Longer Days Pass
Chapter 6
Author's Note: I would like to note that this story is a bit of AU of my other fics. It really doesn't go along with them, since others have gone in the form of a storyline. Such as Deepening Roots, Electrifying Memories, and Toymaker Madness all go together. This story is off on its own. It is not a sequel to any other story in any way. Therefore, the Fearsome Five are not broken up in this story. They are still a villainous team. Just to clear that up. Any other questions, just let me know. Enjoy the chapter!
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The late afternoon sun beat down hard on the city of St. Canard as Drake, Launchpad, Gosalyn, and Honker finally made it back home. It wasn't dreadfully hot out, but the humid air did not help matters.
Aches and pain was all Drake could think about as he walked into the front door to his house. His back and chest throbbed painfully and all he wanted to do was sleep. But Dr. Court had recommended him eating something soft and cold before doing anything else. Getting something in his stomach was one of the first things they had to worry about. Dr. Court had also told them that eating soft foods would help and since Drake was currently overly warm, something soft and cold would be best.
Drake moaned as he walked through the door, Gosalyn walking in in front of him, her one hand clasped tightly around her father's as she helped him in.
"Oh, Gos, I'm fine. You don't have to do that" he told her as gently as possible. He hated being so weak. He remembered the time when he had been hit be the speed ray that made him super fast and grow old quickly. He had hated every moment of that, feeling so weak.
He sighed, knowing that if he didn't act fast, he might end up like that. Only instead of being too old, he would just be flat out too weak.
Launchpad walked in behind Drake, his eyes never leaving the shorter mallard in front of him. "You sure you're good enough to walk, DW?"
Drake forced himself to keep his nerve and not snap at him. "Yes, I'm fine. I just need some rest!"
Honker was the last one who walked in, shutting the door behind him. He adjusted his small round glasses and cleared his throat shyly. "Well, I'd best be getting back home everyone. I'm sure my folks are already starting dinner… I'll go through the back door." he told everyone, his polite nature being seen by everyone. Gosalyn nodded.
"Okay, Honk. I'll walk you over" she offered with a grin. Launchpad and Drake watched as the two of them headed to the back of the house. A moment later they could both hear the sliding back door open and close.
The two friends looked at each other, both of Drake's arm on his back as he tried to crack it. Maybe cracking his back a bit would help. Launchpad averted his gaze as Drake went to sit over on the couch.
"Err….DW? I think you should eat something…." he suggested.
"Sit next to me…" replied Drake quietly.
Launchpad blinked at what he heard. He looked at Drake carefully, wondered if he had heard wrong. It was very rare to hear Drake utter such words. Very out of character. Drake was not a very forward person when it came to their relationship. With Morgana, Drake had been forward, but when he had started being with Launchpad, that wasn't the case. It saddened the pilot that things were like that, and that Drake was not nearly as open and comfortable with them as he had been with her, but then again he was just thrilled there was anything between them at all. He didn't hold it against Drake at all, for it was all a bit awkward, but it still saddened him.
"Ummm…what?" stuttered Launchpad, not sure of what to do.
Drake was staring into space as he scooted over on the couch, leaving more room for Launchpad, patting the spot where he wanted him to sit. "Come on."
Launchpad pulled on the scarf around his neck and did so. His heart was flipping out of control as he sat down. This was nothing new, but it was just the way Drake had asked him to sit, instead of him just sitting on his own. He didn't understand why he was having such a reaction, but he was. Almost shyly, Launchpad sat down in the couch next to Drake, who leaned back into the cushions of the couch, sighing and lowering his eyes.
"I hate this…" mumbled Drake, crossing his arms, wincing a bit as his chest started to sting at the movement.
Launchpad frowned, a saddened look on his face. "I'm sorry, DW. I really wish there was something I could do to make this all go away…"
Drake nodded. He leaned closer to Launchpad, resting himself on the pilot's large arm and shoulder. Launchpad started to relax after several moments, finding the remote and turning on the TV.
