Quiverwing Quack sneaked in through the vents and into the dungeon area. She was surprised that the guards were all on the upper levels, as though… 'As though expecting Gizmoduck, who is normally the first one they bring in… or a team of S.H.U.S.H. agents, of course! They let it get sent to S.H.U.S.H. so that they could get someone who had better info than Darkwing because he either didn't have enough, or he didn't tell!' She grinned wickedly, 'But they weren't expecting that S.H.U.S.H. would contact me with it until after they tried to save him themselves… this gives me the element of surprise!'
Spellcaster Duck, that was the name he had chosen for himself when he had chosen to follow in his father's footsteps to fight crime. Sure he had his mother's powers and his family refused to let him touch the gas gun that had belonged to his father, but that didn't mean he couldn't help out. He'd done fine when Quiverwing had let him tag along a few times. She always supported him on his dream to be a hero. He was young, but powerful. He knew how to use his spells to create illusions and smoke, but his best spells were his attack spells. The only problem was that they could only be cast by using his hands, which had been covered with magic-proof steel casings. His hands were chained together to the wall. He had managed to track his father down to the island, and wanted to prove he was just as much a hero as anyone else in the family. Unfortunately, unlike the rest of the heroes in the family, Spellcaster had no sidekick or backup to speak of, so he was easily caught the moment he got too tired to do anymore magic. He hadn't even reached his father, which had been his hope. Now he was in a cell next to the poor soul and couldn't do anything to save him, while he himself was wasting away slowly due to his magical powers keeping him alive.
He turned to a knock on his wooden cell door. 'Probably Steelbeak again to make fun of me.' He looked up to the small window and asked tiredly, "Who's there."
"Rescue." Said a new voice. It seemed vaguely familiar.
"Rescue who?" for that seemed to be the proper response to this bad joke.
"I'm rescuing you stupid!" The door swung open and Spellcaster almost fainted with shock as he looked up at his big sister, Quiverwing Quack who was holding a knife like she had used it to pick the locks. Quiverwing rushed over to start picking the locks on his casings. "Next time you figure out something this big, you tell me, or I'm going to kill you myself if I have to rescue you again!"
"How did you find me?"
"They sent a video to my boss to lure agents here. You still know a booster spell for the weak?"
"Release me and I'll give him enough energy to last till we get to St. Canard. I'll probably pass out myself before then though, due to the fact that I've been living off little food and my magic for a while now." The daughter of terror nodded to her little brother as she finished unlocking the casings. Spellcaster Duck was free.
The two heroes ran to the next room and Spellcaster opened it with his magic. Inside was a pathetically weak skinny shadow that seemed to be barely hanging on. Everything on him seemed bruised or broken. The only part of his costume that hadn't been torn was the mask that had a magical spell on it to protect his identity. He looked to the two who had come in. He barely had any strength left. He recognized that they weren't bad people, but he couldn't tell who they were.
The taller young lady in the Robin Hood outfit then said, "You sure that spell will work on him still?"
The tinier one looked more like him, only as though he were a child again. "I'm as sure of that as I am that Launchpad needs to learn how to land… he still needs to right?" Launchpad… that name was familiar… that was his sidekick's name… his best friend… but who were these people? Did they bring Launchpad with them? Was he in trouble?
"You better believe it, Spellcaster, now do your stuff. I'll start on the locks." They were here to rescue him? What awaited back home though? What had happened to his family while he was gone? Surely they all moved on without him, right? "Hang in there, Darkwing Duck, we'll get you home soon."
"Who…?" he managed weakly. Quiverwing looked at him and noticed his eyes had a glazed gleam hanging on them. She looked to her little brother with concern and nodded to Darkwing.
Spellcaster nodded and placed one hand on Darkwing's head. "Just don't worry about that for now." His voice then got deep, echo like, and powerful sounding. "Heal the broken, my word is spoken." A light blue glow seemed to emerge over Darkwing who shuddered for a minute. Spellcaster than took his hand off of his father and stepped back. The spell was powerful enough to even heal the mind, but the physical energy that it would give was temporary. "I'd say he's got about three, maybe four hours of energy before his physical damage shows up again. It'll be less than before, but he'll still need rest and recuperation before he can be let back on the streets.
