Last Chapter! Enjoy!
Chapter 26
A New Dawn
"Gosalyn! Get out of the cookie jar!"
Gosalyn stomped her foot in disappointment, and replaced the cookie she had just pulled out back in the jar. Carefully replacing the lid, she turned to face her adopted father, who had snuck up behind her, catching her red-handed. She scowled at him in mock fury.
Drake Mallard only grinned. "You know the rules Gosalyn, no sweets an hour before dinnertime." he said.
"I know." Gosalyn bemoaned as he stalked out, "I was hoping you forgot though."
"Heh, not a chance." Drake replied, stepping up to the cookie jar and reaching his own hand in. "I may have been gone for seven years, but I didn't forget the rules."
Gosalyn stopped and turned to watch him. "So how come you can get into the cookie jar?" she asked.
Drake froze, then grinned sheepishly. "Parent's prerogative." he answered.
They looked at one another for several moments, before Drake realized that his daughter wasn't buying it and dejectedly handed her a cookie, while keeping him one for himself.
Gosalyn grinned victoriously while munching away at the cookie. "You've got seven years to catch up on, Dad." she said. "Things have changed around here."
"You know, I've noticed that." Drake remarked sarcastically, but with jest, "Thankfully, not too much has changed."
Gosalyn only grinned before they both walked off, heading to separate destinations.
It had been five days since the battle over the super suit with Negaduck, and five days since it was publically announced by Darkwing himself that was back, and this time to stay. Four of those days Drake spent as Darkwing, going about reacquainting himself with the city, have numerous press conferences (for the press was having a heyday over this, to Darkwing's delight) and getting things squared away for his return.
Today he was spending as Drake Mallard, his first official day back as his secret identity. They had all agreed to wait before revealing Drake was back, so to avoid anyone noticing just how coincidental it was for Darkwing to turn up at the same time as Drake. They were planning to celebrate by going out to eat tonight, and Drake had every intention of spending it with his family.
Although if he'd get that chance was unknown, because Negaduck and his gang were still out there somewhere, loose for the first time in seven years. At the moment, they had done nothing over the past five days, and Darkwing speculated that they were probably still recuperating from the battle with the super suit. Not to mention that their old hideout was taken over by the police. Since they weren't there and never arrived there after the police did, it's obvious that they have a new hideout, or are in the process of looking for one.
But it didn't take a genius to know that Negaduck was undoubtably planning his revenge right now, and it would only be a matter of time before he struck again. Darkwing would be ready to fight, but he wanted all the time he could get first to catch up on the changes that had occurred in the years he had been gone, so that he wouldn't run into anything and be caught off guard.
Gosalyn thought, however, that at the very least until that point was reached, Darkwing should have help.
Speaking of which...
Gosalyn abruptly stopped and changed directions, following after her father into his office, which Drake was in the middle of cleaning.
"Yes, Gosalyn?" he asked politely, noticing his daughter enter the room.
"Dad, question, um..." Gosalyn hesitated for a moment, almost fearing the answer, "Have you given any more thought to my proposal?"
Drake stopped what he was doing for a moment, and sighed despairingly. "You know how I feel about that Gosalyn." he said.
"Yes, but times have changed greatly Dad, especially as of late." Gosalyn retorted calmly.
"I know." Drake admitted, sifting through a pile of papers. "Which is why I can't just say no."
"So your just going to find an excuse to say no." Gosalyn guessed.
"I didn't say that."
"But that's what your hoping to do."
Drake half frowned, half grinned. "Nothing will get by you anymore, will it Gosalyn?" he remarked, feeling frustrated that the choice wouldn't be so easy, but proud that his daughter was making it that way so skillfully.
"Did I ever?" Gosalyn replied.
Drake's grin grew. But then he was serious. "Gosalyn, I know I've let you on patrols in the past, but those were under special circumstances, and..." he trailed off, not wanting to say anything that would make the choice for him. "Just...give me some more time to think about it."
"Okay." Gosalyn replied. "Fine. I respect that Dad. I can understand your unwillingness to allow me to join Darkwing in the fight against crime. But, in addition to that, give this some thought as well."
Drake looked up from what he was doing, expectantly looking at his daughter.
"Just know that Darkwing needs my help now." Gosalyn said. "To be honest, he can't afford not to."
And with that final comment, she left, leaving Drake to dwell on the matter.
The next day, Gosalyn returned to school like nothing had ever happened. She took personal joy in seeing the student body abuzz with the events that had happened in the past two weeks, especially when the subject fell onto the thing that seemed to really grasp St. Canard's interest. Darkwing's helper in the battle with Negaduck, currently only known as the "female Darkwing", until an official name was announced for her.
