A/N: I realized that as this is a crossover with Duck Tales, that I should have put Gizmoduck in it... unfortunately the story was completely finished before that thought ever occurred to me. Besides, Darkwing is supposed to be the main hero in my stories. So... lets just assume Fenton is on vacation for this one.
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1997
The building was an eyesore, not unlike the others around it. Its walls were starting to crumble due to decades of wear and tear by the elements and the windows and doors had long since been boarded up. The chain link fence that ran around the premises was rusted and falling apart and the parking lot was overrun with weeds. The south wall was decortated with grafitti displaying various gang symbols and the occasional So and So Loves Someone else.
It had served as an ammunitions factory in the 1950's and had been the heart of the lower east side in its hayday, its twin smoke stacks towering over the other buildings, like two majestic giants, serveying their land.
The enterior of the building wasn't much better than the outside. Dust and cobwebs covered every inch of the assembly line, while gunpowder and empty ammunition shells littered the floor. The factory itself made up the entire lower floor, with a small room off to the side that had once served as a break area for employees.
A staircase at the back of the room lead to an office with large picture windows overlooking the production line below. The office itself was small, a battered couch sat along one wall, while a large desk took up the other side of the room.
It was behind this desk that Negaduck sat, waiting impatiently for the rest of his gang to show up. He had recieved a call earlier that night from an unnamed person, asking him to retrieve an item for them. Now, Negaduck had never been a gofer. He made the demands, and other people carried them out. So when this mysterious caller had enlisted his help, his first reaction had been to tell them to go fuck themselves.
However, when offered a handsome amount of money for his services.. well, lets just say that made things different. And, if the item he was to retrieve proved more valuable, well then he might just keep it for himself. Hell, he might just do that anyway.
He glanced up as the door opened, fully ready to jump down the throats of his gang for not showing up right when he had called them. His anger quickly turned to annoyance, however, when the person that entered wasn't any of the people he was expecting.
"What are YOU doing here?" He growled.
Liz shrugged, "QJ said you called." She shut the door behind her and moved to take a seat on the couch.
"I called HIM," Negaduck replied. "Not you."
"I was curious," The girl smiled.
Negaduck rolled his eyes. It was bad enough having to put up with the four knobs he called gang members. Now he had to put up with Quackerjacks little lackey, "Just stay quiet then and don't get in my way." He turned his attention away from her for a moment, "Where the hell are those idiots anyway?!"
"Megs had to drop Amy off at work," Liz told him. "QJ will be up in a minute. I dunno where the other two are."
"Well... they'd better hurry if they know whats good for...," He trailed off as a clang from downstairs caught his ears. "What the hell?" Standing up, he moved to the window and peered into the factory below. Liz followed him. Someone had started up one of the conveyer belts. "Oh for the love of-," The masked villian growled under his breath. Jerking the door open he stuck his head out of the office and bellowed, "Will you stop playing with that and GET UP HERE?!"
"Sorry, boss," Quackerjack grinned sheepishly, flipping the belt off and bounding up the stairs and into the office.
Liz returned to her spot on the couch, curling her legs under her and waiting to find out why Negaduck had called them. Ten minutes later they were joined by Megavolt, Bushroot, and the Liquidator. They gathered around the desk, waiting for Negaduck to speak. Not being a real member of the gang, and still wanting to keep up her good reputation, Liz never got involved. She just went and watched.
"I got a call tonight," Negaduck began. "Someones willing to pay big money for us to retrieve something from Duckburg for them."
"All the way over in Duckburg?" It was Megavolt. "Why us?"
"I don't know and I don't care," Negaduck replied. "Maybe because we're the best." He glanced around at his gang, "Oh well, maybe because I'm the best. Who knows? Point is, they want us to do it."
"Fair enough...," The electrical genius nodded. "Soooo uhhh... what exactly are we going after then?"
"Inquiring minds want to know," The Liquidator added.
"This," The masked duck slid something across the desk. Bushroot retrieved it, his eyes glancing over the item in his hand. It was a photograph.
"Its.... a dime," The plant-duck blinked.
At the word "dime" Liz was suddenly very alert, eyes darting back and forth between Negaduck and the rest of the gang. "Not just any dime," Negaduck told them. "That dime belongs to Scrooge McDuck, and someone wants its bad enough to pay us to get it for them."
Liz's heart stopped, and she turned her attention to Negaduck, staring at him with wide eyes. He wouldn't. "You... you're gonna... No, you can't!"
"Ooooooh, yes I can," Negaduck glared. He turned his gaze back to the four villians before him. "We steal the dime, and... we may or may not hand it over to whoever it is that wants it."
