Disclaimer: I do not own these characters. They are products of Disney with the exception of Warp Darkmatter, who is from Disney/Pixar. The lyrics to "Blaze of Glory" are written by Jon Bon Jovi.
Everything is borrowed without permission and I have no intention of making a profit. This is just for
My personal evil, uh enjoyment. Legal stuff over, on with the show.


Wake up in the morning and I raise my weary head
Got an old coat for a pillow and the earth is last night's bed
I don't know where I'm going; only God knows where I've been
I'm a devil on the run, a six gun lover, a candle in the wind!
When you're brought into this world and you're sealed born in sin
Well, at least they gave me something if I didn't steal I'd have to win.
Well, they tell me that I'm wanted, yeah, I'm a wanted man
I'm a gun in the stable, I'm a Cain, Mr. Abel. Mister, catch me if you can.
I'm going down in a blaze of glory. Take me down the road of truth.
I'm going out in a blaze of glory. And, Lord, I never drew first
But, I drew first blood, I'm a devil inside caught me on the run.
You ask about my conscience and I offer you my soul
You ask if I wanna be a wiser man and I ask if I'll grow old
You ask me if I'd known love and what if I can sing songs in the rain
Well, I seen them come, I've seen them shot down, I've seen them die in vain.
Shot, down in a blaze of glory. Take me down the road of truth
I'm going out in a blaze of glory. And, Lord, I never drew first,
But, I drew first blood. I'm a devil inside caught me on the run
Each night I go to bed, I pray the Lord my soul to keep
No, I ain't looking for forgiveness, because the thought runs too deep
Lord, I gotta ask a favor and I hope you understand
‘Cause I lived life to the fullest, lived a boy, die like a man
Staring down a bullet ready to make my final stand
Shot; down in a blaze of glory take me down the road of truth
I'm going out in a blaze of glory and, Lord I never drew first
But, I drew first blood, I'm a devil inside caught me on the run
Caught me on the run, on the run, on the run!


PLANET RYKLON GAMMA QUADRANT 25TH CENTURY-

      Warp Darkmatter surveyed the planet's destruction under his feet. Smoke poured out from the Hornet's weapons causing him to gag through his helmet. Buildings swayed and crumbled from the force of the blow. The sky burned red from the smoke and people were running in all directions. It was complete
and utter chaos. Evil Emperor Zurg wasn't going to like it.

      Not the destruction, Warp had failed to catch Team Lightyear earlier that morning. They had foiled Zurg's plans, again and Warp only escaped with his life not that Zurg would have cared about that.
The former Ranger regretted returning to Zurg empty handed and he gulped at what the evil tyrant
Would say or rather what he would do. He wondered if it wasn't too late to leave Zurg's employment.

      Warp laughed at the idea. How? In the first place, no one left Zurg and lived. Besides where would he go? Back to Star Command where he wouldn't be welcomed back anyway and be branded a traitor, at best and be thought of as second to Mr. Buzz "Wonderful" Lightyear at worst? Back to his home planet, no way! No, he had too much pride for any of those. Best get back to work, he thought.

      A low soft moan escaped from the ground. Warp glanced down at an alien woman cradling a baby. She had obviously fallen trying to protect it. She raised her head to face Warp, her tear-stained face smudged with tears. "Let me help you," Warp sneered changing his mechanical arm to blaster and setting it to "Kill."

      The woman glared at Warp her eyes muted with an exhausted fury. The baby moaned a little, and Warp stopped. Something about this woman reminded him of himself when he was young wandering aimless and unwanted with no family to look out for him and nowhere to go. "Sorry lady, " Warp said softly, " We've all suffered." He lowered his blaster and wouldn't look at the woman again. He was about to give the Hornets the "Fall Back" sign when felt a strange light surrounding him. "Craters," Warp cursed as it sucked him in.

AGRABAH, SAUDI ARABIA ANCIENT TIMES-

      Mozenrath and Aladdin faced each other their handsome faces twisted in fury. Mozenrath leaped to grab one of the scrolls. Anyone of these would help restore him to full power and he wasn't about to let some Street Rat stand in his way. Aladdin grabbed Mozenrath and pulled the scroll from his hands "You're not getting them Mozenrath!" the hero said.

       "You're so predictable, hero," Mozenrath retracted his voice dripping with sarcasm. He raised his gauntlet in the air and let out a strong enough blast to knock over one of the cavern's walls. "But, I'm not," the wizard finished, as the wall containing most of the scrolls fell on top of Aladdin's head with a crashing thud.

       Mozenrath examined the mess. Aladdin was sprawled on the floor unconscious. The scrolls lay around him in piles. The wizard leaned over feeling the boy's pulse still alive, damn! "Time for that later," Mozenrath observed." Let's take a look at my prize." He opened a scroll and began to read, "One tablespoon of flour, one teaspoon of brown sugar, one cup of butter. Bake until golden brown!" The wizard threw the parchment down in disgust. Aladdin and his accursed Genie had tricked him. He raised his gauntlet ready to kill the boy lying unconscious at his feet.

      Suddenly, all anger and hatred drained from him and Mozenrath began to think more rationally. He had never killed anyone before not like this unable to fight. It would be so pointless when all he had to do was hold Aladdin prisoner.

      "Hey Al, where are you?," the voice of Genie echoed through the caverns. Mozenrath prepared himself for attack. A light blinded him. The wizard prepared his gauntlet, ready to fight whatever magic was devouring him.

