topple him over -- and he loved it, secretly admitting that this felonious fellow was a far better love maker than Darkwing and Bushroot combined.

His restraints were removed -- but he made no effort to get away. Now lacking any fear or uncomfort, he had no reason to escape. His leg wasn't even hurting him now, for the sexual stimulation had distracted him away from the pain. Secretly, Steelbeak also admitted to enjoy being dominated. Submitting to such a intimidating individual such as Negaduck was something of a turn on to him.

"Ooooh I can, but because I want to do you again, I just don't want to rip ya open!" Negaduck laughed, ripping a turquoise tailfeather off for emphasis. As the rooster let out a squawk of protest, he wrapped his arms around his lower torso with a deep growl.

"Mmmm, no, wouldn't want dat . . . " Steelbeak moaned, feeling himself melt in Negaduck's embrace. Being totally enveloped in the sexual attention, he didn't hear the door open -- and neither did his domineering companion.

A brown-feathered, blonde-haired she-duck stood in the corner of the Fearsome Five Headquarter's basement. Her blue eyes were wide with the shock of seeing what was going on just down the stairs. This was Faith Mallard, devoted wife of Negaduck and mother of two teenagers; sixteen year old Clestelle and nineteen year old Zachariah. Aside from being a devoted wife and mother, she worked as a full time agent for Mallard Enterprises. Of royal blood, she stood in at about 4'11, just slightly taller than her husband.

Confused, Faith had a double take at the matter and slowly backed away into the hallway. "Um . . . Okay . . . I'll leave you to two to enjoy your male bonding . . . "

"Heyy . . . Why not come and join the fun?" Negaduck asked with a evil grin, withdrawing his penis and pinning Steelbeak onto his back. Without a concern for his comfort, he hopped on top of his chest and struck a dramatic pose.

"Well, I don't know -- " She started, only to be cut off by Negaduck.

"We got ourselves a new recruit, dollface! Sexy, suave, and as long as he's under my control -- submissive!"

"Hrm, well . . . I never thought you were into roosters, Drakeybuns, but you only live once!" She remarked with a wry smirk, leaning up against the doorframe. Another woman might have been infuriated upon seeing her husband make out with another person -- but not Faith. Just as long as she could join in on the fun, she was a-ok with it.

"Well, lets just say sometimes I desire the best of two worlds!" Negaduck replied, looking at her over his shoulder as she came down the steps. He hopped off Steelbeak to kneel down next to him, placing his hands around his neck as if to strangle him.

"Dat yer goil, Negs?" Steelbeak asked with a smirk, closing his eyes as the duck gave him a chest-to-groin massage.

"More than my girl, Tubby!" Negaduck said proudly, giving him a firm smack to the gut. "She's my wife! Faith Conway Mallard of Mallard Enterprises!"

"That's my name, don't wear it out!" Faith exclaimed, stripping off her clothes and throwing them over her shoulders with a chuckle. Having had a dull day, she looked forward to something exciting.

Dis guy's after me when 'e's already married?! Pretty kinky stuff, not dat I'm one to talk or complain. Before he could introduce himself to her in his usual casually suave manner, Negaduck took a blood-splattered handgun from his jacket and pointed it to the side of Steelbeak's triangular head.

"Guess what?" Negaduck asked with a crazed, wide-eyed grin, holding him down by the scruff of the neck as he instinctively edged away.

Steelbeak gulped, once again unsure of what he wanted to do with him. As he saw the duck threaten to squeeze the trigger, he didn't dare to move even a millimeter.

"Eh . . . I'm dead?"

"Its your turn to do the ducky! This time, in a threesome!" Negaduck grinned widely while speaking in a dead serious tone. He initiated sexual intercourse with Faith using characteristic seductive roughness as he used on Steelbeak. Not a moment too soon, the rooster was right on top of him.

"Cockadoodledoo!" Steelbeak said suavely, practically knocking Negaduck over in his enthusiasm. "Youse won't be in fer a disappointment tonight!"

"Good!" Negaduck laughed, growling in delight as as Faith licked a circle around one of his nipples. "I'd have to decapitate your head if you weren't. When I say that, I don't mean the thing between your shoulders!"

