Disclaimer: All of Disney's characters are being used to tell my plots without permission from the Disney Corporation. I am making no money from this or any other fan fiction story. My only reward is the practicing of my writing and the feedback that I get so please reward my efforts. Thank you, also please note that this story deals with child abuse and it's aftermath and happens just after my fiction called Commitment Commencement. There are NO particularly graphic details in this chapter but the subject is something that I feel needs this additional warning.

If for some reason anyone think's I have categorized this story wrong or labeled it wrong please let me know and I will endeavor to make appropriate changes as far as possible. Please keep in mind that this is currently a work in progress and hold your outraged objections until after this is completed. (After all if you lynch me how will I finish this?) Remember I LOVE the Muddlefoots!

---

Morgana struggled to maintain her emotional stability as she finished cleaning up ANOTHER mess she had inadvertently made in her potion cauldron. It was hopeless; there was no way she was going to get anything done at this rate. Eek and Archie had even disappeared!

Deciding to give up and start over fresh after getting some rest, she used her bedroom mirror to check on her familiars and saw that Archie was crouched rather guiltily in the tiny library room with Quacky. The Quackmoronicon who acted as her librarian and magical assistant was bobbing up and down in an agitated manner and Archie was clearly gesturing and grumbling while Eek fluttered above the bookstand that was the enchanted book's usual resting place.

What Archie and Eek were so upset about Morgana didn't know, but from the feelings she was getting, they were all three very upset and now so was Squeek. Squeek had been dozing in the sling around her torso but when she looked for the others he woke with a start.

Using her inner connection she asked, 'Archie, Eek, Squeek what HAS upset you?'

The familiars in the mirror twitched and Eek grabbed Archie in his claws and began to flap back toward the potion workroom with him while Squeek huddled guiltily in his sling. Cautiously Squeek offered, 'Morgana, mistress; it's not just nerves that are causing you to loose focus…. You know we are devoted to you and your welfare. When we heard your call and came to you; we were complete and NO ONE will ever come between us but…'

Archie and Eek came in the bedroom just then, having realized that Morgana and Squeek had stopped trying to work and Archie dropped onto Morgana's dress to chime in. 'There are strange things happening dearest. I went to the Oracle pool in the Macabre haven at dawn.'

Morgana was stunned at this admission that one of her familiars would leave her, however temporarily. Even though her connection to the Macabre haven was here in the manor so technically Archie hadn't even left the house; the fact that he'd entered the haven without her sent terror coursing through her very soul.

Morgana gasped out loud, "Archie!"

All three of her Kin flinched at the emotions in her voice, heart and mind but her actions were still those of their strong, caring mistress. She scooped Archie up in both hands to cradle him gently before holding him in the crook of her elbow and sitting on the dark red divan that scuttled over behind her so she could sit down without falling to the floor.

Visibly calming herself she asked gently, 'Archie dear, it's just us four here within. Please…what's wrong? You, Eek and Squeek have never kept things from me before…. I, I haven't done anything to defy the laws of magic or the rules of ten.'

All three of the spirit images of her familiars twitched and Eek swiftly said, 'Morgana NO, it's nothing like that.'

Squeek added hurriedly, 'It's more to do with others Dearest. But you know that there can be far reaching consequences to actions that no one expects, even with careful and well balanced actions…and.'

Archie admitted quietly, 'it's a vision I was taken by Morgana.'

At this her own spirit image flinched and the fear in her made all three of her Kin morn. Taking a deep breath Morgana asked in a dull voice, 'its Daddy isn't it Archie? He's going to formalize banishing us. ** I'm NOT being defiant just to be stubborn…I love Drake and he LOVES me. He and Gosalyn are so much more than Normal. Just because Drake's Normal-born….'

Archie objected, 'NO! It's nothing like that Morgana LISTEN to me! It's…something else.'

Archie admitted quietly, 'Sekhmet sent me a summons and asked to speak to me. Technically, Eek, Squeek and I are equals. But it's still painful for Squeek to try and fly much, and Eek is the most skilled at channeling planar energy in case you needed to use your Mage skills while I was gone. So I used the Macabre haven's reflective pool to contact her.'