"I just wish….." he never finished his sentence. "No…I don't wish that." Launchpad gave him a questioning look. There was silence for what seemed like an eternity for Launchpad, before he was unable to stand the silence anymore.
"What are you mean by that!?" he blurted out a little louder and forced than he had wanted to.
Drake looked up at him, a hint of confusion on his face, mixed with sadness and deep thought. "Never mind…"
Launchpad grimaced at this. He faced Drake a bit more on the couch. "No DW! I won't! Tell me what you meant!" An awkward silence followed, in which Drake just sat back, deep into the back cushions of the couch, his arms crossed over his chest. Launchpad knew that Drake got like this at times. He shut everything else out that he didn't want to hear. It was his stubbornness showing at times like this; where he wasn't able to change his mindset, or think any other way. It was often times like this when he would get into trouble while he was Darkwing and working on a case. It was often his stubbornness and refusal to listen that makes them get into far worse trouble than they had been. The mallard would never audibly admit it, but Launchpad knew Drake was aware of this.
"I said it was nothing!" hissed Drake, finally pushing himself up and standing. Launchpad just looked at him, his eyes wide with concern. He hated it when Drake was like this, but there was not much he could do for him. Drake lazily gestured to the TV with his arm. "Turn on the news. See what's happening" and then he sulked off to the kitchen. Launchpad, still sitting there, just stared down at the remote control that was in his hands. The TV was the last thing on his mind. He took in a deep breath and let it out. As weird and tense as things were between them, Launchpad wouldn't trade it for anything else. It was far better than it was before Drake knew of his feelings.
Launchpad reached up, pointing the remote at the TV and clicked it on, where he started flipping through the channels. He had just missed 'Pelican's Island', so that wasn't an option. After several minutes worth of flipping through the channel, not really caring what was on, he stopped at the news.
He was about to continue when he heard the sound of something falling to the floor with a loud clang, with a cry from Drake. "Yeeooouch!!"
Launchpad immediately rose from the couch, worried. "DW! What's wrong!?" He ran into the kitchen, stopping short as he entered. He found Drake nursing his index finger. "DW?"
Drake looked up, sucking at his finger. When he pulled it out, the pilot was able to see blood on a few of his feathers. "Relax, LP, I just cut my finger a bit on that stupid knife" he explained, scowling down at the knife he had dropped on the floor.
Launchpad walked up to him, taking his hand and looking at the cut itself. "Oh, well, gee, DW, by the way you cried out, I would have figured Megavolt or someone was here" he laughed.
Drake gave him an bemused look before taking his hand back and searching for a band-aid. He mumbled to himself as he did this, reaching up into the shelf above the kitchen counter, on his tip toes. Launchpad saw that he was having problems reaching, so he reached into the same cabinet, pushing some things aside, until he found the small box of band-aids for him. Drake sighed, slouching a bit as he stood there, no longer trying to reach for it, knowing Launchpad had gotten it for him. He tried not to look annoyed, but failed miserably.
"Sorry, DW, but you couldn't reach" apologized the tall pilot.
Drake shrugged it off, taking the box and digging into it, reaching inside for a band-aid. Once he had it, he began opening it up, avoiding using his cut finger. Launchpad meanwhile, placed the box back inside the cabinet.
Drake soon got it on his finger, swatting away Launchpad's helpful hands as he tried to help him. Launchpad resolutely took a step back, knowing Drake was too stubborn to receive any type of help.
As Drake fiddled with the band aid, Launchpad spoke up. "DW, what did you mean back there on the couch? About what you wished?"
Drake nearly dropped the band aid. "Oh! That, it was nothing!" he insisted.
"Come on, DW…. You usually don't just say things. You mean them…"
Drake closed his eyes, forgetting the band aid for a moment. He sighed. "What I was going to say is…. I wish I never let anyone close." Launchpad was about to say something, but Drake beat him to it. "I wish I never got close to anyone, because….now that I'm sick, its worrying and hurting you, Gosalyn, and even Honker is worried of me. I know he is…"
Launchpad frowned, having not seen this coming. He rubbed circles on Drake's back as he reached around him. Drake just went back to his band aid.
