Scrooge McDuck grumbled as he threw yet another scroll to the side of his desk- becoming one with the rest of his towering clutter. Without giving it much thought the old mallard's hand reached for another piece of text, as he loomed over it- his magnify glass ready to search and find the missing piece he needed to complete a centuries old puzzle.
Life for Scrooge had been going well ever since he had settled his public affairs, his love life now being old news- which was GOOD news as far as McDuck was concerned. No longer was his phone ringing at all hours, no longer were hoards of paparazzi and cameras following him around. And with the additional profits from the newly sought after flubble oil, this left the duck with the perfect lull to go back to doing what he did best: finding his next adventure.
"Ugh, no. It's not this one either!" The billionaire growled in frustration, fighting his urge to throw his magnify glass across the room." I know Excalibur is supposed t'be a well guarded secret… But ye'd think somebody over the past few hundreds of years would have blabbed about SOMETHING!"
Scrooge sighed to himself, as he turned around in his chair, giving the room a look over and just feeling all the more bitter as he took in the mess his research had wrought. Over the course of his life the old mallard had found himself enamoured by tales of King Arthur and his daring exploits. Sure, most of it was just fairy tale hooey- many of the adventures showing similar themes to other myths from different parts of the world that he had read countless times before. However, it had been decades ago when during an evening of light reading that Scrooge had found something that piqued his interest: a certain legend that had mentioned the hero's sword, Excalibur. It had always intrigued him that of all things in the tales that would change depending on where the legend was told- the sword would always be described in the same way. A long silver blade, the handle decorated with intricate carvings and jewels forged into the weapon.
See, the thing about old tales… was that there was always a layer of truth hidden just underneath the surface.
"Whatcha got there, Scroogey?"
He spun back around to see Fenton standing in the doorway. The old mallard sighed theatrically, and rested his head on his cluttered desk.
"A bunch of useless junk, I'm starting to figure." he replied, lifting another scroll and tossing it aside, without even bothering to look at it. Fenton took this as an okay to enter, and did just that. He picked up a scroll off the desk, and looked it over.
Looked complicated.
"Huh... is there a, summarized version here somewhere?"
Scrooge slid out of his chair, and gazed out of the window, hands behind his back.
"I'm looking for clues on the whereabouts of the legendary sword, Excalibur... it vanished years ago, and no one's ever been able to find it."
"Excalibur, huh? I know that story!" Fenton replied, using a rolled up scroll as a makeshift sword, slashing at the empty air. "Er, well, the song version of it, anyhow."
Without warning or reason, Fenton launched into song before Scrooge could advise him to please not.
"King Arthur set out on one last ride
Excalibur was by his side
He drew his sword and fought his best
But in the end he came to rest
Upon the ground and so they say
King Arthur vanished that day.
Though he was never seen again, his story ends not here!
Prophecy told his loyal sword would someday reappear."
Scrooge had since turned around, and he watched, amused, as his significant other swayed to the off key beat of his own singing.
"Oh, ride on, seekers of the blade!
Though years have passed, its magic will not fade.
Ride on, don't fret, you'll find it if you're true-
Hidden away in Dobenshire, its power awaits you!"
Fenton finally stopped, out of breath but seemingly pleased. He wasn't the only one who was pleased, either.
"Hold on just a minute, Dobenshire? I've heard that somewhere before... I wonder..."
"Oh, that might be because of the that ol' cartoon show that used to play on Saturdays: 'The Knights of Dobenshire'." The middle aged duck paused his imaginary sword fighting as he drooped in mild sadness, nostalgia making him miss his childhood. "Really, such a shame they canceled it. Sure, they had eighteen seasons, and it got a bit monotonous around season eight… But a good show's a good show!"
Scrooge, however, had barely been listening as he went back through his piles of scrolls, quickly opening and skimming through the material. He had expeditiously gone through the lot, throwing them wildly onto the floor, when he suddenly remembered the missing piece of text from his collection. He turned towards the lad, who was still going on about how 'cartoons just weren't the same anymore' when McDuck cleared his throat to get his significant other's attention.
"Ahem. Fenton… do y'mind?" he asked, holding out his hand expectantly.
The accountant smiled widely.
"Suuure, I don't mind!" A pause. "... uh, what am I not minding, here, exactly?"
"Hand me the scroll, ye dingus."