Morgana was flabbergasted at this; Sekhmet was one of the ancient kin and she didn't get involved directly in Mortal affairs very often anymore. Long ago she had chosen to retreat from mortals because she had been called an avatar of war and worshiped in ancient Egypt when her chosen had become powerful in the priesthood and even now Normals had records of her name if not her actual deeds.That the huge lioness had contacted Archie was amazing and more than a little disquieting.

Frightened for different reasons now Morgana asked, 'Archie, what's wrong?'

Archie hated that Morgana was upset but the vision Sekhmet had shared with him had shaken him to his core and he couldn't risk Morgana's interfering. If anything upset the balance the then little Muddlefoot duckling was sure to die, at least this way he had a chance to live and prosper.

Hating the necessity of keeping Morgana ignorant of the vision; he spoke gruffly, 'Sekhmet is senior to most of us and a wise being. She has been raising litters of Kin for ages, especially since she has retreated from the mortal realm. Some of her current young are of an age to want to explore the possibility of finding partners soon.'

Morgana smiled and said happily, 'that's wonderful! But…why would she contact you Archie dearest? Is there something we need to do to help? Wait…I have been, so emotionally distraught lately….'

Archie steeled himself to make sure that none of his distress showed to his beloved mistress and offered generically, 'she is never easy to understand Morgana. But Sekhmet wanted to prepare us for a possible bonding. We aren't the only pioneers to live among Normals, but we are the most likely to be open minded about supporting our Kin…no matter what their hearts dictate. The others are willing of course, but Sekhmet didn't want to risk there being no one to help here outside the homelands in case the kits have problems. She has to be very careful about what she does anywhere in the mortal realm now but outside the Monster realm she is even more restricted.'

Surprised Morgana asked, out loud this time, "Why does this upset you Archie? The thought that more kin are choosing is WONDERFUL! The more Kin there are among people the better no matter who they are or where they are born."

Struck by a sudden thought Morgana kissed him on the head and caressed Squeek and continued a little calmer, "You know…with what I went through in school I understand how vital a Kin bond is. Arian and Davu have children…and living here away from their culture means that most of the people they know won't understand about how hard it is to be isolated…."

Before she could go on, Archie decided to admit part of the truth to her and said, 'Morgana, the reason Sekhmet contacted me is because there is a real chance that some Kin and their chosen will die even after they bond. Even with the help of Kin, courage and love aren't always enough.'

At this Morgana stilled and all three of her Kin felt her tremble. She HAD caught just a tiny flash from Archie, but her mind had refused to recognize what she saw. This being so, she was left with a terrible feeling of pain and loss before Squeek soothed it away with a gentle croon.

All three of her familiars felt her strength as she shook off her feeling of helplessness and said, "We can't stand by and just let that happen. We will be ready to help Archie. Be sure and let the other Kin know who live outside the Monster realm."

Her Spell Chain tingled and she went to her hall mirror. This mirror wasn't as personal as her bedroom one and it was marginally easier to use when concentrating on non family members. Focusing on her beloved Drake she looked anxiously into the mirrors depths hoping to catch a glimpse of him to comfort her. She did indeed see him, to her shock though he and Launchpad were flying in a plane but it wasn't the Thunderquack.Instead of their custom built jet this was a small two person private plane.

The tiny jet was clearly headed east since the lights of Scrooge's money bin were just fading away behind the plane and Launchpad's radio headset crackled to life. He was just contacting the St. Canard airport so Morgana knew they were headed home from Duckburg.

Just knowing her brave champion was coming back tonight made her heart beat faster and Morgana started to wipe the mirror to banish the vision but then she realized that Gosalyn was nowhere to be seen. Her Spell Chain tingled at the thought of the duckling and Morgana focused her will on the mirror and concentrated even harder in hopes of seeing the rest of the plane and finding Gosalyn; but all that happened was that she suddenly was struck by a vicious headache that made her stagger and the vision vanish entirely.

Even more concerned now she asked Eek, "Eek dear, I know this is hard for you…since Gosalyn is a Normal-born duckling but…."

