Thicker Than Water
Chapter 6
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Thud.
Thud.
Thud.
"It would be nice if you would stop that noise" snapped Magica as she was leaning over her large spell book. Beside her was a large cauldron that was spilling out purple mist and bubbling heavily.
On the other side of the open space that was known and Magica's abode sat Negaduck. In his hand was a knife that he was using to dig into the wooden table next to him repeatedly.
"Know what else would be nice?" sneered Negaduck in reply. "You tellin' me what the hell is going on here!"
Magica huffed before turning the page of her spell book. "Fine. You want to know?"
Negaduck dropped the knife on the table and scooted up closer in his chair, clasping his hands together before him. "Pretty sure I just said that I did."
Magica straightened up and glanced over at Negaduck before pointing to several syringes being held up on little tray. "I had you collect the mutant's blood, yes?"
Negaduck gave her an unimpressed look. "Yeah. But you never did tell me why."
Magica turned her gaze to the syringes. "Because his blood is an ingredient."
"Ingredient? What are you making soup or something?" he paused. "Very disgusting soup?"
"No, you fool!" growled Magica. "Magica is making potion!"
"And what kind of a potion would require the blood of dear ol' Dr. Reginald Bushroot?"
"A very dark and powerful potion" was the enchantress' foreboding reply.
Negaduck stared at her for a moment before continuing his questions, "So...Anyone else's blood needed? And why his specifically?"
Magica reached over and grabbed an empty vial next to the tray of empty syringes, studying it in her hands. Poe came down from one of his many perches near the ceiling and landed on her shoulder. "I will be needing a lot more blood before this potion is ready and complete. As for why the doctor? Because he is a mutant."
"Was. Was a mutant" Negaduck corrected her. "You cured him, remember?"
Magica shook her head. "No, I did not. He is still a mutant. His blood, even after giving him my formula, is still tainted. But is fine! I got what I needed. His blood was cleaned enough that I can use it."
Negaduck sighed and leaned back in his chair. "Look, I told you I wanted to see Darkwing Duck suffer for all he's done to me. And you said by helping you, that would happen. Well, I'm not seeing any results!"
"Patience! You will!" assured Magica.
"See, I don't buy that" answered Negaduck, finally standing from the chair from unrest. "I'm not seeing it. What I see, is you messing around with that old duck."
"Old duck? You mean Scrooge McDuck? Yes, he is my main target, what is problem?"
"What has he ever done to you?"
That got a violent reaction out of the enchantress. Negaduck would never admit it, but he flinched as she turned on him and waved her arm out aggressively. Poe took off flying from her shoulder. "He's denied me the source I need to be more powerful! Because of him, Poe is still a bird! Because of him, I have been miserable and unable to rule the world like I have always wanted to do! With your help, I will finally be able to have this happen!"
"And exactly how has McDuck been keeping you from all that?" was Negaduck's next question.
"Because he has denied me first dime Scrooge ever made. It contains the psychic vibrations of every deal, every decision, every dollar Scrooge has ever made! Once I have that dime and use it properly, I'll be so powerful! Ehehehehehehe!" cackled Magica.
Soaking this in, Negaduck crossed his arms and asked, "But why choose me to help you?"
"Because you are connected to one of my victims in spell! Darkwing!" She thought for a moment before adding. "You want to know who my victims are? Fine! Darkwing Duck, Launchpad McQuack, Dr. Bushroot, Fenton Crackshell, and of course, Scrooge McDuck!"
"Darkwing Duck and his idiot pilot are two of your victims?" scoffed the evil mallard. "I was under the impression you knew little about them."
"I don't. Which is why you are being here to help me."
"Well, we're far from 'close', toots. Besides, if you know them so little, how do you know you need them for your plans?"
"I have been planning this for YEARS, little mallard! Do you think I have not been studying?! I have been searching for perfect victims for this potion! The perfect ingredients! Besides, point is, you know weaknesses that I do not. Now, go wreak some havoc on Duckberg!"
"What for?"
"To make Gizmoduck and Darkwing squirm!"
Negaduck's eyebrows rose up. "I agree about the Darkwing part, but why the hell Gizmoduck!? You didn't say anything about him being a victim!" groused Negaduck.
"He is not, but he will be there. I know it!" yelled Magica, clearly losing her patience.
"Alright fine. But who the hell is this Fenton Crackshell?" demanded Negaduck. "He's the only one I've never heard of before."
"Scrooge's little accountant! Also Scrooge's lover boy, which is why he is PERFECT for my plans for him!" She gave Negaduck a flirtatious smirk. "He is more special than all the rest! I have something special planned for him! Ehehehe!"
"Lover boy? You're tellin' me that ol' fart has a lover?" groaned Negaduck in disgust. He shook his head then narrowed his eyes at her, the wheels in his mind turning. He eyed the bubbling cauldron with suspicion. With a growl, he said, "Alright, fine. How do you want me to cause problems for the great tin can and terror that yaps in the night?"
Magica smirked devilishly.
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In the quiet of the morning, the silent city of Duckberg were starting to rise for the day along with the sun. The stars were fading as the sky turned from soft violets to rosy reds and yellowed oranges.
Everything was peaceful until:
BOOM!
Sirens began to blare full force as the Duckberg police station, which had been housing the notorious Beagle Boys, practically came to life. Officers were shouting and panicking as they grabbed their flashlights and guns, ready to apprehend the criminals.
Big Time Beagle, Burger Beagle, and Bouncer Beagle all snickered as all the officers went in the wrong direction, having not heard the second explosion that had gone off at the same time as a decoy so they could make their escape.
Big Time glanced back once they were past the thick stone walls of the prison, "Heh, suckers!"
The three of them ran several blocks away until they felt more secure about going unseen. The three of them all looked at each other as they formed a circle. "Can we go get somethin' t'eat now? I'm starvin'!" whined Burger.
Bouncer replied first, "Ehhh, you're always hungry!"
Burger fidgeted and whimpered as Big Time pushed past him, taking in his surroundings. "What I wanna know is, who sent us that explodin' cake!?"
"Ya mean tha' delicious lookin' cake ya didn't even let me have a lick at?" wailed Burger. "I wanna know who sent it too! I wanna know if they can make me another one that I CAN eat!"
"It was ME, ya knob, and I'd rather step on a bed a nails before makin' you another cake!" came a deep snarling voice from the shadows of the buildings.
The three Beagle Boys instantly turned to the source of the voice;all of them on guard. "Who's d'ere!?" demanded Bouncer.
Negaduck stepped out from the shadows of a shoe polishing shop, his red hat still keeping his face hidden. He leaned against the wall and crossed his arms, propping one foot in front of the other.
Big Time squinted his eyes to get try to get a better look at him. "And you're supposed t'be?"
