Authors Notes:
I'm back! (gasps for breath) Hope I didn't make anyone wait too long. This fanfic has been fighting me from day one. I have most of the plot planned out but actually going to write it out I think cost me a soul or two.. (Ha...witchy joke there) Anyway, this one might take a bit longer to post considering how long I plan to make it. Plus, I don't have as much written out as I planned before I decided to post it. My inspiration was drying up a bit. But I will finish this fanfic or die trying... or try dying...or do some tie dying?...
This first chapter is a bit rough so I apologize. I did edit it to the best of my abilities at the moment. And there's not much action sadly yet. This is a bit of a slow build so please keep with me ^^ I promise it will get much better in later chapters.
As always I appreciate any likes and comments on my fanfics. As long as I don't have to spoil the future chapters I can answer specific questions about the chapters themselves though if something is unclear. I've been scrambling to find some good music to help keep the pace. I've been a little busy with real life stuff and other fanfics and my book as well. So my creativity is really being pushed to the limits.
Anyways, I just want to say I love you guys and it really makes me happy to see that you all like the stories I've posted before. Its been a long emotional road.
And It's about to get ten times worse...
Lore out! ;)
There was nothing but silence.
Peaceful silence.
It felt as if she was drifting within a sea of nothingness, a void of no sight, sound, taste….of well, nothing.
It was oddly comforting, a place of rest where she could just forget everything.
Everything? What was she forgetting again?
"W..bs.."
Who was that?
Who was Webs?
"Please dear, please wake up." This voice filled with such pain made her heart hurt. She let out a gasp that sent bubbles floating from her beak.
Who were these voices?
"Webby lass, we miss you." This voice seemed as worried as the others. A pinprick of light shone upon her dark haven and briefly she felt her closed eyes slightly open. But the comforting blackness blanketed her and she felt herself sinking deeper.
"Webby.." A new voice whispered. "I know you must feel so alone, so sad. But were all right here with you."
Sad? Alone? Did she? That floaty feeling vanished as if she had been doused with cold water.
"Webby, if you won't fight for us…fight for Lena.."
Lena?
"Pink."
And with that, Webby's eyes snapped open and she sat straight up; gasping.
"Granny, Really I'm okay." The twelve-year-old duck girl smiled softly as several building swept by them from the car they were in. She leaned against the glass of the backseat of the limo and glanced at the other cars passed by.
"Dear," Beakley started, brushing some hair from the youngers face and looking at her in the eyes. "You were asleep for three days."
Webby opened her beak to say something, then snapped it shut. Glancing away to the side, she didn't know what to say to that.
"Also.." Beakley took her granddaughters hand, which was stained black and brought it up towards them both. "We have to make sure this is nothing serious." Eyeing her carefully, she set a hand on her Granddaughters head and sighed softly. "It won't take long. I know you have a big day planned with the boys." A tug of her beak indicated that Beakley knew exactly why Webby was acting so antsy.
Sending her Grandmother a weak smile, she blushed a bit and twisted a piece of hair around her finger. A nervous habit when she was nervous or embarrassed. "Okay Granny, but just for a bit. Don't worry I'm sure the boys won't start without me." She chuckled, thinking back when she awoke to three relieved faces. Well, two mostly. Louie hung back a bit until his brothers were done hugging the tar out of Webby before offering one of his own.
Webby hadn't realized that she had been asleep for three days. But Scrooge seemed to settle their worried minds for a bit.
"Ahck she's fine," Scrooge waved away Beakley's concerns. The housekeeper's eyes narrowed and pointed to the obviously confused child sitting on her bed.
"Fine?! Scrooge she was asleep for THREE days!" Beakley's voice was bordering on homicidal at that point.
Scrooge managed a gulp and tried to swallow the fear he often got from his friend and protector sometimes. If there was one person to Beakley more important than Scrooge, it was Webby. This was only proving it.
