The Path Chosen 9-the conclusion


An hour later and the horrific events of the day were at last over with.

Scrooge was looking over the damage to his Park. He was thankful that he had taken out heavy insurance on it that covered any disaster. The Park could be rebuilt. There had been no casualties, thank God. Damages and destroyed materials could be replaced, not so with a life.

He saw a crowd standing around the ambulance where Darkwing was being treated. He had out and out refused to go to the hospital in spite of his some what serious injuries. Scrooge walked over to the group. Darkwing's face was half wrapped in bandages and his cheek feathers had been badly chard. Hid bill and around his eyes were severely burned. He should have definably been in the hospital. A woman doctor named Sarah Bellum was tending him. "Your eyes may have been damaged in the explosion Darkwing, I need to run some tests."

Darkwing swatted her hand away. "I'm fine" He insisted with a choked voice.
I had enough time in the hospital last Christmas!" Despite the brave-face he put on, it was obvious to anybody that he was in pain.

"Well, you're going to spend a little more time there, buster," she replied firmly, more than likely you're going to need plastic surgery on that bill! Then again, considering the size of your beak that could only be an improvement!"

A very loud Gryzlikoff's ranting and raving drew the attention of the onlookers. The bear was standing with J. Gander and the members of the Time Posse.

Gryzlikoff was yelling flailing his arms wildly and stomping about.

"What's going on here?" Scrooge demanded walking up to the grizzly.

Gryzlikoff spun to face Scrooge "This is SHUSH business. It is no concern of yours."

"Well I'd say it is, sense this is my property you are standing on!", Scrooge replied sternly. He drew a deep breath and added "Really now, this day has been more than trying for all of us. I don't think anybody is in the mood to hear your bellowing. Who ever you are."

"Amen to that!" J. Gander said with such an usual strictness to his voice that Gryzlikoff humbled at it.

"But Sir," He said meekly "You've heard for yourself. This ..this rogue vigilante and Darkwing Duck are one in the same!" Gryzlikoff insisted pointing to Dark Warrior who was now shackled and sitting helplessly on the ground near the Time Posse. 'This. This is what that Darkwing Duck is going to become! We should have him locked away now, before he has a chance to become this monster!"

The people standing around began to mummer among themselves. Reasoning that if Dark Warrior was indeed what Darkwing Duck was to become, something should be done."

Darkwing, still sitting by the ambulance sever yards away hung his head in shame. Maybe Gryzlikoff was right. Maybe no matter what he did, he was fated to become this Dark Warrior. Many of the people standing around were beginning to agree.

"We've already been through this agent Gryzlikoff. Darkwing was changed into this Dark Warrior because time was tampered with. We can't condemn him for something that wasn't his fault. Especially since he's has done anything wrong yet!"

"But that's just it Sir, don't you see. Sooner or later he will become this futuristic madman. Dark Warrior is his future, Dark Warrior is Darkwing Duck!"

Laughter rose from the members of the Time Posse who had up until that point, stayed out of the discussion.

Gryzlikoff looked at them bewildered "Why for do you all laugh, comrades? This is not a funny thing. You should all be knowing this. You were the ones chasing him. You know what he is. You know he is Darkwing Duck."

"That is what we're laughing at comrade," Flyer said stepping up to the bear. "You really haven't been paying attention. "Dark Warrior is only a choice Darkwing Duck might have made depending on the circumstances in his life. He" Flyer motioned toward Dark Warrior was just a wrong choice that might have been made if things had not been set right. But he was only one of many choices, one of many paths, Darkwing Duck could choose to walk in his life."

"But Dark Warrior is right there, he exists, doesn't that mean Darkwing Duck will choose to become him?" Gryzlikoff argued.

"NO." Flyer answered flatly.

"how are you being so sure of this?", Gryzlikoff questioned him suspiciously.

Flyer looked back at his companions, who nodded. He turned back to Gryzlikoff.

"Because, when Quiverwing Quack disrupted the time flow, she didn't just open the door for one possible altered reality. All of us that came through that vortex came from alternative realities. Realities that were created by all the different choses that could be made."

Gryzlikoff was still not convinced that Darkwing wouldn't make the wrong chose and become Dark Warrior. "What makes you so sure that he isn't dark Warrior in these other realities as well?"

A smirk crossed Flyer's bill "Because in my reality. I am a lone vigilante who is unlisted by governments worldwide to hunt down and defeat the most dangerous criminals in the world! And in my reality, I am Darkwing Duck!' The jaws of everybody in earshot of those words dropped, even Darkwing himself.

Flyer looked back at his companions. Tracker stepped up beside him "In my reality. I have become a world famous detective. I have solved crimes that stumped even Shedlock Jones. In my reality, I am Darkwing Duck." The jaws of the listeners dropped even further in disbelief.

Nomad moved up shyly with them "In my reality ..things were very different." he stole a glance at Darkwing who continued to stare dumbfounded. Nomad took a deep breath and continued "In the reality I come from. Darkwing Duck died in that fire on Christmas eve." Gasps went out from the captivated crowds. "Our world soon discovered just how much it needed Darkwing Duck. So out of desperation they turned to cloning." he again looked at Darkwing who was turning pale at this point. "I am one of several attempts at recreating St. Canards fallen hero. In my reality, to the best of my ability, I am Darkwing Duck."