"Ooh! Oooh! I know this! I know this!" giggled Burger excitedly as he pointed at Negaduck. "It's Darkwing Duck! I just recently saw his name in da paper!"
Bouncer and Big Time turned and glared at him. "Whad'ya talkin' about, Burger!? Youse can't read!"
Bouncer scratched the back of his head. "Ehh...That can't be Darkwing Duck. If he was Darkwing Duck, why would he be springin' us from jail, huh? Isn't that like, against hero rules?"
"Alright, gentlemen" Negaduck cleared his throat. He moved from his spot against the building, now standing straight. He calmly took a few steps closer to them, pursing his lips in thought before continuing. "Before we move on any further with this little...outing I've sprung you out for...I need to make sure one thing is perfectly clear for you three..."
Big Time scoffed. "Oh, yeah? And what's that?"
"I AM NOT DARKWING DUCK AND IF YOU EVER REFER TO ME OR COMPARE ME TO THAT CAPED CLOWN EVER AGAIN I WILL BE SURE TO GOUGE YOUR EYES OUT AND FEED THEM TO THE BIRDS! IS THAT CLEAR!?"
The three Beagles flinched at his screaming and gruesome threat.
"I'm sorry! I'm sorry! Don't gouge my eyes out! It'd mean I'd never get to see another tasty piece of cake ever again!" cried out Burger in despair, biting his nails nervously.
Negaduck stared at him blankly before asking, "Is that seriously all he got out of my threat?" This question was aimed at Bouncer and Big Time, who both nodded.
"Food is never not on Burger's mind" explained Big Time.
Negaduck sighed, closing his eyes and pinching the bridge of his beak.
"Then, uh...if you're not Darkwing Duck, who are you? And why's do ya look so much like him?" came Bouncer's question.
"My name is Negaduck! And to be clear, HE looks like ME! Not the other way around! HE'S the copycat!"
"Whatever!" groused Big Time impatiently. "So, exactly why did you spring us outta jail, then, huh? Not that we're not grateful to ya."
Negaduck opened his eyes at the question. "Because I need you three to cause some trouble here in Duckberg."
"Hmm, what kinda trouble?" asked Bouncer.
"Stealing?" guessed Big Time. "Cause I'm warnin' ya, we only go for the big stuff, ya hear? My name ain't Big Time for nothin'!"
Negaduck rolled his eyes. "If I wanted to steal something, I'd do it myself."
"Then what'dya wants from us!?" demanded Big Time.
Negaduck grumbled, clearly fighting back the urge to hurt them. "I'm not from around here...I'm from St. Canard. That's MY city, you understand. But I'm helping Magica de Spell with a few things and she's asked me to get you three to cause some trouble for Darkwing Duck and Gizmoduck."
Burger's eyes went wide. "Wait a second! Darkwing is here!? I thought you said you WEREN'T Darkwing Duck!"
Big Time reached up and slapped him hard on the back of the head. "That's cause he AIN'T, Burger!" To Negaduck he asked, "So wait a minute. You're tryin' t'tell us that this Darkwing fella is here in Duckberg too? What's with you St. Canardians comin' over and messin' around in our city, huh?"
Negaduck crossed his arms. "It's not by choice, I assure you. I'm here because Darkwing is here. I want to get revenge on him and Magica is helping me see that happen. So, for the last time, would you fellas be willing to help me out or would you prefer to go back to that one roomed cell the jail has waitin' for you?"
Police sirens started getting louder and louder as police officers started getting into their cars in a desperate search for the escapees. Panicking, the three Beagle whirled around and nodded. "We'll help! We'll help!" groaned Big Time with worry evident in his voice.
Negaduck smirked evilly.
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Drake groaned as the sounds of metal clanking against metal reached his ears. He tried turning in the hanging hammock that was currently their bed, rustling up against Gosalyn beside him in the process.
Gosalyn groaned as well. "What time s'it?"
Drake rubbed at his eyes.
"It's time for DW to be gettin' up to go to work" came the cheery voice of Launchpad.
Both Gosalyn and Drake jolted at the sound of his voice, both groaning.
"What are you doing up this early, Launchpad?" whined the shorter mallard.
Launchpad was currently standing on the other side of the small shack that was his home, in what could only be known as the kitchen. The little sink surrounded by dirty dishes that he was attempting to clean. "Well, let's see how well you sleep when you're forced out of your bed."
Drake sat up, watching with amusement as Gosalyn tried burying herself back under the thin covers and pillows. To Launchpad he said, "You said you didn't mind sleeping in the chair."
Launchpad nodded. "I know what I said. But what I didn't say was that I would be able to get any sleep!"
Drake rolled his eyes at the semantics. "Listen, you can sleep while I'm at work." He gasped, his eyes going wide. "What time is it?!"
"About 7:30" was the pilot's reply. "Meanin' you have about a half hour to get to Mr. McDee's Money Bin."
Drake closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his beak. "Ugh..."
As best as he could, Drake climbed out of the hammock without disturbing Gosalyn, who was desperately trying to fall back asleep and failing. "Do we have anything left to eat?" he asked once his webbed feet were on the wooden floor.
"Toast. Not much else. I'd say cereal, but uh...we ran out of milk" was the reply Drake didn't want to hear from the pilot. Drake rubbed the back of his neck as Launchpad continued. "We're gonna have to go get some groceries later."
"Yeah, and with what money? We hardly have any left as is and God only knows when McDuck decides to grace me with a paycheck. Assuming he ever does" snapped Drake.
"Well, to be fair, today is only what, your fourth day?" shrugged Launchpad. He scrubbed at one of the frying pans. "I mean, I'd give it two weeks, at best."
"Guy has enough money to buy the whole country, but he can't supply his down and out employees a couple hundred to get by?" Drake groused.
Launchpad didn't reply, just continued washing the dishes. The next several minutes went by in silence as Drake went into the little enclosed bathroom, relieved himself and washed up, before coming out to change into a fresh shirt and vest; adding his tie last.
"Dad?"
"Yes, sweetie?"
Gosalyn finally emerged from the pile of blankets and sat up; peering at her father sleepily. "When are we going back to St. Canard?"
Drake just stared at her for a moment before replying quietly, "I don't think we're going back to St. Canard, honey." He turned away, not wanting to look at her for he knew she'd be upset.
"Why not!?" demanded Gosalyn, now fully awake.
Drake threw his arms up in the air in exasperation. "What would we be going back to? The Muddlefoots and their constant inability to understand personal space!?"
Gosalyn glared. "Honker is my friend! Plus, what about school? You're always going on about how important it is for me to go!"
"You can go to a different school!" growled Drake in frustration. "Ugh, Look, Gos, there is nothing to go back to-Nothing for us in St. Canard! Nothing! I burned our house down, remember? What am I saying, of COURSE you remember! You remind me every other hour as you remember something ELSE I burned down. Like your baseball and glove-Your comics-your traps - your autographed trophies-your clothes-your video games- There's nothing LEFT for us in St. Canard, sweetie! That's why we're here, so that daddy can try his hardest to make us money and we can start over."
