1998
The city of St. Canard was still and silent as a hooded figure darted across the roof of the Natural History Museum. Pulling a rope from a bag at their side, the figure tied one end securely around a large pipe on the roof, then slowly began to lower themselves through the buildings skylight. Landing in the floor with a soft thud, the person glanced around, before hurrying toward the ancient Egyptian exhibit.
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Two Day Earlier
"Quackazamelket ruled during the second dynasty, and was one of the youngest pharaohs to..." Liz yawned, her professors voice drowning out as the girl slumped forward, resting her head on her desk. She hadn't gotten much sleep the night before, thanks to the questionable antics of her boyfriend and his cohorts.
The Fearsome Five had robbed the 5th National Bank the night before, and were chased all over half the city by Darkwing Duck before everyone but Negaduck was apprehended. Liz wasn't sure how Negs always managed to get away, but she figured it had something to do with him using the other four as bait for his counterpart.
Of course Liz had been the one to bail them all out, as usual, and she'd spent most of the night tearing her hair out over their actions. As such, the girl was in no real condition for class the next day. She had no idea what she thought she could accomplish by hanging out with a gang like the Fearsome Five.
The girl had just drifted off when she heard a very loud WHACK, right next to her ear. "Huh.. wha!" Liz was up in an instant. Her professor stood over her, tapping a ruler against the palm of his hand.
"Ms. DeQuacka, I would advise against falling asleep during one of my lectures."
"Oh..." Liz sank back into her seat as the rest of the class snickered, "Sorry, Mr. Paddlemurk."
"Now," the professor turned his attention to the rest of the class, "can anyone tell me about the scepter of Quackzamelket?"
"Its said to give the wielder untold powers," a young man at the back of the lecture hall answered.
"Correct," Professor Paddlemurk replied. "The scepter was a gift for the pharaohs sixteenth birthday day, and legend states that it was this scepter that gave the king the power to rule for ten long years."
"What happened after the ten years?" Another student asked.
"He died," the professor told them, "murdered by his own servants. After that, the scepter was sealed within a marble pedestal, until someone with a pure heart could retrieve it." He moved toward his desk as the bell rang, and began sorting through a stack of papers thereon. "I'd like to remind you all that the scepter will be on display for three weeks at the history museum, starting tomorrow night. I highly recommend seeing this interesting bit of history. Thats all for today."
Liz stood, gathering her books and following the rest of the class as they filed out into the hall, thankful that it was her last class of the day. Maybe she would stop by the museum and see this thing. Untold power, huh? Sounds like something Negs would want.
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"This," Negaduck slid something across his desk toward his gang, "is the scepter of Quackzamelket."
"Oooo!" Quackerjack retrieved the picture and glanced over it. "Flashy! Whats it do?"
Negaduck opned his mouth to reply, but stopped as Liz spoke up from where she sat on the battered couch on the other side of the room. "Its supposed to give its possessor untold powers to rule the land," the girl told them, "but thats probably just an old wives tale."
Negaduck narrowed his eyes at the girl, "How do you know that?"
The girl shrugged, "I just sat through a lecture on Quackzamelket. The scepters gonna be at the museum tomorrow night."
"I know," Negaduck replied. "And we're gonna steal it."
Liz nodded, "I figured as much. You guys have fun with that, and don't drag me into it when Darkwing Duck shows up to stop you."
"Ha!" Negaduck snorted, snatching the photograph from Quackerjacks hands. "With this thing, Dipwing Dork won't stand a chance against me. When the scepter arrives at the museum tomorrow, we'll be waiting for it."
Liz sighed heavily as she watched the gang disperse. She had a feeling this wasn't going to end well. Not well at all.
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The sound of an alarm blared through the night as five figures made their way through the dark corridors of the Natural History Museum. "I thought I told you to cut the alarm!" One of them shouted.
"I did!" Another replied. "Or... at least I thought I did. Must have cut the wrong wire..."
"Just shut up and find that scepter!"
The group continued through the halls, stopping only when a familiar cloud of blue smoke appeared before them. "I am the terror that flaps in the night! I am the silent alarm on the vault of justice! I am... Darkwing OMPH!" Darkwing cried out as Negaduck rushed past him, knocking the hero on his rear. "Hey!" Darkwing scrambled to his feet, "Wait a minute! Get back here!"