"Magica DeSpell," Liz mumbled.
"What?" Negaduck glanced over at the girl on the couch.
"Magica DeSpell," She repeated. "Shes the only person that would want Scrooges dime."
The crime boss blinked. He'd heard of Magica. A powerful sorceress, not unlike Morgana MacCawber. "And you know this.... how?"
Liz shrugged, "I hear things.... now and then." It hadn't really been a lie. She HAD heard the tales of Magicas unending attempts to get her hands on Scrooges number one dime. The only thing she left out was the fact that she had heard the tales from Scrooge himself when she was a kid. Scrooge had been like family to her since she was thirteen, but Negaduck didn't know that, and she planned to keep it that way.
Negaduck raised an eyebrow, but didn't say anything.
"I can't let you do this," The girl spoke again. "Not to him."
"Oh?" The masked duck chortled. "And just what are you gonna do to stop me?" Liz didn't reply. Negaduck hadn't been expecting one. "Thats what I thought," He smirked, standing up and heading toward the door. "Lets go," He addressed the rest of his gang.
"No!" Liz was off the couch now.
Negaduck ignored her. The other four exchanged glances, hesitating. "I said lets go!" Their boss cast a glare over his shoulder.
"No," It was Quackerjack.
"....What?" Negaducks hate filled gaze turned on the clown, causing the latter to shrink back momentarily. He quickly regained himself, however, and moved behind Liz.
"If Liz stays... I stay."
"I see...," Negaduck considered this. "And do the rest of you feel the same way?"
The other gang members exchanged thoughtful looks, before following Quackerjacks example. "Four out of five supervillians agree," The Liqudator replied.
"Liz is our fr--friend," Bushroot stammered, placing a leafy hand on the girls shoulder. "We... we won't abandon her."
Negaduck arched a brow. "Okay... fine," He replied. He seemed strangely calm about having just been ditched by his gang, something that filled the rest of them with dread. He moved across the room to the door. "Stay here. I don't care. I don't need you idiots. I'll get the dime myself." He disappeared out the door, locking it from the other side, and leaving the other five staring after him in confusion.
"Negaduck!" Liz rushed after the masked villian, throwing herself against the door, and pulling at the doorknob. "Negaduck! Open the door, please! Negaduck, open the door!" She pounded against the thick metal of the door with her fists. "Open the door.... please.."
Bushroot moved from the group, over to the window, glancing down into the factory below. "Oh no..."
"What? Whats wrong?" Liz moved to peer out the window next to him. Down below them Negaduck was busy pouring something from a canister all over the floor. "What is that," Liz glanced at the plant-duck, "gasoline?"
Bushroot shook his head, "Kerosene... for the lamps."
"Hes gonna torch the place!" Quackerjack cried from Lizs left.
"I can't have you knobs trying to stop me or alerting that dimwitted counterpart of mine," The masked duck snarled up at them. The light of a match lit up the room below. The others watched in horror as he dropped the match at his feet and the liquid on the floor flared into a raging fire. Negaduck turned, darting from the building as the flames spread across the floor.
"Wait... what are we worried for?" Liz asked. "Licky can put the fire out."
"Just one problem," The Liquidator replied. "The fires out there.. we're in here." He glanced out the window. "And when it reaches those barrels...," He nodded toward the gun powder in the corner.
"Kablooey!" Quackerjack finished.
"We'll.... we'll break the glass," Liz suggested, sounding desperate. She hurried over to the desk, grabbing the wooden chair, which she then hurled at the window. It hit with a thud and bounced off. Picking the chair up again, she swung it at the glass. The chair splitered, the glass remained. "No! Come on...," She swung again.
"Liz...," Bushroot touched her shoulder, "you can't beak it."
"But...," The girl dropped the broken chair and sank to her knees. "We have to do something. I won't give up." Her eyes darted around the room for some kind of escape. There, above the desk, an air vent. "We can crawl out through there!" She pointed above their heads.
"No one but Licky could get through there," Megavolt replied.
"I'm small enough to get through," Liz stood up, heading over to the desk, she climbed up, eyeing the vent above her. "Licky, can you get through there into the other room?"
The salesman nodded, growing somewhat taller, and slipping through the cracks in the vent.
"Wait," Liz called after him. "I'm coming with you. Someone give me a boost."
"No need...," The Liquidator replied from the vent. A moment later he appeared back in the office. "The vents blocked off with cement about four feet into it. I can't get through."
"Its hopeless...," Bushroot shook his head. "We're goners." He moved back to the windows, gazing down at the fire below them. In a few minutes it would hit the barrels of gun powder. The others gathered around him, each one of them wracking their brains for something that might help.