"What about the Tower!? We could stay there! You said you left the Tower alone in your emotionless state! We could camp out there!" Gosalyn pointed out.
Drake looked away. "No. Gosalyn. We can't."
Scowling, Gosalyn's next question was, "What about Darkwing!? You need the Tower for Darkwing, don't you!? What are you going to do about HIM!?"
"I have to go to work" Drake said suddenly, looking at the clock.
Sensing the tension between the other two, Launchpad wiped his hands and turned off the water. The dishes could wait. "DW..."
"You're still going to be Darkwing Duck, aren't you, dad!?" demanded Gosalyn, rising up and out of the hammock.
Drake sighed. "No, Gos. I don't think I am."
"WHY NOT!?"
Drake took a step back from his infuriated daughter. "Because I have to face reality, which is I have a pre-teen daughter who needs an education-and in order for her to HAVE an education, I need to be the father I should have been all these years and properly take care of you! I need to stop thinking of being a hero and just be a father! For real this time! None of that 'reading out of the book' nonsense!I'm really going to try this time!"
Gosalyn growled in frustration. "You HAVE been an amazing dad! All this time! Even while you were Darkwing!"
Drake shook his head. "I've been selfish to think I could be a good father and Darkwing at the same time."
Crossing her arms, Gosalyn said accusingly, "There's another reason. I know there is. Tell me!"
Drake groaned loudly. "Daddy has to go to work, sweetie!"
"TOUGH!" screamed Gosalyn, causing Drake and Launchpad to flinch. "Tell me the real reason you don't want to be Darkwing anymore!"
Launchpad stepped forward, "Gos, this really isn't a good time-"
Drake interrupted him. "I did some things that I'm not proud of, Gos. Things that I'll never be able to take back. That potion-" His voice broke. His eyes sought out Launchpad's who met his gaze. Because of this, Launchpad was the only one who caught the slight gleam of a tear in the shorter mallard's eye. "Thanks to that potion, I became the very person I never wanted to be."
"So? You were under the effects of that stupid potion! That wasn't really you!" argued the duckling.
Drake lowered his eyes to the floor. "Yeah, well, excuse me for being a little unsure about that."
Gosalyn just continued to glare at him.
"Now, if you'll excuse me, some of us have jobs" said Drake before heading out the door.
Launchpad immediately took action. "DW, wait!"
Drake stopped several feet away from the house and waited for Launchpad to shut the door and step over to him. The pilot instantly took Drake into a large hug. "It's okay, DW. We know you're tryin'."
Drake sighed, having hoped that his tears hadn't been so noticeable. He should have known Launchpad would have noticed them. He was so much more attuned to Drake and what he was feeling these days. "Thanks, LP. I needed to hear that."
They pulled apart, both standing and waiting for the other to continue. "So, what ARE we going to do, DW?"
Drake shrugged. "I don't know."
"Are we just going to keep staying here? The three of us?"
"I guess" mumbled Drake. "Till we can afford a better place."
The pilot smiled at that. "That's right, DW! And I just want you to know, I'm proud of ya, and I love ya" Launchpad unconsciously leaned down and kissed Drake on top of the head. Both of them froze immediately after. Launchpad's eyes went wide as he realized what he'd just done. "I'm sorry! That just kinda came out! Was that too forward!?" squeaked a now nervous Launchpad as he stepped away. "I-I'm sorry if it was!"
Drake wordlessly shook his head, though he grabbed Launchpad's hand and gave it a small squeeze before letting it go. Knowing his face was now fully red, he said, "It's fine. Thanks again. I gotta go." Without another word, Drake turned and left down the park path towards McDuck's Money Bin.
Launchpad's shoulders sagged as he watched his paramour go.
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Drake had just barely managed to get to the Money Bin on time, surprisingly just before Scrooge McDuck and Fenton were dropped off by Duckworth. Drake had just walked through the large metal doors when he heard their conversation from the car as they stepped out.
"Come along, Fenton. We're nearly late!" he could hear Scrooge saying.
"Oh, but only nearly, Scroogey, dearest! Could be worse! We could ACTUALLY be running late!" came the chipper voice of Fenton. "Besides, you're the one who made us late! You wanted cuddle time, which I am far from opposed to! In fact, we should do it more often!"
Drake didn't hear the rest of their conversation as he felt his face go hot at the very idea of those two being affectionate to each other in any way, shape, or form. Drake was far from homophobic, especially now with his own budding feelings for Launchpad and had shown encouragement to Fenton when he had talked about dating Scrooge. However, that didn't mean Drake fully understood what the two saw in each other.
He quickly hopped into the elevator before they saw him, making sure to get into the offices before them.
Drake made quick work of getting over to his desk. He glanced at all the paperwork he had left there he day before and sighed. He was grateful for this job, but it sure was boring! He supposed it could be worse. He could have a desk job where he sat a computer all day clicking buttons in a tiny little cubicle with annoying co-workers on either side. At least this office was more open and everyone seemed fairly friendly so far.
The elevator dinged and Scrooge and Fenton came through, finally making their way up. Everyone nodded to their boss as Mr. McDuck walked by. It was then that Drake noticed that the instant they were through those doors, Fenton was no longer talking to Scrooge, nor was he clinging to him and pestering him like he's seen him do before. No, this was not Scrooge anymore. Now he was Scrooge McDuck, world's richest duck, and Fenton was his accountant, who faithfully went to his desk to get started on his job. It amazed him how their behavior changed like that.
The first half hour of the morning went fairly uneventful as Drake spoke with Mrs. Quackfaster about the new sets of files that were to be mailed from different businesses. Turned out he had to write up some e-mails explaining why he needed certain paperwork, which both Fenton and Mrs. Quackfaster helped him start with. It was shortly after however, that Fenton was called in to Mr. McDuck's office and he had yet to come back out.
Mrs. Quackfaster had just gotten back to her own desk and turned on her small radio, when everyone in the room heard the broadcaster announce anxiously: "Breaking news from your local Duckberg radio station! As of two hours ago, The Beagle Boys have managed to break free from the Duckberg Prison! The Chief of Police advises that no one panic, they already are on the look out for the criminals, who managed to escape due to an explosion that was set off from an unknown source. More at 10!"
Everyone in the room was looking at the small radio on Mrs. Quackfaster's desk with alarm. They all knew what that meant. The Beagle Boys were notorious for trying to break into Mr. McDuck's Money Bin, meaning their employer was going to be in a full blown panic.