"Not likely," Negaduck shouted back at him. He rounded a corner and headed into the Egyptian room.
Darkwing gave chase, but didn't get very far before he was literally swept off his feet by the Liquidator. "Surfs up!" the watery salesman chuckled.
"Wha... hey.. whooooooaaaaaah..." Darkwing slid across the hall, smacking into a wall as vines erupted from the floor and began to wrap themselves around him. "Hey, what the... lemme go!"
"So thats the scepter of Quackzamelket," Megavolt said as he stared at the brightly lit display case. "Looked bigger in the picture."
"Just shut up and get that case off of there!" Negaduck told him.
Megavolt nodded and quickly went to work removing the glass casing from the display. Out in the hall, Darkwing had freed himself and was headed in their direction. "Hey, boss!" Quackerjack yelled from the hall, "we got company!"
"Deal with it!" Negaduck shouted. He turned his attention to Megavolt, "Hurry up and get that thing outta there."
"I... I can't," Megavolt replied as he struggled to pull the scepter from its stand. "It won't budge, boss."
"Outta my way!" Negaduck shoved the electrical genius aside and made his own attempt to free the scepter. Indeed, the rod seemed to be stuck within its marble pedestal. The masked villain contemplated just taking the whole thing, but it would have been far too heavy to carry.
"Negaduck!" Darkwing rushed into the room, gas gun pointed at his nemesis.
Cursing loudly, Negaduck turned and darted in the opposite direction, the rest of his gang following behind him just as the police filed into the room. Darkwing started after the fleeing villians, but they were gone. Sighing, the crime fighter shoved his gas gun into his jacket and turned to stare at the scepters display case. "Wonder what they wanted that thing for..."
"At least they didn't make off with it," one of the officers replied.
Darkwing nodded. It was only by sheer luck that the Fearsome Five had escaped. He eyed the scepter. If Negaduck wants that thing so badly, I'd better keep an eye on it.
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"You idiots!" Negaduck was practically seething as his gang cowered before him. "If you'd kept that do-gooder double of mine occupied, as per the plan, I'd have that damned scepter!"
"Bu-but," Bushroot spoke up, "You... you said it was stuck in the marble."
"It was," Megavolt replied. "So even if Darkwing hadn't been there, we couldn't have gotten it out anyway."
Negaduck slumped back into his chair. "What a load of crap. Who the hell incases a scepter in marble anyway?"
"The servants of Quackzamelket," came a voice from the door way. The five villains glanced up as Liz entered and made her way over to the couch.
Negaduck rolled his eyes, "Don't you have a home to go to anymore?"
"I like it here," Liz replied, plopping down onto the sofa. "Sitting at home all the time is sooooo boring." She leaned back, pulling her feet up under her. "Let me guess, you couldn't get the scepter out of its pedestal."
Negaduck raised an eyebrow, "What do you know of it?"
"Well, legend says that only a person with a pure heart can free the scepter from the marble."
"A pure heart?" Bushroot mumbled, "That rules out Negaduck."
Negaduck glared, "Shut up, weed! Someone is going to get me that scepter."
Liz snorted, "Good luck with that, I doubt any of you have a pure heart... except maybe Reggie, but hes still a criminal. No offense, sweetie."
"None taken," Bushroot smiled.
Negaduck considered this. It was true, none of them possessed a truly pure heart. In fact, the only person in the room with a shred of decency was... "Hmm," the villain leaned back, a sly grin spreading across his face. "I suppose the servants of Quackzamelket never considered the possibility of someone simply cutting the damn thing free. I will have that scepter. Tomorrow night I'm going back with a laser cutter to get the damn thing out, and no ones going to stop me."
He smirked and Liz felt her stomach turn. The girl knew the man had his ways, and if the legends were true, which she hoped they weren't, then Negaduck was the last person she wanted to get their hands on the scepter of Quackzamelket. Its not safe in the museum anymore...
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The hooded figure hurried across the room toward the bright display that housed the scepter of Quackzamelket. Pulling a glass cutter from the bag at their side, the would-be thief went to work cutting a hand sized hole into the side of the display case. The piece of glass fell away and the figure reached in, wrapping their hand around the bejeweled rod.