Eek, Squeek and Archie were already anticipating her request but when they tried to look in on Gosalyn they couldn't make a connection to her through the mirror. Squeek DID look along their bond to her on the spiritual plain and saw that she was in fact sitting in a large, formally decorated bedroom staring forlornly out the window. The house was huge, at least as large as the main keep of castle Macabre, with extensive lands surrounded by a fence.

Gosalyn was holding one of the small machines her daddy used to contact S.H.U.S.H. and from her sad expression and body language; anyone who didn't have an inner connection to her might think she was being held prisoner in an enemy fortress; not a welcome and well cared for guest in a comfortable mansion. Squeek was about to do a fast fade and return his attention to Morgana, Eek and Archie so he could tell them she was safe, if not happy. To his absolute shock though he saw the unmistakable signs of two little unbound Kin sneaking carefully along behind the potted plants on the balcony beside the window where Gosalyn was staring out into the gathering darkness.

They realized he was watching and turned defensively to warn him away from the red haired duckling. They were twin black kittens whose tiny size was offset by tremendous personality. On the outside, they were only a little larger than the newborn lesser kits that any domestic cat would have but in his other sight, they shown with the potential to be truly special even for Kin. The only difference between them was that one's eyes were a darker golden amber color than the others, but that might have been a trick of the light since they were flickering between their tangible and intangible states.

Unwilling to risk disturbing Kin on search and highly excited that they seemed to be watching Gosalyn; Squeek dodged back into his body and cried pathetically wiggling his injured wings to focus Morgana's attention on him. The tactic WAS a bit underhanded, but it had the desired effect as Morgana rushed him into her potion pantry and doused his sling with a fresh healing brew and enlisted Eek and Archie to help her smooth a pale ointment over the pock marks where the membranes of his wings were trying to re-grow over the places where he had been pierced through.

Archie and Eek were a little put out at his uncharacteristically blatant play for attention, until he shared his memory with them. Stunned, Eek offered, 'those little spirit Kin look like the same ones who were at the campground….you don't think that maybe?'

Almost unwilling to chance jinxing the possibility by saying anything, even among themselves…Archie swiftly cut Eek off and said, 'We can hope for the best, and at least Sekhmet's vision didn't have little Gosalyn anywhere near it. But we can't take the chance that anyone might interfere…Besides, Gosalyn has been through much but none of the Kin have shown direct interest until now.'

Determinedly Squeek put in, 'until Elder Mintaka and Lucidia came into contact with her and her father, none of the other Kin had any reason to know her. Even if they don't choose, the fact that their mother let them look in the wider world at all and that the kits are looking at more than just scattered pockets of Mage-born sentients is a good sign.'

Archie shivered and all the fine hairs on all eight of his legs stood up as he said, 'our connection to Gosalyn is only a passive one it's true, but if the worst happens I will bond to her as well as our Morgana. If she loses her best friend, especially to THAT it will cripple her'

Eek and Squeek crooned in agreement and Eek offered, 'You are certain that the vision only held the little Muddlefoot and NOT our Gosalyn aren't you?'

Archie nodded and crooned to the bats reassuringly as he and Eek cuddled supportively on Morgana as she rewrapped the sling comfortably around her torso and settled Squeek in it. All they could do now was wait and hope but at least they had hope to cling to.

Eek spoke to Morgana and said, 'Drake left Gosalyn in Duckburg in a very large house surrounded by a fence and green growing things. The gate is inscribed with the McDuck crest so it is most likely his home. You know how careful Drake is of Gosalyn I'm sure the people there have been charged with her care; but we will check on her tomorrow. Besides, that Scrooge McDuck has allied himself with Drake and Drake's instincts are good.'

Morgana felt her anxiety ease some and agreed with her usual brisk, take charge attitude, "You're right I'm sure Eek. Thank you for checking on her….It's been a long time since using a prepared mirror has given me a headache. I think I'll take a little of Aunt Lucidia's restorative and lie down for a bit. I should probably contact her and let her examine me to make sure I'm not coming down with something."