"Oh dear!" fretted the secretary. She turned to address the office. "Now, everyone just remain calm! Just continue on with your work as though its a regular work day!" She said all this in a calm voice; or at least, she hoped. "I'm going to go and inform Mr. McDuck." She was about to get up from her desk, when her phone began ringing. Knowing Mr. McDuck preferred all phone calls to be answered, for one never knew when it would be a chance of a lifetime business deal, she picked up the phone.
Drake watched as she nervously tried to calm the person on the other end of the phone. "Don't worry, Mr. Benderbeak! Everything is going to be just fine! No, Mr. McDuck isn't available at the moment, but he'd tell you that it's still safe to invest in the stocks!" She paused as she listened. "Goodness! His Money Bin hasn't even been robbed, sir!"
Drake fiddled with some of the papers on his desk. All this was making him antsy. He couldn't seem to sit still. He didn't like the idea of such well known criminals to be out on the streets. This was something he could be dealing with as-
Drake sighed. "Don't even go there, buddy" he muttered to himself. Scrooge had asked him to protect the city as Darkwing Duck the night before, but until he heard anything more, he wasn't acting on it.
He continued to watch as Mrs. Quackfaster got more and more flustered as the phone continued to ring as more and more investors became worried. Curious to see what the fuss was about, Drake asked when the secretary had a spare moment. "Why are so many people calling all of a sudden?"
Mrs. Quackfaster sighed, adjusting her glasses. "It's the investors. This happens every time the Beagle Boys escape. They panic, you see. They know Mr. McDuck has had a history of nearly losing his fortune and investors fear that if that ever happens, they'll lose money in the stocks and bonds they have put into Mr. McDuck's businesses."
Drake titled his head in thought. "Makes sense, I guess." he looked past Fenton's empty desk and towards the door that led to Scrooge's office. "Shouldn't you inform him the Beagle Boys have escaped?"
The phone began ringing again. "Well, I would-But I have to answer the phone. Mr. McDuck doesn't like it when the phone isn't answered."
Drake nodded slowly. "You know, I could go in and tell him."
Mrs. Quackfaster didn't reply at first, answering the phone and answering the questions coming frantically from the other side of the line. Once she was off the phone, she nodded, though uncertainly. "Yes, I suppose you could do it. Though, don't be surprised if Mr. McDuck is unhappy to see you. He doesn't like surprise guests in his office for any reason."
Drake nodded with a wan smile as he stood up from his chair. "I'll handle it."
As he went up to the door, he wondered why he was bothering. It wasn't his job. Perhaps it was his need to help others-possibly part of his vigilante instincts kicking in.
Or, he thought dismissively, probably because I know Mr. McDuck will be sending me out as Darkwing regardless. Whether I like it or not.
Drake opened the door after a moment of debate on whether or not to knock. Deciding not to, he opened the door. He peered nervously around the wooden door, his eyes scanning the room. The last time he had been in the office, he had been invited in; or rather, pushed in by a peeved off Scrooge. But this time was different. He wasn't invited. He wasn't expected.
Seeing that Scrooge's desk and chair were empty and seeing neither Fenton or the rich mallard anywhere, he walked further into the office and shut the door quietly behind him.
"Mr. McDuck?" he called out.
His eyes instantly turned to the large round metallic door to the safe, which he noticed for the first time, was cracked open. Suddenly he could hear the echoing voices of Fenton and Scrooge from inside.
He couldn't help but overhear as he inched his way closer and closer to the vault.
"HAH HAH HAH HAH HAH!" came Scrooge's happy cackling.
Drake craned his neck around the large door to the vault; just barely able to see them over the railing that overlooked the piles of money. He blinked when he only saw the back of Fenton's head. Scrooge was nowhere to be seen.
Fenton was hunched over, sitting with his legs crossed in front of him, a calculator-looking machine in his lap. The accountant was muttering to himself, clearly deep in thought as he punched the numbers on the machine quickly and efficiently. It took Drake a moment longer than it should have to realize that Fenton was counting the money.
The vigilante finally allowed himself to walk fully into the vault, setting his hands on the rails as his eyes searched out of the old mallard he was looking for.
Drake was about to open his mouth to gain Fenton's attention, when suddenly, his eyes caught the shifting of some coins from the pile next to Fenton. He watched in awe as Scrooge popped out of the mound of cash, his arms open wide in happiness.
"YAHA!" cried out Scrooge, sending coins into the air and happily waiting for them to rain back down on his head. "EEEE! I love tossin' up money and lettin' it hit me on the head!"
The old miser turned his attention to Fenton, a mischievous grin on his face before he dove back into the sea of coins.
Drake's eyes went wide. "Well, what do ya know...Launchpad was right!" he muttered to himself. "He really DOES swim in his money!" Thankfully neither of the other ducks in the vault had heard him.
Drake watched as Scrooge sprang up from the coins next to Fenton, looking over the accountant's shoulder to see the numbers that were coming off the receipt paper printing from the machine.
At the sudden closeness, Fenton flinched a bit, glancing at Scrooge as he continued counting. "5,736! Oh, Hi Scroogey! 5,737!"
Scrooge said nothing, just smiled back, his eyes focusing on the numbers. Dollar signs appeared in his eyes before he cackled some more. "Ahhh! I don't know why, but today just feels like a good day!"He patted Fenton on the shoulder before he laid back onto a pile of coins, sifting them through his fingers.
Drake really hated to ruin the moment, but he knew he had to. He cleared his throat loudly.
Both Fenton and Scrooge reacted at the same time, both whipping their heads and upper bodies around to look up at Drake, who shyly waved back at them.
"Uh...Hello, Mr. McDuck..." chuckled Drake as he pulled anxiously at his tie.
Scrooge's good mood instantly melted away as his signature glare formed on his face. "Mr. Mallard! What are YOU doing here?!" Scrooge rolled over and stood up, adjusting his glasses as he placed his hands on his hips and glared up at his Data Analyst. "Where's Mrs. Quackfaster!? She knows better than t'send in just anyone without my knowledge!"
Fenton looked nervously between the two of them, as though he suddenly wasn't sure if he should continue counting or not. "Uh, Scrooge, my dearest, should I-?"
"Keep counting!" snapped Scrooge, his eyes never leaving Drake.
Fenton sighed, setting the machine down beside him as he began awkwardly swimming through the coins to get a more accurate count. "6,938!"
"Well!? I'm waiting for an answer, Mr. Mallard!" demanded the rich duck.
Drake fiddled with his tie in front of him, avoiding eye contact. He couldn't understand why he was getting so flustered. "Mrs. Quackfaster DID actually send me in! You see, she's busy talking on the phone, which is ringing off the hook."
"And why is the phone ringing off the hook?" was Scrooge's question.
Fenton popped up with a gasp from the sea of coins before calling out, "Could you two please be quiet! You're making it harder for me to count!" He didn't bother waiting for a reply, instantly diving back into the money.
