Disclaimer: As before I do not own these characters. They belong to Disney. Warp Darkmatter belongs to Disney/Pixar. I do not intend to make a profit and I'm doing it just for my personal jollies.


Note; This is rated PG, but could veer towards PG-13, because it has some mild cursing, a few violent scenes, some implied sexual situations, and some deaths. Also, there is some instances of h/c and pure emotions, so if you are against that sort of thing, you don't have to read (but you will miss out on a good story J ).


This is a song for the brokenhearted
A silent prayer for faith departed
I ain't gonna be just a face in the crowd
Your gonna hear my voice when I shout it out loud
It's My Life and it's now or never
I ain't gonna live forever
I just want to live while I'm alive.
It's my life. My heart is like an open highway
Like Frankie said "I did it my way."
I just want to live until I die
It's my life!
This is for ones who stood their ground
To Tommy and Gina never backed down
Tomorrow will come give all you can take
Look it here, look it gotta make your own breaks
It's my Life and it's now or never
I ain't gonna live forever
I just wanna live while I'm alive
It's my life. My heart is like an open highway
Like Frankie said , "I did it my way."
I just wanna live until I die
It's my Life!
You gotta stand tall when they're combin' you out
Gonna make no break , but you don't back down!
It's my life and it's now or never
I ain't gonna live forever
I just wanna live while I'm alive
It's my life! My heart is like an open highway
Like Frankie said, "I did it my way."
I just wanna live until I die
It's my life!

~Bon Jovi, "It's My Life"

Cape Suzette, U.S.A.-1937-

Shere Khan listened to his pilot's report on the intercom. "We were unable to apprehend them or retrieve the orbs sir.," the pilot began. "They disappeared almost as soon as we got there."

"Enough excuses!," Khan interrupted. "When you return we will discuss your future with my company or probable lack thereof!" He switched off the intercom and turned to the disembodied voice behind him. His face lit up from the green mist. "They have the orbs ,but they have yet to return."

"Do you trust them too? We have been watching and we are most disappointed, Khan!" the voice demanded. "After all those who betray their own kind are sure to betray others."

"Shall I send my men after them?," Khan inquired.

"No too much. Have only one person follow them to see what they are up to. Then once we find out everything can go as plan. You and I can both get what we want and they will get what they deserve." Khan's friend reasoned.

" I know just the perfect person.," the tiger answered looking down at the newspaper headline on the desk: IRON VULTURE GOES DOWN IN FLAMES; PIRATE EMPIRE IN RUINS .

Khan pushed the button to his intercom. "Yes sir?," Jackrabbit's voice piped up.

"Get me Don Karnage, " Khan ordered.

Khan's Hammer, Unknown location, 1937- Morgana McCawber looked casually around for Shenzi or Lucretia to show up. When she felt like she was alone in their new room, she opened her purse and pulled out a small antique silver mirror. She looked through it, remembering what her brother, Draco told her after he bought it for her in Paris. "If you look into it it will show you anyone you wish to see."

Morgana held it in her hands, her mouth dry with anticipation. "Show me Darkwing Duck," she asked.

The image of Darkwing formed in the reflection in place of her face. She watched with interest as the purple-suited hero vanquished Megavolt. Morgana felt a slight premonition and gulped with the thought that she may never see Darkwing again. "I miss you, Dark," she whispered.

"He's cute.," a bawdy voice interrupted. Morgana jumped in surprise as she commanded the mirror to stop. The duck superhero faded from the image and Morgana looked at her own face in the mirror. Lucretia stood in front of her with her arms around her waist. The sorceress moved to give Lucretia some space to sit down on the bed. "Is he your husband?"

"No , he is maybe was my boyfriend.," Morgana answered. "I guess I was sort of hoping he would be my husband someday."

"Was he that good?" Lucretia asked, lavisciously.

"Yes," Morgana sighed, but then returned to normal. "He was, but that wasn't important. We loved each other."

The lavender haired duck smirked. "Sure you did. If you loved each other so much why are you here alone. Why isn't he here with you or you over there with him? "

"I don't know, " Morgana objected. "But he was a good man and a hero."

Lucretia nodded, then rolled her eyes. " Sure he was. He was a saint , I'm sure, who would never dream of cheating on you, or coming home drunk and beating on you, or decide he doesn't want kids and leave you knocked up never to return again."

Morgana winced at the painful memory. "He was different not like Adri-others. " The sorceress leaped off the bed and stared out the window. Her face reflected through the stars that whizzed by. Through the corner of the window, she could see Lucretia seated on the bed. The younger ducks head was bowed and she hadn't moved from her position . Something about her posture indicated that she had revealed more about herself in those flippant remarks than she intended. There was so much, Morgana didn't know about her new teammates, this girl in particular. Something about her reminded her of herself when she was younger. " Do you have a boyfriend?," she asked.

Lucretia smiled, her bawdy humor was back. " I have lots of them.," she said.

"Any right now," Morgana asked.

"No," Lucretia said, standing up. "I'm married to my work." She walked out of the room. Morgana held the mirror to her face. She almost called for Darkwing's image to reappear, but then she thought of Lucretia's words She absently shoved the mirror back into her purse, tears threatening to sting her eyes.

Lucretia DeCoy wandered around the hall for awhile until she got bored counting the flourescent lights and wandered towards the cockpit. The trip could take until morning . Lucretia couldn't wait for it, no the whole mission to be over. Anything was better than listening to that McCawber bitch go on and on about her wonderful too good to be true boyfriend. Actually, she knew it wasn't true Morgana almost never talked about Darkwing Duck unless she was asked and when she did she never bragged about him. She was nice as could be and that's what bothered Lucretia the most. Maybe it was sharing a room with two other women that bothered her. At least with men, Lucretia knew her place they were either really interested , married, gay, or too powerful for her, like Dragonus. With women she didn't know her place. Well, Shenzi was okay. The hyena didn't have anything to live up to, and they kind of were getting along.

Lucretia placed her hand on the table and rummaged through the files that Khan had given them. There were interesting secrets in them, she could tell just by looking at them. I wonder what I can find out about you guys, she thought as she opened the file marked Darkmatter, Warp and began to read. After she was finished, the violet haired duck sauntered up to the cockpit, smoothed her hair, and adjusted her blouse to reveal her cleavage. As she suspected Warp was in the cockpit, but he wasn't at the controls. He reclined on a chair with his feet propped up taking a long drag from the cigarette he was smoking. "I thought you were supposed to be flying." The alien jumped slightly and doused his cigarette. When he saw Lucretia, he regained his composure. " Oh it's just you, not that that's a bad thing by any means. I had a bit of skyway hypnosis so I put it on auto. What are you doing?"

He lit her up a cigarette and she smiled and accepted. She could tell right off that this Darkmatter guy was the type who if he was interested remained cool about it, always the tougher nuts to crack and definitely the most fun. "Just thought I'd keep you company and catch up on some light reading."

She displayed his file like a card shark handing over a full house.

Warp displayed no outward emotion apart from his usual cocky grin. "You know most people read novels before they go to bed." Lucretia sat down next to the blue-skinned alien. She leaned so closely that their knees bumped into each other. "The World According to Warp is more interesting and a lot more scandalous than Barbara Quackland."