"Just calm down and listen." He sighed. "I have dealt with magic mayself more than once. While I don't understand all the mechanics of it. I do know this." He held up a finger. "Magic is draining. I once did a spell and slept mayself for at least one week!" Scrooge announced.
"But we don't even know what that spell did! If it did anything!" Beakley looked frustrated, yet a bit relieved at Scrooge's explanation for why he was acting all nonchalant about this.
"It didn't work."
All eyes were on Webby. It was the first sentence she spoke since she awoke.
Staring at the sheets, she gripped them and fought the urge to cry. Her beak clenched together, her body slightly shaking.
"Dear?" Beakley approached her granddaughter carefully.
Feeling an arm around her, Webby glanced up in surprise at Huey's reassuring smile.
Turning back to her grandmother and Scrooge, Webby sighed. "It was… It was supposed to bring Lena back. But…."
"Aye." Scrooge frowned at this, replaying the events within his mind. "Something obviously went wrong."
Shaking her head slowly, Webby brought her head down further and her covered knees up towards them. "I couldn't save her…" the despair in her voice made Dewey frown a bit and quickly he took her shoulder, yanking her up to face him.
"Webs, you did everything you could." Dewey's intense gaze was too much for her at that moment.
Closing her eyes, she pulled away a bit. "But it wasn't enough."
"It might have been if dumb old Magica hadn't gotten in the way again." Louie commented, hands in his hoodie pockets.
Webby frowned. "No, it was broken before that.."
"What do you mean?" Dewey asked, confused.
"I could feel it. The spell was broken, somehow. I wonder if it was my fault." Webby said softly, wrapping her arms around her knees and tucking her head in between to hide her eyes which were threatening to spill over.
Huey and Dewey traded worried looks and carefully Dewey lifted Webby's head back up. He had never seen her like this. Her hair was scattered and tattered. She had lost her bow within the chaos, eyes red and exhausted and on the brink of surrendering to her emotions. It hurt Dewey physically to see his best friend like this. He narrowed his eyes and held her cheeks in both palms, squashing her face.
"No, I'm not allowing you to give up! That's not the best friend and precious member of the family that I care for." Dewey said firmly, his eyes just daring Webby to disagree.
"But…what if she's…" Webby's eyes drifted but Huey wouldn't have it. He approached within her line of sight and raised an eyebrow at her.
"Do you really believe Lena would leave especially if you're in this state?" Crossing his arms, he smirked slightly.
As if on cue, Webby's shadow started to squirm and morph slightly. Everyone caught this and Webby gasped, grasping onto the side of the bed in excitement.
Lena's form settled within a minute, her eyes opening and gazing fondly at Webby. "He's right you know.." her voice was echoing slightly.
"Lena!" Webby launched herself at the floor, Huey and Dewey grasping onto her before she face planted into the wooden floor.
Lena's features settled upon contented concern. "Webs, I…" her form flickered. "I can't stay.."
Before Webby could open her beak, her form vanished and Webby's shadow returned to normal.
Webby fell limp in Huey and Dewey's arms. Concerned, both boys carefully settled Webby back into bed and upon seeing her face, both were shocked.
She was smiling as tears flowed down her cheeks.
She laughed a bit, raising her black stained arms towards her eyes, brushing away the tears that kept flowing. "She's okay…She's still here…I didn't destroy her….I was so worried.." Her smile as bright as the sun, she looked at her family around her who all wore smiles as well.
"What did I say?" Huey commented with a concerned smile.
"Lass.." Scrooge approached her and took her hand carefully. "I promise to help bring Lena back, I'll look into the spell and see what we can do.." his eyes held a determination only reserved for the most dangerous and precious adventures. Webby felt her heart flitter in happiness.
She wasn't alone, she didn't have to keep pushing herself beyond her limits. She nearly lost Lena because of her impatience. She had learned now that she couldn't let fear control her again. She would save Lena, no matter the cost.
