happilyeverbeginning | Two Darkwing Duck Adventures for the Post of One!

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Two Darkwing Duck Adventures for the Post of One!

[For Morgana]

[Drake's quest to find answers about the missing Professor Waddlemeyer was full of dead ends. He had made no progress, and he felt bad about the effect that had on Gosalyn. She was still her normal chipper self most of the time, but he had learned to see the cracks in that. And he wanted to do everything he could to help her feel better until he could reunite her with her real family.

These days, it seems the thing she got most excited for was a band. To Drake's relief, it's not like other music of the youths which register just as noise for him. This actually sounds like the kind of thing he'd listen to in high school! And the singing is just great... but this is about Gosalyn! In a spot of bad timing, Gosalyn's fallen sick while the band's has come to St. Canard for a concert. And so Drake's claimed to be out for a night of quiet patrolling while Launchpad tends to the sick kid, but in actuality he's doing something as Drake Mallard. If she can't attend the concert, maybe he can at least get an autograph for her or something. Maybe that will raise her spirits!

And so, Drake Mallard sneaks around backstage at the concert, for any sign of mysterious melodist...]

[For Della]

[It was a long night of fighting crime in Avalon for one Darkwing Duck. Some sort of magical monsters were on the loose, and he didn't get out of it without a comical number of bruises on his head. He was also left somewhat disoriented...

So when he slinked back home in the wee hours of the morning and tried to clamber into his bedroom through the window, he did not realize that he was going through the completely wrong window, into the room of the one person who didn't yet know his secret!]

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I- I'm fine...

[He says, as piano keys clack in his mouth.]

There's some pain, but in D Minor kind...

[He shakes his head to try to get out of his trance.]

You should get that piano checked out. It's a hazard! [It hit so hard, he was sure that he was seeing stars! Or something shiny, the very least.]

Oh, well, y-yes, our instruments really do need tuning, and this whole theater does too - it's all falling apart! It's really a dangerous place, just coming apart at the seams...

[ Which is all the more reason she's trying to get him to get out out out! She places him down, on the floor, and with her hands then on his shoulders begins gently trying to push him towards an exit. ]

And we can't have an actor mar up that gorgeous face of yours, now can we?

[ But of course such a loud piano slam echoes in an empty theater - the rest of the band, confused and curious, are sure to return to the stage. The last thing she needs is to explain to them why she got to first base with a stranger wandering into their territory! Push push push!]

[As she pushes him, Drake starts to dig his webbed heels into the ground, producing friction and making a trail in the floor. Though he does pause a bit and blush at her compliment.]

W-well yes, it is quite the monkeymaker, but... [Then he renews his determination.] That should go double for you! I- I don't know if it's a good idea to be involved with something so dangerous. There... has to be a better way!

[He's not sure if he's still just talking about the theater now.]

[ Despite him clearly making a struggle out of it, she keeps on pushing, especially now that she hears footsteps in the distance! Dang it, why does he have to be well built too? He must get mobbed by thirsty single moms at PTA meetings - FOCUS.]

Now now, don't you worry about me, I'm a big girl, I can take care of myself. You just go on and -

[ "Morgana! What's going on over there?"

Morgana jerks, and that pushing becomes an out-right SHOVE towards the exit door. She calls back, with a few more nervous laughs peppered in there. ]

Nothing! Nothing's happening! Nothing you need to be concerned about!

Oof!

[He grunts as he's shoved out through the exit! But he won't accept defeat that easily. Instead, he stays by the door and tries to get a peek at what's happening! Sounds like the whole band's here...]

[ Morgana slams the door shut - hope she didn't hit his pretty face! - but luckily for his investigation, it's not soundproof. So while he can't see what's going on, he'll be able to hear the plot progressing...

Morgana sighs in relief, leaning on the door as the band advances on her. "Who was that?" one asks, rightfully suspicious. ]

Who, that guy? Nobody! He's nobody, just a fan. Honestly, you all worry way too much.

[ Disgruntled murmuring.

"First you go soft on that Darkwing Dingwing, and now you're letting strangers invade our terf? You're not THAT desperate for fans, are you?"