"Everyone get away from the glass," Liz spoke up. She hurried away from the window, toward the far side of the room. The others followed her.
"You have a plan?" Megavolt asked.
"No... but we don't want to be near the windows when that gunpowder goes up."
"I... I guess this is it then," Bushroot whispered, wringing his hands together. "I'm sorry you had to get pulled into this mess, Liz."
"Its okay...," Liz replied. She forced a weak smile. "If I gotta go.. I'm glad its with you guys."
"Its been fun," Quackerjack grinned. "I always wanted to go out with a bang."
Liz glanced over at him. Leave it to Quacky to be the optimistic one about being blown up. She glanced back at the window. Only a few seconds left. Might as well do one last thing before she died. Turning back to Quackerjack, she thew her arms around him and kissed him. Quackerjack blinked rapidly, before hesitantly returning the girls kiss.
"I love you...," Liz whispered. "I've always loved you."
Quackerjack blinked again. "Liz, I-" That was all he managed to get out before a rumble tore through the building. There was a flash of light, accompanied by a deafening BOOM, as the kegs of gunpowder in the factory below ignited.
As the window shattered inward, the Liquidator suddenly rose up into a wall of water between the window and the others, hoping perhaps the water would slow down the shards of glass. The other three moved over Liz, shielding her as best they could.
It all seemed to happen much slower than Liz thought it would, but in reality it was mere seconds. She felt the floor under them give way, and she screamed as she fell. Something hit her head and then everything went black.
Several blocks away, Negaducks black and yellow helicopter hovered above the bay. "Good riddance, ya knobs!" The helicopter turned, and flew off towards Duckburg.
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Darkness. Liz couldn't move. "I'm dead...," She thought.
"Liz!" She heard someone call her name. "Liz!"
"Where is she?"
"I don't know!"
"Bushy, are you okay?"
"Yeah... I think so. Megavolt?"
"All good.. Ow.. careful, theres a rock there."
"Theres rocks everywhere. Help me find Liz!"
Liz opened her eyes. She couldn't see anything. Her head hurt and every breath she tried to take was angonizing, her lungs filling up with smoke. A small crack of light appeared above her head. "Liz?" It was Quackerjack. "Hey guys, I found her," He began moving rocks and debris off the girl. "Hold on, Lizzy..." After a few minutes he was helping the girl up. "Are you alright?"
"I... I think so," Liz replied. Her feathers were singed pretty badly and there was a gash across her forehead. Blood dripped from the wound and ran down her beak. She glanced around at her friends. They didn't look much better than her, except Licky, he was fine, obviously. Quackerjack was pretty banged up and Megavolts right leg was covered in blood. But... they were still alive, and that filled the girl with hope. "Licky, can you put the fire out?"
"What now?" Bushroot asked.
Liz thought for a minute, before turning and climbing over the crumbled building to the street. "Find Darkwing Duck!" She called over her shoulder.
"Wait!" Bushroot called after her. "Where are you going?!"
"To stop Negaduck!"
The others stared after her. She couldn't possibly stop him by herself. "Come on!" Megavolt shouted. "We gotta find Darkwing!"
Lizs car raced across the Audubon Bay bridge toward Duckburg. She pressed the gas pedal flat against the floor, thankful that there was no traffic that late at night. Blood was still running from the wound on her head into her eyes. She wiped it away with one hand then reached for her cell phone. Dialing quickly, she waited. "Answer.. please answer."
"McDuck residence," Came the tired reply from the other end.
"Duckworth?" Liz cried in relief. "Its Elizabeth! You have to wake Mr. McDuck up right away. Its an emergency!"
"Miss De Quacka, what..."
"I don't have time to explain... just tell him to get to his bin as fast as he can. And call the police!"
"Yes, of course Miss." The phone clicked.
Something in the sky ahead of her car caught the girls attention. Negaducks helicopter. "I should have known that blast wouldn't stop you," The villain shouted. Liz glared. The helicopter hovered above the end of the bridge for a moment, before flying toward the car.
"Son of a..." Liz jerked the wheel hard to the left as the helicopter swooped over. Negaduck turned, chasing after her. "Give it up, girl," He yelled. "You can't win against me."
"I can sure as hell try!" She focused her attention on reaching the end of the bridge.
There was a blast and the sound of something hitting metal. She screamed, swerving violently. He was firing at her. Another blast hit the hood of the car, and it spun out of control, skidding across the bridge and crashing into the railing. Liz screamed in pain as her head hit the steering wheel, blood gushing from her wound. The helicopter flew off again. Raising her head, Liz winced, wiping blood from her eyes. Her head felt like it was going to explode. Turning the wheel, she straighted the car out and took off after Negaduck.
