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 10

I still can't grasp onto all the reality of this. I am the crime fighter known as Darkwing Duck or so I'm told. I still don't remember. I still have doubts.

I awake in my bed to a single ray of sunlight shining on my face through the window. Morning already. I dread it. I sit up slowly, giving myself a chance to apprehend everything that has taken place.

Ah yes, the evening before, when the proverbial "fat hit the fire", so to speak. I finally discover my true identity – well sort of. But I had not found it, it had found me!

Darkwing Duck? The crime fighter from St. Canard? I still don't remember. Why don't I remember?

I bring a hand up to my face, tracing my index finger along the surface of the Masked Mallard mask. I slept in the costume all night. After everything that has happened, I found some comfort in hiding behind it.

Scrooge McDuck had convinced the police to save all the questions until morning, considering that the kids had gone through a frightening ordeal. But now it is morning and I dread to face the day. For I have no doubt the media will get involved asking me questions I have no answers for. Asking questions of Darkwing Duck, but Darkwing Duck and I are strangers who have yet to be introduced.

Reluctantly, I climb out of bed. I step up to the small mirror that hangs over the dresser.

For a moment I gaze at the reflection that looks back at me. A duck in a tight black costume and mask. I reach up and hesitantly remove the mask. As before, I see the face of a stranger. My identity is Darkwing Duck – but what is Darkwing Duck's true identity? Who is the man behind the mask of the mysterious crime fighter?

In the mirror I see a movement behind me. It doesn't startle me, I don't move. There he is. The Duck in White, just standing behind me, watching. I don't turn around, he doesn't vanish. Somehow, I feel this Duck in White holds the answers to all my questions.

I watch as he raises a hand and reaches out to me. He places the hand on my shoulder.

I feel it! I feel his touch! In sheer surprise I spin around to face him...

...he's gone.

I turn back to the mirror. My reflection is again, alone in the looking glass. I slip the mask back on and walk out of the room.

I am nervous about seeing McDuck and his family this morning. None of them really spoke to me after the events that took place, other than to say good night. It may be that they blame me for all of the trouble, and maybe I am to blame. I start down the stairs when the front door flies open and Gizmoduck charges in. Gizmoduck! I could probably think of a few ways to criticize him, but I am not in the mood. That stupid metal plated cereal-box-kiddie- hero!

"Mr. McDuck!" he calls out in an urgent tone.

Scrooge rushes into the entrance hall from his den."What is the matter Gizmoduck!"

"I just got a call from the chief of police. An army of Eggmen just broke StealBeak out of jail!" Gizmoduck explains.

Oh No...

"What?" Scrooge exclaims then pauses to calm himself before saying "Well good riddance to him, I suppose."

"Perhaps not!" I inject as I reach the bottom of the steps. Both Scrooge and Gizmoduck turned to look at me.

Gizmoduck's disguise doesn't hide the scowl that crosses his face upon seeing me.

Scrooge had told him the night before who I was, but had also ordered him to keep his bill shut to me.

"What do you mean, lad?" Scrooge asks.

"I mean, It's time for me to go. Unless you want a repeat performance of last nights escapades."

Scrooge didn't have a chance to answer. The deafening sound of the air being displaced by propellers looms over the mansion. Helicopters! A lot of them! We all rush outside.

I feel sick at the sight of four large helicopters hovering over the mansion – F.O.W.L.!

Before I can react Gizmoduck sputters out some melodramatic line about "The true Hero of Duckburg will subdue the vain villains!" and with that his helmet copter pops out and he flies toward the attacking aircrafts.

He barely gets off the ground before a blast from a disruptor ray causes his armor to short out. His costume sputters clamorously, electrical sparks fly wildly before he suddenly drops to the ground, unconscious. So much for The True Hero of Duckburg.

I lift my eyes to the helicopters and the heavily armed Eggmen leaning from the open hatchways. Dozens of them. In all honesty, I don't see any way to beat these odds.

I watch with dread as the helicopters all land on the front lawn.

"Unca Scrooge!" a frighten voice rings out. I turn to see Webby, followed by the boys and Mrs. Beakly and Duckworth.

The children run to Scrooge.

Eggmen surround us, guns raised. I make no move to either fight or run, not with McDuck's whole family in the line of fire.

I watch as StealBeak climbs from one of the helicopters and struts arrogantly toward me. "Well well well. It seems the tables are turned, Darkwing Duck!"

I didn't answer.

He glances over at McDuck who stood defensively in front of his family. "As for you and your little brood. Pop. I ain't forgot about the bash you gave me over my noggin! I still have the headache!" StealBeak growled.

"Yes, well I am sorry in a way that I did that." Scrooge replied sarcastically "I dented one of Mrs Beakly's best skillets on your thick scull!"

"Oh, that does it!" StealBeak growls as he takes a step toward Scrooge. I step quickly into the roosters path, coming between him and Scrooge McDuck. The arrogant rooster does not like my gesture one bit. "Ever the hero huh, Dipwing." he snorts "Lets see how tough you are after F.O.W.L. high command gets through with you. Take him!" He orders the Eggmen.

