DuckTales © Disney
"NOOO!" screamed Dewey, horrified.
Time seemed to slow for Danny as he fell. in his heart, he felt he was abut to die.
..and, all he could think about was Webby. he was NOT going to take her with him into death.
Using all his strength, Danny tossed Webby high into the air,
and then push out his palms, repelling Webby even further back onto the boat.
"OOF!" groaned Webby, as she collided into Dewey. "(*gasp!*) DANNY!"
((*SPLASH!*)) Webby had a look of sheer horror upon hearing that awful sound.
She ran frantically to the edge of the boat, trying desperately to find Danny.
But, to the duck's horror, Danny was nowhere in sight. The ocean appeared to had swallowed him up.
"DANNY!" screamed Webby against the raging storm. (("DAAAAANNEEEEE!"))
Dewey and Louie teared up, frozen in horror at the prospect
that they may've just witnessed their adoptive brother's death.
It wasn't fair!, they had only just met him three days ago.
They couldn't lose him NOW.
Webby attempted to jump ship (no doubt to try and rescue Danny)
But, Donald quickly scooped the duckling up before she could.
"NO, WEBBY!"
"BUT, DANNY'S OUT THERE!" exclaimed Webby, hysterical "I HAVE TO SAVE HIM!"
"IT'STOODANGEROUS!, YOU'LLBEKILLED!"
Webby struggled against Donald's grip over her.
Thrashing, and jerked around violently..but, to no avail. "LET ME GO!..DANNY!"
Deep underwater, Danny tensed up in agony.
His body impacting the water was like hitting a brick wall at high speed.
He wanted to scream, but resisted the urge to prevent himself from drowning.
Danny opened his eyes, and saw he was getting further, and further away from the boat.
He tried to swim up, but the current was strong..and, it hurt to even move as well.
It was clear he was getting nowhere like this.
Danny then shot a glance at the anchor chain..and, got an idea.
Using all his strength, he repelled himself to the stiff metal line.
Danny then tried to climb up the chain like a ladder.
It was easier this way, but the harsh current still fought against him.
His bones ached, he was in so much pain..But, he tried to endure. He HAD to survive.
His mom wasn't here to save him this time.
Danny was nearing the surface..when the unthinkable happened.
Lena's Friendship Bracelet came loose.
Danny gasped (taking in water unfortunately), and tried to reach out to it.
BUT, doing so caused him to lose his grip, and the current pulled him down once again.
But, Danny was now more concerned at retrieving his bracelet, than surviving.
Going WITH the current, and dived deeper, and deeper as he chased after his bracelet.
Finally, he managed to snatch it.
BUT, when he looked up..he saw that not one was he further away from the boat,
but his sole salvation, the anchor chain, was too far to swim back to as well.
Danny TRIED to swim back up..but, his body was seizing up now.
He wasn't moving at all. He was "dead in the water."
..or, soon would be.
Danny groaned, feeling like his lungs were on fire.
Water was seeping into his nose, and he was feeling lightheaded.
This was it..this was how he would die.
Danny felt terrified. he was only TWELVE!, he wasn't ready to die yet.
but, he could feel the cold grasp of death growing ever closer.
The only comfort he had..was the prospect of seeing his mother again.
As Danny began to lose consciousness..he felt a shadow loom over him.
For a moment..he thought he saw his mother swimming to him.
but, he ultimately blacked out..
..and, Darkness overtook him.
(("Danny!"))
(("DANNY!"))
Danny heard muffled voices calling him..but, he could see nothing but darkness.
He felt weightless, like he was floating into oblivion.
Did he die?, was he in the Afterlife?!
Danny tried to will himself to awaken, and see..but, could not.
Then..there was a sudden flash of light.
((*KOFF!, HACK!, COUGH!*))
Danny coughed violently, expelling seawater from his stomach.
He groaned, then felt a tight grip over his body..which made him wince in pain.
he slowly opened his eyes..and, saw Webby, and the triplets all looking right at him.
Webby's eyes were red, and full of tears.
"wa-web-by?" muttered Danny.
"oh, Danny..I was so scared. I thought you were-" Webby couldn't bring herself to finish.
"GUYS, This storm isn't over yet!" said Huey. "We should get Danny inside the cabin."
"wa-wait..I can-"
"NO, you can't!" exclaimed Dewey. "You would've DROWNED if Webby hadn't given you CPR."
Danny blushed as he imagined Webby giving him "beak-to-mouth."
"the only thing your going to do is REST." finished Dewey. "Webby, take him inside, and make SURE he stays there."
"Okay." said Webby, lacking her usual pep.
Webby picked Danny up, and carried him back inside the cabin.
(Danny had to smile upon realizing how ironic this all was.)
Webby carried Danny over to the couch, and laid him down on it.
She then sat on a table, and began to stroke his wet hair.
"Are you breathing okay, Danny?" asked Webby. "No wheezing, or anything?"