Once the band aid was on, Launchpad grabbed his hand, brought it up and kissed the now bandaged finger. Drake quickly snatched it back, a smile on his face as he blushed.
It was then that the doorbell rang. Both of them looked at each other, unsure of what to think. Drake snapped out of it first, heading for the front door. Launchpad slowly followed him, his mind still going over what he was just heard. He wished he had said something, but he just didn't know what to say to that.
He made his way to the living room, where he could see Drake at the door, reaching for the handle. Drake opened the door and Launchpad was able to see a look of surprise. From where he was standing, Launchpad couldn't see who it was. His curiosity peaked, he leaned over a bit and saw that it was Morgana McCawber.
Launchpad stood up straight upon seeing her, tensing up. Drake himself was stunned to see her. She was still wearing her favorite red dress. Eek and Squeak, her faithful bats, flying beside her head.
"M-Morgana…." whispered Drake in shock and awe. He had not been expecting her to come, especially after they last time they had spoken over the phone.
She stood there, fidgeting, and looking quite nervous. She played with the hem of her sleeve with her fingers. "Hi….Dark." She sounded so nervous.
Drake snapped out of his surprise and stepped back, allowing her in. As he did this, Launchpad's head screamed. Having her there was the last thing he wanted. He could easily say this now, for he was now with Drake: He hated her.
Hate was too strong of a word, but on some levels, he did. He found her to be a threat. He would always consider her a friend, but it was different now. He supposed he was jealous of her, since she had once had Drake's attention and love for so long.
Drake shut the door behind her, watching her as though he were in a trance. This made Launchpad all the more edgy. As she stepped in, Morgana finally noticed Launchpad. She blinked at him, surprised, and took a step back. "Oh, Launchpad. Hello."
It was easy to tell that Morgana was not as thrilled to see him either.
"Hi, Morgana" mumbled Launchpad out of courtesy.
Drake snapped out of his awe that Morgana was there in front of him and looked between the two of them. "Hey, everything is going to be okay between you two, right?" he voiced, sounding worried.
No one spoke for several long awkward moments before Morgana briskly nodded her head. "Oh, yes. Everything will be fine, Dark, darl-…" she stopped herself from using addressing him the way she had when they had been dating. Launchpad tensed at the reminder of the old name, grateful she didn't finish it.
Drake frowned, seeing that this wasn't going to be easy for any of them. He cleared his throat, guiding her over to the couch, where Launchpad was sitting on the arm of it, and had her sit down. Launchpad remained where he was and Drake sat in between them.
"So, Morg, what are you doing here?" he inquired, and quickly adding, "If you don't mind my asking!" He didn't want to sound rude.
Morgana fiddled with her hands which were in her lap, deciding what to say. Eek and Squeak were sitting on her shoulders, one of them on each. After a moment, she spoke up, "Well, Dark-- I…Well, I didn't like how I left things between us the other day. I…..think I was a little too harsh on you over the phone and I didn't want to have this conversation over the phone, and I thought it would be best to apologize in person."
Drake nodded, a small smile on his beak. "I see. Well, thanks, Morg. I appreciate the gesture." The two of them looked at each other for a few minutes.
Launchpad tapped him on the shoulder, which had brought him back to reality. Drake blinked and sucked in a deep breath. "Well, Morg, to say this isn't a little awkward would be the wrong thing to say…."
Morgana nodded, understanding. Her gaze then moved up to Launchpad. "I understand, Dark. It's hard for both you and Launchpad." She looked away from the pilot. Silence took over as the three of them wondered what to say next. Morgana was the one who cut through the silence, as she looked up, having been looking down at her lap, and looked at Drake. "What is it that made you leave? I mean, I know why you did, but, why?" The question hung in the air for a while as both Drake and Launchpad looked at her incredulously. She saw this and continued. "I mean, I understand that you two are together now, that's not really what I'm asking. Maybe I should say it this way: How did it happen?"
