The TIMELINE
__________________________
Loss of One, Loss of All
"This is nuts! If we place that detonator from the outside
the craft will only break up in two. WE still can't save Anaheim."
Duke reasoned with the others. "The only way we can do this
is if someone plants the detonator inside."
"That's suicide Duke! Who would want to take that up?!"
Mallory and Dee glared at him.
"Wait." Wildwing suddenly interrupted.
"What's wrong?" Castel asked.
"Nyre's gone."
Nyre held on tight as she entered the alien craft. Where to
put
where to put
. There! She heard the click of the
snap. Mission Accomplished. Now
she checked her watch
BEEP!
What?!
"Nyre! What do you think you're doing?!" Wildwing demanded
from her comm.
"Saving the lives of innocent civilians Wing."
"Come BACK! THIS IS *SUICIDE*!" His eyes pleaded for
her to return to the Aerowing. She glanced to her watch and shook
her head sadly. "I can't. I'm doing what I have to for
the team's sake. One life isn't worth sacrificing the whole of
Anaheim. You can carry on without me."
"But Nyre--"
"Stop Dragaunus. I'm doing this for the family I want to
deserve. For those I now call brothers and sisters. For my daughter
who still needs to live life and make up for what she's missed.
For the one person who'll forever keep my heart in his hands.
Keep the necklace Wing. Until I return home."
"What necklace?!"
Three
two
"In my seat. I love you."
One
"NYRE!!!" Wing cried out in anguish as the craft
exploded. Hot tears fell from his eyes as he stared at the empty
space where the craft had once been only seconds before. No.
No
"NO!!!!!" He slammed his fists on the nearest
wall, his whole body trembling.
"Momma
. She c-can-can't!" Castel's voice rang
in the background. He could hear the others trying to calm her
and other things happening as he shut his eyes in pain. He morphed
out of his battle gear and clutched his heart spot. She can't
be gone. You can't be gone. He glanced up, praying softly that
it wasn't true. I love you
A transparent vision of Nyre
appeared before him, he reached out and it vanished.
No
. And the bittersweet comfort of darkness and numbness
enveloped him.
* * *
The Aerowing landed inside the Pond and the ducks walked out,
silent, mournful. Phil greeted the team. "Boobies! Babes!
Where's Nyre? I need to talk to her, the record company just called--"
"CAN IT PHIL!" Nosedive slammed the plump human against
the wall. Moments passed and Phil finally noticed Grin passing
by with Wildwing slung over his shoulder, Dive released him, seeing
the confusion entering his eyes.
"W-w-what happened?! Where's my songbird? What's with Wildwing?!
Boobie! Speak to me!" He chased after the group. Castel
turned around and faced him, eyes swollen from crying. "Babes,
what's goin' on? Speak to me! Where's your mom?"
"Sh-sh-she's
" Castel broke down again, falling
to her knees, sobbing uncontrollably.
"She's what?!"
"Gone Phil." All eyes turned to the now conscious Wildwing
being lowered by the rather large Grin. The manager paled, and
then turned into a fit of hysterical denial. "No
you
gotta be pulling my leg here boobie, none of you can die! You
told me that!"
"Apparently, we were wrong Phil. Did you see that explosion
outside Phillie-boy?" Duke murmured from behind. He let
Tanya pass to bring Castel and Dee to the medi-bay. The manager
nodded slowly, "she did that. She sacrificed herself for
the team
and for everyone else in Anaheim." He laughed
bitterly, "funny though, it's ironic to think that by savin'
everyone else she saved Draggy
."
Silence.
"Gives us more reason to kill that creep." Hacker muttered
and stormed off to his room.
* * *
Several hours later Wildwing walked out of the medi-bay and
passed the closed doors of his comrades. He bent and leaned on
the door to listen if Castel was awake. No sound. She must be.
"I'm here daddy." A soft voice jerked him up to stand
straight. He turned to the dark corridor and managed to make
out a figure walking slowly towards him in the shadows. Seconds
later Castel stood before him, eyes sadder than he could have
imagined. The hybrid and her father just stood there for moments
until she sank down to her knees, sobbing and breaking down piece
by piece. "It can't be! I-I-it c-c-can't be!"
Wing knelt down beside her and hugged her tight. Footsteps caught
his attention and he saw Dive and Dee standing before them. Dive
leaned on the wall and breathed in as well. "Can't believe
she's gone." Dee murmured softly, hiccuping. Seeing the
human in evident pain, Wildwing abandoned his position beside
Castel and nodded to Nosedive who bent down to pick her up.
"Toffee
" Dive cooed as he cradled his niece and
carried her back to her room leaving Dee and Wing in silence.
"How are you taking it Wing?" Dee asked as soon as her
friend let her go.
"Can't sleep." He answered back weakly
"Try to, okay?" She patted his arm as she made her way
back to her own room.
I hope so Dee. He sighed and shook his head heading back to his
quarters.
* * *
Wildwing closed the door as he entered the dark room. He lay
on his bed and switched on the lamplight. Nyre
he squeezed
his eyes shut and knocked the frame on the table down to the floor.
