Out of the Woodwork

Part II

Brenna "Snakelady" Dawkins

A Darkwing Duck Fanfic

Rating: PG-13

Disclaimer: Darkwing Duck and subsequent characters belong to Disney Studios. It'd be pretty useless to sue me since I have nothing! I've made no profit nor will see any from this fic.

Summary: Launchpad's little sister Loopy announces her engagement. But it's not exactly what Launchpad nor Darkwing had hoped for. Darkwing Duck/Ducktales crossover.

(AN: Okay, so I adjusted Gos's age to 19 instead of the original 12 from when I had first started the fic years ago. I am going somewhere with this and plan on Webby to be 18.)

*****

As they proceeded to Ma Beagle's hideout, Launchpad asked another favor of Darkwing. "Say, DW, do ya think you can cool the crime fighting business while Loopy's here? I don't want her to worry."

"Well, LP, I'll try, but the bad guys might have other ideas. Besides, I'd be more worried about your safety behind the wheel of an airplane then behind a bad guy's fist if I were your sister."

"Gee, thanks, DW!" Launchpad said brightly, clearly missing Darkwing's habitual jibe of the pilot's flying skills. The masked mallard just rolled his eyes and sat back in his seat.

"I can't believe I was able to talk Gos into staying out of harms way for a change." Darkwing said in wonder. His wayward daughter had nearly jumped at the chance to stay behind at the mansion. She'd get a tour from Scrooge's nephew's and Webby.

"Good thing we didn't tell her we were going to Mr. McD's Money Bin next or else she wouldn't've." Launchpad relayed to his buddy.

Darkwing sighed. He'd heard stories about the near fortress of money. He had to wonder if half the things he'd heard about it were true. He'd asked LP and the big duck had seemed to confirm most of the stories.

'It's just one great, big temptation for those who have not." Darkwing said, nearly disgusted.

Launchpad shrugged. "It's only been breeched a couple of times, and one of those had to be by magic." He snapped his beak shut, forgetting in that instant that Darkwing and Morgana were at odds with each other and any word about magic only drove Dark seemingly into a depression. "Sorry, DW."

"Yeah, yeah." Darkwing waved him off unhappily.

He and Morg had hit a rough spot in their relationship for the past month. Darkwing had suspected her of using her magic for ill gains again and she had sworn she hadn't. He didn't know if he could believe her and he knew she knew that and it angered her. So they had yelled at each other--- needlessly. Dark hadn't seen her in nearly three weeks.

"But hey, one more big crime bust before Loopy gets here should brighten your mood, right, DW?" Launchpad said hopefully.

"Mmmm." Dark didn't feel like pretending everything was all right just then, even if it might bring down his friends cheery mood. What right did other people have of being so darned happy when he was so obviously not?

They flew over Duckburg. Launchpad missed the familiar skyline. He could pinpoint almost every spot he'd crashed over his time spent there. But his fond memories weren't enough to make him forget to worry about Darkwing's depression. He hoped DW would patch things up with the witch soon. Living with the neurotic duck was even starting to affect his normally perpetual pleasant mood.

"I think we're there." Launchpad brought the Thunderquack down hard and they skidded across the gravel lot beside the ramshackle house. They finally came to a teeth clattering halt and both soon jumped from the plane and made their way to the hideout.

"Um, I guess we knock." Darkwing was amazed they had approached the place with no trouble. "You sure this is the right place?"

The door opened before Launchpad could confirm. There, in front of them, was the wizened face of an old beagle. Her prison stripe outfit did nothing for her dumpy figure. Her eyes squinted as she gave Darkwing a quick inspection then widened as she recognized Launchpad.

"You?" She looked amazed, then tried to quickly recover herself. "I'll have you know I've already met with my Parole Officer yesterday and have already preformed my community service for the week. You can also tell Scrooge to stop pestering my boys over something they couldn't possibly have done!" The last sentence was punctuated by her poking Launchpad in the chest with her finger.

Darkwing noted the exchange and made a mental note to question LP about Ma Beagle later. "Listen, Ma'am, a felony has been committed and the cops are only doing their job. They have to cover all the angles before they can rule out any suspects."