It was Launchpad's turn to look down into his lap. "Well, gee, its mainly because I opened my big beak…"
Morgana gave him a look that clearly said, "Yeah, I kinda figured that, " but said nothing. Drake looked up at Launchpad, who was sitting in front of him as the pilot sat on the arm of the couch. "Well, like he said, Launchpad pretty much just came out and told me."
"Yes, I get that, but, still…..How did it happen?" she aimed her gaze at Drake. "Did you just start looking at Launchpad differently once he told you that?"
"For the most part" shrugged Drake. "Look, at the time, things had been going great between the two of us." he motioned towards Morgana and himself. "And one night after getting off the phone with you, LP asked if he and I could speak privately for a moment, so we sent Gos up to her room and he eventually told me. From then on, I really couldn't get what he said out of my head. You know, I just kept thinking about it." he paused, in which Launchpad put a supporting hand on his shoulder. Drake shrugged once again. "And as time went on, I just, slowly started feeling the same way about LP. I mean, it was awkward for us both at first, after he told me, but we got used to it. It was then that I realized I was pretty much in two relationships at the time and I had to choose." He paused once again.
Morgana, meanwhile, was taking all this in with a calm demeanor. She knew this story needed to be told and was patiently listening to it. This is the reason she had come. Or one of them, at any rate.
"I'm sorry, Morgana. But I made a choice, and….I know you don't like it, but I would be lying to myself and to you if I had chosen you…" whispered Drake.
Morgana nodded. She even smiled a little. "Well, Dark, you mean a lot to me, and though I wish I was the one who made you happy, I suppose I can live with knowing that you are happy, even if its not me who's making it so." She smiled.
Launchpad squirmed a bit in his seat at these words. "Listen, Morgana, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to tell him, its just….I couldn't hold it in any longer." The pilot was expecting her to be angry with him, but instead, he got a warm smile from her. "Its alright, Launchpad. I probably would have done the same thing."
Launchpad beamed at these words, feeling the best he had since she arrived.
"Well, another reason I came over was to return some of your things." She reached back behind her and as though through magic, brought out a bag and handed it over to Drake. Drake blinked at the bag and took it, opening it up and looking inside. He pulled out one of his many infamous grey fedora hats. He grinned. "I wondered where my sixth hat went! Now I can put it back on my hanger!"
Both Launchpad and Morgana chuckled at this, knowing how many Darkwing outfits their friend had. Something else that was in the bag was two of Drake's books, that he had been reading in the last few months of their relationship and taken over for her to borrow. That was all that was in the bag.
Drake nodded, looking at the three items. "Thanks, Morg. I appreciate that."
"And anything I may have left here, you can give back to me whenever. Though, I don't think I did. We didn't come here too often…" figured Morgana. Drake nodded, knowing that was true.
It looked as though Morgana was about to leave, when suddenly Drake spoke up. "You remember the first time we had a candle light dinner?" he whispered softly, looking down at the floor.
Launchpad shifted in his seat, and if Drake noticed his discomfort, he ignored it. Morgana nodded, seemingly oblivious to Launchpad as well. "Yes, I remember. I wasn't able to stop looking at your handsome face."
"Aww, heh heh…." blushed Drake, getting all nervous. "I'm not all that special…" He scratched the back of his neck out of embarrassment.
"You were quite the charmer, you know" continued Morgana.
"Yep, yep, yep. I always knew my charm worked" bragged Drake, if only slightly. Morgana just smiled widely, finding it amusing to see him like this.
Silence ensued once again, leaving the awkwardness to come back to haunt them. Launchpad was still sitting there beside Drake, looking uncomfortable.
"So, how have you been?" asked Morgana.