Morgana growls in return, unaware the following attempt at taking back control is definitely going to stab Drake repeatedly. ]

I think you're all forgetting who's in charge of this operation! I am the one who brought you here! I am the one who thought of robbing these mortals blind! And I am the one who gives the orders around here!

[ Mutter mutter, murmur murmur. They're clearly not happy with her leadership, earned or not.

"Fine, boss lady. You're on our side? Prove it. We wanna go on a heist tonight. And if that cuckoo in a cape shows up..." ]

... I'll handle him. Leave it to me. All you have to do is follow my orders...

I know it sounds sordid, but you'll be rewarded, when at last I'm given my dues. And in justice deliciously squared...

[ She begins to storm off with her crew, ready to take on the night once more.]

Be prepared!

[Sorry, but his face was definitely hit by the door! It's looking a bit less pretty now, but he still presses his ear against the door to listen. With the whole band assembled, maybe now the secrets will be revealed. Whether Morgana is under the band's control, or if they're blackmailing her...

What he hears, though, is not just disappointing, but heatbreaking. He sinks down to the ground as he listens and feels the sting of betrayal echoing throughout his body. This is even worse than when she knocked him out last night... it feels like his heart is being knocked out.

Deception... Disgrace....

Was he asking for trouble the moment he came? He wonders. He lies there for a long time, until he peels himself up. He steels himself... because he has a job to do. And that's stopping her. It's time to get dangerous!]

[And so, that night, Darkwing Duck prepares himself for a rematch with the band! And this time, he properly prepares himself for them. Now it's just a matter of finding them.

He knows they're planning some kind of heist, but he doesn't know where. So he goes from rooftop to rooftop, scoping out a number of heist-able buildings around town for any sign of the gang...]

[ This time, the fans are left alone. Drake's words about Morgana's care for them had stung way too hard, and she just couldn't find it in herself to do it again. What if she somehow wound up robbing Drake and Gosalyn?! That would destroy her! So after some deep thinking... That left Plan B.

Operation: Divide And Conquer was well underway!

An alarm is sounding off at the biggest jewelry store in the city. The guards are tied up with spider threads, and the security cameras are busted to pieces. Inside, the band is giddily smashing open displays and taking whatever pretty shiny things they can find... But this isn't the real theft of the night. After all, as Morgana had (repeatedly, with much frustration) explained, they couldn't sell these things right away. Therefore, this bit of enjoyable destruction would just be a smokescreen.

When Darkwing Duck inevitably made his entrance, Morgana would take the lead in distracting him and leading him away, while the rest of the band headed for the real target - Sant Canard's First National Bank! A truly perfect scheme! As for what Morgana would do to keep him occupied... that was a separate plan they didn't need to know. She couldn't knock him out with the same lullaby spell - no doubt he'd see that coming, that genius he was. (Cue Eek and Squeak side-eyeing.) And she'd given away the valuable parts of that spell as autographs! So she'd have to try... a little something different.

For now, as she calmly awaits the smoke and speeches, Morgana gussies herself up with stolen rings and necklaces. He'd need a reason to chase after her, so why not accessorize? ]

Hmm... I don't know why they say diamonds are a girl's best friend. They're not even skull-shaped.

[He's takem off guard when he hears the alarms going off! He races over towards the scene and deploys a smoke bomb as he makes his entrance.]

I am the terror that flaps in the night!
I am the reboot that ruins your character...
I am Darkwing Duck!

[He poses dramatically as he steps out from the smoke. And ge shames his head.]

We have to stop meeting like this. [He tries to sound quippy... Even if he really feels disappointed.]

[ Right on cue, as if he was made for the stage! Morgana grins, fangs and all, ready to put Step 2 into action. ]

Oh, Darkwing Dreamboat, you wound me! ... But not as much as I'm about to wound you!

[ She runs right for him, ready to re-start their last tango with a swing of her guitar - meanwhile, Eek and Squeak head for the wires that keep the store lit. A few good chews, and in a minute or two, it'll be lights out! ]

[He knows that this time, he can't play around. He has to take her and her band down! He can't let them get away this time. Bur first thing's first... She's coming right at him!]

