(Author's Note: This is written as a standalone part of the Darkwing Duck Beyond-er series. What that means is you can read it, even if you don't want to read the other parts of Harold Webber's adventures. I tried to make Harold necessary to the story, but not overshadow the other Darkwings present. I also didn't want to spoil the other parts of Beyond-er if you read this and then decide you want to go back and read the other parts. I know I could have used a different Darkwing variant, like Darkwarrior, Darkwing Doubloon, or even Quiverwing Duck, but I wanted a Darkwing in this story that is specifically not Drake Mallard, even if that means it's one I made up.

So, without further ado, here is Darkwing Duck: No Way Home.)

The last thing Drake Mallard remembered was a blow to the head. He was knocked out, but by who or what, he wasn't sure. Before that, he was in his secret hideout, so unless Launchpad (likely by accident) or Gosalyn (why would she do that?) knocked him out, he had no idea who would know where he was.

So where was he now? His eyes struggled to open, and when they did, he found the room was dark. He could barely move, as he had been tied to a chair. His hands were tied behind his back, and his legs were tied to the legs of the chair.

He barely made out the figure standing in front of him. This figure was wearing a villainous variation of Darkwing Duck's classic outfit. Instead of purple and teal, this figure wore yellow, red, and black. Underneath his dark mask were a pair of piercing eyes that somehow glowed in the darkness. Something about him seemed familiar, but Darkwing couldn't place what it was.

"Hello, you haughty hack," the figure growled.

"Hi…" Darkwing said, a little too calm. "So, you must be my kidnapper? I actually haven't been kidnapped before. This is a little exciting." He shook his head to wake himself up more. This wasn't a role to get lost in, Drake. "Doesn't matter. What do you want? Where's my family?"

The figure scoffed. "'Family'? You know you don't need any sidekicks, right? The real Darkwing Duck was a solo act. The focus needed to be on him, not anybody else." The more Darkwing listened to the figure's voice, the more he realized almost every word out of this guy's mouth was a growl.

"I guess you also watched the show." Darkwing gestured with his head to the figure's costume. "And I've watched every episode a million times. Where'd you get that cheap costume? The only Darkwing duplicate that showed up was at the very end of the series, right before it was canceled."

"I know that." The figure smiled, showing off dozens of sharp teeth. "I was there. I had to play both of them."

Darkwing's eyes widened as he realized who was in front of him. "Jim Starling!?"

"Don't call me that!" Jim snapped. "Jim Starling died on that movie set! It's Negaduck now! I am the screeching fingernail of the chalkboard of justice! I am the sour ball in the candy jar of goodness!"

Darkwing had no idea how to respond. The last time he saw Jim, Drake thought he was dead. Sure, the body was never found, but how could someone survive an explosion like that?

Someone who had played Darkwing Duck, that's how.

After some stunned silence, Drake asked, "H-How are you here? How did you survive?"

"I made it to the sewers underneath the set. I stayed there until I could figure out how to re-introduce myself properly. I still noticed things from beneath the streets. I heard the news that the real Fearsome Four had shown up in the real St. Canard. It was then I realized I needed to make my comeback!"

Darkwing remembered the Ramrod incident. A lot happened that week. Mostly, he was focused on protecting Gosalyn, but he did fight four villains at once (five of you count Taurus Bulba, but Negaduck probably didn't know or care about him.) Darkwing wondered how Negaduck became involved, but the villain continued to monologue.

"I made some phone calls, and managed to get ahold of this." He pulled the Solego Circuit from underneath his suit cuff. "Made some more phone calls, and I got blueprints for a safer version of something called a Ramrod. I didn't realize there were other dimensions out there… and plenty more Darkwings. But I need to focus on the Darkwing here who 'heroically' became real. Of course some rip-off reject who's stealing my spotlight would choose to put his hideout in the same location from the show. I watched you for months, Drake. I observed just enough to know when to strike: when your little family would be all together."

"Where are they?!" Darkwing snapped.

"Far away from here, in my own secret lair. They're still alive, don't worry. It'll be more satisfying to kill them in front of you. You just need to find them first."

Negaduck showed Darkwing a Darkwing Duck brand walkie-talkie. It was purple with yellow edges and the Darkwing Duck logo at the top. Darkwing heard the muffled noises of Launchpad and Gosalyn trying to speak. They both sounded like their beaks were covered up.

"This is why you don't need others," Negaduck snarled. "When you play hero, sidekicks get sidelined, friends get fridged, and families get used for ransom."