The glass broke as his heart did.
Why
?
Where are you
?
Why did you leave us
Castel
Dee
me
?
Calling out your name,
Your face is everywhere,
Wildwing stepped onto the ice the next evening. They had a game against the Maine Cohawks. But as he looked up into the stands into the empty seat where Nyre usually stayed he paused and turned away for a brief moment, looking back into the locker area, praying silently that it wasn't true.
I'm reaching out to you to find that you're not there,
"What happened out there?!" Phil Palmfeather squawked,
running after his team as they entered the locker area. "You
barely got out! That was an *almost* TIE!" Wildwing spun
and glared daggers
no, swords and blades at Phil. "ENOUGH
Phil!" He boomed.
The ducks and the rest of the team exchanged concerned glances.
Wing's face softened as he realized his outburst and sighed softly,
"just
back off okay Phil? It's
it's been a rough
night." He pressed on the codes to the elevator and left
the group, silent, behind him.
Wing, relax, you'll get a heart attack if you don't stop being
that way.
Nyre?! He turned to the metal walls of he elevator and saw Nyre
shaking her head at him, a tiny smile on her face. He reached
out to her and she vanished. No
you're gone. He hung his
head and felt the moisture in his eyes. You're gone.
I wake up every night
To see the state I'm in,
"No! Nyre!" The white drake sat up, cold sweat trickling
down the side of his face. He threw his pillow at the opposite
end of the wall in frustration and cried out in agony. I couldn't
save you
I couldn't even save one of the people who mean
the most to me in world!
He got up and made his way to the inner gym.
It's like an endless fight I never seem to win,
He punched the bag continuously.
Nine. Ten.
I can't go on
As long as I believe,
I couldn't
I couldn't
.
Fourteen. Fifteen.
I can't let go
I keep wondering
I *couldn't* SAVE
YOU! With one last punch the bag fell
to the floor, the chain supposedly holding it to the ceiling broken
and limp at it's side.
He fell to his knees and felt the chest swell with emotion, his
eyes shut in an inner pain.
His shoulders hunched and trembled
and suddenly
he
began to cry.
Where are you now?
What have you found?
As Wildwing entered the hangar bay he climbed up into the Aerowing and traced his hand on the armrest of Nyre's place. A glint of silver caught his eye and a memory was triggered in his mind.
"Keep the necklace Wing. Until I return home."
"What necklace?!"
"In my seat. I love you."
The explosion.
Not even a goobye. Just an 'I love you'. You never like saying 'goodbye' He reached down and picked up the black cord where a silver cross pendant hung. This was yours he glanced around, as if his voice his words could somehow reach her. This was the last remembrance of your mother you left it for me ?
Where is your heart?
When I'm not around,
He sank into his own chair and shut his eyes, holding the necklace
close
It was the last thing he had of her. The last thing
to remember her by. The last thing that remained of his shattered
heart.
You said until you return home. But
you're not
you
aren't coming home.
Where are you now?
You gotta let me know,
Oh baby, so I can let you go
"Wing?"
He opened his eyes and glanced up to see Duke and Mallory slipping
into seats near him. "Hi." He smiled weakly. "What're
you guys doing awake?"
"Well
we were supposed to sleep. But since I needed
to get water to drink
" Duke began and laughed bitterly.
"Okay, I admit it
who can get sleep when you know
something's missing in yer life?" He glanced up at the younger
ducks. "How 'bout you Mal-mal?"
The redhead hung her head and sighed. "well, before I bumped
into Duke here
I was feeling flustered and all
I kinda
decided to go to the gym
" she managed a tiny smile
at Wing, "I heard the bag crash to the floor Wing, one thing's
for sure, Phil's gonna freak
as usual." She tried to
joke. "I decided to leave you alone
you sounded like
you didn't want company."
The goalie sighed and nodded, "thanks for guessing right."
He paused, "let's get back to bed."
I can hear your voice
The ring of yesterday,
Wildwing
Nyre?! He rushed to the Rec Room and checked inside. It was empty
but a scenario from the past engulfed him.
"Wildwing
don't push yourself too hard. You
can't keep blaming yourself as if you hold the responsibility
alone." She smiled as she sat beside him and lay her head
on his lap.
"I know
but
." She placed a finger gently
on his lips then kissed him tenderly. "No buts." She
shook her head. "You are gonna have to learn a few things
"
She smiled and hugged him, "like mellowing down that overprotective-mother
hen attitude."
"Do you seriously think you can stop me huh?" A mischievous
glint sparkled in his eye. He grinned and started to tickle her.
"Huh? Huh?"
"STOP IT!" Nyre burst into a fit of laughter and in
a defense reaction, accidentally sent her knee to his stomach.
Wing rolled on his side and moaned. Nyre realizing her error
passed a hand over the 'sore' spot and whispering apologies, failing
to notice the look in his eye and suddenly found herself lying
on her back, wrists held down by his hands and a smug smile on
his face as he bent down to kiss her.
She turned her head to the side and Wing made a face. "You're
mean."
"It's good that you know." She smirked back.
