Darkwing Duck: Prince of Thieves
Act V
The hours at the castle ticked by. Gosalyn had explored the entire building at least five times in the past few days, and had grown weary of it by now. Elizabeth, who had no interest in exploring anything at all, had simply settled into a form of bored misery. By lunch time the two ladies had wandered into the kitchen with Darkwing and Launchpad, mulling over still more ham soup. It seemed to be the only thing Launchpad knew how to make.
"Well," began Darkwing, breaking the dull silence as he stood and stretched his arms above his head. "Lunch was, ah, great as usual, LP, but I think I'm going to go on a walk to clear my head."
"Gonna work later, DW?" asked Launchpad as he finished his soup.
"Yeah, a little later, I think I'll go out and see what I can do in terms of funding for the needy. And of course, I'll be keeping an eye out for the Fearsome Five."
"Can I come?" asked Gosalyn, eagerly jumping up from her seat.
"No, I don't think so," answered Darkwing, a little hesitantly. "Negaduck's gang is out there, and we don't want to risk you getting captured by them."
Gosalyn wasn't convinced. "But what about you? Who'll protect you? I can help!"
"I don't need help. I'm Darkwing Duck, you know, I'm sort of good at that kind of thing..."
"Well, then, you can protect me!" she said stubbornly. He sighed, at a loss as to what to say.
"Stop pestering Darkwing, Gos," said Elizabeth, sensing the awkwardness. She didn't want Gosalyn to leave her alone with Launchpad, anyway. "You can spend time with me. I thought we were going to 'bond'."
"Oh, well, she's not actually pestering me," said Darkwing hesitantly. "She's just, you know, sort of..." He trailed off, looking for a better synonym for "enthusiastic".
"A burden," sighed Gosalyn, disappointed. She hung her head.
"We'll come up with something else to do," said Elizabeth reassuringly.
Launchpad felt sorry for the kid. "Yeah," he chimed in, "something'll come up! I can show ya around the place again!" Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Elizabeth turn and look at him, surprised. Gosalyn just looked bored by the thought.
"You're not coming with me, LP?" asked Darkwing.
"Nah, I can stay here an' watch Gos an' Beth."
Darkwing nodded. "Good idea. I'll be leaving, oh, probably in an hour, if you change your mind."
Gosalyn watched him go, silently. She just kept trying to reach him, but it didn't work. Was she doing something wrong?
Elizabeth took her hand. "Gosalyn, I know it seems like this was sort of harsh, but..."
Gosalyn tuned Beth out and started thinking. She was never one to stay upset for long, and this time was no exception. She'd give it one more shot. After all, she hadn't been able to talk to him yet while no one else was around. Maybe this time he'd finally see how serious she was about the whole thieves thing! Not that she wanted to be a criminal, exactly, just that she wanted to be involved in the adventure. The other option that she could see was being raised the same way as Beth, and she didn't think she could handle that.
She reached a decision just in time to hear Elizabeth say, "So you see, Gosalyn, the rainbow will come shining through. Don't give up the ship!"
"Gee, you're right, Beth," said Gosalyn, all sweetness and light. Elizabeth sometimes got into these mature, "parental" moods, and the only thing to do was wait them out and humor her. "Thanks, it was a fascinating story."
Elizabeth beamed. "Isn't it? And the neatest part is that it really happened."
Launchpad applauded. "Ya sure know how to talk," he said. Elizabeth's face fell instantly- not to glare at him, or even frown in general. She just suddenly looked very... vulnerable. He wondered if he'd struck a nerve without meaning to. "I meant that in a good way," he attempted to explain. She nodded, obviously not believing. Man... the first time that he'd told her something that hadn't been meant as a joke at all, and now she starts to take it personally. He cleared his throat and changed the subject. "So, whaddaya wanna do?" he asked, and directed it at Gosalyn.
"Um, I don't know. It's your castle," she said.
"Well, we could look around some more."
Elizabeth's voice was still quite soft as she asked, "What do you say, Gos?"
"Um, heh, no thanks. I've kind of... seen enough of this castle for a while." Like for my whole life, she added silently.
"Where are you going to go?" asked Elizabeth, somewhat suspiciously. At least she didn't sound so upset anymore.
"Geez, I'm not gonna go bother Darkwing! You told me not to," she said, rolling her eyes. Gosalyn had always been good at lying, and this sort of lie was her specialty. "I'm just going to go talk Lee and Nire and some of the other guys."