"If he crushes us, can we kill him?" Faith asked with a smirk, closing her eyes with a groan as she felt her husband's body being brought down closer onto hers.

"Of course . . . !" Negaduck replied in a deep, sinister tone. As Steelbeak swung his hips forward to deepen his penetration for a second go, his large bill was smacked right between Faith's breasts. It was an unexpected but not entirely unpleasant experience.

"Thank you, Metalmouth! You can be a real blessing in disguise sometimes!" He murmured, giving each of his wife's breasts -- nicknamed B1 and B2 -- a lick and a kiss.

"Not a prob, babe!"

A little kinky fun took Steelbeak away from his worries, and with it, any feeling he previously had for Bushroot. It had been some time since he was involved in anything of this nature and enjoyed it every second of the two-hour sex session.

Unfortunately for the trio of villains, the fun wouldn't last for long. Party crashers, in the form of Bushroot and Darkwing Duck, were on their way to the Fearsome Five Headquarters. The trail of blood from Steelbeak lead to the back door, and Negaduck in his urge to have intercourse with him had overlooked it. Little did they know that the victim wasn't exactly trying to flee from the yellow- jacketed terrorist's "torture".



Chapter Six: Understandment

Weary from a lack of sleep, Darkwing Duck watched the threesome take place from a window. With his eyes stinging from tiredness, he didn't think Steelbeak was having sex with Negaduck -- he thought he was beating him up! To him, it looked like the rooster pounced him and was going to pound the living daylights out of him. What little did he know!

"Well, looks like Steelbeak's taking good care of them," Darkwing yawned, turning to an equally tired and concerned Bushroot.

"I think you should head off to bed, Reggie. It's been a long day today."

With a nod, Bushroot agreed. Just before the two went their separate ways, he peeked through the window to see Steelbeak beat up his ex-boss. Luckily, the lights were turned out just in the nick of time. Optimistic that his beau could look after himself one his own for the night, he made his way back to the greenhouse.

Inside the Fearsome Five Headquarters, the three villains had tired themselves out. Negaduck was just about ready to snuggle up with his Faith, but remembered he had to keep Steelbeak confined or else risk loosing him. With Faith lazily slinging an arm over his shoulders, he escorted him at gunpoint to a small cell that was located in the back of their bedroom.

"I won't be able to sit for a week . . . " Negaduck grumbled, rubbing his forehead after locking up the cell. His rear end had suffered under Steelbeak's overenthusiastic talent with Mr. DeNiro, and he walked his way to the bed with a stiffened gait.

"Awww, well . . . I'll give you an assage. You know, a massage for the arse!" Faith smirked, giving her husband a light smack on the rear.

"If anyone deserves one, it's you!"

Steelbeak, now back in his now slightly tattered looking Armani, watched the married pair get together under the sheets. He was finally relaxing without the aid of seduction.

"Now that Bushroot's dead, Ironbreath will fit his place just well . . . " Negaduck muttered, ending his sentence with a yawn.

The mention of Reginald made Steelbeak feel intensely guilty. He had forgotten him up until now and the mention of him being dead made his mood dampen all the more. He wanted to believe he wasn't dead, maybe there was a way he was able to get away in spite of the injuries he suffered, but he had to be realistic. Bushroot did not look good the last time he had seen him. 'Ow could I be such a joik and fuhget all about 'em?

"I'm sorry, Reggie . . . " Steelbeak quietly cried, trying not to attract attention from the others. He sat at the back of the jail cell with his knees held up against his chest, looking out at the stars from the window.

"I loved youse . . . " Right about now, he wanted to die for the sole purpose of being with Bushroot again. The news of his apparent death shocked him so much that the tears didn't fall right away, but sure enough, they did.

"Did you hear that?" Faith asked tiredly, giving Negaduck a poke to the ribs when she heard his sob. "I think your rooster's crying for his plant."

