Disclaimer: I do not own Darkwing Duck™ or any character, location or event from that said show.
Last time on The Duck Knight Returns
- Grizzlikof seeks to uncover the mysteries surrounding Wonderland
- Gosalyn makes plans with Honker.
- He's Back!
The Duck Knight Returns
Ch 9: Doppleganger
"Welcome to tonight's edition of Canard Copy: Nightline. A Special Report. I'm Spike Angle."
"An anxious atmosphere has settled over city. The Fearsome Five remain at large but have yet to make their move. Law enforcement, despite being starved of solid leads, remain convinced Negaduck is within the city. As is his objective, whatever it may be. The citizens of St Canard are a resilient people. Costumed foolery, organised crime, freaks of nature and masked avengers; the population has endured every storm. When often unwanted protector, Darkwing Duck, was swept away St Canard remained strong.
It has been some time, however, since waves have broken against the city. Storm clouds gather but have yet to make landfall. Canard Copy has taken the pulse of the city, talking to city officials, retailers, and you. The stalwart people of St Canard. One common concern haunts those we interviewed across the board. Negaduck's uncharacteristic silence has citizens convinced whatever his plan may be, it's destructive potential will surpass all previous efforts to bring St Canard under his heel."
A St Canard Mother: "I'm frightened for my family. St Canard was already a dangerous place but now…. My husband and I are talking about moving or maybe just sending the children away. I mean, the last time Darkwing Duck was loose he transformed into a super-powered titan and trashed the walls of Blackwing prison."
Roving Reporter: "I believe you mean Negaduck."
Mother: "No. The guy who drove a tank through the museum. Tried to assassinate a little girl shooting arrows. Arrow Kid."
Roving Reporter: "I do believe that was Negaduck."
Mother: "Crippled the police, SHUSH, the National Guard and cut St Canard off from the outside world with an impenetrable force field to be held at his mercy?"
Roving Reporter: "Also, Negaduck."
Mother: "Well…. I'm not fond of him either."
"Still, there is hope. GizmoDuck has assembled the famed Justice Ducks and vowed to thwart Negaduck once again. Meanwhile, SHUSH has taken the lead in flushing the Fearsome Five gang. Deputy Director Grizzlikof has been cautious in statements to the media warning the task of putting Negaduck behind bars will not be achieved overnight and citing he had successfully remained hidden for almost a decade. Nevertheless, he declared the successful dismantling of the Fiendish Organisation for World Laceny, FOWL, and several years free of a super-villain attacks are proof the strengthened security powers of the Partridge Act, spearheaded by Director James Hooter, have worked and will be effective now."
…
"What the fuck are you wearing?"
"Ah…. A Darkwing Duck costume."
"Why?"
Let's be clear. She did not need to tell Tank. The Darkwing connection, in fact, remained the one aspect of her life she hid from him. Not much else between them was a secret. They slept in the same bed. Tank knew Gosalyn and Honker had formed their own Darkwing Duck worshiping club and that strange happenings related to the vigilante were common in their neighbourhood. He knew Taurus Bulba was hot for the Mallards. He knew Morgana was a little off. He knew these pieces of information yet, Lord help him, Tank was not Honker. Not once had he indicated he knew Darkwing Duck and Drake Mallard were one in the same and it seemed unlikely he would make the connection between St Canard's newest heroine and Gosalyn now. With his working nights he would never have caught her sneaking out to perform heroic deeds. There was going to be no dramatic shift in her routine for him to question. She already stayed out all night, slept all morning and regularly came home with battle scars.
She did need to tell him. Hiding details like being a witch or a genie or a costumed hero from those closest to you only worked in sitcoms and not very well besides. It was not fair to Tank. She could not very well make enemies of the most powerful, dangerous crime lords in the city and continue to sleep in Tank's bed without providing a heads up certain criminal elements may want to do worse than place a dead horse head next to her while they slept. She did need to tell Tank because keeping this from the sole confidant she had left in the world would drive her mentally insane. Wanting to scream all the time, "I'm Darkwing!"