Scrooge gave a look of sympathy to the accountant before turning back to glare at Drake. "Well?!"
Drake lowered his eyes, knowing his boss wouldn't like the answer. "Because the Beagle Boys have escaped from prison."
Scrooge's eyes went wide with alarm. "Pluck me tail feathers!" He clutched the sides of his head and pulled at his feathers. "Why didn't yeh say that sooner!?" Scrooge began climbing up the stairs and darted past Drake, though doubled back a moment later, tapping the side of his head until a coin came out his ear, which landed in the money bin. "There! At least Fenton's numbers will be accurate! I need t'be sure every coin is safe!"
Inside the money bin, Fenton poked his head out again, finally done counting. "Hey! Where'd everybody go!?"
Inside the office, Scrooge walked up to his desk where he hit a hidden button. Drake watched in awe as McDuck's desk lowered into the floor and was replaced by a large super computer. One that was not unlike the one he had in the Tower back in St. Canard.
Drake whistled. "Not bad, gramps."
Scrooge gave him a side glare as he pressed a few buttons on the keyboard.
"Scroogey, my sunshine! Why did you leave me!?" wailed Fenton as he climbed out of the money bin. He paused when he saw Drake standing there and the super computer up and loaded. "Oh, you're still here Drake?"
Scrooge interjected before Drake could reply. "The Beagle Boys have escaped from prison, Fenton! Just look!" he pointed to the screen, where they were now able to see news feed showing shots of the gaping hole along the side of the prison that was the cause from the blast everyone in a mile radius was able to hear earlier that morning. He suddenly looked intensely at Fenton. "Was every coin accounted for then!?"
Fenton nodded and beamed happily. "Yessir! Well, all but a nickle."
"Ah, one moment." Scrooge dug a hand into his pocket, pulling out a nickle. "Here. It was in me pocket." He tossed it to Fenton.
The accountant chuckled as he turned and threw the nickel into the vault. " There ya go! So, you think they'll be after your money, then?" asked Fenton as he stared up at the screens of the computer.
Scrooge nodded. "I'd bet my fortune on it! That's what they always go for, after all."
Drake narrowed his eyes, memories of all the times he had used his own super computer as Darkwing Duck coming to mind. Old thought patterns that were ingrained into his brain began circulating through his thoughts. "If they always come after your Money Bin, surely you're able to capture them pretty quickly then, right? Sounds simple enough."
"Oh, and I suppose you'd know all about it?" sneered the rich duck. "Have you ever been up against the Beagle Boys, laddie?"
Drake looked between Scrooge and Fenton, who were both watching him expectantly. Feeling on the spot all of a sudden, he answered tersely, "No. But I've been up against far worse than petty criminals after money! I've been up against the Fearsome Five! Criminals with super powers who try to take over the world! I've been up against F.O.W.L., the most notorious and powerful criminal organization known!" He pointed to the screen. "I can HANDLE the Beagle Boys!"
Fenton and Scrooge shared a look; Fenton's expression innocent as he stood there with his hands behind his back while Scrooge's expression was more skeptic.
Turning his gaze back to Drake, the old miser asked, "But I thought you were done bein' Darkwing. I thought you came here t'Duckberg for a fresh start? Didn't things end badly for you? Didn't you quit?"
"I did but-"
"Well, then you're no help" sighed Scrooge.
"Hey! I never said I wouldn't help!" argued Drake.
Scrooge sighed, looking away; uninterested. "But clearly yeh don't want to. I won't force yeh."
Drake scowled and poked a finger into Scrooge's chest. "Listen here, Mister-!" He paused in what was the beginning of an angry rant when he remembered just exactly who he was speaking to and who he was poking at. Scrooge's glare deepened, the shorter duck's eyes turning colder as though he was silently daring him to continue. "M-Mister-Mister McDuck!" He took a step. "Heh heh! Look here, Mr. McDuck, I know what you're trying to do! You're trying to do that reverse psychology stuff! Well I'm not falling for it! I'll go up against these Beagle Boys and keep them from getting your money! AND! I'll even accept Gizmoduck's help! So there!" Drake crossed his arms, satisfied.
Scrooge sniffed and adjusted his glasses. "Well then, since your mind seems t'be made up, I suggest you go get ready. You and Gizmoduck will begin scanning the city for the Beagle Boys in an hour."
Drake paused and opened his eyes, his mouth opening and closing several times as he realized what had just happened.
With a large grin, Fenton said, "We can meet up outside the Money Bin once we're ready and make plans for how we want to go about searching for the Beagle Boys!"
Drake groaned. "I'm just gonna...go now..." he muttered.
Scrooge and Fenton watched him leave and once the door was shut, Fenton asked, "So, were you really using that reverse psychology stuff on him?"
Scrooge smirked. "No. I was simply rufflin' his tail feathers. He certainly is easy t'mess with. Either way, we convinced him to help us."
Fenton laughed. "You're devious, Scroogey, my paramour!" He wrapped the smaller duck into a warm side hug.
The smirk faded from Scrooge's face as he felt the slight tremors that still seemed to be wracking through Fenton's hands and now his arms. "Fenton?"
"Hmmm?" Fenton laid the side of his face against the top of Scrooge's head affectionately.
"Please be careful" was the whispered reply.
"I always am!" replied Fenton. Noting Scrooge's worry, he pulled back looked at him at arm's length. "Is something the matter? Something I don't know?"
Scrooge stared back up at his boyfriend with wide, almost scared eyes before answering, "No, laddie. Nothing's wrong...Just an ol' man and his thoughts."
Giving Scrooge a quick peck on the cheek, Fenton left, proclaiming, "Don't you worry, Scrooge! You're money is safe with Gizmoduck on the job!"
Mr. McDuck sighed, suddenly feeling more worried than ever.
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"Wait a minute!" came Gosalyn's voice from inside their little home at the edge of the park. "This morning you told me you weren't going to be Darkwing and now suddenly you are!?"
Drake ground his teeth together in frustration. "Daddy doesn't have time to explain, sweetie!" He quickly finished buttoning his purple jacket, having already put his teal turtle neck on.
Gosalyn picked up his hat which was on a chair. "So, you didn't bother to save either of us some spare clothes, yet you saved your Darkwing Duck outfit from the fires?"
Drake tied his vigilante mask on his face, making sure it was tightened securely, finishing off his outfit. "I guess that was a high priority of mine at the time" he muttered. "What else is new?"
Launchpad had been standing there quietly in the sidelines, watching the two of them converse; the memory of that morning still fresh in his mind. Drake's blank stare after his proclamation of love still stained his memory.
"So you're going to be working with Gizmoduck?" was Gosalyn's next question.
"Unfortunately."
"He's not that bad, dad" shrugged the duckling. "I don't know why you don't like him."
Drake, now Darkwing, rolled his eyes. "He's full of himself!"
