Ch.9: The Truth Comes Out

"Look out!" shouted Magica, shoving Scrooge out of the way as Zaher launched another spell, melting the ground where they once stood.

Scrooge breathed out a sigh of relief, partly grateful to Magica for rescuing him in time. But the old miser's mind was still gripped with fear, as he looked at Glomgold and realized how truly dangerous this Zaher character was.

"This is going to be fun!" laughed the fox, as he raised his arms in the air, summoning another spell.

Suddenly, there was a great rumble as the ground shook, and Glomgold's mansion walls crumbled and cracked until they fell onto the ground. Now only the skeleton of the foundation stood out within the harsh moonlight as Scrooge and Magica observed their surroundings with wonder and horror.

Then, the floor that was holding the two feathered fowl broke off from its base, rising into the air under the power of Zaher. Scrooge gasped as he realized what was happening. Not only were they rising higher and higher into the air, but the floor was changing as well, transforming into a giant, arena-like cage crowned on top of Glomgold's pile of rubble.

"Ah" breathed Zaher, his enchantment complete " the perfect place to slash broken hearts."

Scrooge instantly went into battle mode. Activating one of the tools in his futility belt, Scrooge charged at the warlock with every intention on sending that fox to the moon. However, Zaher wasn't someone to be extremely underestimated.

Sending a blast Scrooge's way, the Masked Mallard's crime-fighting bolos were made virtually useless. Instead of tying up Zaher, the bolos were turned into snakes and hurled back, aiming their venomous fangs at Scrooge.

Scrooge quickly dodged around the little suckers before they could sink a bite into him, and fired off his cane gun at Zaher, letting off a powerful laser blast.

The blast hit Zaher dead on, and Scrooge cheered at the thought that his foe met defeat.

But the victory party didn't last as evil laughter echoed out throughout the room, and Zaher revealed himself, completely unscathed.

"Nice try McDuck" said Zaher with a grin " but conventional weapons won't do anything against me. Magic is far more powerful than whatever is created by mortal hands. Let me show you!"

With that said, Zaher started gathering up a lot of energy into his hands, until they formed a blazing ball of white-hot fire. The glow of those deadly flames just inches from his beak, made Scrooge's feathers sweat in terrible fear.

Closing his eyes tight, Scrooge prayed and expected the worst, as Zaher unleashed his move. A few seconds later, the mallard was surprised to feel like he wasn't screaming in pain.

Reopening his eyes, Scrooge received a shot to see Magica standing in front of him, her hands out and supporting a shield she must have summoned up with magic.

"Well blow me down" thought Scrooge with surprise " she's actually protecting me from this fiend."

However, in the end, Magica's magic proved to be no match for Zaher's. Within seconds, her shield spell broke, and she and Scrooge were propelled backward across the ground, nearly flung out of their floating prison.

Bruises and cuts covered both of the duck's bodies as they struggled desperately on their arms, hoping to stand. Zaher's evil smirk only grew as he stepped closer, magic dripping from his claws.

His cold eyes glared at Magica as he bent down, and grabbed the female duck up by the throat.

"Ah Magica" said Zaher, only slightly choking the sorceress " it's been a long time my dear. Still looking as beautiful and sinister as always. Your powers have grown weak fawning over this spoiled, rich duck."

"What do you mean by that?" asked Scrooge peeved.

Zaher laughed out loud at the irony.

"You mean after so many years, she never told you?" said Zaher "Tell me, my dear Scrooge, why do you think Magica tried so many times to steal your Number One Dime?"

"To take over the world of course," said Scrooge without delay.

"Wrong!" said Zaher "It was for love. Your love, and yours alone. It's a tradition in her family line, a tradition she chose to tweak just so she couldn't marry me. Well, with her now in my hands, the power of both bloodlines will now be mine, and the world will fall to my hands. And you Scrooge, may enjoy your eternal rest."

With that said, Zaher and Magica suddenly disappeared in a puff of wicked laughter and fiery smoke, leaving Scrooge McDuck stunned on the floating platform alone.

Suddenly, the whole thing shook, losing height as Zaher was no longer there to control it levitating in the air.

Rapidly the platform shook and fell, racing towards the ground at break-neck speeds. Scrooge gripped his fingers tight around a bar, holding on for dear life, as visions of his death played throughout his mind.