"Tank. I've been thinking tonight about the state of the city and the state of my life. I decided it was time to clean up both."
"You're going back to high school?"
"No Tank. You're missing the point."
Gosalyn took his hand and led him from the doorway, removing the key and closing the door behind him. Tank she sat on the couch and curled up beside him. Apprehensive about her next words.
"My dad was Darkwing Duck.'
Tank rubbed his face. "Okay."
"Terror that flaps. He went out every night and arrested super villains. Sometimes SHUSH would recruit him for top secret missions."
"Yeah, I get it."
"You get it? All you have to say. You get it?"
Tank did not want to put up with this shit this morning. "It makes sense," his voice rose with his frustration. "Look. Another time I might yell, "no way!" Be all emo. I just returned from a ten hour night shift dealing with drunken perverts. I don't care."
Bubba emerged from the bedroom wearing only his jeans, "(cough) Hey," and entered the bathroom.
"Uh! I told you if you bring a guy home use the couch! Or don't. I told you don't bring a guy here."
"He was just here to sew the costume for me. He slept on the floor. I'm trying to tell you I know what to do with my life! I'm going to become a superhero!"
"Fine! Go get your head blown off. I'll speak at your funeral. Her lies Gosalyn Darkwing. Bitch brought a guy home to my bed and did it in a Darkwing Duck costume."
Gosalyn uncurled and stormed into the bedroom. "You're an ass!" she slammed the door.
Tank allowed his head to roll back on the couch and remained prone until Bubba emerged from the bathroom. His glare followed the unknown male as he made his way across the room and turned the knob on the bed room door.
It failed to open. Gosalyn must have locked it from the inside.
"Hey!" Tank yelled from the couch. "I want to use that bed! Geez…." The perfect end to a perfect day. "Who the hell are you?" he demanded pointedly of Bubba.
...
Tank was such a jerk! She could not be in the same room as him! How dense was the guy? His best friend just admitted to being a super hero! Some form of astonishment would not have been out of place. Concern for her welfare?
Why the hell was she even mad? She'd be lucky if Launchpad and Morgana were half as disinterested!
It was because Tank was a brick wall, Gosalyn decided. Not moved at all by her revelation. She'd been completely unable to convince him of her convictions. If Tank were a brick wall her guardians, her loving family, were sure to be immovable as Scrooge McDuck's purse strings. And Honker….
What am I going tell Honker? The unbidden thought entered her thinking. I have to think of something to say. I have a date with him tonight!
He's going to ask me to stop.
He cares enough to ask me to stop (unlike some Muddlefoots).
I want this to go right.
Honker knew her. He would know she was staging no put-on. And, length of time dependent on how crazy the scheme, he usually came around to her point of view.
He never caved on one issue. He never could accept she had no place in school even as she was barred from each one by one. Exiled from sport for overtly aggressive play or poor academic achievement killed her interest in higher education. Whats so grand about finishing high school and going to college these days? You only rack up a massive student debt and wind up flipping burgers because you're 'overqualified'.
Honk was still going to try. Use his superior intellect to list every reason why becoming Darkwing was a horrid idea and why she should be in a classroom. Again offer his services in the name of friendship to tutor her until graduation. They would bicker. He would be blind to how unintentionally patronising he sounded. Gosalyn feared how this night may end, that she would again have to push him away and keep him at arms length. Just as she had for years now.
She could never endure his pity. Gosalyn was far too prideful for that. Not from sweet Honker whom she really cared for.
Nothing for it. Her course was set. Gos needed Honker's help. It was what she wanted.
For the sake of St Canard, she would do this alone if she had to.
Gosalyn kicked off her boots and crawled under the covers, still in Darkwing uniform. Her problems would seem so much smaller in the morning/late-afternoon.
One other thought gave Gosalyn butterflies.
Is this a date? Did I ask Honker on a date?
…
It felt like she had barely closed her eyes when she received a rude awakening. Tank was yelling – abruptly cut off. The bedroom door trembled and flew open. A locked door was nothing to a witch.
