Braced Company

A Disney Duck Fanfic:

Instead of being purely based on one entity, this story takes background from Classic Donald Duck cartoons, Ducktales, and Darkwing Duck.

Contains Major Spoilers to Double Triangle Trouble

Written By:

Stef with an F

Disclaimers

Disney owns most of these characters. Dumbella's past as Bella Widgeon is mine, as are the characters of Melanie Widgeon, Cindy Ganderquack, Jeffery and Ashley Ruddy / Arachnia Ink, Ronnie Mallard, Lisa Mallard, Detective Doberman Pincher, Devin Duck, and whomever else I mention in the future. Time Setting: About eight (8) years after the Darkwing Duck series.

WARNING

This story is rated PG-13 and/or TV-14-LSDV, which means it may or may not (chapters may vary, some will be possibly PG rated only or a less severe TV-14) include references or incidents of mild/moderate language, sexual content and/or themes, mild or moderate violence, and possible other adult themes. Not a porno, or even R-rated, but be advised and please no flames.

Chapter 19

Chapter note:

Slightly revised copy. Thanks for the heads up NightW2. This should be the correct verison.

"Splatter Phoenix's daughter?" Dewey asked. "I think I do remember a Splatter Phoenix. She was the person that stole Mona Lisa's smile?"

Honker nodded, "That is she. And she is one formidable opponent too. She was able to get me arrested for the crime she committed."

"Wow. She really dangerous?" Dewey pressed.

"Well, yes and no. She seemed to be more considered with getting money than pure malice but that of course was before Darkwing interfered," Honker answered.

"Is it true that she dead?" Dewey answered.

"Well, I'm not even sure about that. She kind of melted the last time she was seen. And it wasn't not even some strong acid. It was turpentine. It was some kind of paint decoy. It had to be. She has the potential of being one of the greatest scientists alive if she didn't turn crazy."

"Money takes out the worse in some people," Dewey sadly agreed.

"Or the lack of it," Honker added.

Dewey looked back at the Darkwing decoy. "Well, that one is pretty good," he whispered.

Honker nodded. "That one though, I suspect is a combination of a robot and hologram–Pure genius. Though, I cannot say Splatter's example wasn't pure inventive design as well. Hopefully we won't see her again."

Ashley rubbed her abdomen as she lay on her bed, this time staring into place instead of the ceiling. She paused for a moment, kissed her palm and gently patted her belly button.

She peeled herself off the bed, and walked into her closet.

She sat down a dragged out a locked chest, and used a locket to open the chest.

She had the chest for a few years now, ever since her surrogate mother died, but the letter on the top was a new addition. Her birth mother arranged it to be sent to her when she was about to become 21.

She put the letter aside.

Dear Ashley,

If your stepmother abided to my wishes, she waited until your twenty-first birthday to send you this letter. You are an adult now, I may as well tell you the truth. Careen is not your mother. She was my baby sister and I asked her to take you in after, I grieve to admit, I turned my back on you to follow my craft.

You seemed to be quite sasified with the arrangement and you always seemed content with referring to me by our quotidian affiliation. Auntie Scarlett. Tu étais très mignon. However, since then, I have taken a name more in sync with my unique forte.

Hopefully Careen told you about your father since she knew I would never dare. You will one day fun out how it is so complicated. Some say my life's path is one of crime. The police. Darkwing, Quiverwing! Grrr! Such narrow minds. My mission is for the betterment of craft. Look at your fingers my dear daughter you may have the skill yourself. One day we can do great things. Hopefully, this day is awaking.

Splatter Phoenix

Though the letter came early. Why, why didn't Sue Ellen Ruddy wait for until her birthday. Why did Scarlett...Splatter share the duty with her...

Ashley gasped out of recognition.

While searching for decent wedding outfit, she discovered another of it's contents. It was a copy of Gone with the Wind.

"I guess it could be worse," she gathered.

She slipped on her Arachnia Ink costume, "Well, this doesn't have to be retouched just yet."

