On Dark Wings and Dark Knights: Book 2

Damien Nathaniel Wren

Chapter 2: "Rivalry"

"Hey, Gosalyn! You heading out to tonight's game?" Lizzy looked upwards at Gosalyn expectantly, her green eyes wide as she clutched her books tightly to her chest.

Gosalyn removed her helmet from her hard-bag, and placed it under her shoulder before replying. "Of course!" Smiling broadly, she gave a gracious bow. "Transportation and admission provided courtesy of one Deuteronomy Duck."

"Deuter … " Lizzy's eyes – almost impossibly – opened wider as she squealed with excitement – Gosalyn locking the case. "As in, Deuter … I mean … of 'The Splashing Pumpkins' Deuter?" Lizzy swooned. "Oh my God, Gosalyn! You're kidding, right?"

Gosalyn shook her head. "I have my dress picked out, and everything."

Lizzy let out a contented sigh. "Can you imagine?" Lizzy clutched her books tighter, and cast her eyes dreamily skyward. "A classic match-up between two sworn enemies: the St. Canard Cannibals versus Duckburg High's Marauding Mallards. And all while sharing popcorn, and soda with … well … him!"

Lizzy let out another squeal as if to punctuate.

Gosalyn smiled, zipping her black, mandarin-collared leather riding jacket as she gently shook her head. "What am I going to do with you?"

Gosalyn threw a leg over her motorcycle and – taking a deep breath – checked the time on its display. "And – speaking of time – I don't have much left before Mr. Duck shows up." Starting her bike, Gosalyn turned back to Lizzy as she kicked up her stand. "See you tonight at the game?"

Lizzy smiled – anxious for a chance to meet one of her musical idols. "Definitely!"

Putting on her helmet, Gosalyn checked the parking lot to make sure everything was clear before walking her 1000cc Street-Bike out of its parking space. A quick check of her engine stats, and a torque of the throttle later she was gone.

A messenger boy – an apparent duck/chicken hybrid with white feathers and a red messenger uniform – approached an unassuming home. Standing tall, and proud he adjusted his glasses and – smiling slightly, reached up and took hold of the Duckburg home's door-knocker, then swung it resolutely. TAP! TAP! TAP! TAP!

He waited…

"Yeah, just a sec!"

A crash could be heard in the house, followed by a series of heavy footsteps before the latch was undone, and the door flung wide open. Built like a linebacker, the beagle's demeanor was harsh – like he was definitely looking for a fight.

"What do you want?"

"I'm sorry, Sir. I'm a messenger with the Duckburg Courier Service. I have a priority package for a … uhm … Mr. Three?"

"Yeah, I'm Three. Give it to me!"

The messenger's slight smile turned into a wide grin as he lunged at the neck of the unsuspecting beagle – quickly crushing his throat and tackling him to the ground. Working quickly, he turned Three on his side – reaching into his pocket to produce a pen-like device.

"Thank you, Sir. Now if you don't mind, I'm just going to need to 'sign' … here."

"Gosalyn?"

Gosalyn blushed at her date's reaction as he admired her in her green dress. From her ears dangled delicate gold chains supporting two beautiful Tahitian pearls – a perfect compliment to the equally delicate gold chain around her neck bearing a gold dolphin charm with a Tahitian pearl at its center.

The dress itself was shoulder less with an elegant, sweetheart neckline chosen to enhance her pert "b-cup" as the dress hugged her waist, then fanned out to enhance her hips until it ended just above her knees. A simple, gold tennis bracelet and a pair of strappy gold heels completed the ensemble.

"You're … beautiful."

"Thank you, Deuteronomy. Shall we move on?"

"Oh!" He stumbled. "Of course!" Opening the door to his Town car he watched as Gosalyn carefully entered – her long, red hair flowing freely behind her. He let out an involuntary sigh before joining her in the back seat of the car, and closing the door.

"Ready, Gosalyn?"

She nodded.

"Duckworth?"

The driver spared a moment to look into the back seat. "Welcome back, Ms. Mallard." he said, then started the car. "To the game, Sir?"

"To the game, Duckworth."

"Right away, then."

"TANK!"

The doors to the locker room slammed against the tiled walls with a resounding "THRUNK!" as Three burst into the room – temper flaring. A small entourage of players from Duckburg's Marauding Mallards stepped in behind him.

"Where are you? Scared?"

Tank stood up, still shirtless. A towel was draped over his shoulders – which he held at each end – a smug expression on his face. "Terrified." he monotoned.

Another player from the St. Canard Cannibals chirped in. "Ya freakin' M&M's."

Tank looked towards his teammate, and laughed. "Oh yeah! Melt in your mouth, knot in your hand?" He turned to Three. "You know what that's like, right?"

Three lunged at Tank – only to be slammed back one-handedly by the coach for the St. Canard Cannibals. "Save it for the field, Three. And get out of my locker room!"

Tank smiled.

Three threw the Coach a defiant look, and turned back to Tank. "Don't think this is over, 'Tankard'! I'll rip apart your entire offensive line if I have to!"

The Coach intervened – more forceful this time. "On the field, Gentleman!"

Three turned to the coach – still defiant. "Yeah, I was just leaving, anyways." Three took a moment more to glare at Tank before moving on. "C'mon, Mallards. Let's leave these retards alone. We've got a game to win."

The bright lights, the cheering, the live music … Gosalyn marveled a bit as she took it all in. It wasn't her first school football game – or even her first time watching the time-tested rivalry of St. Canard and Duckburg duke it out. It was something that – every time she watched – she was amazed to see, though. Something about it was just … exciting.