"Well ‘‘interesting' and ‘‘scandalous' are good words to describe it, but I could have done without some things. Anything you want to know or I have to tell you?," Warp asked.

"Just one it says that you lived on a run-down planet run by an Emperor Zurg was it? " she inquired.

"Yeah, until I was about sixteen, why?" he asked. Lucretia nodded. "Then you worked for this Zurg guy. How can you work for a tyrant who devoured your home planet? I would have thought you hated him."

" I did, but I could ask you the same question." Lucretia started" How did you-?" Warp reached under the seat and pulled out Lucretia's file. "Interesting reading yourself and some pictures that are better than Playboy " Touche, Lucretia thought, surprised at being matched. She turned pouty. "No fair, I asked you first."

Warp looked at the duck squarely in the eye before responding. All traces of flirting or teasing was gone from his face. "When I was a kid, I learned real quickly that you do what it takes to get through and if you win that means that someone has to lose. Seemed to me, Zurg was winning. Now, it's your turn."

Lucretia looked down at her hands. " I just wanted to survive. I mean the whole time I was working with Dragonus, I knew he was the enemy, but at least I was still alive which is more than most of the people I knew were. It's not much and when I first started working with Dragonus, I felt really guilty.

But overtime, I got over it but you know there was always this small part of my mind, my conscience I guess that started to bother me, and I hoped it would stop-"

"-but it never did.," Warp finished for her. "So you go on and kept doing stuff, just to cover it up, just to keep from feeling anything at all. I know." They looked into each other's eyes for a long time and leaned closer. Suddenly, the spell was broken and the two pulled away from each other, laughing slightly. Lucretia reverted to her sexy pose. "So how much of you is mechanical?"

"Just my arm.," Warp answered," The rest is sentinent." "Really?" "Wanna find out?" Warp invited.

They stood up together, grinning at each other. "So who won?" Lucretia asked about their conquest.

"Let's just call it a draw," Warp reasoned, as they walked to the back of the ship.

"So you will do it?," Khan asked after he finished explaining his plans to the man seated on the chair across from him.

"Of course I will sir, you can count on your favorite pirate," Don Karnage agreed. "But ,sir, they are quite powerful yes no. I have lost most of my men to them. "

"They will not be a problem," Khan reassured him. "Not with my associates on your side."

"Associates?," Karnage asked as a green mist swirled around them. "Welcome to our organization, Don Karnage," said a thick husky accented voice dripping with pure evil "Soon you will be a part of our New Order." Khan called Jackrabbit to him and handed him a small white envelope. "Give this to my crew." Jackrabbit nodded, but stared at Karnage with barely concealed contempt and the mist with obvious fear before he left.

"I don't trust him. Before you follow my crew, tomorrow morning, I have another assignment for you.," Khan told Karnage then he leaned him closer to reveal their plans.

Mozenrath woke up the next morning in a foul mood. He had been up all night studying his magic and why these orbs were so special, besides being so valuable, and it frustrated him that he couldn't find anything. Not to mention he wouldn't have gotten any sleep with so many people so close to him. It made him long for the comforts of the Citadel, which was a laugh since the Citadel wasn't a comfort before, but at least Xerxes was there. Mozenrath would admit only to himself, that he sort of missed the stupid eel. At least things would be more bearable if he were here, Mozenrath thought. Then he thought of the orbs that were in his half of the room. He was glad he had the real ones, they could still be useful for him maybe restore his power. The wizard looked through the window of the cockpit and saw the Cape Suzette skyline with the tall buildings and flying airplanes. "Better get the others and make Darkmatter turn off the auto-pilot," Mozenrath told himself remembering the word from the night before.

He opened the door to his, Dijon's, and Warp's room. The dog was whimpering and muttering in his sleep. Occasionally, he scratched his ear. Mozenrath shook the dog gently. "Dijon, hey Dijon wake up."

The dog muttered a bit, but stayed asleep. The wizard shook him harder. "Dijon wake up!" Still the dog slept. Furious , Mozenrath pushed him to the floor. "Aww, but Mama I don't want to go to temple today. " Dijon moaned in his sleep. "DIJON WAKE UP!!" Mozenrath yelled. Suddenly awake, Dijon sprang into action. "We're almost in Cape Suzette, wake the others, "Mozenrath ordered. "You could have done it yourself." Dijon muttered. The wizard glared at him, his gauntlet burning bright. Terrified, Dijon yipped then ran out of the room.

First he knocked on the girls' room. Morgana opened it dressed in a see-through black negligee. "We're almost in Cape Suzette. You might want to get undre-uh, I mean dressed.," the dog told her. Morgana snapped her fingers and her outfit was changed to her long bright red dress. "I think I'll keep my hair down ," she said pointing at her ebony hair which now tumbled down to her waist. "Why don't you wake up Shenzi?" She invited him waving him in the bedroom. The dog walked in the room and saw the hyena lying on the floor twitching and muttering in her sleep. "No Benzi, Edd!" She muttered scared.She started to shake .and struggle. Dijon held onto her. "Wake up, it's just a dream. Benzi and Edd aren't here." She shook a few more seconds, before she woke up. "Where am I? I'm not in the Pridelands, am I? " Dijon shook his head. "Then what are you doing here?" "Mozenrath says it's time to get up," Dijon answered.

"Well go and let me get dressed!," Shenzi demanded. Despite the command, Shenzi's voice was without the customary bitterness and anger from yesterday more dazed from the dream.

Dijon obediantly left the room and heard the click of the closet door open. Warp and Lucretia scampered out of it, hand in hand giggling to each other. Warp whispered something in her ear, that only caused her to laugh harder "Hi Lucretia," Dijon said dreamily. "Hi Puppy," Lucretia drawled. Then suddenly Dijon understood what they did. "How did you do that?" He asked Warp.

"Timing, Little Man, timing.," Warp answered walking up the front with Dijon close behind them.

The Dirty Half Dozen walked out to Khan's office meeting Jackrabbit by the door. Mozenrath clutched the bag with the fake orbs close to him, as he passed by , as though worried the assistant could see right through them. The rabbit said nothing, but as he brushed by Morgana he put a small envelope in his hand . "Meet me out front later," he whispered. The six exchanged confused glances. Mozenrath motioned the gang to follow him into the office.

Khan was seated at his desk, staring at them like they were six flys trapped in a web and he was a hungry spider.

His green eyes glowed. Mozenrath's tongue felt dry and his heart pounded through his chest. Come on, he thought, I pulled a double cross before , this is no different. He slid the bag to Khan's direction without a word. The itger slowly opened the bag. The wizard glanced at his teammates. No one displayed any outward feelings, but Mozenrath could smell the fear and terror at being discovered from each of them. Khan pulled out each orb and examined them through a small magnifying glass. When he was done he looked up, "Well done on your first assignment," he said nonchalantly. "You met my assistant at the door and he gave you your next asignment?" They nodded. "Then go ! I'm glad to know my supreme efforts weren't wasted." He turned his back to them. Without another word the six left.