ST. CANARD, NEW YORK PRESENT DAY-

      Morgana McCawber stared down at her feet; not focusing on the ducks and the fish that bored their eyes into her. She hated this, but she knew what the charge was: She had guarded Negaduck and he flirted with her causing his escape. After he got away, no one would say anything to her not even Darkwing. She knew they had believed she let him go on purpose (and considering her past history with Negaduck who could blame them).

      "Morgana McCawber in light of these events, we have voted unanimously to expel you from the Justice Ducks," Gizmoduck tried to keep his voice, uneven but it was tinged with apology. Morgana lowered her head and walked out of the building. On the way out, she heard Neptunia whisper to Stegmutt. "I knew she was trouble the moment I met her. Why doesn't she join the Fearsome Five, she belongs with them!"

       The witch was in the parking lot when she heard a voice call her over, "Morgue, hey honeywumpus wait up!" Morgana stopped in her tracks as Darkwing ran to her side. " Boy, this parking garage could be shorter. Morgue, I'm sorry for what happened."

       "Don't be Dark, Neptunia's right, I don't belong with you guys, " Morgana said wearily.

       "I don't believe that Morgana," Darkwing tried to reassure her.

       "Then why didn't you stand up for me?" Morgana asked. Darkwing stammered a bit realizing his own girlfriend caught his true feelings. "It' all right, Dark, you were right when you once said that people never really change. It doesn't matter, now. You'd better go." She turned her back as Darkwing went back in the building, speechless.

      Alone, Morgana fished in her purse for her car keys. She fumbled on the car door of her red blazer. The key fell out of her hand and under the car. "Damn!" Morgana swore as she reached under the car to grab it. Her mind recalled the hearing and she started to cry. Caught up in her own problems, she ignored the white light that had surrounded her.

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA PRESENT DAY-

      Lucretia DeCoy hid behind the wall waiting for her pursuers to give up searching for her. She heard Wraith and Seige's voices get louder and more frantic. " I thought I saw her over here." Seige's deep voice rumbled. The two Saurons growled and mumbled for a few more minutes. Lucretia sat rigid, not even wanting to breathe for fear that they might find her.

      After what seemed like hours, Wraith called Seige over. "I no longer sense her, come we'd better report back to Dragonus. I warned him that the interdimensional limbo couldn't keep prisoners forever!" Lucretia waited until the two Lizards voices completely died down before she stood. . Ever since the hole to Limbo opened and she and the other prisoners escaped, this was how she had been living: stealing for money, sleeping on the streets, just barely hiding from the Saurons. Just like everyone else on Puckworld, the ex-spy thought bitterly.

       Lucretia stood on wobbly legs and glanced over at her reflection in the broken glass. Her figure was still slender and attractive, but lack of food and a hard living made her appear emaciated. Her violet hair hung in tangles. She peeked out the alley occasionally feeling people's purses or wallets for money. "This is what I have been reduced to," Lucretia thought in disgust, "Stealing mere pennies to survive?" But, she reflected what else could I do? Going back to the Saurons would be suicide She wasn't that despondent about her life, yet. Maybe I could join the Mighty Ducks, she thought but then laughed at that idea. The Ducks would never welcome her. She'd be lucky if they didn't have her executed, too.

      The spy was so caught up in her thoughts that she didn't notice the person in front of her, until she bumped him. "Hey!" the man grumbled and turned around. Lucretia looked up to the orange ugly face of Seige. "Hello gorgeous." Seige remarked.

      "Uh, I've uh, Bye," Lucretia yelled. She ran until her legs gave way. Her foot hit the pavement and she fell on the hard cold sidewalk. The ex-spy gasped waiting for the Saurons to catch up to her. She trembled as a white light carried her away.

DUCKBURG, CALISOTA PRESENT DAY-

       Dijon Moustard walked in the park, whistling and trying to keep a low profile. Occasionally, he would get close enough to a target, but they would walk away or see him. The little dog's stomach grumbled with irritation. He hadn't eaten in a few days, but he had no money. The dog felt a little dismay at himself with still having to steal.

      "The first step to change is to acknowledge that you have done wrong," Dijon recalled his older brother saying. Easy for Poupon to say, Dijon thought kicking some grass in anger, he didn't have to live on the streets of Baghdad with all of the bombs and the death nearby. Mama sent him to the priesthood, he was lucky.

      The thief looked up at Scrooge Mc Duck's money bin and his mouth watered with delight. "I wonder if I can find that genie," he said remembering how good it felt to have that money and the power that came with it, even for a short time. Keep dreaming, Dij and get back to work. he told himself. The thief walked past some children playing baseball, a hot dog vender, and three boys who reminded Dijon of Mr. McDuck's nephews, playing marbles, until he saw a good target. A couple was kissing on a park bench. The man had his back turned and his wallet stuck out of his pocket. Dijon casually leaned over and gently pulled the wallet out of the man's pocket.

       Through the corner of her eye, the woman saw Dijon. "Harold, that man has your wallet." She said.
The man whirled around to face Dijon. "Stop thief!" he yelled. Terrified, Dijon dropped the wallet and ran.

      The dog sprinted through the park not wanting to turn around for fear of the crowd behind him, or a cop. "Allah," he prayed, "Please let me hide." Suddenly, he felt a white light surround him. Not caring what it was or where it came from, Dijon hid in it.