Drake shrugged. "I've been alright…"
Launchpad scoffed at his reply, which earned him a silent glare from Drake. Morgana saw this, her features showing concern. "Haven't you been alright, Dark?"
"I….just got back from the hospital…" admitted Drake reluctantly.
Morgana gasped a bit, placing a hand over her beak. "Are you alright?"
"Yes….well, for the most part" he admitted after a little tap on the back from Launchpad.
"I….I've been diagnosed with some sort of strange cancer. It has this really long name to it that I can't remember…" Drake continued. It was true, he couldn't remember the long name of it.
Morgana looked him up and down, seeing that Drake seemed to be fine. Seemed to be. "Are you in pain?"
"Y-Yes." he motioned to his chest by raising his arm and rubbing the place where it usually hurt him. "In my chest. But its alright. The doctor gave some antibiotics to help with the pain. I'm to start taking it tonight. Once in the evening, once in the morning."
Morgana sucked in all this information with wide eyes and a concerned face. "Oh, Dark, I hope you feel better…"
"Me too" spoke up Launchpad, much to their surprise. Morgana watched as the pilot mussed Drake's head feathers a bit, smiling at him fondly. "I've been worried about DW for the last few days now and now I'm even more worried about with this happening."
Drake smiled at him. Morgana then saw her cue. She stood, followed by Drake. ""Well, darling….Dark…..Drake…..I'll best be leaving now. I just wanted to stop by for a few minutes and let you know, I'm sorry and that" she looked up at Launchpad. "I don't blame you…"
Both ducks smiled at her words and watched as she headed out the door. Drake was walking behind her and she walked out the door, she leaned down and snuck him a kiss on the cheek before leaving. "Bye!" she called to them as Launchpad shut the door, none too lightly either. He made an annoyed moan as he looked down to see Drake touching the part of his cheek she had kissed.
"Ooh, she really knows how to push my buttons. She did that on purpose!" he fumed. He really wasn't that angry, more jealous than anything. He steered Drake back into the living room, knowing he had damage control to deal with since Drake was still in la-la land thanks to her kiss.
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The rain was pouring down through the city, thunder rumbling high into the clouds. The town was quiet, since no one was outside due to the weather.
The two shadows that were standing out on the street of downtown St. Canard sure wished they could count themselves as one of the many who weren't outside. One super-villain in particular: Megavolt.
"Oooooh! Why do we have to be out here anyways!?" he demanded to know in his nasally voice, which sounded even more nasally since he still had his cold. He rubbed at his arms, trying his best to keep himself warm, but his yellow jumpsuit, gloves, goggles, plug hat, and battery only did so much. Didn't help that he was shorted out.
Large colorful arms suddenly embraced him, a warm body pulling close to him, pressed up against his back.
The sounds of little bells jingling could be heard as Quackerjack tenderly kissed Megavolt on the cheek, causing a spark to form on one of his frayed whiskers, burning out at the end of it.
"My poor Megsy. It's not my fault you never dress properly for the elements. Why else do you think I wear this jester outfit?" asked Quackerjack.
Megavolt turned his head a bit so that he could see Quackerjack behind him. "Because you're an insane psychopath who thinks he's twelve instead of thirty?"
Quackerjack flinched, giving out a squeak of shock as he let go of Megsy. " I am NOT thirty!"
"Oh, sorry. Thirty-one" shrugged Megavolt indifferently.
Quackerjack gave out a small snarl as he kicked Megavolt in the leg, who flinched and reacted at the kick. " That's not nice, Megs! I'm not THAT old!!" He stopped his foot down, his large red shoes making them all the bigger. He crossed his arms, pouting like an eight year old. "How old are you, Megs!? You can't be any older than I am!"
Megavolt considered this question for a moment, wishing it would stop pouring down rain. He was useless while shorted out. "Actually, I think you're older than me…"
"How do you figure!? And you didn't answer my question, you silly boy!" demanded Quackerjack. Megavolt shrugged. "Well, what year did Whiffle Boy come out?"