Negaduck rolled his eyes, not believing it for a moment that a 'true' villain (or anyone to that matter) could ever miss someone like Reggie Bushroot. Steelbeak has such class! How he can bring himself to love Bushbrain AND be seen hanging around him? Then again, this was the same nitwit who had a fling with Dumbwing Flunk.

"The big wimp will get over it . . . " He groaned, putting the pillow over his head so that he wouldn't hear Steelbeak's anguish. There wasn't much to hear, aside from a little whimpering, but more than enough for what he could bear.

Faith, on the other hand, couldn't help but to feel a little sorry for the rooster. After loosing her family in a mass slaughter, she knew how much it hurt to loose a loved one. After some thought, she decided to go and check in on him. She was thirsty, anyway -- might as well do two trips in one.

As she slipped out of bed, she looked down at her husband and twirled a finger around his tail. "Just going to get a drink and check in on the cock. I'll be back in a jiffy!"

"He'll be fine . . . " Negaduck groaned, not wanting her to go easy on him. "If ya coddle him, he'll just get softer!"

"I know, but . . . If I quiet him down, you can get back to sleep," Faith whispered. "All it'll take is a woman's touch. You know how it is."

"No problem . . . " Negaduck grumbled in response. Before she slipped out of the bed, he dozed off sleep, exhausted from the night's sexual rendevous.

Faith found Steelbeak huddled in the corner with his beak burrowed between the space of his knees and his chest. In the dim light, she saw a stream of tears run down his face. After kneeling down to his level, she reached out through the bars and gently touched his cheek. His feathers were as soft as Negaduck's, but with a silkier texture.

Initially, Steelbeak cringed at this -- both from out of shame of being caught showing his emotions and secondly, being paranoid that she would tear his "mask" away. It was obvious that this was not her intention, but it almost became an instinct to him to cower away. Her sympathy for him there grew. Poor guy . . .

"Shhhh . . . It's okay . . . " Faith whispered, wiping the tears from his eyes. Being the compassionate criminal that she is, she wanted to lighten Steelbeak's mood while remaining understanding to his plight.

"Okay, well, things aren't so great from you now. I suppose you overheard what we were talking about. I want to let you know that I'm not mad, but if I don't see a smile on that face, Negaduck will come in here and beat you silly!"

Let him. To acknowledge her comfort, he rubbed his beak up against her hand, startling her with its cold touch. Steelbeak appreciated her sympathy, even if he didn't ask for it.

"T'anks fer . . . Stoppin' in on me . . . " He whispered, lightly patting her on the hand that was caressing his cheek.

"Not a problem," Faith smiled, drawing her hand out from behind the bars. "I was just on my way to get a drink of water. Want me to get you anything on the way out there?"

"I'd like a beer," Steelbeak yawned, curling up on the floor for a lack of a better place to rest. "Make it t'ree, actually."

Negaduck didn't sleep for long. As he tossed and turned in his sleep, he ended up tumbling off the side of the bed. With a growl, he got up to his feet and flopped back onto the mattress, perking his head up when the rooster mentioned his favorite beverage. He noticed that his wife still wasn't around, but instead of going back to sleep he decided to have a little more fun with Steelbeak.

"Why was Melonhead so important to you?" Negaduck curiously asked, walking up to the cell with the bloodied knife behind his back.

"None of yer business . . . " Steelbeak growled, not appreciating the mallard disturbing him as he tried to sleep.

"Jus' leave me alone."

Oooooh he's getting mouthy with me again. I'll have to fix that, because NOBODY gets mouthy with Negaduck! I wear the nonexistent pants in this relationship, and I won't tolerate any disobedience from him.

"Tell me, Steelbeak, or I'll have to get dangerous . . . " Negaduck growled, unlocking the door with the weapon. Quite suddenly, he pounced his captor with a bloodthirsty snarl.

"I-I can't quite explain!" Steelbeak yelped, pulling out of his jacket when Negaduck took hold of him. "If I's do, youse'd just laugh at me. It's really borin', ya probably wouldn't wanna know about it."

"Really? How would you know if I wasn't interested or not? I want an answer . . . " Negaduck asked with an accusative growl, grabbing Steelbeak by the front of his red shirt. After pinning him against the wall, he poked his exposed belly with the tip of his knife. He made a slight cut in the flesh, sneering as Steelbeak winced from this.