"Gosalyn, honey. We need to talk."
She looked to have had as long a night as Gosalyn. Morgana winced, unaccustomed to morning sunlight, and caused the blinds to close with a flick of magic. Her hair let down. Experience lines showing through her make-up. Her always formal attire ruffled but still buttoned around the collar. Gos pulled the warm covers up to her neck, deprived of the warm glow. Among other reasons.
"Hey, Mom." The awkward term she reserved for ironically insinuating Morgana was being too controlling.
"Didn't mean to wake you." Deadpan tone saying she did not regret heavily.
"I've learned to function on minimal sleep. Why are you here?"
"I came to see you. Launchpad encountered a very bold thief last night." Another flick. The covers were thrown off Gosalyn. Unveiling the uniform Gos had dropped in. "Dressed as Darkwing. She took the Ratcatcher. Still, I could hardly imagine this would be how I'd find you."
Caught fitting the description of the thief. Taking the Ratcatcher had not been the discreet operation she'd envisioned. Gosalyn momentarily feared seeing the uniform now may provoke Morgana's fury. Viewing her taking of the costume as a defilement of her Darkwing.
Or heartache, a painful reminder of the hero she loved and lost. Generating a new fear she may soon lose another Darkwing. No, Morgana appeared mindful. Admiring the costume and Gosalyn in it. She strolled over to the bedside and ran her hand over the shoulder of Drake's old uniform. The brass buttons of his jacket. Playing with the cufflinks at the end of sleeve and moving further to take Gosalyn's hand. Pet her feathers with gentle affection.
Gos was not sure of her reaction but was not disappointed.
...
"This morning, GizmoDuck had a surprise phone call. A concerned child hoping to rid his block and his mother of a gang of thugs. He mentioned a very brave girl with red hair. Your heroics, I take it?"
"Is GizmoDuck going to help them?"
You did not have to be as shrewd as Morgana to see Gosalyn's intent. Her father was her idol. She had forever dreamed of being an adventurer and a hero. Perhaps taking the mantle of Darkwing Duck. Her fire had dimmed in the years after his disappearance. Events were now breathing life back into the embers. Morgana did feel pride knowing Gosalyn's true concern for others. Maybe in a few years - a decade – Gosalyn could take up the gas gun with her blessing.
First she would have to demonstrate her maturity. She had not yet. "GizmoDuck has taken Stegmutt for a meet and greet with those vultures. A short term measure. He agrees the Justice Ducks need to do more to protect the innocent people of the Old Haunt. However, a noble deed does not excuse later misdemeanours. Your joyride through the streets."
Gos pulled her hand from Morgana's and removed herself from the bed. Instinctively putting physical distance between them to match their distance of opinion on this matter. "I was reminding this city."
"You were behaving recklessly," Morg crossed her arms. "As usual. Becoming Darkwing Duck is, outright, you're stupidest idea to date. And you've had some whoppers."
"I'm not going to stop."
"Like I'd give you a choice." With her arcane Morgana was confident she could keep Gosalyn safely locked away in Netherland if it came to that. "But I'm not here to discuss your midnight antics. Not even my kitchen. Something has come up."
"Does that something begin with, "Nega" and end in, "Duck?"
So she was not entirely ignorant to events outside her selfish life. Doubtless the spark which set off the flaming cataclysm of self-destruction. "It's a related topic. You should know Launchpad and I have re-joined the Justice Ducks."
"I had heard," Gosalyn admitted. Overhearing tidings between GizmoDuck and Grizzlikof. S.H.U.S.H. passed on intelligence to the Justice Ducks. "I have ideas to send Gizmo a CV for his consideration."
Morg stood now. Utilising her greater height. "Absolutely not! Negaduck would target you above all! There is nothing in this world or the Negaverse he hates more than Darkwing Duck. You are not to confront Negaduck, Gosalyn Mallard!"
Whatever defiant retort Gosalyn was working up was interrupted by a third party.