If there was going to be one.
"Hi Gos!" Honker said, suddenly appearing at Gosalyn's side. "Great day today, isn't it?"
Gosalyn grinned. "Something's got you all cheerful." she noted to her friend. "What, did you get an A+++ on your science quiz?"
Honker shook his head. "No, only an A++." he replied. "I don't know what it is, but there's something special about today."
"Is there really?" Gosalyn said idly as they passed a group of girls, arguing over a picture of Darkwing. She had to shake her head at that, wondering how her Dad would react to it.
"Don't tell me you don't feel it too?" Honker said.
"Of course I feel it, Honk." Gosalyn said. "But I think that for me, it'd be obvious what."
She gestured to the crowded hallway. It seemed like she and Honker were the only ones not talking about Darkwing's return.
Honker readjusted his glasses. "Yeah, I guess it would." he admitted.
They fell silent for several moments as they walked onward. Finally, Honker broke the silence.
"Gos?"
"Yes Honker?"
"Well, I've been thinking about all that's happened lately, and well, I started thinking that there was quite a bit to think about, so I thought, maybe, to help not think about, get a chance to relax, and, well, I thought..."
"Yes?"
"Well, see there's this new movie coming out that you said you were interested in, you know, the one with all of the aliens? Anyway, I was thinking that maybe...well... you and I...could, er...you know..."
"Wait." Gosalyn said, stopping, stifling a giggle, "Wait, are you saying what I think you're saying?"
"Well...I guess I am." Honker admitted.
Gosalyn grinned, turning to face him. "How does Friday night sound?" she asked.
"Um, sure!" Honker replied.
Gosalyn was still grinning as she continued walking again, with Honker watching her leave.
"See you after school Honker." she called after him.
Honker nodded, then grinning himself, left as well.
Later that day, Gosalyn returned home to find no one there. Wandering into the kitchen, she found a note from her dad. It said:
"Gosalyn,
The news folk wanted a live interview with Darkwing, so me and Launchpad
have rushed over to give them one. Should be airing just as you come home
if you want to watch. Sorry for the inconvenience, but we'll be home soon.
-Dad"
Gosalyn grinned, not surprised that Darkwing didn't turn down the opportunity. Replacing the note on the counter where she found it, she stepped into the living room, sat down on the couch and turned on the TV to see this interview. It didn't take long to find the right channel.
"...do everything in my power to stop him, yes." Darkwing was in the middle of saying in response to a question. "Negaduck and his gang can't hide forever, and Negaduck has no intention of doing so. He'll be back, and when he does come back, that's when I'll get him."
"Can you give us any time estimates for that?" one reporter asked.
"Unfortunately no, Negaduck holds that card, and he knows it." Darkwing replied.
"So Mr. Darkwing, where have you been these past seven years?" another reporter asked.
"Around." Darkwing said. "I'm not at liberty to say all of the details, but I can say that Negaduck is mostly responsible for my long absence."
"In what way, Mr Darkwing? Did he have you captured, and you're only just now escaping, or did you spend the last seven years just trying to fight him, only succeeding now?"
Darkwing looked slightly stunned at the rather accusing question, and didn't give an immediate answer.
"I think that's not really what matters." Launchpad suddenly filled in for Darkwing, standing nearby. "What matters is that we did beat Negaduck, and he is still in a position to be beaten even more. And Darkwing's already proven that he's the duck to do it."
The reporters took interest in this, and focused their next few questions on Launchpad.
"Mr. McQuack, it has been long known that you are Darkwing's sidekick and pilot, but have you ever had any regrets to your position? Have you thought of doing something else?"
"Well, sure, but uh..."
"Mr. McQuack, how well do you know Darkwing?"
"DW? Oh, quite well...
"How well?"
"Very well."
"Well enough to know who's really behind the mask?"
"Let's wrap this up, please." Darkwing quickly interrupted, checking his watch. "I have other places to be."
"One more question then, Mr. Darkwing." a reporter said. "When will we see the female Darkwing again?"
Gosalyn suddenly gave the TV her undivided attention, caught off guard by the question. It looked like she wasn't the only one, too.
"Well, er..." Darkwing said, "Why do you ask?"
"No offense, Mr. Darkwing, but even though your popularity in St. Canard has skyrocketed in the past few days, this new mysterious partner of yours has nearly double of St. Canard's attention. Many citizens want to know more about her, and if she'll be coming back, either to partner up with you, or go solo."
