Lookin' for a New Crew

[Negaduck]

Characters

Negaduck
Lady Tremaine
Cruella de Vil

[Negaduck]

Story

The constant bickering. Liquidator's frequent bathroom trips, and Brushroot constantly trimming the hedges into unique designs, inevitably led to the break-up of the Fearsome Five, because Negaduck just couldn't take it anymore. It was time to toss those other knobs out and set himself up with a new group of ingrates. And so at Toon Town's Career Fair, Negaduck had a booth for villains who wanted to form the New and Improved Fearsome Five, or NIFF in its shortened form.

Negaduck sat in a wooden chair behind a table which had the forms that villains had to fill out if they were interested in joining him. The number one, absolute rule that had to be followed when joining, is that they were to take orders from Negaduck as their Fearless Leader, no questions asked. A few villains had already come through and Negaduck was currently reading over their applications while he waited for others to show up.

'Crap, crap, crap, crap... yeesh, everyone's turned into a bunch of petty criminals these days, where are all the good ones?'

If you want something done, you've got to do it yourself. An old and true saying, and Cruella De Vil was tired of Jasper and Horace's many failures. It was time to take matters into her own hands and after doing a bit of looking around at the Career Fair in Toon Town, Cruella spotted Negaduck's little booth.

'Opportunity of a lifetime. Join with NIFF,' she read aloud. Cruella strode up to the booth and drew her fur coat up tightly around her.

'Yes, hello, darling,' she began, as she plucked up a form. 'I'm looking for something new and exciting in my life and I think I'd make a perfect addition to your little team. If you're looking for a creative killing outlit, there are these adorable puppies I know that you could use as target practice.' Cruella pulled out a pen from her purse. 'Now where do I sign?'

Negaduck saw Cruella making her way towards his booth and he slapped a hand to his face running it all the way down his beak. No, no, this was not good at all. He rolled his eyes back and when he was looking straight again, Cruella was reviewing one of the forms.

'I'm looking for something new and exciting in my life too and you're about fifty years past your prime.' Negaduck leapt up and snatched the form from Cruella's gloved hand. 'So beat it, Grandma!' He had to admit though... the old crone certainly had taste in innocent victims.

Cruella's jaw clenched and her eyes widened in anger. 'Well I never-...!' she hissed. 'You wretched, pasty duck! You're lucky I don't hire someone to come and shoot you and serve you up as a roast at home!' she threatened, leaning in close and wagging a finger at him before storming off in a huff, lighting up a cigarette as she did so.

'I'm shaking, really,' Negaduck responded, shuffling the forms and patting them so that each piece of paper was lined up perfectly with the other on top and below it.

He glanced up at Cruella once she began to walk away. 'Sheesh.'

Negaduck placed his hands on the arms of his chair and lifted himself up off the ground before plopping down on the seat.

[Negaduck]

From riches to rags, that was her story. After watching her daughters fail miserably at scrubbing walls, sweeping floors, washing windows, and tending to farm animals, Lady Tremained had had enough. The three of them had survived well enough when Cinderella lived in the chateau, but with her gone, everything fell to pieces. Lady Tremaine was willing to put in some effort and do some work, provided the work she would be doing was something that suited her. Negaduck's sign caught the evil stepmother's eye and she approached his booth with a resume in hand.

'New and Improved Fearsome Five,' she said to Negaduck. 'What was wrong with the old one?'

A look of disbelief was pasted on to Negaduck’s face as he watched the Stepmother approach, the second elderly woman to visit his stand today.

‘Another one of you, eh?’ He grumbled and took the resume from her giving it a glance over with a very bored look on his face.

‘The old one was full of nimrods which don’t look so bad now compared to the bunch of hags that have been wandering through here.’ The look the Evil Stepmother cast him made the great Negaduck shiver. ‘Ah, so let’s have a looksee, shall we?’ he said quickly, holding up the resume again.