THE PRIDELANDS, AFRICA PRESENT DAY-

      Shenzi let the succulent morsels of the meat drip down her mouth as she munched. She looked over at Benzi and Edd who were chewing in satisfaction. Not one of them wanted to speak as they slobbered over their food. Sometimes it's braving the lions to get this kind of meal, the female hyena thought.

      Suddenly Edd looked up from his meal and started chattering in silence. "What Edd?" Shenzi asked annoyed at her younger brother. Benzi looked up in the direction that Edd was pointing. "Shenz, lions!"
Shenzi turned around and saw Simba and his daughter Kiara running straight for them.

      "Run!" Shenzi commanded. The three hyenas ran with the lions in hot pursuit. Shenzi dashed ahead of her brothers until she felt a stitch in her side. She slowed down her pace in front of a soft pile of grass. She felt the ground give way and with a bloodcurdling scream, Shenzi fell through a hole.

      She landed on the ground with a thud. Her body hurt and she wiggled to move it. But, the hole was to small to move any part of her body. She was embarrassed for having fallen into a poacher's trap. "Are you okay, Shenz?" Benzi asked poking his head down the trap.

      "I'd be a lot more okay if you idiots would get me out of here!" she yelled. Benzi looked up at the direction if the approaching lions and did something Shenzi thought he would never do: left her behind. "Sorry, sis," Benzi said, then motioned for Edd to follow. Edd looked upset at the prospect of leaving Shenzi behind, but joined his brother.

       "Benzi, Edd don't leave me here. When I get my hands on you I'll-!" but her protests fell on deaf ears. Feeling tears sting her eyes, the female hyena curled up in the trap. She couldn't believe Benzi and Edd had deserted her. That Scar would one day kill them, yes. That Scar's nutty widow Zira would hunt them down and slaughter, oh yeah. That the royal family would have them for lunch, sure. Her own brothers would abandon that she, never. Shows how much loyalty we have for each other, Shenzi thought bitterly. For the first time in her life, she felt ashamed at being a hyena. Shenzi's body shook with her sobbing and she felt a light blind her. Her only thought, as it pulled her in would be that it would take her out of the Pridelands and the approaching lions.

CAPE SUZETTE, U.S.A. 1937-

      Six blasts resounded through the waiting room. Shere Khan looked up from the business section of his newspaper and glanced down at his nervous lackey. He glared at the coffee that had spilt from the mug in his hand.

      "The mug is half-empty." the tiger growled.

      "That means it's half-full, sir." Jackrabbit offered meekly. Upon Khan's stare, he filled the coffee until it was full.

      "Our guests have arrived, show them in.," Khan said. Jackrabbit bowed, reverently, then left the room in silence.

      Mozenrath was the first to wake up. His eyes focused on the white ceiling above him and the strange looking lanterns that blurred his vision. His back felt against a soft rug, yet his body ached. He turned his head to view his surroundings. A glass building shone throughout the window and huge monsters flew overhead. A faint odor made the wizard feel nauseous. Am I in a temple? he wondered. He tried to move his sore legs, but they kicked someone. Mozenrath turned to his left surprised he wasn't alone. There was a white female duck with raven-colored hair with white streaks piled to the top of her head dressed in a long flowing red dress, another female duck with wavy violet hair wearing tight purple trousers and a cut red top, a male brown dog dressed in flowing white clothes and a turban, a female hyena sleeping on two legs, and a blue-skinned male, who reminded Mozenrath of Genie with a strange arm dressed in some kind of armor.

      Morgana's eyes fluttered open and her mind felt a little foggy. She saw Mozenrath and screamed. "Where am I? Who are you?"

      "I was about to ask the same question." Mozenrath answered. Shenzi, Dijon, Warp, and Lucretia struggled to wake up.

      "What hit me, a space freighter?" Warp moaned standing ,but holding his throbbing forehead.

       Lucretia stood in a daze. "What's going on?" she asked.

      Shenzi rose to her feet. It took her a second before the shock bore into her; she was standing on two legs! "What the-?" she asked as she felt a presence staring at her. The hyena saw a brown dog transfixed on her. Shenzi looked down and gasped. Grabbing a throw rug and wrapping it around her skinny body like a dress, she grabbed Dijon by the snout. "Look at me that way again and I'll develop a craving for dog food! Understand?" Dijon nodded and she let go, knocking him to the ground.

       "Why have you brought use here? " Morgana demanded Mozenrath raising her fingers to fire a spell.

       "I? How do I know you're not behind this?" Mozenrath answered, firing his gauntlet.

      Disgusted, Lucretia prepared to walk, only to be blocked by Warp. "Where are you off to, sister?" he asked switching his arm to the Plasma Rifle.

      "Nowhere with you!" Lucretia retorted raising her blaster. Shenzi snarled at Dijon, her eyes glowing. The thief was upset at first, but then he growled back. The six formed a circle ready to attack or defend if need be. The air was sliced with the tension that emerged from their weapons.

      The door creaked open and the six turned in annoyance. Boldly, as bold as a shivering rabbit could be, Jackrabbit stepped in the middle of the threatened fray. He cleared his throat. "Mister, um, Mister Khan will see you now."

