Chapter One- Donald and Wadsworth
Looking down at the note that he had been given, Westley Grimes, a fanatic in every sense of the word, stood in front of Duck Mansion. Westley was not your average everyday typical fanboy for he had no interest in comic cons, was not an avid fantasy reader, cared little for card games and dungeons. He had a "model" girlfriend, and somehow through sheer luck and his own likability managed to get her to like him enough to go out enough times that the relationship was official. With his brown hair that was not exactly long but not exactly short and medium framed glasses Westley was not bad to look at either, which was also a plus. The important thing about Westley was that he was an idealistic realist, he did not believe in the impossible, but he did believe in one thing.
Westley was an aspiring animator, his upcoming part time internship with Disney secured, he was well on his way to achieving his dreams. He believed in a certain set of values set by Walt Disney, Friz Freleng, Phil Harris, and Mel Blanc, two creators and two voice actors for Disney and Warner Brothers respectively. They were simple values from simpler times when the world seemed to make sense and everything was relatively better. He did not take into account the apparent racism that their work often presented, for that was merely appeasement to the public and not inert in the people themselves.
Next to Westley was Dodger the dog. Why he even bothered to accompany Westley all the way from New York is a mystery even to himself. He assumed that Westley reminded him of Jenny, who was long out of his life and that he was seeking something of the same. But only time and perhaps a little bit of luck, would tell that story.
"This is the place kid" Dodger said as he stretched his limbs out, "Duck Mansion. The most extravagant house in the whole country. You can't get more egotistical than Scrooge McDuck."
"What about Donald?" Westley asked curiously, "Surely he's not like that."
Dodger shrugged and gave a subtle laugh, "You'd be surprised what a place like this can do. It can really change people."
Westley had difficult believing that Donald would be changed and even if he was it would only serve to double his efforts, he was not one to simply walk away from a challenge, especially when the situation was as dire as his was.
Westley found himself in front of Duck Mansion for several reasons. Beyond his beliefs Westley's purpose was more of a personal one. His 12 year old brother Henry. Henry was the biggest Three Caballeros fan you would ever come across. He had seen the movies, watched what little they appeared in shows and had almost every comic book that they've ever been in.
Walking up to the massive door of Duck Mansion, Westley banged the large duck shaped knocker and patiently waited for it to be answered. Dodger, who followed Westley up, casually scratched himself and yawned, for he was a frequent sufferer of jet lag and didn't do well on airplanes or long trips.
The door opened to reveal Wadsworth, a mallard and Scrooge's butler. Looking up at Wadsworth, Westley gave a humble smile and was about to extend his hand when Wadsworth spoke, stopping him in his tracks.
"We haven't had one of your kind in a long time. A human that is." Wadsworth began, "What brings you to the Mansion?"
Westley nodded, guessing that Wadsworth was a straight to the point kind of mallard and guessing correctly.
"I'm looking for Donald Duck" Westley explained, "I tried to call you but I couldn't find the number."
Wadsworth rolled his eyes understandingly, for he was well aware of the situation.
"That would be because Mr. McDuck does not believe in phones" Wadsworth continued, "Completely ridiculous all of it. A man can't live in this day in age without a phone. How will he contact anyone, stay in touch with the world? I should think he shan't."
Westley laughed, he had no idea of Wadsworth's character and he was already beginning to like him. Wadsworth nodded and looked down at Dodger, who was busy cleaning his teeth his claw.
"Ah Master Dodger" Wadsworth said in greeting, "I trust that you're doing well?"
Dodger pulled out a piece of spinach and flicked it away into the flowerbed, unintentionally causing Wadsworth's feathers to stand on end.
"Peachy keen Mallard" Dodger replied, "Peachy keen. Now are you going to let us in or are we going to stand here in awkward silence forever?"
Wadsworth huffed and stepped to his right, allowing them enough room to pass through. Westley extended his hand in greeting once more, this time Wadsworth took it.
"If you'll please follow me sure I will lead you to Mr. Duck" Wadsworth began once again, "Fair warning, he's not who you think he is. He's different now. Much different."
Westley raised his eyebrows curiously, "How so?" he pressed softly, "Like personality wise or-?"
Wadsworth shook his head as he moved through the foyer and up the stairs. Westley and Dodger sticking close behind.
"Thankfully no" Wadsworth replied with a laugh, "He's still the same old Donald in that sense, but…well you'll see."
They made their made way up a large staircase whereby they came to a long hallway. Wadsworth turned left, passing by several doors, stopping at the last one on the right.
"This is his room" Wadsworth continued, "Wait here."
Wadsworth knocked on the door as gently as he could and carefully opened the door.
"Sir" Wadsworth exclaimed, peering his head in, keeping the majority of the door closed, "You have some visitors."
"I'm not feeling too well Mallard" Donald said from inside the room, his voice a little hoarse with hints of sadness.
"Come on now sir" Wadsworth pleaded, "At least let them see you. They've come a long way after all."
Donald groaned annoyingly, "Mallard please don't make me get up!"
"You don't have to sir" Wadsworth continued, "All you have to do is face them."
Donald sighed as Wadsworth opened the door as wide as he could, allowing Westley and Dodger to look into the room.
The bedroom was normal in terms of appearance. A bed could be seen in the center, to the left of the bed was a small dresser and wardrobe that rested against the left wall. The wallpaper was pink and covered in floral, it was hoped that the flowers would calm Donald down and also help in the healing process, for the duck had been sick for some time. On the right wall, the wall nearest to the door, was an old writing desk complete with a mirror. It was here that Donald sat.
