Quick Author's Note: This story is based on the legends of the Ahuizotl. I have Huey explain the legend in the story but I do intend for it to be real in later chapters. I have the story planned out and mostly written. The time it takes me to post between chapters will mainly be me trying to proofread and edit the written chapters. I write everything down in a pocket notebook first. Then I have to type it and proofread. Hopefully, this will prevent me from having hiatuses and discontinued stories. Hope you enjoy it and let me know if there are ways I can improve the story!
Chapter 1: The Mountain
"Are we almost there Uncle Scrooge?" Dewey moaned. The McDuck Mansion residents, barring Mrs. Beakley, and Launchpad McQuack had been walking for hours through the mountains of Central Mexico in search of the Temple of the Ahuizotl. Scrooge McDuck discovered an old legend about the Ahuizotl in his study and wanted to find the Topaz of the Ahuizotl. Launchpad had flown them to the edge of the small mountain range the previous morning.
"Not yet, lad. We probably have another 8 hours to go. We'll reach the bottom tonight." Scrooge checked their location on the map he was carrying.
"It says in the Junior Woodchuck guidebook that the Ahuizotl is a mystical creature that looked similar to a dog and a monkey, with a hand for a tail. It was said to drown fishermen in lakes and eat them. Aztecs believed that being drowned meant you were destined to enter the Water God Tlaloque's paradise, Tlolac, or that you were hoarding stones from the Gods." Huey flipped the page. Louie shuddered at the idea of being destined to be drowned.
Scrooge interjected, "The Temple of Ahuizotl is said to hold the rare Topaz of Ahuizotl, a local stone that is said to symbolize the element of water. Now we have a little more ways to go before we are out of the mountains and in the marshes. After that, it shouldn't be too hard to find." Scrooge was leading the front of the group with Donald. Everyone else was trailing slightly behind.
"Wouldn't that be neat if we encountered a real Ahuizotl?" Webby smushed her cheeks with her wings and smiled.
Louie chuckled, "Only you would think meeting a mythical creature that wants to drown and eat you would be cool."
The group devolved into quiet chatting amongst each other. Donald and Scrooge started walking further ahead to scout the path. They continued climbing for another hour before they finally reached the top of the mountain.
"Wow! This view is beautiful!" Webby exclaimed. Huey pulls out his camera and snaps a couple photos.
"This will be great for my mountain climbing and viewpoint photography badges!"
"Now wee ones, you can see the temple over there. It's been scoured before but no one has ever found the Topaz. Everyone who has visited this temple claims they can feel something watching them and many have also disappeared in the marshes, most likely from quicksand. The map of the inside of the temple is short because the tunnels that stretch past a mile are very unstable due to the marshland. I think we have a good chance of finding the Topaz though. We still have a way to go but once we approach the marshes be very careful to stay on the path. Some of the grasses are very tall which can hide quicksand and pluff mud, which is like quicksand but more unstable." Scrooge lectured.
"That's why I made sure you all have rope in your bags." Donald piped up. "If one of us gets stuck, we can just pull out the rope and haul you to safer ground."
"Yeah and the whistles in case we get stuck while separated. You already lectured us on this Uncle Donald." Louie groaned and held up the whistle that was hanging around his neck.
"Well, I'm just making sure. It's dangerous and I don't want you kids getting hurt." Donald stepped slightly off to the left and worriedly looked back, "Now steer clear of this side of the path, it's really steep and the rocks look a little loose. We're gonna detour that way." Donald pointed as he stood in front of the fork of the path that faced the marshes. The detour headed back inside the mountain range and would take longer to reach the bottom, but Donald wasn't taking any chances. He stepped back to let everyone walk past while blocking off the other path. Of course, Donald's bad luck would get in the way. The part of rock under his right foot suddenly crumbled away.
"Waaak!" Donald threw his left hand out as he slid backward.
"Donald!" "Donny!" "Uncle Donald!"
Scrooge lunged forward and grabbed Donald's outstretched hand. He tried to pull him back, but the path under Scrooge's feet crumbled under the pressure and both went sliding down the mountain.
"Mr. McDee!" "Uncle Scrooge!"
It took a second for Donald to realize that he had dragged Scrooge down with him. He quickly pulled Scrooge close and hugged him around the straps on his backpack. Their slide turned into tumbling, the backpacks both ducks were wearing did very little to slow down their momentum. Rocks banged and dug into Donald's sides and arms, while Donald tried to cover Scrooge as best he could. Finally, after hitting multiple ledges, they finally stopped rolling on the edge of the ridge about halfway down the mountain. Donald's eyes were tightly clenched, and he winced as he slowly unwrapped himself from Scrooge. Everything hurt. Scrooge opened his eyes and pushed himself up.
"Donald, lad, are you alright?" Scrooge pulled his pack off and shuffled around the items inside.
He pulled out the first aid kit while Donald answered, "I've been worse. Are you fine Uncle Scrooge?" Scrooge tsks as he pours a small amount of rubbing alcohol on a cotton pad.
"Since you decided to be the shield, all I've got are a couple scratches." Scrooge looked up and noted the blobs of color many yards above them. He gave a little wave and was satisfied when the blobs disappeared behind the ridge.
"It looks like Launchpad and the kids are going to continue heading down the mountain. It shouldn't be too hard to meet up again afterward since we should be able to see each other pretty well."
Scrooge went back to attending to Donald's cuts. Donald sighed and let him. While he was glad the kids were safe, it wasn't going to help his nerves any, not knowing how they were doing. Regardless, Donald grunted in affirmation and let Scrooge patch him up. After a couple minutes, Scrooge had the bad cuts bandaged and the two were off again. The drop saved them a couple hours of walking and by the time they finally reached the bottom, it was almost evening.