Drake yelled, "I don't need you telling me how to be Darkwing Duck! Do you really think this is the right way to go about things? To become a twisted twin to your own character?"

"They wanted a grim and gritty Darkwing, and I'm giving it to them! Now a hero can be a solo act, but a villain's nothing when he's alone. I need the old gang, or maybe a new-old gang. If this is going to be a reboot, it'll need a bit of both." Negaduck went over to the Ramrod's controls. "Now, let's get villainous!"

He stuck the Solego Circuit into the controls, and the machine came alive with red glowing lines from the top. He typed in something and turned the key-like circuit. A red, diamond-shaped portal opened from the Ramrod's center. The room went from near dark to blindingly bright. Drake looked away until his eyes adjusted.

Two women stepped through the portal before it blinked out of existence. One was a blackbird wearing an extravagant, flame-themed dress. The other was, upon second glance, more a girl than a woman. She dressed like a teenage version of Quackerjack, in a purple jester's costume with yellow polka dots. Maybe she was some sort of future child?

Negaduck seemed to have the same thought, as he asked her, "What are you, a Quackerjack cosplayer?"

"Excuse me, I am Quackerjack's daughter. The name's Jill." She held out a hand for him to shake.

Jim gladly took it and said, "Negaduck."

"Oooh, my dad hates you. All the more reason we should hang out!" She giggled.

Then, Negaduck turned his attention to the blackbird. He saw her outfit and said, "Oooh, fire. I like it."

"Thank you, dear." A sinister smile spread across her beak. "And I like your color scheme."

She held out a hand for him, too. "I go by Firebird. Charmed~"

Negaduck took her hand with both of his and kissed it. Firebird's eyes widened in surprise while Darkwing looked away in disgust.

Darkwing asked, "This whole thing isn't some convoluted way to look for a girlfriend, is it?"

Firebird didn't comment on what Darkwing said. She looked over his outfit and said, "You must be the Darkwing Duck of… wherever we are. Where are we?"

"Another dimension," Negaduck answered.

"It must be, if this Dork-wing was so easy to capture," Firebird said.

"Hey!" Darkwing snapped.

"When do we get to play with him?" Jill asked.

"Soon, kid. You're not the only villains I'm calling on tonight." Negaduck went back to the Ramrod's controls, typed something else in, and then changed the circuit's frequency. From the machine's center, another red portal opened. Two men stepped through the portal. Drake recognized them as Megavolt and Bushroot. However, Bushroot did not look "wilted" like he did in Drake's previous fight with him.

Negaduck announced, "And here's Megavolt and Bushroot."

Bushroot jumped at the sound of the person who summoned them. "Negaduck?! Y-You look different. S-Still good, but uh…"

"I'm not your Negaduck, Reggie. In fact, you're looking pretty good yourself, both of you."

Bushroot and Megavolt gave each other a surprised look. They never expected to hear a compliment from any version of Negaduck. Then the two looked around the place they had been brought to.

Bushroot noticed Firebird instantly, and not because of the bright colors she wore. He looked at her like she would reduce him to ash in an instant. She assured him, "Don't worry, Doctor Bushroot. I don't bite. I just burn."

He gulped. "That's what I'm afraid of…"

Megavolt didn't seem interested in chatting. He looked at Darkwing and said to Negaduck, "My memory's not great, but I know a captured Darkwing Duck when I see it. What are we doing with him, Negs?" The rat rubbed his hands together, electricity crackling between his palms.

"Yeah, what exactly do you plan to do with me?" Drake asked. "I assume you've gotten everyone you plan to add to your… group."

Jill gasped as she realized. "We're like the Fearsome Four!"

"And with me as the charismatic leader, I guess we'll be the Fearsome Five," Negaduck replied. "You'll find out my plans soon enough, Dripwing. I just need to make sure they don't literally blow up in my face…"

He pulled a chainsaw from his cape and started it up. He powered down the Ramrod, just to be safe, but then he sliced right into it with the chainsaw. Darkwing remembered how the Ramrod was destroyed not only by its own instability, but Gosalyn's well-timed arrow. Somehow, Negaduck with a chainsaw was even more destructive.

The Ramrod pieces were barely recognizable, and the Solego Circuit was split in two. The other four villains stood silent. Their way home had been reduced to its component parts.

Jim panted before he said, "Firebird, free him from the chair."

Firebird used her powers to burn away the ropes.

Drake fell out of the chair and looked up at Negaduck from the floor. "Jim, I don't want to fight you."