Back in St. Canard the explosion had caught the attention of every cop in the city, and sirens could be heard in the distance as the other members of the Fearsome Five scrambled across the broken debris. Hopefully it'd have caught the attention of Darkwing Duck as well. The four of them darted down an alley into the darkness just as several police cars and firetrucks surrounded the remains of the building.
"We have to help her!" Quackerjack was completely hysterical. Something that, for him, was very unsettling. "Negaduck will kill her!"
"We will," Bushroot assured him. "But we need to find Darkwing. Do... do you think the blast got his attention?"
"It got their attention," Megavolt jerked his thumb toward the police cars at the end of the ally. "We can't wait around here for him to show up... not with the police here." The others nodded in agreement, and the four of them took off down the alley. As they neared the end of the alley, a familiar cloud of blue smoke appeared before them.
"I am the terror that flaps in the night!"
The four villains practically cheered.
"I am the bank alarm that can't be shut off! I am Darkwing OMPH!" Darkwing was cut off as Quackerjack tackled him, throwing his arms around him. "What the...?"
"Oh thank goodness!" The clown cried. "I never thought I'd be so happy to see you in my life!"
Darkwing stumbled backward, caught completely off guard by the clowns actions. "Get offa me!" He yelled, attempting to pry Quackerjacks arms from his waist. "What the hells going on here?!"
"You have to stop Negaduck." Bushroot spoke up. "Hes going to rob Scrooge McDuck.. and.. our friend Lizas gone to stop him."
"What?" Darkwing blinked. "Whos Liza?"
"My best friend.." Quackerjack replied, releasing the hero. "You have to help her.. shes.. shes not like us. Shes a good person, and Negaduck will kill her."
Darkwing couldn't believe it. A good person, friends with the Fearsome Five.. err, Four? But the look on Quackerjacks face told him something was up. There was fear in the jesters eyes, pleading fear. "Please?" Quackerjack begged. "I can't let her die.. I.." He sighed. "I love her."
"Whaaaaaat?!" The masked mallard couldn't believe his ears. He opened his mouth to ask if Quackerjack was even capable of love, but thought better of it. "Alright.." He sighed in defeat. "Fill me in on the way, lets go." He turned and darted down the ally. The four of them watched him go for a moment, before following after him.
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"Hey watch it!" Megavolt cried, edging away from the Liquidator. "Don't splash on me!"
"Knock it off!" Darkwing rolled his eyes.
"Are you sure this is a good idea, DW?" Launchpad glanced over his shoulder at the four villians in the backseat of the Thunderquack. "You think you can trust 'em?"
"I dunno.." Darkwing replied. "But somethings up, and they're the only ones that know what it is." The plane flew over the city to Duckburg. "Okay.." Darkwing turned in his seat to face the villains behind him. "Someone tell me what this is about."
As quickly as he could, Quackerjack began to tell the masked duck everything. "See, theres this girl Amy, she used to go to school with Megs here and she introduced us all to Liz."
Darkwing thought for a moment. Yes, he remembered a girl in school that was friends with Elmo Sputterspark, but he remained quiet as the jester continued. "Liz is my best friend," Quackerjack told him, "Next to Sparky anyway."
Megavolt glared, but otherwise said nothing.
"And... you say this girl has gone off by herself to stop Negaduck?" Darkwing asked when Quackerjack had finished his tale.
"Yes."
Darkwing shook his head. The girl was as good as dead if they didn't get to her in time. He knew Negaduck very well, and he knew how ruthless he could be. He turned back in his seat and stared out the windsheild of the plane as the city of Duckburg came into view.
Lizs car screeched to a halt in front of the twelve story money bin. The building was dark and silent, but she knew Negaduck was in there somewhere. Not bothering to shut the engine off, she darted from the car, and into the building.
Nothing but silence greeted her as she made her way down the hall. Negaduck had obviously cut the power. In fact, there didn't seem to be any electricity in the building at all, something that was confirmed as Liz realized the elevators weren't working. She turned, rushing off to the stairwell, her head still pounding. She'd lost a lot of blood, and it was all she could do to keep herself on her feet. But she was determined not to let Negaduck get away with this.
Up the stairs she ran, pausing a moment on each floor to catch her breath, then heading up again. She had just reached the eleventh floor, when her cell phone rang, startling her something aweful. Leaning against the wall, she unclipped the device off her belt and flipped it open. "H--hello?"
"Elizabeth?" It was Scrooge.
"Mr. McDuck!" The girl sighed in relief.