Danny took a breath. "so..far."
Webby shook, still in shock over what happened. "I was so scared..I thought for sure that I'd lost you."
"Thank you for saving me, Webby." said Danny.
"You saved me first." said Webby. "but..all I did was resuscitate."
Danny looked at Webby. "then..who pulled me out of the water?"
"Donald." said Webby.
"What?!" exclaimed Danny, shocked.
"I tried to go in after you..but, Donald wouldn't let me." explained Webby.
"he said it was too dangerous. he jumped in after you instead."
Danny laid back, stunned at hearing this. "Donald..saved ME?"
"yeah.." said Webby. "I guess he really does care about you afterall."
Danny was just frozen. It all seemed unreal to him.
Why would Donald save HIM?, it went against everything he knew about him.
Part of him wanted to think that Webby was just making it all up.
But, he quickly banished such thoughts. Webby would NEVER lie to him.
Danny eventually came to the conclusion..that maybe he was wrong.
Maybe Donald really HAD changed after all these years.
As Danny moved his arm..he noticed something that made him go pale.
"My bracelet!" exclaimed Danny.
"What?"
"Lena's Friendship Bracelet. the one you gave me..I lost it."
Danny grasped his brows, devastated. "I had it in my hand..oh, i'm so sorry, Webby."
"It was JUST a bracelet, you dummy!" snapped Webby, tears in her eyes.
Danny looked at Webby, stunned that she dismissed her treasure in such a way.
"I can always make another one." said Webby, softer this time.
"Friendship Bracelets can be replaced..FRIENDS CAN'T!, and I won't lose you like I lost Lena."
It was at this moment that Webby couldn't hold it in anymore.
She broke down in tears, letting all her pent-up anguish out.
Danny sunk in the couch, feeling just horrible at what his actions had done to his friend.
He then reached out, and gently caressed Webby's feathery face and lower beak.
"i'm so sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you like this." said Danny, softly.
Webby embraced Danny. "don't you EVER scare me like that again."
"I won't. I promise." said Danny.
After an hour had passed, the storm finally let up.
Donald concluded it was too dangerous to continue fishing today,
and had immediately set sail back to Duckburg Harbor.
It was nightfall by the time they returned. As they disembarked, Webby helped Danny onto the dock.
"danny.." Everyone looked to see Donald approach. "you, uhh..droppedthis."
Donald opened his palm, and showed Danny..Lena's Friendship Bracelet.
"My bracelet!" said Danny, taking it from Donald's hand.
"Keepittiedmoretightlynexttime." said Donald.
Danny looked at the bracelet..then, back at Donald. "you..DID save me, didn't you?"
Before Donald could answer..Danny ran up, and hugged him tight.
The four duck kids all gasped as Danny began to cry.
"I'm SO SORRY, Uncle Donald!" cried Danny. "I'm sorry..for doubting you."
Donald teared up, happy that Danny called him "Uncle" again.
He then knelt down, and looked right at him in the face.
"youhavenothingtobesorryfor." said Donald, softly. "I'vebeenabaduncletoyou."
Danny choked, and sobbed. "but..you've changed. You tried to tell me, but I wouldn't listen."
"Youneverhadareasontotrustmeuntilnow." said Donald.
"I'msorrythatInevergaveyouachance..And, forleavingyoubehindalifetimeago."
Danny managed to smile, finally able to believe that what his adoptive uncle said was true.
"Ishould'verealizedthen..youareasmuchmysister'ssonasanyoftheboys." continued Donald.
"Iloveyou, danny. and..I'msorryifIevermadeyoufeelthatwassomething- (pauses) ..thatyouhadtoearn."
The triplets and Webby all teared up at this speech (even if they didn't understand most of it.)
"what happened back then..it still hurts." said Danny, tears still in his eyes.
"but..I think I'm ready to forgive you, now..I'm sorry, Uncle Donald."
Donald put his arms around the boy, and hugged him tightly.
a tear was in his eye..as he now felt at peace.
He looked at his other nephews, and Webby..they too cried happy tears.
Perhaps NOW they could be a family again.
"DONOVAN FAUNTLEROY HORTENSE DUCK!" began a loud, angry voice.
Everyone looked to see Scrooge McDuck (and, Mrs. Beakley) approach. "WHERE have you BEEN?!"
"uhh.."
"You had better NOT have been out in the open water, Mr. Duck." warned Mrs. Beakley.
"There has been a major tropical storm warning..and, WHY are the children with you?"
Donald tugged at the neck of his shirt, feeling he was in major trouble.
The ONE day he decides to take more risks like his sister would..and now he was going to catch heck for it!
This was just is luck. 'DONALD Luck.'
"Uh, well..See, thethingisthat-"
"Uncle Donald was just taking us on a tour around Duckburg harbor on his new boat." said Danny, quickly.
Both Scrooge and Mrs. Beakley raised their brows at this.
Did Danny REALLY just address Donald as 'Uncle Donald?!'