      "Is ‘Mister Khan' the reason we're here?" Lucretia asked. Jackrabbit nodded then pointed towards the door to the main office.
       "The only reason I haven't toasted you guys is I'm waiting to see who this guy is, so I can toast him!" Warp told them . The others nodded in agreement as they headed for the office. Jackrabbit waited until the others left and grabbed Shenzi by the arm.

      "I nearly forgot you'll need clothes." He told her.

       Panic rose in the hyena's heart. "What's happened to me?"

       "You've become anthromorphic, "was the answer. "Anthro-what?" Shenzi asked.

       Jackrabbit smiled as though she was a child who had just used a word incorrectly. "Anthromorphic, that means you can walk on two legs. " He looked her up and down. " You look to be my daughter's size we just live in this building. Come I'll explain on the way." He led her out of the office.

      "So, I'm a freak?" she asked getting more hysterical. "Why? Who would do this?" placing her hands on her head, she collapsed on the ground terrified. Taking pity on the scared hyena, Jackrabbit kneeled down and put his hand on her shoulder.

       "You're not a freak, not here anyway." he reassured her." And I imagine it was done, so you could blend in with the others." He stood up and took her by the hand, and led her out the door.

       Mozenrath, Morgana, Lucretia, Warp, and Dijon piled into Shere Khan's office. The room practically bled with refinery and expensive taste. The artwork and sculptures were replicas of famous work. The immaculate desk shone with mahogany.

      "Is anyone as confused as I am?" Lucretia asked.

       "Wherever we are, this building is in the clouds," Mozenrath marveled pointing at the skyline.

       Warp chuckled and responded to Mozenrath as though he was a small child. "That's because this is a skyscraper. It's a building with several stories."

       "Then how did we get on this, what do you call it, skyscraper?" the wizard asked. Warp was about to come back with another comment when the door opened to reveal a fully clothed Shenzi. A bit more calmer in her human form, She was dressed in an ankle-length purple dress with tank-top sleeves that barely hung off her shoulders. Her dark hair, which fell near her shoulders upon transformation, now hung in a high ponytail on top of her head. On her feet were white sandals. "His daughter's got good taste," she said pointing to the retreating jackrabbit.

      Dijon stared at his feet searching for the right word. "You look um, purple! Uh, I mean beautiful." Shenzi smiled thinly. A thought hit Dijon. "Maybe we're dead. Maybe this is heaven."

      Lucretia smirked. "I'm not much on my Bible reading, but I don't think Heaven resembles a corner office."

      "Miss DeCoy is right, this isn't Heaven, but many of my employees believe me to be God." a smooth voice called from behind the plush red chair. The chair swiveled around to reveal a tiger dressed in a fine blue suit. He grinned at his visitors showing all of his sharp teeth. His green eyes glowed like a predator who had caught his prey. "Welcome, my name is Shere Khan-."

       "Then you're the guy who's going to get his kiester kicked." Warp declared pointing his blaster at Khan. Khan grinned, nonplussed then pushed a red button. Several guns and lasers jutted out of the walls pointing at the would-be assassin. Warp retracted his weapon. Mozenrath grinned sardonically. "Really intelligent."

       "As I was saying," Khan continued as if uninterrupted. " Welcome to Cape Suzette in the year 1937."
Six faces stared in shock."1937?" "How is that possible?" "We've gone back in time, how?" Morgana asked.

      "I have my ways, Miss McCawber." Khan answered evenly.

       "You know us?" Mozenrath asked suspicion raising in his voice.

      "Of course, " Khan answered turning to each one. "Mozenrath, wizard Ruler of the Land of the Black Sands, Morgana McCawber member, of former member as it were, of the Justice Ducks and sorceress, used to use her sorcery for monetary gain, Warp Darkmatter betrayed Star Command and became an agent of Evil Emperor Zurg's, Lucretia DeCoy traitor to her home world and became a spy for the Saurons, Dijon Moustard, a thief formerly in the employ of Morlock and Flintheart Glomgold, and Shenzi, hyena who used to be the employ of Scar."

      "Okay good guess," Shenzi answered, "That doesn't explain why we are here.:" Khan examined each one of his outstretched claws and the hyena cowered, fearful at her own interruption.

       "I have summoned you here, because I need assignments done that requires a certain skill by those with …. loose morals." Khan answered.

      "Does that include me?," Morgana asked not sure she wanted to be acquainted with the rest.

       "Yes, Ms. High and Mighty it does! You're here aren't you?," Lucretia shot back, " Then she seductively pulled herself onto the desk and leaned to Khan . "What can we do for you, honey?"

      Disgusted, Khan pushed her off. "I need certain objects delivered to me."

      "So we're your new delivery service," Warp mocked, " Sorry, but I don't work for nothing. What's in it for us?" Khan reached into his drawer and pulled out six manila files that bulged with papers and reports. He handed them to each person.

       "What you have in your hands are records of your past misdeeds. If you agree to this, you will return to your former lives with clear names and clean reputations." He waited for the skepticism and excitement to die down, before he continued. "In the meantime you will live together, work together, and fight together."

      "Then what, " Warp jeered, " At the end of each week do we get to hold a tribal council to vote a member out of the group." He looked over to Mozenrath as if to name his first choice.

      "Ooh, ooh. Can I be Gervase?," Dijon's hand shot up enthusiastically. Khan glared at the dog and he whimpered.

       Mozenrath, too, glared at Warp and Dijon. "In his own mindless way, the Blue Guy did raise a valid point. What if we refuse?"

