Author's Comment: I remind readers this story was inspired by Scyphi's awesome tale, Darkwing Duck Returns. So if you notice any parallels that is me totally ripping off his fine work.
I will even cite chapter seven of Darkwing Duck Returns, the break out and the Negaduck/Megavolt interaction, as massively influential.
Disclaimer: I do not own Darkwing Duck™ or any character, location or event from that said show.
Last time on The Duck Knight Returns
- The Fearsome Five are free.
- Gosalyn is in trouble at home.
...
The Duck Knight Returns
Ch 5: The Story Of Gosalyn Waddlemeyer-Mallard
7 years ago. Mallard family household.
"Dad! I don't want you to go."
Little Gosalyn sat on her bed, feet dangling over the side and stared down at her shoes. Her voice was becoming hoarse. They'd been having this same discussion since the previous night. Drake was doing his utmost to press Gosalyn to understand it was for the best.
He wondered if his difficulty in convincing Gosalyn lay in the fact Drake was no more certain himself. He wore a cheery smile and a positive attitude. Nevertheless, leaving was every bit as heart-wrenching as Drake had imagined. For both of them.
"It won't be for long Gosalyn. Hooter said he'd help me every way he can. Launchpad is practically taking you on a vacation. To Mr McDuck's mansion! Large yard, a pool (top of the line security) - a butler! And five children you're own age with a record for mayhem even you'd struggle to top."
Reflecting on tales Launchpad had recounted of his time as McDuck's pilot Drake added, "Come to think of it, with Mcduck you may be in greater mortal peril than I am."
"I don't want a butler or new friends. I want to stay with you."
"It's not safe."
"I'm safe when I'm with you," Gosalyn protested.
"You wont be safe. Because I wont be safe." Frank talking time. Drake knelt down and attempted to look his daughter in the eye to convey his seriousness but she turned away. Ashamed of the tears forming in her eyes. "I'm going to end this Gosalyn. Hooter is going to help me find Tauras Bulba and I'm going to make sure he never bothers us again. Whatever it takes. After that, I'll never leave again."
Gosalyn would have none of it. "Everyone leaves," she declared and ran away.
...
Lunchpad threw the last of his and Goslyn's bags in the car. Spying Drake in the corner of his eye, he turned and tossed a bag of of the heroes own luggage for his solo journey. Spy gadgets, freshly pressed clothing and a few sentimental momentos Lunchpad had personally packed. A photo of Gosalyn after a hockey victory.
Drake caught it. "I don't like the idea of splitting up D.W. You'll need someone to watch your back."
"I have Grizzlikof and his agents."
"Not the same D.W. We're a team."
He was right. Aside from the fact Drake could not stand Grizzlikof, a form filing fool frozen in his thinking, Lunchpad had been by his side for EVERY adventure for going on two years. The prospect of fighting crime without the cheerful mug - jumping into the fray without him would be akin to jumping into the fight without his trusty Gas Gun and it was only now Drake realised how much it bothered him. Drake might say it will be alright. Remind Launchpad he was trouncing thugs and the cities first genuine supervillian, Megavolt, long before he accepted Lunchpad's assistance. He did not feel alright.
"We are a team, Lunchpad. Taurus Bulba wouldn't shy from using Gosalyn to get to me. I need my trusty sidekick to protect her now."
Launchpad would never shake the feeling he was abandoning his post. He did, however, wholeheartedly agree to Drake's point. Gosalyn was worth protecting. "Nowhere is more safe than Mr McD's. It's a fortress. Gizmoduck himself heads security!"
Hooter had disagreed. "Unless McDuck intends to lock Gosalyn in the money bin he cannot offer what I am offering." Perhaps Hooter could have made good on his promise to erase Gosalyn Mallard/Waddle-meyer from existence so Bulba could never find her. The issue as Drake saw it - Gosalyn, a very spirited child. Wilful, stubborn and possibly (probably) a textbook case of A.D.H.D. She had a hard time settling in new places with new faces. Her boundless energy and 'wildness' could work against her socially. Gosalyn had no close friends at the orphanage and only anti-social, bookish little Honker Muddlefoot now. Witness protection would be murderous on her.
If she had to leave her life and all her truest friend the least he could send her with a familiar face. To a home where, if Lunchpad were to be believed, the children would match Gosalyn's devilment.
