Guardian
Call to Arms
Duckberg, Trailer Park….
Fenton came home from a long morning. It was his lunch break, and he figured he'd get in an hour of sleep before he'd report back to the money bin. The Beagle Boy's were causing trouble again, not much, but enough to get Mr. McDuck upset. But in his tiredness, he realized, it was the job of being a hero, he was happy to have his job, not a part of him hated it.
He entered the small, messy, yet humble trailer. His mother was napping on the couch, and the TV was still on "The Young and the Featherless". Fenton debated turning it off; after all saving money on electricity was always a smart move. But he knew his mother would wake, and he didn't want to disturb her. He walked by to make it to his room and laid down on his bed, which took up most of his floor space.
Just as sleep came upon him, the phone rang. He yawn and decided to pick it up, after all he still didn't want to disturbed M'Ma. "Hello?"
A familiar female voice came through, "Fenton where are you? We were supposed to have lunch."
Realization hit him, "Gandra! Oh I forgot, I just got home and tried to squeeze in a nap."
"Is Mr. McDuck working you over hours?"
Fenton thought about the chase last night, when Bigtime tried to make off with some security codes from the Bin. It had lasted a while, but in the end, Gizmoduck was victorious. "Yeah, you can kinda say that."
"Oh, well I'll let you get back to your nap, maybe we can go to dinner."
"Gandra I feel awful, you name the restaurant."
"Ok, that sounds great. Oh and Fenton, my Dad is coming in to town this weekend, he wanted to meet you."
"Um…ok…." Fenton started to become unsure of himself, like he always did. He never met either of her parent's before. Suddenly an image of Gandra in a perfect family in a perfect home flashed in his head. He then looked around his trailer and sighed.
She continued, "Great, I'll let him know. Call you tonight Fenton. Bye."
The phone hung up before Fenton got a chance to say his goodbye. What was he going to do? It would be a disaster, and he knew it. He was the most beloved person on the planet, yet it didn't make a difference in his normal life. If only he could tell, part of him always wanted to. Gandra would have to know eventually, but then he reminded himself. If he told her, he'd be putting her in danger, and that was something he couldn't live with. No, he'd continue down this path, putting off the day when the truth would be forced into the open. For now he just slept.
St. Canard, Mallard home, Drake's Bedroom…
Drake was sleeping in like he usually did. Gosylan was on Winter break for almost a month, so he didn't have to wake up early and see her off to school. This and Summer were the two times out of the year that Darkwing Duck actually slept in.
A hovering noise came up the stairs. The cracked door pushed open to reveal the tiny Flashquack. It hovered up on top Drake's bed, and image of J. Gander Hooter appeared. He was about to say something, then realized the caped crusader was sleeping. Hooter laughed, it was a good thing Grizzlekoff wasn't here.
It had been a while since Hooter saw Darkwing without his mask, almost 4 years now. Back then the young lad was filled with angst and despair, mostly because of the loss of his best friend. But now, as Hooter looked down at him, he saw genuine happiness, so rare in this day. No one deserved it more, he thought, after what he's been through and what sacrifices he's made.
Unfortunately time was of the essence. Hooter turned off the screen, hit the buzzer. This would wake Drake, put him in panic to grab a mask and hat and answer the Flashquack. Hooter had always wanted to tell that he knew who Darkwing was. But at this point in Hooter's life, he honestly enjoyed seeing Drake in a fluster. One day he'd tell, but for now Hooter would have his fun.
Hooter was right. Drake jumped out of bed at the call of the Flashquack. He dashed for his dresser, where he kept a spare hat and mask. Quickly tying it off, he answered then small transmitter, "Hello J Gander! Yes sorry for the delay…I….got held…."
"That's alright Darkwing. Time is of the essence. Gather your things together, and come to headquarters. Make sure Launchpad does the same thing."
"Um…sir? What exactly is going on?"
"The fate of the world I'm afraid. And my dear boy, you may be the only one to save us."
