Disclaimer: I do not own Darkwing Duck, Scrooge or any other Disney character.

From the author: Little reading aid her. The 'scenes' that take place in LaunchPad's mind are in bold italic to make the story easier to follow. I hope.

PHENOMENON Part 5

The doctor worked desperately to resuscitate LaunchPad while Darkwing could only stand by helplessly and watch. He closed his eyes and concentrated, as if trying to contact the pilot telepathically. "LaunchPad. Please come back. It's not your time, I know it's not!"

On the ship, LaunchPad had almost fallen asleep with Webby curled up on his lap. He hadn't felt this relaxed, this content in a very long time. But his tranquility was about to be shattered. Without warning,a fearsome

gale wind rose, driving the violent waves into the ship with tremendous force. The ship was thrown on the rugged waters. Everybody in the cabin

went tumbling across the room. "Not again!" shouts Mrs. Beakley as the ship continues to sway uncontrollably.

"What's happening Unca Scrooge?!" Lewie cried fearfully.

Again they all felt the Silver Doubloon tilt heavily to the starboard side.

"Ah No!" Scrooge exclaimed as he manages to get to his feat. "What now?!" No sooner had he spoken then there came a rap at the cabin door.

Leaning against the wall for support, Scrooge made his way to the door and opened it. The captain was standing there with a look of dismay. Mr. McDuck, I'm afraid the waves have reopened the break in the hold. The rubber rafts were shredded! We're taking on water again!" before Scrooge could comment the captain added "I'm afraid we're going to have to risk using the lifeboats. Get your family ready. Make sure they all have lifejackets. We start evacuating the passengers in 10 minutes!"

As soon as the captain was gone, Scrooge turned to his family "I'm afraid we have no choice left. I'm sorry I let you all down." He said regrettably.

"We know you tried Unca Scrooge." said Webby, who like everybody else was leaning against the wall for support.

"Yeah, If you couldn't stop this old ship from sinking, Nobody can," Dewey stated "Right LaunchPad?"

LaunchPad started to agree with the boy then fell silent for a long moment. "Well, I'm not sure of that." he said musingly as he reached into his jacket and pulled out the communicator. He said softly, almost to himself "Maybe we have another chance after all." he turned the devise back on, there was still a lot of static but maybe... He spoke into the communicator "DW. Come in DW, can you here me?" nothing he tried again "Darkwing, are you there?"

In the hospital. Darkwing could feel himself growing ill as every attempt to revive LaunchPad had yet failed. Then he heard the doctor's voice ring out "We have a heart beat!" a few seconds passed "But his vital signs are still erratic. We need to get him stabilized."

As the doctor and nurses worked on stabilizing LaunchPad, they were all more than a little shocked when from his unconscious state the pilot called out "Darkwing, are you there?" They all jumped back in surprise. Again LaunchPad called out somewhat loudly "DW. Can you here me, DW?!"

The entire medical staff turned to look at Darkwing.

Darkwing looked from the doctor to LaunchPad then back to the doctor.

"Answer him." the doctor instructed Darkwing as he stepped back to give the Masked Mallard room to approach his friend.

Darkwing walked over to LaunchPad's side and leaned down. "LaunchPad? Can you understand me?"

On the ship Darkwing's voice cuts through the loud scratching interference

"LaunchPad? Can you understand me?" Launchpads heart lifted "DW. Yeah I can hear you. Boy am I glad to finally get a hold of you again? Where are you?"

In the emergency room Darkwing listen to his friend speaking very clearly and almost excitably "DW. Yeah I can hear you. Boy am I glad to finally get a hold of you again? Where are you?"

At this point Darkwing and the doctor were exchanging looks of bewilderment. The doctor, though a tad dumbfound motioned for Darkwing to continue talking. "I'm right here LP."

"Uh, where's here?" LaunchPad asked.

"In the hospital."

"The hospital. Are you alright? Oh, sorry I don't have time right now. Look, I'm on a ship at sea and ...we got a problem. We're going down, fast! Mr. McDee already tried to plug the whole in the side of the ship, but it didn't work too good. You got any suggestions on how to keep us afloat, on account of, you know what a lousy swimmer I am!"

Darkwing scowled, uncertain of how he should be reacting to all of this. LaunchPad was obviously delirious but then Darkwing saw the doctor motioning towards the life support monitor. His condition was stabilizing as they spoke. Darkwing decided to try and play along with his friends delusion. "OK. Uh, who else did you say was on this ship with you?"

"Mr. McDee, you know Scrooge McDuck! The richest duck in the world?!" LaunchPad was quiet for a few second then said "Oh, Mr.. McDee says to cut the small talk and get to the point."

Darkwing rolled his eyes and thought "Even in LP's delusions, that guy bosses him around!"

"Yeah, well tell old money bags that if he couldn't do the job himself, not to rush somebody else trying to do it right!"

"What!" Scrooge exclaimed having heard Darkwing's remark "Why that, egotistic.."

"DW, we don't have time to trade pot-shots right now." LaunchPad interrupted "We got a crises on out hand and we don't have much time! Please tell me what to do!"

Darkwing looked at the doctor who was gesturing for him to go on. What ever was going on in LaunchPad's head, he seemed convinced that it was all real. The psyche was a peculiar and wondrous thing. It often defied rational explanations. Perhaps this was his subconscious mind's way of dealing with the body's physical state. Darkwing pressed a finger to the side of his temple. This was definitely going to give him a migraine."OK LP, give me some details here. How bad is your situation?"

"Real bad DW, we're suppose to evacuate the ship in just a few minutes and the sea is to dangerous for the lifeboats!"

"Can you plug the whole some how." Darkwing felt really weird, not just because he was carrying on this charade infront of an entire Medical staff, but there was something in LaunchPad's voice. He really seemed to be living out this delusion.

"Mr. McDee already tried that. It didn't hold. Come on DW, think of something. Please."

Just then the captains voice called out "We are beginning evacuation, please stay in your cabins until a crew member comes for you."

LaunchPad was starting to panic now. He knew the Lifeboats would never make it in the storm."DW, there starting to evacuate everybody, help us, please!"

To be continued....

Authors note: sigh This fic was originally suppose to be only a couple of chapters long....