Flames flared up on the aeroplane next to the Thunderquack. The petrol-soaked canvas went up in an instant.

"DW!" Launchpad hurled himself onto the nose of the Thunderquack. He gasped as his vision briefly blurred. He pushed through the pain and pulled himself up onto the plane.

Darkwing strained against the duct tape. "Hurry, LP. And I thought I hated Herb's BBQs."

Launchpad dropped to his knees and desperately tore at the tape. "I'm sorry, DW. I thought he wouldn't do it."

"Not your fault, but, again, we'll talk about it later… ow! Don't tear it off like that its stuck to my feathers!"

"I'm worried about more than your feathers, buddy." Launchpad pulled off another wad, concentrating on the bits that held DW to the Thunderquack. The tape was super gunky, the stuff he used to strap down entire parts when he didn't have the right sized bolts on hand. It didn't come off easily, even from metal.

Launchpad yanked off another wad, teeth gritted. He shouldn't have trusted the other Launchpad. What made him think a few kind words could change him? He'd seen nothing in the other man but his own face. That didn't make him the same. He'd been ridiculously na?ve and now his best friend was going to pay for it. He threw the wad into the encroaching flames, then looked up to the loft. "What the hell is wrong with you? You didn't have to do this!"

The Negaverse Launchpad made no reply. Instead he stood frozen, hands hanging limply by his sides. His chest heaved, and he stared wide eyed at the burning planes.

"LP!"

Flames flared on the Thunderquack's wing and crawled quickly up the slew of petrol that covered it. It would take a fair bit of heat before they started eating into the metal. But all they had to do was make it to Darkwing.

"Just rip it off!" Darkwing said. His voice rose in pitch. "Feather's grow back. Where are you going?"

Launchpad slid down over the cockpit, back onto the nose, and popped open the canopy. He started the Thunderquack up and floored it. She rammed her way through the other planes like oversized skittles and punched through the hanger's double doors.

Launchpad skidded across the wet asphalt and brought them to a halt. Flames still licked at the wing's edge. They had also left a trail behind the Thunderquack, where burning petrol had slid off the wing under the rapid acceleration. They quickly died out as they consumed the small amount of fuel and encountered nothing else bar puddles of water.

"I'll save you, Dad!" A stream of water gushed past the cockpit and put out the flames on the wing. And completely soaked Darkwing.

"Gosalyn!"

Gosalyn turned off the fire hose and smiled up sweetly at her father. "Better being wet than on fire, right?"

"I'll show you fire…"

Launchpad leapt down from the cockpit and grunted as he hit the pavement. "Thanks, kiddo. How long is that hose?"

"It won't reach the hanger. I already tried."

"Forget the planes, LP. You don't even use them. We've got more pressing concerns, like getting me off this stupid plane."

"Not the planes…" Launchpad gritted his teeth. He'd been bitten too many times by his Negaverse cousin already. But that broken look on his face as he'd stared out at the burning planes…

"That sociopath is long gone. Who'd hang around a burning hanger?"

Stuff it. He wasn't sure anymore what the other Launchpad would or wouldn't do. But that didn't matter. "I can't leave him." Launchpad jogged back towards the hanger.

"LP! Gos, get me out of this stuff. Ow, watch the feathers!"

The clouds let loose with a roar just as Launchpad made it inside. At least the fire wouldn't spread now. But that wouldn't do the planes inside much good. Two of the timber and canvas planes had already gone up in smoke. Three others were lit by flames that slowly but steadily consumed their wings. Fire licked around one of the hanger's support beams, feeding steadily on the old crates crammed up around its base. He really should've kept this place tidier.

"Launchpad! Where are you?" His double stood where Launchpad had last seen him, at the banister, staring out at the burning planes. "Launchpad!"

He didn't budge.

"Damn it." Launchpad climbed the ladder. The air was far too warm. And the flames eating through the nearest planes were licking at the loft's underside. At least that hadn't been drenched in petrol. He grabbed the Negaverse Launchpad by the shirt sleeve. "Buddy, we have to go!"