Elizabeth supressed a twinge of jealousy. Heaven forbid that Gosalyn actually stay here and talk to her... Oh well. Gosalyn was meeting new people, even if they were thieves. All she was doing was sitting in the room she'd been given and waiting to be taken home. She might as well let Gosalyn go; who would it hurt? "Okay," she said. "Just stay out of trouble." Then it hit her that she would be alone with Launchpad, and her stomach flopped uncomfortably.
"Of course! Bye, Launchpad!" said Gosalyn, and was off.
"Wait-" said Elizabeth, a moment too late. She turned to Launchpad, who was watching her with a lazy, slightly amused expression on his face. Something hit her suddenly, and any haughty remark she could have mustered left her. "I... I have to go," she said, feeling utterly defenseless, and darted to her room before he could stop her.
Gosalyn found Darkwing strolling through the castle's garden. The overgrown shrubs acted as a maze, and it took her a little while to catch up with him. He was staring off into the distance and walking slowly, quite leisurely. She smiled and jogged to catch up with him, then smacked him on his back. "Hi!"
"Wha--?" he exclaimed, and jumped about three feet in the air. Then, recognizing her, he snapped, "What are you doing out here? I thought your Princess told you not to bother me!"
Her face fell. "Well, I... Sorry," she said. "I just thought maybe you'd like some company out here. I didn't know you wanted to be alone." She turned to go.
Feeling guilty, he cleared his throat. It was meant as a signal to show that he wanted to say something, but she didn't catch it and kept walking. "Hey-- Gosalyn?" he called after her. She turned around, eyes expectant. He felt like a jerk; she obviously didn't understand why she should keep her distance. Persistant kid... "I, ah... I'm sorry. I just was thinking of something else. I didn't mean to yell."
"Oh," she said. It wasn't what she had wanted to hear, obviously. "That's okay."
He sighed inwardly. Why not... He was with her, he could protect her. "You can stay out here if you want."
At this, her face lit up. "Really?"
"Sure. Just stick with me, and we stay inside the castle grounds. When I go, you go right back inside. And don't be too loud. If Negaduck's gang is hanging around here, loud volume might give us away."
"Loud? Me??" she asked, looking at him with eyes of innocence.
"Neat trick," he said, grinning. "I used to do that look when I was a kid, too. It's not going to work on me now." She grinned, too, evidently glad that he hadn't bought it. "Just promise me you'll keep a lid on it, okay, kiddo?"
"Okay... And my name is Gosalyn, not 'kiddo'," she told him seriously. "Remember that."
"I will," he promised. He liked this kid.
Launchpad dumped the dishes from lunch into the sink and made his way out onto one of the balconies, not intending to think about much of anything. Against this intent, however, thoughts of the Princess came to his mind instantly. Things were going according to Darkwing's plan just fine, it seemed, whether he meant them to or not. She was always just the slightest bit off-guard whenever he said anything to her, or even looked at her. But her mind couldn't be supressed indefinitely; every now and then she said something so thoughtful and smart that he wondered how she'd come up with it so quickly.
He was really starting to like her, he found. More than like her, in fact. That was not according to plan. He wanted to know her, and really talk to her, not just throw out lines like he'd been doing. She probably thought that this was all there was to him. He hoped it wasn't. He hoped he could make her see that it wasn't.
But not like this, that was for sure. Right now he seemed like a total jerk, probably. There was only one thing to do to keep from driving her away; he'd have to change the way he talked to her, and find some way to make her see that he liked her. He didn't really have the manners that a Princess might like, but he could try and dredge a few things up from memory. And he would try, until he won her over. Because, it dawned on him suddenly, despite everything that had happened between them... She was the woman he wanted. He just hadn't seen it until now.
He stood up from where he'd been leaning on the balcony and decided to go talk to her, and tell her... something. She'd never believe him if he told her how he felt, but he could think of something to say, couldn't he? He turned around and found that she was standing behind him, in the doorway to the castle's interior. Neither spoke for several seconds, and then she cleared her throat and looked away from him, and hesitantly said, "Mr. McQuack- Launchpad... I... I'm sorry I hit you."
He smiled.
Darkwing and Gosalyn completed a circuit of the garden, and began another. "So," said Darkwing, "you... like it here? You don't mind being here this long?"