All three familiars knew that the most likely reason for Morgana's headache was that the baby kin poking around the McDuck estate had blocked themselves from Mage sight after being spotted by Squeek but Morgana didn't so her reaction made sense. As Morgana finished scribing a scroll message to her Aunt and settled down to try and rest, her feeling of unease returned but she put that down to her general feeling of illness and with the help of Eek, Squeek and Archie, she soon fell asleep.

---

Landing at St. Canard airport, Drake left Launchpad to sign the plane over to the rental company and rushed to rent the first car he could. As the twosome hurried to 537 Avian Way Drake's Spell Chain tingled and the energy released into his feathers making him shiver all over in spite of himself. Fully keyed up, he reacted as Darkwing not Drake as he rushed up to the house.

Drake Mallard had been contacted by the police while in route and there was a squad car parked in the driveway with a pair of officers still filling out their reports. The C.S.I. teams had just finished their preliminary workups but it was the ambulance and E.M.T.'s in the driveway next door that made Launchpad and Drake rush for the Muddlefoot's house and not their own door.

The grimfaced rescue crew had just loaded Tank into the ambulance. As the adult duck that Launchpad and Darkwing recognized from family photos and Herb's slide show evenings as Herb's brother Franklin attempted to get in the back of the ambulance Tank began to thrash and babble as they struggled to fit an oxygen mask over his beak. Hearing Tank's fear, Drake moved past the E.M.T.'s and took Tank's hand reassuringly. Tank was struggling to remain conscious but Drake made out Honker's name and his heart nearly stopped as he realized that the other stretcher in the ambulance was empty.

Taking a card from his wallet that Director Hooter had given him to keep on his civilian identity he gestured for the anxious Launchpad to take his place, detached his emotions and asked the police, "They have a ten year old son, he should be here. Are there any other victims?"

The police officer who had taken the card was a large male bulldog and his partner a slightly more petite female version in her identical uniform was attempting to get a statement from Franklin Muddlefoot. Drake noticed that Herb's brother didn't spare much attention for his nephew on the gurney and in spite of several bandages and scratch marks; Frank wasn't nearly as injured as Tank looked to be.

The male officer read the card but other than a raised eyebrow he didn't say anything. Instead he said casually, "Agent Mallard, This is S.C.P.D. jurisdiction but…with the older boy's injuries and in the interest of finding the younger boy; I'll look the other way as far as people to saturate the neighborhood."

When he heard Drake's question Franklin said, "Poor Honker, I don't know where he ran off to, but while those thugs were hurting Francis, he must have hidden himself. Officer I must insist on looking for my nephew."

The emergency crew ignored this to drag him firmly toward the cab of the ambulance while Launchpad climbed into the back of the ambulance beside Tank. Drake's eyes narrowed as his crime fighting instincts took in the difference between how easily Frank Muddlefoot got into the cab of the ambulance and how carefully he had been moving while the police had been questioning him.

Coming to a decision as his Spell Chain tingled frantically Drake said, "LP I am going to find Honker, stay with Tank and DON'T leave him alone. Once you get to the hospital find out where Binkie and Herb are and make sure someone escorts them to the hospital. Make sure S.H.U.S.H. knows what's happened right away; a team should already have been mobilized…. Find out why they are late and call me."

Realizing that it was Darkwing the S.H.U.S.H. operative and his team leader talking and not Drake the suburban break-in victim Launchpad nodded and readied his cell phone he spoke calmly to Tank. "Relax Tank, we're here now and we'll bring your mom and dad to you right away."

Tank's fear filled eyes sent chills through the adult duck but Launchpad hit the bio-lock on the menu and contacted S.H.U.S.H.; careful not to let anything slip to the ambulance crew or the now fast fading Tank. Launchpad knew that Drake would check the house and as soon as the police left Darkwing Duck would be costumed, equipped and tearing St. canard apart to find Honker. If it wasn't for the fact that S.H.U.S.H. SHOULD have already been on the way Drake Mallard would be running his feet raw already; but they needed information not emotion.

The police left, some following the ambulance while three other squad cars searched the neighborhood for the missing Honker. Drake had rushed inside as soon as the police had left and his heart did flip flops as he realized that someone had torn through the house destroying all the bedrooms, part of the living room and the bathrooms.