"(cough) Hey…," Bubba waved at the door. Tiptoed cautiously into the lion's den where the Alpha female and her strong willed cub stared each other down, retrieved his clean clothing and retreated.
"You need to watch this," Morgana continued once the intruder had passed. She held out her palm and produced a cell phone with a zap.
"A mobile? Don't you have some sort of Chrystal ball?"
"Don't knock it. This is a magical cell phone."
"Kind of an early model."
"Some of us don't need internet access or a G.P.S., or a toilet flushing mechanism. Really. I don't. I learned all that at the Magical Academy."
"You have a toilet flushing spell?"
"I have an ugly wart on your nose spell if you don't shut up and watch this."
Gosalyn took the phone and played the video. Looked like security footage and a fight going on. "Can I get this on the big screen?"
Morgana touched the phone so they were both in contact with it and muttered an incantation. Both ladies disappeared in a flash.
…
They passed through space-time continuum to appear at the local theatre. "Bit enough screen for you?"
"Popcorn?" Never underestimate Gosalyn's brazenness.
"Oh, for heaven's sake…."
A small bag of popcorn appeared in the hands of each.
"Hit it!" Morg waved to the projection both. Everything was set up and ready to go. Eek returned an affirmative wave and passed the message on to Squeak at the controls. By the hooks on the tip of his wings, Squeak gripped the go switch with and tugged until it set on play.
Wonderland Base, the short film. Staring everyone's favourite psychopathic duck. Security footage of the attack. Armed soldiers running to cover a convoy of SUVs which had pulled in the motor pool. One of the occupants must have been injured. They set him on the ground and began CPR. He was a big bear too; it took several soldiers to lift him onto the gurney when it arrived.
Gosalyn's focus was on one of the 'suits' arrived with the convoy. The man directing operations. The man looking all too familiar. This man could be said to look every inch like her father, closer than identical twins, bar the almost permanent scowl. This footage proved the madman could force his cheek muscles to contort into an approximation of a smile. Long enough to fool the elite security operatives.
It disgusted Gosalyn. His self-assured, menacing smirk etched across her father's face.
Negaduck and his infiltrators turned on the guards in an instant of violence.
Running rampant once their security grid was offline, Negaduck subdued all resistance encountered. He seemed to enjoy it. He sprang from opponent to opponent, chopping them across the back of their necks or tearing the soldier's weapons out of their hands and beating them with it. Using others as living shields. The glee he derived from using a fallen foe's cattle-prod on his buddies - Negaduck was in his element. Full of sadistic energy.
"You want to fight Negaduck? That's what you're up against."
"I've fought Negaduck. He's not as good as he thinks he is," a trait he and Darkwing shared. "He's at his peak when you fight to his plan. I ought to know, as the Quiverwing Quack I was too eager to meet his challenge. Dad was the improviser. Dad had allies Negaduck never counted on. Surprise him, say, as Darkwing, and he's just another duck waving a chainsaw."
"You're so right. If you go out there in a Darkwing Duck costume, Negaduck will be surprised and he will be swinging a chainsaw at you. No," Morg cut off a reply before on could be formed, "you go out there in a Darkwing Duck costume and he will reach across dimensions to gut you. Overconfidence is not Negaduck's flaw alone and this time Negaduck has the unexpected on his side. Negaduck was not the one on the reel I wanted you to see."
Morg waved the projector booth again. Play the second piece.
Eek signalled Squeak to switch reels. Squeak studied the controls, the size of the reel, and studied his stubby wings.
With effort the bats played the footage timely. It was the same footage, digitally enhanced and focused on a single individual. Immediately after the convoy arrived. Before they dropped sheep's clothing. A medical unit arrived to stabilise the injured bear, Gos could now see it was Grizzlikof, relieving the young agent performing C.P.R. She glanced up, the young agent, from her duty. Long enough for a reasonably clear image. The remainder of the clip she kept her head down and she escorted Grizzlikof deeper into the facility to the medical wards.
The clip ended with Gosalyn amazed and unbelieving of what she had witnessed.