"Heck no! I think it's way cool here! I never wanna go back to that stuffy ol' castle!" Darkwing found this simultaneously pleasing and unsettling. Gosalyn continued. "Beth's not too happy, though. She wants to be independant an' all, but she's never tried it before. I don't mind being here, though! I mean, I know this is all part of a secret plot." She grinned and laughed.
Hoboy. "How did you find out?!" The words were out before Darkwing even thought about it.
Gosalyn's eyes went wide. "You mean I was right?!"
Hoboy. Again. "Uh..."
"Keen gear!! So what's the plan? Are you gonna make money off of Beth by touring her from city to city and charging for people to see her?"
"Ah... not quite." He decided to spill the whole story.
Less than five minutes later, Gosalyn had heard everything, and had a ton of questions. "What'll you do if she finds out?"
"Skip town," he half-joked.
"And, so, Launchpad doesn't like her? Or he does?"
"Got me. He's never said anything about her, really, but he hasn't complained about having to watch her yet."
"Good thing if he doesn't. Beth's got this thing where she can't get married."
"Uh... really."
Gosalyn didn't seem to catch Darkwing's confusion, but she continued anyway. "Yeah, it's something her dad said. It's like, if she disobeys him she won't get to be Queen someday."
"...Why? I mean, why this rule?"
"Heck if I know! I don't think it bothers Beth much, though. She's never even talked to a guy, except for this one friend of hers back at the castle. She probably wouldn't know what to do if she did." She made a face. "I know for sure a rule like that wouldn't bother me."
Darkwing grinned at her and ruffled her hair. "So, how'd you become Elizabeth's charge, anyway? Do your parents mind that you're out here on your own?"
"I don't have parents," she said softly, looking away.
Oh, way to ruin the mood, Darkwing told himself, gritting his teeth and wincing. "Sorry," he said awkwardly. "So, uh, do you play a lot of sports?"
"You don't have to change the subject," she told him firmly. "I'm sick of people doing that. I want to talk about it. Okay?"
"Okay," he agreed.
So she told him the entire story of her parents' death, and how she had come to live with Elizabeth and eventually had become her official charge. "It's not that big a deal, I guess. I mean, I've gotten used to it lately. But sometimes, I just get lonely, you know?"
"Yeah, I know. Sometimes I get lonely, too, even surrounded by my team. It's lonely at the top, to use a cliché," he said thoughtfully.
Gosalyn saw her chance. "Well... I could keep you company, you know, if I were in your group..."
"No!" he said immediately. Her expression changed from hopefulness to hurt, and then to anger.
"Why not?!" she asked.
"I... Look, Gosalyn, I just don't want you getting hurt. It's a dangerous job, one more suited for adults," he explained, not mentioning that he had just been considering the possibility a few moments before. He had just convinced himself that it wasn't a good idea when she asked him.
"That's what all grown-ups say," she muttered.
"When you're older, kiddo - Gosalyn - I promise," he said, smiling gently. She brightened up a bit. Neither took notice of the fact that they had wandered into a section at the end of the castle grounds that was pretty much open fields.
There was very little forest left for the Fearsome Four to search, but they diligently continued searching all the trees anyway. The Liquidator passed Megavolt, and sighed tiredly. "We just keep going, and going, and going, and going, and--"
Megavolt grimaced. "I'm gonna strangle you if you don't stop that."
"Hey, guys, come here!" shouted Quackerjack suddenly.
The others crowded around Quackerjack expectantly. "Is this it? Did you find it?" they asked, or along those lines.
"It's a really cool bird's nest! I always wanted one of those," he said, taking it out of the tree branch he had found it in. "Hey, little birdies, I'm your momma now!"
"Haven't you nobs found anything yet?" said a low, growling voice behind them. All four jerked around to see Negaduck standing there, watching them with a disgusted look on his face.
"Negaduck! Uh... Hi!" said Bushroot, grabbing the nest from Quackerjack and putting it back in the tree. Quackerjack cried out in protest, and Megavolt elbowed him.
"You pansies weren't sitting around looking at a bird's nest just now, were you?"
"N-no, sir!"
"Who, us?"
"Real villains don't look at birdies!"
"It would be totally impractical!"
"Then why haven't you found anything yet!?" screamed Negaduck.
"Well, do you know how many hollow trees there are in this forest?" asked Megavolt (Quackerjack had learned his lesson, at least this time). A huge ax instantly whizzed past his head, catching the cloth on his shoulder and pinning him to the tree.