Now all eyes turned in anticipation to Guardian. Guardian laughed to himself and shook his head. "In my reality. I am the head of a world wide defense force known as the Guardians of Justice that has been established to keep world peace. In my world I am Darkwing Duck!" Guardian looked at Darkwing, there eyes met for only a moment and Darkwing looked nervously away.

The girl, Kid stepped up next to Guardian and took his arm affectionately. "As you can see agent Gryzlikoff, the odds are stacked in favor of a positive outcome in Darkwing Ducks future," she smiled.


Hours later, a plane landed in a clearing near the the wooded area just outside the city limits of St Canard. Scrooge had arranged for a plane to transport everybody out to the area. Since he had actually decided to let LaunchPad fly the plane, he and the kids went along to make sure they got it back in one piece!

Darkwing had bee asked by Tracker personally to accompany them out the site. Dr. Bellum and LaunchPad helped him down the ramp and sat him under a tree to rest. "you should really be in a hospital you know," Sarah Bellum reminded him. Darkwing didn't answer her. Partly because he was in too much paint to argue with her. Tracker walked up to them and said in a soft voice "Could I speak to Darkwing alone for a moment please?" LaunchPad and Dr. Bellum looked at Darkwing for his approval. He nodded and they left.

"There' something you've been wanting to say to me" Darkwing spoke first.

Tracker nodded and sat down beside him. "Quiverwing tells me you really looked out for her in that tunnel with Dark Warrior." Darkwing told him gratefully.

Tracker rubbed his fingers over his forehead nervously. "I had a reason for that. You see in the reality I come from, I did make a mistake that cost me my little girl." his voice almost cracked. "You see, after the accident that Christmas, everything changed for me. I even proposed to Morgana. We were Married that following Autumn.

Darkwing listened intently, especially since he and Morgana were engaged to Marry that coming Fall. It was a beautiful wedding ...an even more beautiful honeymoon." he added with a faint smirk. "A few months later, we discovered that she was expecting."

At this point Darkwing eyes light up with excitement at that possibility. Tracker saw the look and felt his heart breaking. "You see ..." he said weekly "Morg and I were so excited. We wanted the best for our baby." Tracker dropped his eyes in shame "The best being, Gosalyns room ..for starters. We explained to her that a baby would need more room than a big girl like her. It needed room to grow and romp." he broke off for a moment trying to find the words. "She got upset because I had promised her when I first adopted her and we moved into the house that no matter what..."

"No matter what happen, that the room was hers. Even if I got married and had a bunch of real kids," Darkwing finish for him.

Tracker nodded trying to hold back the tears.
"I knew what that room meant to her.."

Again Darkwing continued where he broke off "Because she'd lost every home she'd ever had. With her biological parents, with her Grandfather. Having her own room was a since of security to her that nobody that hasn't gone through what she had could understand."

Tracker took a deep breath and went on "We told her she was being selfish and a brat."

Darkwing cringed at the word, he never called Gosalyn that, ever.

Tracker went on "we put her in the little room at the end of the hall. You know,that dinky thing that ever LaunchPad wouldn't have. When LP moved in with us I had to convert part of the Garage into a living space." Tracker looked at Darkwing face, it was filled with guilt fore something he hadn't even done yet and Tracker hoped, never would.

"It went further than that. I decided to teach her a lesson. Since she complained that the room was too small for her and all her stuff ...I ...I had a rummage sale and sold most her toys and belongings. We used the money to buy the baby's crib. WE told her that that was her contribution to the baby." Tracker shook his head. "it didn't stop there. After the baby was born. I was so wrapped up in having a child that was actually mine." the words were bitter in Trackers mouth "I actually said those words,in front of her! I wasn't trying to suggest anything. But having a baby that was part of me, my flesh and blood." Tracker paused for a long moment and looked away. Darkwing knew he was trying to hide the tear that flowed freely down his cheeks, now. After a moment he went on "I just got so where I really neglected her. When I wasn't fighting crime, I was devoting all my spare time to Morgana and the baby. A few months after the baby was born, Gos ran away. I looked for he" tracker stared off into space "I looked everywhere for her ...but I never found her." he raised a hand to wipe away the tears. "Ironically, my skills in tracking were honed in my efforts to find her. I became a renowned detective. Some much so that I gave up a lot of the hi tech gadgets. I didn't feel like I need them anymore. But for all the crimes, all the mystery's I solved, I even solved the mystery of Elvis – he was alive and living on an uncharted island with a professor and a movie star! I could never find one lost little girl. Rumors have spread over the years. Some say she ran away to another country and Married into wealth at a young age. Others say she had lived all her life on the streets right under my nose. Other say she died the same day she ran off..." Tracker looked at Darkwing no longer caring if his emotions showed. "Don't let it happen. Please. You'll never find peace in your life if you loose her." he looked down at the trench coat that had long replaced his vest and cape, "'That's why I changed my look. I didn't feel like I was Darkwing Duck any more. I'd lost the one person who truly made Darkwing Duck who he was." With that Tracker rose and left Darkwing to contemplate his warning. Darkwing looked up at where his daughter was teaching Webby and the boys how to shoot a bow. A tear tinkled down his cheek "I promise Gosalyn, I'll never do anything to lose you. No matter how many children I have, you'll always be my special little girl."


