Darkwing Duck continued to race through the streets of St. Canard on the Rat Catcher with his unexpected guest onboard. It had been a long night for the fearless duck, and he could hardly wait to get home and turn in.
"This is an awesome bike you have here," Todd said.
"Why thank you," said Darkwing. "It's been a big help in getting me and Launchpad-- Holy crap! Launchpad! I forgot all about him! He must still be downtown! I'm such and idiot!" Darkwing slams on the brakes and then turns the motorcycle around and begins to race back toward downtown St. Canard.
"Where are we going?" asked a puzzled Todd.
"We have to go pick up my friend Launchpad," Darkwing replied.
"Is Launchpad the tall, musclebound fellow I sometimes see with you?" The turtle asked.
"Yes," the duck replied.
"Is he your babysitter or something?"
"Sort of," Darkwing said. "But mostly, he is my loyal sidekick. I don't know where I'd be without him."
"I see," said Todd. "How can you lose track of your sidekick?"
"Well, responded Darkwing. "We were out doing our nightly patrol when Negaduck started chasing us. I got so caught up in things and the next thing I knew I was in the alleyway behind your store."
"If you'd left me alone, you wouldn't have lost your friend, and we all wouldn't be in this situation," the turtle said.
"Now, Rob," Darkwing responded, once again getting the turtle's name wrong. "You know I can't let you go around-- What the?" They were now downtown once more. A piece of paper flew into Darkwing's face, obstructing his vision. Fortunately, he was able to stop his motorcycle before it could fly up onto the curb and crash.
"Hmm," said Darkwing, examining the paper. "It's a note." He read the rather crudely-written letter out loud.
Deer DW,
I need some time awae from this stressful crime-fighting job, so I'm goin to take a coupl days off.
Your pal,
Launchpad
Darkwing shook his head. "He's done it again. Skipped out on the middle of our nightly patrol. If he wants time off, he should just tell me. He spends at least 18 hours a day at my house."
"So, your friend's OK?" Todd asked, adjusting his glasses.
"Yes, he's fine," Darkwing responded. "It looks like I'm going to need a new sidekick while he's doing whatever it is he does when I'm not around. You seem like an intelligent young fellow, and your certainly durable." He knocks on Todd's shell. "Would you be interested."
The turtle's eyes brightened up. "Serve as your sidekick? You mean it? Of course I would!"
"Well good," said Darkwing. "Let's get home and get some shuteye, and tomorrow night I'll show you the ropes."
"OK," Todd said. Darkwing started the motorcycle and they raced off toward home.
Launchpad McQuack was at a somewhat upscale apartment building on the other side of St. Canard. He carried with him a bouquet of flowers as he approached one of the apartments. He knocked on the door twice.
He was greeted by a beautiful young female swan with pale green eyes and wearing a tightfitting black dress and black high-heeled shoes. "Launchpad dear," she said smiling. "So good to see you again." She kissed him lightly on the beak.
"Hiya, Paula," said Launchpad. "I brought you these." He handed her the flowers.
"They're so beautiful," Paula said. "Thank you."
"You're very welcome," Launchpad said. "Sorry I didn't have time to change."
"That's OK," said the swan. "I understand. After all, when you're working for the legendary Darkwing Duck, you don't have much time to worry about fashion. I don't think we're going to have much use for clothes tonight anyway. Why don't you come on in?"
"OK," Launchpad said happily. They both enter the apartment.