...
Power shut off. Bills paid up. Valuable items in storage. Windows closed and locked. Drake entered his home for the last time for what very well could amount to a long time. He was taken aback yet overwhelmingly pleased to find a fire burning bright and warm in his living room, the curtains closed to black out the room and the final member of his ad hoc family present to bid farewell.
"Dark," her sensual pet name for him always made his heart skip a beat. The towering Morgana, Drake's lover and sometimes partner in crime fighting, stepped forward to embrace him. How she slipped by his keen sense he could only guess. Certainly magic was involved.
"You'll keep an eye on Gosalyn?"
"I know some bubbles between time and space. F.O.W.L. would be at a loss to follow us."
Drake well knew. She'd skipped dimensions before when Darkwing Duck once foiled her criminal schemes and threatened to turn her over to the authorities.
"And the city?"
"Shush with your worrying, Drake. I've told you the Justice Ducks will defend St Canard. You trust me, don't you?"
As much as an egotistical, self-absorbed, narcissistic, vain, fragile self-esteem, heroic defender of justice could.
Morgana leaned forward and let her beak brush against his. "I have much better ideas of how we should spend this time then discussing law enforcement," she whispered and kissed him passionately. Drake was able to quash his worries for a time and live in the moment.
...
"It won't be for long. Dad will track down Taurus Bulba in a few weeks to tear off his cybernetic eye. You'll see," Gosalyn asserted. Attempting to now convince Honker of all Drake had been failing to convince her. She wanted to put a positive face for her friend.
Bashful and unsure how to say goodbye, Honk lowered his eyes to the concrete sidewalk and muttered, "I'm really going to miss you, Gosalyn."
"Ready for the most awkward hug in all history?"
Honker readily nodded. The two young friends embraced. Gosalyn squeezing Honker tight. "Goodbye, Honk. You're my best friend," she said with all sincerity.
"You're my best friend too."
"Alright, alright," Goslayn pushed Honker back once she sensed the maximum time for embracing a 'just friend' had been reached. Holding each other any longer would lead to delicate existential questions. "I got a tough girl reputation I want to keep intact."
Honker stood their still as Launchpad stopped at the corner, signaled, and pulled out of Avian Way. Taking Gosalyn away. "You were my only friend," Honker muttered.
When Honker finally turned away he spotted Tankard, his thug of a sibling and long time tormentor, casually sitting on the front step of their home messing around with a baseball and glove. Honker concluded he'd been observing for some time.
Honker silently prayed for no commentary as he passed his brother, and silently steamed when Tank refused to give him even this.
"Lost your only friend, dweeb," Tank remarked. "Best player on the team. Too bad we can't exchange you."
...
Today
Gosalyn felt bad about taking advantage of Launchpad's gullibility. He tried so hard to be a good sidekick, guardian, friend and person. Sometimes Gosalyn felt unworthy of the example he set. The least she could do for L.P. was to pour forth all her effort into straightening out the kitchen. Mopping the spilled liquids, squished fruit and egg shells properly with a bucket and soapy water. Wipe every inch of bench space spotless. Unfortunate she could not do much about the burn makes she'd intentionally created. Perhaps using an arc wielder to heat the meal had been a step too far, however, Gos could rest easier assured Morgana would have a spell to repair the damage. The smashed smoke alarm with the wires hanging out also had to be taken down.
Eek and Squeak observed her work, ready to obey Launchpad's command to wake Morgana if Gosalyn slacked off. As long as she was playing ball by the law Launchpad set down they were willing to stifle their squawking. Their mistress was not a day person. She would not be pleased to be awoken. Besides, the shock of seeing her precious kitchen devastated may have induced her to cast a curse she would regret.
Between cooking an amazing breakfast and cleaning a disaster area Gosalyn had endured quite a full on day and it was only just after ten. Even a little dusting and vacuuming in other areas of the house, though Morgana would likely prefer Gos had not bothered. Gloom was the theme Morgana strove for in the living areas. Personally hanging spider webs in the ceiling corners. Gosalyn did empty a load of laundry and throw it in the drier. Morgana would never consider searching outside in the dreaded daylight for her favourite blouse if Gos hung it on the clothes line.
