Chapter 2

= She Glows =

Megavolt woke up and yawned, what was he doing on the couch?

He glanced to the table the medicine was still there. Medicine? He sat up and picked up the damaged light bulb. 'You're very quiet.' He said to it. 'What? I didn't...' He looked to the medicine on the table. 'Alright tell me everything I've forgotten.' Megavolt sat listening to the light bulb for a long moment. 'Oh... why did I do that?'

There was a spark from the bulb and he jumped. 'Ow!' He blinked. 'Oh... now I remember.' He put the bulb on the couch and collected up the medicine and the cereal, he'd promised no Doctors, the moment she saw the medicine she would panic.

He looked around the kitchen, it was just as he'd left it, in a mess.

He put everything away, stacking the dirty bowls and plates on the sink, he hated washing up.

He put the kettle on and walked back to the main room.

She wasn't up yet, that was strange, didn't kids usually get up early? He looked to the digital clock on the wall 7:00 AM, he shrugged, he'd let her sleep in, she was sick; she needed all the rest she could get.

He picked up a piece of circuitry. 'Ok, back to work.'


Megavolt looked up, 10:00 AM, he was hungry, he looked around, she still wasn't up yet.

He frowned, and abandoned his work, going to thye bedroom to wake her up he.

He walked in and saw her sitting on the floor looking at his battery in amazement.

He smiled, okay, he wasn't so upset now, he cleared his throat and she looked up at him.

'Oh!' She jumped up, her arm caught the side table and he rushed over picking her up.

'Are you alright?' He asked worriedly.

She looked upset as she rubbed her arm in pain. 'I'm okay.'

'Come on... let me have a look.' He took her out of the room and put her on the couch, he consulted her arm, it was a graze and was starting to bruise. 'You should learn to be a bit more careful.' He said to her. 'Let me fix it up for you, wait here.'

Well, he had been wondering how he was going to get her to take the medicine, now he had a way, he left the room and got a few things to fix her arm up from the kitchen and picked up the cold and flu medicine, it was nice that it came with a free cup since he didn't have any left that were clean.

He went back in and found her holding the damaged light bulb in her hands. 'He's got a bit of a temper.' He said as he walked over.

Luma frowned. 'If you'd been hurt like him, you'd be upset too.'

Megavolt thought for a moment. 'Fair enough.' He put the things down on the table. 'I'm going to clean it up, it'll hurt a bit.'

She nodded.

'How about you tell me how you got like me?'

She frowned. 'Ok.'

'Hey, it'll get your mind off it.'

She nodded. 'Well... I was playing with mum's antique lampshade.' She began.

Megavolt tsked as he put some ointment on a tissue. 'Naughty.'

She smiled. 'Well it was weird looking... I was curious.'

He nodded. 'It's going to hurt.' He said as he put the tissue to her arm.

She gasped and closed her eyes, the bulb in her hand pulsed erratically, and Megavolt frowned.

'So?' He asked her prompting her to continue.

'Well, I knocked it over and... got electrocuted.' She said. 'And since then all my parents could think of is "You should be dead".'

'Well, some people are tougher than others.' Megavolt said calmly.

She nodded and smiled. 'Well, I don't know why I'm still here otherwise.'

He nodded and put the tissue on the table, he picked up the cream.

'You're not a Doctor?' She asked suspiciously.

'No...' He said bluntly. 'You have to graduate for that.' She cocked her head. 'Hey! You're telling me your story.'

'Oh... um... right...' She sat up straight and continued. 'Well they took me to the hospital and while I was there I was hooked up to all these big machines.'

'They like to do that.' He said.

'Well I woke up.' She said quietly. 'I don't know how, but I just took all of the electricity from the machines and woke up, the Doctors were baffled and kept putting me through all of these weird tests.' She frowned. 'And they still didn't have any answers so they had to let me go because I was perfectly fine. But when I got home I was all... different.'

'Different?'

'Well, I was smarter... how many 3 year olds do you know can rewire a toy car to drive on its own?'

He smiled. 'So why were you smarter?'

'I learnt from... they...' She shook her head. 'It's strange.'

'Luma.' He said calmly. 'Look around here and tell me if I am not going to be able to understand?'

She looked around, and looked back to him. 'Things that are electrical talk to me.' She said quietly. 'When I was in the hospital the machines I was around taught me... the told me everything about me, about Doctors, about everything.'

He nodded.