"You think he'd let us rest for awhile before we went on our next assignment.," Shenzi said as they headed for the Hammer.

"No such luck," Lucretia groaned. "Where to next?" She asked Morgana who looked in the shadows. Dijon waved his hand in front of her face. "Hello, where are you?"

"I thought I saw someone, in the shadows.," Morgana said. "He was moving behind those cars."

"I don't see anything," Warp said looking a little further ahead."Maybe, you're seeing things."

"Never mind, that ,where are we headed for next?" Morgana opened the envelope as a small tape fell on the floor. "This isn't it?" she said. "What is it?"

Shenzi yiped. "Someone touched my shoulder!" Warp and Lucretia aimed their blasters."Don't shoot it's only me," said a familiar milquetoast voice. The figure moved closer to them, to reveal Jackrabbit. He looked over his shoulder, terrified. "I don't have time to explain, here's your real assignment. what you have will reveal eveything." He slipped them a brown envelope. "At least everything I know of."

"How can we trust anything you say or give us?," Mozenrath sneered. The others nodded, though Morgana and Shenzi with less conviction.

"I put my job on the line for you," Jackrabbit declared, " "If I'm found out, I could lose everything I have. I wouldn't risk that much if I didn't think you would trust me!"

"Why would you sell out your boss for total strangers?," Warp asked. "What's in it for you?"

"Nothing, I just don't like Mr. Khan's new company, now will you let me pass?" Warp and Lucretia looked at Mozenrath . He nodded and they withdrew their weapons. Jackrabbit hesitantly scampered to his car. As he opened, a loud explosion emerged from it. The car was engulfed in flames. Morgana screamed and the others ran to the wreckage. Suddenly a loud alarm resounded through the lot. "Come on," Mozenrath demanded "Let's go to the Hammer!"

"We can't just leave him!," Shenzi asked. "He died." She ran over to the flames in a mad rage, Mozenrath puled her back.

"Helping us escape.,." Mozenrath finished. "Do you want his death to count for something ? Are you willing to give up your life for that? Let's move!" They jetted to the Hammer and buckled in as it took off for the sky.

Khan watched the flames from the security computer. "Well done, Karnage.," he called to the intercom.

"Khan!" his partner interrupted. " These stones are fake. They double crossed us!" Khan glowered at the fake stones. "What now, sir?" Karnage said.

"They may know about us," The voice said," Follow them take what they have. Take care of any information they get. I'll make sure wherever they go, they will be hunted down . They will come crawling back to us."

" In other words, crush them!," Khan ordered holding one of the fake orbs in his hand. In a bit of fury he threw it on the ground. The orb shattered into smaller pieces.

"Oh and Karnage, our associates want to give you a present. He gave a small green box that hissed inside to the pirate. "It will help in your job. Now go !" Karnage bowed and left.

The Hammer trudged along the sky in silence. Nobody dared to speak . Morgana took out a tape player, stuck the small tape in and flipped it on. A female voice hissed through the tape player. Mozenrath felt a chill go down his body and a slight stab of pain on his gauntleted hand as she spoke. "I didn't waste valuable energy bringing them here . This had better work Khan!"

"What had better work?," Shenzi asked. The others hushed her.

"Patience they will deliver and if they don't they can be destroyed or returned. It's no big loss, they won't be missed." Khan said. A thought ran through them all at once and it registered on all of their faces. Khan was setting them up!

"So our plans can be underway then?" The woman asked

"Of course," Khan answered. "They will deliver the things we need and soon the New Order will take effect. You will get your freedom , I will get my power and they will get what they deserve."

"Someone is listening," The voice answered. Then the tape flipped off, and static filled the air.

Morgana flipped the off button and the air inside the Hammer was filled with silence. No one spoke for a second. Finally, Warp broke the silence. "Looks like our free ride isn't a free ride after all."

"Did everyone catch that ?" Morgana asked. "The main thing I got from that is we're expendable," Lucretia answered.

"No, they are going to kill us either way," Dijon said. "Whether we succeed or not."

"I don't know this raises more questions than answers," Morganai asked. " What is this New Order? Why are we supposed to deliver this stuff?"

"Who's Khan's girlfriend?," Lucretia asked. "At least we know how we got here and sort of why."

"She's magic," Mozenrath answered as if in a daze. "How did you -" Morgana was about to ask when Mozenrath held up his gauntlet to prove his point. "I sensed her as soon as she spoke, but she is more powerful than I am. I can't tell you who she is. Morgana what's our next assignment?"

Morgana carefully opened the envelope. "The temple of Rhuel , The Seventh Oracle. They say if you look in it , it will tell your future. "

"That's near Baghdad!" Dijon exclaimed. "I heard about that legend when I was a kid! "

"Do you know where it is exactly?," Warp asked.

"No it's a guarded secret shared by the priests, my brother probably does though!, the thief reasoned.

"Good that's where we're going," Mozenrath remarked. Lucretia, Shenzi, Warp, and Dijon's mouths dropped open in surpirse. "Are you crazy, after what we just found?" "As far as I'm concerned I have a one-way ticket back to Tomorrowland," Warp declared. "I'm outta here!"

"How long will you stay with Zurg if Khan is on your trail ?," Mozenrath asked, "Besides if you go and Khan catches up to me , I'll tell him, where you are!" The other five chorused. "Yeah!" "So will I!" "Me too!" Warp fumed , but then sat down in his seat. "We are getting set up , we deserve to know why." Mozenrath said.

"And we deserve to know why this information was so important that Jackrabbit had to die.," Morgana agreed. The two wizards stared at each other for the longest time, realizing it was the first time they actually agreed. "Now, to Baghdad . All of us!" He glared in Warp's direction as if expecting the former Ranger to leave again.

The Hammer landed in the middle of the desert. Feeling the arid heat from the outside. The six tried various efforts to keep cool, as Lucretia flipped on the AC. "Feels like home, though more urban," Mozenrath said looking down at the large city on the ground . A fighter jet careened out of the sky knocking the Hammer slightly off course. "We probably ought to land this ship out of the city," Morgana said. "We don't want them to think the alien invasion is at hand." Warp and Lucretia stared at Morgana quizzically. "Not that there's anything wrong with that." Morgana amended. The hammer landed right outside the city (though Dijon later said that "We get so many strange aircraft from the military that no one would really think anything of it.") and walked into the worst section of the city. "My brother's temple is down over here.," the dog said ,but then he cowered in fear as he looked up at the sky. "A big bird was flying overhead and Dijon instantly went in a duck and cover position, whimpering. "Please don't let it be him! Please don't let it be him!" he cowered.

"Don't let it be who?" Warp asked, ":It's just some bird. It's okay." He looked down at the little dog as the bird flew into the sunlight. "I thought it was someone else," Dijon said, getting up and feeling a little embarrassed. He ignored the other's confused stares. As he led them further on. When they got to the marketplace, Dijon heard a familiar Scottish brogue arguing with a marketplace owner demanding a cheaper price on the souvenir he just bought. Oh great, he thought , First I think I see my old boss, Merlock and now I see Mr. McDuck. This just isn't my day. I can't wait to see what it's going to be like when I see Poupon." He pointed down the alley, far from the World's Richest Duck

"It's down here," he said pointing to a small clay building. With the other's help , he pulled open the rusty gate. They hushed as they walked into a small round room. They only sound that could be heard were the priests chanting in prayer. One of them, a pig in brown robes, stood up and faced the visitors. "We're here to see Poupon,"Dijon whispered.