"HOW DARE YOU TALK THAT WAY TO ME?!?" Negaduck snarled, his eyes ablaze.
"No... no disrespect meant?" whimpered Megavolt. A small fizzle of electricity passed through the prongs of his helmet.
"Now, you nothings, GET TO WORK! I only keep you around if you do what you're told... And I DON'T like telling you what to do more than once!"
"Yes, sir," the Four said, saluting. They then scattered to get back to what they now figured was a totally pointless search.
Standing at the edge of the forest, searching frantically for the tree that would win Negaduck's favor, Bushroot was startled to see a flash of purple against what should have been an empty field. He looked out to see Darkwing and some little girl, walking around together. "That brat who was with the Princess!" said Bushroot, a grin spreading across his face. Negaduck was sure to reward him for this! He darted back behind one of the trees. "Guys! C'mere!" he hissed to his teammates.
The King sat up in his throne, awakening suddenly from his mid-afternoon nap to the sounds of a struggle out in the hallway before the throne room. Before he had the chance to ask what was going on, the doors burst open, and a very fit-looking duck wearing a bandanna and a glare that could melt steel walked in. Several guards were trying to hold him back, but they seemed to have no effect.
"Are you King Herb Muddlefoot of Santa Canardia?" asked the young man in a serious, almost challenging tone.
"I am. And who are you?"
"I... I made it..." The youth broke into a huge, slightly goofy grin, although the anger in his face didn't disappear completely either. "I finally made it! After three days!" He composed himself. "My name is Ray. I bring a message for you, Sire."
Herb took the paper, and unfolded it. "What does it say, dear?" asked Queen Binkie.
Herb lowered the paper slowly, his expression unreadable. "Elizabeth... She's..." A tone of anger crept into his voice. "She's been kidnapped and is being held for ransom."
"What?!" cried the guardsmen.
"The note says that we are to send ten thousand gold pieces back with the messenger boy, and Elizabeth will be returned to us immediately."
Ray snorted. "'Messenger boy' he calls me. Feh."
"If we don't comply, she'll..." Herb trailed off.
Binkie waited fearfully for him to continue. Finally she said, "She'll what?"
"She'll be forced to participate in live jello wrestling at some pub called Mo's." Ray, as well as quite a few of the palace guards, blushed at the implication. "We have no idea how to get in contact with the kidnappers, so we have no choice but to comply with the instructions."
"Excuse me," said Ray, "but now that my job is done, could you give me directions to Smythe's Swordfighting Training Hall? I have some unfinished business there..."
Binkie whispered, "Herb... Couldn't we ask him for directions for finding the kidnappers?"
Herb paused. "I... I suppose we could at that. Boy-"
Ray bristled. "My name is Ray. Ray- R-A-Y. Why is that so hard to remember?!"
"Hold your tongue!" cried Herb, full of righteous fury and cheese curls. "I ask you now, where did this message come from?"
"Darkwing Duck, the Prince of Thieves, Sire, like it says on the letter." The young man appeared to be sneering.
"Don't mock me, boy! I meant, how do I find this 'Prince of Thieves'?"
Ray gave him a blank look. "You mean... You want me to give you directions??"
"That's right! None of us are leaving this room until you tell us exactly how to find him!"
Ray laughed nervously as the King and Queen waited, and a dozen guards trained their spears on him.
"So, what's it like to rob from people?" Gosalyn asked Darkwing eagerly.
"Ah, you know- it's so-so," he answered. "I mean, there are no real winners in this game. Though I have to admit, it's worth it to see the looks on the faces of the villagers when we give them the money. And you know... I get a real kick out of outsmarting the law over and over." He chuckled and Gosalyn laughed with him. "Well, I gotta get going," he said, patting her on the head.
Gosalyn hated that action- it was patronizing. "Go? Where?!" she asked.
"Work. I already said."
"Well... can I come with you?"
Darkwing shook his head. "We've discussed this, Gos. It's too dangerous for you out there right now. If I run into the Fearsome Five, I don't want you to be harmed. You stay here where it's safe, okay? Promise?"
Reluctantly, she promised. "Great," he said, and kissed her on the forehead. As he was walking to his horse, he realized what he had done, and wondered why, exactly. It had just seemed... well, natural.
"Bye," said Gosalyn, watching him leave. At the edge of the forest nearby, five figures were watching him leave, too.