"Tell me that isn't you," Morgana asked.
"You think it could be?" A justifiable fierce reaction to an implied accusation which was little more than a slap in the face.
"You have a lousy record, Gosalyn Mallard, which isn't doing you any favours, but no. Not for an instant."
Did Gosalyn believe Morg when she said so? It was the truth. The girl's scowl remained. She seemed less inclined to take the matter to blows.
"SHUSH, however, are furious and less inclined to agree. Grizzlikof identified this - Nega-Gosalyn – as the one who captured him and induced a drug faked heart attack. Negaduck's core conspirator. Somehow she commands the combined abilities of the Fearsome Five. It wasn't Negaduck. It was she who tore apart the SHUSH's best defences."
Other Gosalyn can do that! Darkwing's doppelganger only dressed in alternate colours.
Gos should have been intimidated. Partially, she was. Other Gosalyn had an edge in experience with awesome abilities the combined Justice Ducks would be hard pressed to take her down. Gosalyn additionally relished the challenge. Her mind already turning on how to counter her awesome power.
Gosalyn studied other-Gosalyn on the theatre screen and did not see an incarnation of her evil self. She saw a future resident of Blackwing.
"You tell me I'm too young to fight this battle. Here you present video evidence I'm not. Negaduck has recruited his Gosalyn to fight she's the most powerful asset he has."
A conclusion Morgana had not contemplated. Trust Gosalyn to twist any logic to prove her point. Morg had the sinking feeling dissuading Gos from her path had become more difficult.
"Did you not comprehend anything I just said? SHUSH is taking a hard line. You look just like her. Grizzlikof wanted the Justice Ducks to arrest you!"
…
Agent Dodo was reporting on the F.O.W.L. angle as Agent Donkey entered the conference room. "…turned their wealth and power into legitimate enterprise. Reinventing their selves as respectable and untouchable. Others lord over their localised criminal kingdoms. Some have never been accounted. Chief Agent Steelbeak a prime example of the latter."
"Judging by the attack on Wonderland, one faction at least is supporting Negaduck."
"Thank you and keep up the good work. If you could all excuse us."
The surrounding Agents left promptly. Agent Dodo packed his briefcase with classified documents but left his presentation articles. His aides and he would wait to retrieve them when the Director no longer needed the room.
"Grizz tried to keep something from us," Donkey gleefully informed his superior.
"Director Grizzlikof to you, Agent Donkey," J. Gander chided the jumpstart Agent.
"Gosalyn Mallard," Donkey placed a dossier of the target before his boss. "He thought I wouldn't notice a single unreturned file. He trained me to keep my paperwork in order."
J. Gander studied the label of the dossier and felt his spirits drop.
Gosalyn Waddlemeyer/Mallard.
"Let me hear you say it, Agent Donkey."
"Director?"
"Director Grizzlikof. Let me hear you say it." Hooter did not miss Donkey's failure to acknowledge the reproach.
"Director Grizzlikof, sir." He managed to say the words without negative connotations.
"Do ask yourself how we can return justice and order to the world if we cannot be civil and professional within the confines of our own office?
"This is Gosalyn Mallard. This is not the young woman we're looking for," J. Gander pronounced after flicking through Donkey's file. Handing it back.
"Sure looks like her. According to our facial recognition software she looks better than ninety percent like her."
"As I'm sure her D.N.A would be a perfect match. It was her Negaverse counter-part who tore through Wonderland. You know this. Why do you continue to insist on punishing an innocent party?"
"Hardly innocent. A delinquent. Expelled from every school. She lost her assigned tail last night scrambling over rooftops and frequenting rough establishments where new faces are not appreciated. Clearly up to no good."
Hooter sighed. Feeling the weight of responsibility. "To be expected. Given what happened with her father. Gosalyn Mallard is known to me. Loved ones are always being ripped from her life. Do you have no compassion for the young and unwise?"
"Director Grizzlikof would agree protocol would be to bring her in. For her own protection. Should her counter-part continue to set her up or attempt to steal her life."