"He's in seclusion and refuses to be seen .," The priest said.

"Well bring him up,"Mozenrath ordered . "Tell him it's an emergency."

"Tell him his brother is here, " Dijon said. The priest nodded and left. The six stood at one side of the room, in complete silence darting their eyes around the room, looking at every candle and smelling the incense. Dijon felt as uncomfortable as he usually did in a temple, as though he didn't belong in fact profaned it just by being inside

"Dijon?," a soft voice asked. A brown dog bearing a strong resemblance to Dijon came up from the steps. He was dressed in a long flowing brown robe and a hood that almost covered his face. When he removed his hood, a shock ran through Dijon's spine. There was clearly something wrong with his brother. He was always thin, like Dijon , but now he appeared emaciated. His eyes were dull and glazed over. He coughed slightly and rubbed his chest, as though it hurt him. "Poupon, everybody this is my brother, Poupon ," Dijon introduced them and came closer to embrace him.

Angry, Poupon slid away to avoid his embrace. "Don't, what are you doing here? You're in trouble again, aren't you?" he asked.

Dijon shook his head, mentally telling himself that now would not be a god time to talk about Khan, " I don't have time to explain. These are my friends and we need help searching for the Temple of Rheul, for the Seventh Oracle " Poupon's eyes widened. "Do you know where it is?"

"Of course, I do, but ironically you are only the third group to ask about it ," Poupon said sardonically.

"Who else was here ?," Morgana asked. "A tiger or a wolf pirate ?"

"No," Poupon said quizzically, taking one glance at his embarrassed brother. "Earlier Scrooge McDuck and before him was a large wizard by the name of Merloon, I think it was?"

Dijon's brown fur turned white with fear. "Merlock! You mean a big and scary wizard with a lot of power who is obviously not dead?,"

Poupon nodded. "Yes, and he became quite agitated when I told him I didn't know where the temple was." He wryly pointed to the large hole in the wall, obviously a reamainder of Merlock's magic.

"Then you don't know where it is?," Morgana asked.

"No, I do, I just wasn't going to tell him.," Poupon said.

"Then you can tell us.," Mozenrath remarked. To prove their point, Lucretia and Warp narrowly raised their blasters at the priest, just enough so he could see them. Poupon turned to his younger brother. "Not in trouble, hmm? Because my brother is among you I will tell you. Meet me later tonight in my study."

Later that evening the gang followed the pig-like priest into Poupon's study. They crammed into the small space. "Poupon will be here any minute. Now, wait here and don't touch anything. " Dijon pulled the pries to the side, " Is there anything wrong with him?"

"You know I can't answer that.," The priest responded , then left the room.

After a few minutes, the door reopened. Poupon entered looking pale and drawn. If it was possible he looks sicker than earlier this morning, Dijon thought. His arms were full of books. He dropped them on the table and glared at Dijon's friends. " Just so you know if my brother wasn't with you, I wouldn't give you any information either. I don't trust you anymore than I trust that Merlock! I don't care what you plan to use the oracle for, but it can't be for any good and I don't believe that you are only acting under orders. People with motives less pure than yours, have used that same excuse to get away with more atrocious deeds."

"Just tell us where the oracle is and skip the Temple lesson," Mozenrath demanded.

"Okay, but first a little lesson. The Oracle arrived here to our country from Greece, over two thousand years ago and it was hidden by one of our order. That is why it is a guarded secret among those in our order. The legend says that there were six oracles sent , but the others were destroyed by floods, earthquakes, and conquests, leaving only the seventh. Each oracle could tell slight glimpses into your future , but the seventh told the complete future and it is said, that many have looked directly into it and have died or gone mad in the process. Now, do you want it?" They nodded. "Very well, I warned you. I don't know the exact location of the temple, but there is or rather was, a map."

"What happened to it?," Lucretia asked . "I gave it to Mr. McDuck." Poupon answered.

"Why him?," Shenzi asked. "Because between six terrorists, a mad magician, and Mr. McDuck, I chose him!," Poupon snapped.

"Where is his campsite?," Mozenrath asked. When Poupon hesitated, as the wizard continued. "You can either tell us and we can take the map or we can hold you hostage and you can lead us there."

Poupon looked them squarely in the eye. "North of here." Suddenly, he doubled over in a fit of coughing. Alarmed, Dijon patted his back until he was finished, pretending to ignore the specks of blood that fell from Poupon's mouth.

"Let's go," Mozenrath ordered his crew. "If you don't mind Mozenrath I want to stay with my brother. " Dijon said weakly. The wizard rolled his eyes. "This wouldn't have anything to do with your ‘‘friend' who is also after the map would it?"

"This has nothing to do with him!", Dijon shot back. "He's my brother it's my duty to stay with him! If that's all right with you?" He looked at the others. They were a little shocked by the small dog's outburst and , Dijon noted, Warp was hiding a somewhat proud smile at the dog's ability to stand up for himself. Good job, he mouthed. Taken aback, Mozenrath waved the others out of the room. On the way out, Dijon met Shenzi's eyes. He smiled wistfully at her. Then, she realized she was staring to long at him, then quickly turned away. "Don't be surprised if we don't come back for you," she teased.

Poupon waited until the others left before he turned to his brother. "What is going on Dijon? What are you not telling me?" He fell into another coughing fit. After this one was over he collapsed on the floor weakened. Dijon helped him stand and led him out of the study. Remembering where his room was from the last visit, he gently laid his brother on the bed.

"I don't know Poupon," Dijon continued as if uninterrupted. "We were originally hired to find some objects and return them to our employer, Shere Khan, but now that has gone wrong. "

"Your employer is a tiger , I presume," Poupon guessed with more certainty than he would have guessed. "Dijon, every time I see you , you are in deeper and deeper trouble . If you're not stealing, you're working for a criminal. If it's not that that, it's working with people like your new friends. I used to fear that you would never change in my lifetime and now I know."

" I suppose you'll be calling me demon spawn next.," Dijon muttered. Pouring a drink of water from a pitcher for his brother.

"What was that?," Poupon asked, accepting the water. "Nothing forget it. It doesn't matter anymore, "Dijon said.

"Dijon, I can't predict the future, but I fear for you if you stay with these people. No good can come of your association with them." Poupon replied, "You will come to a tragic end. Are you staying with them?"

"I have no choice." Dijon answered, " I have to."

"There is always a choice " Poupon answered, "You can choose to live the life you have or-"

-Or I can be holed up for the rest of my life in a monastary, because Mama insisted, no thank you." Dijon answered sarcastically. Poupon lowered his head and his ears drooped over his eyes. Dijon could tell his brother was hurt. He regretted the words as soon as they came out. "Poupon, I'm sorry you know I didn't mean it."

"I know you didn't ," Poupon said softly. " But I know why you are really doing this: pure greed. Dijon, I don't want to lose you to greed the way we lost our father."