"Pity I don't feel the same. And I think my new associates agree: you're a dead duck."

The villains gave Drake enough time to get up, but that was the only mercy they showed him. Megavolt shocked Drake in the rear, just to see him jump. The Fearsome Five laughed at this before Firebird set Drake's hat and cape on fire. He yelped and tried to pat his hat and cape down at the same time.

Then, Jill remembered what she had on her person and withdrew a giant firework from her poofy sleeve. She attached it to Drake's cape and Firebird gladly lit it for her. Drake tried to remove the firework from his cape. However, it went off and Darkwing went flying. He screamed, but between the moments of terror, he finally saw where he was brought to was a large space.

Darkwing pulled the firework from his cape, just in time. It exploded in a colorful burst, and Drake made it towards an exit in the burst's bright light. However, the light also gave Darkwing's foes a chance to catch up to him.

He remembered he still had some hidden items in his costume. With a smoke bomb he had literally up his sleeve, he could make an escape. Darkwing pulled the bomb from his sleeve and threw it to the ground. Smoke exploded out and gave him the cover he needed to finally exit the building. He got out and found he had been in a warehouse in the abandoned toy warehouse district.

Darkwing kept running until he needed to catch his breath. He sighed in relief when he found he was not being followed. That gave him time to think. Now that he had escaped, what he really needed to do was rescue Gosalyn and Launchpad.

On the road to rescue Gosalyn and Launchpad, Darkwing needed to make a stop at his hideout first. The hideout looked the same as Drake had left it. Negaduck really was only interested in kidnapping the three of them. Drake did find WANDA unplugged, though. The moments before he awoke with Negaduck came back to him: his computer went offline, he went to check it, and that must have been when he was knocked out.

Drake turned WANDA back on and told her what had happened. He asked her if she could trace the signal from the walkie-talkie, but WANDA found the toy's signal too low to be traced. Darkwing could still hear Launchpad and Gosalyn over the walkie-talkie; they were breathing, but just faintly. He decided to put the walkie-talkie in his utility belt, right next to his gas gun. Both were vitally important right now.

Next, he needed to make a stop at an ally's house. Her name was Morgana Macawber, and she was a fellow actor. He didn't discover who she really was, though, until after he told her about his intention of becoming a superhero full-time. She explained she was a real witch, acting as the witch on a sitcom. Her cast and crew knew, and she helped them save a ton on special effects. Maybe she could help Darkwing find someone familiar with Negaduck.

Drake drove the Ratcatcher to Morgana's house in the suburbs. He rang the doorbell and moments later, Morgana answered. Her hair was wavy and black, with two white streaks running through it. She was dressed in a red bathrobe with a black nightgown underneath. She raised an eyebrow when she found Darkwing Duck at her door and said, "Drake, it's nine in the evening. Shouldn't you be on patrol right about now?"

"Something's come up." Drake entered her house, and Morgana got out of his way. She noticed the determined look on his face. "Morgana, are you familiar with the concept of the multiverse?"

"The idea that there are alternate universes besides the one we live in? Yes, I'm familiar with it. It comes up sometimes in some of the spells I've studied. Why do you ask?"

"Well, I've had my own brush with the multiverse. Remember how the real Fearsome Four showed up in St. Canard? They were from another dimension where the Darkwing Duck show is the real deal. And now I've got more multiversal problems. You know Jim Starling?"

"The actor who tried to kill you on your movie set?"

"Yeah. He's still alive, and he's going by Negaduck now. He's rebuilt the Ramrod and made his own Fearsome Five. He's kidnapped my family."

Morgana frowned. "Shouldn't you be rescuing them?"

"Well, Negaduck took them to a secret hideout, and I'm not sure where they could be. I think I need help from other Darkwings who have fought their own Negaducks. They'd know where a corrupted copy would hide away."

"I'll see what I can find, Dark." Morgana got right to work, and Drake followed her into her "witchy basement," as he called it. Besides Morgana's family, Drake was the only one allowed in the basement. It stood out from the rest of the house, made of cobblestone instead of concrete. Inside the basement was a bookshelf filled with ancient tomes and spell books, another bookshelf filled with potion bottles of various colors and sizes, a cauldron next to that, and in the center a circle made of candles.

Morgana threw a red cape over her bathrobe, to give some air of arcaneness to her current outfit. She went straight for the circle of candles and sat in it, crossing her legs. She closed her eyes and the candles lit up, glowing the same red color as her cape. She recited a spell that would give her insight beyond her own dimension.

