Disclaimer: I do not own Darkwing Duck, Scrooge McDuck or any other Disney character.

Authors Note: Reader's warning. This ties directly to my fic "The Path Chosen", it also bridges the other fics, Tracker's Story "Synthetic Hero" and "Hidden Dawn". If you haven't read those fics, I doubt this one will make any sense to you.

Meant To Be Chapter 17

"This can not be good!" Scrooge exclaims as he listens uneasily to the sound of crackling static over Darkwing's communicator. "Why doesn't he answer?'

Taking a deep breath Darkwing pushes the communicator back into his vest.

"Something is interfering with the transmission. The waterfalls are linked to the St. Canard dam. It's generating power that could be interfering with the transmission.

Then we best hurry. We have to get to Bulba before he gets to the others."

Scrooge replies as he turns to run in the direction the cyborg had gone.

In the cavern, the small group is moving quickly. Tracker, now recovered from the blow Bulba dealt him, leads the way.

"How much further!" Webby asks clutching her grandmothers dress, as she tries to keep pace with the others.

"We're almost to the sewers," he calls to the little girl, encouraging her "It's not much further. We'll be able to get topside soon."

But from far behind them comes the all too familiar roar of rocket thrusters. Tracker spin to look back. Even before the source of the sound can be seen, he knows.

"Bulba!"

There is no time to react before Bulba is upon them. In a heartbeat the powerful criminal is in front of the small group, blocking their way.

He morphs out of glider mode and lands facing them.

Instinctively, Tracker and LaunchPad move in front of Mrs. Beakley and the kids.

"Oh how noble of you, how valiant." Bulba scoffs. "Do you two really think you could protect them from me if I wanted to get to them? Especially since my power is now enhanced, thanks to a very special gel." He runs a finger across his cheek. A clear glossy coating is visible against his dark skin. The Bio Enhancement Gel.

"If you're after the Super Elastio Alloy, we don't have it any more. We gave it to SHUSH." Tracker informs him.

The bulls eyes narrow as he studies the figure that stands before him. The voice is the same. The fedora, the mask, they are all Darkwing Duck's. The facial features and the bill are as Darkwing's use to be.

"Interesting." he says to Tracker "Tell me, Is the egotistic clown is so arrogant that he is now cloning himself."

Tracker looks him in the eye but remains silent.

This irritates the hulking cyborg. "Well, you can speak can't you?"

No answer.

"Bulba!" a voice resounds off the cavern walls as the sound of running footsteps is heard from behind.

Darkwing and Scrooge emerge from the darkness of the cavern.

"Well well, Darkwing Duck, still in the land of the living are you. I guess I should have finished ringing your scrawny neck before I came after your little friends here."

"Bulba, leave them alone. They don't have the Alloy either. We gave it to SHUSH!" Scrooge informs him.

"Is that so?" Bulba enquires skeptically. "He brings the sinister claw up to scratch his chin "Hmmm, then we have a bit of a problem." Bulba lowers his gaze to look at the small group. "Well, I guess you will just have to get it for me."

"And why would we do that?" Scrooge demands.

Grinning evilly Bulba replies "Because you love your children." With that he lashes out with the claw grabbing at Quiverwing who nimbly jumps aside avoiding his grasp. The claw snaps wildly grabbing for whatever child was closest. Tracker grabs Huey and leaps out of the claws striking range. LaunchPad pulls Dewey and Mrs Beakley to safety as Darkwing and Scrooge try to get to the other kids. But Webby just isn't able to escape the monsters grasp for long and the claw manages to catch her by the collar of her dress.

She screams in terror as the claw lifts her off the ground. "Hey, you let her go!" Louie shouts. Without stopping to consider his own safety the boy grabs a stone from the ground and hurdles it at Bulba.

Being a pretty good little league pitcher, He actually manages to throw the stone with enough accuracy and speed to do some damage. The stone strikes Bulba in the mouth, chipping a tooth.

"Ah," Bulba cries out in surprise. He drops Webby as he retracts the arm. For a second, he is actually stunned that a child with a stone is able to do him harm. But it doesn't take long to Regain his senses. As Louie helps Webby to her feet, Bulba makes a lunge, grabbing both children.

"No!" Scrooge cries running toward the cyborg.

Bulba sees him.Darkwing sees a gleam of red in the cyborg's monocle and makes a grab for the old miser, pulling him back as a laser blast misses both of them by a inches.

Bulba holds both the children in his claw. Lifting them up before him. "Now, I suggest you get the Alloy back from SHUSH like good little super heroes, or start picking out headstones for these two. Bring the Alloy to the waterfall in one hour...or else." With that Bulba's legs merge into thrusters and he rockets off with Louie and Webby in tow.

Huey and Dewy rush to their uncle, throwing their arms around him in fear.

"What are we going to do Unca Scrooge?" Huey asks.

"Give them the Alloy. That's all we can do." Scrooge answers dolefully.

Darkwing and Tracker both stare at the old duck knowing the truth. Even if they give Bulba the Alloy, he will never give the children back - alive."

To be continued...