Dijon's eyes flashed in disbelief. Their father was one of the many subjects the two brothers never talked about. For Dijon he was nothing more than a distant memory, a voice barely heard in his head or a face he could barely recall. For Poupon, he was a source of irritation , someone who he didn't want to recall. Mama was the same way. When he was younger, Dijon would often pester his mother and brother with questions about their father, but the answer was always the same from Poupon, "Please don't talk about him." His mother was convinced that he was the devil incarnate and could never resist referring to him as a demon. "What does he have to do with this? I don't even know if he's alive or dead."

Poupon shook his head. "Of course you don't remember him, he left home when you were five. He ruined our lives."

"I don't know what you're talking about," Dijon said. "Anyway, living with him would have been better than living with Mama."

"Allah, Forbid it!," Poupon almost shouted, but his voice and body were weakened by his illness. "Why do you think Mama reverted back to her maiden name after he left? Why do you think she got angry if we spoke even a word of Spanish? Because, it was his native language and he taught it to us! She didn't want anything to remind her of Papa and what he did to us! He ruined our lives, neglected our mother and us, and hurt us. He was obsessed with gold and finding this golden city-"

"-where even the rivers are gold and gold could be plucked from the very walls," Dijon finished , " I remember that much about him. He used to tell me that story every night. But, I also remember Mama and how she would tell me I was a worthless bum and how she would keep the door locked , even though she knew I was standing outside . She would ignore me while I looked through the window staring at her. Back then I don't know who I hated more, her for doing it, Papa for leaving and being such an awful person to be compared to, me for causing her to hate me, or, you because she loved you better."

"She was scared, " Poupon said "Sometimes she would cry when she came to the monastery and told me how you were. You broke her heart, because she was afraid that you would end up like him." A silence fell between the two brothers. Exhausted from talking, Poupon shivered . Dijon put the covers over his brother. "Do you still hate me?," Poupon asked. "No, I don't. " Dijon answered. " I don't even think I hate her now. What's the matter?"

"I'm really sick. I caught it last winter and I kept thinking it would get better, but now, I don't think I'm going to make it." Dijon held his brother's hand as the priest drifted off to sleep.

Scrooge McDuck paced the campsite, growing more frustrated with each turn of his webbed feet. Fenton Crackshell, his accountant and now traveling companion watched the septegenarian duck. "We have been searching for the temple for three days and so far we have found nothing," the rich duck complained.

"Maybe, we could go back to Duckburg?," Fenton suggested. McDuck glared at him, his eyes muted with fury. "We have to find it and we are nae goin' home until we do!," The accountant rolled his eyes and shook his head. He shouldn't have even suggested going home, he knew that. Ever since Launchpad McQuack took the job in St. Canard and Mr. McDuck's nephews moved back in with their uncle Donald last year, Scrooge had going from one treasure hunt to another, each more dangerous than the last. Maybe it was to fill a void left by the nephews, or to overcompensate for his loss, or just to prove that even though he was old that he could still do it. Fenton didn't know, he wasn't a psychiatrist, but he knew what it meant for him. It meant extended hours, constant dangerous situations, being more Gizmoduck than Fenton, and lots of time away from his fiancee, Gandra Dee. But, he didn't want to tell him that.

"Do ye have the map, lad?," Scrooge asked.

"Yes sir," Fenton answered pointing to the map which was right next to the tent flap. "We need to study it more, maybe head further north . He pulled Fenton over to the side . They were so caught up in planning strategy that they didn't see hear the slight rip under the tent flap or see the grappling hook take the map. Fenton didn't hear anything until he heard the small swish of paper flowing under the flap. "Mister McDuck, Fenton gasped, "The map's gone." Scrooge turned around in shock, he glowered at the accountant , his white feathers turning red. "You were supposed to be guarding it!," He yelled.

"I'm sorry sir, but look," he pointed at the small holes that were poked through the flap. "Something or rather someone tore through here. There's only one thing to do." He opened up his large brown suitcase and uttered the words, "blabbering blatherskite!," when his gray uniform flew out and wrapped him up. "This is a job for Gizmoduck!," he yelled leaving the tent. "Ye're not goin' without me!" Scrooge announced following him into the desert.

Warp picked up the map and ran to the others. "Bingo!," he said proudly he then turned to Mozenrath with a smug statement on his face, " I believe some apologies are in order."

"AllrightImsorryfordoubtingyouyoudidagoodjob," Mozenrath mumbled. Realizing that was as close to an apology as he was going to get from the wizard, Warp didn't pursue it any further instead he opened the map on the nearby rock. It was faded yellow and the paper was fine and brittle with age. It was dotted with symbols and marks. Underneath the map was an inscription in ancient Arabic. Mozenrath translated for the others. "The temple lies in a canyon in the mountains."

"Cool, where to first?," Lucretia asked. "First stop is the two hills," the wizard said. "I see them, " Shenzi pointed to the hills in front of them. "Let's go,"

"I'm sorry , but I can't let you do that.," a loud booming voice interrupted them. A duck in a metal suit leapt in front of them to block their way. "How long do you stay fresh in that tin can?," Warp joked.

"That's the pot calling the kettle rusted," the duck retorted, referring to the ex-ranger's suit and arm. "You are in the presence of Gizmoduck. Now, hand over the map, evildoers!" Then through the corner of his eye, the duck superhero saw a female duck trying to make herself hidden behind a couple of her teammates. He instantly recognized her. "Morgana McCawber , what are you doing here?"

Morgana stood from behind them. " Well, I had to find something to fill my time after you fired me.," she said angrily.

"Good job, hon, anger build on it," Lucretia said. "I'm sorry it had to come to that, but you were fraternizing with the enemy and maybe still are.," he muttered the last part.

"I love a good reunion like the next person , but we need to find that oracle, so we'll keep the map.," Mozenrath said.

"So do we and we will take it," a Scottish voice said. A small Scottish duck came behind them. "Now, come on," Lucretia cooed playing with Gizmoduck's bill. "We just need the itty bitty map and we'll be on our way." Gizmoduck blushed red and stammered. Scrooge tapped her on the shoulder. "Lass, here's a fifty stay away from my bodyguard."

Lucretia's mouth dropped open in shock. "I am not a whore!" but she removed herself from the duck.

Shenzi ran up to the metal duck to knock him down, but Gizmoduck pushed a button sending an electric shock shot out searing through the hyena's body. "Memo to myself don't charge at a robot duck," she moaned weakly.

"Hey," Lucretia yelled raising her blaster . Gizmoduck calmly relieved it from the female duck's hands and ripped it in half. "Okay, I'm impressed," she said sarcastically. Seeing the oppurtunity, Mozenrath attempted to bolt, only to be blocked my Scrooge. Without another word, Scrooge grabbed from the wizard's hand unrolling it. "Very stupid, old man," Mozenrath said, struggling with the other half. The two pulled at the map, until it came apart right down the middle. "Look what you did!," the rich duck and the wizard demanded at once, facing each other squarely in the eyes.

"Can't it be repaired?," Morgana asked. "Sure, got some scotch tape and glue ?," Lucretia joked. "I just asked.," Morgana sniffed.