"Well.. now that that's settled.." Beakley approached, also taking Webby's arm carefully and staring at it with an intense gaze. As Webby swallowed nervously, her grandmother's eyes slowly met her granddaughters. "I think its time we go."
"Go?" Dewey frowned.
She swept up her granddaughter into her arms. "Don't worry boys, we will back soon. I want to make sure that spell hasn't caused any…side effects." The stained hands worried her, and Bentina had long since learned to trust her gut.
"Wait but we had a schedule!" Huey pointed to his tablet in a frenzied panic.
"Yeah! We were gonna have a movie marathon in the TV room!" Dewey whined.
"And eat junk food till one of us gets sick." Louie smirked slyly.
"And after that we had…" Huey glanced up to Beakley's unamused gaze.
Webby however was practically glowing.
Bentina sighed. "Don't worry this won't take long." She glanced at Scrooge. "Can we see your doctor for an emergency appointment?"
"Of course Beakley." Scrooge said good naturedly. "I'll make the call!"
As Webby was being carried off, she waved to the boys frantically. "Don't worry! Just pick out the movies! I'll be right back!" she squealed and Huey and Dewey grinned.
As her waves slowly faded to a stop, her last glance was seeing Louie's expression shift from sly smirk to cold gaze.
The door shut before she could see more.
Within the doctors office she was put through a flurry of tests. She was poked so many times she swore her new identity was a pin cushion. But the doctor assured her it was necessary to check on her health. Dealing with magic was always dangerous and this spell had a price that she failed to pay. Granted, the spell itself failed so that should make the price null and void right?
Swallowing the nagging doubt in the back of her mind, she and her Granny anxiously awaited the test results.
When the doctor came in, he held a chart with several things written down. "Well.. it seems here that Webby is a tad anemic. But I believe that is normal since she hasn't eaten much within the past few days." He stated calmly. "Besides that, all her vitals appear normal. Her blood work is good too. Don't worry child." He smiled down softly. "You are just the same as before the spell."
"Thank goodness.." Bentina let out the breath she had been holding. "And her hands and arms?"
"Nearest I can tell, its residue from the spell. But its benign. Much like a scar. I'm not sure if it will ever really go away. It could be a side effect. But nothing we did to those cells caused any negative reaction." The doctor explained.
Beakley nodded and smiled down at her Granddaughter. "Well then, lets go back home. Would you like something to eat?"
"Oh yes Granny! I'm starving!"
"What will it be then?"
"Hamburgers!"
Scrooge poured over Spell books within his study, glancing at the spell within his grasp, eyes squinting at the text and muttering some choice words at whoever structured this spell. He was also bringing up his foggy memory at the circle Webby had written out as well as the items used. He wrote down everything carefully, rubbing the edge of his pen into his forehead as he tried to decipher this puzzle.
A sudden knock at his door directed his attention and the word he we previously writing out left his mind and he cursed silently. "Yes come in!" he sighed, rubbing his temple with a groan.
Donald appeared at his doorway.
"Ah, Nephew. To what do I owe this visit?" Scrooge asked, suppressing a yawn.
Donald sighed. "Uncle Scrooge, I'm worried."
"Nonsense. I have everything completely under control." Scrooge waved away his concerns. "I'm getting pretty close to figuring out what caused the spell to malfunction. I should have this fixed in no time."
Donald put his hands on his hips. "And then what? I don't think it's a good idea for anyone to cast that spell. You saw what it did to Webby last time."
Scrooge paused. "Aye, that I did. We all did." He frowned. "But this time will be different."
"How?" Donald asked.
"I'm giving Webby the Phoenix stone." Scrooge stared hard at the paper.
Donald paused and blinked. "You're serious?"
Scrooge turned his stare towards his nephew.
"You are serious!" Donald repeated with bill slightly dropped.
Scrooge sighed. "Was there something you needed?"