Gosalyn's beak was now planted to the TV screen. She didn't want to miss a second of this.
Darkwing was quiet for a long moment of time. "This female Darkwing, as you call her." he eventually began. "I happen to know her quite well. Originally, she only appeared to assist me, in the battle with Negaduck, as you all know."
He paused, for what seemed like an eternity for Gosalyn.
"I suppose it's only natural that St. Canard wants to know more of her." Darkwing continued, choosing his words carefully. "Since you don't know much of her altogether. However, if you knew her as well as I do, you'd now that she is quite young, more young than you'd think for a person who does hero work."
He paused again, leaving Gosalyn hanging on his last sentence.
"I think that's what makes her stand out from the rest," Darkwing continued. "is her age. And even though she is so young, she is far more than capable at this job. Now, back to your original question, will St. Canard see her again?"
Gosalyn waited anxiously, the answer she had been waiting for.
Darkwing's answer was brief and simple. "I think the odds of that are pretty good, maybe even better than any of us think."
And with that, the interview ended.
When Drake and Launchpad returned home in time for dinner, no one discussed the interview. There really wasn't much to discuss. Dinner was eaten in silence because of it. Afterwards, everyone went their separate ways. Gosalyn went into the living room to watch TV, Drake locked himself in his office for an unspecified period of time, and Launchpad first went out back to water the garden, then went to the Tower to work on the Thunderquack, which was still getting repairs for the damage it had suffered from the battle with the Fearsome Five.
After Launchpad left, Gosalyn wasn't sure how long she was left alone in the room, staring at the TV, but not really watching it. She wasn't exactly sure, even, when Drake finally came back out of his office, only made aware of his presence when he cleared his throat suddenly.
"Can I talk with you for a moment, Gosalyn?" Drake asked.
Gosalyn nodded, and put the TV on mute.
Drake stepped around the couch and sat down next to her. "Listen, Gos, I've honestly been thinking quite hard about your...offer...to team up with me full time. And I know you saw the interview, so I'm pretty sure you were clued in to this already."
Gosalyn nodded quietly.
"And upon losing sleep over it all, it really all came down to not whether you had the capabilities to do it, but really how to go about doing it." Drake continued. He paused, waiting to see if Gosalyn had anything to say, fidgeting uncomfortably. When Gosalyn said nothing, he pulled a box out from behind his back.
"Well...here." he said, handing her the box, not having anything else to say for the moment.
Gosalyn stared at the box for a moment, then accepted it, pulling off it's lid. Inside was a copy of Darkwing's costume, but instead of having the traditional purple and pink colors, this one was black with red trim. And it was in her size.
Shocked, Gosalyn pulled it out, holding it up for her to see better. Beside her, Drake grinned.
"I was under the impression that you didn't want to be Quiverwing anymore, by the simple fact that you kept impersonating me." he said proudly. "So, I was thinking you could be something like, say, the Crimson Avenger, or something like that."
Gosalyn hugged her father. "Thank you." she said. "It's great. It really is."
They stayed that way for several moments, before Drake pulled her off.
"Now, if we're going to do this, there are some rules I need to lay out." Drake continued. "No patrolling all night on school nights, no going anywhere without telling me first, not taking on any major villain single-handedly, no driving the Ratcatcher until you get your driver's licence, and no flying the Thunderquack, period. Oh, and if your grades in anyway start to decline because your too busy helping me, then no more hero work until you get them back up. Understood?"
"Understood." Gosalyn said, so thrilled that she was going to get to do any hero work, that she was willing to agree to anything.
Drake smiled, wrapping one arm around his daughter. "This is going to be great, you and me, working together. Though, now I must admit, some of my key phrases are going to be messed up by this."
They were silent for a moment, watching the muted TV.
"I..." Drake began
"We." Gosalyn corrected, already knowing what he was going to say.
"Right, we. We are the terrors that flap in the night. I am the chill that runs down your spine."
"I am the slow connection your Internet service provides." Gosalyn added.
"I am Darkwing Duck." Drake concluded.
"And I am the Crimson Avenger." Gosalyn said, then added, "I think I could get used to this."
"You and me both." Drake replied. "You and me both."
The end. For now anyway. I plan to write a sequel, since I did kind of leave it at a cliffhanger (I mean, negaduck and the gang are still out there) The problem is that I have so MANY ideas, it'd be hard to colloberate them into one, plus, I promised the folks in the Fantastic Four fandom that I'd write a sequel to a story I wrote there, a project that got set aside when I started "Darkwing Duck Returns", so i think it's only fair that I set aside Darkwing to finish that sequel.
So, until we meet again:)