Remembrance

Chapter 27

Four days later…..

It was a peaceful day on Avian Way. The sun was high and a gentle breeze swept through the small neighborhood. Kids played in the streets, neighbors mowed lawns, and a happy paperboy made his rounds. He gave a toss, and it landed in front of the small house.

It read: 'PUBLIC ENEMY #1 ESCAPES!': 'Police suspect the Fearsome Five are back'. Negaduck's picture appeared on the cover, taken from one his various mug shots.

Inside….

Gosylan and Launchpad were playing a friendly match of Wiffleboy. Launchpad actually got close to beating Gos, but she once again prove her superiority at video games. Launchpad smiled, he loved spending time with Gos. Granted he missed the little ones back in Duckberg, but there was something about Gos, something that just said she need him here.

Drake came out of his den and headed for the kitchen. This immediately got the attention of the two. Gosylan whispered, "He's come out."

"Yeah, probably for a bite or something, do we say anything?"

"I don't know."

After Darkwing had returned to the tower, he explained as best as he could to his teammates. He never named names, or went into the specifics of his relationship with the Megavolt, he just gave enough information to satisfy their curiosity. He then thanked everyone for their help and apologized as best he could for his personal life interfering with safety of the world. He then said he'd be taking a vacation. Gosylan at first groaned, that usually meant a camping trip. But this time, Darkwing's idea of a vacation was to lock himself in his den, and not talk to anyone. Not his neighbors or friends, not Fenton or Morg, not even Launchpad or his daughter.

"I know something that might cheer him up" Gosylan smiled. She ran to her book bag and pullout a paper. She then made a bolt for the kitchen. "Dad! Look at this!"

She ran up to him, and her smile faded. Drake looked broken, his eyes were red with dark circles, and his beak was unshaven. He didn't stand tall like he usually did, he was more bent. Regardless she approached him and handed him the paper, "I got an A on my science paper….Honker didn't even help me."

Drake studied the paper to see if it was forgery at first, then he started reading. She had gone into detail about the differences in frequency waves such as Heat, Light, and Radio. This was knowledge that had been gained when Gos was hit with one of SHUSHs weapons, and different parts of her personality had been manifested into these frequencies.

Drake smiled, for the first time in almost a week. "Great job kiddo. You want it on the fridge, or in one of the scrapbooks?"

"Hmmm…I don't know Dad. That's the first A on a paper I got by myself."

"Ok, ok , Ill frame this weekend." He patted her on the head, then turned around and headed for the Den again.

Launchpad saw his chance; Drake was talking at least, "Hey DW. Negaduck escaped last night, think the Fearsome Five might try something? Maybe we should go out on patrol."

Still walking he spoke without making eye contact, "Doubtful LP. Negaduck is still recovering, Bushroot isn't exactly up for a fight, and Megavolt….well…I don't think he'd want to run into me right now…."

"But DW, what about the other bad guys? Morgana been covering for you all week. And even Giz is taking trips out here too. Both of them are exhausted. They can't keep doing this, it's not their job."

Drake stopped at the door. He looked down for a second, trying to formulate his thoughts, "And why does it have to mine." He then entered his sanctuary and left the hurt pilot.

"Gos, we have to do something. He's thinking about quitting crime fighting."

Something inside Gosylan snapped. She was not going to see her father destroy himself. "Wait here Launchpad" She then headed for the den.

Drake sat in the small room, looking over his various pictures and trinkets throughout his life. He was always one for preserving memories. His entire life was before his eyes, yet he had no purpose. Elmo had been that purpose. Why he became a crime fighter, why he decided to stand up where others wouldn't. To him it was a joke now.

He heard to door creek open, and turned to see a shadow of a young duckling. "Young lady, you're not supposed to be in here." He said in a serious tone.

"I wanna spend time with my Dad" Gosylan came right up, with a fire in her eyes, "So you better go get him so we can go play or something!"

Drake sat starring at the duckling. She had been through so much in her short life, it always amazed Drake. "Gos, I'm tired…"

"I don't care!" Gosylan was holding back the tears. "You've been in here for days. You've barely eaten anything, and I know you haven't been sleeping. I'm ten years old, and I shouldn't have to tell you take care of yourself. I'm not going to lose you." She grabbed him and hugged him as hard as she could.

Drake sighed, she was right. It wasn't fair what he was doing, not to her or anyone who cared about him. "Gos, I'm sorry. It's just…I don't know my purpose anymore."

"Your purpose? Your purpose is stop the bad guys from doing bad things. To protect the city with your sidekick and the Justice Ducks. To save world whenever necessary. And above all you purpose is to be my Dad!"

Drake smiled as he looked into her eyes. His baby girl. He then understood. Elmo was reason why he'd become a hero, but she and everyone else he cared about, were the reason to stay one. He hugged her tight, "I think I get it now….Thanks Gos, I love you"

Gosylan sniffed as the tears stopped, "I love you too Dad."

Across town at the Lighthouse….