I think you've already caused enough heartbreak. It might be time to cool this off! [He does that much quipping whole dodging and deflecting her blows - but his attention is enough on her for the moment that the blackout might succeed!]

Funny, and here I thought things between us were just about to heat up!

[ Three - Two - One - Lights out! The entire store goes dark and each band member splits up for their job. As for Morgana? She heads right for the nearest window and opens it, bathing her in moonlight - as is the point. Step Three - the chase. ]

It'd be rude to keep a lady waiting, Dark. Let's take this dance to the next level!

[ After sporting a classic "come hither" finger, she leaps out! ]

[Great, there goes the lights - and Darkwing's chances of going after the rest of the band first. Morgana's the only one visible to him, so he'll have to go after her anyway. ... That, and it's really hard to resist he come hither gesture!]

If you're that set on filling my dance card, I might as well oblige! [He leaps out the window after her.]

But you're gonna have to save the last dance for the law!

[ The chase begins, but only for a block or so - Morgana spots just what she needs. A metal stairway on the side of an apartment building - the perfect zigzag chase material for all police procedurals! She begins to climb, aiming for the rooftop! Step Four!

... Though she might go back to one window and quickly magically zap a confused civilian's radio, in order to get some mood music ready. But then back to the rooftop! ]

Let's take this relationship to the next step - all the way up!

[Chase time!! Darkwing Duck is in full pursuit, hopping over anything and everything in the way! As she starts up the stairs, Darkwing comes to a stop.]

You're moving a little too fast for me. ...Good thing I know a shortcut!

[Her says that as he brandishes a grappling gun and fires it, in order to grapple his way up to her!]

[ And Morgana... stops.

Step Five - the step she didn't tell the band about. She knew if she did, they'd absolutely reject it. It might not even work, but she felt it was still worth the effort.

She calmly sits on the corner of the rooftop, strumming a few strings on her guitar as she waits for him. When he's there, she lifts her head, smiling calmly, and takes off one of the stolen rings. ]

Before we resume our little "tête-à-tête", I thought I'd try something... different.

[ She lightly tosses the ring at him, a sign of good faith. Or a warning. ]

I have a proposal for you.

[Drake pops up onto the rooftop! Dukes raised, ready for battle! ...Only to deflate at Morgana's unexpected move. He eyes the ring on the ground uncertainly.]

... Okay, now you're really moving fast! S-so, uh... Can't promise an "I do", but... What exactly is this proposal?

[ He remains forever cute. With a chuckle, she stands up, setting her guitar aside, letting it (somehow) stand on its own. ]

I've done my homework... or, at least, I tried to. I searched and searched for any information I could about you, trying to find some weakness to exploit, some flaw I could take advantage of... and I found nothing. To be specific, I found nothing about you.

[ She begins walking around the rooftop, nails trailing the edges, looking down at the city streets below. ]

I learned more about a cancelled movie than I did about the flesh and blood man that protects this city. These poor, unfortunate souls... they come flocking to your shadow, crying "Help, Darkwing, please!" and do you help them? Yes indeed.

But what do they give you in return? No gratitude, no thanks, nothing! You're out there, risking your life for these people, and they don't even bother to give you an internet shrine! You work so hard and they don't give you the respect you deserve!

[ There... might be a smidge of self-projection going on here as she clutches the roof's edge, glaring daggers at the cars passing by below. And by smidge, we mean - ]

Everything you do - nothing is good enough for these ingrates! No matter how hard you try, no matter how much passion or life you give, they turn your backs on you! They ignore you, they won't give you a chance... There's nobody out there who wants the real you!

[ Deeeeeep inhale. Phew. Almost... lost herself for a moment there. She clears her throat, tossing her hair over her shoulder as she turns back to him. ]

... But I do. You and I? We're not so different. We play in the shadows, because the waking world won't have us. I see in you the potential these people never will.

You should join me! With my magic, and your genius mind, together, we would be the ultimate power couple! If this city won't rise to our applause, then we'll bring them to their knees! You could have everything your heart desires! Fame! Fortune! And...