Images flashed in Morgana's mind, almost too fast for her to comprehend. Still, she told Drake, "You are not the first Darkwing Duck to fight Negaduck. There are infinite Darkwings out there. Yet, I'm not finding many alternate Negaducks." Morgana's closed eyes tensed as she focused more. "There are…two alternate Negaducks I'm focusing on."

Drake asked, "And two alternate Darkwings that have fought them?"

"That's right." Morgana opened her eyes. "I can call upon them, but it will take a lot of energy to do so. I won't be able to help you until the other Darks need to go back."

"Don't worry, Morg'. With three Darkwings working together, nothing can stop us!"

"You know, you could just call Gizmoduck. I'm sure he could hel—"

"Nope!" Drake shook his head. "Other versions of me will be way more reliable than that tuned-up tin can. Besides, I'm pretty sure he sleeps."

"Heroes should always be on-call," Morgana pointed out.

"Then let's call up these other Darkwing Ducks!"

Morgana gave an aside glance to an imaginary audience. She loved Dark's ego as much as every other part of him, but sometimes, it made things complicated. Still, she was willing to call upon these other Darkwings for help. She told Drake, "I need you to step into the circle and hold hands with me. Our relationship – and the fact I'm searching for Darkwing – will make the spell stronger."

Drake stepped into the circle of candles, making sure his cape didn't get close to the flames. Morgana stood up and Drake grabbed both of her hands. She recited another spell, chanting and humming. The candles' flames turned from red to blue.

A blue-tinted portal opened behind the candles. Through the portal, Drake could see a dark street that looked like any other in St. Canard tonight. Then someone else came into view. He looked like he had stumbled out of a film noir, wearing a fedora and a trenchcoat instead of the cape. Drake was reminded of old pulp hero stories, where all a hero needed was a hat, mask, coat, and two fists.

Trenchcoat let out a gasp when he saw the portal and the witch on the other side. "Are you… Morgana? Morgana Macawber?"

"Probably not the Morgana you're thinking of," this Morgana said. "My Darkwing is searching for other Darkwings who have fought a Negaduck. Are you one of them?"

"Uh, yeah. I think I qualify."

"Then come on." Morgana gestured for him to move. "I can't keep this portal open forever."

Trenchcoat stepped through and the portal immediately closed behind him. He noticed Morgana looked tired afterwards, and asked her, "Are you alright?"

"Yeah, just give me a minute before I cast the spell again."

Morgana took a moment to recharge herself by pulling out a potion bottle labeled "Coffee."

Harold noticed the label and asked, "Is that coffee fresh?"

"Yeah, the bottle keeps it fresh, but there's only enough for one person. Sorry."

"Eh, I'll just make some upstairs." He shrugged. "We're in a basement, right?"

"Yeah," Drake answered.

Once she felt reenergized, Morgana got back into the circle of candles, and Drake stepped in with her. She recited the portal-opening spell, chanting and humming again, as she and Drake held hands. The candles turned back to red, but the portal did not open right away. Instead, Drake, Morgana and Trenchcoat heard someone.

"You two should stay at the Ratcatcher. I'll sneak up behind them. Hey, why did the wind pick up suddenly?" This had to be another Darkwing, because it sounded a lot like Jim Starling.

"Darkwing Duck, can you hear me?" Morgana shouted like she needed to be heard across the room (or in this case, across dimensions.)

This Darkwing squawked, "Another Morgana?!"

"Yes, another Morgana." She managed to open the portal, and Drake saw the other Darkwing.

He tried not to think about Negaduck as he looked over the other Darkwing standing beyond the portal. Not only did he sound like Jim, but he looked like him too. In fact, this Darkwing was identical to Jim, from the purple fedora to the webbing on his feet. He also looked older than Drake and Trenchcoat.

Morgana said, "My Darkwing is looking for other Darkwings that have fought a Negaduck."

"I've fought Negaduck plenty of times. Say no more!" Old Darkwing practically jumped through the portal, which saved Morgana the hassle of keeping it open.

She looked at the trio and said, "You three Darkwings can talk while I recharge. Oh, and Drake-" The older Darkwing also turned before she clarified, "my Drake…"

Drake leaned in close to her, but he was surprised when Morgana gave him a kiss. Blush spread across his beak, and he said sheepishly, "Aw, Morg', not in front of the other mes."

"That's a good luck kiss." Morgana smiled. "You can return it once you save your family." With that, she went upstairs. The candles in the circle went out as she left.