‘Evil deeds: Ordered around a girl for over a decade and punished her severely when she failed to comply. Such punishments included being locked in a room without food or water with the intent of leaving her there for a few days. Ripped dress she slaved over making in order to prevent her from going to the ball and-‘ Negaduck made a face- ‘find true love. Purposely dirtied areas of the home that she had finished cleaning so that she would be forced to repeat the task. Stole a magic wand in hopes of obtaining great power and ruining stepdaughter’s happily ever after.’

Negaduck set down the resume and looked curiously at the Stepmother. ‘Do you still have the magic wand?’

[Negaduck]

Lady Tremaine drew back her shoulders and her lip curled, the only sign she would give to show her anger and disappointment.

'Regretfully no,' she informed him with forced calm. 'There was an issue with the Prince.' This was all the information she was willing to offer him.

Negaduck leapt up and thrust the Stepmother's resume back at her.

'No wand, no deal! Good luck finding another maiden to spit-shine your shoes.'

Lady Tremaine had a sudden urge to strike the duck and the thought clearly showed on her face. She folded up her resume and put it in a pocket, located on the side of her dress.


'Mark my words,' she said in a low tone, 'You've lost out!' Lifting her chin, she turned and moved on to the next booth.

‘What’s this world coming to?’ demanded Negaduck. ‘Isn’t there anyone left who can call themselves a true villain?’ He swiped at the side of his desk with his foot. ‘I don’t need a bunch of old biddies, I need power, brains, muscle!’

He took a seat and flipped through the resumes he had kept with a bored look on his face. ‘These here are nothing but a bunch of second rate criminals. I need someone like Jafar-‘ Negaduck rubbed his hands together. ‘Ooo, ya. Jafar would be good.’

He chuckled evilly at the thought of having that twofaced villain on his side.

[Scar]

Wherever Scar went in Toon Town, people seemed to part for him like the Red Sea. On some level this created a false sense of pride within the lion, because he knew the respect he was given was done only out of fear. At the same time, he'd take whatever he could get (though he did so with a heavy heart) since his attempt to overthrow Mufasa failed miserably. There was a lot of time to kill between now and the House of Mouse show he had come to see this evening, and since there was nothing better to do, Scar wandered through the job fair, casting disinterested glances at the booths. One did manage to strike his fancy however and he padded up toward Negaduck's table.

'Well that's a rather bold move, advertising yourself as a villain,' he said, peering at one of the application forms.

[Negaduck]

It was like he had suddenly struck gold! When Scar walked up to his stand, Negaduck knew he'd have to play his cards right to get Scar onboard his team. And what an addition he would make!

'Eh, what can I say?' he replied indifferently. 'Might as well. Most of the deadbeats in this town know who I am anyway. So, what brings you to Toon Town? I didn't think you were the sort to hang around a place like this? Now me-' he brought a hand to his chest. 'I'm in a slump, I need to re-establish my career. Good help is so hard to find these days, ya know?'

[Scar]

'Trust me, I know,' agreed Scar rubbing his temple with a paw. 'But if you're looking for quality,' he added, lifting a brow and glancing up at Negaduck's sign advertising NIFF. 'You'll never find it. Every intelligent villain knows the only one they can completely rely on is himself. The outcasts and scoundrels we acquire are lost souls who have sunk so low, they're willing to do whatever it takes on the hope that you might actually grant them power.'

[Negaduck]

Negaduck rubbed his chin- this might be harder than he thought, because Scar was absolutely right.

‘But think of how much we could get done if villains like us banded together,’ he pointed out in a slick tone. He hopped on to the table and took a seat on the edge- a pretty gutsy move for a small duck to pull in front of a fully grown lion. ‘Quackerjack and those other knobs that worked for me before I kicked ‘em out needed a firm hand to… point them in the right direction. If I get villains with intelligence, you know-‘ he brought two fingers close together, ‘Even a fraction, then that’s a million times better than those deadbeats! I’m just puttin’ myself in charge to make sure that everyone stays on the same page.’

All right, so maybe he was exaggerating over just how minimal his position as a leader would be, but he needed to get Scar under his thumb and the less dominating the lion believed he would be, the better.

‘If you could have anything in the world, what would it be?’

