Roots of Revenge

-Chapter 7-

Memories and Mean Streaks

Launchpad was alone in the tower, the gurney squeaked out from under the Thunderquack. He knew that a drop of oil would get rid of the squeak but in his mind gurneys were meant to squeak. He wiped his hands on his already oil spotted pants. He had just banged out all the bullet dings and reapplied touch ups on the paint job erasing the evidence of the jet's encounter with S.H.U.S.H. He cleaned the excess paint off his hands with a rag and looked around Darkwing's secret headquarters. The city lights hazed up the night sky outside the tall windows. DW was out there somewhere doing what he did best. No doubt saving someone else's life. His mind wandered into the past, had it really only been a year since he had started coming here? It felt like longer. Not that he minded of course, Darkwing was his closest friend; he owed him everything, including his life. It was the second time had had thought about that today… he leaned on the Thunderquack's wing as he sank back into his memories.

He was new to St. Canard then, down on his luck, and in short supply of funds. Leaving Duckburg wasn't something he planned on doing but he couldn't stay. He had worked for one of the wealthiest ducks in the world as a pilot. Helped to indulge him in all his eccentric antics, along with his triplet nephews. There he was a hero and role model to them, how inappropriate, he thought bitterly. The boys would confide in him, and include him in their harebrained ideas. He loved those boys like they were his own flesh and blood; he didn't know that those days were numbered. He had taken them out so many times in his plane; he had learned to trust it, that was his mistake. The crash that followed claimed a young life, and he could not bear to face the family he had come to cherish as his own after what had happened. He knew they didn't blame him, but he couldn't stand the guilt. So he left. Came to this place, where no one knew him, were he was among the tainted, and quickly became lost. Lost not only in the crowds also who he was, he was no longer the innocent and happy man he had been in Duckburg. He had killed a child, held him as he died, and it nearly killed him. Excessive drinking and unprovoked brawls were his nightly routine. It was one of those nights a year ago. He was more intoxicated than usual, a bumbling fool dragging his feet through dark alleys. He would often sleep wherever he passed out back then and was looking for an out of the place corner, and perhaps another fight? He couldn't really remember, but he could not forget the scene he found. A group of thugs had cornered a woman and were assaulting her; with out second thought he slugged the closest one and found himself staring down the barrel of a gun. That night he was shown exactly how dangerous and out of control the city was as the thug pulled back the hammer. Also that night he was introduced to the masked mallard that fought the very city itself, like a torpedo he fell from the rooftop and took them out. Not just fighting them off but destroying them, screams from broken arms and legs rang up the cramped alley. When his battle was won the hero turned to him, the ice blue eyes searing him from a mass of black. He couldn't remember what he said to Darkwing but it made him laugh, and it took some time but he eventually edged his way into his service. The roar of an engine tore him away from himself.

An explosion wiped his past from his thoughts, the woods! He couldn't forget to tell Darkwing about the woods! When he arrived at the Ratcatcher's parking spot DW was just hobbling off the motorcycle.

"Gee Deedoubleyuh ya don't look so good…"

"Thanks LP… always an inspiration," Grumbled Dark's gravely voice. There was something in the sidecar something rather large and much to his surprise he realized what it was.

"A kid?"

"That's right Launchpad a kid." He picked up a crumpled blue hat and tossed it to Launchpad. Darkwing picked up the limp little girl and walked past him.

"Is she alright?" he walked after him. He held the hat tight in his hand it brought back memories of Dewey, he had to fight not to get lost in his memories again.

"I had to gas her so she wouldn't know the way to the hideout."

"I dunno if she wakes up I think she won't have much trouble figuring out where we are…"

Darkwing placed the girl down on a forgotten bed. He couldn't remember the last time he had a chance to sleep, let alone sleep in this bed. His head was throbbing and his body screaming.

"Your right LP," he sighed as he took off his cape. "But she won't know how to get up here."

"I suppose. Who is she?"

Darkwing threw his hat into a corner and sat at the foot of the bed rubbing his eyes. She took up a lot of room for a little girl.

"Gosalyn Waddlemyer, I think she's the granddaughter of the famous Dr. Waddlemyer, the one who would make S.H.U.S.H. new weapons."