Donald looked guilty. "About what happened while on the rocket…"
Scrooge's expression softened. "Lad, did ye…"
"I did." Donald clenched his hand into fists, eyes misty. "I heard my sister."
Reaching out, Scrooge grasped onto his nephews fist. "Aye, she's there…she's waiting for us."
Donald's head turned abruptly towards Scrooge. "I know bringing Lena back is our priority but I can't just stop."
Scrooge nodded solemnly. "Aye know. We have to fix the ship."
"Scrooge, I will do it. You have your hands full with this Lena thing. I don't want you to lose focus on this. It means too much to Webby. I don't like the idea of anyone using that spell.." Donald hesitated. "But even I know that we are out of options."
"If I had the time I'd find something to bring the lass safely back home. But no money in the world can give us the weeks or months I'd need to find it." Scrooge sighed, grasping a hand to the side of his head in pain. "And I can't let Webby down again." He said stubbornly.
Donald cracked a smile at this. "Same old softy." He chuckled, while Scrooge sent him a glare.
"Lena has no time left." Scrooge eyed the spell. "This has to work."
Donald nodded. "It will…" he hugged his uncle who clutched at his nephew.
A loud ringing from a nearby phone broke the duo apart and frowning, Scrooge answered it. "Hello? What? Of all the- No can't ye see I've got other things aye need to….. Wait, what?" Scrooge paled and instantly his head snapped towards the date.
Gritting his beak, he stared harshly at the desk. "Understood. I will be there shortly. Just keep those blasted buzzards busy." Slamming his phone down, he internally swore as he quickly stood on his feet. Grabbing his cane and hat along the way.
"Scrooge what's going on? Weren't you going to figure the spell out?" Donald demanded, confused and annoyed.
Scrooge's cold expression made him stop in his tracks.
"Aye got some business to attend to. Don't ye worry nephew. Aye just need to handle some unfinished business.."
"But where are you going?"
"To a board meeting.."
Webby giggled excitedly as they finally got back to the mansion, she ran to where the boys were and told them in a rushed voice that she was okay. Her energy seemed to be back to normal anyways.
Huey and Dewey matched her enthusiasm while Louie just stayed on the sidelines, watching the three with a raised eyebrow. Quickly all of them chose the movies and Louie grabbed all the snacks he could carry. Finally the group settled in the TV room and they gathered around for the movie marathon. Louie himself sat on the very edge, Huey sitting next to him. Then was Webby and on the other end was Dewey.
While the others were happily chatting away, reenacting the scenes on the screen; Louie just stared blankly.
"Honestly these special effects are so fake!" Huey critiqued, not at all amused as the chainsaw wielding villain started to chase a young blonde duck offscreen.
"Well they are supposed to be Hubert!" Dewey rolled his eyes. "This movie was like made in the stone age."
"Actually it was made in 1986." Webby stated, reading the back of the DVD.
"See?! Stoneage!" Dewey groaned dramatically and pressed the stop button. "It's so boring. Let's put a newer one on! One with digital special effects!"
Webby rolled her eyes a bit and grasped the remote from his fingers. "Dewey you shouldn't reject classics. Just because they are different doesn't mean you can't learn from them."
"What are you some after school special?" Dewey stated with horror.
Webby giggled. "Just give it a chance!"
"Ugh fine.." Splayed out on the couch, trying to take up as much room as he could, he accidently kicked Webby in the face and then realized with horror her face shifting into attack mode.
"Wait… no Webby! I didn't…" he yelped and jumped up, running around the room with girl fast on his heels.
"Revenge!" She announced, tackling him around the middle and together they laughed as she wrestled him on the ground. Huey was cheering them on while Louie was shaking his head and sipping a can of pep.
After a few more hours of goofing off, they went out to Funzos and the mall for a bit. All four seemed to be having a great time. Even Louie was slightly starting to forget his grudge against Webby for a chance to sweet talk a few cashiers at a candy store.
Much to his brothers and Webby's chagrin he sauntered out of the store with several bags of candy.