SHUSH HQ, Roof….
The Thunderquack soared in the air, and landed perfectly on the roof of SHUSH HQ. Deep down, Launchpad sighed, he missed the days of crashing all of Mr. McDee's planes. Lots of excitement. Then again, his entire life was more exciting now thanks to DW, maybe that's why Launchpad didn't mind it so much.
The hero and the sidekick climbed out, and a second hero was about to as well. Darkwing quickly turned around, "Not so fast young lady."
Gosylan sighed, "Awww, Dad. You said I could go as Quiverwing today."
"I said tonight, and I reserve all right to cancel that too." Darkwing was in father mode again, probably because of Hooter's statement, 'the fate of the world'. Whatever was going on, Darkwing didn't Gosylan to be apart of it.
"That's not fair, you can't decide…"
Darkwing cut her off, "I'm your father, and my word goes. Now stay in the Thunderquack, and put it in defense mode. Nothing should happen while LP and I talk with J Gander."
"Stop treating me like a baby!" Gosylan was getting angry. She always did when her Dad acted this way.
"I'm serious Gosylan Waddlemeyer Mallard. Lock up the Thunderquack, we'll be back." Darkwing turned his back and started walking. Launchpad gave a shrug to little girl who just pouting at this point.
She made sure to press the proper code to put the plane into Defense mode. This basically meant, the plating would become reinforced, and if anyone tried to touch it, they'd get a pretty serious shock, plus a whole set of alarms would go off. After that, she sat back mumbling to herself and started reading a comic book. She turned each page in a hard way and almost tore one. Her Dad would not hear the end of this one.
Launchpad was looking depressed as he and Darkwing walked through the office. "You know, I hate it when you two fight."
"I know LP, but she isn't ready for any SHUSH cases. Especially one this big. One day, sure, but now she's just a 10 year old little girl."
"That little girl has saved us both more times than I can count."
Darkwing sighed, Launchpad was right of course, but his fears out wade his conscious. "LP, I don't know what I'd do if anything happened. I almost destroyed myself when I lost Elmo, how will I handle the loss of my baby girl."
"She's not a baby, and you should trust in her abilities, and your teachings. You're going to have to let go sometime DW."
"I thought I had 8 more years before that happened." They reached Hooter's office and Darkwing got out his gas gun. A puff a smoke outside the door, and the heroes disappeared.
Hooter's Office…
Hooter was going through ha stack of paper work. His phone was light up, but he didn't have the nerve nor proper response to answer any of them. A crisis like this required his full attention.
A puff of smoke appeared in the room, and Hooter's eye lit up. "I am the terror that flaps in the night….I am Darkwing Duck" Darkwing appeared, with Launchpad at his side.
"My dear boy….Thank you for coming so quickly." Hooter looked relieved, for the first time since this crisis hit.
"What's the trouble J Gander?" Darkwing stood tall, trying to be as hero as possible.
"Darkwing, it would seem that there is still more trouble in the country of Oilrabia."
Launchpad perked up, that meant a visit with the princess.
Hooter continued, "Dr. Slug has set up some kind of death fortress and kidnapped the princess."
Anger boiled in Launchpad, "What?! Well we got to her back DW!"
Hooter nodded "I'm glad you think so, lad. So you two will leave immediately. I would have called in all the Justice Duck's, but Oilrabia has a strict law about outsiders, especially with their beloved princess taken. You two saved the day before, so they are will to make only this exception. Well Darkwing?"
Darkwing had been contemplating this whole scenario, which didn't make any since to him. "J Gander, are we sure the Princess is taken?"
"Quiet sure lad."
"Hmmm…It's just odd. The only reason to kidnap the princess is the ransom her off or take power. But the only thing that Oilrabia has of value is Oil."
"But DW!" Launchpad spoke up, "Oil is worth a lot of money, Dr. Slug must want to sell all of it, funding some evil mastermind plan."