"Why'd you bring her here?" Launchpad knew he must be annoying him with all these questions but it was just so unlike Darkwing. Dark raised his eyes to the barrel chested bird.

"Because she was in trouble… I know what I'm doing… I think." He fought a yawn. "Bulba wants her for a reason and she's not leaving until I get to talk to her about it."

Out of nowhere a high-topped sneaker swung at his head, he swiftly craned backwards and missed the chance to worsen his headache. She rolled off the bed and popped up on her feet quickly, she had a scowl on her face.

"Alright nobody move! I'm not getting kidnapped by anyone tonight; I don't care who it is! You better bring me back there or S.H.U.S.H. will be all over you like a zombie on Einstein!"

"Kidnapped!" shrieked Darkwing. This kid was too much! "I'll have you know you would be with Taurus Bulba right now if I hadn't jumped in when I did!"

"No way Jose! Haven't you figured it out yet? The whole thing was a set up! I was supposed to go with Hammerhead because S.H.U.S.H. has a tracking device on me! Now they're coming for you stupid! " She crossed her arms.

"You mean they had a tracking device on you." Corrected Darkwing.

"Noo, it's right here in my…" she reached snottily to her head for her hat but only gripped hair. Darkwing smirked and nodded to Launchpad who still had the hat. He tossed the baseball cap to DW, and Dark waved it in her face.

"I put it on some mutt on our way here. Now who's stupid, hmm?" She glared at him and snatched the hat away.

"Careful, she's a real firecracker Deedoubleyuh," Launchpad chimed in.

"Who are you his butler? Or are you his side kick Lummox Lad?" She spat.

"Actually… he's my mechanic, now if your done throwing a fit I think it's time you and I had a little chat." Darkwing stared her down but she held her ground. She was the most stubborn person he had ever met, let alone saved. He secretly admitted that was why he liked her; she was a challenge and unpredictable. Two characteristics he associated with himself.

"Oh! Deedoubleyuh, I got something to tell you! Something weird was goin' on in the woods this afternoon.."

"LP this is not the time…." His eyes flashed and the broke the stare with Gosalyn, "…the woods?"

He stood up and looked off into nothingness.

"What was the deal with that tree-duck back there….?"

"Bushroot he said his name was." Piped in Gosalyn. "I didn't know if you picked it up when you were squirming on the ground like a worm."

He gave her an evil glare. "You have got some nerve kid. I saved your ass tonight and you know it. You seemed to be aware of that when you clung to my waist and begged me to rescue you."

Her face feathers stood on end. "I did not beg! And if you've forgotten I was the one that got your wussy gun back and saved your sorry ass from getting turned into topsoil!"

"Are you always this charming Ms. Waddlemyer?" He shook his head still glowering at her. She sneered in response.

"Maybe you'll be more cooperative in the morning." He huffed. "So you best go to sleep now or I'll use my 'wussy gun' on you again." Her smirk faded, and he pointed strictly at her. "And don't even think about sneaking out. There are fail safes and security measures to handle any kind of escape." He turned on his heel and stormed off.

Gosalyn narrowed her eyes at him until he disappeared up a high ladder. She then turned the look onto the confused Launchpad .

"You gunna guard me or something?" snarled the little girl. He shrugged.

"Nah, he was right about the security, ya better get some sleep kiddo. It sounds like you've had a rough night." He calmly responded.

"Yeah right as if I could sleep in this dump." She puffed and sat down angrily on the bed.

"Now you're probably more tired then you think." Launchpad was once again reminded of the boys and decided to end the conversation there. He also didn't want her to start asking him questions he wouldn't know how to answer.

She heard his big clunky feet wander off to another part of the tower. From her pant pocket she drew a crinkled photograph. She sighed heavily as she looked down at her younger joy filled self clinging happily to her Grandfather. His eyes looked up at her crinkled at the sides from the big smile that was captured forever on his face.

Darkwing Duck and all related Characters are (c) Disney

This story is (c) Christina Smith

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Ah sorry about the lack of updates... I have no excuses ; But I'm nearing the end of the second installment so I'm hoping to get this one up as soon as I can. Thanks to all who have reveiwed in my absence your support is my inspiration.