"Oh! Whoops. Here ya go, Sir Scroogey; your sword."
Scrooge smirked and rolled his eyes at Fenton's bow, and swiped the scroll from his hand. It was opened and spread across the desk, Scrooge already scanning it with his trusty magnifying glass.
"We might just be onto something, here... yes! This is it! It's got to be! Dobenshire, here I come!"
Fenton raised a brow, then shook his head.
"Uh, Scrooge, did ya miss the part about Dobenshire being a made up place, and all that?"
Scrooge chuckled.
"Aye, the name of the place might be all hogwash and fairy dust, but the actual location exists, alright! Take a look here."
And look Fenton did, as his gaze lingered over the old map placed before him. The accountant raised a brow at some of the images- pictures of dragons, ogres and witches spread out over the land. He did see some names of made up places, however, and he noted that Dobenshire seemed to be close to the southern coast of the landmass.
"Eh, pretty pictures. Think I could do with less depictions of decapitation, though."
Scrooge rolled his eyes, realizing the lad hadn't had a clue what he was looking at. The old mallard hopped from his seat as he made it across the room, very much aware of the fact Fenton's eyes were on him. It was with a flick of the wrist he pulled a map off the shelf and unrolled it as he made his way back.
"Pretty pictures or not, it's the location I'm more concerned about." He placed his newly retrieved map on top of the scroll, as he pointed to the location where Dobenshire had been on the other. " Tell me what you see now."
Fenton tilted his head again, as he read in confusion.
"'Exmouth'?" His eyes roamed over the page until he noticed words he actually recognized like 'Oxford' and 'London'. "Saaaay, that's a map of England!"
"Aye. Right you are, and Exmouth happens t'have a spot just outside the town where there are prehistoric caves. Now, this may be a longshot… But I'm starting to wonder if maybe that's where I should try lookin'."
"As good a place as any, I'd say!" Fenton's excitement over the implied adventure was evident in both his tone and body language. "I'll just-"
"It's a downright shame that the boys are in school at the moment..." Scrooge interrupted, rolling up the scroll and the map together. "who will I go with now? I can't just as well go by myself..."
Fenton's bill was still hanging open, as he stared at his boyfriend in silence for a short moment.
"Ah... I know someone who might be useful on this trip..." he offered, watching as Scrooge fetched his coat from the corner of the room.
"Aye, I know, I considered taking Gyro, as well. But I just don't think he has the physical endurance needed for this sort of thing."
Fenton sputtered, beginning to panic a little bit, stepping out from behind the desk to approach Scrooge.
"Well okay, sure, but what about-"
"Duckworth? Pah. He's great around the house, and as a chauffeur, but an adventurer? Nah."
The accountant was beginning to completely freak out by this point- how.. how could ol' Scroogey forget HIM of all people? His hero, his loyal employee… his BOYFRIEND! Fenton's eyes were starting to turn into saucers, when the old mallard paused as he threw his significant other a half lidded look- his eyes sparkling with mischievousness.
"You know… it was once suggested I should consider outsourcin' t'other heroes. What about that Darkwing Duck? Ye worked with the lad, think he'd have it in 'im to accompany me?"
Okay, that was the last straw. Fenton cried out in anguish as he threw himself at Scrooge's feet, wrapping his arms around his legs as he whined.
"No! No, not Wingy! Take ME, Scroogey! I promise I'd be nothing but an asset- your loyal number two! I'll do anything you say- JUST DON'T TAKE HIM!"
Scrooge could barely hold in his laughter as Fenton looked up at him with big watering eyes. He chuckled, as he gently patted the top of the other duck's head affectionately.
"Now now, none of that. Of course I was plannin' on taking you. That is, if ye think ya can manage to spare some time. It'll be an overnight trip, you know."
Fenton was up on his feet in a flash, arms now thrown around Scrooge's torso, instead, in a big hug.
"My time is your time, Scroogey, you know that! Oh thank you thank you thank you! I know I've said this before, but you won't regret it!"
Fenton let go and scrambled toward the door, grabbing for the handle and missing twice before he caught it.
"Let me do some light packing, I'll be back before you can say rubber baby buggy bumpers!"
Scrooge stared after the duck, long after he had left and scurried down the hall. He sighed loudly, and shook his head, but he was smirking.
This trip was already promising to be an interesting one, if not a lucrative one.