"You don't look like a cop." Ma Beagle scoffed haughtily and stood back in the middle of her door with her arms crossed. Obviously making a stand against authority. "You look like an idiot. You and McQuack are the perfect pair."

Darkwing saw red. "Now see here! Just because you are out of jail temporarily doesn't mean I can't throw you back in there! I'll be watching you, lady! You AND your boys! If anyone of you and your kin even LOOK at Mr. McDuck the wrong way, I'll--- I'll--- do something!"

Ma Beagle looked unimpressed. "By who's authority? You're nothing but a trumped up citizen. A duck with a complex and some serious ego issues." She paused and looked him up and down again, "And you need obvious help in accessorizing your wardrobe."

Darkwing Duck was nearly trembling at her words. So obviously loaded, but he was too blinded by anger to tell she was baiting him.

"Um, DW---" Launchpad tried to soothe his friend.

"I KNOW you or one of your boys tried to kill Mr. McDuck! And I'll prove it and I'll make sure I have a camera with me so I can take pictures of the look on your face as you and your boys get sentenced to life and thrown in jail! Then the judge and D.A. and I will make a shrine of those pictures and then laugh and do a jig around it!" He ranted then whirled around and stalked off back to the Thunderquack.

"Um, nice seeing you again?" Launchpad said uncertainly to the amused criminal and then hurried off after the masked mallard. "DW! DW!"

"WHAT?" Darkwing growled.

"Weren't we supposed to ask her some questions?"

"Forget it, LP! She'd just lie to us anyway even if she pretended to cooperate. We'll stick around and watch her--- like a hawk!"

Launchpad opened the hatch and both of then jumped into the plane. "But, Loopy's flying in this Friday, DW. I don't have a way to contact her to tell her to meet us in Duckburg."

Figures, the crime fighter thought darkly. "We'll figure something out, LP. Don't worry. We'll settle this matter with Mr. McDuck and STILL have time to gad about with your sister."

And Launchpad all too eagerly believed.

*****

Upon their arrival to the Bin, they had to pass by the new purple limo to get to the entrance which sported a pair of armed guards. Duckworth was standing beside the limo as always. Launchpad changed their course to greet and question the old butler.

"Hey, Duckworth." Launchpad hailed the startled driver.

Duckworth hadn't expected to see the pilot ever again, "Hello, Mr. McQuack. Are you back in town for long?"

Launchpad nodded, "We're here to help Mr. McD."

Duckworth deigned to notice Darkwing. "Friend of Mr. McDuck's?"

"No," Dark admitted, "We're here on business. And speaking of business, you ARE the limo driver, are you not?" Darkwing had listened to LP's suggestion they question the old butler. In his mind, he couldn't help but think, 'The butler always does the crime.' But they had ulterior reasons to think otherwise, with the exception that he hadn't been in harms way at the time of the crime, which was odd.

"Yes. I had hoped that I wouldn't have to state the obvious." Duckworth replied stoically. "And why are you asking me anyway? You couldn't possibly think of me as a suspect. I am Mr. McDuck's most loyal servant!" The butler replied indignantly.

"Just covering all the bases." Darkwing continued on with the questioning. "Why were you not with the limo at the time of the explosion? Isn't that your permanent post on an outing?"

Launchpad felt uncomfortable questioning Duckworth's loyalties and found something off in the distance that was interesting to look at so he didn't have to look at the expression of disbelief on the old man's face.

"Mr. McDuck had sent me on a few errands to the nearby stores. I am more then just the limo driver, or his butler… I am his most trusted employee. He often sends me on such excursions. So that is why I was not with the limo when it exploded. I would NEVER do anything to jeopardize my employer's life! You know this, Launchpad." Duckworth looked absolutely appalled that anyone could ever doubt his favor.

Launchpad did know this. "Sorry, Duckworth. It was just a question."

"Okay. I just had to ask." Dark said starkly. Minus one more suspect. He mentally crossed Duckworth off his list of perps.

"See ya, Duckworth." Launchpad couldn't think of any thing else to say or anyway to smooth Duckworth's ruffled feathers. So the two just turned and walked off.