"Would you please stop with this sulking thing!" Negaduck shouted. His arm was bandaged as best it could be, but his temper was out of control. Megavolt didn't' even quiver with fear like he usually does. He too, had lost his purpose. He sat on his couch, looking miserable.

After the Fearsome Five rescued their boss, the decision needed to be made on what to do with him. He was recovering and they didn't have a hideout. Bushroot needed solitude while he grew, so no one could really stay with him at the horticulture center. And Megavolt was the only one who actually had his own roof. So the decision was made that Negaduck would stay with Megavolt while Quackerjack and Liquidator scouted out for a new hideout.

"Seriously, if you know what's good for you, you'll stop with the depression!" Negaduck flared.

"I'm sorry boss, I just…I don't know why….why do I have to be villain?" Megavolt didn't want to be so blunt, but he was questioning his whole reason for being.

"Because your moron! You like it when the cops chase you, you like to see your picture on TV, you like rescuing all those light bulbs, and you like being a member of this team. That's who you are. You're a villain!"

"But I didn't use to be? And I was happy then."

"Why do I even bother trying to explain it to you. You are not Elmo anymore. That life is over!"

Megavolt looked down. He felt caught in the middle. Why did have to remember who he was? He was happy not knowing. A great fear swelled up in Megavolt, thinking about dealing with this knowledge the rest of his life. Negaduck had not let up on this issue all night. Megavolt was fed up. He quietly said, "Shut up…"

"What did you say to me?"

Megavolt snapped, "I SAID SHUT UP! You don't know what I've been through. I'm caught between 2 different worlds, and all you can do is stand there belittling me. I've had it. With you, this team, Drake, everyone!"

Megavolt headed for the door. Negaduck stood almost stunned. Before Megs left, he turned, "I'm tired. I'm tired of dealing with knowing who I am. It's brought me nothing but pain. Goodbye Boss." Megavolt shut the door behind him.

Negaduck stood, puzzled as the door shut behind the Rat. Something didn't settle right with Negs, and when that happened, bad stuff usually followed. "Maybe he just needs some air." He said to himself. "I hope that's all he needs."

At Darkwing Duck Tower….

The chairs spinned violently, soon revealing Launchpad in one, and Drake with Gosylan in his lap in the other.

"So DW? We going on Patrol tonight?" Launchpad looked hopeful.

"Not tonight LP. I said I was going to take a vacation, and I meant it." The heroes got up and started walking passed all the high tech equipment. They came up to a security door, Drake entered a code only he knew and turned his back as he began going through what was in the small closet

Something in Gosylan made her coring with fear. "You don't mean…" she said as Drake started rummaging through the various tools.

"CAMPING TRIP!!!" Drake smiled as he held a pair of fishing polls and some sleeping bags.

"Awww…Dad! Not again….Hey where'd you get that stuff, I thought I threw out…." She caught herself before she finished that sentence.

"Why do you think I keep this stuff in this a security closet at Darkwing Duck Tower? So you can't get to it, little missy" Drake smiled, "Come on, it will be fun."

"But DW, Morgana, and Fenton need a break. They've both been working double time with you out of commission." Launchpad voice was laced with concern.

"I know LP. But I need this. I want to spend some time with my daughter. It will only be 2 days, and I've called Neptunia and Steggs. They should be on patrol tonight."

"That's great and all DW….but that's still not DW on the streets."

"Look, LP…FOWL will need time before they try anything else, plus I've got their number one agent locked away with a 7 foot tall Russian Bear holding the only key. The Five are in no condition to try anything, that really only leaves the small timers. The Justice Ducks can handle them for 48 hours, after all…they were the ones to rescue me…Darkwing Duck."

The heroes started walking back to the chairs, equipment in hands. Gosylan's head was low. The pasted by one of the computer terminals, and there sat a fruit basket.

"What's that?" Drake walked up.

"It looks like a gift of some kind." Launchpad answered.

"But that means some one was here, without us knowing." Gos pointed out. "Look there's a card!"

Drake opened it up and began to read silently.

"Well what's it say DW!" Launchpad asked.

Drake let out a small chuckle, "It reads: "Hey Dip Dork, Thanks for saving my life and everything. Also for Steelbeak's beating, oh boy did I need that. By the way, lame speech, sounded like a rip off to some action flick. Don't worry about Steely coming after Megs, I managed to talk some sense into him, hehe. And don't think this changes anything, I still loath you with every fiber of my being, but the deal still stays, your identity is safe so far. The Five send their hate.—your arch enemy, Negaduck.

Launchpad looked puzzled, "So I guess he does know everything about you, even where all the alarm trips are."

"Yeah, but the strange thing is, I trust him about this." Drake smiled. The trio started back for the chairs after grabbing the fruit basket. They passed by one of the many windows.

Gosylan looked down, towards the city. The sun was setting and it was looking to be a beautiful night. Two days, just two days in the woods with her Dad to make him happy. She could do that…

Gosylan looked at the street, and she noticed a crowd gathering. Then she saw a figure standing on the rim of the bridge…

"Dad! Someones down there, it looks like they're going to jump."