[Scar]

Oh, what a question that was- and what a tall order too. But he could tell that Negaduck was trying his best to sell himself and to be perfectly honest, while the lion wasn't complete sold on the scoundrel's words, he was none-the-less intrigued by them.

'What I would like most,' he declared between gritted teeth, 'Is Mufasa dead at my feet and his kingdom bowing down to me.'

[Negaduck]

'A shoulder launched missile should take care of that. And I've been working on a couple designs of my own....' The duck wore a smug look on his face and rubbed his hands together.

'You need more power than the pack of laughing mutts you already have. And I've got the power you're looking for. So what d'ya say?' He pushed a contract towards the lion. 'You help me gain control of St. Canard and destroy Darkwing Duck, and I'll help you over in your animal kingdom.'

[Scar]

Scar had no idea what a "shoulder launched missile" was but it certainly sounded threatening. He rolled his tongue back, dragging it along the roof of his mouth and down one of his long canine teeth as he thought this over. Negaduck's goal was not just to acquire one villain, but several. A single brow lifted as images of various names he'd heard about through the grapevine, as it were, drifted through his head. There was no mention of abandonment in Negaduck's contract, only that obligations must be fulfilled. Once each villain accomplished his or her goal, there would no longer be a need for the collective that would form NIFF.

'I want to be first,' he declared, sitting back on his haunches. 'I'm tired of coming in second and so we will eliminate Mufasa first before anything else happens.'

[Negaduck]

Negaduck quickly agreed to the condition. The order in which things were done was not an issue as long as Negaduck got his city and group of first rate villains to help him bring it down. He scooped up a stamp pad, flipped open the lid and held it out towards the lion.

'No problem. Now if you'll just sign here....'

[Scar]

The corner of his mouth curled upwards in a manner of disgust when the inkpad was thrust under his nose, the arrogant lion gazing down at it as if it were a piece of ugly mould. Scar raised a foreleg and lifted a toe, his claw shooting forth. He placed the tip of it beneath Negaduck's chin, digging softly into the back of his throat and pulled the duck close.

'I warn you, Negaduck. Don't double cross me. I'd hate to have to implement the-' he snapped his teeth, '-consequences if you do.'

[Negaduck]

Negaduck gulped. The fact that he had firearms and explosive devices didn't change the fact that Scar could tear him to shreds if the right moment came along and he really didn't want to end up as leftovers for a pack of heyenas.

'Wouldn't even think about it,' he assured the lion, staring straight into his bright green eyes.

[Scar]

Scar smirked, apparently satisfied with the answer, and released the fiend. He placed the pad of his paw into the stamp pad and pressed it on the signature line.

'Done. I'll expect you to contact me soon.'

After wiping his dirtied paw on the grass he turned away from the table and walked lazily away, his tail swishing lightly. The sun would set on Mufasa very soon, he could feel it.

[Negaduck]

'I'll expect you to contact me soon,' he mimicked in a disrespectful tone, watching Scar walk off. But when he returned his attention to the piece of paper and signature in his hands, an insane smile full of pure joy sprang up on to his face and he lept up into the air.

'YAHOO!!!!!!!' He burst into a fit of laughter and ran around his stand, even doing a cartwheel. 'YES! YES! YES!' It took him a few moments to calm himself down, but once he did, he slunk into his chair.

'One down, four to go....' Negaduck chuckled once more.

[magica]

Magica paused a moment at the doorway, reading the sign as Negaduck ran around. Once he had settled into his chair the pretty duck cleared her throat- seemingly a little annoyed at having to wait.

"You are Negaduck yes?" she asked, walking closer and leaning against the desk.

[Negaduck]

‘You mean you actually have to ask?’ he responded. Negaduck whipped out a “Wanted” poster from seemingly out of nowhere. ‘How can you not recognize this face?’ Without giving her room to answer he continued on with, ‘Yeah, I’m him.’

[magica]

She waved the poster away, "I am not looking for autograph- I am looking for you."

Reaching deeper into her purse then seemed possible she pulled out a flier for the expo, "I am thinking that we can help each other very much. With my magic and your..." she waved her hands at the poster, "Talents. Duckburg will not know what hit it!"