Drake looked at the other two and asked, "I guess we should start with introductions?"

Old Darkwing's hand shot up. "I will go first. My name is Drake Mallard, and for the past several years, I have been the one, the only, Darkwing Duck! I adopted a girl named Gosalyn, got a sidekick named Launchpad, defeated villains like the Fearsome Five and Taurus Bulba. I've even defeated my evil self, Negaduck! I wish St. Canard would give me more recognition, but I wouldn't give up being Darkwing Duck for anything. No matter how many hits I take, I always get back up. Because the only thing standing between St. Canard and oblivion is me. There's only one Darkwing Duck… and you're looking at him."

Trenchcoat smirked. "Just one problem: we're all Darkwing Duck. That's why we're all here."

Old Darkwing rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. "Oh… right."

"Don't worry. You're still forgetful in your old age."

"Wait, what?"

"I guess I'm next, then. My name is Harold Webber, and for the past two years, I have been the one and only Darkwing Duck. See, at some point in the future, Drake, you retire from being Darkwing."

"I retire?!" Old Darkwing exclaimed.

"Keep your shirt on, Drake. It's years in the future. Anyway, I used to work with a company with connections to F.O.W.L. After I found out who I was really working for, they tried to kill me. They ended up killing my son… but I wouldn't let them take another life. I stopped the person who took my son's life. Furthermore, I've fought a few future foes. And yes, I've defeated my own Negaduck. That… is another story. I will be the Darkwing Duck my St. Canard needs, and nobody will stop me."

Once Harold finished, Drake cleared his throat. "Okay, my turn now? My name is also Drake Mallard, and for the past year, I thought I was the only Darkwing Duck. See, I'm an actor, and I was working on a film reboot of a show called Darkwing Duck! I was excited, but the original Darkwing actor, Jim Starling, got envious. He accidentally made the set explode. I thought he died in the explosion… until tonight. Jim Starling is still alive, and he's my version of Negaduck. He took my family, and I need other Darkwings – that's you – to help me get them back."

Harold blinked. "Wow. That's…a lot to take in."

"Darkwing Duck is a TV show in this universe?" Old Darkwing asked. "Was I popular?"

"Well, it inspired me to become the hero for real," Drake replied.

Harold said, "You weren't popular."

"And you're my successor?" Old Darkwing didn't sound impressed about Harold.

"Yep. I don't want to say much more than that. I'm afraid of screwing with the timeline."

"Good idea. I've time-traveled enough to know it can get messy."

Drake noted to himself that time travel would be an awesome thing to encounter in his superhero career. During the lull in the conversation, Drake asked, "So what are we all going to call each other? 'Harold' can go by his own name, since he's not a Drake Mallard."

Harold pointed to his predecessor. "I'm calling him 'Old Darkwing.'"

Drake snorted as Old Darkwing's jaw dropped. He protested, "I am not going by 'Old Darkwing'! Heck, I think right now, you're older than me!"

"I want to use Old Darkwing for you too," Drake agreed.

Harold smirked smugly. "Outvoted two-to-one, 'Old Darkwing.'"

Old Darkwing grumbled, but didn't argue the point further. He sounded so much like Drake's Jim, but he only sounded menacing when he needed to.

Old Darkwing turned his attention back to Drake. "So… you're also Drake Mallard?"

"Yes? And you're also Drake Mallard?"

"Yep, yep, yep. And we're in your Morgana's house right now. Do you have a… friend named Launchpad and a daughter named Gosalyn?"

Drake blinked. On the show, Darkwing Duck had no allies. Not only did Old Darkwing have a Morgana and a Launchpad, but he also had a Gosalyn. Drake stammered, "Uh, yeah! Yes! Launchpad is my best friend and Gosalyn is my adopted daughter. Is it the same for you?"

"Pretty much!" Old Darkwing smiled. "Is Gosalyn a handful?"

"Pretty much. She almost took her crossbow to school yesterday. For some reason, she thinks the vice principal is a supervillain."

"Every time my Gosalyn has to do extra homework for a class, she thinks one of her teachers is actually a supervillain. Or brainwashed by one, or replaced by an alien…"

He sounded so genuine when talking about her, and Drake could only hope Old Darkwing heard the same in his voice.

Drake looked down. "If this multiversal stuff wasn't so dangerous, I'd still be searching for Professor Waddlemeyer for her."

"Your Professor Waddlemeyer is still alive?"

"I…guess it's not the same for you?"