The touch broke his double's stupor. He flinched and whirled to face Launchpad. But he didn't fight. His shoulders heaved, and this close to him Launchpad saw the tears running down his beak. "I… I didn't… mean to… we have to put them out!"

"It's okay. These aren't your planes."

"One is. You promised!"

"That was kind of assuming you didn't try to burn my friend to a crisp!"

"Is he okay?"

"Yeah, I got him out."

The Negaverse Launchpad gulped and wiped a hand across his beak. "Good. I… I just needed Negaduck to… I had to do something right. But it doesn't matter what I do. Does it?"

Launchpad squeezed his shoulder. "Forget about Negaduck. Right now, we've got to get you out of here."

His double swiped his hand away. "Why do you care? I beat the crap out of you. I tried to kill your friend. I've destroyed most of your planes." He hung his head and started to cry again. "Why do you keep trying to help me?"

"Someone has to." Launchpad paused, then gently put his hands on the other Launchpad's shoulders. This time, he wasn't pushed away. "Or, I could just be an idiot. But we've got to get out of here before…"

Flames exploded through the floor of the loft behind them. The boards beneath their feet collapsed.

Launchpad coughed and gasped as the world stopped spinning and came back into focus, a world of nothing but flames burning around him and pain pounding in his chest.

"Come on, you pussy, get up!"

Tears stung Launchpad's eyes as he was hauled to his feet. "I hate. That stupid. Loft."

The Negaverse Launchpad hefted an arm around his back and took some of his weight. "At least I didn't throw you out of it this time. Come on. If you were on your feet after the beating I gave you, you can get out of here."

He was helping him. Launchpad straightened up as his head cleared and stared at his counterpart.

Launchpad wiped a hand across his beak and sniffed. "What are you staring at? You want to get out of here alive or not?"

"Yeah, but the doors…" They both turned towards the hanger's double doors. An impenetrable wall of flames barred their way.

"I'm sorry," the Negaverse Launchpad said softly, barely audible over the crackling of the flames.

"Apology accepted. Wait…" Through the flames, Launchpad saw a familiar silhouette. "DW!"

Darkwing raised his gas gun towards them.

His double tensed; Launchpad moved himself in front of him. "DW, don't shoot him. You don't understand…"

The canister shot out of the gun with a pop and sailed through the wall of flames, spinning and flinging white foam. The flames in front of them smothered and died out.

"'Don't shoot him.' It's a CO2 canister! I'm saving your idiots' asses. Now stop it with the deep and meaningful and lets got out of here."

The Negaverse Launchpad grabbed his arm. Launchpad grunted and let him pull him out. DW waiting until they were past him. Then he loaded a grappling hook into the gas gun and launched it into the ceiling. It caught on a beam already weakened by the fire. He tugged and the roof gave in. The rain poured in and steadily began to extinguish the flames.

As soon as they were clear of the hanger the Negaverse Launchpad sunk down onto the wet curbing and stared forlornly at the smouldering hanger. Launchpad sat beside him. He needed to catch his breath. But he also wanted to make sure his counterpart was okay.

The fire department had arrived and started to put out the remaining flames. Launchpad watched them work at it and swallowed hard. It really was a waste. The Negaverse Launchpad had been right. Ever since he'd taken up with Darkwing Duck, he hadn't been back here. He'd abandoned his planes. But they'd still been here. Now, any chance to return to them was gone. In minutes, half of them were destroyed. The rest may not even be repairable. Like he even had the time. The thought brought a distant ache to his chest.

Darkwing glared down at the Negaverse Launchpad, arms folded. "Well, I hope you're happy."

"DW," Launchpad said softly, "I don't think you're helping."