"No, it's bound by magic, once bound it can't be bound again," Mozenrath groaned. "I hate these magic limits," Warp complained.

"So, I guess we'll have to work together even if we don't like it," Gizmoduck asked, glancing over at Morgana's direction.

"No way, " Scrooge and Mozenrath said in unison. "Well all right, but do nae be surprised when this is over that I have ye arrested.," the rich duck said.

"And do nae be surprised if when this is over that ye canna find us, lad!," Moznerath shot back imitating Scrooge's accent. Without another word, the remaining members of the Dirty Half Dozen , Scrooge, and Gizmoduck headed for the first stop on the treasure map.

Morlock grabbed the priest's troat with another person observing him wryly. "Where is the map?, " he screamed.

"It is guarded by a brother priest of mine, " the pig-like priest stammered.

Merlock ignored the priest's face turning purple with lack of oxygen. "Earlier they told me that it wasn't there!," the wizard demanded.

"He must have lied it is in a study .. in the temple.. ," the priest fell on the ground in a dead faint.

"Very good, veeery good, " said Merlock's companion, Don Karnage, "Though in my pirattical days, we tortured the prisoners then they talked out. Now in my bounty hunter day, I am a bit more ruthless." He took the gun in his hand and shot the priest. "Now, you know the plan you get the information , I follow and Khan gets the oracle and I get to execute my new friends, but only after I execute any source of informatives."

"Your friends can have the oracle when I'm done with it1," the wizard yelled, forcing the pirate turned bounty hunter to the ground with a forceful blow. Merlock needed that oracle for himself. What good was living forever , if he didn't know how long his powers would last. With the only power he had tied to his talisman, he had to make sure nothing happened to it. "After I go in, do your business, but you are not to have the oracle until I'm finished with it!" he barked. Even though he wasn't nearly as powerful, he could still change shape and he turned into a falcon. "By the way," the wizard said, "Put a good word to them, especially her, for me," as he flew to the temple.

Dijon watched over his sleeping brother. Poupon's chest heaved up and down as he breathed. Occasionally he couldn't get enough air and he was left gasping for breath. But, then he would fall back to sleep. Even though he was concerned for his brother, Dijon was torn between staying and going to his friends. Even if they cared nothing for him, he was concerned for them , and who knows what they would encounter if Merlock were around, he just knew he had to be with them. He looked out the window and saw a large shadow fly across the sky. Dijon's heart leapt in fear. It could be him, no it wasn't , he thought. Just a bird just a big ordinary bird. A few seconds later, a crash filled the air "You priests lied to me! Where is the oracle!," a loud strident voice demanded.

"I-I- don't know sir.," a timorous voice answered, before there was another crash. Irritated, Dijon opened the door wide and poked his head out. "Could you please keep it down? My brother is trying to sleep!" The thief quaked in fear at the imposing figure in the blue and yellow robes in front of him, his green talisman glowing in the candlelight like one eye blinking at the thief. "Merlock," Dijon gulped. "My little turncoat, "Merlock recognized him. "No longer a swine I see." Dijon ducked back into the room locking the door behind him. He gently roused his brother. "Come on, Poupon

we're leaving." Poupon's eyes quickly opened as Dijon put one arm around his shoulders and balanced him with the other arm. The door burst open.

"You have something I want!," Merlock sneered "Give me the right answer this time, where is the Temple of Rheul? " He held his arms in the air and formed a fireball. He sent it flying around the room and the half the room was incinerated. Dijon gathered up what courage he had, made a mental last rites to Allah, then faced the wizard." I don't know and even if I did I wouldn't tell you! Now, you leave my brother alone or I'll-!," Merlock's eyes blazed and he slapped Dijon pulling him from his brother's arms and knocking him to the ground. Dijon felt the force of the blow on his back.

Merlock turned to the priest. "Tell me where it tis or I will fulfill any desire you ever had about being an only child!," Lightning sprang from his fingers at Dijon firing on the dog. The thief felt his body burn in pain and he screamed.

"No, wait I gave the map to Scrooge McDuck , "Poupon said. Merlock released Dijon. "The temple is north of here. The canyon is out in the mountains beyond the dunes. "

"It's refreshing when people cooperate," Merlock said, kicking Dijon one last time before he changed back into a falcon and flew out the window.

After a few seconds to catch his breath, Dijon stood up and headed for the door. "Where are you going?," Poupon asked.

Dijon turned to face his brother. "Maybe , you're right , Poupon. Maybe I am like Papa. Maybe , I am headed for a bad end and I am a criminal. But, I can't stay and let my friends die. I have to help them-."

I know," Poupon said. He reached under his pillow and handed Dijon a small red book. "Take this maybe you will understand where you are headed. " He hugged his younger brother one last time. "Allah be with you." He whispered.

"I'll come back," Dijon promised. The brothers waved as Dijon walked out the door.

Poupon then fell back into bed. Praying that his brother would be safe. Suddenly there was a knock at the door. "Brother Poupon, " a voice called . "Someone wishes to see you."

"It must be my night for visitors , send him in, but tell him to be quick . I'm very tired. " Poupon said.

The door opened and a wolf entered dressed in a long black suit and overcoat. He held a black box in his hands Poupon wasn't sure , but it seemed to hiss. "This won't take long at all," the man growled, as he opened the box. A green mist poured out and black creatures tumbled out. For some reason, Poupon felt terrified. "Demon," he whispered. "Maybe, " the man said as he edged closer to the priest.

The Dirty Half Dozen, Scrooge, and Gizmoduck made their way to a rocky cliff. The gang looked up the hulking massive rocks before them. "It's this way up the cliffs," Scrooge pointed up the bluffs referring to his half of the map.

Mozenrath inspected both parts of the map. "Actually, it's down there under the canyon." Scrooge examined them after the wizard. "Of course I knew that," he stammered flustered. The seven walked down a narrow road. They slowly descended the jagged line into the canyon, one in front of the other. "Everybody be careful, " Mozenrath warned, "One lost footing and you are down the cliffs." Halfway down Morgana lost her footing and nearly fell over the side, when the male wizard grabbed her. "Thank you," she said weakly. "Didn't I warn you to watch where you were going?," he asked, but the comment didn't have any real malice in it. He was drowned about by the cawing of a large hawk.

The hawk flew out of the sky hovering in midair and charged at them. "That is one large bird.," Shenzi said, " It almost makes me hungry!"

"That's no ordinary bird, that's Merlock," Scrooge screamed. The hawk flew down and attacked them clawing at Scrooge first. "I got you, Mr. Mc Duck!," Gizmoduck declared holding him back and firing tranquilizer darts at the duck. Merlock dodged each one and grabbed Scrooge's half of the map, clawing him in the process. He then reached for Mozenrath's half of the map. He fought at the bird firing bits of magic form his gauntlet. The hawk reared back in pain, then retaliated in full force. The fight caused Scrooge and Mozenrath to lose their balances and they fell sending the others down with them. They fell screaming down to the cavern below.