Taking the garbage bin out to the curb remained. The final item on her list of chores. She stood at the doorway with the trash can in her hand. Prepared for any eventuality.
"This is one small step for Gosalyn Mallard. One giant kick in the teeth to magical guidelines."
She took that step. The magic did not thwart her. Gosalyn was outside.
"Now let's see if my freedom is contingent on holding this thing," she referred to the bin. It seemed not so. Placing the trash can down and taking two steps back no invisible hand took hold to drag her back into the house. Gos assumed she was free.
"Any reason you're so focused on a trash can?"
Oh hell. She hadn't seen him there behind the hedge marking the divide between their properties. Spying on her. Now she could feel the cold tickling sensation on the back of her neck as unwanted eyes studied her. The last thing she needed was to talk to a Muddlefoot. Especially this Muddlefoot.
"Mom said you were home. I'd have thought Morgana would put up magical barriers to prevent your leaving the house. I see taking out the trash allowed you to bypass the magical rules as outlined by Morgana."
"What do you want, Honker?" Deliberately using an exasperated tone while refusing the courtesy of talking to his face.
"I wanted to see you. I've been watching out for you."
"That's creepy," Gos muttered to herself. Not at an angle to see her beak move, Honk was unaware of the comment.
"Shouldn't you be at school?" she asked. "Becoming an educated young individual. Offering to tutor some lost soul." she cited offers he'd made to her before. Casting them back. Twisting the knife.
"Gosalyn, I'm in my second year of College," not that she would know. She'd shown less and less interest in Honker since her dad disappeared. "I could skip a class or two if you're willing to go for a drink with me?"
Gos wheeled on Honk. Finally participating in the conversation. Since when does Honker 'Brainiac' Muddlefoot bunk class to spend time with her?
"You're offering to buy me a drink?"
"You still prefer Hippo-shakes?"
Gos could she Honker was delighted she had responded favourably to his suggestion. His posture perked up. She did still prefer Hippo-shakes. Did want to sit down with Honker, slurp on a giant shake and pretend they were kids? The desire to say yes gnawed at her. Her feather's prickled and not in an unpleasant way. Not everything had changed in the past six years. Only everything which mattered.
"You should have made the offer years ago." She decided she could not stick around to enlighten Honk where he went wrong. She fled.
Gosalyn was gone and Honker let her go. Times like this he wished himself athletic so he might run after her. Not that he knew what to say should he catch his unicorn. He'd caused a slip in her frosty facade only to have her flee and leave Honker in bitter tasting defeat. Slouching his shoulders and allowing the confidence he'd worked up to confront Gosalyn to fade, he re-clothed himself as the shy boy and uber-nerd like pulling on a familiar, comfortable pair of slippers.
"I won't give up on you, Gosalyn," Honk promised. However, if he were honest, he was at a loss as to what he should do. He looked at his phone. "Oh no, I'm late for physics."
…
"You are Fenton Crackshell?"
"Yes."
"So tell me. What is Neegaduck's interest in you?"
"Who said he is interested in me?"
"He did. Neegaduck."
It would be baffling to believe Negaduck would have an interest in this cowering duck were Grizzlikof not privy to Crackshell's S.H.U.S.H. file. It was incomprehensible this quivering, bafoonish, anxious wreck were one in the same with the world's hero, the mighty Gizmoduck.
"There are a lot of reasons a guy like Negaduck would be interested in me. I am Scrooge McDuck's accountant."
"And head of security."
"No, don't be silly. Not actually. I don't have, actually, any subordinates..."
"Cut crap," Grizz ordered. Softly. "We know you are GeezmoDuck. We good at learning secrets. You no good at keeping them."
Fenton sighed. Before Bulba and the unpleasantness with F.O.W.L., superheroes fighting the good fight were trusted by the authorities to have secret identities. S.H.U.S.H. had been happy to let these things lie between friends. The security threats of today dictated expanded responsibilities and authority for S.H.U.S.H. and strict policy required even friends be watched.
"Who is that you're watching," Fenton referred to the banks of monitors which Grizz seemed intrigued by.
Not a question Grizz was upset to answer. He loved to demonstrate the prowess of S.H.U.S.H. personal. "This is live feed from field surveillance operation. Targets are Muddlefoot, Herb. Muddlefoot, Binkie. Muddlefoot, Honker. Over on that bank of monitors is Muddlefoot, Tank….
