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 9

Inside the shadows of the recesses of the dimly lit hall, I move, carefully. Staying against the wall I edge up to the banister that overlooked the entrance hall. I can hear StealBeak's voice. I peer around the side of the wall next to the banister. I see StealBeak, standing near a window in the front of the mansion, talking into a small communicator. "Yeah, High Command, we got a little situation down here." He peaks out the window at Gizmoduck and the police, all on guard, watching the mansion. "And we can't spare anymore Eggmen to go looking for Dipwing until the problem is solved."

I notice many of the F.O.W.L. henchmen are spread out, guarding windows and doors for possible sneak attacks from law enforcement.

I hear a sinister voice come over the communicator. "We'll take care of your little problem – very soon. Just make sure Darkwing Duck doesn't escape!" With that, a loud click on the other end of the communicator indicates they have signed off.

StealBeak shoves the communicator into his spotless white vest. I see him glance to one side as if looking at somebody, whoever it is is out of my view.

StealBeak turns again to the window to look out at the police force. "You know, you'd make things a lot easier on everybody if you'd just tell me where you're hiding him." He says without turning away from the window.

"I've already told you, I'm not hiding him!" I'm startled to hear Scrooges voice coming from below. I can't see him though. I listen as he goes on. "Why would I be hiding him? I did not know he was this Darkwing Duck until you and your goons showed up!" He grunts defiantly "Besides how do you know he didn't catch wind of you and make a run for it?"

StealBeak snickers "Even you don't believe that, do you pop? I mean I can think of a lot of things to call old Dipwing, but a coward ain't one of them. And I suspect he's still playing hero, even without his memory. That's how we found out he was hear in the first place. The New Masked Mallard? It was in all the newspapers, even up in Saint Canard."

"So how did you know it was him? Anybody could have donned that costume?" Scrooge asks sounding very put out.

"You're kidding right?" StealBeak asks "I mean, how many people could rig an oxygen tank out of a cooler and radiator hose?"

"Oh?" was all the response Scrooge gave. I suppose he saw Stealbeak's point.

"Yeah well, F.O.W.L. High Command will take care of our little pest control problem out front then my boys and I can go back to tracking down Darkwing. In the mean time. Let us rejoin your loved ones in the dining hall," He walks out of my sight followed by a couple of Eggmen, apparently taking Scrooge with them.

I move back against the wall and draw a ragged breath. This isn't going to be easy.

I move quickly putting my plan into action.

I place smoke bombs on the floor under the smoke detectors in the hallway and in a couple of the spare guest-rooms I am able to sneak into undetected. Each fuse is lit, but the wax coating I applied earlier greatly delays the time of ignition.

I step gingerly over to the banister and glance down into the entrance hall. I can see only one Eggman watching the cops through the front window. Jumping onto the banister, I leap off, cape spread and swoop down upon him like a hawk descending upon it's unsuspecting prey. I glide low, delivering a kick to the head that knocks him out cold. I land and quickly drag the big creep into the shadows and tie him up.

It's nearly dusk, thats good. Darkness is an advantage I need.

I go to the front door and tie several of the Super Party Poppers to the bottom of the door so that when it opens, somebody will get a surprise. I wedge a toothpick between the top of the door and the door frame. I hang several of the snappers from the toothpick on a thread.

Uh-oh, I hear the goonie patrol coming! I duck back into the shadowy recess of an unlighted corner. I watch two of the thugs creeping up the stairs. It dawns on me that none of these dim-bulbs have stopped to wonder what happened to their missing comrades. Just to selfish to stop and think about anybody else, I suppose.

When I'm sure they're gone, I pull some transparent thread from my kitbag. I fasten several of the Party Poppers together with it and string it across the bottom of the stairs.

I'm running out of time. I make my way to the small foyer that leads to the dining room. The two large wooden doors that go to the dining room are closed. Good, very good. I quickly booby trap the wooden doors the same way I had the front door. I place the remaining 8 smoke bombs a few feet in front of the door and lite them.

I hide behind a large vase that stands against the wall and wait.

I hold my breath, hoping desperately that nobody sets off any of the booby traps prematurely.

I wait...then...Brrrriiiiinnnggggg! The smoke detectors sound in the upstairs hall. A split second later, the smoke bombs in front of the dining room doors go off. I hear voices of excitement and confusion in the dining room. The door comes open, causing the fireworks to go off. The Party Poppers sound like gunfire followed immediately by the Snappers exploding as they hit the floor. "AH!" The Eggman that was rushing out the door cries. "We're being shot at!" Not given the chance to realize what the noise really is, he finds himself looking into a room full of smoke. Still hearing the smoke detectors going off..."Ah. Fire, fire. The mansion is on fire!"

Just then as if on cue, the two from upstairs come running down, having seen the smoke all through the hallway. As they reach the bottom of the staircase they trip the booby trap.

Again the sound of gunfire is heard. The moron in the dining room doorway yells "Fire! The cops set the place on fire – and their shooting at us!"

Of course the natural thing to do when trapped in a burning building being shot at, is to get out! The Eggman runs for the front door, not thinking about the police squad awaiting him. He is followed by four others.

In a few seconds I hear the sound of the front door being opened "POP POP..pop-pop-pop! Followed by the cries of the frightened Eggmen "Don't shoot! We give up!"

What follows, I can only imagine. The police waiting outside are probably as confused as the Eggmen at this point.

But there is one F.O.W.L. agent unaccounted for.

"What's going on!" I hear StealBeak shouting over the smoke alarms. He steps out into the foyer. The smoke bombs have burned out, so the smoke is clearing. I make a move to subdue the rooster, but I am beaten to it. A frying pan from behind, smacks him upside the head, rendering him unconscious.

I stop and look at the Rooster laying unconscious on the floor as Scrooge McDuck steps over him, carrying a large iron skillet (slightly dinted). The rest of the family follows.

Just then, the smoke detectors shut off, as the smoke clears.

"Oh good heavens!" I hear Mrs Beakly say as she enters the small foyer followed by the kids. They all appear to be unharmed, though perhaps, a bit shaken.

Scrooge glances at Stealbeak's unconscious form "Boys get some rope and tie..."

He is interrupted by the sound of the front door slamming open and that motorized motor mouth Gizmoduck charging recklessly in. "Have no fear – Gizmoduck is hear!" he proclaims before seeing StealBeak already incapacitated.

"Mr. McDuck! Are you alright?" He asks. Scrooge nods "Aye, just peachy! But since you're here, remove this riff-raff from my residence."

"Uh, yes sir." He says, still baffled to what has taken place.

The police are just as dumbfounded as the rolling roboduck. I heave a deep sigh. I really don't want to have to explain all this.

I notice that the cops have all stopped to stare at me, because of the costume I guess. But as I turn to face Scrooges family, I receive the same odd stares from them. As if looking at a stranger. Then I realize, they are. They no longer see the friend they knew as Bill, but rather, the mysterious crime fighter known as Darkwing Duck.

To be continued...