       Khan placed his hands together. "If you refuse or if even one of you dies, you will return to your former lives and you will be hunted down and possibly imprisoned or executed. And I believe some of your former employers aren't nearly as forgiving as I would be." The room was silent as each person let Khan's words sink in. The only sounds that could be heard were the ticking of the clock on the wall and the persistent drumming of Khan's claws on the desk. "Would you excuse us?," Morgana asked as the six formed a huddle.

      Dijon was the first to speak. "I have nothing to go back to, I'll do it."

      Shenzi looked down at her anthromorphic body in dismay. She pretended to weigh the consequences. "Let's see definitely getting eaten by lions or maybe getting killed out here . What choice do I have?"

      "It might be nice to have a clean reputation.," Morgana observed, remembering her fight with the Justice Ducks and Darkwing.

            "My last boss fed me to a wormhole, this has to be better.," Lucretia answered.

       "Unfortunately, job – and life- security aren't things with Zurg, I'm in," Warp agreed. They all turned to Mozenrath. The wizard looked at his gauntleted hand, warily. With only half his powers intact from his fight with Khartoum, he would never take the Seven Deserts and he was as mortal as anyone, now and not nearly as untouchable. He thought about Khan's threat and gulped.

       "Some of you look like you can't put on your own sandals, I'm in," He said. They all turned to Khan ." We all agree." Mozenrath informed the tiger.

       "Good," Khan observed turning to the Cape Suzette skyline, "My associate will show you your new home and give you your first assignment. Don't fail me!" The six left the office closing the door behind them.

       When they were out of earshot an angry voice spoke behind Khan." I didn't waste valuable energy bringing them here just so they could fail. This had better work Khan!"

      "Patience," Khan reassured his partner," They will deliver and if they don't they can be returned or destroyed. It's no big loss, they won't be missed."

       The airfield was filled with planes, pilots, and mechanics. Every corner of it was busy. The planes varied from just coming off the assembly line to ready for the scrap heap. The steam fuel that had emerged from the planes made everyone gag. Mechanics rushed forwards and backwards yelling orders and trying to fix this engine or that wing. Pilots sprinted to their planes ready for takeoff . Morgana, Lucretia, Warp, Shenzi, and Dijon looked nonplussed at the vehicles. Only Mozenrath looked a little frightened at the metal creations, but he tried to cover it up with arrogance. "Are we to ride in these monstrosities?," he asked.

       "You don't know what they are, do you?" Warp chided. The wizard clenched his hand in a fist ready to hit the tall ex-ranger.

       "Actually, Mr. Mozenrath none of those are your flight," Jackrabbit yelled to be heard over the screaming deafening engines. A small sleek black and red futuristic ship rolled in. The wings jutted out and shone in the sunlight. The curves came to a jagged point on the top. "That's your flight," Jackrabbit continued. "Welcome to your new home, Khan's Hammer. I trust you know how to fly it."

       Mozenrath appeared confused, so Morgana answered. "I've never even seen a spaceship outside of a science fiction movie."

      "I flew in an airplane, but I got sick," Dijon said. "But then Launchpad McQuack was flying." Morgana nodded knowingly.

       "Nope sorry," Shenzi said, "There's an unwritten code among Pridelanders Any type of machine is usually associated with human hunters and poachers. We're not too wild about being turned into throw rugs!" Lucretia and Warp examined the ship up and down closely.

       "Hydraulic spheres, Class a," Warp muttered staring at the scanner.

       "No look at the engines." Lucretia corrected pointing upward ," These are overriding thrusts. It's a class b." Examining it closer, a revelation hit the female duck. "I don't believe this. This was made in Puckworld! Or it used to be before-," her voice trailed off sadly.

       "Before what, honey?," Morgana asked with concern.

      "Just before, okay?," Lucretia snapped .

       "Then you two can fly this?," Mozenrath asked.


       "Yeah," Lucretia answered with a what-a –dumb-question tone to her voice. "I had my first flying lesson with these things among other lessons, in these things."

       "We used to train in ships like this, actually, better than this," Warp chimed in.

       "Good then you are our pilots, any objections?" Mozenrath asked. No one objected. Jackrabbit took the opportunity to hand the dark-haired wizard a small white packet.

      "This is your assignment," Jackrabbit answered. "Every time you return you will receive a packet just like this that will tell you what you need to get and where it is. They will always be sealed. Even I don't know what's in them. Only Mr. Khan and, just Mr. Khan know. Good luck and be careful."

       "Thanks for everything, "Shenzi said as the crew gathered in the ship. "Please be careful," the small rabbit thought as the door to the Hammer closed.

       The crew sat in six uncomfortable, little seats trying their best to maintain comfort. Lucretia pushed a few buttons on the console and it glowed brightly. Warp flipped on the navigation computer at his side. "Buckle up guys," Lucretia advised. "It's been awhile since I've flown in this type of ship , but if I remember correctly take off is a bit sickening for first timers. Unless things have changed." She glanced over at her co-pilot's direction.

      "Nope, it's still a Puckworld piece of crap." Warp said. Lucretia glared at Warp as she pushed the start button and pulled back the steering mechanism . The Hammer lurched and swerved left and right before it took off. As the ship approached acceleration, it rocked and jumped three times. Mozenrath, Morgana, Shenzi, and Dijon clutched their stomachs in sickness. Amused, the two pilots exchanged a "humph, stupid rookies" grin as the Hammer took off in the air.