"You're going WHERE?"
Iva Crackshell stood in the doorway of her son's bedroom- as he wildly stuffed clothes and things he needed into a large suitcase. It had been a commercial break when Fenton had run into the trailer and straight to his room- where crashing and other concerning sounds followed him. Not having anything else to do, and admittedly curious, the old woman made her way from the couch and peeked her head into the cluttered room.
Fenton, who had a pillow in his mouth and his arms full of blankets when he finally spit it out onto the large pile. He turned to his mother, excitedly.
"To Exmith… Exmut… ENGLAND!" The middle aged duck skipped to his mother as he grabbed her hands- bouncing in place from excitement. "Oh, M'ma, Scroogey is taking me on an overnight trip! Just he and I, the two of us!"
Mrs. Crackshell raised a brow at this.
"Kinda moving fast there, dontcha think? The guy could barely admit you were in a relationship a week ago, and now he's taking you on a romantic getaway?"
Not that she really cared either way, just sounded weird to her considering all that had happened.
"Aw, it's not like that, M'ma!" Fenton had to admit, at least to himself, that he really hoped it was exactly like that. He wrapped an arm around his mother's shoulders, and used his free hand to gesture toward things that apparently only he could see.
"It's about the adventure! The experiences! And, okay, maybe if I'm lucky, a little bit of romance..."
M'ma turned toward her son, and gave him a tired, but loving smile.
"Just promise me you'll be careful, alright? Listen, Fenton, your first time... adventuring... isn't always as glorious as the books and movies make it out to be. And that's okay! It'll be awkward, and maybe a little bit painful if you're not prepared..."
"Pshaw, M'ma! I'm completely prepared! See, I've got the Gizmo suit right here!" He patted one of the many suitcases he was carrying. "I'll be fine!"
Iva began a reply, but didn't get to finish, before Fenton kissed her on the cheek, wished her one more 'see ya later', and trundled out the door with his plethora of bags and suitcases.
Mrs. Crackshell sighed before mumbling to the empty trailer.
"Yeah, but that wasn't the kind of protection I meant, Fenton..."
By the time the accountant had arrived back at McDuck Manor, Fenton was surprised to see an empty helicopter waiting in the front yard. After quickly looking around the thing to see if he could spot heads or tales of Scrooge- or anybody at all for that matter- he began to make his way towards the door just as his paramore was exiting. His butler behind him, ready to hand the old mallard his carry-on bag as McDuck continued to give orders.
"And take any messages that might come in, too, Duckworth. Don't let the children answer the phone this time- it took me ages to figure out what 'hand baloney' even meant!"
"Never again, mark my words." The butler handed the bag to his boss. "Anything else, sir?"
Before Scrooge could say anything else, he spotted Fenton and smiled. He waved off Duckworth, eyes still focused on the duck making his way towards them even as he continued.
"No, I suppose not. But if the boys need me at all, just let them know I'll be in touch by radio. I'll also be checking in before their bedtime."
There was a thud and a clatter as Fenton dropped his load to the ground. Scrooge shook his head.
"Fenton, you can't take all of that with you. Have you never ridden in a helicopter before?"
Fenton, only now aware of how much he had brought, glanced around at the bags, and chuckled, sheepishly.
"Whoops. Guess I did get a little carried away! Uh, let's see here, I guess all I really need... there. Better?" He flashed Scrooge a toothy grin, holding up one duffel bag and the case with the gizmo suit inside.
"Aye, that'll do. Toss 'em behind the seat, we're just about ready for take off."
Just as Fenton was going to ask when Scrooge learned to fly, a familiar voice called out from behind them.
"Heh-hey there, Fenton! Long time no see, hah?"
Fenton spun around, and stared at the pilot- and he used the term lightly- as he waved and made his way across the yard.
"Launchpad? Uh, hey there, pal!" He leaned over to whisper to Scrooge, "He's just our ride, right? Not that there's not room for three, I just thought... y'know..."
Scrooge threw the younger duck another half-lidded gaze.
"Launchpad will be flying us there, as well as being radio backup just in case anything happens while potholing. Other than that, it'll be just the two of us."
"... Potholing?" Crackshell asked in confusion, though admittedly relieved that there wouldn't be a third wheel for the important parts of the adventure.