The guards at the entrance of the Bin allowed them entry, once Launchpad explained his past association with Scrooge, and after calling up to Scrooge's office to confirm. Darkwing followed Launchpad, who seemed to know the way.

They road the elevator up to the office on the top floor, where two more guards met them in the long hall.

"You again." One of the guards said, in recognition of the pilot.

"Hey, Quackenbaum." Launchpad greeted the guard.

"Hate to bother you, but what with the latest attempt on McDuck's life, I have to ask that if either of you have any weapons, to please leave them with me. You'll get them back when you leave."

Darkwing frowned. He didn't want to hand over his gas gun or other arsenals, but he could see the necessity of it. He freely handed them all over. Launchpad never carried anything on him that might be considered a weapon, unless you considered his landings as one. The other guard escorted them to the office door and knocked.

"Come in." Came the muted response from the other side of the door.

They stepped into Scrooge's office. Scrooge was at his desk, pouring over what Launchpad guessed to be the latest futures reports. The old miser looked exactly the same as when he'd seen him last.

Scrooge looked up and the agitated look on his face melted away, "Launchpad, M'boy! It's been a long time!" He turned a bit to scrutinize the oddly dressed duck in purple garb, "I did not send for you, Darkwing. I hope you don't expect me to pay for your assistance."

Darkwing tried not to outwardly show that statement bothered him. He valiantly kept a pleasantly bland expression on his face, "I'm not here for reward money, Mr. McDuck. I'm here to see justice is done."

The richest duck in Duckburg gave him a raking look, "I see." He looked back at LP, "You… work… for this person?"

Launchpad shrugged, "Yeah."

"You aren't trying to get back on my payroll, are you, Launchpad?" Scrooge asked suspiciously.

The pilot shook his head, "No, Mr. McD. We just want to help you, is all."

Scrooge stood, leaning against his desk and cut them a hard look, "I refuse to be babysat by the police or anyone else. Not even a friend, you got that, Launchpad? You know this isn't the first time someone has made an attempt on my life."

Launchpad nodded. He knew very well. If it hadn't been that someone thought they saw a Beagle Boy near the limo before the explosion, it could very well be any number of suspects that would want to see the end of Mr. McDuck's reign as one of the world's richest ducks.

"We talked to Ma Beagle," Darkwing said.

Scrooge walked around his desk, "That conniving old spinster? What did you find out?"

"Nothing." Darkwing sighed resolutely. Nothing at all they could use.

"I wouldn't trust her to give exact change, let alone tell the truth." There was no love lost between Scrooge and the scrupulous beagle. "Do as you like with the case. If the police ask, tell them you're on as my retainer. Stay out of my way. This is NOT a paying job. But you CAN say you did work for me."

'Oh boy,' Darkwing thought dryly, still trying to not let the old duck's words prick at his ego.

"Good seeing you again, Launchpad."

"Ditto, Mr. McD." Even Launchpad knew a dismissal when he heard one.

The two left. Darkwing retrieved his weapons and they flew back to the mansion.

"Didn't quite go the way I wanted." Darkwing said disappointedly.

"He's a tough old bird." Launchpad told him out of experience. "He hates people telling him what to do."

"As do I, LP. Well, whether he likes it or not, we're gonna shadow him. Since the attempt failed, I'm not making any bets against the idea that the one behind this will try again."

"Until Friday, that is." Launchpad reminded Dark.

Darkwing rubbed his face with his hand in annoyance to the disruption of a case. "Yeah, we'll shadow Mr. McDuck until time to collect your sister."

*****

Friday morning came all too quickly for Darwking who still hadn't uncovered any better clues as to who tried to kill Mr. McDuck. He thought about just sending LP back to Saint Canard by himself to pick up Loopy while he stayed and continued his investigation, but he HAD promised LP he'd go with. Even Gos wanted to come, despite having to leave the opulent mansion behind. She'd befriended the triplets during her stay there, but only barely tolerated Webby who was way too girly for her tastes.

"Not every day we get to meet one of Launchpad's relatives. Wonder what she'll look like?" Gos had said to her father who had changed into his Drake Mallard clothes before they left Duckburg.