[Negaduck]

Negaduck observed the witch carefully. He knew who she was, of course. Duckburg was right across the Audubon Bay connected to St. Canard by a bridge and he had found value in taking the time to learn who the villains there were in case they chose to cross over… or alliances needed to be formed. Negaduck ran a hand down his bill, thinking about her offer.

‘What’s in it for me?’ Numero uno had to look out for himself you know, and he wasn’t going to go home empty handed; especially if he was about to attack the city where the richest duck in the world lived!

[magica]

"Fah, I only wanting one thing of Ol' Scrooge. his numbah one dime." she shrugged and gestured vaguely, "You can have rest of fortune; I do not need it."

She leaned forward on the desk, resting on one hand, "Imagine what you can buy with five multiplujillion, nine impossibidillion, seven fantasticatrillion dollars and sixteen cents!"

[Negaduck]

Five multiplujillion, nine impossibidillion, seven fantasticatrillion dollars and sixteen cents sounded amazing!!!! As Magica listed the figures, a small shiver ran up Negaduck’s spine, his eyes lighting up with dollar signs. He licked his beak and brought his hands close to his chest, rubbing them greedily. ‘All that for little, ol’ me, eh?’ The duck laughed. ‘For a broad, you’re pretty perfect. Five multiplujillion, nine impossibidillion, seven fantasticatrillion dollars….’ A light bulb went off in his head, the thought overriding his greed. ‘…All in exchange for ten cents? What’s the catch? What’s so special about this number one dime?’ He wasn’t about to be swindled by a witch!

[magica]

Magica raised an eyebrow, "That ten cents is worth more to me then all Scroogy's money bin. It holds a very powerful magic that I can use to finish my medallion!"

She pulled out a bat shaped locket, showing it to negaduck, "You get to be riches duck in world and I get to be most powerful witch in the underworld!!!"

[Negaduck]

With one swoop of his arm, Negaduck snatched up the locket and examined it closely. It didn't look like anything special to him, but who knew with these weirdo witches.

'Richest duck, huh? Well that's awfully tempting, but whose to say you won't just zap it all away when you're the most powerful witch!'

He jumped on to the table and pointed an accusing finger at her. 'How do I know you won't double cross me?'

[magica]

Magica blinked in surprise when she found her hand suddenly empty. "Hey!"

She jumped on the table with him, snatching the pendant back, "If I wanted money I would steal fortune first then dime!"

Holding the locket between her hands she looked at it gleefully, "With all power in this I can show all witches who is really powerful!" she glared back at Negaduck, "You can keep fortune and rule world- I have nothing to need from it."

[Negaduck]

Negaduck still wasn’t sure if he could trust Magica or not, but when he glanced down and saw what she was standing on, it changed his mind instantly. He hopped backwards and off the table.

‘All right, all right, but before we strike any deals, you’re going to have to sign this.’ He gestured to the pile of contracts she was standing on where it stated that anyone who joined him had to follow his command. He picked up a pen and presented it to her.

‘Go on, Magica. The sooner you sign, the sooner we can start our take over.’

[magica]

"Eh?" she took the pen and looked down at the contracts. With an eye roll she jumped down and read a bit of the first one. Obey only Negaduck? Eh she had done the same with Glomgold, it wouldn't make a difference anyway.

"Fine den. I sign stupid paper- you help get dime. Is a deal?"

[Negaduck]

Scar's little request seemed to have slip his mind for the moment. He'd make Magica aware of that tidbit after she signed the contract.

'Is a deal,' mocked Negaduck.

[magica]

She glanced at the duck for a few moments before shrugging and signing the document. Really even if there was something else in the foul mallards mind- she could just Poof Bomb her way out of things.

"There- is sign. Now help get dime!"

[Negaduck]

‘After we help Scar get his Kingdom,’ Negaduck said, yanking the contract out from under hand, almost immediately after she lifted the pen. ‘You ain’t the only one involved in this, sister.’ Negduck crossed his arms and lifted his chin. ‘Besides- I need two more villains to jump on board before we go out conquering anything. So when your assistance is required, I’ll let you know.’