Gizmoduck held onto Scrooge pulling a hleicopter wings out of his suit. Warp lit his rocket pack, and grabbed both Lucretia and Shenzi by the waist, easing them down. Mozenrath and Morgana held each other's hands then used their magic to land safely. Under the canyon, the gang let out large sighs of relief because they made it to the ground safely. "Is everyone all right?," Gizmoduck asked. "Yes!," they all shouted in unison. "But he took the map," Scrooge reminded them.

"We won't need it, look," Mozenrath pointed. To their left was a magnificent temple that had been rusted over time. What was once gold and bejeweled, now dulled with dust. The two groups jumped and down in delight then ran to the temple like small children running a race and up to the door. They banged on the rusted knocker to no avail. Shenzi leaned against the door in frustration. "Wouldn't you know, locked. I guess we can go now-," Her hand pressed into a rock and the ground fell from under their feet. With earth shattering screams, they fell to the floor below them.

Dijon slowly inched down the canyon, trying not to look at the ground below him or the horse that he had stolen, above him. Just look ahead, he told himself. "Why am I doing this?," he thought. It wasn't like they would do the same for him if he were in trouble, he couldn't do anything anyway. He was too much of a coward and they could take care of themselves. Just go back up and forget how mean Mozenrath was, how pretty Lucretia was, how nice Morgana was, how, well different Warp was, how lovely, tough, smart, vulnerable shenzi was. He gulped and made his way further down. Sink or swim I am in this with them, the young dog thought. He saw Merlock in hawk form sleeping on a branch. One thing I could do to help them is to grab that awful talisman, he thought edging one foot towards the hawk. His fingers gingerly touched the bird and felt for the chain around his neck. Dijon's face fell towards the bird, and he saw one clear dark eye open and glare down at him. "Stupid as ever!," Merlock hissed as he grabbed hold of Dijon wrapping the scared dog into a magic bond. "And now for your friends!," he said flying them down to the canyon.

"Falling twice on the same day and in less than an hour how humiliating," Lucretia moaned, struggling to get up.

"Ye never traveled with me, lass," Scrooge said. Mozenrath's gauntlet burned brighter than ever. He pointed to a wall. "It's through there.," he said. "Darkmatter, can you blast this?"

"Do you ask stupid questions?," Warp jeered. At the wizard's wide-eyed stare, the alien fired his flame thrower at the wall, causing it to crash on the floor. The room was bare except for a gold staff with a sapphire jewel on top glowing like blue embers. "It's the oracle , I'm sure of it," Morgana breathed. Mozenrath and Scrooge both walked up to it in a daze. The duck grabbed one part of it, while the wizard grabbed the other. "I need this," Scrooge demanded.

"So do I!," Mozenrath said. "Don't be stupid, you're an old duck with a robot I'm a sorceror with a gauntlet and four other criminals with bigger guns. Who do you think would win?"

"It's mine!," Scrooge yelled. "It's mine, uh, ours!," Mozenrath yelled.

"Actually, it's mine," snarled a voice. The hawk flew down from the trapdoor grabbed the oracle in his talons, then reverted back to his human form. "And should anyone try to stop me, take a look," He lowered a body down with him. He was encased in magic bonds making it impossible for him to move. "Dijon!," Shenzi and Warp gasped, glaring at the wizard.

"Oh great, " Scrooge muttered, "First the five of you, then Merlock, now Dijon. Who's next the Beagle Boys?" He glanced over at the doorway half-expecting the red -shirted crooks to barge in.

Shenzi's yellow yes glowed green in her anger. She charged at the wizard in a mad rage. The small hyena leapt up to the wizard and bit him on the arm. Merlock howled in pain and glowered at the red mark that was left by his assailant . He grabbed her and threw her on the ground. Shenzi fell to the other side of the wall. "Dammit, Merlcok leave her alone!," Dijon yelled in defense of his friend. "Maybe you two would like to join each other!" He waved his hand and the two were pinned against the wall unable to move.

Warp took out one of his blasters and handed it to Lucretia . He nodded at her and Gizmoduck and counted to three. On three, the ducks and the alien fired at once at the wizard. He dodged each blast. "Oh really," he droned unimpressed. He fired a magic blast at them. Gizmoduck narrowly avoided it by ducking and Warp grabbed Lucretia and they dodged the blast together. They tumbled on the ground, until Warp landed on top of Lucretia. "Are you all right?," they asked. Laughing slightly, they looked into each other's eyes. "Not bad for a second date.," the female duck teased. They were about to kiss, when Gizmoduck waved them down. "Hello, hi, yeah, you two have the rest of your lives to stare at each other, but now we have something more important. They grinned sheepishly and sat up raising their weapons. Merlock pointed at them, pinning them on the ground in a magic state of paralysis. He reached the tablet and picked up the oracle.

Mozenrath tossed a small vial of powder to Morgana. "Do what I do and follow my lead, "he ordered. Then he turned to Scrooge, "when I give you the word grab that talisman of his and destroy it. " Scrooge appeared upset at the prospect of obeying someone else, but deciding it wasn't worth it to argue he nodded. Mozenrath chanted part of a spell in ancient Arabic, Morgana followed him stumbling a bit on the words , but she was able to say it. As Morlock got closer to him, they sprinkled a little of the powder on the ground. When he stepped between them, Mozenrath yelled, "Now," and poured the powder in his face. Morgana copied him. Infuriated, he tried to fire back, butn othing came. "What did you do?," Scrooge asked. "I just put a debilitating spell on him. Get the talisman!" Scrooge ran up to the wizard and pulled the talisman from his neck. Merlock tried to grab it, but McDuck threw it on the ground. The object smashed into pieces. "You," Merlock hissed. He screamed as his body decayed and deteriorated until it became dust.

The oracle fell out of his hands and Morgana dove for it. The staff landed safely in her hands, but her eyes focused on the sapphire and she looked into it. As she did, a change came over her. She collapsed on the ground. Her eyes dulled and her shoulders stooped. "No, no.," she whispered frantically. Her breathing came shorter and faster and she began to rock herself. "No, " she screamed , "Make it stop!" Mozenrath ran to her side and tried to take the oracle from her hands, but she wouldn't let go. Then he grabbed her and rolled her on the ground, tossing the oracle out of her hands. "It's over, Morgana, it's not real," he said holding onto the shivering duck.

Shenzi, Dijon, Lucretia, Warp, and Gizmoduck were freed from their magic prisons. "Are ye all right?," Scrooge asked his bodyguard. After he nodded, Scrooge pointed at the oracle which fell through a large crack on the floor. "Go get it, then!"

"No," Gizmoduck said. Scrooge whirled around in disbelief. "What did you say?"

"No, I will not.," Gizmoduck demanded. "Look at what happened to her. It's not worth it. I'm sorry that you lost the boys to Donald and I know you miss them. But, this isn't the answer. " At first Scrooge looked angry, but then he sighed. "Ye're right, lad. Let's go home."

"Let's go, too," Mozenrath told his teammates. "What about the oracle?," Warp asked.