       After the rocky start, Khan's Hammer flew smoothly into the warm sunny sky. Everyone had gotten used to the flight, except Shenzi. The hyena's stomach swerved as she tried to look at the seat in front of her, down at her hindlegs, or feet, anything but outside. Dijon seated next to her, and touched her hand reassuringly. The hyena turned to the dog and snapped, her green eyes switching to yellow. "Leave me alone!," she growled, " I can take care of myself!" Taking a hint Dijon got up from their seat and sat next to Morgana , he turned to Mozenrath. "What are we looking for?," he asked.

       Mozenrath carefully opened the sealed envelope and pulled out a note and some photos. He read the note in silence, at first his eyes widened in amazement. "We have to get the Three Orbs of Kashmir! "      
Morgana whistled in approval. The other four exchanged puzzled glances.

      "I don't get it, "Shenzi said, "What is so special about these dumb rocks?"

       "These ‘dumb rocks' as you call them contain magical properties. One can create natural disturbances, one can take anyone anywhere we want to go, and the other can-"

      "Heal or kill someone," Morgana reminded him," But they can only be used once except the Transportation Orb." The male wizard nodded in agreement. "By Allah, they are old by my time!"

      "Magic rocks, "Warp scoffed. "You expect us to believe that?" Shenzi smirked in disbelief.

       "Why not a girl could use some jewels," Lucretia cooed, but it was clear from her ironic tone that she didn't believe them either.

       "It's possible," Dijon countered ,"My brother's temple has a goose that anything it touches will turn to gold." He shuddered slightly at the memory.

       "Despite what you non-believers think, real magic does exist," Mozenrath explained as his gauntlet glowed, "For example if I were to turn you guys into snails. That would be magic." Smoke poured out from the gauntlet and in Warp's, Lucretia's, and Shenzi's places were three angry snails. Morgana and Dijon could barely stifle their laughter. Mozenrath continued. "Or if you were to become , I don't know, fish. That is magic, too." Again, they became fish. "Or maybe if I were to turn you into-."

      "Okay, that's enough," Morgana interrupted, her voice still had traces of amusement. "Change them back, we need the pilots."

       "I never get to have any fun." the wizard complained. "Now do you believe in magic?" The three fish nodded, quickly, as they reverted back to their original forms.

       Returning to the subject at hand, Morgana pursed her bill in confusion. "Funny, we studied about the Orbs in school, but they were supposed to be hidden. Does Khan want us to try and find them?"

      "Actually, we won't have to," Mozenrath said, "They were already found by, are you ready, Shere Khan and they were stolen by pirates led by a Don Karnage."

      "Why are we supposed to take these?," Morgana asked, "Why does Khan want these orbs, so badly then go through all the trouble to recruit us and this ship? Why does he just want us to return what he had before? Am I missing something, feel free to add anything."

      "I don't know, " Mozenrath said, " All I do know is you don't go throw all of this trouble and plan small. I never did. But, let's do our jobs now and we'll discuss this later. Where's the pirate's hideout?"

       Warp punched a few keys into the computer. "Well, this is interesting. The pirate's hideout is in a volcano, due east." Suddenly, Mozenrath's gauntlet burned him. He clutched his arm in excruciating pain. "Go there," he said weakly pointing towards the west.

"But the computer-," Warp began. "Forget the computer!," the young wizard snapped. "Go west!" The ship headed west. When the Hammer approached a small island, Mozenrath gave them the signal to land. As the Hammer landed, Warp pushed a cloaking device button on the ship and it disappeared as if it were never there. As the crew disembarked, the invisible ship Morgana turned to Mozenrath. "How did you do it? How do you know the orbs are here?"

      The wizard held up his gloved hand. "This, besides enabling me to use magic. It also enables me to detect magic." Through the corner of his eye, Mozenrath spotted Dijon trying to finger the gauntlet. "It also enables me to fry any thieves who are stupid enough to get caught!" The young thief scattered behind Shenzi and away from the wizard.

      The gang walked on in silence, until they came to a clearing. Mozenrath motioned them to follow him, until a voice interrupted them. Sprinting behind bushes, they tried to hide themselves. "I tell you, Mad Dog, "a Scandinavian-accented voice said." I kicked something metal back there, but when I looked there was nothing there."

      "Aww, you've been drinking Don Karnage's secret rum, again, haven't you." Mad Dog answered in a high- pitched whiny voice." Upset, the other pirate hushed his companion. "You weren't supposed to know about that!" The voices got quieter as they left.

      When they were sure the coast was clear, the Dirty Half Dozen came out from behind the bushes," Okay, what are we supposed to do?" Lucretia asked.

Mozenrath rubbed his smooth forehead in thought. Then he snapped his fingers. "Okay, Shenzi and Dijon will find those orbs and lift them. You two," he pointed to Warp and Lucretia " Stand guard and Morgana and I will create a diversion."

      "Great, that's your plan, marvelous, sensational, but how are we going to get inside?" the violet haired duck asked.

      "Leave that to me," Morgana said. " She fired her fingers in the air and standing by her were five parrots. The witch duck cowered in embarrassment. "No, I meant pirates."