'And when I got home the light bulb in my room kept talking to me. And my parents thought I was insane because I was talking to a light bulb.' She adjusted as he put the bandage on her arm. 'And when I went to school people picked on me because Lo was my only friend...' She looked to the light bulb in her hand. 'I rescued him from Dad's lamp, he was selling it and Lo was the only friend I had, and... I need him.'

'Need him?' Megavolt asked.

'Well... I hurt, and Lo helps me get better.'

He nodded.

'And no one understood that... they broke him.' She looked like she was going to cry.

He sat down next to her and put his arms around her. 'It's ok.' He said softly.

'Well my parents took me here because there's this specialist Doctor who said he could fix me.'

'You don't need fixing.' He said strong. 'You're just fine.'

'Then why do I short out?'

He hugged her. 'You're little; you don't have a stable current yet.'

She frowned. 'It hurts.' He looked down at her. 'You helped me.' She said looking up at him.

He smiled. 'And you helped me.' He said. 'What do you say we stick together?'

She smiled up at him. 'Okay.'

'Oh...' He let her go and picked up the medicine. 'You need this.'

'Why?'

'Because you have a cold, and that doesn't help you to be stable.' He stated.

She frowned. 'But this stuff's horrible!' She complained.

'It's the only kind the shop had.' He said.

She screwed up her face. 'Won't I get better without it?' She asked.

'This'll help you get better quicker.' He said. 'Or do you like being sick?'

'I don't.'

'Well, it's either this stuff... or a Doctor then.'

She reached for the box.

He smiled again knowing he'd won the argument, he opened it up and fixed the amount needed. 'Down the hatch.' He said handing it to her.

She pulled a face and swallowed the medicine. 'Icky stuff!'

'Well, what do you say we go and find some food to get rid of the taste then?'

'Ok!' She said happily.

'Alright.' He stood. 'I need my battery.' Off he went, why did this feel so natural to him?


Megavolt picked her up and carried her down the stairs. 'You know what.'

'What?'

'We need to get you a new dress.' He said putting her down.

She looked down at herself. 'But it's my favourite.'

He shook his head. 'We can't have you looking scruffy can we?'

'Who cares?'

'It's all in appearance.' He said.

She looked up at him confused.

'I won't take that personally.' He said 'Now where to get you a new dress.' He took her hand and walked up the street with her thinking it over. 'Not designer.' He said and frowned. 'Well... there's only one guy I know that actually makes clothes.'

'Who?'

He stopped and leant down to look her in the eye. 'Do you like toys?'


Luma was curious, they'd had lunch at a cafe, and he'd told her about his friend, now they were on a strange street with a string of little shops on both sides.

Quackerjack sounded a bit on the scary side... but it'd been ages since she'd been scared so it was a refreshing thing to her.

'How am I going to explain it?' Megavolt wondered out loud as they walked along the street.

'Explain what Megsy?' They stopped and Megavolt looked around. Quackerjack was playing wityh a yoyo and Megavolt's hand tightened on Luma's as Quackerjack looked at her. 'Hey! Where'd you get one of those?'

'Internet.' Luma said automatically.

'Luma!' Megavolt snapped reprovingly looking at her. 'No I didn't! I've... er... taken her in from the street.'

'Taking in the poor unfortunates, Megs?' Quackerjack sneered his voice was so condescending it made Megavolt drop Luma's hand and prepare to roast him on the spot.

He was about to say something when the street light let out a flash of electricity that arched into the window of the toy shop right beside Quackerjack, he jumped and looked at it for a moment as the window shattered and the glass shards settled.

Megavolt, having not done it himself, looked to Luma who folded her arms. 'The only reason why I'm unfortunate is because I'm standing here looking at you.' She said coolly to Quackerjack.

Megavolt smiled despite himself and glanced to Quackerjack. 'She has a point there.'

Quackerjack, who should have been utterly insulted was delighted. 'Oh she's smart!'

'Luma.' Megavolt said. 'Did you do that?' He pointed to the shop window.

'Yes.'

'It's not right to go around breaking windows!'

'I know.' She said. 'But I'm not happy!'

'She's like you Sparky!' Quackerjack said rocking back and forwards on his feet. 'Long lost daughter?'

'No... Why does everyone keep assuming that?'

'Well she sparks.'

'I do not!' Luma said. 'I glow!' She corrected.