It was a much-needed break from everything that had been happening to them the past few weeks.
Webby herself wished this could last forever. She finally had a sense of peace and felt like a kid again. For the first time since the Shadow War, she felt like herself. She really was so lucky to have Huey, Dewey and Louie. She wouldn't ever trade them for anything in the world.
With that thought, she brought the three in a bone crushing hug.
And as they wandered back home to the TV room once more to watch a marathon of movies, she felt closer to her family more than ever. Even Louie was smiling at her and laughing.
Scrooge opened his eyes towards the vultures before him with a scowl.
"You understand why we've called you here."
"Aye." Scrooge responded.
"One week is left of the time we agreed." Bentley stated.
Scrooge clenched his hands together.
"How is the progress?" He asked nonchalantly.
"Ye know very well how its going." The old Scotsman grumbled.
"Scrooge." Bradford frowned. "It might just be best to give up these foolish projects."
Slamming a fist down upon the desk, Scrooge narrowed his eyes. "No." the word wasn't full of venom like the others thought, it wasn't yelled either. It was simple, but the word itself seemed to be spoken as if it was law. "Aye will save the lass in the Shadow Realm and Della on the moon! This is more important than any wealth I have ever collected."
Bradford's eyes narrowed. "Scrooge. You are treading on thin ice."
"I don't care." Scrooge stood up. "Gentleman, if that is all. I will return within a week's time to present you two lasses that badly need a home."
Bradford looked ready to stand and give Scrooge a piece of his mind, but Bentley held him back.
"Scrooge." Bentley stated in a calmer monotonous tone. "I believe your family is getting in the way of you making the right decisions."
Scrooge spun around so fast they were surprised he didn't throw out his back. "Now ye listen here you Boorish Buzzards." He snarled. "Before you, before this company, before ANYTHING else the only thing aye care about is mah family." He said seriously. "I made a mistake once before, but I refuse to bend to that weakness. If ye ever DARE talk about my family like that again I will make it so that ye never work in this universe!" He slammed the door behind him, leaving three stunned vultures.
"This… is becoming problematic." Bentley commented, his face still remaining impassive.
"He did just threaten our jobs after all." Bradford mumbled. The third brother this time stood up.
"I think it's time we showed Scrooge just who exactly is in charge."
"Webs." Lena's voice echoed.
Slowly Webby began to open her eyes. Above her was a bright light. So bright she had to slam her eyes shut and reopen them to focus. It was strange, the light seemed to be moving, almost as if it was swaying?
Opening her beak, a bubble of air escaped, traveling up towards the light refracting from what she thought was water possibly?
Water?
The swaying around her, the pressure, the lack of air.
Gasping, Webby snapped awake and struggled to breathe, but found herself able to breathe easily under the waves. Glancing around she realized she was indeed under water. Dunes of blue sand surrounded her. Sea weed and marine life danced around her. She herself was floating, suspended under the waves but not quite touching the sea bottom. It was surreal to see this beauty so close. Her hair was floating around her as well as her nightgown.
"Webs." Lena's voice was a little clearer.
"Lena?" She heard her voice echo around her.
"The bracelet.." Her friends voice was fading.
"Lena?!" Spinning around, Webby frantically tried to find her friend. But everything was empty around her. "Lena where are you?! Please!" Webby pleaded. She glanced down at her bracelet and grasped onto it tightly. "Lena what are you saying…What do I do?"
"Use the bracelet.." Lena's voice was getting so soft she could barely hear her anymore.
Glancing once more at her wrist, something clicked. "You want me to use my bracelet for the spell?"
"No….mine…." those were her last words and suddenly the blue water and beautiful scenery around her turned pitch black.
"Lena?!" Spinning around, she could feel herself having trouble breathing now. "Lena please, don't leave me!" Coughing, her eyes widened as she pulled her hand away from her mouth.
Dark black-red blood stained her hand.
She screamed.
And woke up.