While not the city streets, the dark and sometimes dangerous passages beyond the stage were close enough. There were pitfalls, dangers, possible hazards -- and definitely a handful of arch-nemeses to make the evening entertaining.

There were also the world-famous performers who may have also been at risk. Rescuing them would satisfy the hero's gigantic ego and lust for front-page exposure. So Darkwing snaked his way to the cast changing rooms, preparing a blue cartridge for his custom-designed gas gun. When he found what he was searching for, he fired the cylinder into the air, waited for a timed burst of smoke, and made his grand entrance.

"I am the terror that flaps in the night. I am the cast member who wishes you 'good luck.' I . . . am --"

Katellah narrowed her bloodshot and puffy eyes at the costumed crimefigher. "Tardy," she said flatly. "You're tardy."

"Did you see a rat in a battery hat and jumpsuit?" The duck asked, straightening his gray fedora. "I was worried he'd come through here and try to cause trouble."

"Yeah -- he was with Tegwen," Katellah frowned. "What kind of trouble?"

Darkwing Duck looked on in surprise. "You don't know Megavolt?? Most dangerous criminal in St. Canard?" He paused. "Well, one of them."

"He didn't do anything," Katellah replied, shaking her head. "He just kinda . . . stood there. Until Gizmoduck showed up."

Darkwing frowned. "Gizmoduck was here, too?" He whined. "He better not have muscled in on my territory!"

Katellah nodded. "Gizmoduck always attends our opening nights, Darkwing."

Darkwing groaned. "That's just peachy keen gear."

Then the schoolteacher furrowed her eyebrows. "He seemed -- I don't know -- preoccupied with Tegwen, though. I mean, like . . . Really fixated on her." She shrugged after a moment. "I've just never seen him so out of it"

"Tinhead out of it? Boy, there's something! But did you happen to see which way Megavolt went?" Darkwing paused.

It was not Katellah, but a voice from the shattered doorway that responded. "Megavolt?" Ariella sauntered up and joined her sister on the couch. "He was with me, getting some . . . souvenirs. Then Tegwen came out of nowhere and rushed off with him toward the back."

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