You seem so close to me and yet so far away,
The alarm went off and roused him from his sleep. Darn. Forgot
to switch that off last night. He stumbled off of his bed and
made his way to the kitchen. Passing the sound studio Drake and
the others had installed he heard a familiar song
and voice.
He peered in and saw the others seated before the screen watching
a tape made not so long ago on Nyre's first big performance.
That's the one that impressed the talent scouts. He sighed and
closed the door.
I should let it out
To save what's left of me
Wildwing walked out of the Pond several nights later. He shoved
his hands in his pockets and sighed, pulling his jacket closer
to keep himself warm. The sky was overcast with clouds, and he
sensed in the air that rain was not far off.
Why can't I just move on
everyone else is
to an extent.
Of course
Dee, Hacker and Ace don't want to hear Nyre's
name mentioned. Drake spends most of his time back at his firm.
Tanya's spending more time in the lab, just as Duke is in the
training room
Dive's hardly home anymore
Grin, well
quieter than
usual
Mal? Escaping to Mall with Dive
and Castel
.
He sighed. Locked up in her room more often than usual.
And me?
And close the doors of time revive my dignity
I'm still moping and feeling as defeated as anyone could be.
Maybe
I should forget
He leaned on the lamppost and
pulled the hood over his head as the rain began to fall. And
the tears of heaven cry for you and I
He smiled bitterly as he remembered the song she'd written a while
back. So where do I go from here angel? What would you do if
you were me? The wind blew slightly, running through his feathers.
He sighed. You would be like this, I guess. He shut his eyes
and made his way to a bench underneath a tree.
But I can't go on
As long as I believe,
I can't let go
I keep wondering,
Lying in the darkness of the room Wildwing spoke softly to
the still air. "Why did you have to do this angel?"
He asked, "I know you meant well
but you already deserved
this family. You didn't need to sacrifice
your life. I
just want to know
why?"
He let his hand move to where his CD player sat and clicked it
on a radio station. A familiar song began to play
the words
reaching his aching heart. Please
not this
. His fingers
closed on the pendant in his hand.
Where are you now?
What have you found?
Where is your heart?
When I'm not around,
Tell me, where are you now?
You gotta let me know,
Oh baby, so I can let you go
A little past two months later
A fork fell noisily on the floor.
"You're going where?!"
"Florida." Wing answered softly. He dared not look
up as to see the hurt looks in their eyes. "It's just for
awhile. I need
I need to get away from here." He explained
simply.
"Why
?" He glanced up at the whisper that escaped
Castel's lips. Her eyes accused him as harshly as her words did.
"You want to forget don't you?" her voice was soft,
with no hint of emotion. She didn't shout, she didn't scream.
She didn't need to.
Wing just sighed and turned away. "Tell Phil that Ace will
be sitting in for goalie until I get back." Nosedive glanced
around then left the table, following his brother.
Instrumental Segment
"You really mean to go huh?" the teenager leaned
on the doorframe and watched as his brother packed. He's hurting.
He's hurting real bad. And I can't do a thing.
"Yeah baby bro."
"Just
"
Wing glanced up and Nosedive shrugged, "just take care okay?
We'll hold up the fort here."
"Thanks. And if Draggy comes calling, comm me and I'll get
back ASAP." He patted his brother and walked out the door.
"He's really gonna leave huh?"
"You guys should stop doing that y'know." Dive turned
to face the two figures in the shadows. Drake and Duke came out
into the light and dismissed his comment. "Yup, he's going.
Can't blame him. Can you?"
"No actually."
I should let it out
It's time to let you go
Oh baby, I just wanna know
Wing glanced up as his flight was called. Time to go. He
stood and stepped through the doors and headed to the plane.
Settling into his seat minutes later he opened his wallet and
stole a glance at the pictures he kept there. Those were the
days. He thought sadly as he sighed, looking down on the picture
he treasured the most. It had been their first *complete* group
picture.
He traced a finger on the next picture. You were so small
so tiny in my arms. He smiled wistfully. His arms were around
her waist, he'd hugged her from behind. She was laughing, so
happy. And so was he. Dive and the others were in the background,
though captured as *a* background.
The final lines of the song he'd heard before came to mind as
the plane lifted off the ground.
Where are you now?
How do I move on Nyre?
What have you found?
Are you happy where you are ? Do do you even think of me?
Where is your heart?
When I'm not around,
Do you still love me ? Or am I completely, utterly hopeless ?
Where are you now?
Gotta let me know,
Oh baby, so I can let you go
And as the plane flew off into the sky, the sun set on Anaheim.
_______________
End
DISCLAIMER:
Well, it was about time that I wrote one anyway! And here it is
The fic was created and is copyright me: Nyre Leviste ©
2000
Nyre, Castel, Dee, Ace and Hacker is copyright me.
Drake is copyright himself (Drake Freewind © 2000)
and used with FULL permission.
The Mighty Ducks and all other characters featured in the show
used here are copyright Disney, used without permission but handled
with the utmost care.
Where Are You Now (song used) is copyright Britney Spears
(!) and used without permission
but that didn't stop me,
no?
Thankies for reading!