The scepter began to shake as the marble around it shifted and cracked. Pulling the scepter free, the figure turned and darted back across the room. Foom! A cloud of blue smoke went up in front of them. "I am the terror that flaps in the night!"
The thief skidded to a halt and spun, running in the opposite direction, clutching the scepter to their chest. "I am the pharaohs curse on the tomb of injustice!" The smoke was in front of them again and the thief cursed to themselves. How does he do that?!
"I am... Darkwing Duck!" The smoke cleared and Darkwing appeared, gas gun pointed at the mysterious thief. "I don't know who you are, but you've robbed the wrong museum."
The figure smirked behind their hood. As if there were a RIGHT museum to rob. Glancing around for some kind of escape, but not seeing a way out, the thief did the only thing they could, and that was attempt to flee in the other direction. Unfortunately for them, the masked mallard was much faster, and he fired a single shot from his gun.
A trip wire flew from the barrel, wrapping itself around the perpetrators ankles. The thief stumbled forward, landing face first in the floor with a loud thud. "Omph! Ow..." Rolling over, the thief stared up at the hero that was now standing over them. "Darky... that really hurt..."
Darkwing blinked. Darky? Only one person called him that. "Elizabeth?" Reaching down, he pulled the thiefs hood off. Liz stared up at him with tear filled eyes, a large bump slowly forming on her forehead. "Oh, Liz, honey, I am SO sorry. I didn't mean to hurt..." the hero trailed off, his mouth falling open in shock, "wait, what the hell are you doing?!"
"Stealing the scepter of Quackzamelket," Liz replied sheepishly.
But... WHY?!"
"Because Negaduck wants it," the girl told him. She sat up and began to fiddle with the wire around her feet. "I couldn't let him get to it."
Darkwing knelt down and untied the girls ankles. "Well thats no reason to steal it," he stood and pulled the girl to her feet. "You're lucky I caught you and not the police. Say... why didn't the police show up anyway?"
"Because I know how to cut an alarm," Liz replied.
The hero shook his head, "I'm disappointed in you, Liz. I had so much faith in you, despite the company you keep. I never dreamed you'd sink to this level. Now give me the scepter and we can just pretend this never happened."
Liz took a step backward, "I can't do that, Darky. The scepter isn't safe here. Negs will find a way to get it."
"Give it to me, Liz. You're not a criminal."
"I know," she told him. "Please, please try to understand that I'm only trying to help." The hero took a step toward her and Liz held the scepter up, pointing the end of it at him. "Darky, please... I don't want you to get hurt."
"Then just give me the scepter and no one will get hurt."
Liz hesitated and Darkwing took that opportunity. He made a grab for the scepter and Liz squealed. "NO!" A beam of light shot from the end of the rod, engulfing the hero and tossing him across the room. Liz watched in horror as Darkwing smacked into the wall and collapsed into a heap in the floor. The legends were true...
"Darky!" The scepter in the girls hands clattered to the floor as she rushed forward, kneeling beside the hero. "Oh, Darky, I'm sorry... I didn't mean to do that." Darkwing didn't reply and Liz gently shook him. "Darky? Please get up."
"Well... isn't this touching?" a voice from behind her caused Liz to jump, and she turned to see Negaduck emerging from the shadows. "I have to admit, I'm impressed." The villain retrieved the scepter from where Liz had dropped it. "I figured you'd come after it, especially after I mentioned just cutting it loose, but I didn't expect it to be this easy." He glanced past the girl to where his counterpart lay. "And you've taken out Dipwing too! Congratulations, Liz. I'm just sorry I wasn't the one to do it."
Liz glared, "You used me to get the scepter."
"Of course I did! And thank you, by the way."
"Negaduck, stop!" Liz stood up to face him. "You don't know what that thing can do!"
"Oh, I'm sure I'm gonna find out," he smirked. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a city to conquer." With that he turned, disappearing from the room.
Liz started to go after him, but stopped as Darkwing groaned softly behind her. "Darky?" Dropping to her knees the girl peered at the hero with concern. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah... yeah, I think so," Darkwing sat up and rubbed his head. "What happened?"