"Where are ye, lass?"
"In the bin.." She replied, still trying to catch her breath. "Negaducks here.. hes.." She trailed off as the sound of a door opening somewhere above her caught her attention. "Oh my god..."
Negaduck appeared at the railing of the top floor, glaring through the dim light at the girl below him.
"Elizabeth, whats going on?!" Scrooges frantic voice called over the phone.
"You just don't know when to quit, do you?" Negaduck growled.
"I always was stubborn." Liz replied. She pushed herself off the wall and stared up at him.
"Heh..." Negaduck laughed. "I have to admit, I like your determination. You'd have made a good addition to my gang... unfortunately..." He trailed off, reaching into his cape and producing a shotgun, which he then pointed down the stairs at her. "You won't be living long enough to join."
Liz felt her blood run cold. All this work and determination, and it was going to end right here. No. She wouldn't let that happen. She ducked just as Negaduck fired.
"Elizabeth!!" Scrooge screamed over the phone.
Taking the steps two at a time, Liz headed back downstairs, with Negaduck firing off rounds behind her. "Hurry!" The girl shouted into the phone, before flipping it shut. Opening the door to the tenth floor, she darted through and hurried down the hall.
In his car, Scrooge McDuck stared at the phone in his hands, fear gripping his heart. Liz was like his own granddaughter. "Faster, Duckworth!" He shouted at his driver.
"The pedal is to the metal, sir." The other man replied.
"Oh, Lizzy...." Negaduck stepped into the hall on the tenth floor, his eyes darting around in the dark. "Come on out, Elizabeth, I just want to talk."
From her hiding place under a desk, Liz rolled her eyes. She peered under the edge of the desk, watching as Negaduck walked off in the opposite direction. He turned a corner in the hall, and Liz took this opportunity to run. Climbing out from under the desk, she darted down the hall to the stairwell again. Opening the door, she slipped inside and began to climb back up to the top floor.
Negaduck heard the door open and close, and he turned, rushing back down the hall.
Liz reached Scrooges office, and using what little strength she had left, pushed the couch, as well as several tables against the door. Leaning against the desk, she took a ragged breath, wiping blood and sweat from her forehead. She jumped as something hit the door from the other side. "Open the damn door!" Negaduck shouted from outside.
"Yeah, like I'm really gonna do that!"
Bang! A shotgun blast splintered the wood of the door. Liz screamed.
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Scrooges car pulled in front of the bin, just as the Thunderquack swooped over. Raising his head, the elder duck watched as the plane slowed, then sputtered.
"Oops..." Launchpad poked at the controls. "Should've filled the tank up before we left..."
"AHHHHHHH!!!!" Darkwing and the four villians screamed as the plane plummeted to the ground below, crashing in a smoking heap at the foot of the large building. Sheilding his eyes from the blast, Scrooge stared in wonder as six figures emerged from the wreckage.
"Is everyone okay?" Darkwing asked, pulling his hat from under what was left of his seat.
"I'm fine."
"Yep."
"Built to Last: The Liquidator!"
"Well.. ya know what I always say.." Launchpad chuckled, dusting his clothes off. "Any crash you can walk away from.."
"Launchpad?"
"Mr. McD?"
The two men stared at each other. Darkwing glanced between the two of them for a moment before speaking. "As much as I hate to break up this heartfelt reunion, theres a girl in there that needs us."
"Aye." Scrooge nodded. "This way." He hurried off toward the entrance of the building, the others following close behind him. The large doors were opened and the odd group entered the building, just in time to hear a shotgun blast echo from somewhere above them.
"Liz!" Quackerjack rushed forward, despite the protests from the others behind him. Reaching the stairwell, he began to climb, with Darkwing and the others in hot pursuit.
Up in Scrooges office, Liz was huddled behind the large desk, tears running down her face. She knew she was going to die the moment Negaduck made it into the room. She thought about her friends and family, and how she'd never see them again. She'd been stupid to think she could do this on her own. She'd never see her mom or her grandmother again. Never laugh at the antics of Webby and the boys. Never see QJ again. She buried her face in her hands, wishing more than anything that she could tell them all how much she loved them.
Raising her head she glanced at the vault on the other side of the room. It would have been the perfect place to hide. Negaducks gun would never pierce the thick steal. Unfortunately Liz didn't know the combination to open it so she could get inside. She had curiously asked Scrooge about it once when she was a kid, but he had told her it was none of her business.
Another blast hit the door and it fell away completely. "I know you're in here." Negaduck said, climbing over the furniture that was blocking the doorway. Taking a deep breath to steady herself, Liz stood up from her hiding place to face him. Negaduck smirked, aiming his gun as the girl slowly moved around the end of the desk.