"Popcorn?"

Gosalyn looked at her date, only barely disguised in his black jeans, and "Splashing Pumpkins" T beneath a pair of round, wire-rimmed glasses and black baseball cap. "Popcorn?" he asked again – thrusting the bag at her.

"Sure" she giggled, and accepted the bag before demurely consuming a single kernel. She honestly could only barely believe he was getting away with…

"SQUEE!"

Gosalyn winced before looking in the direction of the offending squeal. A much over-excited Lizzy had Gosalyn squarely in her sights, and was approaching fast.

"OhmyGod! OhmyGod!OhmyGod! OH MY GOD!"

Gosalyn reached out quickly and snatched shut Lizzy's beak, then spoke in a coarse whisper. "Quiet! We can't let everyone know he's here!"

"Oh yeah." Lizzy mumbled – her beak still clasped shut. Gosalyn released her, and she took a deep breath before continuing in a whisper herself. "Where is he?"

"Closer than you think. C'mon. We can still get inside. I'll introduce you in the library – no one should be there. But you have to be quiet, OK?"

Lizzy smiled, offering up her pinky for a swear. "Promise!"

"I'm gonna make you squeal like a pig, Can-Can."

"I am a pig. Freakin' M&M."

"Oh. Sorry."

The St. Canard Cannibals, and the Duckburg Marauding Mallards lined up at the 30 yard line, preparing for the next play. It was 3rd down, with 8 to go - the Cannibals had the ball. Tank took his place, and made the calls.

"Down! Calisota! 22! Hu…"

Three leapt from his position, vaulting over the back of his team-mate and slamming into Tank from the air. The two immediately went to the ground – the impact sending Tank's helmet flying. The line of scrimmage immediately burst into action in response – the two teams erupting into a gladiatorial melee as the cheerleaders quickly made for the stands.

The crowd began chanting "FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT!"

Gosalyn turned to her companion – who had joined in on the chant. "Dewey?" She tapped his shoulder to distract him. "Dewey!"

Deuteronomy turned to face Gosalyn, his demeanor quickly turning to calm. "Do you need something? I'd be happy to…"

"No, Dewey. I just need to go 'powder my beak'. I'll be back."

"Oh! OK!" he answered, and returned his attention to the action. The remainder of the teams had joined in from the benches at this point, and Three's brothers had joined him from the stands. "This is going to be good!" he said.

And as the crowds cheered on their favorite team, the referees and admins stood at a loss.

"This is for humiliating me you piece of drek! Madoka should have been mine!" One, and Two held Tank to the ground as tears began to flow from Three's eyes. "What gives you the right?"

Tank looked up – barely able to see through badly swollen eyes. Blood was pouring from cuts on his eyebrows, and trickled from his left ear. Through his good ear, he heard One and Two laughing as Three beat him. Then, he felt a hand around his throat as the world began to fade…

POP! SNAP! P-POP! Arrows flew onto the field, their shafts exploding into tiny, quickly spreading particles. "It's hot!" one of the boys exclaimed, forgetting his fight as he ran – rolling across the field.

One by one the boys from both teams stopped fighting and starting scratching, rolling, and dousing themselves with water as Quiverwing continued her less-than-lethal assault – One, Two, and Three among them.

Tank was the only one to remain on the field bloodied, broken, and motionless.

Quiverwing was the first at his side. Checking his pulse, she tapped the button on her earpiece. "9-1-1" She paused. "This is Quiverwing. We're going to need an ambulance on the football field at St. Canard High, stat. Got some serious head, and neck injuries along with cuts, lacerations, some major bruising. Decent amount of blood-loss, too. Subject's breathing, and pulse are erratic, and he's already lost consciousness. I'm transferring you to Principal Evans, now. He's on his way."

Quiverwing stood up, and turned to the Principal. "Take care of him, Mr. Evans." She said, and ran off. Suddenly, she turned backwards. "And don't forget to answer your phone!" she yelled – his phone going off immediately after.

By the time Mr. Evans thought to ask how she knew – she was gone.

Gosalyn checked the stands, but Dewey had already gone along with the rest of the crowd. They must have been sent home after the incident. She met up with him at the exit to the parking lot.

"You missed it!" he chimed enthusiastically. "Right after you left, Quiverwing came in and broke up the fight. You should have seen her!"

Gosalyn shook her head, and shrugged. "'Gotta go, gotta go', right? Just wasn't meant to be, I guess." Gosalyn looked thoughtful for a moment, and smiled softly – pressing her shoulder against Dewey as she looked up at him – fluttering her emerald green eyes.

"Would you … mind stopping for a milk-shake before taking me home?"

Dewey smiled as Duckworth pulled up to the curb, and opened the Town car door.

"Not a bit! Uh … Not meaning to be unromantic but … do you mind if we get two milk-shakes instead of one?"

Gosalyn laughed – remembering Dewey's uncle. "I wouldn't have it any other way."

Authors Notes:

Batman, and all related properties are the property of DC Comics. Batman created by Bob Kane. Darkwing Duck, Duck Tales, and all related properties are the property of Disney Corporation. All here are used without permission.

The 1961 Report of the Register of Copyrights on the General Revision of the U.S. Copyright Law cites examples of activities that courts have regarded as fair use: among them "use in a parody of some of the content of the work parodied" (U.S. Copyright Office, Factsheet on fair use of copyrighted works).

It is under such authority I proceed.