"March 21st, 1982" replied the jester matter-of-factly. He has said it so quickly, it was as though he didn't have to think about it, which struck the rodent as odd.
Megavolt nodded nonetheless. "Okay, well, you were about twenty-one then, right? Well, its 1996 now, so that's been fourteen years….So that makes you--"
"Grrr….. What does it even matter, Megsy!?" screeched Quackerjack, jumping up and down in anger.
"I'm twenty-nine" commented Megavolt in a bored voice. He then sneezed, which shook his whole body, his plug helmet turning blue with electricity as he sneezed. The shock from it made him jump a bit, falling to the ground, his gaze unfocused and a bit of smoke emitting from his hat. " I hate it when I do that…." Quackerjack blinked at him, having seen the same thing take place many times in the past few days he's been sick. "You can't be twenty-nine! Why, I know what year you graduated, and if you graduated in 1988, then you would be thirty! See, you're in your thirties too!" He stuck his tongue out at the other convict.
Megavolt didn't reply at first, still recovering from his giant sneeze which caused an odd effect from the electricity inside him. "Ugh. Wow. That's one way to clear up your sinuses…." He shook his head and rubbed his nose, only to sneeze again, only not so badly. He looked up at the sky, up into the pouring rain. "We really shouldn't just be standing out here talking. You wonder why I have a cold…"
"Yeah, I do wonder…" nodded Quackerjack.
"And I know I'm twenty-nine because I was always a year ahead of everyone" replied the rodent after a moment.
"Why?" squeaked the jester, pulling out his paddle ball and playing with it.
"Because I was smarter than everyone else" voiced Megavolt, tilting his head to one side, still sitting on the wet ground. A bolt of lightning pierced through the sky above them, a second later, an enormous loud bang of thunder came, making Quackerjack cover his ears.
"Oooh! What you look at that beauty! OH! I should go and get a kite! Now is a great time to fly a kite!" he looked up at Quackerjack. "You have your kite with you, don't you!?"
Quackerjack smiled down at him affectionately, offering his hand to help him up. As he helped Megavolt up he said, "Sorry, Megsy, but we can't." He pointed across the street. "We have to wait for the doctor to come out of the Nut House." He was referring to a doctor's office across the street from them. Through the glass window they could see two occupants inside. One looked to be an secretary, and the other older male appeared to be a doctor of some type from his white coat. A police man was standing near the exit, talking to them while he was on duty, which was why they had to wait. Negaduck wouldn't appreciate it if a cop got involved.
Megavolt sneezed and shivered once more. "I wid theyd would hurry" he paused and both blinked. "DOH! And I jud got my English back doo…" he lamented, his speech messed up again from his cold. Quackerjack wrapped and arm around him, keeping him close and warm. The two continued to stand there in the rain, waiting, thunder and lightning pounding above them.
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"Everyone run!!!" screamed a man who was running for his life. The white hallways of the hospital were filled with panicking doctors who were either running for their own lives or trying to save the lives of the patients from the thousands of the vines that were slithering their way through the halls, on the walls, ceiling and floor.
They were trying to wheel out the patients that were still in bed and on an IV.
In the midst of the all chaos and panic, stood two solitary figures. The only ones that weren't fleeing for their lives.
"Say, Likky, why do you suppose Negs wants us to be doing this?" asked the baritone voice of Reginald Bushroot. He stood there, his one arm crossed and the other on top, a leafy hand under his chin. He watched the scene before them with little interest as his plants took over. "I mean, its not like any of these doctors are willingly going to come with us…"
Liquidator looked over at Bushroot, who was standing right beside, a bemused look on his watery canine face. "Who says they have to come willingly? A demanding customer gets the best offerings."
Bushroot shrugged. "Eh, I suppose. But how are we supposed to know which one is the right one? He said he didn't want just any doctor.."