She smiled at her reflection. "You know sweetie" she whispered. "I wasn't sure about you at first. But you don't have to worry. You are not going anywhere. I want you and I love you. I will not abandon you like your grandmother. No..."

Ronnie crossed his arms and softly tapped his foot. It soon got faster and harder and eager for answers.

"Dad, who is that?" he demanded. "I'm six-years-old now. I do know who you are. I'm not a baby."

Lisa became scared, "Is he that evil man that kinda looks like you?"

Drake shook his head, "Come here sweetie. No that isn't Negaduck," he declared, hugging his younger daughter. "That is something my friend at SHUSH whipped up so no one here will get suspicious and figure out who I really am."

Ronnie nodded, "True, Darkwing should be here."

Drake nodded.

"And if it was that mean old Negaduck, I will just have to use my powers and..." the five-year-old girl paused to collect her thoughts, "What does Gosalyn always say...and blast him to kingdom come. Where is kingdom come Daddy? Very far?"

"I think so honey," Drake ensured. "But remember what I told you two about those powers. Do you two remember?"

"Yeah Ronnie sighed, "Yes not to use them just for fun. I know I am in trouble."

Drake nodded, "Add?"

"And what Daddy?" Lisa added.

"You're powers are gifts. Powerful gifts. And we don't need the bad guys know that you have them. I don't want you two targets. I love you too much for anything to happen to you."

"Like the bad bull?"

Drake nodded, "Exactly. But unfortunately he isn't the only one that is bad."

"Negaduck?" Lisa asked.

"Yes, him too. And others too, so you have always be careful."

Ronnie crossed his arms, "You allowed Gosalyn to be a super hero when she was a kid."

Drake crossed his arms back, "She is still a kid. And well, she was nine! Are you two nine? Hmm?"

Ronnie shook his head, "But in three years I will be."

Drake sighed. "We will see. It is not like I wanted her to be a hero at nine! But never mind that. So are you okay with the decoy now?"

Lisa nodded , "Now that we know it's isn't Negaduck."

"Okay, let's go back to the rehearsal," Drake suggested. "Oh yeah, and behave!"

The two kids nodded in compliance.

In the hallway, Launchpad stopped them, "Everything fine?"

Drake nodded. "Oh yeah, you?"

Launchpad nodded, "Yeah...but I think the rehearsal is canceled."

"Why? I was only gone for a few minutes."

"Well, a few seconds after you left Fenton had to leave for a sudden emergency. Don't know exactly what is up but Mr. McDee mentioned something about his number one dime. But they ensured that they will be back in time for the wedding," Launchpad explained.

"Where are the ladies?"

"Well, after your 'Crypt Exit',"Launchpad used a quoting gesture to showcase his mother's mannerism. "Mom decided it wasn't good for me to see Bella before the wedding after all. So she along with Morgana thought they would take her and Melanie out for a quick lunch. Some of the others left to since well, the rehearsal got canceled...The Muddlefoots, Webby, and Bella's boys are still here."

"Alrighty, let's order a pizza or something for the remaining guests,"Drake stated on the way to the phone.

"Hey Daisy," Cindy called out. "How are you doing?"

Daisy who was taking a stroll with Donald turned around, "Oh hi Cindy, I'm doing fine. Have you met my husband Donald?"

Cindy looked up at Donald, "Yeah, of course I have...been a long time..."

Cindy paused for a second remembering the anger she sensed coming from Donald's house the day she dropped Melanie at his doorstep about two years ago.

She originally planned to come to the door with Melanie, but when she heard Donald's angry voice scold Bella so, she couldn't show her face. She really felt that she could have slapped Donald's smug little beak that moment and she couldn't bear do that in front of Melanie. True Bella had her faults, more than her share perhaps, but she was his sister and she fought hard to come back to the spoiled teen girl who abandoned her little boys for what she felt was the better life.

"Hello Donald," she said at last.

Donald nodded, "It has. Bella's first wedding, I believe."

Cindy nodded in shock, "Yes, that long."

