Raven opened her eye slowly. The first thing she saw was Morgana standing over her. There was a
shooting pain in her side. Raven winced.
"Don't move." Morgana warned. "You're still bleeding. You need all your strength." She
turned to some monsters standing by. "Go into the cellar. Get as many cob webs from the ceiling as you
can carry." The hurried off to the order.
"Morg...is the girl..." Raven managed. Morgana stopped her.
"She's fine." She looked at Raven sadly. "Raven, all our energy is being used to keep up a force
field around the castle. We can't cure you with magic." The monsters returned with the cob webs.
Morgana took them and dismissed the others. Moloculo entered the room as they left.
"This will hurt." Moloculo said to Raven. Raven's breath was shallow.
"Only to a wuss." She managed. Morgana smiled. She nodded to her father.
Morgana lifted up Raven's shirt to the wound. The arrow still protruded from her flesh. With all
her might, Morgana snapped the head off of the arrow. She looked at Raven. Raven closed her eye and
held her breath. Moloculo reached around her side and held onto the other end of the arrow. Morgana
gave the shaft a hard push and Moloculo pulled. The arrow slid out of Raven's body. Raven inhaled
sharply at the pain. Quickly, Morgana and Moloculo pressed the cob webs to Raven's side as blood flowed
from the holes. Luckily, they had plenty. Morgana pushed around on Raven's side.
"It didn't puncture anything important. You should pull through nicely."
"I told you I'd be fine..." Raven said weakly.


"Her name is Linda." Raven said as she stood in the door way. Morgana looked up from where
she stood over the girl. Raven was leaned on a crutch. Her side still in bandages.
"You shouldn't be out of bed." Morgana scolded her. Raven shrugged.
"I feel fine." She insisted. Her act was unconvincing as she tried to step forward and winced in
pain. Morgana gave up.
"Let me borrow your communicator. I want to radio Dark."
"Why?"
"Because we need help."
"You think he's going to be willing to come here?" Raven asked. "I don't."
"Well we need help from someone." Morgana said. She looked at Raven. "You aren't much
help now."
"I told you, I'm fine!" Raven snapped. Her body shifted and she winced in pain again. She
grudgingly dug through her pocket and tossed her communicator to Morgana. "Here." She hobbled
forward on the crutch and sat down on the end of the bed. "How is she?"
"She looks fine, other than the coma thing." Morgana said. "I can't imagine what caused it."
"Keep thinking." Raven said. She watched for a moment, looking the girl over. Suddenly she
leaned forward and pushed back the girl's hair from her neck. "What's that?" She asked. Morgana
looked to where Raven indicated. There, on the girl's neck, was a tiny red rash. Morgana inspected the
mark.
"Why, it looks like a snake bite!" Morgana sat up straight. "It must have crawled up her bed and bit her
while she was sleeping! I can't believe it!" Despite the situation, Raven laughed.
"A whole war over a snake bite!" Morgana remained serious.
"This whole time, they haven't had it treated. I wonder why it hasn't made her sick."
"The important thing now is that we help her, and then convince the villagers that it wasn't your
fault." Raven said.
"Right." Morgana agreed. "Stay here and watch her. I'm going to see what kind of antidote I
can make." Morgana left the room just as her father entered. He and Raven sat in silence for a moment.
"We've gotten numerous threats from Starwen. No advances yet."
"For the moment, we have him in check." Raven said.
"Yes, for the moment." Moloculo agreed. He looked, mystified, at Raven. "You risked your
very life for us."
"I told you, it's my job." Raven replied. "Besides, it doesn't hurt that much." Another wince.
"You've proved my theories wrong on normals, Raven." Moloculo said. He extended his hand.
"From now on, no matter what, you are welcome at McCawber Castle." Raven shook his hand.
"Thanks, Moloculo. Now, worry about this poor girl."
About an hour later, Morgana reappeared with a potion. With help, she administered it to the
young lady. Morgana, Raven and Moloculo held their breath as they waited for it to kick in. The young
lady slowly opened one eye, then the other and groggily tried to look about her.