"YOU'RE full of yourself!" Gosalyn dared to say.
Darkwing glared at her. He mockingly repeated her comment. "You're full of yourself." Clearing this throat, Darkwing added in his usual voice, "Alright, I have to quickly go and meet up with the tin can."
"Be safe, dad. Try not to kill each other" teased Gosalyn.
Darkwing chuckled. "Please. Nothing is too great for Darkwing Duck!" He went to turn around and ended up running into the table, the wooden object ramming into his stomach. "OOF! Owww."
Now embarrassed and cowed, Darkwing left without another word.
Gosalyn shook her head as she watched her father go, turning her attention to Launchpad, who was staring off into space with a depressed expression on his face. "What's wrong with you?"
Launchpad looked away. "I uh...May or may not have confessed to DW that I loved him this morning. And now things are all awkward..."
"So? What's the big deal?" she paused and when she saw that Launchpad wasn't going to answer, she asked, "What? Didn't he say it back?"
"Of COURSE he didn't say it back, Gos!" cried out Launchpad in despair and self pity.
The young duckling took a step back from her friend's outburst, her eyes wide in surprise.
Launchpad took a moment to calm himself. "Gos, look, I know you keep sayin' that Magica lady showed you all that happened while you were gone, but she just glossed over the details from what you told us. You don't know all that happened. DW and Morgana never actually broke up."
Gosalyn blinked. "Well, yeah, I kinda got that much, but they're still not together, which means you and him can-" She stopped mid sentence when she saw Launchpad shaking his head vigorously.
"See, that's the thing, Gos. They're not together, sure, but that was not a decision either of them made. They were practically forced to break up. When we thought you died, Morgana was just as devastated as your dad, maybe even more so, cause at the time, she thought she'd killed you by accident. And that led both of them to just assume they were history as a couple. But now that we know you aren't dead, where does that really leave them?"
Gosalyn soaked all of this information in, contemplating what it all meant. "So, what you're saying, is that the two of them have never officially broken up. They never got that...mushy stuff that couples need to end things, right?"
Launchpad thought about it for a second. "Ya mean closure?"
Gosalyn nodded and pointed at him. "Yeah! That! They never got closure!" Gosalyn quickly frowned as she voiced her next question. "But wait a minute, they've talked to each other since then. A couple times now, actually."
Launchpad nodded. "Yeah, but they weren't talkin' about the things they need to talk about. When they have seen each other, they've been talkin' about everything that's been going on with Magica and that potion"
Gosalyn crossed her arms, knowing her friend had a point. She glanced around at the small little shack that was currently their home. "Well, just give dad some times, I guess."
Launchpad's shoulder sagged once more. "But Gos, I feel terrible about all this."
"Why?"
"Because I'm madly in love with a guy who's not even fully over his ex-girlfriend, that's why! And while he's still sortin' all that out, I'm over here tellin' him I love him and he just stares back up at me! He doesn't even know how to reply!" explained the pilot.
Gosalyn patted her friend on the arm sympathetically. "Don't worry, Launchpad. If there's two things I know about my dad, it's that he's stubborn as a mule and he's almost always emotionally constipated when it comes to his romantic feelings. He's never been good at expressing himself romantically. He gets flustered and nervous and makes an idiot out of himself. You've seen how's he's always acted around Morgana. Now he's got you saying you love him; knowing dad, he probably doesn't even believe you." Gosalyn's eyes narrowed. "He probably has it in his head you're just saying these things to make him feel better."
"Come on, Gos. Let's go for a walk. It's a nice sunny day" suggested the pilot. Gosalyn patted her friend on the arm and followed him.
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"This is a waste of time!" groused Darkwing.
"What is a waste of time?" asked Gizmoduck as he used binoculars from his helmet to overlook the city.
The two heroes were currently standing on top of the Duckberg Public Bank, which was in the center of the town. They had a bird's eye view of everything within several blocks, not to mention a good view of Scrooge's Money Bin. As Gizmoduck was looking around for anything suspicious, Darkwing paced back and forth.
"This!" he exclaimed, throwing his arms up. ""It's like looking for a needle in a haystack!"
"Then what do you suggest we do, Wingy? Isn't this the same thing you would have done in St. Canard?" Before Darkwing could reply, Gizmoduck cried out, "HEY!"
Excited that they may have found the Beagle Boys, Darkwing ran over to the mechanical marvel and looked out over the city with him. "What? What!? Did you find them!?"
"No, but that guy just jay walked! Boy, if I wasn't already in the middle of a case, I'd be busting him!"
Darkwing slumped forward, using Gizmoduck's arm to support him. "Uh, Gizmo? Do you think there's a chance we could FOCUS!?"
"I AM focusing!" argued Gizmoduck.
Silence settled between the two of them as they continued to look around for any clues.
It was Gizmoduck that broke the silence. "Why don't you like me, Wingy?"
Darkwing, who had been staring at a couple walking down the street after having gotten ice cream, turned to him. "Hmm? What?"
"You've never liked me. Ever since we've met. Why?"
"Pfft. As though I need to grace that with an answer. How could I NOT hate you? Ever since I met you you've been hogging all my glory after I've done all the work to catch bad guys! You swoop down into MY city and act as though you own the place, taking what very little limelight I've managed to get throughout the years!"
"I don't do that on purpose, you know! It comes with the territory!" defended Gizmoduck.
Darkwing made a mocking sound in the back of his throat before saying, "Yeah, well, you sure act like you do!" There was a long pause in which the masked vigilante suddenly remember that the same guy who drove him up a wall and wore a metal suit; calling himself a hero, was also the same guy who had stuck up for him on his first day at his new job. Taking in a deep breath, Darkwing said, "I will say though, since I've moved here to Duckberg, there's one guy who's I've realized is a pretty swell guy."
"Oh? And who's that?" asked Gizmoduck, true curiosity in his voice. He did a double take in his scanning of the city. "Oh, false alarm. Just a hot dog vendor."
Ignoring his comment about the vendor, Darkwing continued. "Fenton Crackshell. I hear he's been helping out his new co-worker; sticking up for him and all that. That was really nice of him. He didn't have to but he did." Keeping in mind that they both had secret identities to keep secret, he added, "Or so I've heard. I haven't met the guy myself. But...he seems pretty a-okay."
"You don't say" replied Gizmoduck quietly.
"Ever met him?"
Gizmoduck nodded, his eyes still looking through the binoculars. "Once or twice."
There was a long pause in which neither of them said anything.
Then, Gizmoduck said very softly. "You're welcome."
Darkwing nervously scratched the back of his neck and looked away. It was then that his eyes caught three individuals wearing red. "Is the bright sun messing with me or am seeing three guys walking around in red sweatshirts and black masks?"