[ The space between them has closed super fast, as she's now right in front of him, hand under his beak, and leaning in. ]

... me.

[He didn't expect her strike to hit so hard, so personally. Even without learning his identity, it feels like she's peeked beneath his mask. Of course he's hungered for glory. He wants to be Darkwing Duck - and to receive the admiration befitting the hero. That would be the ultimate sign that he's suceeded. That he's become Darkwing Duck... That he's become somebody and left his mark on the wall.

Instead, he's been met with indifference or gotten caught up in misunderstandings or been ignored in favor of different heroes, like freaking Gizmoduck. Where's the respect he yearns for? The admiration, the validation? ...He feels the need to stop himself before he sounds too much like Jim.

Not only that, but when Morgana is up so close and has her hand on his beak it's tempting to forget everything and just run off with her. It's almost like it's own kind of hypnotic spell. Almost.

He gazes into her eyes, his breath heavy.]

Y-you. You and me. You're right. We... would make the ultimate team. Me and you.

[Now he reaches for the hand on his beak - to gently hold it and lower it.]

But it can't be a union of villainy. No way. We could do so much good, Morgana! It's not about the recognition or anything like that. ...Of course I try to strive for that too, but at the end of the day, it's about doing what's right and helping those in need.

If you turn away from this life of crime, you'll see. You don't win every battle, and you usually don't get the headlines or a parade. ...Maybe a few fancams if you're lucky. But these deeds touch the hearts and minds of the people. That's worth more than any ill-gotten goods! And that's why... I have a counter proposal. Fight crime alongside me, and atone for your misdeeds!

[ A part of herself had warned her that this wouldn't work - yet when it seemed like it had, she was happy beyond words. Had she truly won him over? Had she really found the one that understood her? Her heart swelled, triumphant music playing in her head. She leaned in closer, eyelids lowering, ready to seal the deal with a kiss...

"But-"

Record needle scratch.

Rejection she had expected, sadly enough - but for him to flip the script?! ]

Huh?!

[ Wait, what???

He wants her to become... a hero?! There's no way he can be this naïve! Look at her! She's bad to the bone! Drake believing she was a good person was one thing, he was clueless about her criminal career, but why did Darkwing think the same?!

... And why wasn't she instantly rejecting the idea out loud? ]

I... I... I...?

[ It must be because of those gorgeous (familiar?) eyes of his and his gentle touch... and maybe because "touch the hearts and minds of the people" is exactly what she wanted to do with her music in the first place. Does he... actually know that, in his own way? That this criminal path she chose was never the first option? Does he know her better than she knows herself?

Maybe it's also time to test if he's a better kisser than Drake. It'd help the decision making. Really. ]

Darwking... I...

[ Alas, to quote a certain revenge-based series, you didn't think it was going to be that easy, did you?

Alarm bells go off - not metaphorically in their heads, but literally out in the streets. The rest of the band had started the next robbery... but simply went to the store right next to the jewelry store.

Startled and enraged for several reasons, Morgana brakes out of Darkwing's hold to stomp over to the roof's edge and yell - ]

YOU FOOLS! I SAID ROB THE BANK! B-A-N-K! WE WENT OVER THIS SIX TIMES! I DISTRACT DARKWING, YOU GO TO THE BANK! THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU SKIP REHEARASAL!

[ ... Oops. One of those things should not have been said out loud. Sheepishly, she looks over her shoulder at him. ]

... I can explain.

[For a moment there, he thought he might have a chance. Despite what he overheard at the theater, he wanted to have faith. If they shared this c connection, if even he was tempted to switch sides, maybe she would feel the pull too. And give in.

He was starting to go into a lull as she spoke, his eyes closed and beak puckered-

Only for that alarm to be a wake-up call in multiple senses. He stands there for a moment, hurt and betrayed. Then, he narrows his eyes.]

I think you explained enough. Is that all this was to you? A ruse... A distraction? You... You really are a villain...

[But he knows that he can't waste time here. He has to channel these feelings into something instead of wallowing in the heartbreak. So he runs up to the edge of the roof and dives off to glide after her bandmates!]

What...? No, no! Darkwing, you... wait! Please!