"Where am I?" She managed before her eyes closed again. She fought to try to keep them open.
"Just rest now, dear." Morgana said soothingly. "You're safe here. We'll do what we can to
make you feel better."
"It worked! Morgana you're a genius!" Moloculo beamed. Morgana smiled.
"Thank you father." She motioned to Raven. "Raven, can I speak to you for a moment?" The
two left Moloculo to watch over the girl and stepped into the hall way.
"I contacted Dark." Morgana said. She didn't look pleased. "He said he'd be here as soon as he
could make it. But he sounded agitated."
"I hate to say this Morg, but I don't think we can count on him this time." Raven said. Morgana
nodded sadly.
"I know. But I just wish he could put aside his differences with father, just this once!"
"Don't hold your breath on that one." Raven said. "Hey listen, we got the girl awake now. If we
can reason with her we can end this with out blood shed!"
"You're right." Morgana nodded. "Let's see what we can do."

Linda was feeling much better in about two hours. Raven and Morgana made sure she was
comfortable. She didn't seem to remember much about what happened.
"A snake bite?" She asked.
"That's what it looks like." Morgana said. "We think the poison must have sent you into the
coma. Are you sure you feel alright?"
"Yes, I'm fine." Linda said.
"So you don't remember any one putting you to sleep?" Raven asked. Linda look as if the
question was the oddest she'd ever heard.
"No." She answered.
"Could you tell your father that?" Morgana asked.
"Why, yes." Linda said.
"Great." Raven said. "Get Starwen, tell him his daughters fine."
"Is my father here?" Linda asked.
"No." Morgana said, a little nervously. "Stay with Linda, Raven. I'll be back." Morgana left the
room and went to Moloculo who was waiting outside.
"She's fine?" Moloculo asked.
"Yes."
"Great. Now Starwen will have to leave us alone."
"Don't hold your breath, father." Morgana said. As if on que, there was a loud noise and the
castle itself seemed to shake.
"Lord Moloculo! The castle is under attack!" Moloculo looked out a large window.
"Damn! The shields must have worn out!" Raven made her way as fast as she could out into the
hall.
"They're throwing caution to the wind." She said. "Morgana, if you have any magic left, heal
me, I can hold them off until you and your family are gone."
"No!" Morgana said. "I'm not leaving you." Another crash.
"Well do something!" Raven said.
"Get Linda away from this side of the castle." Moloculo ordered. He ran to the front balcony of
the castle. He saw a legion of villagers at the castle moat. "Starwen!" He called out. "We have your
daughter! If this castle falls, she falls with it and your whole pourpus is gone! She is cured and awake
now!"
"So!" Starwen called. "You decided to free her from your curse!" Moloculo seethed.
"It was no curse you fool! She was bitten by a snake!"
"Bah! Another of your lies!" Starwen said. He signaled and a hail of arrows flew to the castle,
Moloculo ducked just in time. In a flash Raven was at his side.
"They're going to attack! Moloculo, I'm ready to fight!" Moloculo shook his head. Raven gritted
her teeth. "Then I'll give you no choice!" She said. She stood fast and called out to Starwen. "Starwen!
Hear me! I'm normal like you! But I have friends in these walls. I challenge you! If you are the mighty
leader you have let your followers believe, meet me in combat! I have no magic! Blade against blade!"
Starwen halted a new hail of arrows. He thought for a moment.
"If you deceive us, you shall die! But no matter, you shall die anyway." Raven turned to
Moloculo. He glared at her.
"What have you done?" He hissed.
"Give me a chance." Raven said. Moloculo huffed. He held up a hand, and with the little magic
he had left, healed Raven's wound.

Moloculo transported Raven to the ground. She stood infront of the army. Moloculo had not told
Morgana of the plan. She'd never allow it. Raven looked at Starwen, one sword drawn.
"Call back your army! If you can fight with out them." Starwen nodded to the villagers.
"Stand away! No one is to interfere."
The two faced each other. There was a thickness of air, and then Starwen struck outwards.