Gizmoduck immediately turned his wheel so he could make his way over to where Darkwing was standing. Using the binoculars, he took a look for himself.
"Why, if it isn't Big Time, Bouncer, and Burger Beagle!" he exclaimed. "Good job, Wingy! Let's go and get them!"
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"I'm STARVIN'!" came the wailing cry of Burger as the three of them made their way down the street. "When are we gonna meet up with Gizmoduck and that Darkwing guy?"
"Can it, Burger! We don't wants them to know we WANT them to follows us!" hissed Big Time.
A large cloud of purple smoke suddenly began to form in front of the three Beagles, making them stop in their tracks.
"I am the terror, that FLAPS in the night! I am the sunlight that tries to blind you! I am DARKWING DUCK!" announced the vigilante, holding his cape up high behind him.
Beside him stood Gizmoduck. "And never fear, citizens, GIZMODUCK is here!"
Several shoppers along the street gasped in panic and began running away from the scene; not wanting to be involved.
Big Time crossed his arms. "Oh, so YOU'RE Darkwing Duck! You know, I's heard of you."
Darkwing blinked. "R-Really?" He shook his head. "I mean-Of course you have!"
Big Time nodded. "Yeah. I's heard your the big screw up from St. Canard. Went berserk from what I heard. Off his rocker!" he goaded.
Darkwing's face went red with rage and embarrassment from the insult. "I-Why I-" He couldn't even bring himself to form words.
Seeing Darkwing struggle, Gizmoduck stepped in. Pointing a hand at the three criminals, he said, "Never mind all that, boys! You know who I am and you know I'm not one to be messed with!"
Snickering, Big Time, Burger, and Bouncer all shared a devious look before Big Time exclaimed, "Hey, look! A jay walker!"
Gizmoduck instantly whirled around to see what he was pointing at. "AGAIN!? Of course, the one day I'm not out looking for them-"
"Forget about the jay walkers! They're getting away!" yelled Darkwing, who then darted after the three Beagle Boys who had taken off.
The two heroes chased the three criminals a couple blocks before the brothers turned and ran inside an old theater.
"Stop evil doers!" called out Gizmoduck.
"Come and get us!" taunted the voice of Bouncer.
Bursting through the doors to the house of the theater, Gizmoduck and Darkwing paused in their pursuit, seeing Bouncer, Burger, and Big Time scramble up to the stage.
"This is the old L'Orange Theater!" noted Gizmoduck. "This place has been closed for years! Last summer they started to do renovations to it though!"
Darkwing took in his surroundings but his main focus stayed on the Beagle Boys. "Never mind that now! We have to catch them!"
Darkwing took off through the house, passing and jumping over broken seats. He cried out in alarm when some pigeons flew out from a pile of rubble. "This is ridiculous! You'd think in a town where the world's richest duck resided, there wouldn't be buildings practically falling apart! He's got money! He could use it!"
Gizmoduck used his propellers to get over the chairs and rubble quicker. "This place went out of business for a reason, Wingy! I'm sure Mr. McDuck hasn't taken interest in it because he knows it can't be salvaged!"
"Then he can turn it into something else! Rebuild it!" argued Darkwing. He was about to climb up on the stage, when Big Time's voice rang in their ears from up above.
"Oh! So is that what yer tryin' t'do, Darkwing? Rebuild your image? Hahaha! By what I's heard, you've got a LOT of work to do!" taunted Big Time from up in cat walks that still remained in tact. A large gaping whole in the ceiling made the bright sunlight blind both heroes for a moment.
Darkwing growled. "Stop acting as though you know me, you fiend!" Darkwing pulled out his hook shot and aimed it up near where Big Time was now standing. He shot it, shooting out the hook which wrapped around a steady looking beam. With a click, Darkwing went zooming up with the gun.
Gizmoduck was about to follow when he heard two chuckles behind him. Whirling around, the mechanical hero saw Bouncer and Burger in the background. "Hey, big guy! Why don't ya try us on for size!" guffawed Bouncer. The two brothers then took off towards the backstage area.
"Halt evil doers!" called out Gizmoduck, taking off after them.
Meanwhile, Darkwing pulled himself up to the catwalks, looking around the broken lamps and stage lights. He was careful not to step on any remaining broken glass. Big Time had taken off the moment he had seen Darkwing come after him.
"Come on out, you big coward! You're all talk! No match for the cunning and crafty Darkwing Duck!" goaded Darkwing as he slowly made his way around the catwalks and up near the roof of the building.
"'Cunning' and 'crafty', huh?" sounded Big Time's voice from several yards away. "Boy, the guy in the yellow jacket sure was right. You really ARE full of yourself!"
Darkwing stopped dead in his tracks, his eyes wide. "G-Guy in a yellow jacket!? What are you talking about?!" He chased Big Time into a room that was obviously once part of the upper back staging area. It was where all the rigging to the line sets and backdrops were once used. Most of the ropes now looked frayed and worn from over use and time.
Big Time stopped, panting slightly from all his ranting and running. "Hmm...What did he call himself again?" The shorter Beagle feigned deep thought. "Somethin'-duck."
Lowering his gas gun, Darkwing took another step forward, saying, "Negaduck?"
Big Time mockingly smiled in surprise. "Yeah! That was his name! He came to us early t'is mornin'. He was kind enough t'get us outta jail. Of course, we Beagle Boys don't do anything fer free. He told us that if we followed his orders, he'd be sure we got Scrooge McDuck's fortune once him and Magica de Spell were done with some big plan." He shrugged, his arms stretching out as he gestured to their surroundings. "Who were we to say no t'that? Seein' as how we's was in jail and all."
Anger boiled under Darkwing's feathers. "You're working for Negaduck? And he's working for Magica?"
Big Time shrugged again. "Don't know. Don't cares. All I know is that I have a job to do."
"Oh? And what's that?"
"Oh, but come ON! You're the cunning and mighty Darwking! Isn't that what ya just called yourself?!" laughed Big Time. "So, lemme get this straight. You, a lanky, weak lookin' duck dressed in a mask and cape is supposed t'scare me!?" guffawed Big Time in mockery. Darkwing growled lowly in his throat. "Or are the rumors I've been hearin' about yous lately, true?"
"What rumors?" spat out the masked vigilante.
"Oh, you know, the rumors about how you're a loose cannon. A real nut case. That yeh've lost your mind and that you're not even a real hero! You just go around actin' all self righteous when it reality, its YOU who should be locked up!"
Darkwing blinked. "What are you talking about?!"
"Don't pretend the world doesn't know about what you did back in St. Canard." Big Time continued. He leaned forward with a nasty smirk. "What you did to that police officer."
A shiver ran down Darkwing's spine as his whole body tensed.
"And before that, you went and threw a fit at some police academy benefit. Screamed in their faces and made a mockery of them!"