[ The idea was to distract him, yes, but the offer itself was genuine! If - if she could just explain it - she didn't mean for things to go this way! This wasn't supposed to happen!

She tries to reach after him, maybe grab him, but he's already gone. He was right. She was a villain. Wasn't that what she'd been telling herself all along? Wasn't he only saying the truth?

Then why did it hurt so much? Why did she feel like she just got dumped when they weren't even dating?

The weight of the stolen jewelry on her now feels like its ten tons, and she violently rips if off, throwing it to the ground. She can't even stand to look at it. Instead she goes to grab her guitar, and head back for the theater. Her foolish bandmates had messed up the plan, they could deal with the fall-out. She was the one with the magic, they were the muscle, so even though they outnumbered Darkwing, a few clever moves would be all it took for them to be sent running with no stolen goods to show for it.

Darkwing would get the win tonight - but no one would really feel like they won.

... Morgana did manage to steal two tubs of rocky road ice cream on the way back to the theater, but that was completely and totally unrelated to anything ever. ]

Forget about that guy,
Forget about the way you fell into his eyes,
Forget about his charms,
Forget about the way he held you in his arms...

[All that hope and joy he felt is being turned by the bitter sting of betrayal. He leaves her to rush after her cronies. And once he reaches them, he fights them without hesitation. He moves mechanically like some crimefighting robot. One with tears in his eyes!

There was a time when I was sure
That you and I were truly one.
That our future was forever,
And would never come undone.
And we came so close to being close!
And though you cared for me,
There's distance in your eyes tonight,
So we're not meant to be.
The love is gone.
The love is gone...
The sweetest dream,
That we have ever known...

The fight's over before he knows it. Drake is left breathing heavily at the attempted crime scene. The band got away, sure, but he made sure they didn't get away with a single thing.

But he knows that he can't let this drag out any longer. Not when such underhanded tricks were used against him and his heart! So he makes his way back towards that theater, to seek out any traces of them...]

[ At the theater, Morgana is found at the piano, pretty much slumped against it. She sadly keeps playing the same note over and over on the keys, with two tubs of mostly eaten/melted ice cream nearby. Her loyal familiars try to nuzzle her, but she ignores them, sighing. ]

If there's a prize for rotten judgement?
I guess I've already won that...
No man is worth the aggravation
That's ancient history, been there, done that-

[ But this musical number is soundly interrupted (after all, she lacks back-up singers!) by slamming doors - the band is back, and they are furious. The shortest one, the cyclops, heads straight for Morgana, grabbing her arm harshly.

"Where were you?! You said you were going to distract that clod in a cape!"

Morgana bitterly pulls her arm back. ]

And I told you what to do, and you blew it. Now leave me alone, I need to... find my muse.

[ "I am so SICK of this!" The girl snarls, suddenly forcibly turning Morgana around to face her! "It's time you started acting like a real monster! No more small-time screw ups, we need to grab this city by the collar! We need to use the ultimate spell - The Hocus Pocus Focus!"

Even though Morgana's already a pretty pale duck, even she seems to be aghast at such a suggestion, whatever it means. ]

FIRST of all, that spell is completely forbidden, and for good reason! SECOND, I told you when we started this I'd never use something so... so awful! And THIRD...

[ Since the first two reasons don't seem to affect the others, she shrugs and looks away. ]

... I gave a vital part of that spell away. As autographs. So even if I wanted to use that spell, I couldn't. They're long gone. There's no way a loyal fan like Gosalyn would ever give it up, and Drake...

[ At this she falters, and seems to crumble on the piano bench, hanging her head. ]

... After how shabbily I treated him last time, he probably never wants to see me again... I... I need to be alone.

[ Fighting off tears, she storms off towards her dressing room. The rest of the band glower and grumble after her, cracking their knuckles.

"We need to get those autographs back! But how?"
"We gotta find whoever those two are. And then... we have to do something about her."
"You'd think she'd have learned her lesson, after what happened the last time she had a band!"

The hyenas crowd around, trying to figure out how to devour Scar, while Eek, Squeak and Archie scramble after their mistress. ]

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