"You don't understand LP. Steelbeak tried to do that same thing almost a year ago."
Both Hooter and Launchpad looked confused.
Darkwing continued, "I know how Dr. Slug works, and rehashing another villain's failed scheme, isn't like him."
Hooter cleared his throat, "Regardless Darkwing, the Princess is still kidnapped, and she is the only heir to the throne. If something happens to her, the government of Oilrabia will be thrown into anarchy, anyone could take power."
Darkwing smelled a rat, this wasn't right. It felt like some sort of trap. If he and LP went, they'd be cut off, no help from anyone. But J Gander had a point, he couldn't ignore the missing princess. "Alright J Gander, LP and I will leave for Oilrabia on the double."
"Excellent Darkwing, I'm glad SHUSH can count on you in this moment of need once again." Hooter smiled.
Darkwing once again got out his gas gun and Launchpad moved in closer. The caped hero spoke as the smoke filled the room, "You can always count on Darkwing Duck!"
SHUSH Rooftop, outside the Thunderquack
A puff of smoke appeared, and the hero and sidekick made way for their transportation. Launchpad spoke up first, "Hey DW, I just realized, if I'm coming with you, and the Muddlefoots are on vacation, who's gonna watch Gos? We can't take her with us, you heard J Gander about outsiders."
"No sweat LP" Darkwing pulled a cell phone and began dialing a number he knew all too well.
Morgana voice was soon heard, "Dark, Darling"
"Hey Morg, listen I got a favor to ask." Darkwing began.
"Oh…what's that? I don't know how much help I can be."
"Well the thing is, Hooter is sending me and Launchpad on an important SHUSH mission, I can't bring any Justice Ducks with me"
"But Dark, you'll be cut off from all help, what if you get into trouble?"
"That's a risk I'm going to have to take Morg"
"Then I don't understand, what do you need my help with?"
"Well it's Gos. Herb and Binki took the boys skiing, and I'm taking LP with me on the mission. I don't have anyone to watch her and I can't leave her alone."
"Dark, I'm…flattered you'd trust me with your daughter like that." Morgana was a bit taken back. Ever since Dark fully made piece with losing Elmo, he'd been letting her in more. Granted it had only been a few weeks, but it was noticeable…and now this.
"Are you kidding, Gos loves you. You two will have a great time."
"Well Dark the thing is…well I'm honored…but I can't."
"What? Where are you?" Darkwing was a little concerned. He'd figure Morg would jump at the chance to spend time with Gos, they get along so well and all.
"At the Eldritch Academy. Most of the teaching staff is suffering from some sort of food poisoning; we think it was a student messing around in the lounge. Anyway I'm subbing about 9 classes. I…wouldn't have time for Gos….Dark I'm so sorry…I didn't plan this."
Darkwing sighed, his mind trying desperately to think of a solution. "That's ok Morg, I understand….ummm…what about your family, could they watch Gos?" Darkwing asked hesitantly.
"Daddy is here too, and Aunt Nasty is sick with the food poison. I'm sorry Dark…I don't see a solution."
"I don't believe this, is their not one person who can take care of my daughter for a few days while I go save the world?"
Launchpad laughed, "Maybe the superhero union should look into getting daycare benefits."
This joke didn't lighten anything with Darkwing, "I'm serious LP. What am I going to do? I can't take Gos with me."
Morgana spoke up, "Um…Dark…there may be someone who can take care of Gos."
Darkwing perked up…."Who Morg? Who?"
"Well….there's always Fenton in Duckberg."
Darkwing just starred blankly as his mind tried to connect and process the information he just heard.
Author's Note: Hello again everyone…I'm back…first off let me say to any new readers that I am terrible when it comes to typos. I ask forgiveness ahead of time and understanding. This story takes place after my last major one "Remembrance" But I'm trying to make it so it's not that necessary to have read it. I hope you all are enjoying it so far. I love reviews, and more I get, the more motivation I have to write the next chapter. Thanks for reading.