       "Not bad for an amateur, " Mozenrath answered smugly, "Now, it's my turn." He returned the others, then changed them to shadows. "Now remember guys stay in the shadows, you can pick up form, but be careful I don't know how long this lasts. That's why the diversion is important." The six crowded into the shadows until they came upon the silver ship that was filled with weapons: the Iron Vulture. A dog-like pirate stood at the front of the Vulture dressed in a brown uniform. He spoke in a loud clear voice to several other pirates. "And now, the man who has a first and last name for every pirate maneuver. The man who knows more than 100 ways to torture a prisoner, your hero, but he's our captain, Don Karnage!"

      The pirates burst into applause as a handsome red wolf stepped from the Vulture. He was dressed in a fine red and blue uniform that was bejeweled with gold buttons and black boots that shone. He spoke in a heavy accent. "Thank you my loyal fans. It's a beautiful day up here in the Iron Vulture, but of course every time I'm around it is always a beautiful day, yes no?" the crowd laughed at the joke." As you know I am Don Karnage with my own voice talking. We are preparing for our best plunder yet, yes, no? Thanks to these little miracles we have ‘borrowed' from Khan. Now we will pillage Cape Suzette like never before!"

      "What planet is this guy from?" Warp quipped.

      "Who cares?," Lucretia said," He's hot."

      "Never mind that.," Mozenrath ordered "Just get into your positions." The dog and the hyena scampered closer to the pirates, while the two aliens stayed where they were, and the sorcerers sneaked further into the Vulture. "Mozenrath, what kind of diversion are we supposed to create in these forms?," Morgana asked.

      "Shut up and let me think.," Mozenrath demanded lost in concentration. "We could create some giant monster, or we could create an army to attack them." While Mozenrath contemplated possible diversions, Morgana found a perfect one: She casually lifted a large ring of keys and sailed over to a prison that had two bears held prisoner. The older bear had his arms folded on his yellow shirt and the younger bear , his son possibly, crossed his arms and fingered his long green sweater. Taking pity on them, Morgana opened the prison door. The bears looked up confused. Mozenrath turned to the door. "Or we could just let some prisoners out and let them do the work for us." He turned to the prisoners. "Listen, yes or no. Do you want to get out?"

       "How can we answer ya, if we can barely see ya?," the older bear asked. "Just answer the question!" the wizard growled and the two bears nodded. "We need you to do us a favor. We need you to create a diversion for us. Let the pirates know you're escaping."

      "Are you nuts?," the bear asked. "Do you want to find out?." The wizard countered. "What about those rocks." The boy asked. "We were hired to find them when we got caught."

      "So were we.," Morgana said," Don't worry we'll take care of them. Now go." The two bears ran out of the door. The bigger one yelled out to the pirate. "Hey , Karnage looks like you need to beef up your security!" the bruins ran like mad. Karnage looked at the retreating prisoners and a shock chilled him. "How? – Never mind, seize them!" he turned to the dog pirate. "Mad Dog stand guard!" he hollered as the pirates followed the bears. Dijon who was the closest one in the group, to the pirates lifted a cloth from the table where Mad Dog was standing were three brilliant balls that glowed in their fluorescence. "Shenzi, " he whispered to the hyena. " I found them." The girl ran up to Dijon , then picked up two orbs in her hands. "Take the other one," she told him. Dijon quickly picked up the third holding his breath so no one would sense him. Suddenly, his foot kicked Mad Dog's boot. The pirate yelped in surprise then turned to face the

intruders. "Who are you?," he demanded not waiting for an answer. "Don Karnage, intruders are taking the orbs!"

      Hearing the commotion, Karnage and his pirates returned to the scene. "I hope those prisoners got out safely." Morgana said wistfully. Then she and the others felt their bodies returning to normal. "Worry about us!" Mozenrath demanded.

      "Seize those imposters," Karnage ordered his men. The pirates screamed as they ran to attack. "Attack!" Mozenrath ordered his crew. The Dirty Half Dozen ran into the scuffle. Seeing three pirates surrounding him, Dijon leapt to the tree on top of him. The dog laughed with delight as the pirates collided into each other, until he felt an arm grab him. A thin weasel held him. "Now, the orbs," he demanded in a Spanish accent. The dog could smell the whiskey on the pirate's breath. Suddenly a blast hit the pirate knocking him to the ground. Dijon felt his body lose its balance, but he managed to finger the sword from the pirates waist. Able to pull his weight onto the tree, Dijon looked down to see where the blast came from. Standing on the ground was Warp looking proud at his shot. "Thank you!," the dog yelled. Then a large boar-like pirate sneaked up behind the alien ready to apprehend him. "Warp, look out!" Dijon yelled. Throwing the sword down. The sword hit the pirate, but the force of the blow knocked Dijon over tossing him out of the tree. The dog tumbled into the big ex-Ranger's arms. "Thanks again," Dijon said feeling woozy. "Anytime, Little Guy," Warp replied.

      Shenzi ran into the fields with two pirates chasing after her. I could run a lot faster with four legs, she thought angrily. She screamed as her foot hit a rock and she tumbled to the ground. The two pirates stood over her barreling their guns. The hyena heard gunfire and braced herself for impact . When none came, she looked up confused . The pirates who had attacked her had fallen over and at their feet stood Lucretia holding her blaster. "Thanks," she said as the duck helped her stand. The pirate called Mad Dog had a gun pointed at Lucretia's head ."Now come on.," the duck cooed. "You don't want to hurt little old me do you?." In love the pirate stammered and blushed as Lucretia removed the gun from his hand. Mad Dog felt a sharp blow to his head then fell. Shenzi dropped the rock she had been holding onto the ground with an innocent who-me expression on her face. "Primitive choice of weapon, but I like," Lucretia gave an approving smile.

