CH.3: Escape to friendship

"Did we really have to steal Ma Beagle's favorite hat?" Webby calls out to Lena as they run. Lena was huffing along as the mass of Beagle Boys gave chase to them.

"Oh please like you weren't curious what she looked like without her hat. Where is the fun in being up to no good if we play by our rules? Let us see how they like having something stolen from them for a change. Isn't this fun?' Lena lets out a laugh as she steals around the corner knowing Webby was keeping up with her.

Webby was something else…since the day they first met she challenged her on so many levels. She was strong, wily, and had a flair for defying the odds. She was a bit eccentric at that and while some found that bearly tolerable she felt like that gave her flair, a sense of individuality no one could take from her. Perhaps their friendship had started out as nothing more than a means to an end and in some sense still did…but honestly before she came along she had no one.

Lena despised thinking of times before she met Webby…her existence meant nothing and her training constituted of staying in that boring manor of sorts with little companionship and the harsh underlying tone of her Aunt bearing down on each mistake she made with irrepressible fury. Some days she took those words to heart…and it was the lowest she ever felt.

"Couldn't we just apologize and give it back to her? I mean yes she tries to steal Scrooge's money and has tried to kidnap us more than once…" Webby makes a list and Lena pulls her with her so they duck out of view.

"Please, do go on, I'm sure you will eventually catch up to me…" Lena says with a playful roll of her eyes. However she noticed Webby's expression and realized she had her arms on either side of her…their bodies mere inches apart and there was a flush on her cheeks that drew Lena back with a fluster of her own.

"Uh…Lena…is everything ok? I mean first we spy on the Beagle Boys, then you steal their Ma's hat…and now here we are in some hidden from view locale where all of a sudden-."

"I-I was just getting my head together is all…being on the run without a plan wasn't really working out. So…I leave that in your capable hands then." Webby seemed to forget about their situation and she went into battle mode. Lena of course couldn't stop her heart from racing.

"Ok…so…there is still a bit of distance between us and home. I say we try and lose some of our trackers and level the playing field." Lena nods her head ready to try things Webby's way. So as she whispers to her she can't help but smile.


The two of them had a set a trap. Lena would act as bait and she stood there in the construction yard letting out a yawn. "If these bozos don't show soon I might have myself a real nap here-."

"Hey…it is her, so, where is Ma's hat?" The Beagle Boys were notorious lunk heads who worked for their Ma and whether it involved robbing or kidnapping they did so willingly knowing they'd be arrested while their Ma would stay out. In some sense their Ma was the smartest of the group…how she had so many sons remained to be seen and honestly it was better out of mind in her opinion.

"Oh, right…hat that covers her bald spot right? Yeah, I will have to think on that." Lena stands there as Webby stands at the ready above ready to drop a makeshift net down on them.

"Ma does not have a bald spot…least I thinks he doesn't. Guh you are stalling…I know it…step aside now." They charge at her and she shrugs before doing as they ask.

Suddenly a net falls down upon them ensnaring them as they let out a cry. The three of them push at each other and Lena watches as Webby traverses the scaffold and lands down next to her without so much as breaking a sweat.

"Oh wow, my adrenaline was just going on that one. Though…with a little more preparation I could have devised an even greater-."

"Hey…give back Ma's hat!" Lena hears a group gaining on them and Lena reaches for Webby's hand drawing her alongside her as they dash off. They go through a low pipe and then they climb up a few steps before vaulting over a fence and barley keep their footing as they race ahead.

"You have to catch us first!" Lena was thrilled at the prospect of getting chased…of being with her best friend Webby as they kept ahead of them.

"Wow…this is such a rush! I can't say I have this much fun with Huey, Dewey, and Louie. I feel like this might be a bit much for them." Webby pushes ahead so now it is Lena who is being dragged along.

"Don't let them hear you say that…they are family afterall." She smirked some and she is pulled with Webby into a grocery store. The two of them draw eyes on them, or rather eyes are on them but right now they have to think up their next plan.

"Well…I could always use a snack, don't know about you-." Lena lets out a snort of a laugh as she lets go of her hand fighting off her blush.

"We should use this to our advantage." She looks around and suddenly an idea comes to her and she whispers it to Webby.


The Beagle Boys go to arrive but no sooner do they do that they find a full armament of fully armed shoppers with vegetables, fruits, and the works. Lena was surprised at how willing everyone was and they look at the Beagle Boys. There were more of them than before…no doubt they had rounded what they could figure they'd corner them.

"Alright, men, women, children of the men and women…we shall stand our ground and no matter what…we will not give them what they want. These like, these Beagle Boys have stolen from you, harassed you, made you feel weak…well no more. This will be the day we show them that in full might and valor…that they taste sweet defeat…maybe the healthiest defeat in their lives. Webby give the signal."

"Alright…let them eat fruit!" Webby calls out and as the Beagle Boys try to retreat they are assaulted with watermelon and so much more as they slip and slide and try to duck for cover. All the while Lena and Webby stand there watching as it all goes down.

"I love it when a plan comes together…well…more or less. Oh, and here, you deserve this." Lena produces the hat and places it atop Webby's head.

"Oh, um, wow…but shouldn't we give it back to Ma Beagle? I mean yay this was so much fun, but, this must mean a lot to her right?" Webby pulls the hat off and moves it about.

Lena sighs as she looks at the mass of entangled arms and feet as the Beagle boys either lay out in a mess or are looking to regroup. Webby wasn't like her…she had a heart for other people's feelings. Lena wished she could be more like her…and maybe someday when she got away from Magica she could.

"You are right…it was fun though." Lena hops down as she walks over to the nearest Beagle Boy not covered in fruit or vegetable. "Here, take this back to your Ma but if she dares go after my Webby again…she will face my wrath." Lena glowers at him making sure her point got through.

"R-Right, of course, c'mon boys let's get out of here!" And so they left in a slip and a fall amidst laughter from the shoppers. Of course they all had to pitch in and clean up the mess but in the end the Beagle Boys left with their tails between their legs and Lena and Webby part ways but in Lena's mind and heart she knew the more she kept her secret…the more dangerous this was going to get.

Authors note: In the next chapter the boys become suspicious of Lena and a truth is revealed.