"I'm... I'm not afraid of you." She glared.
"Well then you're stupider than I thought. Any last words?"
Liz blinked, not expecting that question. "Actually... yes. You killed my ex boyfriend, didn't you?"
"Yeah." Negaduck hissed. "So?"
"Thank you."
It was the villians turn to blink. "You're thanking me NOW?!"
"Better late than never." She told him. "You asked if I had any last words, and thats it. Thank you."
"You just wasted your thanks." He snarled. "Cause you'll be joining him in a second."
Closing her eyes, Liz prepared herself for the blast she knew was coming. Negaducks finger hovered over the trigger. Foom! A cloud of blue smoke went up in the corner. "I am the terror that flaps in the night!"
"Son of a bitch!" Negaduck growled, turning his head toward the smoke. While he was momentarily distracted, Liz went for the gun, grabbing the barrel of it and shoving it out of the way as Negaduck fired. The two of them fell to the floor, rolling across the carpet. "GET OFF OF ME!" The crime boss yelled, struggling to push the girl off of him.
"Not on your life!" Liz replied, still fighting him for the gun.
"On yours then!" Negaduck smirked. He flipped her over, pinning her underneath him.
"Elizabeth!" Scrooge and the others appeared in the broken doorway. Liz ignored them, instead focusing her attention on freeing herself from the man above her.
"Goodbye, Lizzy." Negaduck laughed insanely as he pointed his gun at her head.
"No!" Quackerjack screamed from the door. "Someone do something!"
"Ask how. Ask now. Ask Darkwing Duck." The Liquidators watery voice chimmed.
The masked mallard sailed through the hair, foot extended, making contact with Negaducks head. "Omph!" The other duck cried out as he fell off the girl, a shotgun blast piecing the darkness of the room.
Liz screamed as a sharp pain exploded in her leg.
Pulling himself up, Negaduck charged at Darkwing, while the others rushed into the room to help Liz. "Shes been shot!" Bushroot cried, his voice choked with fear. He placed his hands over the wound in the girls leg.
"Lets get her out of here." Megavolt lifted the girl into his arms, and they hurried from the room, leaving Darkwing and Negaduck alone. "Someone call an ambulance!"
"Give it up, Negs." Darkwing smirked, wiping blood off the end of his beak. "I'm better than you'll ever be."
"Thats what you think." The other replied, sending a kick to the heros stomach. Darkwing stumbled, flipping backward and landing back on his feet.
Megavolt hurried down the steps with Liz still in his arms, the others right behind him. Out into the night they went, and Liz was placed in the grass with the others standing over her. "Liz!" Quackerjack fell to his knees, scooping the girl into a hug. "I thought I'd never see you again."
Liz smiled. "I'm fine... just... really sleepy."
"Shes lost a lot of blood." Scrooge peered at the girl. He flipped his phone shut. "Theres an ambulance on the way."
"Stay with us, Liz." Bushroot squeezed the girls hand. The sound of a siren could be heard in the distance.
Back in the building the fight between Darkwing and his counterpart raged on. The hero delivered a punch to the other ducks face, sending him sprawling across the floor. But that didn't stop Negaduck. Laughing, he slowly got to his feet and shook his head. "You can't win, Dipwing. Not as long as I have this.." Reaching into his cape, he pulled out a round, black object. "I was gonna use to blast open the vault... but now.."
Darkwings eyes nearly popped from their sockets. It was a bomb. "Now... just take it easy there, Negaduck." He held his hands up, backing slowing away from the man before him. "You'll kill us both."
"If thats what it takes."
"You're insane!"
"Ha!" Negaduck spat, "You don't know the half of it, hero!" He pressed a button on the device in his hands, and the countdown began. 30, 29, 28, 27... He tossed the bomb at Darkwing. The other duck caught it, and stared down at the blinking numbers. "Toodles!" Negaduck laughed as he disappeared out the window and onto the roof.
19
18
17
Darkwing dropped the bomb and took off after him. He reached the roof in time to see Negaducks helicopter take off. "Cease and desist, villain!" Pulling his gas gun from his cape, he fired a grappling hook. It hit the chopper, catching on the tail, and lifting Darkwing off the roof.
13
12
11
10
Down below the others watched as the helicopter took off, with Darkwing dangling from a rope behind it. The ambulance arrived and the paramedics rushed to get Liz onto a stretcher.
7
6
5
The bomb upstairs was still ticking away.
3
2
1
The blast tore open half of the top of the bin, money and debris raining on the people below. "NO!" Scrooge rushed forward, but Launchpad stopped him. "Let me go!" The elder screamed. "My bin... MY MONEY!"
