Darkwing Duck: The Untold Tales
By: Phoenix Ride
Episode 1: NegaDuck's Reform
It was a miserable stormy night in the city of St. Canard. Lightning and thunder split through the sky as the angry clouds cried their tears onto the earth below.
A storm like this would have usually made someone like NegaDuck very pleased, but tonight was not a night of pleasure. Tonight everything to him had been torture.
He had been betrayed by his own team and they had literally left him to die in abandoned alley miles away from the hideout. And when the storm hit that only made his pain seem worse.
Still having enough strength to walk NegaDuck dragged himself to his feet and exited to find a safe place until he recovered from his mortal wounds. He noticed as he walked that everyone kept as far away from him as possible, not daring to offer him any assistance.
Personally he couldn't blame them. He had been trying to take over the city for weeks, but every attempt had always been fouled up by his no good double Darkwing Duck.
Oh how he envied Darkwing. That masked mallard had triumphed again and again a thousand times fold. Hmph, all he had to get him through a tough jam was luck and seems like he had plenty of that.
Another noise broke from over head but NegaDuck didn't care to dechipher the sound. Here he was, bleeding to death in an alley, noone cared for him.
That point was proven wrong when he suddenly felt a hand grasp his. Surprised NegaDuck looked to see who had grasped his hand, but he blacked out before his eyes could see his savior's face.
Moments later NegaDuck found himself waking up in the tower of Automan Bridge.
"How did I get here?" he asked out loud.
"Ah good you're awake" came a voice "I was wondering if you were ever going to wake up at all,"
NegaDuck's head turned to see Darkwing standing nearby arranging his clothes into a laundry bag. Straining himself to a sitting position NegaDuck also noticed that the main wound he had suffered had been cleaned and bandaged.
Darkwing Duck had saved his life? After how many times NegaDuck tried to kill Darkwing, the mallard saved his life. However Darkwing was much to busy prowling his siuts for weapons to notice NegaDuck's reaction.
"Geez" he said "the laundry will never get done at this rate,"
"Why did you save me Darkwing?" asked NegaDuck in his usually tough tone "haven't you always wanted me to die?"
"Not even a snake as low as you deserves death NegaDuck" said Darkwing "but a fake like me does,"
"What do you mean?" asked NegaDuck his curiousity suddenly risen.
Instead of answering Darkwing dragged the bad of dirty clothes away leaving NegaDuck comepletely alone. while alone NegaDuck's head kept filling up with question after question. What did Darkwing Duck mean?
The sound of footsteps indicated Darkwing's return, and boy did he seem tired. Whatever NegaDuck was feeling was nothing compared to Darkwing's emotions right now.
"What's bothering your mind chum?" asked NegaDuck "I mean we're both duck's here,"
"I only saved you because my daughter requested it you hear?" said Darkwing "even after what you did to her...,"
Now NegaDuck was truly surprised. Not to long ago he had taken Gossalyn hostage to lure Darkwing to his doom. She was on the keen edge of death when Darkwing Duck had finally managed to rescue her and he heard nothing from them since. That is, until now.
Speechless for words NegaDuck kept his beak shut for the rest of the evening. He didn't want to admit to himself that he owed Darkwing for saving his life, but the thought wouldn't leave him alone.
The next day when NegaDuck woke up Darkwing was already there preparing breakfast. Soon enough NegaDuck was greeted with waffles caked in syrup and a glass of nice cold milk.
After breakfast was over Darkwing went out on his morning patrol again leaving NegaDuck alone in his hideout. It wasn't a particually smart thing to do, but until NegaDuck's injury was healed he couldn't explore around anyway.
The thud of footsteps suddenly allowed him to snap to attention although it wasn't who he thought it would be.
"Who are you?" he asked "and what are you doing here?"
The figure in the shadows did not speak, but NegaDuck could sense something eerie about his presence. NegaDuck couldn't put his finger on it but there was something about this person that he didn't like.
"Well don't just stand there in the shadows" said NegaDuck "afraid to get a sunburn?"
"Your threats mean nothing to me" said the figure still standing in the shadows " and unfortunately for you, you are no longer needed,"
NegaDuck didn't like the sound of that last statement a bit. Usaully whenever somebody said that it meant death. NegaDuck forced himself off of his bed and struggled with the desperate need to walk.
But before he could even try to run Darkwing had arrived back early from his daily patrol and the figure in the shadows vanished without a trace.
"You seem spooked NegaDuck" said Darkwing "is something wrong?"
"No, uh nothing," NegaDuck stammered. There was no way in his life that he was going to confess of being afriad. Not to Darkwing, no, anyone but Darkwing.
"Hey what did you mean last night anyway?" he asked " when you said how you deserved to die more than me,"
"Well" said Darkwing "if you're willing to listen to a story I guess I could trust you with what happened,"
NegaDuck sat back down on the bed with one hand holding his wound while he sat back and listened.
