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

Authors Note: Again, this fic ties in with "The Path Chosen." This is one of the alternate realities that Darkwing could have chosen. Fair warning; another Darkwing Duck / Ducktales crossover!

Hidden Dawn

Part 8

Darkwing Duck? Is that what they called me? A Crime Fighter from St. Canard?

I sit here, near shock from what I've just heard.

Darkwing Duck?

I wait expecting it all to come back to me.

Isn't that how it happens in the movies? Somebody with amnesia hears or sees something that jars their memory?

So if I am this Darkwing Duck, why doesn't my memory return? Why can't I remember anything but those few images - that - I ...wait. The last image I had. The person watching me being swept down the river. I couldn't see his face, but I remember his laugh.

I raise slowly up to the window again. Careful not to be seen, I peek in at the rooster with the metal beak.

I only steel a glance before ducking back out of sight.

...It was him. He was the one I saw at the river...

...so I suppose, I am this Darkwing Duck.

But why are these people after me? What was I doing that fateful night when I fell into the river?

I shake my head to clear it. What am I doing? There's no time for this. I have to help Scrooge's family! But how?

I could just walk right in an surrender to them in exchange for their setting McDuck and the others free. I could do that. But I have a feeling that these F.O.W.L. goons don't leave witnesses behind.

I can get the police, but then McDuck's family would become bargaining chips in a hostage negotiation.

I have to do something. I have to flush this Stealbeak and his henchmen out. Force them out of the mansion, away from Scrooges family. I guess I could set the mansion on fire? OK, now that's just dumb – or is it? Maybe...

Alright Mr. Darkwing Duck, Let's see if you are some kind of hero, after all.

I get to my feet and move quickly, careful not to be spotted by any of these F.O.W.L. Henchmen.

I start around to the other side of the mansion. I have an idea that might just work. But it's complicated, very complicated.

I'm just about to go around the corner to the far side of the mansion when the last thing I probably need to happen, happens.

I hear it. The irritating, unnerving sound of "Stop where you are trespasser!"

Oh no...not him...

Regretfully, I look to see that oversized Tonka Toy Gizmoduck approaching. He'll ruin everything.

"Oh, Bill it's you. I saw you creeping around Mr McDuck's mansion and though it might be one of the beagle boys..."

"Shhh!" I cut him off waving my hand for him to quiet down. "Keep your voice down."

He looks at me oddly "Why. Are you trying to surprise somebody?"

"Yeah. About one dozen bad guys that are holding McDuck and his family hostage!"

"What!" he exclaims all too loudly.

"Shh!" I hiss. Don't let them hear you. Look we have to find away to help Scrooge's family without getting them hurt. It could get dangerous!"

Gizmoduck jaw drops and he looks at me in mystification "what?"

I glance up at a his rather stunned expression not understanding the strange reaction "I said. It could get dangerous."

"You know, just now...you reminded me of somebody, I just can't put my finger on it..."

"There's no time for this!" I insist, getting annoyed with him.

"You're right. I Gizmoduck, the official hero of Duckburg, must save the McDuck household from these despicable criminals!"

He wheels off before I can sop him.

He's going to do something brash and stupid, I just know it!

Just then I hear it. The official hero of Duckburg's loud mouth over a loud speaker! "Alright you villains. I Gizmoduck demand that you release Scrooge McDuck and his family immediately – or suffer my wrath!"

"Ah no!" I slap a hand over my face in frustration.

A few seconds later I hear the reply of an unimpressed Stealbeak from the front door."Yeah right. I'm really intimidated now. Oh, I guess we had better just come out with our hands up and give ourselves up to the great hero of Duckburg." He chuckles and adds "In case you didn't know. I'm being sarcastic!"

I move around the corner before any of the goons see me.

Soon, I find myself standing under the boys bedroom window, two stories up. I need to get up there. I look around, no trees, no trellis, no ladders. So How do I get up there. I notice that the stones in the wall protrude

just enough to grasp with the tips of my fingers. Again, instinct takes control and I soon discover yet another Darkwing Duck hidden talent. I can scale walls - stone ones anyway. As long as there's enough of the surface to get a grip on.