The ambulance pulled away, its siren wailing through the still night as it disappeared down the street. The four remaining villians exchanged glances, before slipping away unnoticed, right before a barrage of police cars came into view.
High above the city, Darkwing swung through the door of Negaducks helicopter. "Land this thing now!"
"Yeah, right."
Darkwing dove for the controls, the chopper flying out of control as he and Negaduck fought. "Let... go!" The hero shouted, jerking the control stick to the right. Negaduck jerked it back to the left. The helicopter swooped low over the city, its tail crashing against a building. "We're gonna crash!"
"And whos fault is that?!"
"Shut up and jump!" Darkwing grabbed Negaducks cape, pulling him from the chopper as it flew over the bay. The two ducks hit the water, sinking several feet, then swimming back to the surface in time to see the helicopter hit the water a few yards away.
Sirens overhead caught Darkwings attention and he raised his gaze to see half a dozen police cars rushing along the bridge. "Come on!" He grabbed Negaducks cape again and began to swim. "Arrest him." He said as he and Negaduck were pulled from the water by one of the officers. The officer nodded, slapping a pair of cuffs on Negaducks wrists.
"I'll kill you for this!" Negaduck shouted as he was led away. "You hear me? I'll kill you!"
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"Its nice tae see ya again, lad." Scrooge smiled weakly at the man next to him. "Though.. I wish it was under better circumstances."
"I was gonna call..." Launchpad replied. "I just.. never had the time."
They sat in the waiting room of the hospital with Lizs mother and grandmother. The two woman had been called as soon as the ambulance had taken the girl, and the four of them waited on pins and needles for some word from the doctor.
"Mrs. De Quacka?" A man spoke from the hall. All eyes turned to him, and Lizs mother jumped from her seat, rushing over to him.
"Is my baby alright? Whats happened to her?!" The woman was frantic.
"She lost a lot of blood." The doctor replied. "Shes being given a transfusion now. She also suffered some severe head trauma, but we don't think theres been any lasting damage." He glanced down at a sheet of paper in his hands. "Her leg wasn't damaged too badly from the gunshot, but... she'll have to walk with a cane for a while. Other than that, shes going to be just fine."
"Oh thank god!" Mrs. De Quacka cried. "Can we see her?"
"Yes."
Liz opened her eyes. She was laying in a hospital bed, with several tubes sticking out of her arms. Her head still hurt a bit, but not as much as it had before. She turned her attention to the door as it opened and her mother rushed in, followed by her grandmother.
"Elizabeth!" Her mother cried, rushing to the girls side. "Oh my poor baby!"
"I'm okay, mom."
"What were you thinking going up against someone like Negaduck?!"
"I... guess I wasn't thinking." The girl replied. "I'm sorry I scared you."
"You're lucky Darkwing Duck was there!" Her mother scolded. "If I lost you..." She buried her face against the edge of the bed and began to cry.
"Its okay, mom." Liz patted the womans arm. "I'm fine, really."
"Come on, Helen." Mrs Featherby touched her daughters arm. "Elizabeth needs her rest."
Standing up slowly, Mrs. De Quacka kissed her daughters head, then slowly followed her mother from the room.
Liz had just closed her eyes again, when she heard the door open. "Mom, I said I'm..." She trailed off.
"You have some explanin' tae do, lassie."
"Oh...." Liz turned her head away to avoid Scrooges stern gaze. The man moved over to the bed, the tip of his cane clicking against the floor. Taking a seat near the bed, he leaned back and stared at the girl.
"This roommate of yers..."
"Quackerjack." Liz whispered. "I'm sorry about your bin..."
"Nevermind about tha'." Scrooge replied. "Just when were ye plannin' tae tell us ye were livin' with a criminal?"
"I wanted to." Liz turned her head to face him. "I just didn't know how. Hes not really a bad person.. hes just.. high strung at times. They're all good people deep inside. Negaduck was the worst. They just followed orders from him because they were afraid of him."
She averted her gaze again and began to tell him all about how she met Amy and how she had introduced her to the Fearsome Five. "My friend Amy does work for Negaduck sometimes, nothing illegal... just accounting work here and there. When I found out Negaduck had been the one that killed Stephan... I thought I could trust him. He did me such a huge favor by getting rid of that man. But I guess I was wrong." Tears stung at her eyes as she spilled everything to the man next to her.
"When they rennovated my apartment, I went and stayed with Quacky for a little while, and we just got along so well... and then we moved in together. I really wanted to tell everyone, but I just couldn't." She glanced back at him, her face wet with tears. "You're not mad at me, are you? ...Please don't be mad at me..."