"Two words: Taurus. Bulba."

Drake sighed, hanging his head. "Same, actually."

Harold found a way back into the conversation. "We've lost too many good people to supervillains. Let's not make it any more. You said Negaduck took your family, Drake?"

"Right." Drake nodded. "That's why I brought you here. I was wondering if you knew where Negaduck would make a lair."

"My Negaduck hides out wherever he can get his hands on," Old Darkwing answered. "He has secret bases throughout St. Canard, but like most villains, he usually favors the abandoned or unsavory."

"My Negaduck was made by F.O.W.L.," Harold added, "so he would hide out with them. And let me tell you, they hide themselves well."

Drake frowned. "Over here, not well enough. My Negaduck managed to get some plans F.O.W.L. previously used. He's not working alone. He has some other villains working with him now - his own Fearsome Five."

"All the more reason to find him," Old Darkwing said. "So where does your Negaduck favor?"

"You're both actors, right?" Harold pointed out. "Maybe something acting related, or somewhere you previously worked?"

Drake's eyes widened as he realized where Jim had taken Launchpad and Gosalyn. "I think I know exactly where Negaduck is. He took them to the set of the Darkwing Duck movie… or what's left of it, anyway. He wants to remake our final confrontation, but he wants to win. Well I won't let him! I'll need you guys' help, of course, but Three Darkwings against a Fearsome Five – we'll be amazing!"

Drake drove the Ratcatcher through St. Canard. Harold sat behind him, coffee in hand, while Old Darkwing sat in the sidecar. The other Darkwings took in the differences in this St. Canard. Old Darkwing found it strange that Morgana's house looked completely normal outside. The city had the same name, but a different layout. All that looked familiar was the Audubon Bay Bridge, and maybe the skyline if they squinted. Streets and shops were different from how Old Darkwing and Harold knew them. Until Drake said it, neither would have thought a movie studio existed on the outskirts of the city.

McDuck Studios was deserted, but Drake found the night guard knocked out and the front gates open. Someone had snuck in before them, and they had done a poor job of covering their tracks. The tracks were only metaphorical, though, and Drake had to remember where the set of Darkwing: First Darkness had been. From the outside, the soundstages looked identical, but Drake made his way around easily, and the other Darkwings followed.

Outside the Darkwing: First Darkness soundstage was a ladder leading up to the roof and catwalks. Drake took the ladder and climbed up it. Then, he opened the roof hatch and jumped onto the catwalk. He looked back to see that Harold and Old Darkwing had done the same. Then Drake looked down and sure enough, the Fearsome Five were here. Most of the Darkwing movie sets had been cleaned out, but Drake noticed some burn marks where Jim had nearly killed him.

Of the Fearsome Five, Old Darkwing noticed Megavolt and Bushroot; Harold noticed Jill and Firebird; Drake noticed Jim Starling, now going by Negaduck. Then the trio noticed two more figures off to the side, each one tied to a chair with gags over their beaks, and a walkie-talkie set up nearby. One figure was huge but couldn't manage to escape the ropes holding him to the chair. One figure was small but couldn't manage to slip out of the ropes holding her to the chair. Despite how different they looked in this dimension, the three Darkwings knew the two tied figures well.

"Gosalyn! Launchpad!" the three Darkwings gasped in unison. As much as they hated seeing Gosalyn and Launchpad tied and gagged, they were relieved to see they were both unharmed.

Their attention went back to the Fearsome Five as their conversation grew loud enough to hear from above.

"What do you mean you wanna go home!?" Negaduck snapped at Jill.

"I am not leaving my brother behind! He's a mess without me! I'm a mess without him!" She sounded like she was going to sob. She pulled down on the ends of her jester's hat.

"You've left us stranded here with no way home," Bushroot said. "I was more comfortable in my own St. Canard, with Spike and my plants. Now I have to get used to a whole new world?"

Firebird scoffed. "I thought you said back home, you were going to be thrown in prison with Megavolt. Here we can have a fresh start, with a Darkwing that can barely fight against us."

"Firebird's right," Megavolt agreed. "Plus, look at this St. Canard's electrical grid! It's twice as powerful as the one at home! All that electricity waiting to be mine, and all those electronics waiting to be liberated…"

Jill continued, "I get the Fearsome Five's supposed to be a family, but my family's not complete without my bro–"

Negaduck slapped Jill. The set fell silent. Negaduck snapped, "Keep it together, kid! If I still had the Ramrod, I'd send you right back through for getting hysterical on me!"