Megavolt smiled and scooped her up. 'you sure do.' He said proudly. She smiled and hugged him. 'Alright Quacky, have you got anything in her size?'

Quackerjack tapped his beak in thought looking at her. 'Hmm... I may do.' He turned on the spot. 'Let's go and see.'


'Alright...' Quackerjack said taking Luma's measurements. 'How about a mini Megavolt?'

'What?' Megavolt asked. 'I just want her to have a new dress.'

'Oh come on Sparky.' Quackerjack said. 'Matching outfits is cute.'

'I...' Megavolt took a deep breath calming himself. 'I didn't pick this because I like it Quacks, I'm wearing it because it helps channel my electricity!'

'So? She's exactly the same as you.' Quackerjack turned her around. 'I'm seeing yellow dress...' He smiled. 'What do you think?' He asked her.

Luma looked at Megavolt and back to Quackerjack smiling. 'Ok!'

Megavolt shook his head and took up the newspaper at the couch.


Some time later, Quackerjack snatched the paper from him and said 'Allow me to present "The Sparkette".' He gestured to the door where Luma stood wearing a bright yellow dress, blue gloves and matching electric blue sneakers.

Megavolt stared, he hadn't expected it to be so cute, he looked at himself somewhat concerned.

'Don't worry Sparky, you're not the 6 year old in a dress.'

'He isn't?' Luma asked innocently.

Quackerjack laughed loudly.

Megavolt smiled and stood, short sleeves? She looked like a little lady, he looked to Quackerjack, well he'd already visualised the outfit on her from the moment he saw her most likely. 'You know, you could probably make an honest living out of this, Quackerjack.' Megavolt said.

Quackerjack was both mildly offended and proud. 'Sparky, my speciality is toys and a great many of the toys in the world are dolls, and you just presented me with a living one.' Quackerjack winked at Luma who smiled slightly embarrassed, she shuffled her feet and adjusted on the spot. 'Naturally I'm going to dress her right.'

'That's why we came to you.'

'And here I thought you just wanted my company.' Quackerjack said putting a hurt voice on.

'Is that going to be warm enough for her?'

'It comes with a jumper!' Quackerjack said not believing that Megavolt had even bothered to ask.

Megavolt shrugged. 'She's already got a cold; I don't want it getting worse.'

Quackerjack shook his head. 'Daddy's little circuit will be fine... won't you dear?'

Luma smiled. 'Yep.'

Megavolt didn't know if he should argue about the comment of him being "Daddy" or just let it go. He figured to let it go. 'Thanks Quackerjack.'

Quackerjack smiled. 'Now, to complete the outfit.' Quackerjack said. 'She needs a battery.'

Megavolt frowned. 'I...' He sighed. 'Let's wait until she's recovered.'

Quackerjack shook his head. 'Well it looks good with or without.' He said. 'I made sure of that, because I knew you'd be complicated.'

Megavolt looked to him. 'I only took her in last night!' He said. 'I need to think.'

'Don't try to too hard Megs, you might hurt yourself.'

Megavolt glared at him, but Luma giggled and he smiled, he looked to her. 'Sshe does look good in it.' Luma took a step curtsied and then did a slow turn. 'With or without a battery.' He said.

'Oh! While I've got you here!' Quackerjack said suddenly. 'Er, Negaduck wants you to actually show up on Friday.'

'Oh but-' Megavolt started to whine.

'Come on Megs, I do it.'

'I can't see why, I mean; we sit at a table for three hours talking about how Darkwing's ruined all of our weeks.'

'Well, if you bring her along you won't be so bored will you?'

'What?' Megavolt looked at Luma then back to Quackerjack. 'No way! Negaduck would...'

'Come on Megs, she's The Sparkette.'

'Stop calling her that!' Megavolt snapped.

'Well if you can come up with a better title-'

'She's not a villain! She's a little girl!'

'It's for intro's sake.' Quackerjack said 'And do you think Negaduck would stand a chance of hurting either of you, you're both walking talking-'

'If he tries anything I'll roast him into a crisp!' Megavolt growled sparking dangerously.

'Well?'

'Alright, fine! I couldn't leave her alone anyway.'


Megavolt watched Luma skip ahead of him, she was right, she did glow, not electrically but she did light up the afternoon, he glanced up at the darkening sky, it was going to rain soon.

He picked up the pace catching up with her.

The moment word got out that he was taking Luma to the meeting... he smiled, well Negaduck insisted on him showing up in the first place, he was asking for a little rebellion on Megavolt's part.