"Maybe I will laugh, maybe I won't!" As he did with the last time he wounded the rooster, Negaduck traced a finger across the slash mark and licked off the blood.

"A-And what if I refuse ta tell ya?" Steelbeak asked with a coy grin as Negaduck lightly tickled the area. "I-I mean I - okay, okay, I'll tell!"

Negaduck took the blood-tasting further, bending his head down to his stomach to lick up the crimson liquid. The more the rooster squirmed and sucked his stomach in, the more he went at it.

"Now that's more like it! I'm a curious duck, and I get persistent if I want to know about something . . . " Just as it looked like Negaduck was going to gut the rooster, he tore the knife up his shirt and tossed aside the scraps.

Heyyyy he ruined my best shoit. Ah well, better dat den shreddin' my intestines. Once more, Steelbeak caved into his request. He knew that Negaduck would back him into a corner about the issue; he was doing a good job at it already.

"We's didn't get a long all dat well at foist. I was assigned to steal a coupla rare plants from de zoo, orchids of some sort from one of dose countries wit' clickety languages. Bushie was tryin' to steal 'em at de same time fer 'is own use. We 'ad some shouting, some pushing, but at de end I pretty much got my way."

"Doesn't take a lot to push him around . . . " Negaduck smirked, releasing Steelbeak to file his nails with the knife.

Steelbeak heaved a sigh when he was let go, and slid his back against the wall as he sat down. "De little guy didn't want me to get killed fer not completin' a mission and let me kept some of de plants. His attachment to those plants was kinda pathetic -- "

"You're telling me!" Negaduck groaned. "That's all he ever talked about in group discussions. Bonsai trees, Dutch elm disease, anything to do with botany."

As Steelbeak told the story about how he and Bushroot met, Faith came back from the kitchen with a whole armful of beer bottles. She passed them around to the men before setting a few down a few for herself. Negaduck had eased off on frightening Steelbeak, satisfied that he once again had the upper hand of him.

"Sorry it took so long, decided to use up what we have!" Faith quipped up, sitting down Indian-style on the floor while drinking down one of the bottles. Negaduck sat beside her, placing an arm around her shoulders.

"Not a problem, Faithy!" He winked, taking a swig. "Go on, Steelbeak, I'm sure there's more to the story than that."

After drinking down the whole beer in practically one gulp, Steelbeak continued. "I . . . Sorta felt sorry for him I guess."

"I can't believe this. You loved him because you felt sorry for that sap?" Negaduck scoffed. "I'm sorry, but that has got to be -- "

Steelbeak ignored Negaduck's interruption. "Bushroot didn't wanna see me get killed fer not completin' de mission, and allowed me ta keep de plants."

"And . . . ?" Faith and her husband asked in unison.

"He showed up on day to tell me 'e developed . . . Feelings fer me," Steelbeak said with some hesitation, still expecting to be mocked. "I suppose 'e was real lonely, not 'aving anyone but 'is plants fer friends. 'E showed up at my apartment one day and told me 'ow 'e felt about me. 'E wanted a friend, someone big an' burly to 'ang around and protect him."

Faith understood what he was talking about but encountered a blonde moment along the way. "So . . . He wanted you as a sort of bodyguard?"

"Nah, nah, jus' a friend," Steelbeak answered, shaking his head with a slight smile. "I t'ink it took a lotta courage for 'em ta come up and tell me dat. To dis day I still don't know 'ow 'e found my place."

"And how did you take this?" Negaduck asked, turning his head to one side. Although he didn't show it, he was indeed curious as how he felt about this ex-minion and what he found in him.

"Truth be told, I was lonely myself -- "

"And desperate to even befriend that lousy excuse for a villain!" Negaduck added with a cruel laugh, finding amusement.

"I wouldn't be caught dead with him around me . . . "

Jeesh, by de time I get through wit' dis I'd die of old age! Steelbeak heaved a sigh, wondering whether or not Negaduck wanted to hear the story for entertainment purposes or out of genuine curiosity. He gave the mallard an annoyed glare, and got the look returned right back at him.