"You're watching the Muddlefoots? Blathering-blatherskites man, why?
Use of the nonsensical curse caused the large briefcase Fenton lugged around to jump widely. Something inside tried to hammer its way free. Under a stern tone, Fenton ordered, "Not now!" The briefcase ended its bizarre actions.
"Neegaduck's assoociate, young woman drugged me, identified herself as Agent Moddlefoot."
"So? What? She used a fake name."
"Neegaduck did not use fake name. He used your name. Feenton Crackshell. He does not like you, I tink."
Grizzlikof tossed over an I.D. card for an Agent Fenton Crackshell. Used by Negaduck to defeat the first security ring of Rabbit Base. The photo, Fenton once knew this man's justice seeking counter-part. It was disturbing, the resemblance.
Fenton lived his life with autism. Numbers he understood. Numbers make the world make sense. Social interaction he was less skilled in. Understanding the implications others presented took time and concentration. This, at least, he managed in half the usual time.
"Negaduck knows who I am!"
"Agents - men and woman I trust - are offering you're family protective custody now. None will find them."
"Gandra!" Fenton feared for the safety of his wife, his children and his ageing momma.
"Camp David I stick them or better.. Join your family you can, or assemble your Justice Ducks. Join my taskforce."
"Do you know what Negaduck would do to me - my family – if he knew who I was?"
Grizz leaned down. Looked Fenton in the eye. "So why hasn't he?" A grim question. Answering it could give Grizzlikof the insight he needed into Negaduck's psyche.
"Sir…?" a radio Grizz had been keeping nearby crackled. One of the surveillance teams were calling for his attention. "Director Grizzlikof!"
Cameras from the team watching the Muddlefoot's place were now zooming in on two individuals conversing outside. The target of this surveillance: Muddlefoot, Honker. Also...
A teenager with fiery red hair not dissimilar from the accomplice of Negaduck. It was cut short and rough. A quick haircut maybe? Athletic build…. The green eyes, the beak - it was her!
Grizz picked up his radio to give a new order but before he did... "Gosalyn? You're spying on the Mallards now?"
Grizzlikof's order caught in his throat. His gaze snapped to Fenton. Fenton, the duck who said too much. "Eep."
A single massive paw encircled Fenton's head. Sharp claws could be felt beneath his feathers, pressing against his skin but not puncturing or causing pain. A gentle warning to do as directed. The paw's owner did direct Fenton's eye line to the bank of monitors and forced him to observe closely.
"Who is that?"
"Ah, President of the Darkwing Duck fan club?"
"Grr…." Now Fenton was face to teeth with Grizzlikof's pearly whites. He realised the bear's maw was bigger than he was.
"You have to remember her! That duckling used to follow Wingy like he was her mother. Launchpad's ward."
"I remember girl!" Grizz punched up a new image. A recording. He'd studied it often. Of the same girl using the powers of the Fearsome Five to break open Wonderland. "I not soon forget girl or what I going to do to girl."
...
Tank's flat was situated above a corner goods store/pawn shop. One of the few thriving businesses located within the region of town known as the 'Old Haunt'. Access to the flat was via a stairway in the back room of the shop. Past the pug-faced store manager and building owner, Mr Edmund. Allowing him to keep an eye on Tank's guests, their comings and their goings. Tank was to have no parties, no large gatherings of any kind and no un-paying housemates. Even should a friend crash a single night Tank was likely to be harassed the next morning. If Tank were in a relationship, inviting her to stay over on occasion was barely tolerable and only after negotiation. Violation of these rules was grounds for eviction. Gosalyn had been crashing with Tank going on three months.
From the beginning the pug watched her comings and goings. Edmund would discourage visitation by declaring Tankard was out, full well knowing Tank was upstairs. He held a low opinion for her and her a lower one of him. Not keen to allow his disgusting eyes to following her across his store, around his counter and up his stairs, Gos quickly devised alternate entry.