"The fall is not that far enough to kill anyone, trust me I know from experience. So why would anyone jump." The three of them stood looking out the window, trying to make sense of what was going on.

"What about the Sharks DW?"

"They migrated last season; a shark hasn't been spotted in the bay for over 4 months."

The crowd grew larger, "Maybe Darkwing Duck should go down there" Gos asked.

"Maybe…"

A helicopter noise was heard, and suddenly the hero of Duckberg appeared shouting threw his megaphone, "Everyone stand clear, GIZMODUCK is here!"

"He always has to make an entrance doesn't he?" Drake shook his head. "Well, looks like Giz has the situation under control, let's get home then." Drake started to walk away. The crowd started to move, and the figure became clearer.

Gosylan starred. He looked familiar, like from the pictures on her Dad's desk at home. Then realization hit her. "Hey Dad! That looks like Megavolt."

"What!" Drake ran up.

It was indeed Megavolt, but not the Megavolt so commonly known to everyone. He looked normal. He wore glasses, suspenders, and a pocket protector. It was the same outfit Drake had last seen the Rat in 9 years ago.

"Elmo!" Drake dropped the equipment and jumped out the window, grabbing a cabling and sliding to safety. He had no time to change, instead he marched up.

Gizmoduck caught sight of him immediately, "Why if it isn't my good friend Drake Mallard" He shouted and the leaned down to whispered, "What are you doing here Wingy, and without the cape. Are you back from vacation or not?"

Obviously no one knew that the rat about to jump into the bay was the notorious criminal, not even Gizmoduck. "Hang on Giz, I'm taking care of this!"

Drake fought through the crowd and finally got a good look at him. He just stood there looking over the edge. To anyone normal, jumping into the bay from this height would do no damage. The harbor patrol could rescue them in time. But to someone who had massive amounts of electricity running through they're body…that was a different story.

"ELMO!" Drake shouted.

The rat turned, and smiled, "Drake…I'm glad I got to see you again."

"Don't do this Elmo, it could kill you."

"No…It won't…I've measured the power surge that will happen, it will hurt, but I'll live."

That confused Drake, "Then what are you doing, what do you hope to accomplish?"

"I can't take it anymore Drake…knowing who I am…knowing about you. So I had to find a solution."

"And electrocuting yourself is the answer?"

"Remember what happened 9 years ago Drake…I've built up a tolerance since then…I need a much more powerful shock."

Then it hit Drake, what Elmo was going to do…"Elmo Don't…"

"Goodbye Drake…" Elmo took one step off the bridge. Drake rushed to the edge, ready to leap after him.

Two strong mechanical hands grabbed him, "Giz let me go!" Drake struggled, looking at the water, which now sparked heavily.

"Mr. Mallard, if you jump in there, you'll be killed." Gizmoduck tried to keep him restrained without hurting him.

Drake just watched as the water became silent.

"I took a wild guess when you called the man Elmo…" Giz said releasing the Duck. The crowd too looked over the edge, no body seemed to emerge. "I'm sorry Drake."

Drake hung his head, "You did right Giz…I never thought I'd say this, but I'm glad you were here."

"Any time. I should probably start searching the bay, if Elmo was right, he's still alive. Want to lend a hand?"

"No…" Drake said in an almost defeated voice. "He chose to let me go, I should respect that and do the same…you can handle it." Gizmoduck almost thought he saw a tear.

"DAD!" Gosylan came running up and into her father's arms. He buried he's head while picking her up. He needed time…time to heal.

"Listen…Drake, take as long as a vacation as you need…." Gizmoduck spoke, "I can handle two cities with the help of the others."

"Thanks Giz, but I only think it will be a few days, then I'll be back."

"That a promise, Wingy?"

"Sure, send the Flashquack if you find him. Though I don't think you will."

"One more thing Wingy…When you get back I need to talk to you…about something important…but it can wait."

"No problem Giz. Looks like the police are here, you'd better get to work."

Drake held his daughter, who hugged him tight. This was his purpose, his life. The people he cared about, Launchpad, the Justice Ducks, Morg, and even the Muttlefoots. But most of all, this spirited young 10 year old, who captured his heart so long ago. He'd never give up, as long as she was there.

Elmo was gone, Drake could find peace with that now, different than before. Elmo made this decision, and Drake would live with it. He'd always have his memories and his childhood, nothing Elmo did would change that. They saved the city together, then fought as hero and villian, and then finally stood together, united as hero and villian. Drake didn't know what the future would hold, what would become of Elmo/Megavolt. But it didn't matter, Drake would face it, head on, knowing full well who he is and why he protects others.

"Hey Gos?" Drake asked as they started walking away.

"Yeah Dad?"

"You think we should fish for food like always, or trying hunting this time around?"

Gosylan groaned, Drake laughed.

Author's Note: Yippee! Only the epilog left to go. Sorry for the wait, but this chapter went through about 10 different revisions. Epilog should be up in a few days, I promise. Hope everyone enjoyed this chapter, I went through a lot writing it.