"I befriended 'em back," Steelbeak shrugged, wondering what more he wanted to know. "I needed a good pal jus' as much as 'e did. We's were both outcast villains who suffered de scars of an abusive past, and we's found comfort in each other's presence. Eventually we's became more den jus' friends. I suppose it didn't intend to out out dat way, but it was just one of those t'ings dat 'appens."

The mention of the rooster having a cruel upbringing sparked another interest in Negaduck. He never thought of Steelbeak having abuse in his past, for he had always thought of him as one who had always lived a cushy life. He wanted to know about this past, but decided to keep it for another day.

"How did he treat you?" Faith asked. "I mean surely there's a reason you fell in love with him beyond understandment and a little pity thrown in."

"I know it sounds really sappy, but Reggie touched my soul like nobody 'as done before," Steelbeak responded, feeling his eyes mist over with held-back tears. "'E treated me like I always wanted ta be treated, healed some of dose wounds of de past and made me feel alive again."

Steelbeak paused briefly to exhale. "Youse kin laugh, Negaduck. Dat's de Steelbeak-Bushroot saga in a nutshell."

For a moment, the married couple looked to each other knowingly and whispered to each other just out of the rooster's hearing range. The she-duck saw her husband's eyes soften and tucked a finger underneath his bill. There was not even a hint of a light chuckle from either of them.

"That'll be all for tonight, Steelbeak . . . " Negaduck smiled, reaching out and patting him on the shoulder. For once, he touched him without the intent of torture.



Chapter Seven: Murder in The Morning

At the crack of dawn, Quackerjack was in the mood to give his boss a rude awakening. He poked his jester-hatted head in the bedroom and incessantly poked at Negaduck with the end of a pogo stick. Faith and Steelbeak slept through this disturbance, but the black-masked mallard simply couldn't. He tossed and turned, trying to ignore him and catch up on the sleep he had missed.

"Wakey-wakey! You wouldn't believe who's still around!" Quackerjack whispered loudly, keeping up with the prodding while making sure not to awake the other two.

Negaduck quickly grew tired of his annoyance, and grabbed hold of the toy. "Keep up with the poking, and *you* won't be around!"

Stepping back in fear, Quackerjack motioned Negaduck to follow him into the hallway. Sure enough, he got what he wanted for. As Negaduck came out, he quietly shut the door and whispered.

"Bushroot's still around! I spotted him around here, looking around for Steelbeak!"

"Ooooh is he now?" Negaduck asked, rubbing his hands together in typical diabolical villain fashion. There was a sinister glare in his eyes as he took out his handgun to polish. He took a look out the windows to see if Bushroot was around, and when he didn't see him he knew he was in one of two places at this time of the day; the park, or the greenhouse.

"Most of my victims can't get away from me! In any case, I'll finish off what I started . . ." With that, he disappeared in a puff of blood-red smoke, reappearing in the darkness of St. Canard park's forest.

Bushroot was on his way to the greenhouse when he spotted a tree with a knife gash in it. Concerned for the tree's welfare, he scrambled over it. There was a dark shadow moving in on him from the forest, but what he didn't see didn't hurt him -- yet.

"I'm sorry, Ms. Maple," Bushroot sighed, running a hand down the gash and healing it with his touch. "I don't know what it is with kids these days. Whatever did a harmless tree to do them?"

The "shadow" stepped on a branch, loudly cracking it. Bushroot looked to were the sound came from, but paid no attention to it. He figured it was just a deer, and as long as it wasn't hungry, he had nothing to worry about. Regardless, he kept alert, for he knew all too well about a herbivore's ways.

With Steelbeak on his mind, Bushroot turned his back to return to the Fearsome Five Headquarters. What he didn't know was that he had turned his back to a dangerous foe.

In a cloud of red smoke, the silhouette of Negaduck stood behind the hybrid. He held a axe over his head, and before Bushroot had the chance to get away, he was decapitated in one swift move.

"I should have done that years ago!" He sneered, tossing aside his axe and revving his chainsaw. "One victim down, many more to go!"

