Somehow, the NDs had grown more dangerous in a few weeks than they had been in the past ten years. They had been (successfully) robbing banks all over St. Canard, armed with guns that nobody their age should be using. They had been going after ancient museum artifacts that none of them should know the abilities of. They had even managed to encase the entire police force in lime Jello.

Both Darkwing Duck and Quiverwing Quack were on patrol to keep the NDs from causing too much trouble. Rumors had grown that the person supplying the NDs with these weapons and ideas was none other than the original Negaduck. When he came back from his latest patrol, Harold told Drake to meet him and Quiverwing in Darkwing Tower.

Drake was at Darkwing Tower's computer when Harold and Gosalyn returned. He was already poring over Negaduck's file. Harold interrupted him, pointing to the screen. "It's funny, I know about all your other major enemies, but you never mentioned him. He was the biggest, wasn't he?"

Drake glared at Harold. "It's not a popularity contest…but if it was, Negaduck would probably be winning. Imagine you have an alternate version of yourself that's you at your worst. The Negaverse is populated with them, and Negaduck rules over them all. Or at least, he did. I have no idea where he is now. I thought he went back to the Negaverse for good, but I was never sure."

"I haven't seen Negaduck in ages," Gosalyn added. "Negaquack's the one I usually fight. I could ask her if she knows what's going on, but she's not a reliable source. Maybe her dad's having a mid-life crisis."

Harold asked, "Wouldn't that mean your dad feels the same way?"

Gosalyn chuckled, "He certainly acts like it, all the time."

"I'm right here!" Drake snapped.

Harold and Gosalyn snickered to themselves.

Drake's expression quickly softened – this wasn't a time for him to get angry at jokes at his expense. He told Harold and Gosalyn, "We need to figure out where the NDs are going to strike next. Gos', help me look over these maps of the city to see what places they still haven't stolen from. Harold, you can search on the computer to see if there's something we're missing."

Soon, Drake and Gosalyn were drawing on maps to see what banks and museums the NDs hadn't taken from yet, or still had something valuable left in them. As they did that, Harold looked over Negaduck's file, which was still open on the computer.

REAL NAME: Negaduck

IDENTITY: Negaduck

OCCUPATION: NEGADUCK! Didn't you hear us the first time?!

Below that was a real description of Negaduck's abilities and history. Despite having been a hero for almost two years now, the idea of an alternate universe was still something Harold had a hard time wrapping his head around. The file mentioned Negaduck had adopted his own version of Gosalyn. She must have grown up to become the "Negaquack" Gosalyn mentioned.

There was a note attached to the file about Drake's first retirement, and Negaduck's part in it. Negaduck was one of the few foes that found out Drake was Darkwing Duck. The devious doppelganger was about to decimate 537 Avian Way when Quackwerks' robots arrested him. Darkwing's home in danger plus the robots making him obsolete equaled a one-year retirement.

The end of the file read: Now firmly established as Darkwing Duck's most fearsome foe, Negaduck continues to torment Darkwing and the city he's sworn to protect, despite being repeatedly incarcerated, split into atomic particles, and sucked into alternate dimensions. As always with Negaduck, his long-term plan for St. Canard's heroes remains unpredictable.

If Negaduck was back, he would probably go after the Mallard family first. Negaquack menaced the Quiverwing Quack whenever she got the chance, after all. So why wasn't that the case this time? Also, if the original Negaduck was pushing these perverse plots, why hadn't he revealed himself yet? Harold didn't see it in the case file, but he knew Drake and Negaduck both liked being the center of attention.

This Negaduck had to be someone new, but Harold wasn't sure who. It would have to be someone confident enough to claim the title without feeling that the real Negaduck would kill them for it. Harold shuddered at the thought, and knew most people felt the same, ten years after Negaduck's supposed disappearance.

It was then Drake piped up from Darkwing Tower's table. "We've figured it out!"