The glare softened. "Well, I'm sorry, alright? But he duct taped me to a plane, then tried to burn me." He yanked at a wad of duct tape still stuck to his feathers and balled it up in his hand. It stuck to his fingers. He tried to flick it off. "I think I'm entitled to say something."

The Negaverse Launchpad stirred. "I'm sorry."

"Of course you are." Darkwing jabbed a finger at the hanger. The duct tape still clung to his hand. "Now you've got zero planes…"

"Not that. I have no beef with you. I was doing this for Negaduck. But I promised myself, after he made me burn my hanger, that I'd never let him force me to do something like that again. But he's not even here. What the hell is wrong with me?"

Launchpad put a hand on his shoulder. His counterpart flinched. "Look, it doesn't matter. As long as you don't do something like that again, then we'll be able to help you. Right, DW?"

Darkwing's shoulders slumped. "Aw, LP… look, I get you want to help him, but…"

"Help him? I'll punch him in the face!" Gosalyn stormed up to them as she rolled up her sleeves.

Darkwing's eyes widened and he grabbed his daughter by the collar. "Gosalyn, no! Stay away from him."

"Dad!"

The Negaverse Launchpad's head lifted at the sound of her voice. A smile touched his beak, and he chuckled faintly. "Hey, kid. I haven't seen you in ages. Only you're not my Gosalyn, are you? You look a bit more rough and ready."

Gosalyn's swinging fists slowed. She yanked her collar from her father's grip and glared between the two Launchpads. Then she groaned theatrically, and her shoulders slumped. "No. Why do you have to look just like Launchpad? Urgh, I can't hit you. You're like, exactly the same, just scruffier and your hair is cooler."

Launchpad frowned. "Hey."

"Sorry, Launchpad. You actually look pretty scruffy at the moment too."

Launchpad closed his eyes briefly. "Yeah. Thanks, kiddo."

Gosalyn turned her attention to the Negaverse Launchpad and shook a fist in his face. "If you ever beat up Launchpad again, you'll have to answer to me. Got it, buster?"

The Negaverse Launchpad sat back, hands raised in surrender, but couldn't quite hide a faint smirk. "Got it."

Darkwing dragged her back. "Alright, miss. Why don't you go see if the firefighters will let you play with their fire engine?"

"Wait, there's a fire engine?" Gosalyn spun on her heel and rushed back over to the firefighters.

The Negaverse Launchpad watched Gosalyn's retreating back. He no longer stared mournfully at the hanger. "Woah. She's a lot feistier than…"

Darkwing stabbed a finger at him. "You stay away from her!"

"DW, I don't think he's going to do anything."

Darkwing lowered his hand, the tension draining from his shoulders, but the scowl remained on his beak. "Look LP," he said, his voice strained but carefully measured, "He's a criminal. He's caused enough trouble. He smashed a plane through a building; he lit up your hanger. He tried to light me up too. That's arson. And I'm a crime fighter. A promise to behave himself isn't going to be enough. I'm turning him in. I'm sorry."

Launchpad shot to his feet. "But, DW! He won't get to fly if he's in jail."

"LP, that's kind of the point of jail. You know, you do the wrong thing, you don't get to play with your toys? I shouldn't have to explain this to you."

The Negaverse Launchpad looked up at Darkwing and swallowed hard. "Will Negaduck know I'm there?"

Darkwing frowned, confusion creasing his features at the plea. "Well, I'm not planning to tell him."

The fire engine let out a long, drawn out honk. Then a stream of staccato honks like someone was punching the horn. One of the firefighters yelled something.

Darkwing's head wrenched around as his parenting radar cranked up to maximum. "Gosalyn! Get out of the fire engine! You can't just… hang on, it's fine, I'll get her down." He stomped over to the firefighters.

The Negaverse Launchpad fists bunched up at his sides. They shook. "I can't get boxed up in a cell, man. If Negaduck ever finds out I'm there… what am I supposed to do… I… please, I'll do anything."

