Drake knew this day would come eventually. The day he became St. Canard's protector, he knew of the hardships and danger the job would entail. But despite that, he lived by the way of his role model and took every danger ahead of him full on. And with his newly found partner Launchpad, and his adopted daughter Gosalyn, this drive only grew larger. But as much as he tried to shake off the possibility, he knew that he would have to face the hard truth. That in order to protect everything he values, it would be at the cost of sacrifice. That was the day that haunted him from the get-go and the day he would later soon have to face.
There he was on the rather vacant Audoban Bay Bridge, bruised and shattered, blood dripping down his ripped-up purple skin-tight suit. It was almost painful to see Jim Starling, a person who Drake has looked up to his whole life in the state he was in. Not only has his mind deteriorated into that of a cold-blooded killer, but this was further intensified with the grisly sight before him. Seeing the two people in his life he deeply cherishes at gunpoint gave Drake a great sense of peril. It was like his body was frozen in place as he was faced with the most difficult decision he ever had to make in his life. With his gas gun out of ammunition, he had no easy way to save Launchpad and Gosalyn. Even if by some miracle the cops arrive at the scene, it was still a no-win scenario with a high price to pay. Drake was torn on what direction he should take until he thought of another alternative. He knew the cost would be high, but if it meant the safety of his loved ones, he would willingly take it. It was time to get dangerous one last time…
It happened so fast. He couldn't fully grasp it, but he felt an extreme adrenaline rush and a deep sense of hysterical strength for the safety of his family. With every step he took, his speed increased in a flurry of emotion and panic. He made it just in time for Jim to lose focus on Launchpad and Gosalyn in order to shoot Drake. Before he could pull the trigger, Drake tackled him to the ground and put him in a chokehold. It took a lot to test Drake's typically good-natured self, but when it comes to his family, he had nothing but pent up anger for those who try to hurt them, as those emotions were symbolized by the force of his hands upon Jim's neck. However, his anger had gotten the better of him, as he didn't realize the sadistic smile of Jim as he felt the touch of steel on his stomach.
*BANG*
Drake let out a hard grunt as a he felt the pain of a point blank shot at the stomach, whilst maintaining to keep his grip on Jim's throat. All at once, he heard a carcophony of sounds as the crying outburst of his family were only matched with Jim's outburst of maniacal laughter. Drake looked down at his wound, a good chunk of blood dripped down his body onto Jim's yellow coat. With the strength he had left, he nevertheless managed to get some clean and powerful punches on Jim, who kept on his with his violent laughter. The pain was unbearable, but at the moment, Drake didn't budge, as he put all his force into one last swing at the once well respected Darkwing, knocking him unconscious. Exhausted from the whole ordeal, Drake let out a series of rhythmic panting as his heart pumped faster more than he could have ever imagined. He turned around to see Launchpad and Gosalyn, who were tearing up at the sight of his severe wound.
Drake tried to fumble his way over to his family. His body shook with a great amount of strain and the excruitiating pain from his stomach kept him from keeping his balance. He couldn't keep up with his pain and he collapsed on the road. He was nearing the end, and he knew it. Launchpad and Gosalyn rushed to Drake in a dash of dread and fear. Seeing their faces made Drake smile and, despite the immense pain, managed to let out a weak chuckle.
"Guess I didn't see that one coming huh?"
Gosalyn couldn't bear the sight of the state of her father and broke down crying. She's been through this unbearable cycle time and time again. First with her parents, then her grandfather, and now Drake. She tried to deny it, but deep down, it was all rushing back at her.
"Dad… stay with me alright, help will come soon." Gosalyn pleaded.
"Hey kiddo… My sweet baby girl. You look so beautiful… I'm happy that you're safe…" Drake said while gently caressing her head.
"You don't have to worry about an ambulance. I'm not gonna make it… This is the end of the road for me…" Drake said.
"NO! Don't say that… we can get you patched up… please, you gotta get back up! That's what you've always said to me!" Gosalyn exclaimed while shedding her share of tears.
"Heh… you still remember what I told you…" Drake smiled whilst letting a small tear.
"Before I go, I'd like to say a few things… LP…"
A tearful Launchpad directed his full attention to Drake trying to ignore his current condition.
"You weren't just a trusty sidekick or a loving husband, you were always my motivation… from the day we first met in that trailer, I knew from that moment, that we had a deep connection… and then, after the explosion, you told me to stand back up on my feet even at my lowest point. If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't have been able to live out my dream at all. And then you moved in with us and made my family feel complete. You've helped me in more ways than one and I deeply thank you from the bottom of my heart." Drake said to Launchpad.
The clumsy pilot couldn't hold back his tears and started to sob at an uncontrollable level. He removed his hat as a sign of respect for his idol and lover.
"I have… just one last request for you. I want you to take care of Gosalyn as best as you can. I know I have my fullest trust in you. And also, try not to crash as much. It's gonna be a bad influence for Gos…" Drake said, trying to add a little humor to his circumstance.
"I'll try my best." Launchpad said while letting out a small chuckle.
"But seriously, make sure that Gosalyn lives out her life in the best way she can. Can you please do that... for your number one fan?" Drake asked.
"Yes DW, I will…" Launchpad cried.