"Negaduck took the scepter. Oh, Darky, I'm so sorry!" She threw her arms around him, "I never meant for this to happen."
"Its okay," Darkwing returned her hug. "You're a good person, Liz... if not a bit misguided at times. Your heart was in the right place. Now c'mon," He stood and helped the girl up, "we need to get that scepter back."
"We can't. The legends are true, and if Negaduck has that kind of power now... we'll never stop him."
Darkwing considered this. "Looks like its time to call on the Justice Ducks again."
Up on the roof, Negaduck smirked as he stared at the scepter in his hand. He had to give the girl props. Stealing the scepter AND taking down Darkwing Duck... maybe she wasn't such a goody-goody after all. "Now, lets see what this baby can do," the villain laughed maniacally as he lifted the scepter toward the sky. Thunder rolled in the distance.
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"Looks like a storms moving in," Launchpad remarked as he stared out the window of the Audubon Bay bridge tower. Darkwing joined him, crossing his arms over his chest as he glanced at the sky.
"Something tells me thats no ordinary storm," the hero replied. He cast a glance over to where Liz was sitting with a huge book of ancient pictures and text open in her lap. "You find anything, kiddo?"
"I dunno," Liz replied, her eyes scanning the pages in front of her. "Half this book is written in hieroglyphics and my professor only ever covered the basics of them. This either says that Quackzamelket was an evil tyrant who enjoyed striking people down... or," she tilted her head to the side, "Quackzamelkets people liked getting down with his bad self."
"Maybe the guy liked to party," Launchpad shrugged.
"Something tells me its the former," Darkwing replied.
"Is there anything in there about this scepter?" Gizmoduck peered down at the book in the girls lap. "Didn't you say this thing was what gave Quackzawhatsit his powers?"
"Quackzamelket," Liz corrected, "and yes... or so the story goes."
"Why are we listening to her again?" Neptunia asked, pointing an accusing fin at the girl. "Its her fault we're in this mess."
Liz sighed, sinking back into her chair. "Hey, leave the kid alone." Darkwing moved over, taking a seat on the arm of the chair and patting the girls shoulder. "Liz made a mistake and shes trying to rectify it. I think we can give her that chance."
The girl raised her head, giving the hero a half-hearted smile. "I really didn't mean for this to happen. I always wanted to make Negs proud of me, but not at the risk of the entire city... or worse, the world."
"Liz," Darkwing took her hand, squeezing it gently, "I know you care about Negaduck, though I can't imagine why, but do you really think he gives a damn about you? No matter what you do, you'll always be nothing but a pawn to him."
Liz nodded sadly, her gaze moving back to her book. She scanned a few pages before speaking, "Hey... I think I might have found something." The others gathered around as the girl began to read. "The scepter was said to have been a gift to the pharaoh from the death god Anubis. With it, Quackzamelket created a great army and conquered much of Egypt. Many kingdoms fell before him and all that opposed were crushed by the might of his scepter. When the pharaoh finally fell, his slaves placed a spell on the scepter, encasing it in marble so one without a pure heart would never again wield his powers."
"Thats why only someone with a pure heart could free it," Morgana spoke up, "they didn't want a repeat of Quackzamelkets terror."
"This is all my fault," Liz buried her face in her hands. "I wanted to keep the scepter away from Negaduck, and he got it anyway."
"We all make mistakes," Darkwing told her, "you're doing your best."
"Indeed!" Gizmoduck added. "That book of yours may just be the key to bringing this villain to justice."
"Does it say anything about what kind of powers this thing has?" Darkwing asked.
Liz glanced down at the book, her eyes scanning the page. "And the skies were darkened as the rivers and oceans turned to blood. "
"That doesn't sound good," Neptunia remarked. The others shook their heads.
"Hey, Mr. Darkwing?" Stegmut called out from where he stood near the window.
"What is it, Steggers?"
"The waters turning red."
"The whats doing what now?" Darkwing was up in an instant and hurrying toward the window. The rest of the group followed. "Oh my goodness!" Morgana gasped, covering her beak in shock as a dark red tide swept through the deep blue waters of the bay.
Liz looked like she was gonna be sick. "And the rivers and oceans turned to blood..."
-End part one