"When the right one comes along, it'll come to you!" cried out Liquidator. It was then that three little daffodils came up, one of them tapping Bushroot on his leg. Bushroot turned, and seeing that it one of his many flowers, he smiled down at it, turning to face and kneeling. Liquidator watched them, knowing that they were speaking telepathically.
"Now, go my little ones! Go and make daddy proud!" He stood at these words, watching as the three flowers ran off to do their master's bidding.
Liquidator patted him on the back. "I must say, Reggie, you have this deal sealed!" he beamed.
Bushroot smiled and blushed at the praise, not used to it. He rubbed the back of his neck with a leafy hand. "It's my plants that are really doing all the work.." he mumbled.
It was then that a shout came from behind them, where they both turned around. They saw a tall canine doctor rush up to them, panic stricken.
"Come on! Both of you! We need to get out of here!" he shouted. There was very little light coming from the doctor's side, making Bushroot and Liquidator hard to make out. The plants were covering the glass doors at the end of the halls and the lights up above on the ceiling.
"Hmmm….It would appear he's confused Liquidator…" commented Bushroot airily, only half turned. It was as he said these words that the doctor was realizing who he was talking to.
"It would see so, Bushroot!" called out Liquidator.
The doctor stepped back. "Y-You're Liquidator and Bushroot! Y-You're behind this! You've summoned these evil plants on us!"
Bushroot sighed, sounding hurt. He shook his head, and hand on his forehead. He brushed his hand through his foliage and looked up. "I really wish people would stop calling my plants evil…. They're simply misunderstood. As am I…" He raised his arm, in which a thick vine came up and wrapped itself around the doctor's left leg, surprising him and making him trip. Before he could fall though, the vine rose, bringing him up along with it.
The doctor screamed as he was brought up into the air, kicking his free leg and arms in an attempt to escape.
"What's the matter, doctor? Has your insurance bill gone too high?" cackled Liquidator. The doctor only screamed as he saw the watery villain come closer to him.
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The boiling water in the pan was taken off the stove and poured into a mug. Another moment later a package of powdered chocolate was added into the water, then stirred quickly.
"Here you go DW, some nice hot chocolate for the both of us" smiled Launchpad proudly. He sat the mug down in front of Drake, who was sitting at the table, looking tired. Morgana had left about an hour ago and Launchpad was relieved to see that Drake had finally overcome his moment of daze after Morgana's sweet little kiss on his cheek.
But it was shortly after that did Drake start feeling tired again. He chest was beginning to throb.
"Thanks, LP" he muttered, taking the mug and taking a sip. He blanched and flinched, putting it back down. "Yech! Too hot!"
"Oh, well, uh, sorry there, DW. Hehe. That's why they call it hot chocolate" chuckled Launchpad in apology. Drake smiled too, knowing it wasn't the pilot's fault.
"It's okay. Thanks, LP….." he repeated. "For everything" he added.
Launchpad nodded at this thanks, then stopped and blinked, having registered the last little bit that was said. "Wait, what, DW?"
"You heard me."
Launchpad looked down at this own mug of hot chocolate, a bright bolt of lightning piercing the sky outside. Thunder rumbled the house afterwards.
"I know you don't like Morgana being around me. I could tell how tense and jealous you were. I think its sweet. But you do realize, that I will always have some feelings for her, on some level….right? I mean, technically, she was my first real girlfriend.."
Launchpad's eyes widened a bit, realizing that that was true. Drake Mallard had never been a popular person during his school years, only having the one friend: Elmo Sputterspark. And once he was out of high school, it wasn't too long until he dived into the world of Darkwing, studying and learning how to defend himself, holing himself up in his own little world. He would still be in that little world of his had Taurus Balba not tried to kidnapped Gosalyn and the two of them met.
"Yeah, DW. I realize that. And I'll never hold anything against Morgana, I mean, she can't help it. But, its hard you know?" reasoned Launchpad. Drake nodded at his words.
Another loud clap of thunder rumbled the house. "I would turn on the TV to see if anything is happening, but I'm sort of reluctant to. I would have liked to go out on patrol, but with it storming like this, I almost don't want to" said Drake, making conversation.