"The ward of two members of the Justice Ducks? We need to approach this matter more delicately." Donkey's persistence was beginning to egg Hooter. Donkey was correct on point; Grizzlikof would have demanded she be taken into custody. He had also turned J. Gander's caution for respect into a strong counter-argument. It ruffled his feathers to have a subordinate twist his words. There was a chain of command here. Even Grizzlikof would have submitted.
"Launchpad McQuack and Morgana McCawber," Donkey found the page in the girl's file. Pretending to read like as if it were a revelation to him. "Adoptive parent, Darkwing Duck," he emphasised the connection. Pretending to read the words not present in the file. The identity of Darkwing Duck was never officially documented by S.H.U.S.H. and remained unknown even to Grizzlikof. Donkey watched for how Hooter would reaction. The Duck was a topic unspoken between them. Or if touched on, in a more secure environment than present.
"That explains it. I guess it's a family occupation," Donkey concluded. Shifting through the Mallard file again and passing over the photo Agent Dog had given him.
"This snap was caught on a speed camera downtown in the early hours of the morning."
Gander spent a long moment studying this latest photo. This one of Gosalyn Mallard, as Darkwing Duck, flying downtown on Darkwing's highly customised motorcycle. He was quiet too long. Breathing shallow and only moving to adjust his glasses or move the photo further or closer to his aged eyes. Donkey could not be sure how the rusty old gears in the elderly birds head were turning.
"Oh, child. You should have grown up happy. Met a boy. Not this." Sigh. "Your father will be crushed."
"Sir. I feel the situation, being complex as it is…."
"We don't need this added complication. I agree. But this is also a complication for Negaduck. No Agent Donkey, call off your hit squad. Leave the girl in play until I decide if we can use her assistance."
…
Donkey waited for the security of his office to address Agent Dog with his concerns.
"The Director has directed us to leave Gosalyn Mallard in play."
A sentiment Dog sensed Donkey did not agree with. Knowing the full scale of this thing, same as Donkey and Hooter, Dog was not much pleased with the return of Darkwing Duck. He said nothing.
"Hooter's too old for this game. He's past the mandatory retirement age. He can't lord over SHUSH forever. I won't allow a silly girl in a purple fashion disaster ruin my triumph over Negaduck and appointment as Director."
"What do you want to do?"
Donkey considered Dog's question. "I don't know yet. We wait. And when the time is right, we deal with it."
…
"Arrest me!" It was an outrage on top of outrage!
"Fortunately, Gizmo convinced Grizz that," Morgana pointed to the Gosalyn on screen," could not possibly be you. Though I believe the phrase he used was along the lines of, 'don't leave town."
The Justice Ducks were supposed to arrest her! Her friends and family for a crime she took no part in by a man she was determined to thwart! Anger was surpassed only by disbelief. She'd been in the superhero business a night and already she was public enemy number two.
"Oh, don't look so disturbed. I was certainly not going to arrest you before you're date with Honker."
Morgana took Gosalyn by the hand and they return teleported to Tank's place. His bedroom.
"It's not…," or was it? "How could you know that?" More than upon seeing her Negaverse double, Gosalyn was flustered and defensive. Her relationship with Honker, whatever it may be, was a personal matter. Morgana kept belting her with sucker punches.
"The Justice Ducks are a team, Gosalyn."
Gos yelled as loud as she could.
"Traitor!"
"Had ta do it!" he called his reply from the living room. Bubba the Cave Duck. Bubba the Justice Duck.
"Bubba did you a favour contacting me. He was under orders to arrest you as well. When Eek told me who was tearing around in the Ratcatcher I was ready to drop you in space-time bubble until he talked me out of it. Temporarily. Besides which, I have my own spies." Morgana's third magical familiar, Archie the spider, spun a line from the ceiling down to her palm. He knew from his mistress's pleased aura he had done a good job.