Megavolt scooped Luma up. 'Let's get back before it starts to rain.' He said.

She nodded. 'Ok.'


'Oh, but their green!'

Megavolt sighed. 'Come on Luma, don't be difficult, eat your peas.'

She looked at him imploringly and he shook his head, she looked down and started to eat again, she'd eaten the meat, she'd eaten the potato and the carrot sticks, but the peas? He'd expected her to have a problem with the carrot, but she'd eaten it no problems.

'Who's Neg-a-duck?'

Megavolt looked at her, she was a little girl, the horror story would give her nightmares 'Negaduck... he's a very bad man.' Megavolt said. 'I'm not all that good either, but there's no real comparison to Negaduck's bad.'

'You're not bad.' Luma said.

'Says the girl who doesn't want to eat her peas.'

She cocked her head and thought for a moment. 'Peas are good for people right?'

'Yes they are.'

'Well...' She sighed and adjusted. 'That means you're being good to me.' He blinked. 'So it's not bad.' She proceeded to eat the peas to make the point.

Megavolt smiled. 'You know, you're very smart for a little girl.'

She smiled and nodded, she swallowed. 'I meet a lot of interesting light bulbs.' She said. 'They tell me stuff.'

'Like.'

'Like the ones at Mr Quackerjack's told me that you two are friends.'

He blinked 'It's-'

'You're not quite friends, but you like to play together.'

Megavolt rested his elbow on the table, considering how she had spoken. 'Alright, here's the question: are you a little girl or a scientific genius?'

She cocked her head. 'Um... little Einstein?'

'So you understand the complex stuff?'

'Well.' She scratched her head. 'I know certain things, one thing lights and toasters don't teach you is how to be all grown up and behave around people.'

'Okay, so do I treat you like a child or an adult?'

'Um... I am a child.' She said. 'But if I have a question I'll ask.'

He gave a nod. 'Right, I won't explain everything then.'

She nodded.

'At least on the science front.' He added. 'so what does Lo specialise in?'

'He's detective studies.' Megavolt looked confused. 'My dad was a detective.'

'Really?'

'Yeah...' She sighed and took her glass of milk drinking it for a long moment.

Megavolt frowned "was" He still didn't really understand- her hand shook amd he got up as she put the glass down and pulled a face, he came around and took her hand and gave her a stable current.

'Do you know why you get like this?' He asked.

She shook her head. 'Sometimes it's because I'm emotional, other times it just happens.'

'Well, once you're better we can see about stabilising you.' He patted her head. 'Finish your peas.'

She nodded. 'Thank you.'

He smiled and went back to his seat, he himself didn't like potato. They looked at each other for a long moment, and he picked up his fork, she frowned and picked her fork up again too.


He tried the circuit, nothing happened. 'Come on, I know I fixed you!'

Luma looked up from the broken toaster, she watched him readjusting the wires again and went back to her toaster. 'But that's not true.' She said suddenly.

Megavolt looked over, knowing she'd been talking to the toaster he returned to his circuit.

'Ok I'll look.' She stood and walked out of the room, Megavolt realised that she'd gone into the kitchen and waited nervously, she returned, shaking her head. 'Ok you're right.' She said to the toaster.

He was eavesdropping. He returned to the circuit. 'What is the matter with you?' He asked it.

Luma sat down on the floor again. 'Alright, so I have to fix it.' She said quietly. 'How?' She scratched her nose in thought.

Megavolt blinked, it was Wednesday night, it left him with just tomorrow to work out how he was going to take her into the meeting... how?

'Maybe it's the wires?' Luma asked appearing at his side.

He jumped and looked to her and then to the circuit. 'Yeah... that makes sense, but I don't like replacing wires without knowing where the problem is originally.'

'Can I see?' She asked holding out her hand.

He handed it to her. 'Be careful with it.'

She nodded and looked it over thoughtfully, inspecting the entire thing carefully she smiled. 'I found it.' She said. 'This one's loose.' She pointed to it and held it up to him. 'It's come slightly out of its connector.'

He took it and looked too, her eyesight would have to be really good to notice that so easily, then again, it didn't help that he was wearing goggles and she wasn't. 'Alright, I'll take your word for it.' He sat down on the couch putting the circuit on the table. 'so Doctor.' He looked to her. 'Let's operate.' She smiled as he handed her the tweezers.