Disclaimer: And here we are, I'm still no closer to owning anything, Darkwing is still owned by Disney.

Summary: AU: Did Darkwing survive? Gosalyn feels responsible for the loss of a hero, and realises that the city needs a replacement and soon.

Warning/s: I'm in an angsty mood... and this is the result... but it won't be angst forever.

The Masked Avenger.

Chapter 1

Lost Another.

"I'm sorry Darkwing. If they hadn't caught me you wouldn't have risked your life."

"Gos, before I met you, I didn't have a life worth risking."

A Life Worth Risking? Gosalyn's mind hitched in an emotional sob. Was it a good thing? Giving Darkwing "A life worth risking" only to have it ended so soon? She sat up and left her bed, going to the window for the one millionth time in the past 3 days.

She looked out at the tower, at the reconstruction work taking place, at the city, at the bridge.

'Gosalyn?' Mrs Cavanaugh said stepping into the room, she saw Gosalyn once again at the window and sighed shaking her head, Gosalyn's high spirit that had previously been undefeated was fading

It'd been tough on the young girl, first her parents, then her grandfather, and now a stranger.

The incident on the tower was weighing heavily on her, though Mrs Cavanaugh didn't know the details what she had been told by the police officers painted a pretty clear picture, Gosalyn had latched onto Darkwing as a friend, a father, her hero... and then he'd been killed. The turmoil within her would have to be absolutely terrible.

'He's gone because of me.' Gosalyn said softly, gazing at her reflection in the glass 'It's all my fault!' She put her hand to the window pane to cover her reflection.

'There there, Gosalyn.' Mrs Cavanaugh said coming over and placing a hand on Gosalyn's shoulder 'It wasn't anybody's fault.' She said comfortingly 'Darkwing knew what he was doing.'

'That makes it even worse!' Gosalyn shook off the caring hand and went back to her bed; she dropped down on it and buried her face in the pillow. 'He willingly died to save me.'

'Gosalyn...' Mrs Cavanaugh said turning to her. 'He died defending what is good and right in the world.'

Gosalyn took a deep breath and just hugged the pillow tightly to her.

'Gosalyn, your life isn't over.' Gosalyn made no movement to respond any further, well it'd been a start, Mrs Cavanaugh left the room quietly, at least she had managed to get some response from her, it was a small step, but it was progress.

Gosalyn clenched her teeth fighting back all of her emotions, remembering what Darkwing had said when she had tried to care about him.

"Look kiddo, I appreciate the concern, really. But I knew this job was dangerous when I took it."

She sighed and rolled onto her back, still holding her pillow she looked up at the ceiling 'I hope you lot are getting along with each other...' She closed her eyes 'What is it I keep doing wrong? Why do I keep losing everyone I care about?' She bit her lip. 'Well... I'm going to do this properly... as always.' She swung herself off of the bed and dropped her pillow back down on the sheets. 'I've got to say goodbye.' She walked from the room heading to Mrs Cavanaugh's office.


Gosalyn knocked on the door. 'Come in.' Gosalyn pushed the door open and stepped in. 'Gosalyn? What's the matter?'

'Nothing, Miss Cavanaugh... I was just wondering... can I...' She shifted on the spot and took a deep breath. 'Can I say "goodbye" to him?' She looked up from the floor and fixed her eyes on the Orphanage Director. 'Please... I want to do it properly, just like...' She gulped down on the lump in her throat. 'Like I did with the rest of my family.' She finished quietly.

Mrs Cavanaugh's face twitched through various thoughts: a glimmer of doubt, a glimmer of pity and finally the thought of how to do it. 'I'll see what I can do.' Mrs Cavanaugh stood and went over to Gosalyn. 'I can't make you any promises.' She put her hand on Gosalyn's shoulder. 'He's a masked hero after all...' She gave Gosalyn a weak smile. 'But I'll certainly try.'

Gosalyn nodded. 'Thanks Mrs Cavanaugh.' She said smiling weakly back.

'Now run along and get something to eat.'

Gosalyn gave a nod and left the room, well it'd gone better than she had expected it too.


Gosalyn looked out of the window as the car drove across the bridge. "is he really gone?" She wondered looking up at the towers, she frowned and shook her head, he was gone... no one had managed to find his body, but that didn't mean he was still alive.

The car entered the city and pulled up in front of a government building.

Gosalyn hopped out and looked around, then headed up the stairs and into the building, the adult accompanying her followed her to the reception desk. 'Hello, I'm from the Orphanage, Mrs Cavanaugh rang earlier.'

The receptionist nodded. 'I'll let them know that you're here.' She said picking up the phone.

'Thank you.'

The two sat down and waited quietly until a man in a black suit came out and looked at them. 'Hello I'm Charles Moss' He said. 'You must be Gosalyn.' He said looking at her. 'We'll talk in my office.'

Gosalyn stood and looked to her supervisor, who gave her an encouraging nod and Gosalyn followed the man.

'Please take a seat.' He said gesturing to the couch; Gosalyn sat down and waited as he closed the door. 'I understand that you and Darkwing were close.' He said. 'I'm sorry.'

'What do you mean? Did you find his body?' She sat up straighter.

'I'm afraid not, it seems that both he and Taurus Bulba were...' He frowned and didn't continue, he went to his desk. 'All that we were able to find were these.' He pulled out a bag and walked over to her and handed it to her, she pulled out the burnt fedora and gas gun, she held them both for a long moment looking at them sadly, tears came to her eyes and she tried to force them back.

'I'm sorry Darkwing.' She said softly.

'We also found what we imagine was his cape.' He said 'It didn't hold up for long.' He frowned. 'Ordinarily in such tragic situations we would give the personal effects.' He nodded to the bag. 'To a family member, but since no one can be sure who Darkwing Duck really was we have no way of contacting his family... so we'll give them to you.'

Gosalyn looked at him. 'Really?' She asked. 'Thank you.'

He gave a nod. 'On behalf of everyone in Law Enforcement I'd like to tell you that Darkwing will be missed greatly.' Gosalyn nodded barely listening, just staring at the hat. 'He was a great crime fighter and an asset to this fair city.'

Gosalyn nodded 'He was the best.'