Donald was wearing a blue robe as if he had just gotten out of shower, this was not the case for Donald had not left the room since he woke up, his breakfast having been delivered by Wadsworth earlier in the day. Donald was holding a cane, it was made of Afghan wood. Why this was important was simply for the sake of making a reference and nothing else. Westley only noticed because, being an avid Disney fan, he recognized the stick from A Great Mouse Detective, only slightly larger version to accommodate for Donald's size.
"So you wanted to see me?" Donald asked as he coughed a bit.
"Yes sir" Westley answered, "You see my brother Henry, he's a real big fan and well he'd really like to see you and the boys back together again."
Donald raised his eyes curiously, for he had no idea as to what Westley was referring to, he turned to Wadsworth hoping for an answer, who only shrugged, Wadsworth being equally confused. Just as Westley was about to explain himself, Dodger stepped in.
"He's talking about the Caballeros Donald" Dodger explained, "He wants them to get back together. It'd be real nice, especially since-"
Donald cut him off with the slight raising of his wing.
"I don't do that anymore" Donald said sadly, "I'm sorry but I can't. Not after what happened."
"What exactly did happen sir?" Westley asked, curiosity taking over manners for the time being.
Wadsworth huffed at this, he was more offended for Donald than himself, but it was clear that he was not happy in the slightest.
"Don't you know it's rude to talk about a man's condition? He's clearly hurt! Look at him for Heaven's sake, he can barely stand as it is, let alone get a word out before coughing up a lung."
Donald shook his head and bade that Wadsworth calm down.
"It's alright Wadsworth" Donald said with a slight wheeze, "He meant nothing of it."
Donald turned towards Westley and gave an answer.
"It was about two years ago when it happened" Donald began, "It was the final act of our show. We wanted to play it like a circus performance so we did it outside in an old fashioned circus tent. Before I could climb in and situate myself, Panchito fired hastily, his eagerness to see me fly through the air blinded him to basic safety measures."
Wadsworth quietly left the room, he was clearly disturbed, the mere mentioning of the incident bringing back bad memories that he did not want to relive. Donald continued without interruption.
"I missed the safety net. Went right through the tent and slammed headfirst into a telephone pole. Somehow I managed to survive. But it left its mark kid, I can't walk without the use of this here cane and it hurts to breathe sometimes."
Westley hung his head in disappointment, for now it was obvious that Donald would deny him. Dodger, in one last attempt, pleaded with Donald.
"I know it's hard" Dodger began, "But please, at least think about it. Henry's a good kid. He doesn't deserve to die."
Donald shook his head confusingly, "What are you talking about?" the duck asked, "The boy's dying?"
Westley nodded, "We don't know what it is" he explained, "But we do know that he doesn't have much time left. His last wish is to see the Three Caballeros back together again, to make people laugh like they used to."
"We could a little more laughter these days" Donald agreed
Donald stood to rise, causing Dodger, who was closer to him, to become alert. Donald wheezed a bit as he leaned on his cane.
"Wadsworth" Donald said as he walked towards the door, "Tell Scrooge that I'm going out for a few days. Say whatever you have to."
Wadsworth nodded, "Of course sir, but might I ask why?"
Donald smiled and casually turned towards Westley and Dodger before turning back to Wadsworth and answering.
"I've got a band to get back together."
Westley's eyes practically popped out of his head at this, for he didn't think that getting Donald on board would be so easy, especially since he was injured and sick.
"You're serious?" Westley replied, "No joke?"
Donald laughed, Westley reminding him of his nephews, particularly Huey.
"No joke kid" Donald answered, "How could I say no to a dying wish?"
Dodger huffed, "It won't be easy finding them. Last anyone's heard of José he was at a diner. No one knows where Pistoles is."
Donald nodded, for remembered after the incident that Jose and Panchito fell off the face of the earth so to speak. It would be a challenge and one worth undertaking, but not alone.
"Wadsworth" Donald said sternly, "Pack your bags."
Wadsworth was flabbergasted, for he had never been asked to pack his bags before and so assumed that he was being fired.
"Excuse me but on what grounds?" Wadsworth began, his voice a little louder than usual, "I've done nothing but serve you faithfully all these years and this is how you repay me! Why I consider us the best of friends and now you're just going to sack me like that? Some friend you turned out to be."
Donald raised his good wing as calmly as he could.
"You're not fired Wadsworth" Donald exclaimed, "You're coming with us."
"Oh" Wadsworth replied softly, "I see. Forgive me sir I was out of line."
Donald laughed warmly, "You're never out of line Wadsworth" he exclaimed, "Now pack your bags and tell Scrooge what we're doing. Then meet us outside."
Wadsworth nodded and was just about to leave when he thought of something.
"The Royals Royce or the Lamborghini?"
Donald huffed as if that were a stupid question to ask and pulled out the keys to the Royals Royce, tossing them to Wadsworth, who only smiled and made his way to his room, to pack his things.
"Well he's certainly a trip isn't he?" Westley said to no one in particular
Donald nodded in agreement as he walked towards the stairs, "He certainly is, but when you've been with someone long enough you tend to overlook things."
Dodger let out a subtle laugh, "Ain't that the truth" he exclaimed, "He's all yes sir, no sir, right away, how do you do. It's almost sad when you think about it."
Donald shrugged, in a strange way he couldn't help but agree. Wadsworth's existence was a little too formal for his liking, but still Donald stood by his statement and said nothing as they continued down the stairs to take a short tour of the first floor as they waited for the car.