"Spelunking, Fenton." After a pause and realizing the lad still wasn't catching on, Scrooge rolled his eyes. "Cave exploring. REALLY, what in the world did they ever teach you lot in school?"
"Apparently cave exploring wasn't on the academic agenda. Then again, I hardly made it past the sixth grade."
The older mallard was about to crack a comment about what a risk he took hiring a high school dropout to be his accountant, when their banter was cut short by the sound of a throat being cleared. Looking over, they saw Launchpad waving at them.
"If you two lovebirds are finished, just wanted to let you know everything's packed up as snug as a bug in a rug. All ready for take off when you are, Mr. McDee."
Scrooge gestured toward the helicopter with a nod of his head.
"Shall we?"
"Yes!" Fenton cried, eagerly. "We shall!"
And with that, the three boarded the helicopter, and were on their way to a brand new adventure.
The scenery below was beautiful, breathtaking, dizzying. Sprawling forests with impermeable canopies, towns and cities that looked like nothing more than a child's plaything, impressive bodies of water that, from up there, looked like puddles. The sky turned from pretty blue to different and darker hues as they raced through the time zones- the accounting made sure his naps in between the eight hour trip were very brief so he wouldn't miss anything. Fenton was in awe- and in shock over how calm Scrooge and Launchpad were. Of course, he thought, they see this kind of thing all the time.
Fenton fidgeted in his seat, suddenly regretting leaving his camera behind. His first real adventure, and he wouldn't even have any pictures to show M'ma when he got back!
It was while Crackshell was taking in scenery- the way the full moon reflected on the water below- that Launchpad cleared his throat, getting the others' attention.
"Sooo… what's the occasion, anyway? If you don't mind me asking, that is. Business or pleasure?"
Scrooge rolled his eyes, though it was obvious he was amused by the question.
"Now Launchpad, you of all people should know I find that business IS my pleasure."
"So I take it this isn't a vacation getaway for two, then. Shame, I kinda thought you guys could use it after the whole deal with the paparazzi taking the wind from your sails for a while there. Had us worried."
Fenton cringed from the backseat- his excitement having had made him forget the whole ordeal- before poking his head around the chair as something dawned on him.
"Wait, you guys got the same trash news in Saint Canard too?!"
"Sure," LP said with a shrug of his shoulders." Why wouldn't we? Mr. McDee is hot stuff no matter where he goes or what he does. But boy, I'll tell ya, I had a lil' trouble dealing with DW over your guys stealing the limelight. No matter who he'd bust, you guys were the talk of the town."
"Gee, Launchpad, I'm sorry you guys had to hear about-"
"That's enough of that." Scrooge interrupted, curtly. "That's all in the past. Now look there, up ahead, that's our future, and where we're headed!"
A bustling town loomed in the distance. It was hard to see some, but seemed small for a town; then again, everything looked small when you were soaring through the skies.
"Is that Extooth?" Fenton asked in awe, leaning forward so far now, he was practically in the front seat with them.
"Exmouth, yes. Launchpad, start lookin' for the landin' pad- Excalibur, here we come!"
"Aye, aye, Mr. McDee!" Launchpad replied.
Fenton couldn't tell which was making his poor heart beat so fast; the excitement of the promised adventure, or seeing Scrooge's eyes light up as he mentioned the elusive sword. He ultimately decided it was both. However, his heart was quick to start pumping fast for a different reason as the looney pilot began to descend towards a clearing outside of the city. The helicopter sped, causing Fenton to clutch tightly to the seat in front of him. He yelped but noted his wasn't the only cry of alarm as Scrooge clutched onto his hat and armrest.
"Woah, " Launchpad said mildly and far too calmly for anybody's liking, "looks like this might be a bit bumpy. Hold on, fellas."
LP pulled onto the steering stick with all his might, trying to pull the helicopter enough so that he could get some control of the thing. He was surprised when next thing he knew, he pulled the lever out of the control panel entirely.
"Heh, whoops, " the pilot said with a bit more alarm. "Well, that happened. But hey! Who needs to steer to fly?"
"Launchpaaaaad!" Scrooge scolded, even as they plunged rapidly downward, spiralling out of control toward the ground.
Fenton frantically wrapped his arms around Scrooge's seat, and Scrooge as well in the process, his life flashing before his eyes- wow, there really hadn't been a whole lot to see. He would have told Scrooge how much he loved him in their last moments, but he couldn't stop screaming long enough.