Harold got up from the computer and came to the living room area. He asked Drake, "What did you find?"

"We've found the place we think they're going to target next: the Cangialosi Archaeological Museum. The only item with an interesting history is the Midas Gauntlet."

Gosalyn explained, "In the book I found, the Midas Gauntlet can turn anything it touches to gold. However, it might not work as expected when removed from the island where Midas's tomb resides."

Drake added, "It doesn't even say who donated it to the museum. Maybe they found it did work in St. Canard, and simply couldn't handle that much gold. Or maybe they tried it and found it was a dud outside of the island."

Harold said, "Well, all I've figured out is that this Negaduck can't be the original one. Sure, he's copied previous crimes, but the original Negaduck probably wouldn't stay out of the spotlight this long. He knows where you – we – live, Drake. He'd go right for the throat and wouldn't let go."

Drake nodded solemnly, agreeing with Harold's assessment. Then he asked, "Do you think they'll go for the museum tonight?"

"They've been active every night for the past few weeks," Harold replied. "I doubt they'll give us any relief now."

Soon, the three ducks had a plan together: Darkwing would watch over the Cangialosi Archaeological Museum, while Quiverwing would be on patrol. During her patrol, she heard about a gathering of NDs at Insana Park.

She didn't know how bad it was until she saw it for herself. Walls of death sealed off the area to outsiders, but some NDs guarded the area outside. Throughout the park, the NDs were on their motorcycles. Inside was a burnout pit and stunts of all kinds being performed. She realized even the ones outside the park were on their bikes or had them parked nearby.

In the center was a throne made from melted guns, and the figure sitting upon it was the new Negaduck. From Quiverwing's vantage point, she couldn't tell if Negaduck 2.0 was a tiny duck or a child. It wasn't until he opened his beak to announce, "Welcome to the first-ever ND motorcycle rally!" that she realized he was a child.

The NDs cheered at Negaduck's announcement. While they were all distracted, Quiverwing made her way across the roof she was perched on. However, the guards outside the park weren't nearly as distracted as the other NDs.

"Quiverwing! I see Quiverwing Quack!" one ND guarding the outside shouted. He used his motorcycle to get around and alert his fellow gang members of the spy. Soon, they had a light shining towards where Quiverwing was perched.

She sighed and fired and arrow with a rope attached to the end. She quickly set up a zipline with the rope and used her bow to zip down the line. She landed in the middle of the park.

The NDs grabbed her as soon as she landed. She yelled, "Hey! Hey! Watch the cape!" She put up a good fight, but the NDs severely outnumbered her. They took her bow and arrows from her. Two NDs grabbed her on either side and dragged her to Negaduck's throne.

Negaduck 2.0 scowled when he saw her. "It's just the girl."

"Well you're just a boy," Quiverwing snapped back. "You're the new Negaduck?"

He ignored her. He yelled, "This was all for him and he doesn't even show up?!"

Quiverwing scoffed, "From the clothing, I thought you loved Negaduck, not Darkwing. Why do you want him to come here so badly?"

"You want to know why?! Because I am destined to be his arch-nemesis! I know if he was here, I'd strike fear into his very heart with my mere presence! So where is he? I know you're working with the new Darkwing."

"He thought you'd be somewhere else."

While Quiverwing was on patrol, Darkwing sat on the museum's roof, waiting for someone to break in. An hour into the stakeout, his phone went off and told him someone had triggered the museum's alarm. He made his way into the museum and to the Greek exhibit without triggering any alarms himself. He saw the intruder from the back, about to steal the Midas Gauntlet. He shot some blue smoke over the area and announced, "I am the terror that flaps in the—"

The intruder grabbed Darkwing before he could finish his catchphrase. They lifted him up by the collar of his shirt so they would be face-to-face. Harold's eyes met with eyes glowing red. The intruder said in a thick Brooklyn accent, "I was expecting someone of your reputation to be a little… older."