After severing the limbs and mutilating the thin torso beyond recognition, Negaduck stuffed the remains in a burlap bag. What was left of the sad, misunderstood plant-duck was tossed into the duck pond. Sooner than later, the body parts would be turned into a green mush. Even if someone found the bag and opened it, no one would suspect a murder.

It had been some time since Negaduck was involved in the killing of a infamous citizen. After wiping the oozing green blood from his jacket, he arrogantly tipped his head up and disappeared with the cloud trick. Today just couldn't get better, or can it? I still have to get Steelbeak to tell his story . . .

In the short time it took the murderous mallard to kill Bushroot and dispose of the remains, Faith and Steelbeak woke from their sleep. The hungry rooster started to eat his way out of the cell, only to come face-to-face with a enraged Negaduck. He blinked once, and continued to keep chewing as if he wasn't there.

"Mind if I ask you something, Roosterboy?" Negaduck asked with a low growl, crossing his arms. He brought out The Knife -- the infamous implement he used to cut Steelbeak with. Instead of threatening his 'victim' with it, he filed down an uneven nail.

"Mf?" Steelbeak grunted with a mouthful of metal, swallowing loudly. "D'ya t'ink it can wait? I need my breakfast. Gotta 'ave my iron intake!"

"Did I ever give you the okay to escape?" Negaduck asked with mock annoyance.

Steelbeak thought about this for a few seconds, then shrugged his shoulders. He couldn't remember the tyrant telling him this.

"Eh, I don't t'ink ya did. 'Course, I could be wrong."

"I didn't, did I?" With a sinister smile, Negaduck reached a hand through the bars and grabbed the rooster by the crotch. As before, he crowed loudly in response.

"When in doubt, don't do anything unless I give the word."

"I'll keep dat in mind!" Steelbeak nodded, casting his eyes down on Negaduck's hand which was still fastened around his groin.

Hearing the distinct voice of Negaduck, Faith stepped out of the shower with a red and black towel wrapped around her torso. She took a look at the scandalous situation her spouse and Steelbeak had gotten into, and couldn't help but to make a comment on it.

"Looks like you got the cock by the cock again!" She smirked, leaning up against the wall. Just as she stepped up towards him, the towel came undone -- revealing her athletically-built nude form to the gawking male avians.

Now dat is a fine female fanny! With a playful glint in his eyes, Steelbeak reached out and gave the she-duck's firm rear a light swat. She smacked his hand in response, and he feigned a childish pout for being scolded.

"Sorry! My bottom's for my Fluffybutt's hands only!" She winked, not the least bit offended by his little bit of flirting. She figured that with having the nice bum that she had, she couldn't blame him for giving it a little spank. She changed into the clothes she had set aside for the day and handed her husband a length of chain she pulled out from under the bed.

Negaduck on the other hand, took it a tad more seriously, or at least acted like he did. He cast Steelbeak a stern glare that clearly meant "she's mine". From that, he motioned the rooster to sit on the unmade bed, and he wisely obeyed.

"What'cha fixin' to do wit' me now?" Steelbeak asked with a coy smile, seeing Faith hand Negaduck a horse whip. He offered no resistance to Negaduck removing his tattered white jacket, and in fact felt a little better with having the grubby thing off his body.

"First of all, I'm going to punish you for flirting with my girl . . . " Negaduck growled, hitting the whip's handle against his palm for emphasis.

"Secondly, I'm going to find out about your past even if I have to kill ya!" Negaduck laughed, suddenly lashing the whip across Steelbeak's muscular back.

Before the rooster could even react in surprise from the sudden sharp and stinging sensation, he tackled him onto his stomach. From there, Negaduck tortured him further by tightly wrapping the chain around his legs. Crimson liquid dripped down from his calves and stained the bed sheets.

"It'd be a blessin' if yas would kill me!" Steelbeak muttered under his breath, feeling the cold metal rub up against the scabbing wound. With all that was going on with him lately, he had forgotten about his injury -- until now. He desperately tried to take the chain off, first with his hands and then with his beak, but his aggressor wouldn't have any of it.