Drake flinched as Negaduck slapped Jill. Drake wondered if Jim had ever been abusive with his costars, or maybe he didn't lose it until after Darkwing Duck's cancellation. Neither possibility gave him comfort in this scenario.

Something about seeing a fellow villain (and a girl) get slapped by Negaduck caused Bushroot to snap. "And another thing: why didn't you try to kill Darkwing, Launchpad, and Gosalyn all together?"

"Because I want to see what this other 'Darkwing' is made of," Negaduck replied. "I doubt he'll make it here at all."

"We also could have killed him back at the warehouse," Bushroot pointed out, "but you told us not to follow him. Whose side are you on, anyway?"

"Well, if a certain plant can't keep his beak shut, I'll be on the gardener's side." Negaduck brandished his chainsaw and revved it.

That shut Bushroot up. He gave a meek nod and fell back in line.

Old Darkwing whispered, "He's just as sadistic as my Negaduck."

"We need a plan," Drake whispered back. "I'll rescue Launchpad and Gosalyn. They can help once we rescue them. Can you two distract the Fearsome Five long enough for me to save them?"

"I'll take Jill and Firebird," Harold replied. "Old Darkwing, you handle Negaduck, Bushroot, and Megavolt."

Old Darkwing nodded. "Got it. Now, how do we get i—!"

He slipped and fell from the catwalk. The most experienced Darkwing here had just blown their cover. The Fearsome Five all turned to look at him. To save Old Darkwing's ego, Harold and Drake leapt down, both landing with two legs and one hand.

"What is this?" Jim asked, looking them over. "Three fakers now?"

Drake stood up, getting in front of the other Darkwings. "I'm not alone, Jim. I have allies everywhere, even across dimensions."

"This is your plan, Drake? To fight us with two more knockoffs?" Negaduck scoffed. "Darkwing Duck's writers could come up with something better in their sleep."

Old Darkwing got up in the nick of time. He told Negaduck, "I don't know much about my fictional self in this universe, but I know I – we – will allow you to form your own Fearsome Five, you foolish fiend!"

Jim was taken slightly aback that this Darkwing sounded and looked so much like him. The feeling didn't last long, and Jim growled, "You want to get dangerous?"

"Let's get dangerous," Negaduck and Old Darkwing said at the exact same time.

Old Darkwing kept Negaduck distracted with hand-to-hand combat, enough he never pulled out his chainsaw. Jim had seniority over most of the heroes and villains here, but so did Old Darkwing. He was so busy fighting Negaduck that Harold had to fight the other four almost single-handedly. "Almost" because Old Darkwing kept handing him useful items between his bout with Negaduck.

First, Old Darkwing gave Harold some rubber-coated weapons that stopped Megavolt's lightning. Then, Old Darkwing gave him some smoke pellets that would confuse Jill's toys, keeping them from hurting him. When it came to Bushroot, Old Darkwing handed Harold garden shears and gas gun pellets filled with weed killer. However, Bushroot and Firebird were so caught up trying not to hurt each other that Harold ended up not using them.

With the Fearsome Five distracted, Drake saw his opening. He untied Launchpad first, then Gosalyn. Once they were free, with the gags removed from their mouths, he asked them, "Are you alright?"

"Yeah," Gosalyn replied.

"Is that really Jim Starling?" Launchpad pointed to Negaduck, who was still fighting Old Darkwing. "Wait, who are those other Darkwings?"

"I'll explain everything once we handle Jim," Drake said. "He's alive, he's calling himself Negaduck now, and he's created a Fearsome Five for himself."

Gosalyn asked, "What can we do?"

"You can get away from the superhero fight, young lady." Drake pulled out his phone and handed it to her. "And call the police. Launchpad, you help me with the Fearsome Five."

Launchpad gave a thumbs-up. "Can do, DW."

Gosalyn would have argued she could help more, but she had just been kidnapped. She unlocked the phone and called the police as she ran from the movie set. Meanwhile, Drake and Launchpad joined the fight.

As the two jumped in, Harold grabbed Firebird's arm. He threw her into Bushroot. Both villains screamed, but Firebird managed to control her tumble enough that she only singed Bushroot slightly. The villainous vegetable lost his concentration enough that the plants he controlled wilted.

That left Megavolt and Jill. They were quickly cornered by the three Darkwings.

Old Darkwing taunted, "You look like you're running low on juice, Megavolt."

Drake added, "And I doubt you can handle two of us."