Launchpad glanced out the window, just in time for the wind to howl and bring rain to hit up against the kitchen window.
"Oh, boy. You got that right, DW. I certainly wouldn't want to be out there. Is Gos?" he asked.
Drake shook his head. "No, she shouldn't be. Last I saw, her and Honker went up to her room." He paused, thinking about this and remembering the many times his daughter has snuck out in the past. "Maybe I should go check up on them." At that, he stood up, groaning a bit from the pain.
"Just sit, I will" offered Launchpad, but Drake would have none of it. "No, its fine, LP. I'll go…" He groaned again, stiff and sore. "I can handle going up the stairs."
Drake walked over to the stairs, Launchpad watching him like a hawk, worried, and started walking up them. Once he got up to Gosalyn's room, he ignored the pain in his chest and knocked on the door.
There was the distinct sound of frantic shuffling about before Gosalyn opened the door, looking slightly spooked. "Oh, hey, dad!" she greeted, her flaming red hair a little messed up. She ran a hand through in hopes to tame it a bit. "Honker and I were just watching TV."
Drake looked down at her, his eyes a little more wide than normal. "Oh, well, okay Gos. I just wanted to make sure were you still here. I don't want you going out tonight if it keeps storming like this." To prove his point, the lights flickered as another bolt of lightning and thunder rumbled the house.
Gosalyn nodded. "Oh, yeah. No, I won't." She looked as though she was about to shut the door when Drake walked into her room. Honker was sitting on the floor, looked just as spooked as Gosalyn. This fact didn't really sink in to Drake all that much. He just figured Gosalyn was making him watch some sort of scary movie and this time, even Gosalyn was getting spooked.
"Hey, Honk" greeted Drake, sitting down on Gosalyn's bed.
"Hello, Mr. Mallard, sir" replied Honker, pushing up his glasses. After a moment of silence in which they all were watching the TV, which had a commercial on it, Honker spoke up. "How are you feeling, sir?"
Gosalyn looked over at her dad at this question, wanting to know the answer herself. Drake looked down at his lap for a moment and then looked back up at the young ducking. "Well, Honk" he noted that Launchpad was now standing at the threshold of the room. "I'm not gonna lie to you; I'm in a lot of pain."
Gosalyn frowned deeply at this, her whole features showing sorrow. She walked over to her dad and gave him a hug, which he gladly accepted. He chuckled. "Oh, Gos, I'll be okay. Especially with you here to help me…"
Gosalyn nodded determinedly. "That's right, dad! I am here to help you!" The two of them hugged for several minutes.
It was Honker who interrupted them. "Umm…Mr. Mallard, sir. I think you had better see this…" He pointed to the TV. He had been flipping the channels until he came to the news station.
'The hospital near Duckberg has been taken over by vicious vines, terrorizing the entire hospital and forcing everyone to evacuate.' spoke the news reporter. She was underneath an umbrella, who someone else was holding off-screen, which was nearly being blown away. The storm was just as bad there as it was at the house.
All eyes turned to Drake, who was glaring at the TV. They all continued to listen. 'Witnesses of the attack have claimed to have seen the forms of Bushroot and Liquidator, two members of the villainous group known as the Fearsome Five. No leads yet as to why they are doing this though. Convincing evidence that this is true is obvious, since it is the once known, Dr. Reginald Bushroot who has control over plants, is behind this. Liquidator has been send to be accompanying him. Again, no leads yet as to why they are doing this.'
Drake furrowed his brow as the news continued to show scenes of the hospital being overrun by plants. "Why would they attack a hospital like that? What is their motivation!?" he muttered darkly to himself, trying to figure things out.
Launchpad stepped in further into the room. "DW, you're not thinking of-"
"Get your raincoat, LP" snapped Drake. "Because we're getting dangerous…"
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Author's Note: I hope you enjoyed that chapter. I have more to come soon! : D --EricaX