For daring to escape from The Prince of Darkness, poor Steelbeak once again became the whipping boy. When Negaduck was through with whipping his tender neck and lower back, his pants were torn off and his rear end was given the whipping treatment. Instead of cringing away from the pain as he did initially, he grew to enjoy it.

"Oh, be careful of what you wish for, especially when it comes to dealing with him!" Faith winked, running a finger around the back of her husband's neck. She sat at the edge of the bed, watching the torture with amusement.

"Or you may just get it!" Negaduck added, raising his hackles in arousal from her touch. He gave Steelbeak one last lash to his pinkened posterior before kicking the whip under the bed.

Faith unchained Steelbeak's legs, and with a blank expression he checked to see if his wound was worsened. Luckily, it wasn't, but it sure felt like it was. The bullet was lodged into the flesh, and with a finger he was able to fish it out.

"Now, are you going to tell us your story or am I going to have to bring out The Knife and show you what your liver looks like?" He sneered, kissing his wife on the neck and placing an arm around her waist. She leaned into him, melting into the affection.

Steelbeak was torn between saving his life and sacrificing his secrecy. Reluctantly, he decided on the latter and he motioned the two to sit next to him. He never liked retelling his tale, for it had always revoked bad memories of times past.

"Okay, okay . . . " He said quietly, lying on his side to make himself more comfortable. "I was born in Italy some forty years ago. My mom was an artist an' my father was a wheat farmer. I 'ad two twin brothers, and I was de result of an unplanned pregnancy."

"And you were sold to FOWL to become their top agent?" Faith asked curiously, not knowing he was finished. Her question came off sounding corny, but it was the first thing that sprang to her mind.

If only it were dat. Steelbeak smiled very briefly before looking away distantly. "When I was born, I was really, really ugly."

"I can't picture you being . . . Anything but ugly!" Negaduck commented, taking a good look at his dashing confirmation. He comfortably leaned up against Faith, whom massaged his chest and enjoyed the foot massage the rooster was starting to give him.

"It was my beak, mostly," Steelbeak continued with a shiver. "Huge underbite, wit' a hare lip ta match and a split down my lower mandible. Ontop of dat, I was skinny, always sickly, cried a lot . . . Not de picture of an adorable baby yas would wanna pick up and hug to de ends of de earth. Pop wanted ta kill me, but my mother couldn't 'cause she didn't wanna get arrested. So 'e walked out on de family, and my mom took all 'er anger out on me, blamin' me fer de breakup of 'er marriage and de breakdown of 'er sanity. She abused me to a point were nothin' could ever fix de wounds she gave me. I wanted to love 'er, but she never loved me."

"Nobody deserves that . . . " Faith said with sadness, giving him a gentle hug while giving her husband a near suffocating one with her other arm.

"Faithy? Negaduck can't breath . . . " He gasped, causing her to loosen her hold. In spite of his cruel nature, Negaduck did feel bad for what happened to Steelbeak. He had a bad upbringing himself, and could understand (and even secretly sympathize) with what he had been through. With softened eyes, he sat up and touched the side of his face.

"Steelbeak? I was just bullying you. You don't have to continue on with this, if it makes you upset . . . " Negaduck whispered, feeling tears on the tips of his fingers. He was genuinely moved by Steelbeak showing emotion, and shocked himself for not mocking him.

"Nah, it's okay," Steelbeak answered, trying to shrug off his sadness. "As I got older, I got bolder. I toined ta life of crime in stealin' cars and was quite good at it if I do say so myself! One day, I wasn't so lucky. I skidded on some ice, totaled de car and foither ruined my deformity. F.O.W.L took me in when de 'ospital messed me up more, and de rest is 'istory."

Faith opened her bill to speak, but no words came out. She was too mad at what had happened to him to say anything. How could a parent do such a thing to their child?

Negaduck, noticing her angered silence, decided to speak for her. He cupped a hand under that dangerous beak and looked deep into his glassy eyes. For once he, The Prince of Darkness, was kind to the rooster.

"It took a lot of courage for you to tell us that."




end part 7