With McDuck's entire family so close, I dare not try anything foolhardy. Yet, I don't honestly believe StealBeak is going to just leave Scrooge and his family alone. Especially after Scrooge's assault upon him the night before.

I steal a glance at Gizmoduck who lays on the other side of the lawn, still out cold.

I'm on my own.

Perhaps I can buy Scrooge and his family enough time to run. They can get back inside and barricade the doors until help arrives. It seems the only option open to me.

With that thought, I deliver an unexpected kick to StealBeak's gut. He buckles and falls. "Scrooge, get your family inside, fast!" I yell as I engage Eggmen in hand to hand combat, keeping then at bay until the family is safe inside the mansion.

I see a look of sorrow flash across the rich ducks face. I suppose he feels that he is betraying me somehow, by leaving me to fight alone. Thankfully he does put his family's safety first and tells them all to run for the mansion.

But they don't make it before the sound of a jet engine is heard from above. The fighting stops momentarily as everybody looks to the sky searching for the source of the sound.

From the clouds emerges an aircraft of a strange design. It looks to be a giant flying bill?! The aircrafts mouth ( or what ever it is called) opens, and a small laser gun egresses. As the jet swoops down low over the grounded helicopters, it opens fire.

Two of the helicopters are destroyed in an explosion of mangled metal and flying debris.

No longer concentrating on capturing me, the Eggmen are more concerned on saving their own hides, as they scramble in fear of the attacking jet. Many of them attempt to flee on foot. They run for the road and are cut off by several sleek black cars.

Before we know it, a large number of black vehicles are encircling the Eggman army. People dressed in formal attire jump from the black cars and vans. All carrying guns. The surround the Eggmen. A gruff bear with a heavy Russian accent calls out "F.O.W.L. Eggmen, we have you surrounded and out gunned, I strongly suggest you surrender!"

Wisely, the Eggmen comply.

I am relieved for the moment. Who ever these people are, I think they're the good guys.

"Bill...er..Darkwing, are you alright?" Scrooge asks walking back over to me.

It takes a second for me to find my voice "I think so." I answer sounding a bit bewildered.

We both cast our gaze at our mysterious rescuers s they are taking the Eggmen into custody. "Friends of yours?" I ask.

"No lad. I've never seen them before." Scrooge replies.

A black lemo pulls up a few yards in front of us. The back door opens and a short older fellow dressed formally, with spats and spectacles steps out. He pauses, seemingly, giving me the once over before approaching us. He stops as he notices StealBeak, still slumped over, on his knees holding his gut. He motions to a couple of his people, they come and drag StealBeak off. I can just make out the roosters moaning and mumbling something about "I really hate that duck..." as they drag him away.

The gentleman turns back to me "Darkwing? That's certainly a different look for you." he says studying the costume.

What am I suppose to say? Apparently, this gentleman knows me, but I don't remember him. "Do I know you?" I hear myself ask.

He smiles understandingly. "Yes. Very well. I am J. Gander Hooter, director of SHUSH. You have helped us on numerous occasions Darkwing. But there is someone here who knows you better than I." He gestures to the far side of the vast yard. That strange jet is landing. The cockpit opens and a figure climbs out. He starts walking in our direction.

"I do believe that Mr. McDuck is acquainted with him as well." J Gander says.

As the pilot gets closer I can make out his build, he is tall with broad shoulders and seems to be wearing an aviators cap.

I know this guy? How?

Just then I hear Scrooge saying almost to himself. "It can not be."

The pilot ambles casually up to me and extends a friendly hand.

Cautiously, I shake the hand that is offered me.

"Hey, DW!" I'm sure glad we finally found ya! Cool costume! Is that your new Darkwing Duck look? Boy you could scare a few crooks straight in that getup!" He says in a friendly tone, speaking to me as if he has known me his whole life. Perhaps he has. I actually feel guilty that I don't remember him.

I see him glance over inattentively at Scrooge "Hey Mr. McDee! Long time no see, huh?"

Mr. McDee?

Scrooge opens his mouth to reply but before he can get a word out, the pilots attention turns back to me. "Boy are we all glad you're safe! You sure had us worried for a while!"

"We?" I ask, wondering who else I have forgotten.

"Yeah, you know.." he pauses and stares at me blankly for a few seconds then replies some what meekly "Oh, I guess maybe you don't know...Well, we means me and Morgana and Gos...er..,that is Quiverwing. We were so worried!"

"Morgana? Quiverwing?" I ask, the names meaning nothing to me.

I see the color flush from his face as he realizes just how serious my memory lass is. He replies in a grievous tone "Morgana, you girlfriend...and Quiverwing Quack." He pauses watching my face. For some reason, he seems to feel the name Quiverwing should ring a bell with me. It doesn't.

Finally, he goes on, and I admit, in no way am I ready for what I hear.

"Quiverwing...your daughter."

...DAUGHTER!

to be concluded...