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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[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. ]

[Darkwing manages to sneak up into the rafter without incident. ...He does experience a number of accicents though, just none that the band would notice. He's made his way up to the rafters just in time to witness the tail end of the argument. His eyes widen as he hears about the spell pages being given away. While Gosalyn's autograph is in her possession, he has his own tucked away in one of his pockets right now. He hadn't gotten around to throwing it out yet either!

Morgana's words throw him off further. Is she showing... remorse for how she's treated him? ...No, no, she probably just feels remorse about losing her spell. That's it! Close enough. He almost believed in her again - and he's afraid that would just make things hurt more.

But after she leaves, some things become clear: the bandmates are after the autograph, meaning Gosalyn's in danger. And Morgana's in immediate trouble - no matter his feelings now, Drake doesn't think she deserves this punishment. So it's time to act! He drops a smoke bomb into the middle of the scheming scoundrels.]

I am the terror that flaps in the night!
I am the same repreat that plays every evening until you're behind bars...
I am Darkwing Duck!

[With that, he dropkicks his way down into the nearest member of the band!]

[ The bandmates are indeed startled, but they know what happens after the smoke and motto now!

"GET HIM!"

It's a madcap of muscle as all three of them try to tackle Darkwing down, ready to pound, pulverize, punch, and - what's this? The Cyclops rolls off after a particularly nasty kick, having tried to grab the cape, and instead grabbed something else. She blinks rapidly, then stares before cackling in mad glee...

"I don't believe this! Our luck is finally turning around!" She stands up, triumphantly holding up the autograph! Her sinister looks somehow gets even worse, as she sweetly calls out. "Oh Morgaaaanaaa~! Your little boyfriend just dropped off the sweetest present~!"

Of course, the second Morgana had heard that familiar call in the theater, she'd run as fast as her high-heels could take her. Darkwing came after her? Did he want to hear her out? Maybe he changed his mind! Maybe she changed her mind! She could apologize, they could start over and...

She stumbles onto the stage, her look of sheer elation fading as she sees what the Cyclops is holding. ]

... Wh... what? How did...? Where did you get that?

[ Cyclops gives a smug little look to Darkwing, before creating a lie she's that will shatter any remaining hope and goodness in her boss.

"Ain't it obvious? Drakey Wakey must have... THROWN IT OUT!"

And Cyclops is correct - because Morgana is so utterly stunned and devastated by that, she falls right to her knees. ]

... What...?

[Darkwing was ready to continue fighting like a man possessed, until no one was left standing! But he ended up being thrown completely off once he realized what one of them had snagged from them. His expression turns to panic. What if his secret identity gets figured out? And what if he loses the one memento has of- wait. He inwardly tries to smack those feelings out of himself! Even as the woman herself is summoned back into the theater.

He stands there, wide-eyed with uncertainty as she starts questioning the autograph. He really doesn't know how to explain this... without giving himself away.]

I... I... I...

[It seemed like this was it. Any moment now, his secret identity would be blown!

...Except it doesn't. He just stares, dumbfounded, as the one-eyed bandmate offers an alternate explanation. One that... hurts, but... an alibi is an alibi.

Then again, even as he tries to harden his heart against her, it hurts even more seeing her on her knees like that.]

N-now, now! That's... It's not... It was the wind! Yes, that's it. A stray gust of wind brought that autograph to me. It must have been snatched right out an open window. [He just... tiptoes towards the cyclops and meekly smiles as he reaches for the paper.] Now, let me just return this to its rightful owner...

[ "Yeah, right!" Cyclops laughs, before kicking Darkwing square in the chest - and sending him right into the arms of the tallest and most most muscular of the group, Frankie, who grins as he holds Darkwing in a chokehold. "He'd say anything to get back something so important... unlike your 'newest fan'."

Morgana, for her part, seems able to believe this terrible lie despite how much it's killing her. She holds herself, eyes staring beyond the people there. ]

I thought... I thought... he... he understood me, that... he liked me...