Darkwing closed his eyes. "I wasn't myself when any of that happened!" He defended. "I was...under a spell. I had taken a potion that made me act like that! It had taken away my emotions! That wasn't actually me!"
Big Time nodded sagely. "Yeah...Negaduck told me you'd say that."
Darkwing grunted in alarm, his hands shaking as he tried to keep a good grip on his gas gun. "What's that supposed to mean!?"
"Alright, Gizmo Buddy! I got the other two Beagles! Darkwing!? Darkwing!? Where are you!?" came Gizmoduck's voice from below. Faintly the two of them could hear the muffled shouts of protest from Bouncer and Burger.
Darkwing looked down at the floor, where he knew Gizmoduck was a floor below, but Big Time grabbed his attention back by answering his question.
"I don't buy it. You knew perfectly well what you was doing that night. That whole time you were under the effects of that potion? It didn't make you do anything you didn't already want to do, deep down. That potion only made it easier for ya. It didn't take away your emotions; it took away your morality!"
"You're lying! You weren't there!" screamed Darkwing. "It only took away my emotions! By doing that it made me into someone else!"
Big Time shook his head. "See, I don't believe that! Yeh've always wanted to act out! Go against the law! That's why yeh do what yeh do! You go against the law every day bein' a 'super hero'! You convince yourself you're saving everyone from people like me and my brothers, but you're really not! You're doing it because you think you're above the law!"
"Shut up!"
Big Time, seeing how worked up Darkwing was getting, took a few steps back. "You're doing it now. You're not thinkin' about puttin' me in cuffs and takin' me to the police. Yeh wanna hurt me. I can see the way your fingers are twitchin'!"
Darkwing grunted in frustration as he nearly dropped his gas gun; his fingers really were twitching.
"You ain't a hero! You're a whack job! You're no better than me!" jeered Big Time. His voice suddenly became slightly unsteady, his smirk fading as he watched Darkwing get more and more pissed off. "Admit it! You're a monster waitin' to be released! You're gonna come after us all and be the worst part of yourself! Because that's who you are! After years of humiliation and never bein' appreciated, you want to get your revenge! Hurt those who have never believed in you!" He sighed, looking up Darkwing up and down. "Hmm...Yeh know somethin'? Maybe not. Maybe you just really are that pathetic of a hero."
It happened so fast Big Time didn't even have a chance to react. Before Big Time knew it, he'd landed hard on his back, slamming his head into the wall. Darkwing was on top of him, his hands tightly wrapped around the Beagle's thick neck; his gas gun lying forgotten on the floor.
"I told you to shut up! You know nothing about me! You ARE nothing! You and I have never even met and here you are assuming you know me better than I know myself!" screamed Darkwing into Big Time's face. "You don't know what I've been through! Years of humiliation and being treated like I'm a nobody and when I finally DO get attention, its the wrong kind! They all just make fun of me even more! All I'm trying to do is protect the innocent and the world has to go and turn on me!"
Big Time was too busy choking for breath, clawing at the floor boards as he tried to desperately to keep breathing.
"No one understands all that I've given up for them! I've dedicated my whole life to save everyone-Nearly lost my daughter that night-Even my best friend! The two tiny rays of light I seem to have in my life and I'm sick of being treated like this!"
Big Time gasped and choked as Darkwing's grip tightened around his throat.
Darwking just continued to sneer down at him with contempt; every single one of Big Time's jibes digging into his skin like needles. He was sick of it. So sick of it! People were doubting him left and right even after all that he had done and sacrificed as a vigilante. All of his anger and hatred spilled out into this one action.
Just barely able to breathe, Big Time managed to say, "See? This-Just proves-What a monster you-really are! Kill me! It'll only-prove how dark and twisted-you really are-on the inside!"
Darkwing's arms went slack at his words, his hands loosening. Big Time took this advantage to gulp in large breaths of air greedily as he squirmed.
"Darkwing?" came Gizmoduck's booming voice from the entrance of the room.
Darkwing stood up and stepped away from the Beagle Boy, his eyes staring at Big Time in horror at what he had almost done. He's nearly choked a man to death. In cold blood. Shaking, Darkwing curled in on himself. He felt numb. He felt as though he couldn't control his own body anymore. His hands shook so horribly.
Was Big Time right? Had he truly been enjoying that satisfying feeling of finally taking down someone who had managed to anger him so much? To finally make someone else feel all the pain that was inside of him?
Had he truly enjoyed it?
The word 'yes' entered his mind at the same time Gizmoduck said again, only louder, "Darkwing? Is everything alright?"
Big Time just stayed where he was on the floor, still trying to gain his breath as he rubbed his now raw throat; too weak and dazed to bother escaping. Though he did gasp out, "That nut job- nearly killed me just now! Almost-strangled me - t'death!"
"What!?" gasped Gizmoduck. "Such lies! Darkwing would never strangle a person to death! Not even a criminal!" The mechanical hero turned to the caped vigilante. "Isn't that right, Wingy! Uh...Wingy?"
Darkwing didn't answer, his back facing the other hero.
With concern, Gizmoduck wheeled himself closer to Darkwing; Bouncer and Burger tied up behind him, yet just as he was about to get any closer a large puff of purple smoke filled the room as Darkwing threw down one of his own smoke bombs.
The Beagle Boys and Gizmoduck coughed through the smoke and when it finally disappeared, Darkwing Duck was no where to be seen.
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Along the Duckberg's bay was anchored the military navy base, which was currently surrounded by crewmen who were suspended along the sides of the vessel, working on repairing and reinforcing the sides of the base. Shipments were being hauled in and out of the main port as the navy was restocked for their next ventures out at sea.
In the midst of it all, Donald Duck walked down the peer, wearing his usual sailor's uniform and eyeing everything that was going on around him with an unnatural air of disdain. Several crew members greeted him, but the greetings went ignored.
Donald walked straight up the ramp that led to the main deck of the ship. He saluted one of the officers wordlessly before entering the offices. Inside was a table with a pile of papers and a metal detector that was used for security reasons.
"Seaman Duck!" greeted the officer on the other side of the door. "As is standard procedure, would you please state your name and status upon this vessel?"
Donald gave a side glare at the officer, noting that he was the only officer in the small room.
Seeing that he wasn't getting a response, the officer asked again with more suspicion. "Seaman Duck?! Are you alright?"
Donald pulled out a small device from his pocket and shoved it into the man's chest. The canine officer barely had a chance to cry in pain before he fell unconscious from the electrical currents now running through his body. Watching the officer fall to the ground with a thump, Donald calmly put the taser back into his pocket with a grimace.
"I'm not Donald Duck, you knob" came the sneering voice of Negaduck from Donald's lips. "Now if you'll excuse me, I've got work to do..." He walked further into the naval ship with a devious grin on his face.
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Please review and let me know what you think! -EricaX