She needed a rope or like material. Gosalyn removed her shirt, uncaring that her silk purple bra was exposed to other filthy eyes of this neighbourhood and twirled it into a tight whip. Around a power pole conveniently close to the pawn shop and not directly visible from the store front window, she slung the whip around the pole. Holding both ends tightly. Using the shirt to jimmy up the power pole. Pushing up with her legs. Trusting the shirt to take the pull of her weight. In one smooth, graceful motion she jumped from the post on to the storefront parasol, rolled to diminish the impact, glided past the sun bathing chairs she and Tank had placed outside for such a fine day and ducked in the flat through an open window. If the pug enquired about the thud Tank would answer, "moving furniture", "exercise," or, "mind your own business".
The flat was three rooms. A bedroom, a laundry/bathroom and this one. Half dedicated as a kitchen area and half, the half which she entered, living area. Sparse with only a storage closet, TV, video game console and a couch. Beer crates for a coffee table or extra seating. Her unwashed clothing formed a mountain to break an otherwise empty plain of carpet. The bedroom in opposition was crammed until there was no carpet left. The queen sized bed which they shared slotted in wall to wall and Tank had his computer equipment for his film hobby.
Tank was in the kitchen area making leftover stew toasted sandwiches for brunch. The meal you had when you slept through breakfast. He looked up from his meal when he heard the bang of Gosalyn's entry.
"Thank you. Yes, I do enjoy the view."
Gosalyn rolled her eyes and replaced her shirt. Tank humour. It did not bother her, she knew Tank meant not a word of it. Oh, Tank was still a guy and a pig of one to be sure. Unlike most people assumed, i.e. their parents, their relationship was not a romantic one. Not even a fling. Based on mutual lack of caring, destructive tendencies and boredom was how Gosalyn framed their partnership. She had no qualms if he got a flash. Honker, she might blush if he caught a peak. Here she was strolling into Tank's living room with her shirt off and he barely looked up from his sandwich.
"I see you got away okay."
"The other side of the scrap pile was a nightmare. Twisted metal. I just waited until the cops hauled your ass away. Nice Frisbee arm, you did a number on his nose. Hearing him yelling curses in a funny voice was hilarious. Wish I'd had my camera."
"You gonna' put on your website you let a girl do all your fighting for you?"
"Yeah, well. While you were playing good cop, bad cop, I was looking after the mauled kid you risked our necks to save. I took him into the hospital. Saw to it he got his bite wounds seen to and a shot. He'll have a few scars to impress the girls when he's older. Told him if I didn't see him in school tomorrow I was going to tear his stitches out one by one with hot pliers."
"How would you know? You don't go to school."
"Some of us are better suited for higher education than others," Tank conceded, looking straight at Gosalyn as he said it.
He knew it was a touchy subject for her. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"One person in this flat is actually rather cunning," Tank remarked. "But it's the other one who still has options about what to do with her life.
"Yeah. Had all the lectures I can stand today, thanks."
"Oh, so you saw Honker?"
"Don't even go there." No disguising her irritation.
"I'll take that as a yes," smug bastard. "So, judging by your attitude little brother made another offer to help you graduate."
Gosalyn picked up her laundry mountain and closed the laundry/bathroom door behind her.
…
He had been keen to make a client's 1977 Firebird Trans Am cough up a fur ball and purr for him. This morning he'd dealt with cleaning a carburettor on a Peterbilt and replacing some flooded plugs on a local kid's Toyota which had been accelerating like a snail. Then Fenton called, asking him the service the Thunderquack for mission ready condition. Even offered to pay making this labour of love a legitimate job. The boys in the shop had ideas about sinking a V8 into an ageing Mazda RX-7 this evening. For the sake of having a spare V8. The light sprinter, an apprentice owned it, would have been top-heavy as Carmen Elecrane. Launchpad joked they'd be driving around with their tails in the air. For the crew, working on the Thunderquack proved to be much, much more fun.
"How did you make this fly? This makes no aero-dynamic sense!"
"Repulsors. I know a guy who knows a guy who built the Gizmo-suit."
"You took all the fluid out of the flamethrower, right?"
"He has a flamethrower! Can we test it?"
"Hey, Launchpad!" came a hushed voice, "The missus is here!"
Morgana. He could repeat they weren't an item until he was green with purple spots. The guys would have their laugh. Or hushed titters. They all liked Morgana. They liked her not annoyed with them.
Launchpad crawled out of the mouth of the Thunderquack. In her wake, Eek and Squeak carried the hem of her dress above the oil stained shop floor. For once her gliding mystique lay broken as her black high heels were visible.