[ "It's like we've been trying to tell you, boss - nobody is ever gunna understand someone like you. Especially not some goody-goody mortals. What a pity. But! Luckily, that doesn't matter anymore!" Cyclops dangles the autograph in Morgana's face. "We both know what this does! Unlike that other spell that just makes people into mindless zombies... this spell makes people WANT to obey you! They'll be HAPPY to hand over all their loot! They'll cheer your name all the time!"

Cyclops shoves the autograph into Morgana's hands, grinning right at Darkwing. "In fact... why don't we try it out on your hero here? I mean, I don't think he gets the big deal... why don't you tell him, before we make him your slave? WHY is that ONE stupid autograph worth so much to you, boss?"

Morgana closes her eyes, a single tear running down her cheek. Why, indeed, was she so stunned to be asked about autographs the first time they met, and why does it hurt so much to get it back? Because after all this time, after trying so hard... ]

It... it was... my first one.

Oof! [That didn't go well! And now he's being held by what looks like the biggest member of the group. He grumbles and groans as he tries to squirm and kick his way to freedom, but with no luck yet.

And he has plenty to distract himself too, as he hears more about the spell - and about Morgana. What's this about no one understanding her? Well, maybe she has a point. Drake thought he understood her, in a way he's never understood anyone else. But now he feels like he's wrong.

His efforts started to intensify once Cyclops started daring her to use the spell - but then he stops completely at her admission.]

Wh-what?! [He gasps softly as he looks at her.] I... That was your first?

[He can't believe it. He was her first?]

[ Morgana doesn't reply, holding the autograph close to her chest. She's going back through her memories, about how sweet and sincere Drake had been. How happy he'd been to help out Gosalyn, the adorable way he blurted out his thoughts, that magical kiss they shared... was it all a lie?

Cyclops doesn't give her any further time to grieve, grabbing Morgana's guitar and shoving it into Morgana's hands. "But once you use that spell, everyone will want your autograph! You should have done this from the start, when you were begging and pleading with us to join this dumb band. Now... GET UP AND PLAY!"

Morgana swallows, slowly starting to rise to her feet. ]

... Maybe I should. Maybe I was wrong all this time... that no one will ever understand me. Why shouldn't I do it? Why... why shouldn't I be the villain everyone wants me to be?!

[ She could make both Drake and Darkwing love her. She could make it so she's never alone again. Eek, Squeak and Archie circle her, their little noises desperately trying to tell her not to do it. In her anger and agony, she begins to strum the strings. The first time Drake had seen her use this type of magic, the guitar had glowed a disturbing green - now it's a dangerous red hue, as she begins to softly sing, but grows louder and more intense with each verse... ]

I put a spell on you,
And now you're mine...
You can't stop the things I do,
I ain't lyin'...
It's been three hundred years,
Right down to the day!
Now the witch is back!
And there's hell to pay!
I put a spell on you...

AAAAAND NOOOOW YOOUUUU'RRRRRE...

[ She raises her arm, intending to finish the stanza, lifting her head to look Darkwing right in the eyes...

... and hesitates. ]

Edited 2022-08-07 09:32 (UTC)

No one wants you to be a villain! Literally no one wants that! ... Except for these murderous musicians, of course!

[He feels trapped. He can't break freez and that red glow is never a good sign. He's not ready for his mind control arc!

He winces and closes his eyes, preparing himself for the worst. But it doesn't happen. The song doesn't reach its climax. So he opens his eyes and looks towards Morgana again. Her hesitation. With his look, he seems to sing to her:

She's holding back, she's hiding.
But what, I can't decide.
Why can't she be the hero I know she is?
The one I see inside!]

You have a fan out there who are really doesn't want this particular song to happen!!

[ "What are you waiting for?!" Cyclops snaps, fists shaking in anger. "You KNOW he's lying! You don't have a single, solitary fan out there!"

Morgana keeps her hand up in the air, still ready to play... but her face softens. Maybe Darkwing doesn't trust her, and maybe Drake really did throw out her autograph... but. But.

She speaks one name so softly, it's a whisper. ]

... Gosalyn.

[ She did have one fan out there. One who believed in her. ]

... I'm sick of disappointing people. And I'm not going to let her down!

[ So when she does lower her hand, it's not to finish the song - it's to grab her guitar battle-ax style once more, and slam it into Frankie's head, forcing him to release Darkwing! ]

THIS CONCERT IS CANCELLED!