Cindy and Bella were close friends in high school even though Cindy was one year older, though the two fell apart soon after Cindy left for college. Bella and Cindy remained letter buddies for awhile yet they soon grew further and further apart. It wasn't until Bella left her second husband Gregory, did the two start to reconnect when Bella really needed a friend.

"I guess I wasn't such a good friend either. I wasn't there when Bella needed me when the boys' father left," Cindy whispered.

"What?" Donald asked confused.

"I was thinking about how angry I was nearly two years ago when I brought Melanie to your house two years ago. You were yelling at Bella about her abandonment. And before I continue, I know it was for good reason, but I just saw you as victimizing my friend. And the truth is, I wasn't there when she needed me when Kyle left, I was in college, I moved on. I got my second chance when I saw her near death in result of the motorcycle accident when she was leaving Gregory. Yeah, she left him. She couldn't live the way she was living anymore. And I knew she had no one left. It was pretty magical how I was at the same hospital she was that faithful day... I had the chance to redeem myself as she was trying to do the same for herself. I helped her build herself up in preparation. She was so scared, but she was sure she had to proof to you and her boys that should could be worthy again, and that she was sorry,"Cindy revealed.

"Wow, you had to get that all out, didn't ya?" Donald expressed. "Was that building up on ya for all these years?"

Cindy smiled, "Yeah, it was."

Cindy let out a huge sigh of relief. "No hard feelings?"

Donald shook his head. "No, no hard feelings. It's my sister's wedding day. And what do they always say Daisy?"

"The third time's the charm,"Daisy added wistfully. "We are off to get our first ultrasound. A little late, but better than never you know? Probably won't know the gender until next month though."

"Still sounds very exciting!" Cindy exclaimed. "Good luck you too. You two must be very excited."

"Yeah!" Donald shouted.

Daisy smiled, "Of course! A little nervous though maybe."

Cindy laughed, "I understand. Well...as much as I can. Tee-hee!"

"Ha Ha," Daisy agreed. "See you tonight?"

Cindy nodded, "Of course."

"Louie?" Webby called.

Louie turned around, "Hey."

"About you said earlier..."

Louie shook his head. "Never mind that. I love you, you know that. It is just going to be hard not seeing you everyday."

Webby nodded, "For me too. But I don't really want to say goodbye to you either."

"I don't either, but..."

"But you want to test the field...you may as well admit it," Webby said semi-bitterly.

"No, it isn't like that..."

Webby smiled, "I love you too Louie. We will make it work, but if we don't, we have the moment and I hope we can remain friends."

Louie nodded, "Friends forever."

Webby nodded, "Ever and ever. But now, friend let's get something to eat. Shall we?"

"Yeah, let's..."

"Oh Negsy, this operation does not have my level of verve. Quite mundane. "

"Would you stop calling me that. It's disgusting. And I would wish you would stop purposely using such complex words. You might think it makes you smart, but no. It makes you ANNOYING and I just want to..." Negaduck pauses. "This might have started your operation, but this is mine now. And Darkwing is mine."

"Fine, Darkwing is yours. It's not like he is my primary means for revenge. No, I have others and this wedding has more familiar attributes. Ye.s Darkwing is yours. For now."

Negaduck let the words linger in his mind. "For now:Let me tell you lady...'For now' is irrelevant. 'For now' is forever. There will not be a later."

Splatter rolled her eyes. "A favorite quote of mine is, Believing oneself to be perfect is often a sign of a delusional mind..."

Negaduck grabbed a hold of Splatter's shoulders and pushed her against the wall.

"I would watch that crooked tongue of yours.It might get chainsawed off."

"Try it and I will have to redraw your hand,"Splatter spewed back, taking out her much improved paint brush."

Negaduck released his hold. "You don't have control of me, but I like your style."

"Good."

To Be Continued

Author Note: Like I said in the previous verison. Some citations in this chapter are from "Back to the Nest" and "Double Triangle Trouble" :-) Umm and Splatter Pheonix was quoting Data from Star Trek in this, so I made that edit.