Mozenrath winced at the power he could have had and how he lost it because he let his heart and his emotions get in the way. "Forget it, maybe we'll come back for it." Suddenly, there was a rumble on the ground. The temple rocked and stones fell from the walls. "An earthquake!," Lucretia yelled. "Let's get out of here!," Shenzi yelled, "This place is falling a part!" Mozenrath stuck out the transportation orb and wished him and the others out of the temple and into Scrooge's campsite. "I don't know who any of you are, with the exception of Dijon, but thank you."

"Yeah well, thank you, too,. But let's not over do it," Mozenrath said sarcastically. Suddenly, there was a whistle outside the tent. "Excuse me, Mr. McDuck is it ? " an accented voice asked. The Dirty Half Dozen looked at each other in shock and hid. "MY name is Don Karngage and I'm with the Baghdad police and I'm looking for six outlaws. They were found outside of Baghdad this morning and they are wanted for various crimes for murder burglairy, and some others that are so scandicluos that I can't describe them."

The six tensed as they waited for Scrooge to answer. They hoped Scrooge would cover for them, but didn't really expect them to. "I'm sorry, Mr. Garbage is it?, "Karnage!," the pirate corrected. Scrooge continued as if uninterrupted. "I haven't seen them, and I donna know who you are talking to. Now, good day." He slammed the tent door in his face.

"Looks like we owe him, "Dijon whispered. "I mean he helped us and Karnage might be back for him."

Mozenrath sighed and took out the orb. " I wish Scrooge and Gizmoduck were back in Duckburg." In a flash of light the campsite disppeared leaving nothing behind, except the six criminals.

Later, they returned to the Hammer. The gang sighed with relief. It felt good to return to what amounted to sanity. Lucretia blinked at the hot sun, beating against the glare of the sun on the black ship. "Hey, the door wasn't open when we left." They ran up to the Hammer, suspiciously. Mozenrath held his hand to silence the others. He pointed at Morgana and they went inside together. "Keep it quiet," Mozenrath whispered, severely. The cockpit was dark and difficult to walk through. Mozenrath flipped on the lights and felt a shock go through his body. Morgana felt a scream rising to her throat. What they saw a figure , not even sure it was a person. The skin was dried up, shriveled , and gray. The clothes hung loosely off the body. The eyes were pure white through the pupils and just stared right at the two people looking at it. Mozenrath and Morgana instantly recognized the body of Poupon, Dijon's brother. Terrified, Morgana fled to a corner and heaved. Warp and Lucretia ran in baring their weapons. "What is it? Oh my god," she said looking at the body. She and Warp stared at in silence. "Don't let Dijon see this," Mozenrath said huskily.

"Don't let me see what?, "the dog asked. Shenzi stood in front of him, blocking his view. "Dijon, you don't want to see it," She held onto him to prove her point.

"For Allah's sake, get him out of here!," Mozenrath yelled.

"I want to see, let me go!," Dijon said .Mechanically, the hyena let him go. Dijon scrambled on the floor to his brother's side. "No, it can't be Poupon., He's still alive , he has to be.", he said softly. He took his brother's hand and rocked it.

"Come on," Mozenrath said. "Let's bury him, then get out of here and go somewhere Khan can't find us." He turned to the hysterical duck and the stunned dog. "And take care of those two. "

Lucretia and Shenzi walked up to Morgana, who was still in the corner. She had ceased sobbing, but now she was crying softly the tears falling down her face. "First, Jackrabbit now this ," she said. "They are going to get us all in the end. We're going to die!. They'll kill us all."

"Come on, hon.," Lucretia said hugging the sorceress. "They won't if we don't let them. She and Shenzi held Morgana between them as they led to the bedroom.

Warp put his hand on Dijon's shoulder. "Come on, Little Guy. Let him go. "Dijon shook his head and held his brother's hand tighter. "Come on," the ranger said a bit more severely. He helped Dijon stand up. The dog looked on the verge of collapse as he was led to the bedroom.

Back in Duckburg, Scrooge silently read the newspaper in his study when Fenton entered gingerly. "Are you all right sir?, " Fenton asked. The duck nodded and he waved his accountant over to read the paper. Under the main headline were the words Six Criminals On the Lam and featured a profile of each one. "Do ye recognize them, lad?," Scrooge asked. Fenton nodded. "Yeah, it's Dijon and Morgana McCawber and those other people we saw in the desert."

"Aye, " Scrooge said. "We should have turned them in when we had the chance."

"I don't know, sir and I know this is odd for me to say this, but somehow I think that they are in more trouble than this and besides I didn't rust that ‘‘cop' either."

"well, I just hope we've seen the last of them," Scrooge said.

"Somehow, I don't think so, sir," Fenton said.

Later that day, after a quick burial of Poupon, Mozenrath watched as Shenzi, Lucretia, and Warp entered the cockpit. Warp started the controls. "How are they ?," the wizard asked.

"Morgana's pretty shaken up. " Lucretia said, "Not just about Poupon, but about Jackrabbit, and whatever she saw in the oracle."

"What did she see?," Mozenrath asked. "I don't know she was babbling , pretty incoherent, but she's asleep now. I wouldn't bother her." She said as if making a pointed comment to the wizard.

"What about Dijon?.," Mozenrath asked.

"He's just lying on the bed, "warp answered ." he isn't talking or moving . I don't think he even knew I was there.What got him?"

"A succubus, probably. That's a female spirit who drowns out the life essence of a human." Mozenrath answered.

"Talk about dééjàà vu," warp muttered. "this just proves my point, "the wizard continued. We can't trust anyone. Anyone who's helped us so far has either betrayed us or ended up dead. From now on, we only rely on each other."

"You trust me?," Darkmatter asked quizzically.

"I trust you not to murder me in my sleep, for now that should be enough.," Mozenrath said. "From now on, we're on our own. Now, let's get out of here," He wished them away from Baghdad.

Dijon lay on his bunk, lost in thought. It was hard to believe that less than 24 hours ago, his brother had been alive, praying, doing his priestly things. Now he was dead, because of him, because they asked for his help. Another reason I'm a horrible person, he thought. He picked up the book his brother had given him and opened it. The pages were brittle and he cover was ripped slightly, but he recognized it. It was his brother's copy of the Koran that was given to him by their mother. He flipped idly through the book, and two objects fell out onto the floor. Dijon leaned over and picked them up. The first was a series of verses stapled together in his brother's handwriting. They look like some sort fo prophecy or something, he thought, I'll have to ask Mozenrath about it later. The second was a photograph that made his heart leap. It was a small snapshot of him, Poupon, and their mother standing outside the temple. Dijon and Poupon were standing in front of their mother, smiling wide smiles. Their mother stood behind them barely concealing a look of amusement on her face. Dijon remembered when the photo had been taken. It was when he was six and Poupon was eleven and the family had just left Temple, when an American soldier had stopped them asking if he could take their picture. No other reason, he said, but because they looked like a nice family and he missed his. It was the only photograph the family ever had.

In his mother's handwriting in the back of the picture, Dijon's saw his mother's handwriting. Myself, Poupon and Dijon- my much loved boys. " A happy smile spread across the young thief's face. His mother hadn't forgotten him and had loved him. "So this is what you wanted me to see, " Dijon whispered. "thank you, Poupon and thank you Mama."

The tears fell from his face onto the open book on the bed.


Continued in Chapter 03