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The following is a fan-based

FICTION

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S2: Chapter 16 – Hero Rising (Drake)

Beta-Reader: Ant0nius

P.S. I now have a discord server! Discord .gg/ceBMM2Zz6c
Pxtreon: P a treon . com (slash) socialistbukharin

Drake Mallard was ecstatic for the movie he took part in. In fact, he was more than happy to give the 'hero' role back to Starling when he wanted to be the one beating the villain. It was a small sacrifice to be recognized as his successor. And the talk they had at the end of the movie's production was quite telling of the hard feelings the man still had towards him.

"I get it, I am getting old and kids want to see someone more fitting in that age-area of heroes but... I am keeping my eyes on you. Don't you dare stain my laundry, boy."

Strong, stern but conceding Drake what he was now the main contributor of- The Darkwing Duck's legacy and everything that came with it. To him, this was a dream coming true and his inner child felt glorified to a degree that not many kids-turned-adults would be able to perceive. It was so amazing, so spectacular and yet... so underwhelming to an extent.

The movie was good and he had high hopes it was going to convince most critics and new watchers, but the way it was conveyed felt still somewhat forced with the gritty and dark tone it was released as. No, Drake was not going to lament this choice as he was just a starting actor within the Superhero genre, but he felt the need to bring this up to someone and that led him to ask John Bukharin if he could spare some time to talk in private.

The only human on the whole planet was... interesting. One would say that he was just someone that looked like a talking dog minus the fur and with a lot of money in the bank, but Drake had read newspapers and he knew John was more than just that. A nobody that started to use magic in the name of good- the attack from Magica on Ducksburg had left a reputation for John to unconsciously claim.

Someone shown to be heroic and incredibly kind.

"I know this sounds a bit sudden, but I noticed you were bringing a few heroes from your... world?"

"What about it?" He asked. "Anything you wanted to ask about it?"

"Sorta. It's just... it's a bit embarrassing."

He nodded. "Go ahead, please clarify."

And here is his kindness.

"Can you tell me more about them? Anyone that could actually match with Darkwing Duck's character? I want to see if I can add a spin to the character and I can tell you are prepared on the topic."

John tilted his head to the side. "I suppose that's one way to put my ten years of reading comics, but sure. I think... Well, that's a packed question to start with."

"How so?" Drake pressed on. "I mean, we don't have many heroes-"

"And that's the thing. You don't, we- those back from where I am from- have a lot of those. If I have to throw in a few names in, I guess that Spider-Man and Bat-man are the closest I can bring."

With a nod, Drake went full on 'listen-mode', something he rarely did but this was something he liked. This was all about heroes from another world, from others comics- a more detailed comic world at that. And what he got as info was a lot.

As much as John denied it, he was a complete geek when it came to superheroes from the way he knew so much about their specific details, specifically with this 'Spider-Man'. A simple teen being bitten by a radioactive spider, losing his uncle which was his only paternal figure and becoming a proper hero through this humbling and yet dreadful event.

But it wasn't the only one.

Drake's curiosity was greeted by a wave of new names, faces, and mindsets. They had more chances to fill up in their personalities, to have adventures, to be individual heroes with their own hopes, dreams, and flaws. And the longer he listened, the giddier he felt about these other heroes and how some of those features could be added more as additions to what was already Darkwing Duck.

The conversation was cut short. Miss Della sounded like someone that was really protective of the human, and the closeness made it clear she may have some interest that went beyond common friendship. Nothing unexpected for Drake, but disheartening as he couldn't help but still think about it as he went back to his trailer.

So many heroes, and yet not many in real life. The query about that came up during their chat, and John's view of it was reasonable enough for Drake.

"That's because there are no generic super-villains. I think big shots in crime exist, but none are as public as those in comics."

That was correct. Newspapers reported so much of crime bosses and other individuals that were dirtying their hands by having thugs do heinous things. A quick look into what the internet had on the matter was jarring, but it made it clear one thing- normal heroes wouldn't work. Some of that grit may be needed- not to the point of hurting or killing anyone however. That just wasn't Drake Mallard or even Darkwing Duck, but...

Perhaps he could find a balance. Like the Duck Avenger. He heard that the old hero had returned after a decade long retirement, and that this could be done with enough gadgets and a proper hideout.

Yes, Drake Mallard will make Darkwing Duck proud by being a proper hero for this world too!

AN

It's meant to be a bit of a 'weak' reason, because the first attempts will be super-clumsy from Drake. Plus, he will have a few cases before the canon one where he will meet Gosalyn.