Scrooge stared at her. The girl was like family to him, and he wondered what he would have done it if were Webby or one of the boys laying there in the hospital. He had known the girls grandmother since before Liz had been born, and had known Liz herself most of her life. "Ye care about these friends of yers then?"
"Yes." She nodded, wiping at her eyes. "I love them all very much. I know they're criminals, but.. I think without Negaduck around, maybe things will get better."
He smiled, standing up and turning toward the door. "Ye donnae have tae worry about the bin. It can be fixed, and my money can be gotten back. I'm just glad yer safe." He left, leaving the girl alone again.
Liz sighed. She felt horrible for lying to her family for so long. She just didn't know how to explain QJ and the others to them. Closing her eyes once more, she let sleep take her.
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It was around 4am when Liz was woken again by the sound of the window opening. Opening her eyes she blinked into the darkness. "Liz?" It was Quackerjack. He pulled himself through the window and moved over to the bed, followed closely by the other three gang members.
"QJ.." Liz smiled. "What are you.." She was cut off as he leaned over and kissed her. The other villians coughed uncomfortably and averted their eyes.
Quackerjack broke the kiss. "I love you, too." He said, standing back to look at her.
She smiled. "You can't stay here. If someone catches you.."
"I know. We just wanted to make sure you were okay. Sooo... does this mean you and I are.." He gave her a questioning look.
"I guess so."
The jester considered this for a moment. He'd never had a girlfriend before, but if he was going to have one, he was glad it was Liz. "How do you feel?" Bushoot asked, moving over to the bed and taking one of Lizs hands in his own.
"Pretty good, considering." The girl smiled. "I got stitches in my head and leg... and the doctor says I'm gonna have to walk with a cane for a while. But... despite all that, I'm feeling good. Happy to be alive."
"We're glad." Megavolt grinned. "You're tougher than you look, girly."
"Takes a lickin', and keeps on tickin'." The Liquidator winked.
"We gotta go." Quackerjack kissed her again, before heading back to the window. "Oh..." He paused, pulling something from inside his outfit and taking it back over to her. "So you don't get lonely while you're stuck here." He sat Mr. Banana Brain on the bed next to her.
Liz picked the doll up, hugging it tightly. "Thank you."
Quackerjack nodded before slipping out the window. The others followed him, and Liz was alone once again.
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One week later
The repairs on Scrooges money bin were well under way, and most of his money had been recovered. Negaduck was still in prison, but everyone knew it was only a matter of time before he found a way to break out. Still, it was nice to have him behind bars for a little while.
Click, click, click. Liz made her way up the path to the house, the cane she was leaning on clicking against the sidewalk. "You need some help?" Amy asked, following behind her.
"Nah." Liz smiled.
Amy hurried past her to open the door, then stepped aside to let the girl enter.
"Surprise!"
Liz blinked. There in the living room stood her family... and her friends. A huge 'Welcome Home' banner hung across the wall behind them. "What the fuck?!"
"Watch your mouth!" Scrooge and her mother both shouted at the same time.
"Liz!" Webby and the boys appeared from the back of the house. "You're okay!" Webby threw her arms around the older girl, nearly knocking her off her feet.
"Woah...easy there, kiddo." Liz returned the girls hug.
"We were worried." Dewey told her. "When uncle Scrooge said you'd been shot..."
"Did you REALLY take on Negaduck by yourself?" Louie stared at her with wide eyes.
"I sure did." Liz smiled. "And lived to tell about it, obviously. Plus," She shifted her weight to her good leg and held up her cane. "I got a nifty cane, just like your uncles."
"You should be a superhero!" Huey cried. Liz chuckled.
"So... whats going on here?" The girl asked, glancing around at everyone.
Amy leaned against the door. "It was all Quackys idea." She said. "When he heard you were getting out of the hospital, he put in some calls."
"But... but..." Liz couldn't believe it. "You're all here.... together." She turned her attention to her mother. "I'm sorry... I meant to tell you about QJ and the others.."
"Its alright." Her mother smiled. "I understand why you didn't." She raised an eyebrow as Quackerjack moved to wrap his arm around Liz. "Though I can't say I approve of your taste in men, but... I'm very glad you've found someone.. finally."
Liz rolled her eyes.
"I am the terror that flaps in the night!"
"Oh great..." Liz glanced toward the hall, at the all too familiar cloud of smoke.
"I am the party goer that shows up fashionably late! I am..." The smoke cleared and Darkwing grinned as he held out a large sheet cake. "the duck the brings your welcome home cake."
The end.