"Thank you… you were always good for a smile." Drake smiled as he turned his attention towards Gosalyn.
"Gos… my sweet girl… I am so proud to be your dad. You were always there to liven my day even in my darkest times. To say that I'm proud of you would be a grave understatement. You're a special kid, with a big heart, and a lively spirit. I know I wasn't the most ideal father you could have asked for and I can't come close to your grandfather, but I'm so happy for the blessing I was given."
"Dad… don't say that… you were the best thing that ever happened to me. I feel a lot more safer with you around… WHICH IS WHY I DON'T WANT YOU TO DIE ON ME!" Gosalyn tearfully exclaimed.
"Aw sweetie…"
Despite the pain, Drake leaned his head towards a sobbing Gosalyn and gave her a warm kiss on the cheek.
"It was you that inspired me to continue what I've always wanted to do… My whole life, I wanted to set an example for the next generation, and I was so dead set on that goal right from the start. And then you came along, and I finally felt that I could set that example in you… So, in a weird way, you were always my superhero. And I couldn't be anymore grateful…" Drake said.
"DAD PLEASE! STAY ALIVE FOR ME! I DON'T WHAT I'D DO WITHOUT YOU!" Gosalyn broke down.
"Heh… I've told you this plenty of times before kiddo. The same thing that daddy always does… he gets back up. No matter how dire the circumstance, no matter if you're at your lowest point, you always get back up." Drake reassured.
Gosalyn at this point was an emotional wreck, and she broke down in an ocean of tears. Drake couldn't bear to see his daughter upset, and thought of a way to calm her nerves.
"Come here sweetie. Hold my hand… I know what will make you feel better."
Gosalyn came to Drake's side and grabbed his much larger hand. Despite the remaining blood from Jim, it still felt safe and tender to touch. Despite his weak state, he was still able to sing to Gosalyn her favorite lullaby in a rather angelic voice, knowing that it was the best way to calm her down, if only temporarily.
"Rest your head little blue girl… Come paint your dreams on your pillow…"
As he sang, Drake began to reminisce about all the great memories of his life. His triumph over his bullies back in grade school, to his success as the president of the Darkwing Duck fan club, to his first interaction with Launchpad geeking out over everything Darkwing Duck related, to his newfound will to become a superhero from Launchpad, to his victory during the moonvasion, to his first interaction with Gosalyn, to his heart to heart with her after their night with the ramrod incident, and to his triumphant stand with his allies against F.O.W.L.
"I'll be near to chase away fear, so sleep now and dream 'til tomorrow…"
Drake then reminisced about the many moments of his time with the people he held so dear to him. He saw Gosalyn blowing out her birthday candles, to him slow dancing with Launchpad underneath the moonlight on the roof tower all culminating in a sweet embrace, to him on the coach watching a marathon of Darkwing with his family with popcorn at hand. As more moments popped up, Drake started to tear up in joy, knowing how great the life he led actually was.
"I'll be near to chase away fear, so sleep now and dream 'til tomorrow." Drake finished in a tearful state.
While Gosalyn was still teary-eyed, her nerves had been calmed to a stable level. She even managed to bring out a small smile, satisfying Drake.
"There there… it's gonna be ok… you'll get through this… I know you can…" Drake said whilst stopping between breaths, knowing full well of what's about to come…
Drake kept trying his best to keep his grip on Gosalyn's hand, but felt his strength depleting by the second.
"I'm… so happy… to have met you guys… I love you… so much…" Drake said in a weak and trance like state, as he said his final words before letting out one final breath.
Gosalyn, still holding Drake's larger hand, suddenly felt a sense of heaviness, as Drake lost all motion in his body. She looked at her lifeless father in panic and desperation.
"Dad… come on… wake up…" Gosalyn said while slightly pushing his body.
Launchpad cupped his hands on his hands around his bill, witnessing the horrifying sight in front of him. Not only was his true Darkwing gone, but also his life-long partner. Launchpad couldn't control his feelings anymore and started to swell up in tears and sobbed the hardest he'd ever had in his whole life.
"DAD! PLEASE! YOU GOTTA WAKE UP! DON'T LEAVE ME!" Gosalyn pleaded in a fit of tears, whilst shaking his cold body.
"DAAAAAAADDDD!"
Launchpad tried his best to calm down Gosalyn despite being as equally emotional if not worse. Gosalyn resisted Launchpad's attempts as she hugged the lifeless body of her father. She didn't care how much blood she would get on her, as long as she can stay close with her dad as long as she can.
Through they both shed a great amount of tears for their hero, they both knew deep down that there was no other alternative. With how unhinged Jim was, any other scenario would've spelled death for either of them, with the sacrifice that Drake made, they were lucky to even be alive. In Launchpad's opinion, it's what Darkwing Duck would do. He would put his life on the line for the sake of those important to him, even if that path was filled with the worst kinds of danger. And it was this mantra that was especially true for Drake. He was a true hero, worthy of the mantle as the protector of St. Canard. Even in death, his legacy would be forever remembered not just in the hearts of his loved ones, but for all the citizens he has touched emotionally. He may not have lived long enough to see it, but Drake managed to achieve his life-long dream, by not only inspiring the youth, but anyone else aspiring to be a true hero. And that in itself, is a dream worth living dangerously for.