Then he dropped Darkwing so that the duck could get a good look at him. He was made of steel, from his comb to his clawed toes. With only an organic beak on his fully metallic form, he looked like an evil version of Gizmoduck. Somehow, Steelfowl was still sporting a silk suit over his robotic body.

Darkwing gasped as he stared at Steelfowl. "But...you died."

"Or so you thought. After our last battle, my men scoured until they found me. Or at least… what was left of me. My brain could be saved, but my body was beyond repair. However, my boys in R&D had been working on a formula I had been searching for most of my life. A formula which regenerates body tissue. We hadn't even performed a test run. But as you can see..." Steelfowl tapped his beak. "It worked. Perfectly~"

"Wait." Darkwing failed to hide a smirk. "If it worked perfectly, how come you only regenerated your beak?"

"Well...um...my boys only made enough to bring back my beak. If I'd known the rest of my body would eventually get destroyed, I would've - H-HEY! Don't change the subject!"

"I don't really care how F.O.W.L. brought you back. You're not going to last long in my city."

"Well, the last time I fought 'you,' you straight-up retired afterwards."

"You died the last time Darkwing fought you! And you should have stayed dead!"

Steelfowl went for the first punch after Darkwing's outburst. The hero dodged, but the robotic rooster nearly hit him. This Darkwing was hardly as experienced a fighter as Steelfowl, and the villain took full advantage of it. All Darkwing could do was dodge and block until he could think about a way out.

Darkwing also kept Steelfowl away from the other museum pieces. "Let's get dangerous" was Darkwing Duck's catchphrase, but Harold didn't want that danger to involve priceless artifacts. As they fought, Darkwing realized Steelfowl never went for the artifacts; he kept fighting the hero, even when there was an opening for relic-snatching. Darkwing remembered he was expecting the NDs or the new Negaduck to be here. Why was Steelfowl here in their place?

As the battle continued, Darkwing asked, "Did you know I'd be here?"

"I was hoping you'd send the girl here," Steelfowl answered. "She's had some traumatic experiences with cyborgs in the past."

Darkwing didn't reply, and continued to focus on dodging Steelfowl's attacks. At this point, he was hoping for victory by endurance. Maybe he could dodge and block everything Steelfowl threw at him. The hero felt confident until the villain taunted, "Are you hoping to wear me out? Do you want to know the best thing about this body? It never gets tired."

Steelfowl swung another punch and Darkwing dodged. The rooster's metal fist hit a glass case behind Darkwing, but he didn't go for the item inside. He was hoping if he caused some real damage, Darkwing would really fight him.

Fortunately for Darkwing, a way out presented itself. He heard Quiverwing shout into his earpiece, "Darkwing! Where are you!?"

"At the museum, like I'm supposed to be," Darkwing answered, "but I'm not alone. F.O.W.L. remade Steelbeak into a cyborg. We're fighting right now. Where are you?"

"I'm at Insana Park. The NDs and the new Negaduck are holding some sort of motorcycle rally. They spotted me and took all my weapons. I have no idea what they're going to do with me."

"Hmm… what if we took care of both of our problems at once? If I can get him to chase me, I could bring Steelbeak to the park. Then we can handle them together."

"Are you sure bringing Steelbeak over here's a good idea?"

"Can you take on all those NDs and Negaduck by yourself?"

"Okay, fair point."

Darkwing had to get Steelfowl to follow him out of the museum and to Insana Park, but how? It was obvious something deeper was going on here, but the whole fight was centered around the Midas Gauntlet. Maybe, if he took the Midas Gauntlet first, Steelfowl would chase him for it.

Darkwing ran for the gauntlet's display and dove under Steelfowl's legs to get to it. He quickly got the display case off and put the gauntlet on his hand. He taunted Steelfowl by saying, "You want this thing so badly? Well come and get it." Then he ran out of the museum and to the parked Ratcatcher. He took the gauntlet off and threw it into the sidecar before he drove for Insana Park.