Harold finished, "Make that three of us."

Megavolt growled and continued firing electricity to keep them back. "I won't give up, no matter how many Darkwings there are! I will short out all your fuses! I…" The electricity fizzled out from his hands. "I am out of juice."

Jill turned to him, looking nervous. "And I'm out of toys."

Megavolt and Jill looked at each other for a moment. Then they turned to the Darkwings with their hands up. "We surrender!"

Harold counted in his head and blinked. "Wait, who's watching Negaduck?"

It was then the three Darkwings realized that Jim had somehow eluded them and slipped away from the fight. They saw him heading for the soundstage's exit. They knew they needed to cut him off.

Launchpad must have been having the same thought. As he watched Negaduck run away, he told the Darkwings, "I'll keep an eye on the other bad guys. You three take care of Jim."

Negaduck was about to escape the soundstage when three clouds of blue smoke appeared in front of him.

"We are the terrors that flap in the night!" Harold announced.

Drake continued, "We are the epic team-up that you have to wait twenty-two movies for!"

Old Darkwing triumphantly finished, "WE…are going to give you one last chance to surrender."

Negaduck looked shocked, but only for a moment. "Why would I surrender to three washed-up wannabes? Do you think you can replace me!? No-one can replace the original Darkwing Duck!"

Drake didn't hesitate anymore - he couldn't. He took the first punch at Negaduck, hitting him right in the beak. Jim groaned as he was hit, stumbling back. He didn't see Harold grab him from behind, going for his arms. He managed to throw Harold off, but Old Darkwing grabbed his left arm.

Negaduck pulled out his chainsaw with his right hand, but Drake and Harold grabbed the chainsaw before he could turn it on. Jim kept a death grip on the weapon. Old Darkwing pulled on Jim's left arm and said, "We're not wannabes! We're not replacements! All three of us are Darkwing Duck!"

Then he let go. Jim flew into his chainsaw, Drake, and Harold. Drake and Harold got up, with Harold grabbing the chainsaw. Fortunately for them, Jim had been knocked out.

Gosalyn's call allowed the authorities to arrive soon after the three Darkwings had finished fighting. Yet, the trio still had enough time to hide the two other Darkwings and the four other villains. When the police arrived, Drake, Gosalyn and Launchpad were waiting for Jim to be properly arrested. The walkie-talkies would serve as a trophy, and a reminder of what happened tonight.

As a police officer hauled Negaduck away in handcuffs, he managed to get in one last threat to Drake: "This was just a rehearsal, Darkwing. One day, I'll return, and I'll make sure there are cameras there so everyone sees who you really are!"

Then the officer pushed Jim into the car. The police headed off after Drake, Launchpad, and Gosalyn answered their questions. Once the three knew the police were gone, Old Darkwing, Harold, and the other four villains came out of hiding (on a different soundstage.)

"Now I should be taking you two - er, six – home," Drake announced.

Old Darkwing asked, "How are we going to do that? Nine of us can't fit into the Ratcatcher."

"There's golf carts around the studio lot," Launchpad pointed out. "I could drive one of them—"

"No," the other eight said.

Harold suggested, "I can drive one, Old Darkwing drives the other, and you can take your Launchpad and Gosalyn home?"

"I'd like to see you off, but yeah, sounds like a plan." Drake smiled.

Drake, Launchpad, and Gosalyn got into the Ratcatcher. They led Old Darkwing and Harold out of McDuck Studios. The two followed behind in golf carts, their respective villains sitting in the back. The villains stayed quiet, actually hopeful to be going home.

Soon, they reached Morgana's house. She was awake, and awaiting Drake's return. She sent the Darkwings and their villains back home.

Afterwards, she looked exhausted, even more than the first time. Drake was about to let her go back to bed when he said, "Aren't you forgetting something?"

Morgana tilted her head. "Like what?"

"Well, before I go, I need to return this…"

Drake leaned up to return the kiss to Morgana. She leaned down to help him. They both hoped that, for a while at least, this would be the only crisis Drake would have with different Darkwings.

(Author's Note: I hope you enjoyed the story! I don't want to break Darkwing Duck: Beyond-er into phases like the MCU, but if I had to, this would be the end of Phase One. I have plans for more stories, but they will probably be side stories until I can think of how to end the next big part. I would also like to write an "epilogue" of sorts to this, where Harold asks his older version of Drake about the story from his perspective. And I would like to also make a story where the 2017 version of Drake ends up participating in "Crisis on Infinite Darkwings.")