Guardian had been watching them from a distance, knowing what the conversation was about. Kid came up to him and hugged him warmly "What's wrong, Dad?'

"Nothing Gos, just thinking of a promise I made a long time ago." he said softly.

"Oh, did you keep it?" she asked seeing the serious look on his face.

He looked at her and smiled as he brushed a stray hair from her face "I think so."


Just then Scrooge approached them. Guardian gave his daughter a look that said leave us alone for a minute. She smiled at Scrooge and walked off.


"Guardian, I need to ask you a question." Scrooge told him bluntly.

"Alright, Mr. McDuck,"

Scrooge looked over at Darkwing who was now talking to LaunchPad "Back at the Park, when you all revealed who you were. I noticed that Darkwing couldn't look you in the eye for some reason. He didn't seem to have that trouble with the others. Why do you suppose that is?" Scrooge was asking because he'd felt something very special about this Guardian and believed what ever it was, Darkwing had felt it as well.

Guardian smiled "We all have out choices in life Mr McDuck. We have different paths we could follow. Most of us have the knowing deep with in our hearts which of those paths to chose. Just the same Ones destiny isn't always easy to face when we do recognize it."

Scrooges face flushed. "You ...you mean. You are what he's meant to..." Scrooge glanced over at Darkwing in utter shock. He composed himself then continued "That's how you knew so much more than your friends. For you, this is how it all happened isn't it?"

Guardian smirked "Well, from a different point of view the first time." he nodded at Darkwing.

Scrooge again looked at Darkwing who seemed to be having trouble with his vision. "Do he know?"

Guardian nodded "he knows. I knew. The moment I saw that duck in the white and silver

costume, I knew."

A look of sorrow swept Scrooges face as he looked closely at Guardian's features "His eyes are damaged than."

"His vision will slowly start to bother him. He won't accept it at first. He'll make excuses. Finally, he admit it to himself and go to SHUSH for help. They'll fit him with a pair of visors that will help his eyes. He'll see well enough, but his eyes will be insatiable to light for the rest of his life. Not that he'll let ti slow him down," Guardian added assuringly.

Scrooge was inspecting Guardians features. "I take it he'll need that plastic surgery after all," He said taking note of how small and fine Guardian's bill was. "He'll pretend to be upset over it for awhile, but in truth," Guardian laughed "It was a definite improvement!"

Scrooge grinned and nodded. "I'll not say a thing about this Guardian, you have my word."

"I know you won't Mr McDuck." Guardian smiled "Now, It's time for us all to return to our own plain of existence."

"But how?" Scrooge asked. "you said that there was a vortex of some sort out here. That's why you had us bring you out here, right?"

Guardian nodded.

Scrooge looked around "Then where is it."

"You'll see"

Guardian motioned for the rest of the Posse. Flyer and Nomad had a Restrained Dark Warrior in tow as they joined him atop a hill. Tracker and kid also joined them. When all of those from the future stood together atop the hill, a wall of that looked like clear rippling water with an eerie glow of light behind it it appeared next to them. The onlookers stared in amazement "When we are gone, the vortex will seal itself up and vanish forever," Guardian told them.

One by one,the Time Posse stepped though the vortex and out of this worlds existence. First Nomad, then Flyer taking Dark Warrior with him, then Tracker. Guardian and Kid started to cross together but Guardian paused for a moment then looked back at Darkwing

who stood, with LaunchPad's help at the foot of the hill with the others,watching. Darkwing looked from Guardian to the girl he knew Gosalyn would someday be. A look of doubt and disbelief on his face. When he saw Guardian looking at him as if waiting for him to speak he blurted out "I can't accept this. You can't be me in the future?"

"Why is that so hard for you to believe lad? Don't you think you're not capable of becoming what you see before you?" Scrooge asked.

"NO!" Darkwing barked defiantly "Because I would never allow my daughter to wear tights that tight!"

Everybody, including Quiverwing who stood next to her father burst into fits of laughter.

The older Quiverwing looked at her father Guardian with a big grin.

"Oh, that." he laughed "You know how she always gets you with that pouty little bill and sad puppy eyes?" he asked Darkwing who nodded whole heartedly.


"Well,don't expect to become immune to it as she gets older." he chucked, tip his hat to his former self and turning with his daughter, moved through the shimmering wall of light. The second they were through, the vortex closed and faded into non-existence.

Everybody stood quietly in awe of the day even after the vortex was gone from sight.

The sun was setting in the west now. The day at long last was coming to an end.


The End




Authors note. You'll have to excuse my last couple of chapters if there are any mistakes. I didn't get a chance to proof read to well, because I wanted to get the whole thing posted before the end of the year. OK, so what did you think? Would anybody like to read some more Darkwing Duck / DuckTales crossovers? How about the possible return of some members of the Time posse?