"You see I did something really horrible to someone once" said Darkwing " and even though he tried to kill me I was always afriad that he would die. But that was until, I left him to die...,"
NegaDuck was intriqued Darkwing had actaully let someone die and he didn't go back and save him? It was hard to believe that this mallard, after all his time of protecting lives, had destroyed another person.
"He got sucked in by a whirlpool in time" finished Darkwing "and I never saw him again,"
"Who was he?" asked NegaDuck.
"You," said Darkwing then finally got up and left, leaving a shocked NegaDuck behind.
"Me?" thought NegaDuck as he started to understand.
A few months ago Darkwing and NegaDuck had faced each other in a portal between the Negaverse and the Normalverse. Darkwing had intently pulled the universal plug and a gaint whirlpool opened up as the entire boudries between space and time were being sucked down through that hole.
Darkwing Duck had managed to escape back to his world, but NegaDuck found himself being sucked into the wormhole with little resistance. He didn't know how he had managed to make it back to the real world, but somehow he did.
And Darkwing Duck was sorry that he had left him behind to die? Why in the world should he care? Wasn't a major supervillian getting killed the absoutely best thing that could happen in a superhero's career?
"Like it or not" thought NegaDuck to himself " I owe Darkwing Duck my life. And one way or another I promise to repay my debt,"
Two more days passed before the bandages were ready to be removed. This time though Darkwing wasn't alone his sidekick and his adopted daughter were there too. It was like they were all gathered for some historic moment as they watched Darkwing remove the cast.
The wound had completely healed and NegaDuck forced himself to stand so he could walk. Darkwing helped him a little. Standing tall NegaDuck pulled back on his clothes while Launchpad covered up Gossalyn's eyes so she couldn't see him in his underwear.
After fully attired in his outfit NegaDuck approached Darkwing and stuck out his hand. For a momemnt Darkwing looked suprised then accepted the handshake and shook NegaDuck's hand.
"I owe you for saving my life Darkwing and I promise that I'll repay my debt" said NegaDuck ready to slide down the tower's rail "but now if you excuse me, I have a little matter to settle back home,"
With that NegaDuck was gone and Launchpad approached DW saying "Are you sure it was okay to let him go DW?"
"I'm sure," said Darkwing, and he really was.
Meanwhile Bushroot, the Liquidnator, QuackerJack, and Megavolt were deciding how to divide the city when all of the sudden the door was kicked right off it's hinges. All four villians turned to see the glowering face of NegaDuck.
"Oh what's wrong boys?" said NegaDuck savoring their shocked expressions "afriad of a ghost?"
"But..." Megavolt stammered "you...you were...,"
"Dead?" said NegaDuck finishing the villian's sentence for him while at the same time bringing out his chainsaw "I'm not dead, but you're going to wish I had died!"
After about forty minutes of chasing the Fearsome Four around the room NegaDuck had them all pinned down in one sanitary corner.
"If any of you ever decides to betray me again" said NegaDuck giving the villians an even closer look at his chainsaw "I garuanttee that I will slice your heads off and feed them to the buzzards!"
"Alright" cried Megavolt "will never betray you again!"
NegaDuck stopped his chainsaw's blade and said "Now that's more I like it,"
"What are your orders NegaDuck sir?" Bushroot stammered.
"Hold on to your roots boys" said NegaDuck "cause it's time for us to take over this town, and I know just how to do it,"
The next morning Drake Mallard woke up to find Gossalyn shoving the morning newspaper into his face. Her voice was frantic with rage as she pressed the page closer and closer towards him.
"Look at this!" she shouted then took the papaer back and read " Darkwing Duck has grown to soft in his career of chasing down the crinimal element by allowing one of his former foes to live. Let to die, Negaduck had been rescued by Darkwing and now is fully healed and a threat to the city once more,"
"What!" shouted Drake "how in the world did the press figure out that I saved NegaDuck's life?"
"I don't know" said Gossalyn "but they're calling you a triator to everything St. Canard stands for,"
"I got to find NegaDuck and straighten this whole deal out," said Drake quickly changing into his Darkwing costume.
Meanwhile, NegaDuck was looking at the article with equal fury. how in the world did the press find out that Darkwing was the one who had saved his life? He couldn't allow the other members of the Fearsome Five to read this, no, not this.
Quickly burning his copy Negaduck went to visit the newspaper office in order to get some things striaght, he had a feeling that Darkwing was already there doing the same. He was right.
With both NegaDuck and Darkwing Duck to contend with now the manager was more than willing to talk in order to spare his worthless little neck from getting the strangling it rightfully deserved.
"Now what's the big idea?" shouted both ducks at once.
"A man came in and delivered the story to me that's all" said the manager begging the ducks to spare his life " he was a tall shadowy guy, I couldn't see his face. I'm sorry if what I printed was false,"
Both Negaduck and Darkwing looked that each other in silent agreement not to tell the man what he had printed was true or else it be considered horrible for both of their reputations.