[Gosalyn may have saved the day without even being her! Drake would expect no less.]

Morgana! [He calls out with delighted surprise as he's freed! With that, he quickly gets to work trying to tie Frankie's legs together in an attempt to trip him over.]

Now this is a performance I can get behind! I think it's time for a dis-banding!

[ Darkwing gets a little unexpected help via well-placed spider string! While Archie is doing his usual grumbling, he's always on Morgana's side, not the band's.

"You're going to pay for this, Morgana!"
"Yeah, you and Yoko Nono here are both gunna regret it!"
"Once Lord McCawber hears about this - !" ]

I don't care! If I have to be alone again, at least I'll like the person I am! This is the day the music died!

[ She does another battle-ax swing, this time slamming into the two-headed troll and sending him flying into the piano - which closes its lid right on top of that trouble! Which just leaves the one-eyed eyesore, who spots the autograph now fluttering to the ground.

"If you won't use it, I will! Who needs any of you dweebs!" She runs to try and grab it - ! ]

[Archie's help has made these binds all the more string-ent! Darkwing flashes the spider a thumbs up before jumping back into the fray.]

She's not alone! Heroism is no solo act, you... musical malcontents!

[Chekhov's piano took down one threat... But there's still one more left! Darkwing springs forward and slides on the ground in an attempt to beat her to the paper!]

[ Villain and Hero both grab the parchment - and there's a terrible RRRIP as now they both have a piece. Morgana gasps, hurt again - for the loss of the precious memory than the spell itself.

Not that Cyclops cares. "You... you RUINED EVERYTHING! I swear, if it's the last thing I ever do, I'll make wish you never met her, Darkwing Duck!" ]

And you're never to going to play me like a fiddle again! I'm pulling your plug - and there will be no reunion tour!

[ This attack's a bit more personal, now that she's really angry - forget the guitar, she's landing a solid punch to the jaw! ]

[Darkwing also looks aghast as the autograph is torn! Sure, he was starting to feel metaphorically torn about holding onto it, but now he wants it!

Still, his expression turns to wonder as he watches Morgaba clock her before he can even raise a feather.]

Wow. [That was actually kinda hot.] You see? You - you really are great hero material!

[And now time to get these fallen foes properly restrained!]

[ Fortunately, Cyclops is far too dizzy to land any more scathing remarks, so tie-up and clean-up is a breeze. Morgana slings her guitar over her back, picking up one of the dropped ripped halves, sadly trailing her fingers down it. After some light nudging from Eek and Squeak, she swallows and asks. ]

Aren't you... going to arrest me too? After all I did... after I hurt you so much?

[ It almost sounded like he forgave her, but she didn't think she'd earned it. And she almost wants to ask if he was telling the truth about the autograph merely flying through the air, instead of the hurtful image of Drake crumbling it away (Which she has to admit, she has a hard time imagining!) ]

I- I.... Um...

[To think that not long ago, he was steeling himself to arrest her with the whole band. But now? Now things are different. He looks down uncertainly, his hat casting over his head.]

You did the right thing in the end. That's... what really matters. If we turn in these three and give back everything you took... I think that should be enough.

[He lifts a smile towards her.]

I like to call those 'redemption arc rules'. [But he'll just try to gloss over the part about how hurt he was.]

[ She manages a little smile herself. Honestly, what did this city ever do to deserve such a great hero? Maybe she lost a fan tonight... but Darkwing has one for life.

But just as a tiger can't change their stripes, there are some things about Morgana that'll never change. She can't help a small smirk. ]

I don't think I can give back everything I took...

[ She walks a few steps, as if intending to walk right by him, but instead touches his shoulder, and leans in to kiss his cheek. ]

I'm not giving back your heart, even if you ask nicely.

[O-oh. That smooch manages to stop him in his tracks even more effectively than the bandmates or even the hypnotic song! He stands up straight and idly rubs at his cheek as he smiles at her. It's a moment before he speaks up.]

W-well... I might be able to let that one slide.

[And then he adds, with a hint of hurt-]

Just... try to be careful with it.

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