Blade clashed on blade as Raven blocked the blow. She shoved Starwen's blade and jumped back wards.
She slid forward and pointed her sword to him. He knocked the tip away with his own sword. Raven
spun around and they met again with a metallic clash.
Once Linda was safe, Morgana ran out to the balcony where her father was. When she looked
down at the battle she nearly screamed.
"Father! What is she doing?"
"Fighting for us. There was nothing I could do."
"Raven!" Morgana screamed. The shout proved to be a mistake. Raven was startled and
Starwen jumped on the opportunity. He slashed out, catching Raven's arm. A deep cut ripped her. Raven
jumped up and over Starwen. She lashed out and cut his leg. The battle then turned brutal.
Starwen's blade met Raven's but in a flash of silver, he pulled a dagger from his shirt and
rammed it into Raven's shoulder. She screamed and brought her knee into his chest, causing him to
double over. Raven pulled up and managed to stick her blade into his side. It was at that moment that
Linda appeared beside Morgana. She had run out from her hiding place.
"Father!" She called out, surprised Starwen looked up. A growl grumbled in his throat. Raven
looked at him, panting.
"What's the matter, Starwen? Aren't you happy to see your own daughter?" She rushed him.
Knocking him to the ground. He jammed the knife in Raven's side. Raven shoved herself from Starwen
and fell to the side. She managed to get up before he swung his blade at her head.
Raven was beginning to feel sick. She looked down at her arm where she had been cut. A red
line was forming on the edge of the gash.
"Poison?" She whispered. She recognized the red coloring. "You! You poisoned your own
daughter!"
"Shut up!" Starwen snapped and rushed Raven. She met his blade and they stood dead locked.
"You poisoned your own child to start a war!" She hissed.
"I said, shut up!" Starwen growled. Raven grinned.
"You failed, law maker! Your little girl was too strong for your poison. And so am I!" She
shoved his blade and sent him back wards, the dagger flew from his hands into the ground. Raven
pointed her sword at the dagger. "His blades are poisoned! The same poison he used on Linda!" A gasp
arose from the villagers. Linda looked down at the fight.
"Father?" She whispered.
"Die!" Starwen flew to his feet and ran at Raven. She dodged the blade and tripped him on his
way by. He fell to the ground on his back, when he flipped over he was staring at the tip of Raven's
sword.
"You're finished, Starwen." She said. Starwen only smiled.
"Not yet." Before Raven could turn around completely, a huge villager struck her with a club.
Raven collapsed on the ground.
"Raven!" Morgana screamed again. Starwen picked up his sword.
"This one's lies shall die with her!" He raised the blade. It hadn't begun to fall when a cloud of
smoke enveloped those on the ground.
"I am the terror that flaps in the night! I am the truth, that you can not run from. I, am
Darkwing Duck!" When the smoke cleared, Darkwing stood with a shield held to Starwen's blade.
Launchpad had taken the other villager's club and rendered the man incapacitated. Darkwing gave
Starwen a shove and he once again fell to the ground. Darkwing looked up.
"Sorry I'm late Morg." He grinned Morgana heaved a sigh. The calm didn't last long. Starwen
rose from the ground.
"NO!" He screamed.
He grabbed his sword from the ground and charged at Darkwing. With his blade, Starwen sent
the shield flying. Darkwing stood watching in horror as Starwen's sword flew aiming at his heart.
Before he could make it, Starwen was stopped. It was so sudden, no one really saw it happen.
Raven flew up from the ground, Starwen's dagger in hand. She shoved it between his rips so fast, he
didn't even feel any pain. The sword dropped from Starwen's hand and his body followed. Raven blinked
down at his body before she too collapsed.

When Raven woke up, Morgana was smiling down at her.
"Well well, it's about time you woke up." Morgana said.
"What happened?" Raven asked.
"Maybe that poison isn't very strong, but it sure works hard on memories." Morgana said.