      Two pirates ran, but Morgana blocked their way. "Out of our way old hag!," one of them demanded. Morgana felt her temper rise. "A hag am I? A hag indeed!" She fired lightning from her fingertips and at her feet where two slugs. She looked over in Mozenrath's direction where the wizard had just turned two other pirates to ash, but he didn't see the one sneaking up behind him. Morgana blasted a spell in the air turning the pirate to dust. " I saw him!," Mozenrath objected. " Didn't look like it!," Morgana challenged. Mozenrath fired his gauntlet and turned an pirate avenging on Morgana into a skeleton. "By the way you're welcome," he said.

       The six ran to the exit and out into the woods. "To the Hammer ." Mozenrath ordered.

      "My turn to drive," Warp said as they dodged trees. "I call shot gun," Lucretia answered.

      Don Karnage limply rose from his position. He looked around at his pirates most of them were injured or dying. Only three remained. Three , damn! "Get in the Vulture," he growled. Not wanting to argue, the pirates ran into the ship fearing their captain's fury.

      The Hammer flew into the evening sky. Morgana stared out the window at the advancing ship. "Guys they are right behind us!," she reported.

      "Are you sure ?," Dijon asked. The Vulture fired a laser into the base of the Hammer. The ship rocked with the force of the blast. "Pretty sure," Morgana said dryly.

      "I'd like to see them try that again," Lucretia dared. The silver ship fired yet another blast at the base. "Well, I didn't think they heard me." Lucretia offered.

      "Mozenrath walked up to the gangplank. "Where are you going?," Shenzi asked him. " I'm going to stop them with my magic," was the response.

       "And if we needed to be chased by a 50 ft. snail that would be a good idea." Warp answered sarcastically.

       Irritated, the wizard advanced on Warp. "Why don't I shut you up, permanently?"

      "Why don't I have wizard flambé`?," the alien challenged aiming his flame-thrower.

      "Boys, this is really getting us nowhere ," Morgana began meekly. "So, why don't you two shake hands, make up, take care of those pirates, AND STOP FIGHTING!!!!" Her lightning bolts hit the two men. Their bodies smarting, they were instantly apologetic. "We're sorry." "We'll be good."

      "Lucretia", Mozenrath turned to the spy, "Can you fire something at him?" Not waiting to be told twice , Lucretia use the computer to target the Iron Vulture . When she was sure it was in the right position. She fired the lasers on it. The Vulture was engulfed in flames and fell to the island below. The crew of Khan's Hammer cheered and hugged each other. "What a fine day," Dijon observed brightly. "We got those orbs, took care of those pirates, and no one saw us. Things are looking up." Suddenly, five large planes surrounded the Hammer each one piloted by an angry looking panther. "Wrong about everything," Dijon muttered darkly.

      "This Cape Suzette, police," one of the panthers reported. "We ask that you please land your vehicle and come out with your hands up."

      "What now do we blast them?," Shenzi asked.

      "No can do," Lucretia said, "There are too many of them and one of the more interesting features about this type of ship is the lasers need time to cool down after firing."

      "Dijon hand me one of those orbs," Mozenrath said. The thief shrugged then handed him the glowing ball. "I hope this is the right one." Mozenrath said holding the orb in the air. "I wish that me, the ship, and the crew were away from here." With a sharp crashing force, the ship disappeared.

      "Where are we?," Shenzi asked, when the ship stopped. Lucretia looked at the coordinates. "According to this, we're still in 1937. About 3,000 miles away from Cape Suzette."

      "How long will it be until we return to Cape Suzette?," Morgana asked.

      "Who's to say, we have to?," Mozenrath questioned. All faces turned towards the wizard in shock and bewilderment. "I'm serious, we have the orbs we can go anywhere we want to. Who's to stop us?"

      "I'll tell you who," Morgana reminded him." Khan, if he has enough power to send us here, he probably has enough power to find us. We should just take this to him."

      "Then I have another idea. My illusions still last, one of the easier spells," Mozenrath said placing the orbs on the table. He waved his hand over them and the orbs multiplied. "These are real and these are fake. We'll just take these to Khan, but the real ones we'll keep."

      "I don't like this," Morgana warned.

       "You don't have to," Mozenrath snapped. "We're going to have to work together for Allah knows how long. Rather than adding five more enemies to our list, I suggest we pretend to like each other and ride this out for however long it lasts. Then when it's over, we'll get as far away from each other as we possibly can.
Agreed?"

"Agreed.," the six chanted in unison.

      Don Karnage pulled himself out of the wreckage of the Vulture . He winced as he saw the smoldering plane behind him. He limped out to the surface in disbelief. He had never planned on this. For Khan or anyone of his enemies to destroy his empire, sure. For that pilot, Baloo to slightly puncture it, maybe. For it to crumble at the hands of six total strangers ,never. The former pirate stared at his bruised reflection in the lagoon, then he smashed the water with his fist. Whoever those strangers were, he would make them pay. "You have made a dangerous enemy, mes Amis!" Karnage vowed through clenched teeth.


Continued in Chapter 02