The Adventures Of Disney Duchess: Shapes & Rifts

9 - Disney's Betrayal

As the soldiers and agents kept their focus on Rift, Belle tried her best to push them away. Being held back by some large AIM soldiers, the heroine felt split on using her suit or powers against them as they were only civilians. She also knew if she did that, the others would likely turn on her.

"Let me go!" Belle shouted, struggling against the soldiers.

Meanwhile, Ruby smirked to herself, realizing she had the perfect opportunity. With everyone looking away from her, the pink alien would quickly transform. Turning into the smallest of fleas, she would proceed to escape through a nearby window. Soon, the alien was gone.

It would take Belle a few moments to realize that the pink woman had left, but her mind was more focused on Rift. Shaking her head, she tried to ignore the fact that he was now under arrest. She needed to focus on getting him free.

"Doctor Disney, come on..." The Duchess pleaded. "Rift has his own consciousness, his own soul... He's no longer anyone's science project! Either stop this... Or..."

"Or what?" He asked, smiling. "You'll stop me? You'll destroy my lab? What will you do?"

Belle tried to speak but found herself unable to find the words. As he approached her, she took a deep breath, trying to gather her thoughts.

"Your research is evil," she finally said quietly, glaring at the scientist. "Evil enough to warrant an entire army to protect it. This isn't right, Disney, so please, just stop this!"

"Ahem," Doctor Disney cleared his throat loudly. "You're forgetting something, Princess. My research is not evil. It's scientific. No different than any other medical breakthroughs made throughout history. I've helped hundreds of people, and you have no idea how many lives I could save if this research were allowed to continue. But here you are, risking everything just to keep it from happening. Why?"

"Because it's wrong, that's why!" Belle replied angrily. "Don't you see that? All those years you spent creating this lab... And all for one purpose: to create human-like robots. To make yourself even more powerful probably! That's evil!"

"Yes, I suppose it is," Disney agreed. "But I assure you, my intentions were pure. I wanted to help people, and I did! You can't deny the good I've done! But, I also don't mind the bad I've done to do this... To be honest, as everything is coming out... I may be as well honest about one thing..."

The doctor leaned in close to Belle, near to her ear.

"I didn't tell you about the pod kids..." He started, whispering. "Because I was the head scientist on the entire project!"

Belle's eyes shot open wide, her heart shattering into a million pieces. It was him all along. He helped with the experiment on the pod kids and her. Doctor Disney personally altered the heroine's DNA and kept it a secret. That's not a friend. That's an enemy!

"Then you're the reason..." She whispered hoarsely, shaking her head. "You're the one who made me like this... Just to use me for your experiments."

"No," he replied, putting a hand on hers. "Belle, listen to me... I'm sorry that happened to you and the others, but I never wanted that to happen. I wasn't in control of the situation then... In fact, I don't even remember most of it myself. Mr P told me what to do and I just simply listened... But I can't say I didn't enjoy all the advancements we made... Together, we made the Disney Duchess possible... We made you possible... You should be thanking us!"

He pulled away, patting her on the shoulder. As he stepped back, she saw the truth in his eyes. She'd been played all these years. By him.

And now she knew exactly what she had to do.

"I won't let you hurt another soul!" Belle declared. "Not anymore!"

She turned to face the soldiers holding Rift as she swiftly swung her arms to her side. Flinging the soldiers that held onto her to the floor, she'd instantly raise her hands. Releasing repulsor blasts at the agents, the men holding on to Rift quickly splatted into the wall. Gasping with shock, Rift stumbled backwards. Without a second to lose, Disney Duchess turned her body towards her ex-best friend.

"I should kill you..." She growled. "You hurt so many people. You used them. You lied to them! You stole their lives! So many deaths... Because of you!"

Doctor Disney stood in silence, half stuck on what to say.

"You're a monster!" She screamed, pointing her hand blasters at him. "So much death... All because of you! And I want you to pay for it!"

"You wouldn't kill anyone..." The doctor demonically chuckled. "Especially me!"

Before Belle could attack, he fired his own blaster. A gold beam of energy streaked across the room, hitting her in the chest.

Her eyes widened, staring at the beam while it struck into her chest. A huge dent formed in her suit, causing the power reactor in the centre of her torso to crack. It was as though someone had hit her with a large metal baseball bat. Staggering, Disney Duchess fell backwards against Rift, knocking him off balance.

"Strike!" The doctor snarled, turning his weapon towards the robotic man. "Sayonara, son!"

A blast from the villainous scientist hit Rift in the chest, sending him flying backwards.

His cry echoed through the hallways as he crashed against the wall, falling unconscious.

"Rift!" Belle cried out, staggering over to her fallen friend, still trying to catch her own breath. "Oh no! Oh no, no, no!"

"Take him to my private lab..." The doctor ordered, aiming his gun at Belle.

Soldiers and agents charged over to Rift, marching him off deeper into the DSA Headquarters. Leaving an injured Belle, she peered over to the doctor.

"How dare you try to kill me?!" Belle yelled. "You'll regret this!"

"That depends," the villainous scientist said, smirking. "What do you think will happen to you?"

With that, Disney fired his blaster again. This time, a golden beam struck Belle straight between the eyes. As he watched her fall to the ground, Doctor Disney smiled.

"Goodnight, Belle White... It's time for Christmas..."