"Have you seen Gosalyn?"
Launchpad shock his head, dumbfounded. "She isn't at home?"
"Not even Gosalyn knows a crawl space Achie could not find," Achie, Morgana's spider familiar. "She must be outside my mystical barrier. You didn't happen to say anything to her this morning?"
"I told her to clean up the terrible mess she made cooking me breakfast."
"Cooking breakfast? Doesn't sound like Gosalyn. Must have been a trap. What else did you tell her?"
"Ring Honker. Never to use my tools. Clean the kitchen…," Launchpad reviewed mentally his talk with Gosalyn that morning. There was a detail nestled in the back of his mind. "She made a big thing about being unfair to cook and clean. Otherwise I got nothing. You came here to tell me Gos is gone? You could have rung."
No. There was another matter. One which made Morgana feel uneasy. "Fenton called. The Justice Ducks are to meet at Dark's tower. You and I both are to be there."
"Oh, yeah? What's Gosalyn done now?" Bad joke Morg's scowl informed him. "Last time you said no to putting the band back together."
Morgana folded her arms. Partially irritated. Partially amused. "Clearly you haven't seen the news today. Glowing rainbow U.F.O. in the skies over California. An entire S.H.U.S.H. base, which officially doesn't exist, falling from the sky into the pacific. Naval cordon of the site."
"Aliens...?" Lunchpad ventured.
"Negaduck broke the Fearsome Five out of jail yesterday. They're in St Canard.
"Yikes!" no jokes now. "No wonder Fenton wanted the Thunderquack!"
"Negaduck was leading F.O.W.L. Eggmen."
"I thought S.H.U.S.H. finally had a handle on those bozos!" Silently, they both contemplated what it could mean is F.O.W.L. were in league with Negaduck. LP could imagine. Morg could imagine worse. Words were not needed to realise they were thinking alone the same lines. It was itched on their faces.
"Morg. If Negaduck has a hand in F.O.W.L. now, this could turn into the bad old days, Hiding from Bulba and his legion of assassins."
"No Launchpad, don't say that," Morg reached over and cupped LP's cheeks in her hand as if to comfort. "This is Negaduck. This will be much worse."
...
The file Grizz pulled on Gosalyn Waddlemeyer–Mallard was proving to be interesting study. Her parents having passed away, young Gosalyn passed into the care of her maternal grandfather. The brilliant Professor Gerald Waddlemeyer. The S.H.U.S.H. file on the good Professor was extensive enough. Waddlemeyer had a knack for turning science fiction into non-fiction. Specialising in creating inventive weaponry for the military. More versatile than making things go boom. Anyone can make things go boom. Waddlemeyer worked on devices which may have a range of applications and to make non-lethal a viable option. His most fabulous device, the Waddlemeyer Ram-Rod bought gravity to heel. Removing the effects on any given object, reversing it, increasing it, tugging and pushing on it.
The Ram-Rod! That was how Negaduck executed his fantastic, unbelievable escape from Wonderland.
He'd taken the the entire installation along for the ride leaving a massive new crater behind in the New Mexico desert. Debris from the base was still falling along the flight path from the desert to the ocean and his department was being run ragged collecting every piece belonging to the top secret storehouse. Opening a line to his secretary, to whom he was especially polite to because as of yesterday's drug induced fake heart attack she held the purse strings on his vital supply of coffee, Grizz asked for, "A complete inventory of Wonderland storehouse. And incaarceration records for Fearsome Five. Database still lists them as prisoners of Blackwing."
Grizz had to know which buried nightmares Negaduck had access to, however briefly. His destructive use of the Ram-Rod underscored this. The structure could very well have been dropped on top of a city had Negaduck desired.
Another concern plagued Grizzlikof's mind. Negaduck planned to use these weapons during his jailbreak and escape. He must have known the Ram-Rod's location ahead of time for it to be a factor in his plans. Or did his inside knowledge stem from his claim of repeating the stunt in the Negaverse?
According to the file in his hands, Professor Waddlemeyer perished due to a still unexplained accident causing Gosalyn Waddlemeyer to be orphaned a second time. With no family left to turn to, Gosalyn was left in the care of Mrs Cavanaugh's St Canard Orphanage. Grizz could read between the lines. A year after her grandfather's supposed 'accident', the Ram-Rod was stolen in transit and Gosalyn kidnapped. Both occurrences linked to criminal mastermind, Taurus Bulba, and thwarted by costumed hero Darkwing Duck.