"You'll have to talk to Grizzlikof eventually. For now, he's letting off the pressure. Get some sleep," Morgana advised. "We can discuss your daft heroic delusions tomorrow." Appraising Gosalyn again, a wicked idea came to mind. "I'll come back later this evening and we do something with your hair. Find you a nice dress. If I left it to you, you'll meet Honker at the door in a hockey jersey and torn jeans."
Responsibility had not dulled Morg's mischievous edge. Pushing Gosalyn's buttons was exceedingly easy. Simply bring up any feminine activity. Morg wanted Gosalyn's night with Honker to be wonderful and suspected Gosalyn's hostility toward grooming would waver against a desire to be presentable tonight. Foundations for a bridge?
"No one asked your opinion. And I don't want to meet Honker resembling a corpse bride." Exasperated, but lacking true venom. Morgana hoped this meant Gosalyn was not entirely opposed to the idea.
"We'll compromise then. I won't pick your wardrobe if you don't. Let's talk to Binkie…."
A flat, "No."
"Who would you suggest?"
Gosalyn was not happy she was being talked into this.
"Tank?" Morgana added for satire. The witch was enjoying this. Except, Gosalyn felt an inner obligation to make an effort for Honker. Not a joy but an onerous chore undertaken on the promise Honker is worth the torture. She should be thankful being a feathered creature waxing was not an issue.
Morgana was mistaken. Tank was not her only option. Maru came to mind.
"Should I be leaving the house with SHUSH looking for me?"
"For my little girl's first date I'm willing take a risk," she walked elegantly from the room. Swaying her hips. Gosalyn followed, knowing she could not begin to emulate that walk. Hating that further example of how much more of a woman Morgana was. "Honker's worth a little danger."
In the living room, Tank was suspended upside down in mid-air by an invisible hand. He waved his arms frantically to keep Morgana's harassing bats at bay. He operated his vocal cords repeatable but never made a sound. Morgana had desired a quiet talk with Gosalyn.
"Don't go outside wearing that," the Darkwing costume, "and don't touch the Ratcatcher. We'll discuss your future later. I do want to see you take up your father's mantle. But not now. Not against Negaduck."
"I told you to call," Morgana said aside to Tank. A gesture and he was flat on the floor. Another arm gesture and she was gone. Out of sight. Her familiars as well.
"I thou't she sounded reasonable," Bubba interjected. Gosalyn glared her betrayer. Tank threw his shoe.
"Right. I'm going to bed," Tank declared. "My bed!"
She had informed Tank of the Darkwing scheme and stormed out less than– she checked the clock – just over an hour. She could not have had more than a light nap and a snore before Morgana entered, fire and brimstone. "I'll join you."
They left Bubba to his own devices. "I'll let myself ouut."
…
Honker did not know what to expect tonight. Could childhood friends patch a growing rift? More likely they would they butt heads, this time over her Darkwing stunt. He could try to be diplomatic and have Gos accuse him of paying lip service. An argument will develop where they would seem to be arguing one issue but Honker knew the true argument was on a whole other level; only Gosalyn knew what the hell that second level was.
Honker did not know what to expect but Gosalyn answering Tank's door in a smokin' dress with her hair done up must have been the furthest single thing.
"My hero. Rescue me!"
"Smile Bro." Tank was playing with his favourite toy. Camcorder trained on Honker. Damn, now there was video evidence of how his jaw dropped. She was stunning! The very idea of Gosalyn wearing a dress is stunning - she looked magnificent!
"We need to go." Gosalyn insisted, taking Honker's arm. However, an irresistible force, and Gosalyn did resist, drew them both back into the flat. Inside the door, Honk could see Morgana and Launchpad were present. And a green feathered girl he did not recognise and took for a friend of Tanks.
"Not so fast," Morgana commanded. "I want photos."
Launchpad obliged. Snapping off shots. "No. Launchpad, no." Gos buried her face in her elbow. "Why are you even in my flat?"
"Morg tipped me off. I owe you for the Ratcatcher. So squirm!"
"Take your hands down," Morg told her. Maru was also taking some snaps also. "You look gorgeous."