"That'll do fine, Spellcaster." Quiverwing muttered as she continued her work.
The majority of Darkwing's scars disappeared as he felt some strength return to him. Darkwing blinked as his vision cleared from hunger and thirst. He felt like he was at his best once again. He looked at the tall figure that was trying to undo his chains with a very sharp knife as her lock pick. She looked like she had been dragged from Robin Hood's time, if not the very man's daughter. He then looked at the young boy who had healed him and now recognized the outfit to be just like his. The only differences was that the boy had no gas gun and he was wearing a set of purple gloves with it.
"Got it!" the woman exclaimed as she finished picking the chains. Darkwing was free, but he was still very confused. "Here, put these on and let's get out of here!" Quiverwing shoved a small bundle which held Darkwing's costume at him.
"Um, could you maybe explain what's going on first?" His voice was still weak from the lack of use. He quickly put on the new outfit though gratefully.
The two looked at each other and then at the old hero. "We're rescuing you, duh." Said the little boy as he smiled happily at the two adults. Darkwing grimaced as he finished adjusting his hat and cape.
"More like I'm rescuing you both! You are so in trouble when we get back by the way, Spellcaster Duck!" She swatted the little boy's head as she turned to face Darkwing. "Look, do you recognize me at all?"
"Should I?" He recognized her a little bit, he was still trying to figure out what was going on.
"Probably not, since you haven't seen me in eight years..." She sighed and looked at the two boys. She then reached her hand to her earpiece to contact Launchpad. "Hey, Launchpad, you still flying, or do I need a new ride?"
"Still here! What's the word on the boys?" came the voice of the energetic pilot. He was still fine.
"Launchpad? You brought Launchpad out here? How did you even find me here?" Darkwing's mind was now racing with worry. 'If Launchpad's here, than who else did she drag into danger? Did Gosalyn come? Oh no!'
"Launchpad, I'm putting you on speaker via my gloves. I'd say we have a few minutes before they check down here, still good?"
"Are you kidding? I found a great hiding place where they wouldn't find me in a million years." He said as Quiverwing placed him onto speaker-glove. "Tell me when and I can rush up to the entry point and I'll be there in ten."
"Launchpad, is that you?" Darkwing's voice was a little stronger, but it seemed to quiver as he spoke. Quiverwing couldn't help but feel sad at this as it meant her hero was still not sure that this was even real.
"Darkwing Duck? Oh man, you're okay? Jeez you had me worried there, D.W.! Good to hear you again! Hey Quiverwing, I'll meet you up at the hole, did you get Spellcaster?"
"I'm right here, Uncle Launchpad!" The little boy almost shouted with joy till his sister gave him the quiet signal.
"Heheh, there you are! Man, are you in trouble! You went missing for three years, little man! Your mom's gonna ground you till you're ten thousand years old!"
"Hey, enough small talk, Launchpad. I had Spellcaster cast a spell on Darkwing so he'd be fine, but it'll be temporary on how much energy he has since neither of them have been eating well. I'm bringing them up to the meeting place for a pickup." Quiverwing said calmly as she checked her arrows. She had a full quiver, but was willing to bet that, because they couldn't take the vents anymore, it'd be empty after she finished up with Steelbeak on the floor above. She still had her knives though, but didn't want her father and little brother to know just how good she was with those dangerous blades. She wasn't a killer yet, but she did know how to hurt people badly.
"Roger that, I'll meet you guys up there in ten."
"Will do, over and out." Quiverwing tapped on her glove again, turning it back to normal. She then looked at her father shyly and said, "Let's get going, before Launchpad decides to make another hole closer to us."
"Right!" said Spellcaster as he adjusted his gloves. The gloves were mainly there for him to keep his powers down, but he felt like he would need his full powers to get out of the prison that had taken his father and three years of his life. He didn't want to hurt anyone by accident though.