"Who was this man?" asked Darkwing "and where was this photo shot?"
"He never gave his name" said the manager "but the picture was taken on Automan Bridge,"
After convincing NegaDuck not to blow the whole office sky high Darkwing and him finally had a chance alone to talk.
"Automan Bridge" repeated Darkwing "that means whoever took the photo knew where my secret hideout is,"
"And knew I was there too" said NegaDuck "it's going to be impossible, we can't make every person in this town shut up. Soon everyone is going to know what happened,"
"Especially the Fearsome Five..uh..Four," said Darkwing.
NegaDuck didn't say anything, he didn't have to. They were both dead ducks.
"I can't believe your lie worked a charm boss," said QuackerJack as soon as NegaDuck reentered headquarters.
"My lie?" said Negaduck softly although QuackerJack didn't seem to notice his master's hesitation.
"Darkwing Duck saved your life!" said QuackerJack "that guy would rather throw us in jail then help us. This joke is Grade-A material,"
NegaDuck stopped himself from mentioning that it wasn't a joke but just called out to the Liquidnator and Megavolt "Prepare phase two,"
"Right on boss," said the Liquidnator and followed Megavolt away.
"Sorry Darkwing" said NegaDuck in his mind "but I have a reputation to keep up as Public Emeney number one!"
"Doesn't seem to be any crime today Dw," said Launchpad from the Ratcatcher's side car.
"That's where you're wrong Launchpad" said Darkwing "just look ahead at the docks, the Liquidnator and Megavolt are obivously up to something,"
"Gee" said Launchpad " last time I checked, water and electricity don't mix,"
The Liquidnator seemed to be busy loading tanks filled with water while Megavolt was frying some sort of electric chemicals in the air and hurling them at the bay.
"Hold it right there you villianous thugs," shouted Darkwing.
"Alright Liquidnator" said Megavolt to his companion "just like the boss said,"
Dropping to his liquidnated form the Liquidnator placed himself right in front of the path of the speeding Ratcatcher. As soon as Darkwing realized what was going on it was to late. The tires of the Ratcatcher skidded the moment the wheels touched the water.
Thanks to the lack of seatbelts both Darkwing and Launchpad were thrown off the bike. Aiming an electrical volt at the powerlines Megavolt brought one of the wires to life and used it to catch Darkwing, while Launchpad just slid down to the edge of the peir's wooden boards.
Darkwing struggled in the wires trying to activate his buzz-saw cuff links in order to break free, but was interrupted by Megavolt sending acharge through the wires causing him to black out.
When reawakening sometime later Darkwing was surprised that he was right inside the Fearsome Five's dastardly headquarters. And of course who else better to welcome him than NegaDuck.
"Well Darkwing" said NegaDuck " I guess you heard the news. All of now thinks your a traitor for saving my life. I plan to turn that tale to my advantage,"
"What are you up to NegaDuck?" asked Darkwing in his usual tough tone when confronted with his arch foe.
"In order to make St. Canard what a big mistake you made" said NegaDuck "I'm going to kill you tonight on the ten o' clock news. See you later, Darkwing,"
"So NegaDuck didn't change after all" thought Darkwing "and to think that I saved his life. Death would be more than welcome now,"
Little did Darkwing know that NegaDuck was having his own visit with Death right now. After his little chat with Darkwing NegaDuck went striaght to his room and once again saw a shadowy figure hiding in the shadows.
"I don't know who are" said NegaDuck bringing out his flamethrower "but you're going to be sorry you ever came,"
The dark figure just laughed and said "Fool, you have no idea what power you have just unleashed, but it's time for your career to meet a catostrophic end,"
"Big talk from from someone who hides his face in the shadows," said NegaDuck.
"So" said the figure "you want to see my face huh?"
The figure stepped out of the shadows wearing a big grin on his face, NegaDuck dropped his flamethrower instantly.
"What?" he gasped "but you can't possibly be?"
"Oh I am" said the figure " but I'm afriad you won't have the pleasure of broadcasting it to anyone else,"
What can you say, NegaDuck ran. All the way back to where he had tied up Darkwing. Needless to say Darkwing was surprised by NegaDuck's sudden change of heart.
"What are you doing here?" asked Darkwing.
"I owed you after you saved my life" said NegaDuck "but if you ever tell anyone what happened that night I'll swear I'll kill ya,"
"But what about the papers?" asked Darkwing.
"The town will soon forget all about this" said NegaDuck "now go before the others find out,"
And that was how the whole scene ended. Soon NegaDuck and Darkwing were back to being arch enmies, the other members of the Fearsome Five had no clue whatsoever of what was going on, and the dark figure that appeared to NegaDuck never showed up again.
Although NegaDuck was sighing in relief of the latter he could not forget the mysterious visitor's face. a face more evil than his own. The face of Darkwing Duck.