The ground broke their fall, but unfortunately, it also broke their helicopter. The landing was indeed rough, just as Launchpad had promised, but after bouncing and skidding across the previously unmarred field, they came to a stop at last.
All three stumbled out, Scrooge stumbling out the driver side, as his door had been jammed badly in the fall, on trembling knees. Aside from being shaken up and bounced around from the impact, they all seemed to be in living condition.
The smoking pile of metal behind them was a different story. Launchpad stood looking at it, thoughtfully. Or more likely, thoughtlessly, Scrooge thought to himself.
"Well... it looks as though you're not goin' anywhere in that, Launchpad. Might as well come with us."
Unseen by either of them, Fenton bit down on his tie, and banged his head against a nearby tree a few times.
"You mean to check out those caves? Ehhh, I like boring old holes in the ground just as much as the next guy, but you two go on ahead. Somebody should stay here and look after the helicopter. Er, or what's left of it, anyway."
"Suit yourself, laddie. C'mon, Fenton, if we start now we'll get to the cave by day break. Grab our supplies and let's get goin'."
Quickly saluting, Fenton went through the crash site to find their climbing gear- as well as grabbing the briefcase with the Gizmo suit. Scrooge was already a good yard or so away and the middle aged mallard would have to sprint to catch up. Giving Launchpad one final look as he ran off, he could have swore he saw the pilot throw him a wink.
Climbing wasn't exactly Fenton's fortee. Mostly because he had no reason to- the most experience he had was the time he and Scrooge had to climb to the top of the mountains of Tra-la-la in order to save the old duck's nephews from a terrible cagey fate. And even then he had been winded the whole while. THOUGH, Fenton had to admit, at least this time he wasn't freezing his tail feathers off.
Speaking of tail feathers, Fenton also couldn't complain about his view. Up directly above him McDuck was busy trailing their way as he hammered in a new piton every couple yards. He was also busy instructing Fenton all the places he had climbed before so that the lad could follow behind him easily. Crackshell, however, must have not been moving fast enough as he threw a glare down at him.
"Would you quit your daydreaming and focus! We won't get there until next Thursday by THIS rate!"
"Oh!" That lit a fire under Fenton's tail feathers. He scrambled to catch up. "Sorry! Guess I got all caught up in the scenery. Uh, say Scrooge..."
"Hm?" He asked, distractedly. He had spotted a promising looking ledge up ahead, and marked it as their goal.
"How come no one's ever explored these caves before? I mean, they couldn't have, right? Or they would've found the sword for sure!"
"Aye. Most people just don't have an adventurin' spirit these days." Scrooge's tone spoke of great tragedy as he said this, but it changed in seconds as he added, "Especially when it comes to chasin' fairy tales! Hahaha! Their loss is our gain!"
Fenton tried to smile, but it quivered and died on his bill, as he watched Scrooge hoist himself up over a ledge and disappear. When he put it like that, this trip didn't exactly sound promising. Scrooge's half mad cackle as he said it made Fenton wonder even more.
"Besides!"
Fenton yelped and almost lost his footing, when Scrooge's head popped back over the ledge, followed by a hand to help him up.
"Some of these caves are natural mazes. It's no wonder no one's found anything!"
"Y'don't say..." Fenton mumbled, as the two of them got him over the ledge, too. The Gizmo suit in the case strapped to his back wasn't making the climb any easier. He was relieved to see the gaping cave entrance ahead of them.
"Should we try here? It's a good place to start, isn't it?" He asked, hopefully. Scrooge smiled when he saw the glint in Fenton's eyes. He was ready for an adventure, alright.
"As good a place as any!" Scrooge agreed, and wasted no more time in heading for the cave. Once at the head of the entrance the old mallard instructed Fenton to take out their hard hats from the bags- they would be needing the lights from them to see into the near pitch blackness of the cavern. Satisfied that they were prepared well enough, Scrooge turned on his helmet and trekked inside.
Fenton was close on his heels. Perhaps a little too close as the moment McDuck stopped to survey the area the accountant walked straight into his back. Scrooge oofed as the wind was knocked out of him, and looked down at Fenton who was now on the cave floor.
"I want you close, but not THAT close. Watch where you're goin', would ya'? The deeper we go, the less likely I'll have the luxury of topplin' over safely."