Darkwing looked at the two heroes, now recognizing one was his daughter, in confusion. "Um, who's little boy is this?" He asked, a little embarrassed. He recognized the similarities, but it was too much to hope for that this little ball of spunk be his kid.
"Oh, right… Spellcaster, meet dad, Dad, meet Spellcaster Duck, also known as 'the son of Terror and Magic.' Frankly I think it's sorta cheating since he just took my 'Daughter of Terror' phrase and twisted it." Quiverwing smirked as Spellcaster glared at her. She then took out Darkwing's gas gun and said, "You're gonna need this by the way, oh Terror that flaps in the night." She chuckled.
Darkwing smirked as he checked the cartridge for a full load of gas pellets and a small bag to stick into his cape's pocket. "Um… thanks… Quiverwing Quack." He smiled at his daughter. 'Man did she grow up. I missed out on a lot, I mean, I have a son! I wonder how much else has changed while I was gone…'
Just then, they heard an explosion. "Looks like we'll have to talk later. Spellcaster, I'm giving you permission to play rough! Darkwing, stay behind him unless you want to change your name to Dark-crisp Duck. I'll do what I can with my arrows, but when I run out, you'd both better stay behind me, got it?" The two nodded as Quiverwing took charge of the situation. Spellcaster took off his gloves and shoved them into his own cape's pocket.
As they made their way out, Spellcaster got tired and Quiverwing quickly ran out of arrows. She was knocking weapons out of their enemies hands as well as showing a little more of her dangerous side with her knives, but made sure to never kill. She kept her temper in check, but Darkwing was sure that she could kill someone if they were stupid enough to come close. When Steelbeak and Ammonia Pine saw them coming up from behind, Ammonia tried to put up a fight, but Spellcaster was able to seal her in one of her own bubbles while Steelbeak ran off as if his head had been cut off. Darkwing almost chuckled at that, but kept a straight face in front of his kids. It was only when he saw his best friend, Launchpad that he smiled for the first time in years. Launchpad had crashed the Thunderquack into the wall and had the cockpit open waiting for them.
"There you guys are! Oh man, I was so worried about you!" Launchpad ran up and grabbed Darkwing in a bear hug while using one hand to rub Spellcaster's head by crushing his hat. Then he put them down and gave them a terrifyingly steely look that made the lovable oaf seem like a ferocious giant. "DON'T YOU DARE DO THAT TO US AGAIN!" Darkwing and Spellcaster nearly jumped out of their masks at such a terrifying sound. An explosion sounded off behind them, signaling that Steelbeak was going to come back with more Eggmen. "Whoops, looks like it's time to go! Time to fly, Quiverwing!" Launchpad grabbed Darkwing and Spellcaster and shoved them into the cockpit while Quiverwing jumped into the passenger's seat. "Back to Saint Canard! Yahooooooo!" Launchpad shouted as he hit the turbo engines and they blasted off.
Darkwing gripped the passenger seat while Spellcaster was desperately grabbing onto the pilot's chair like it was the only safe thing there, and Quiverwing just pumped a fist in the air filled with excitement as she joined Launchpad in his enthusiasm. She hadn't felt this happy in years. After they had gotten safely away she noticed her little brother and her father were now sleeping like weak children. Prison life had not been kind to them.
"Don't worry, Gos. Your dad's a trooper, and Derek? Well he's a chip off the old block! Heh, I'd be more worried about Morgana's reaction when she finds out we went after them all alone." Quiverwing smiled as she remembered the many reasons Darkwing had kept Launchpad around as a sidekick. Sidekicks were good for lightening up the mood. That, and Darkwing could do a lot of things, but he couldn't fly.
"Yeah, I guess you're right… any ideas?" The two now had grimaces on their faces as they realized that neither of them had told Morgana McCawber-Mallard where they were going, never mind what they had planned on doing.
"Nope… you?"
"Nope…"
The pilot and the archer looked at each other and said plainly, "We're doomed!"
The End