He hurried into his costume that was thankfully intact under the rest of the piles of coats and other outer wear in the bottom of the hall closet and rushed to override the lockdown mechanism on the spinning chairs. He'd get the Ratcatcher from the lair and double back to meet the S.H.U.S.H. team that had BETTER be already mobilized and searching for Honker by the time he rode into the neighborhood. He could use the communications suite in the tower to get a direct connection to Director Hooter and find out what exactly was going on much quicker than if he just rushed around without coordinating anything.

Glancing around, he ignored his own feelings of violation as he stepped over broken picture frames, sports equipment and toys and thumbed the underside of the Sherlock Holmes styled deerstalker cap on the statues head to release the lock and disappeared in a whirl toward the tower lair. Thankfully the chairs seemed to be in perfect working order and only a few minutes passed before Darkwing emerged inside his tower hideout.

As he started to get up, he sent a grateful thought to whatever guardian angel was on duty today to thank them for having Gosalyn and Launchpad safely away from the house at the time of the break in and to his surprise he felt some sort of sticky residue on the seat. He looked at his hand and realized there was some kind of crusted mess on his feathers, he took a curious sniff and his heart nearly stopped as he recognized the unmistakable coppery tang of partially dried blood among the scents his sense of smell picked up from the stuff.

Looking around and wiping his hands off as he struggled to shake off still more feelings of tension and unease; Darkwing saw a gruesome trail on the cement leading away from the chairs. His heart rate sped up as the crime-fighter instinctively understood that someone had been or was still in the lair. Whipping out his gas gun Darkwing cautiously followed the trail towards his computer consoles and then towards the huge windows that surrounded the outer rim of the towers. Gasping in shock and denial he froze as he saw the huddled form of Honker Muddlefoot crouched precariously on the ledge outside the window!

Even from here Darkwing could see Honker's tightly shut eyes and pinched expression and the only clothes he had on looked like the ragged remains of one of his olive green shirts without even his glasses. Honker was pressed up against the glass as though frozen in mid step on the ledge and Darkwing wasted no time in getting up to the emergency hatch on the roof of the tower in a desperate and determined bid to save the duckling.

Back when he lived here, before he had resumed his civilian identity of Drake Mallard and adopted or been adopted by depending on who you asked; Gosalyn and Launchpad Darkwing had often spent hours looking over the city from the top of this tower. Then he used this very same hatch to make a dramatic leap inside the lair to the seat of the Ratcatcher before zooming off to thwart evil doers; but now he climbed up and out as carefully and quietly as ever he had and leaned out over the side of the tower.

Praying to whatever angels might be listening that Honker wouldn't lose his balance or fall while DW readied a line. Darkwing carefully prepared his grappling hook attachment and peeked down to make absolutely sure of Honker's position. Not wanting to risk frightening Honker more than he obviously was already, Darkwing debated using his gas gun to try and put a line around Honker. A closer inspection of the patterns of bruises and blood spatter covering the duckling made him decide otherwise though; any sudden moves on Honker's part would end in tragedy. Throttling down his feelings, Darkwing attached his grappling line to the tower and prepared to rappel down to the window.

If he startled Honker, the badly hurt duckling was all too likely to fall and that was the absolute very last thing DW wanted to risk. Darkwing forced himself to carefully observe the ledge and Honker's position to make sure of everything before beginning his decent; even though what he really wanted to do was rush to the duckling and make all his hurts go away.

This was a very wise precaution and it also meant that Darkwing received an even bigger shock than the one he had just gotten a few seconds ago when he had discovered Honker on the ledge. Crouched just beside Honker, clinging to the surface of the rough stone wall beside the window; was some sort of odd furry creature. It was emitting some sort of buzzing croon and as Darkwing watched, Honker relaxed just a little and turned his head to face the creature.

Darkwing noticed his Spell Chain tingling but other than feeling a little light headed, Darkwing couldn't figure out if this strange little creature was causing the tingling which was making him feel lightheaded or if it was just his already overworked nerves making him feel lightheaded and the Chain was doing something else entirely.