A grin and another quick salute served as both an apology and confirmation. Fenton was confident he could do as he was asked; personal space was something he had been working on.
This was a natural cave, alright, and it was silent, save for their echoing footfalls and water dripping from the numerous stalactites hanging from the ceiling. The lights on their helmets did little to permeate the darkness, and Fenton couldn't decide it he was shivering from the cold, or from fear.
The path they took seemed random and winding to the younger duck, but he was sure Scrooge knew what he was doing. There was no way they'd end up lost in these dark, spooky caves, cold and hungry, free eats for whatever gruesome beasts lurked in its cavernous shadows.
Or so he kept telling himself.
Fenton had been busy looking down so he wouldn't trip up in holes or over rocks, when he failed to notice Scrooge had come to a complete stop. He did, however, note that the older duck threw his arms out widely as he backed the two of them up.
"Fenton!"
"Sorry!" The accountant cried. "But, uh, why'd we stop?"
"I'll show ye why, laddie." Scrooge said, as he dug into the bags and pulled out a flair. Fenton found himself covering his eyes as his paramore set it off- the cavern flashing with a blinding light. Once his eyes adjusted, however, he was able to see why McDuck had stopped him.
Fenton gulped as he stared at the large hole that took away their path.
"Blatherin' Blatherskite! Talk about a drop, huh?" He paused as a realization hit him, his body drooping in defeat. "Guess that means we gotta go back and try another path then…"
"Hmm," the old mallard hummed to himself as he continued to stare down the black pit, scratching his chin. "Maybe not. My intuition is telling me this is exactly the sort of place I'd hide something I didn't want it t'be found."
As Scrooge was preparing their gear for the descent into the inky void of the canyon, understanding was dawning across Fenton's face.
"Oooooooh. Hey, you're right!" Fenton was grinning again, his passion for this expedition reignited. "Boy, you sure are great at this adventure stuff, Scroogey."
Scrooge laughed. He didn't chuckle, it was an honest to goodness laugh, and to Fenton, nothing ever sounded as sweet.
"I'd certainly hope so! I was spelunking in caves while you were still spelunking in your diaper. Now, I'll head down first. You follow as soon as you're ready, alright?"
Scrooge, by this point, was all hooked up and already hanging off the side of the cliff. Fenton glanced down into the abyss, and tried swallowing passed the lump in his throat.
"Joy." He squeaked.
Admittedly, going down was much easier than climbing. And in fact, once he pushed the fact he was traveling straight into the unknown, Fenton was able to turn it into a game of sorts. Every time he jumped from the wall he would count how many seconds it took before his webbed feet would land back onto the wall again. His record so far was 3.24 seconds.
It only took about thirty minutes before both the ducks found themselves on the cave floor. Scrooge , after unhooking himself from the pulley, dug through their supplies once more before pulling out an extra flair. This time it was the old mallard's turn to find himself surprised as elaborate murals surrounded them- showing pictures of dragons, amazing battles, and all sorts of other adventures. Scrooge had to catch his glasses before they fell, because of his astonishment.
"Bless me bagpipes, the Legend of King Arthur!" Scrooge ran across the cave, straight to a picture of a large glowing blue sword that was dead center of the cavern- bouncing in glee. " And this must be excaliber! We MUST be on the right track!"
Fenton gazed at the walls, himself, in an awe that existed for a slightly different reason than Scrooge's.
"Wow! It's just like the TV show!" He lifted his lighted helmet to get a better look, and scratched his head. "Well, uh, maybe a more, interpretive dance type version of it, anyhow."
Scrooge paid little attention to Fenton's comments, and instead ran a finger over the bright blue paint that made up the sword. Was it paint at all? Scrooge had his doubts, considering how well it had been preserved; by the looks of it, it hadn't faded at all! But what else could it be?
As if sensing his thoughts, the sword seemed to glow faintly. Scrooge gasped, and took a step back, to make sure he wasn't seeing things. He was vaguely aware of Fenton pacing back and forth behind him, along the wall.
Scrooge's grin slipped as the sword once again fell dim. He glanced back, to ask Fenton if he had seen it, but his exploration buddy was a good ways away.
"Fenton!" Scrooge called, careful not to be too loud. A cave-in seemed unlikely here, but sometimes it was best to be cautious.