"Starwen will live, but his blood is being tested. If it matches poison traces from Linda's blood, he'll be in
jail for a long time. After a while, Linda did seem to remember Starwen sneaking up on her. He must have
injected her with a poisoned pin set. That's why it looked like a snake bite. " Raven's head fell back on her pillow.
"Is Darkwing still around?" She asked. Remembering.
"Yes. He and father are having a stare off. I probably shouldn't leave them alone. Are you
alright?"
"Yeah. Go ahead." Morgana left the room and Raven fell asleep.

"We can't thank you enough for what you've done for us, Raven." Moloculo said. They stood by
the portal that connected Morgana's house to her family. Raven bowed.
"No problem. Plus now I have a tolerance to weak poison." She grinned.
"Linda is going to take over the village for her father." Moloculo said. "She promised to work
towards a better understanding between normals and monsters."
"I believe her." Raven said. "It's too bad her father's nuts."
"Too bad, so sad." Darkwing sulked past Raven. "We're heading back!" He grabbed Launchpad
by the sleeve and pulled him through the portal. Morgana sighed.
"I'd better go after him." She said. She hugged Moloculo. "See you later, dad." Moloculo
smiled.
"Thank you for being you, Morgana." Morgana smiled before disappearing into the portal.
Moloculo turned to Raven. "As I said before, these doors are always open to you, Raven. You have given
me a great gift. The gift of the lives of my family and friends. Perhaps all normals are not bad, if you are
not." Raven laughed.
"That's what we're trying to tell you!" She smiled. "See you later, Moloculo." She turned to go.
Before she did, Moloculo held her arm.
"Wait." He said. "Take this." he handed Raven a small white box. "A small token of my
apriteation for your sacrificed." Raven shook her head.
"I can't take this." She said. Moloculo smiled.
"I insist." He grinned. He shoved the box into Raven's hand and gave her a light push that sent
her tripping into the portal. In an instant she was in Morgana's hall way.
Morgana and Raven spent the next hour bringing Darkwing up to speed on what he had missed.
He felt a little more than guilty about not coming sooner. But managed not to show it.
"Yep yep yep." he said. "I knew you gals could handle it." Morgana rolled her eyes. "Well,
we'd better get on patrol. Coming Raven?" Raven looked at him.
"Hell no!" She said, then laughed. "I've just been shot with an arrow, stabbed multiple times
and poisoned. You two can go on patrol yourselves tonight!" Darkwing shrugged.
"Either way." Launchpad looked down at the small white box that was still in Raven's hands.
"Hey Raven, what's that?" He asked. Raven looked down at the box, remembering she had it.
"Oh yeah, Moloculo gave it too me."
"A gift to a normal. That's impressive." Morgana smiled. "Open it. I gotta see this." Raven
shrugged. She removed the green ribbon that was tied around the box. She lifted the lid.
A shimmer came from the box. It rose up and seemed to attack Raven's face. It latched onto the
patch that covered her right eye and burned through it. Morgana stood on edge and Darkwing drew his
gas gun as Raven covered her face with her hands and stumbled back into the wall. Unsure of what to do,
Launchpad picked up the box for a clue. There was a note inside. He read it aloud.
"Dear Raven, I know this doesn't begin to pay back what you have done for me. But I hope it
brings you some happiness. For that is what you have given me. Your allie and friend, Moloculo
McCawber." He looked up to see the patch strap break and fall from Raven's face.
With her hands still over her face, Morgana and Darkwing helped her to her feet.
"Raven, are you OK?" Morgana asked. For a moment there was no answer. Then Raven
breathed.
"My...gods..." She stood up and removed the hand from the left side of her face. And then,
slowly, from the right. She faced a mirror on the opposite side of the wall. Every one took in a sharp
breath at what they saw.
Raven's hand slipped away from the right side of her face. The mess of scared tissue was gone.
No gruesome sight. No stitched skin. And there, where it belonged, shining in the dim light, was Raven's
right eye. As deep a blue as the other. Just as she had once been. Raven lifted a hand to feel tears fall
from the eye. She smiled.
"Gods, Morg. When your father says thank you...he means it!"

THE END