"If I look gorgeous, I blame you!"
"I don't hear Honker complaining." Honker was beyond words. He had wondered off the edge of the world. Here there be strange happenings. "Yeah... Yeah, you look - great. I didn't realise…. When you said wear something nice…."
His casual dark green shirt, sleeveless sweater and chinos were not in her league. He regretted not grabbing a tie. He had thought about a tie! He decided Gosalyn needed spontaneity and adventure. A tie is the antithesis of spontaneity.
"You look fine," Gosalyn assured. He always did.
"I'm Maru," making to shake Honk's hand but giving him a hug instead. "We work together," she indicated Gosalyn, "I've wanted to meet you since forever! Gosalyn always makes googly eyes when she talks about you." Gosalyn had evil eyes now.
Gosalyn did give way. Allowed Launchpad his photo record photo record of this historic moment. Submitted to a few poses with Honker, even made to look like she was enjoying the attention as the photographers gave suggestions. Honker, squeeze in closer to Gosalyn. Holds hands. How about a kiss?
"Alright! Enough!" Gos yanked Honker toward the door to spare them any more embarrassment.
"No tongue on the first date!" Morgana called. You could practically hear her, "uh," down the stairwell. Launchpad had a good chuckle. He was the number one fan of the pair.
"It's about time those kids patched things up! I'm going to frame this photo above the mantle. And another one in the hall. Put it on Christmas cards. And Facebook."
"You did a great job Maru. I can't imagine Gosalyn made it easy. I don't ever remember her in a dress. I'm Launchpad…."
For Morgana the afternoon had been a triumph. Spending time with Gosalyn. Not arguing - at least not the entire time. Over heels or sneakers if they were (sneakers, Gosalyn could only be pushed so far). Having Maru to referee. Morg had underestimated the friends Gosalyn was capable of making. Thinking them, well, Tank.
Showing off the fruits of their labour to the gobsmacked men, Launchpad and Honker after. Behaving like a normal family. The ravine closed a little today. Morgana had faith her family was going to be alright. She hugged her good friend and took a look at the snaps he had taken. "Do you have a Facebook account?"
"The shop website then. So all the clients can see why I'm singing."
"Yeah," Tank agreed. "It was almost worth letting you girl up my flat all afternoon…. Get out."
Honker absorbed every detail of Gosalyn. So distracted he never thought to play the gentleman's role of opening her door (likely she would have only been annoyed if he had) or his own door even. Mesmerised until she slipped into the passenger side of his parents Ford and he recalled he should probably get in as well.
Her fiery hair, cut to earlobe length and typically left to fall and tangle as it would, now held a silky glow. The hairline started at the ears lobe and reduced toward the back, like Victoria Beclamb. The longest strands, on the left side of her face straddling her eye, had been curled. The dress was a lush purple. Extending down to her ankles. Cut to tempt eyes with her thigh. Straps, a supportive, high v neck front but low back. Honk thought of how smooth it must feel to run his finger down his friend's spine and hated himself for it.
Lace sleeves with spiders and spider-web designs. He began to see Morgana's influence. Jewelled, bat earrings. Little things, not to draw attention. Subtle for a witch.
All of it bizarre. This was not Gosalyn as he knew her. It was difficult to fathom. Wholly wrong. Torn work jeans, playing football in the mud Gosalyn he could contend with. Gosalyn in a dress was something completely new. And was she in a dress for him?
Gos broke the awkward tension. "Want to go bowling or should we eat first?"
Gosalyn in a dress is still Gosalyn apparently. Relief flooded his veins like a drug. He hit the blinkers and pulled out into traffic. "I made reservations at place called The Last Post, in the historic post office. Shame not to eat at the world famous Shadow Château, but I thought Morgana standing over us all night would be a buzz kill."
"I know a club after. Morgana has more effective means of spying. Listen up," Gos addressed the empty back seat. "I have bug spray and I'm not afraid to use it. Come out now or the car gets a dosing!"
Insect life from every nook in the car surrendered.
...