Darkwing's sharp eyesight made out that the little creature looked like a baby fox kit. It didn't look much like an ordinary animal though; instead of the usual red or brownish coat, the little fox's base coat was a silvery grey with a dark strip of fur over his wide ears and bright golden eyes. The tip of his tail was the usual white and it was this that flicked back and forth as the kit crooned to Honker.

Struggling with himself for a minute or so Darkwing made sure to check the line fastened to his costume and waited ready to jump to the rescue, but something was whispering at his overwrought nerves coaxing him to wait. He shook off his inertia and decided that he wasn't imagining that his Spell Chain was reacting to a grey and black fox kit that was seemingly trying to talk Honker down off the ledge.

---

Honker shuddered again and struggled to make out something, anything in the blurry mess his world had somehow become. He didn't want to think, didn't want to feel…he was worthless. He was supposed to be getting help but he was so tired and everything HURT….

A gentle, persistent voice insisted, 'Chosen, LISTEN to me. You are special, unique in all the world and I will never leave you. If you truly want to stop living we will fall together but, couldn't you just TRY and look at me once before we cross to the journey road? Please?'

The forlorn pleading in that voice refused to be denied. Whoever it was sounded even younger and sadder than his own mental and emotional condemnation made Honker feel. Honker's courage and sense of justice refused to give up without giving whoever it was the eye to eye contact they asked for. Slowly struggling to open his eyes he was overcome by a sense of warmth and welcome as he was caressed by the tip of a furry white tail and he realized the gentle croon that had been soothing him and blocking out the sounds of the traffic on the bridge far below had just doubled in volume.

The voice continued joyously, 'Please, what is my name? I don't want to die without knowing it.'

Honker stuttered, "die? We don't have to die. At least I don't think we do…. I don't want to give up Fenrick."

Honker's voice sounded dry and raspy to him, not like his usual stutter or even those occasions when he didn't stutter. Surprised he looked around and realized where he was and started to panic. Overcome by a spate of coughing Honker lost his balance.

As he flailed desperately the fox grabbed hold with his front paws and clung to the duckling's arms trying to keep Honker from falling off the ledge. Now that Honker had decided not to give up, AND now that he had his very own name at last Fenrick wasn't going to go tamely into death's care and neither was his bond-mate.

Just as they started to lose their fight with gravity, a warm cape enveloped Honker and the fox and strong arms held him close. "Don't worry Honker, I've got you and No one will hurt you now. I promise, just let me…."

Gasping like a stranded fish at low tide Honker stiffened in shock as he realized that he knew that voice. Taking in a deeper breath and the distinctive smell of Darkwing's crime fighting costume and the comforting scent of the adult who Honker had subconsciously latched onto as one of the few adults in his life he could trust without fearing for his other loved ones Honker stopped struggling.

Honker's eyes were still hopelessly blurry and he nearly passed out as the adrenaline rush from teetering on the ledge faded. But he realized that they were now dangling from the leftmost tower on the Duckburg side of Audubon Bay bridge and that he couldn't hang onto Darkwing because his arms were full of a furry body who's bright golden eyes were all the world and feeling somehow impossibly safe he fainted.

---

The next thing Honker knew he was being carefully held by Darkwing on a cot somewhere that smelled like a hospital and DW was quietly arguing with someone. Looking up from where the fox was purring in his lap Honker saw Dr. Sarah Bellum. She was looking particularly grave and carefully putting some kinds of samples and things in a locked evidence case. Darkwing's arms were comforting and the warmth rising through the adult's feathers acted as a balm to Honker who felt as though this was somehow the calm before a storm.

Quietly she said, "It's not your fault Darkwing. What he needs now is support to get through this NOT emotional recriminations from one of the few adults he still trusts! I KNOW this is hard for you, but you HAVE to put aside your guilt. Honker and his family need us all."

Darkwing flinched and the fight went out of him as Honker instinctively tightened his hold on the costumed adult. Looking older and suddenly worn out Darkwing nodded and asked quietly, "Can you at least let me know when the rest of the Muddlefoots' get here? I need to know how LP is holding up too."