Fenton was jogging back to Scrooge soon enough, hoping he had found something more interesting that cave paintings. "Yeah?" he asked, excitedly.
Fenton slowed to a stop, and Scrooge spun around, as a cold blue glow lit up the darkness around them. They didn't even need the flair or their helmet lights anymore. The sword on the wall now lit up like a nightlight. Without taking his eyes off of the wonder, Scrooge signalled for Fenton to come closer. Slowly, like a child in a dream, Fenton plodded forward, eyes large, blue light reflecting in them.
As he got closer, the light grew in intensity. When he got close enough, he reached out his hand, and placed it on the sword- instead of cold stone, he felt warmth. It was only the rumbling and shaking that snapped him out of his stupor.
"What's going on? Did I break it? Should we run?" Fenton cried over the rumbling.
"No, lad, look!"
In front of them, the sword on the wall began to grow, distort, until finally it was no longer a sword at all. A bright blue archway- like a door- now stood where it used to be. When the glow faded, the doorway stood open and inviting.
The two blinked at the newly made door in silence. However, it didn't last long as Scrooge was the first to break the silence. He cleared his throat, before walking forward.
"Well, I suppose we better get goin'."
Fenton was flabbergasted.
"Wh, what?! You- you mean you're just gonna walk RIGHT into a hole that wasn't here, but now is?! We don't even know where that thing leads!"
"Sure we do, laddie. It leads to the sword." A pause, as the older mallard looked back at his significant other coyly. "That is, unless you rather I go on ahead an' you stay here…"
That seemed to be just the motivation Fenton needed to get himself in gear, as he puffed up his chest and started marching forward.
"Nope! I'm good. Let's get goin', yeah? Not like we go all day, Scroogey!"
Walking through the tunnel was a very strange sensation, as the walls seem to vibrate around them. There was almost an electric feel in the air, like walking on a carpet in winter in just socks. That feeling of being charged and that it could set something off at any moment. It was both nerve wracking and equally exciting.
Once they reached the end of the tunnel, the cavern they entered blinded them with a sudden flash of blue light. Both the ducks had to guard themselves and squint in order to see passed it. Luckily for them it didn't last long, as suddenly the glow became tolerable, and they were finally able to see where they were.
Scrooge gasped as he pointed across the room. There, up a double sided rock staircase carved into the cave, was the sword they were looking for- handle sticking out from a slab of stone that was obviously the blue lightsource.
"There… there it is! I KNEW IT! I knew excalibur had t'be more than just a thing of legend!"
"Wow!" Fenton breathed. "I didn't know it'd be a magic sword for real!"
The light continued to dim, as if realizing it no longer needed to guide them. Scrooge finished his awe-filled gazing long before Fenton did, and dashed toward the sword, up the stairs. Fenton shook his awe away and trotted after him, stopping at the bottom of the stairs.
After examining the hilt thoroughly, walking all the way around it, Scrooge grasped it firmly. As soon as he was convinced that the old sword wasn't going to come apart in his hand, he began to tug. Then yank. This thing was stuck but good! Scrooge gasped, and rested against the cave wall.
"Fenton..." he called down the stairs. "Come help me pull this stubborn beauty free, would ya?"
Fenton Crackshell didn't need to be told twice, as he did a mad dash up the staircase. Going onto the other side of the sword, the middle aged duck grabbed at a free part of the handle.
"Count of three?" He inquired.
"Aye, count of three." Scrooge paused, taking a breath. "One, two-"
"WAIT! Are we going on three? Or are we doing the ol' 'one, two, three, pull' situation?"
"Oh, for goldurn's sake- JUST PULL ALREADY!"
And pull he did as the two began pulling and tugging with all their might. It didn't take long before Fenton was breaking out into a sweat, as he grunted a quip to his partner.
"Really stuck in there, isn't it?"
The sword slip a small fraction out of the stone, and this was enough to encourage the two as Scrooge cried out in excitement.
"It budged! Just keep pullin', laddie!"
And pull they did, with everything they had, and a little they didn't. All at once, the sword came free, sending the two ducks stumbling backward; but before they could hit the ground, a bright, blinding white light filled the cavern.
There was the echoing clatter of metal on rock, as the sword fell to the cave floor. The light dissipated, and save for the sword, the cavern was now empty, plummeted back into darkness, silence interrupted only by the drip, drip, dripping of a long forgotten natural cave.