DW was over at the fire engine, yelling up at his daughter. He'd be there for a couple more minutes at least; Gosalyn wouldn't give it up without having a decent screaming match with her father first. Launchpad's gaze hardened and he whirled back to face his double. "How about you stop working for Negaduck? And no more setting things on fire; no more beating the crap out of people for no good reason."

"I'm not even sure who I am anymore. But I know I will never work for Negaduck again." He gulped, and tears filled his eyes. "I want to fly again."

Launchpad glanced one last time at DW. Then he grabbed his double's shirt sleeve and hauled him to his feet. "I'm trusting you mean that, okay? Come on." He pushed him ahead of him, towards the Thunderquack. Launchpad climbed into the pilot's seat.

His double slipped into the passenger seat. "What are we doing?"

"Don't think I'm giving you this plane. We need it. But we'll work something out. Right now, let's just get you out of here so the heat can die down a bit."

Launchpad started up the Thunderquack and lifted her quickly into the air. He stared resolutely ahead and forced himself to ignore the figure of Darkwing Duck below, waving his arms and shouting he couldn't hear what as he flew away.


2 weeks later

"Are you sure this scrapheap will fly?"

"Only one way to find out." Launchpad patted the biplane they had cobbled together from any and every bit of salvageable material retrieved from the half-burnt hanger. It gleamed in the light of the setting sun. Amazing what a good coat of paint could to.

The Negaverse Launchpad glared at the plane like he was considering fighting it. Of course, he had seen firsthand what they'd done to get it airworthy. A lick of paint wasn't going to fool him. "What if it crashes?"

Launchpad rolled his eyes. "Seriously? All your pussy talk and you're still scared of crashing? If you crash, you fix it. Come on, it'll be fine."

His double slowly moved his gaze onto him. "I still don't get why you're doing this." That piercing, almost angry, look was back, different than when they'd first sneaked back into the hanger. That first week, as they'd worked together to get the most intact plane remaining airworthy, his double had kept looking over his shoulder like he'd expected Darkwing Duck, or the cops, to rock up at Launchpad's call. Or Negaduck. Maybe it had been the nights they'd stayed up late in the firelight, talking. And Launchpad had opened up and told him some of the things Negaduck had made him do. He still didn't seem to understand why Launchpad was helping him. But rather than reducing him to tears, it now just seemed to confuse, and perhaps mildly irritate him.

Launchpad had become more comfortable with his double too. That acidic glare no longer made him feel he had to put up his guard lest he get smacked around the head. He put his hands on his hips and looked over the plane. Cobbled together or not, they really had done a good job. He'd flown worse. She would fly. "Yeah, well, there were a few times I asked myself the same thing." He nodded towards the plane. "Go on."

The dirty look on the Negaverse Launchpad's face flitted away, replaced by a grin. He climbed into the cockpit. "If this thing really goes… I'd better get out of here, yeah?"

"Yeah." They'd already discussed it. Once the plane was good to go, then Launchpad would have to be as well. But it only hit Launchpad at that moment his double would be gone in minutes. They'd spent the last two weeks together. His double seemed to have his edge back. But there had been moments when Launchpad was glad he hadn't left him alone or shunted him off to prison. "I'm sorry. It's not that I don't trust you, but…"

Launchpad laughed. "But you don't trust me. Don't worry, I get it. I'll stay away from Saint Canard. Even if I muck up, Darkwing Duck won't know. But I'll try. Besides, I don't want to be anywhere near here if Negaduck does turn up. Its fine. And… thanks. For everything." His beak flushed and he focused on starting up the plane. The propellor spluttered and caught. The plane crept up to speed, trundling down the strip of dirty beach at the edge of Audubon Bay that became visible at low tide.

Launchpad shielded his eyes from the glare of the setting sun and winced as his counterpart got closer and closer to the rocks at the end of the beach. Almost upon them, the wheels bounced and skipped a couple times, then the biplane climbed into the air. His counterpart looped back around. The sound of a long, drawn out whoop carried to Launchpad on the evening air. Launchpad couldn't help but grin.