Sarah nodded and offered looking carefully at Honker, "I see you are paying attention now, that's a good sign."

Honker flushed as he realized he was wrapped in Darkwing's cape and a hospital gown. Without saying anything else Sarah calmly handed Honker a pair of glasses that had clearly been made to fit his face and prescription. Thankfully settling them on his beak he suddenly felt much more like himself.

Remembering his desperate mission Honker gasped, "Darkwing we have to save Tank and my parents!"

Soothingly Darkwing nodded and said, "Tank is safe Honker, LP is with him and your Uncle is in St. Canard General Hospital. The people who broke into your house and did this to you and your brother won't get away with this. I promise Honker."

Honker flinched but at Fenrick's urging he confessed, "no one broke in Darkwing, but Dad didn't know about the secret. Mom and Dad would have stayed home, but He said that if we told anyone we would be taken from our parents!"

Stunned Dr. Bellum froze although a small part of her remained thinking enough to turn on her pocket recorder. Darkwing's voice was very soft and very clear as he asked, who told you that Honker? Who did this to you?"

Weeping piteously Honker confessed, "It was Uncle Frank. PLEASE don't tell him I told! He'll hurt Mom and Dad and Tank."

Sounding exactly like Dark warrior Duck Darkwing promised, "he won't get away Honker. Your parent's are on the way here now and once your mother and father get here, I'll go make sure of it. You and your family are safe now Honker."

Dr. Bellum nodded and started to add more but just then her communicator went off and she hurried to the next room over where Launchpad was trying to lend some support to the medical team trying to help Tank Muddlefoot. The duckling was frantic and refused to stay in bed, the restraints were making him panic as well as playing merry hell with his I.V.'s and the monitoring machines but Tank was beyond reasoning with by now. Just then Director Hooter came in with Herb and Binkie Muddlefoot in tow.

Director Hooter had sent a pair of agent's to pick them up at their hotel and brought them straight to the medical facilities where S.H.U.S.H. took care of undercover agents and the HERO's operatives. Granted this was one of several secure places but it also happened to be attached to the newest wing of the St. Canard Children's Research Hospital and medical personnel came from all over the country and the world to study and practice here so it made a good place to shuffle necessary people in and out without attracting a lot of attention especially since the personnel in question were children.

Director Hooter honestly didn't know how much to reveal to Honker's parent's about their youngest son's involvement in the HERO program but even if it meant his losing his position and facing legal action he knew that invoking the HERO protocols was essential to protect the Muddlefoots. Drake had actually brought up fully informing Honker's parents back in June but the timing had never seemed right and Hooter placed the blame for this squarely on his own shoulders.

Honker was a child prodigy and far more than just a ten year old duckling, but he WAS only ten and it was his job as Director to see to things like this BEFORE they became a problem. Admittedly it was a secondary problem right now but it WAS one he was going to have to face, most likely right after young Bolt's parent's were brought up to speed and on board as far as S.H.U.S.H. and it's involvement in their lives not to mention Darkwing and Quiverwing.

Immediately after entering the room, Binkie began trying to calm Tank who was babbling about Honker and shivering as he tried to pull out of the leather cuffs holding his arms still so his I.V.'s would stay in. Herb looked uncertain and was clearly at a loss since there wasn't room beside the bed for his large frame because there were also several medical people assisting Binkie and he clearly needed SOMETHING to let him feel as though he was helping.

Launchpad promptly took his cue from Director Hooter and greeted Herb, "Hey there Herb. Honker is in the next room with a friend of mine I trust, do you want to see him now or?"

Herb was clearly torn as he watched his wife try and settle Tank and several S.H.U.S.H. agents filed in plainly guarding the door while another sat quietly and took notes of everything Tank was saying. The Nurses and Doctors were quietly conferring with the one whose nametag said Dr. Bellum and Herb distinctly heard the words confession and recording before they were silenced at a sharp look from Launchpad.

Director Hooter gestured to the connecting door and it was unlatched as Herb nodded to his neighbor looking as though he'd never really seen the lanky pilot before. Herb asked hesitantly, "What is going on here anyways Launchpad? Why are all these people interested in my boys? They aren't police? And why is Honker with someone?…."