"Well, if names have any meaning at all, and if she's anything like LP…" Drake shuddered at the emanate possibility of disaster. "Shoulda upped our insurance on the house."

At the airport, an anxious Launchpad waited at the mouth of the gate while Drake and Gosalyn stood slightly behind him. Loopy's flight had arrived in a timely manner and the plane had pulled up to the gate. The passengers had yet to disembark, which only made Launchpad that more antsy as he waited.

"Calm down, LP." Drake tried to soothe his nervous friend, "You act like something's going to go wrong." Which it'd better NOT! He added silently.

"Just… can't seem to help myself, Drake." Launchpad minced in place as the first of the passengers strolled out.

Half the plane emptied before he spied a familiar looking young lady. She had changed drastically since he'd seen her last, but there was always that particular look that allowed him to recognize her no matter how much time had changed her.

"Hey, Big Brother!" She waved excitedly as she spied the big duck. She ran up and hugged him, a big grin on her face.

Launchpad hugged her back and couldn't help but smile as well, "You look great, Sis!"

She did indeed. Her blond locks were done up in a bun atop her head, and she had exchanged her new wave, Valley Girl garb into something a bit more sedate, yet stylish. And no bubble gum.

"Loopy, these are my friends Drake Mallard and his daughter Gosalyn." He made introductions. "You'll be staying with us at his house."

Loopy, still smiling widely, shook Drake's hand, "Nice to meet you!"

"Likewise." Drake replied dumbfounded. She seemed normal. Too normal to be LP's sister.

"How old are you?" She asked in way of greeting Gosalyn.

"Nineteen." Gosalyn carefully looked Miss McQuack over. "So, you're Launchpad's sister, huh?"

Loopy nodded pleasantly, "Little sister! You're lucky to get to see Launchpad so much. He's good with kids."

"So, is mom and dad coming too?" Launchpad asked his sister feeling anxious again.

Loopy frowned slightly and shook her head, "No. Dad's in the middle of teaching a flying class. He can't get away to see the wedding."

"Wait, wedding? You're going to get married now?" Drake didn't like surprises being sprung on him. They were too… surprising. "I thought you were just coming to visit." He had an investigation to get back to and he didn't want it to be postponed for any longer then it already was.

"Um, didn't I say she was going to get married?" Launchpad said.

"Yes, but not this moment!" Drake didn't hide his frustration.

"Not this moment, but within the month." Loopy said all too calmly, despite Drake glowering at her.

Drake turned his glare onto LP who winced. "I'm sorry, but I was of the impression you were here for a short visit."

"I didn't mean to inconvenience you. I can always stay at my fiancé's house. He lives in Saint Canard." Loopy sensed troubled waters and tried to steer a course away.

'Great', Drake thought to himself. 'Now I'm the villain.' Then he said aloud. "No, that's okay. You can stay with us. But, I may not be able to stay home for the entirety of your visit. My work will be taking me out of town."

"Who is your fiancé anyway?" Launchpad wanted to know.

"He's the kindest, most sweetest man! I told you I met him on the internet! I can't wait to meet him in person!" Loopy gushed giddily.

Drake was taken aback, "You mean you agreed to marry someone you never even met before?"

Loopy nodded clearly undisturbed, "Oh yes! Didn't I say he was the kindest, most sweetest man? He's also a genius! He's trying to find a way to end the greenhouse affect and save the whole planet!"

"Uh, Loopy… don't you think you should postpone the wedding for, I dunno, a few years, at least until AFTER you meet him?" Launchpad said aggrievedly. Suddenly feeling the need to protect his young and impetuous sister.

But Loopy held no reservations, "He's so marvelous! I arranged for him to come by the house Sunday for dinner! Can't wait for you to meet him, Big Brother!"

Launchpad helplessly looked over to Drake who didn't much care for that idea either. But it couldn't be helped.

"Does he eat meat?" Drake sighed as he tried to plan a dinner menu in his head for the occasion.

Loopy, still smiling brightly replied cheerily, "I dunno! But I'll Instant Messenger him tonight and find out!"

'Wonderful.' Drake thought in despair and could only guess at how LP felt about all this.

To be continued…