Young Gosalyn did spend time in the company of giants. Negaduck, Waddlemeyer, Darkwing, Taurus Bulba; explained the existence of this helpful file. Grizzlikof was pleasantly surprised to find the girl already present in the database after ordering his taskforce to gather every scrap of information on the target. Kindergarten grades to criminal and financial history.
Yes. The company of giants. Taurus Bulba, a name Grizzlikof, S.H.U.S.H. and the world would not soon forget. The mechanical mon-steer F.O.W.L. resurrected from death, who supplanted F.O.W.L. leadership in what was a frighteningly effective coup. Revenge for daring to play God with his corpse. For indulging delusions they may command him and for the threat they presented to his continued existence. F.O.W.L., of course, was not in the habit of shelling out hundreds of millions of dollars for their creation to not comply with their bidding. Once the terminate order had been given on the rogue Steerminator the die was cast. Bulba had to divert attention from his true goal and respond. He did so ruthlessly. Once in command, Bulba bent his acquisition toward personal revenge.
Every pie F.O.W.L. had a finger in: shady corporate divisions, corrupt third world governments, criminal dynasties and radical political group. All the resources F.O.W.L. amassed for their global empire. Bulba sat atop Mount Olympus and cast lightning bolts at the one being he felt such hatred for it overloaded the circuits which made up half his brain. The name of this highly irritating being? Darkwing Duck.
Gosalyn lived two years of normalcy, adopted by local man, Drake Mallard, before her family life was stripped from her again. Bulba raised his new cybernetic boot to step on her dreams. Probably he wanted anyone involved with his earlier defeat and death to pay. Possibly it was due to Gosalyn being the founder and president of the Darkwing Duck Fan Club. Whichever reason, Bulba felt vengeance against her warranted. Whilst he struck at Darkwing Duck from every direction, beginning his long awaited campaign, the Mallard family too came under siege. Director Hooter personally arranged for the family to disappear...
Yes. Grizzlikof did recall the Director taking special interest in St Canard family as rooftops above streets lined with bounty hunters waiting and hoping for Duck on Ratcatcher to roar by.
The attacks on Darkwing were not physical alone. Media, political, legal, financial, emotional; anyone who supported Darkwing was in Bulba's sights. A steamroller which would flatten all evidence of Darkwing. With crushing inevitablility heroes, villians, agents and the innocent pulled under the steamroller. It would be simplistic to describe Bulba as a fanatic. In fact, the criminal mastermind dreaded his oft dangerous shutdown overloads which occured when reminded of his nemesis. He could risk no vulnerability.
Darkwing confronted Bulba. A desperate mission to halt the collateral damage. Bulba disappeared. Darkwing disappeared. F.O.W.L. imploded and S.H.U.S.H. had on their hands an unparalleled world terrorism crisis needed dealt with. Grizz knew the story. He needed to know it from Gosalyn Waddlemeyer-Mallard's perspective.
The Mallard family remained in hiding though Bulba was thought defeated. It unsettled all factions he remained unaccounted for. It was more than a year before the Mallards were allowed to resume their lives and reunite with friends. However, misfortune tore the girl's life asunder again. Fate just plain picking on her now, Drake Mallard was listed as missing during their time in protective custody. Gosalyn was almost fifteen.
Grizz was irritated the file gave no details as to the how. Sloppy report filing, did not these junior agents know this could be vital intelligence one day? Did Bulba return after all or did Drake Mallard forget the safe house location returning from purchasing groceries? Which was it?
His intercom chimed. His secretary had information for him. "Yes?"
"Sir, I am unable to access the files you requested. They are classified above my authorisation code."
"Alright. May I have a cup of coffee?"
No response. Damn it!
The bear stuck his nose back in the file. On Director Hooter's recommendation, custody was granted to Mallard's - valet? It was what the file listed him as. Launchpad McQuack. A photo was attached to the file.