Suddenly the large male was through the door as he caught a glimpse of the cot in the other room. Herb lifted both the costumed Darkwing and his son off the cot in a crushing hug as tears ran down both his face and Honker's. Honker was temporarily silenced by the sudden appearance of his father and Darkwing was silenced by the sudden disappearance of oxygen from his immediate vicinity.

Gasping Darkwing tried to get some air in his lungs and as his face took on an unhealthy purple hue under his feathers, he began to seriously consider using some sort of Quack Fu hold or twist just in the interest of staying conscious. Honker was deathly pale at the sight of his father since he was afraid that his confession to the caped and masked crime fighter had been overheard by one of the two people he NEVER wanted to tell; for fear of the repercussions.

Realizing that Honker's rescuer was in a fairly serious quandary; and that there was a strange taste of magic somewhere on this duck who was somehow vitally important to his beloved Honker; it was Fenrick who saved Darkwing by tickling Herb under his bill and forcing the large suburbanite to release his bear hug. This DID have the happy side effect of allowing Darkwing to breathe but having renewed access to oxygen alas didn't automatically grant him the chance to get a word in edgewise.

Herb was actually trying to thank Darkwing and simultaneously find out how hurt Honker was, this meant that neither of the ducks now back on the cot got to say anything for almost two minutes. Silently Drake removed his mask and said, "Hello Herb…Before you say anything else I'd like a chance to explain."

Herb stared and gaped for a second before he began firing questions at Darkwing without waiting for any answers. When Herb finally wound down from his questions it was actually Director Hooter who took the lead and began by explaining that Darkwing was actually an autonomous operative for S.H.U.S.H. as well as the shadowy protector for the city. He had arranged for his neighbors to receive protection the same as his family Gosalyn and Launchpad ever since they had moved next door. And since and he hadn't wanted to risk his enemies finding them he had moved in as Drake Mallard and kept silent about his agency work.

Binkie had just entered the room and heard this explanation and Darkwing was promptly covered with a tearful Binkie Muddlefoot who had gathered some of the story from Launchpad and Tank. While Herb took Darkwing's place on the cot trying to comfort his youngest son, Darkwing and Hooter had the unenviable task of bringing a fiercely determined Binkie Muddlefoot onboard, but nether of them quite knew how to bring up the subject of young Bolt.

---

Okay, I realize that this is a little short but I am going to open the next chapter with Morgana, Gosalyn and Frank Muddlefoot and the action is bound to be really heavy. Also if anyone has any ideas or suggestions as far as ways to improve this PLEASE do contact me as I am not very satisfied with the characterizations in this. But I wanted to get this posted because it will be a while before I can post the next part and I didn't want to leave poor Honker in the lurch.

S.C.P.D. stands for St. Canard Police Department. And I just realized I have never posted what H.E.R.O.'s operatives stands for so here it is, Homeland Emergency Response Operatives so mystery revealed.

** this is a reference to my story called Monoculo's Mistake in which Morgana tells off her father for using a malignant spell on Darkwing and she think's he's going to formalize his disapproval by having the Council (the governing body of the Monster Realm) officially banish her to the Normals part of the world and choose another heir thereby isolating her from her culture and family.

Also Gene (the duckling at Scrooge's estate with Gos, Webby and the triplets in chapter 2) is from the Ducktales movie. He used to be the genie of the lamp but at the end of the movie he became a mortal boy and a ward of Scrooge McDuck. Bubba is a minor recurring character from Ducktales and is a young cave-duck that hitches a ride back to the future with Scrooge and the triplets in an episode and is adopted as a ward of Scrooge and appeared in a couple of other episodes. That is also where tootsie the baby triceratops comes from. She is a combination friend and pet for Bubba.

I figure that my continuity happens after most of the DWD cartoons and all of Ducktales and I am trying to work in details as I remember them. I am always open to suggestions and ideas so feel free to private message or e mail me. I do not own any Ducktales cartoons but I DO have the first 6 disks that have been released of the DWD cartoons so I am always glad when someone offers to jog my memory and I can add in more stuff from cannon. Thank you, Irual.