Darkwing Duck wanted Steelfowl to chase him? Fine, he'd oblige. He waited until he heard the Ratcatcher to chase after Darkwing. He didn't have his own vehicle, or even any upgrades – he could simply run after the Ratcatcher and be able to follow behind it.

Darkwing watched Steelfowl in the motorcycle's rearview mirror. The rooster followed him until they reached the park. As soon as Darkwing arrived, the NDs pulled him away from the Ratcatcher. They took away his gas gun and the Midas Gauntlet.

Steelfowl skidded to a halt in front of the captured Darkwing and told the NDs, "Good job, kids. I think it's time he met your leader."

"You're all working together?" Darkwing asked.

Neither Steelfowl nor the NDs answered him as they entered the park. Darkwing had never seen so many NDs in one place before. Amongst the sea of red, yellow, and black, Darkwing saw the already-captured Quiverwing.

Quiverwing did not acknowledge Darkwing first. She saw Steelbeak's new body and tried not to look scared. The last time she'd fought something like this was fifteen years ago, and she had taken on plenty worse as a solo act than Steelfowl. She growled, "You don't scare me you… bionic bozo!"

Steelfowl replied, "Wow, you're a lot cockier than when we last met – and that's coming from the rooster. How exactly do you plan on beating me and the NDs without your bow and arrow?"

"Darkwing and I will stop them together! Just like we stopped you before!"

"Just a hunch, but I doubt you two will beat us now."

The NDs grabbed Quiverwing again and dragged her and Darkwing to Negaduck's throne. Quiverwing whispered to Darkwing, "Do you have a plan?"

"If I had a plan, we'd be out of these NDs' grip by now."

"Well, sh—"

Quiverwing was cut off by Negaduck's insane laughter. They were now in front of the clone's throne, and he looked right at Darkwing. "Finally! Give him back his gas gun, my loyal followers. I want to see if this Darkwing is as good as the first." Negaduck pulled out a chainsaw from his cape.

One ND handed Darkwing his gas gun, and then pushed him into the makeshift fighting ring. Negaduck revved his chainsaw. The NDs cheered Negaduck 2.0 on, while they jeered at Darkwing 2.0.

Harold felt afraid of fighting this kid. He had no problem fighting teenagers like the NDs, or Jack and Jill, but something about facing this child made him feel sick. He didn't realize why until Negaduck 2.0 flared out his cape. Harold saw – knew - the way Negaduck flared the cape out to look more intimidating.

Beneath the mask and fedora, Negaduck looked like Harold's son, Jimmy.

His dead son.

But it wasn't his son.

It was trying to kill him.

Darkwing was so distracted by Negaduck approaching him that he didn't notice Steelfowl hit him in the back of the head.

Steelfowl said, "Letting your guard down in front of your cloned kid - you're just as dumb as the other Darkwimp."

"Darkwing!" Quiverwing cried out. She tried to move, but the NDs held her back. She growled, "That wasn't fair! This fight was supposed to be between Darkwing and Negaduck."

"'Fair'?" Steelfowl laughed. "Neither of us plays fair, sweetheart. 'Fair' isn't letting someone fall into a vat of acid because he needs to catch his breath. 'Fair' isn't letting a child die because you didn't know your target had one."

Those last words seemed to affect Negaduck 2.0 in a way that only Quiverwing noticed. His hands started to shake, and he nearly lost his grip on the chainsaw. However, she said nothing about this as Steelfowl ranted on.

"So don't tell me what's fair, and what's not. Because letting you go would be 'fair,' and that ain't happening."

Then Steelfowl hit Quiverwing on the forehead, also knocking her out.

(Author's Note: I don't know if anyone noticed – because nobody commented on it – but Jimmy's name is a nod to Jim Starling, the Ducktales 2017 version of Negaduck.)