Grizzlikof knew this man. He had never encountered girl previously but Grizzlikof knew this man! By his S.H.U.S.H pension, why had he not seen it before? Sidekick and pilot to Gosalyn's adoptive father, Darkwing Drake! Was it wrong to feel a deep sense of satisfaction in finally uncovering his dead rival's greatest secret? Yes. Yes, it was wrong when Gosalyn Mallard was the target of interest. The job before self-satisfaction. He needed to know if girl Negaduck's accomplice or not.
The bear rubbed his face. Would the daughter of Darkwing work with Negaduck? This revelation spun his investigation in opposing directions. He still had to factor in the Negaverse complication. It sounded preposterous. A multi-verse. Extra-dimensional travel. If Negaduck was, as stated in his file, an inter-dimensional doppelganger, why not girl? Made reference to an, "our world," she had. Said she meet Nega-Vladimir Grizzlikof! How many Negaverse counterparts running around could there be? Oy, Mother Russia, brain teaser hurting mind. He rubbed his face with his big bear paws and sighed.
The S.H.U.S.H. file had told him all it could. Perhaps recent police reports his team uncovered could shed light. Officers Bobcat and Rabbit suggested Gosalyn was a hell-raiser and a hero both. The file he held was issued yesterday he realised. Yesterday! Simultaneous to the Wonderland assault! Grizz contacted his secretary to immediately bring the officers into S.H.U.S.H. H.Q. They could stand before his desk and clarify this matter in person. If this date was an error he would thrash them. Otherwise, if correct, he may to accept he was climbing the wrong tree. Crackshell's vouch for the Gosalyn's integrity vindicated.
Oh yes, how inconvenient if his suspect whom he had ordered bought to him for interrogation had an identical imposter running around and he bagged the wrong one. He would still require Gosalyn Waddlemeyer-Mallard to come in. Put herself on record denying accusations and providing insight. The Justice Ducks could make themselves useful for a change. He would pass this task to that turkey, Crackshell.
He closed the files on Waddlemeyer-Mallard, Gosalyn. There were other facets of this investigation requiring his attention. Grizz returned his attention to the inventory of Wonderland. He entered his director's authorisation code, expecting full access. Rather, he was denied. Under the impression he had made an error he made a second attempt to access the files.
WARNING. The files you have requested are restricted. Access denied. Continued attempts have been recorded and reported. What! The Deputy Director of S.H.U.S.H. denied access on the activities surrounding an entire S.H.U.S.H. base! Reported on like an impetuous junior agent!
"I want a line to Director Hooter's office now!"
But, as he heard through the intercom, his secretary had more pressing concerns. "Sir! Agent, you cannot…. Director Grizzlikof demands all appointments be made…."
The door to Grizzlikof's office opened. "Not necessary, Director Grizzlikof." Agent Donkey and several of his subordinates entered uninvited. A serious breach of S.H.U.S.H. protocol.
"What are you doing baarging into my office?" Donkey, a former protégé of Grizzlikof. Recently developed unquenchable ambition not becoming of an agent, making no secret his desire for Grizzlikof's office. The bear suppressed the dire urge to roar his demand. Within these walls men and woman trusted with the heavy responsibility of keeping the nation safe acted civilised.
"I'm here to take over my investigation," Donkey answered innocently. "Director Hooter assigned the Negaduck case to me." Donkey's subordinates began collecting the varied files relating to the case on Grizzlikof's desk. When one reached for the file on Gosalyn, Grizzlikof gripped his wrist and began to bend in backward. Slowly applying increased pressure.
"You don't mind if I confirm this Director Hooter first, do you? Cannot be too careful."
Donkey did not mind one bit. "Director Hooter's will arriving imminently to oversee this investigation personally. He is very anxious to speak with you about how you became Negaduck's hostage in the first place. Stick around afterward, my team would like to ask you the same question."
"He did not deem to inform me he was coming!" Recently Hooter had moved to the Washington office to personally advise the politicians and railroad new laws through congress during recent dark days. The war on terror and F.O.W.L.'s violent demise.
"For security reasons only, Deputy Director. If F.O.W.L. is undergoing a resurgence under Negaduck we can't be too careful with the Director's security. Negaduck has a history of infiltrating this office."
"Not while I run it."
Donkey turned his back and exited before Grizz finished his retort. His lack of respect for a superior most definitely a defiance of S.H.U.S.H. protocol.
Grizz needed only to bear his incisor and glare to induce the junior agents to flee without the files they came for.
...