This is really hard.

I have trouble keeping my footing and my fingertips ache as I dig them into the grooves between the stones.

Ugh, Spiderman always makes it look so easy.

I'm almost there. "The mysterious visitor from nowhere, with no memory of his past life, miraculously manages to scale a wall of stone to..."

...Why am I narrating myself? I hope this isn't something I make a habit of as Darkwing Duck - people would think I was crazy!

Finally, I reach the window and climb in as quietly as I can.

Woo that was hard!

Now to...

Before I can do anything, I hear the wailing of police sirens as they approach McDuck manor at top speed.

Gizmoduck! He brought the entire police force in on this. I glance out the window to see police cars screeching to a halt in front of McDuck manor.

The swat team and police dogs are brought in. With Gizmoduck standing in front of the entire squad , the police chief calls out over the loud-speaker. "This is the police, come out with your hands up!"

The only response from this Stealbeak was a very audible raspberry.

If nothing else, that arrogant Roboduck and the police are serving as an efficient distraction.

Now,for the reason I came up here. If I were a ten year old boy, where would I hide my secret stash of fireworks, I don't want the Adults to know I have?

Under the bed.

I take a look under the bunk-beds and sure enough, there they are. I pull out a box of assorted fireworks. Looking through them quickly, I find the items I need. Let's see, smoke bombs, 'Snappers', those little things kids like to throw on the ground to hear them pop.

Party Poppers of all sorts, the ones I need are..lets see...I dig around a little more. Ah, the Super Poppers! They look like a cross between a Pinata and a candy wrapper, with strings tied to each end, but they pack a loud bang.

It's then that I hear footsteps coming. F.O.W.L. henchmen, looking for me no doubt. I drop the fireworks onto the bed. I simply get against the wall behind the door. The door opens and a big guy with a pistol walks slowly in. I kick him square in the seat of the pants. He jumps around in surprise and I use a jump kick to his stomach and a punch to the face, and he's out cold.

I grab a jump-rope off the floor and tie him up quickly.

With that done...

I slip out of the children's, room hoping I don't run into anymore henchmen too soon. No such luck. I hear a couple more of the thugs coming. I sprint down the hall to the guest-room I've been staying in.

I have to move fast.

I go straight to the closet and open the door. There it is, the Masked Mallard Costume, in the same place it has been hanging since they brought me here.

I put it on quickly. Just in time. I hear the goons coming. I can hear them talking "I just found one of our boys out cold and hog-tied in the kiddies room!" One of them says.

"Well keep your eyes peeled, he's around here somewhere."

I have too take them out without being found out by the rest of the F.O.W.L. thugs!

"Think! Think! Come on Darkwing Duck, what do you normally do in situations like this?"

I look around the room, let's see ... bed ... rug ... dresser ...window ...window? Hmmmm.

I wonder if these fellas are as dumb as they seem?

A short time later, the door to the room comes slowly open and two big goons with rifles walk in slowly. They look around. "He has to be here somewhere. We've searched about every room up here." One says.

The other feels cold air coming in "Hey, why is the window open when it's so cold outside?"

"Maybe he tried to climb out."

Thankfully, they both prove to be as dumb as I hoped. They poke their heads out the widow to look.

A few feet over their heads, I cling to the stone surface of the outer wall. As soon as they stick their necks out, I simply let go and free fall right on top of their thick skulls! They go toppling out the window and I simply spread my arms to initiate the Glider cape and sail right back inside.

Three down, a hole lot more to go!

There something else I need to do. I light a candle that is in my room and dip the fuses of the fireworks in the melted wax. I stuff the fireworks into my kitbag, then I slip out of the room.

It's getting dark by now. Good. It will be to my advantage. I don't remember you Darkwing Duck, but I have a feeling you are a creature of the night.

To be continued...