"Later, loser!" The biplane tore past and climbed into the darkening sky.

Launchpad watched the plane dwindle, and the visibility lights he'd insisted they put on finally light up. She was flying well. Now, all he had to hope for was that his double would keep his word and behave himself. Truth be told, Launchpad was less worried about that now than when he'd first run away from Darkwing Duck in the Thunderquack.

Launchpad gulped. He'd sneakily returned the plane to Darkwing Tower early one morning, along with a note to DW. He'd kept it short. Just enough to let his friend know he was okay, the Negaverse Launchpad hadn't kidnapped him against his will, and he'd return once he'd got everything sorted out.

Now came the hard part.


He didn't really need to knock on his own front door. But Launchpad did anyway. Then felt silly. He pushed the door open and stuck his head into Drake's entrance hall. "Um, DW? You home? Hello?"

Upstairs, something crashed. "Laaaaauuunnncchpaaad…" Gosalyn's voice carried all the way through the house, rising in volume as she neared. She barrelled down the stairs, tripped, and crashed down the last three. Launchpad winced and moved to pick her up. But she was on her feet before he'd taken a step. She threw her arms around his legs. "You're back."

"Hey, kiddo." Launchpad knelt and hugged her around the shoulders.

"Where have you been? Dad's been worried sick."

Drake emerged from the living room. He rubbed at bleary eyes. "I was wondering how long it'd take you to show your face again."

Gosalyn put her hands on her hips. "Yeah, Launchpad, you got to tell us where you are."

"Gos, can you let me talk to Launchpad for a second?"

"Dad! He's been here like two minutes. I haven't even…"

"Gos!"

"Urgh, fine." Gosalyn cupped a hand to her beak, towards Launchpad, and mouthed: "Good luck." With plenty enough volume for Drake to hear anyway. She turned and rushed back upstairs.

Drake folded his arms and regarded Launchpad for a long moment. "He's gone. Isn't he?"

Launchpad rubbed at his arm. "Ah, yeah. Listen, DW, I'm real sorry. I know I should've talked to you. But I couldn't let him get all couped up, it would've been too easy for Negaduck to find him if he wanted, and, well, you said you were going to turn him in. He's long gone from Saint Canard anyway. He won't be back."

"Long gone, huh? You mean where Darkwing Duck can't get at him?"

"I think he really has changed." Launchpad shrugged. Drake still glared at him. Launchpad hung his head. "But I get you're upset. If you want to look for another sidekick you can trust better, I'll understand."

"LP, there's no need to be so dramatic."

"It seems to work for you."

"Is he really clear of Saint Canard?"

"Yeah. He promised he won't come back. I still don't know exactly what he's going to do out there. I don't think he does either. But I trust him not to come back."

Drake nodded slowly. "Alright then. Well, I guess outside Saint Canard is technically outside Darkwing Duck's jurisdiction anyway. Besides, where am I supposed to find another sidekick who'll do my groceries and pick up Gosalyn from school? Um, you couldn't make some more soup or something? There's hardly anything in the fridge."

Launchpad felt a faint grin creep back onto his face. Soup he could do. Soup would make up for anything he'd done wrong. "Of course."

"LP…" Drake put a hand on his arm as he stepped past. "I'm really not that mad. You did what you thought was right; you helped Launchpad even though I'm not sure he deserved it. That's why I want you as my sidekick."

Launchpad gulped. "I, um, thanks, DW."

Drake patted his arm, then hit him a bit harder. "Next time tell me what you're doing! You've been gone for two weeks! I know I didn't listen to you the first time. And I'm sorry. But just talk to me, okay?"

"Okay. If you'll actually listen, then deal."

Drake smiled faintly. "You've got a deal, buddy."


A/n: Thanks to everyone who has been reading this fic. If you've enjoyed please leave me a review.