"Really?, is that what happened?"
"YES!" chirped Louie.
"Definitely!" added Dewey.
"Absolutely!" said Huey.
Webby sweated a little. "uhh..ye-yeah!, that IS what happened." stuttered Webby, nervously.
"We went on a tour around Duckburg. and, we DIDN'T go fishing, and nearly got killed in a storm."
Danny smacked his face at this response.
"Which, absolutely DIDN'T happen!" stammered Webby.
"Eh, WHAT storm?!, I don't know anything about fishing..(exclaiming) YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH!"
There was a long silence. "okaaay.."
Scrooge looked at his nephew, Donald. And, at his adoptive great-nephew, Danny.
He noted how different Danny was now. He no longer looked at Donald with coldness.
In fact..he stood very close to him.
The old duck smiled. "well..whatever ye' did out there, Donald. You should check in with us, first."
"yes, UncleScrooge." said Donald.
"Let's get these wee ones in th' house, then. It's nearly their bedtime."
As the Triplets, Webby, and Danny walked off with Scrooge.
Mrs. Beakley gave Donald a disapproving glare. SHE wasn't fooled one bit.
"Listen to your uncle, Mr. Duck." said Mrs. Beakley, sturnly.
"Don't EVER go on an outing with the children without informing us..EVER."
With that, Mrs. Beakley left. leaving Donald alone.
"(*whew!*) Thatwasacloseone. Maybemyluckisfinallyturningaround!"
((*BOOM!*))
As if on cue..the boiler of Donald's houseboat exploded in a fiery blaze.
"WAAAAAHHHHK!" exclaimed Donald, as he rushed to put out the fire.
[MEANWHILE..]
In a dark, almost pitch black room..Magica De Spell sat at a table.
The only light source were dimly lit candled, and she was gazing at a snowglobe
that she enchanted to act as a makeshift "Crystal Ball"
Magica pounded her fist on the wooden table in anger over what she just witnessed.
"CURSES!, Of all the sentimental RUBBISH!"
At that moment, the candles suddenly snuffed out. leaving Magica in total darkness.
the duck witch breathed heavily as she felt a chilling coldness sweep over her.
The candles then suddenly burst to life with bright blue flames.
her "crystal ball" began to glow unnaturally, projecting a beam of light into the ceiling.
a ghostly figure then materialized before Magica..
a hooded, shadowly figure.
"mi-Milord!" exclaimed Magica, startled.
(("I sensed great frustration from you, Magica..")) began the dark figure. (("Has something gone WRONG?"))
"I am afraid so, my lord.." began Magica. "The boy has overcome his hatred for his adoptive uncle.
I fear whatever use he may've have been to us is now LOST."
(("FOOL.")) said the dark figure, annoyed and aggravated.
(("How can one who has dabbled so much in the dark arts know so little of the true nature of Darkness?"))
Magica felt insulted, but knew better than to snark at him. "I am afraid I don't understand, milord."
(("EXACTLY.")) replied the dark figure, further mocking Magica.
(("Do not forget what pulled the boy into Darkness in the first place.."))
"Yes..losing his adoptive mother. DELLA DUCK." said Magica, who spoke Della's name with disdain.
(("Pain of LOSS is a special kind of pain, my disciple.")) continued the dark figure.
(("One that can transform even the purest form of Love into raw, savage HATRED."))
"Yes..I see." began Magica. "The boy has forgotten his pain..so, I must remind him."
(("YES.")) said the dark figure, pleased with Magica.
"I will DESTROY all he holds dear." said Magica. "And, Remind him that comfort is tempor-"
(("NO, YOU FOOL!")) shouted the dark figure, flaring up the candles with his rage.
(("We must SWAY him to our side as an ALLY!, not turn him against us as an Enemy!
..or, WORSE. a RIVAL!"))
"Then, how can we-"
(("FEAR of loss can be just as effective as loss itself.")) explained the dark figure.
(("Turn his loved ones against him. Make him FEAR losing them just as he lost his mother.
and, when that fear becomes all consuming..Convince him that only WE have the power to protect them."))
"I think I understand now." said Magica. "I must use them, not destroy them.
Turn what he believes is his strength into his greatest weakness."
(("And, once you do that..Controlling him will be simple.")) said the dark figure.
(("I can feel the boy's power growing. If we are to accomplish our goal, we CAN'T have him fighting against us."))
"Do not worry, my lord." said Magica. "I have not forgotten my mission..You WILL have what you desire."
(("Have you found it?"))
"I believe I have, milord.." began Magica. "Thanks to your tutelage on my crystal,
I have narrowed down my search to TWO locations. I shall make plans to assault one tomorrow."
(("Then, it is time for your final lesson regarding your crystal..")) began the dark figure.
(("Great Power still remains within that meager fragment. I shall show how to unleash it."))
Magica bowed her head. "teach me, dark one..and, I will learn."
[End of Part 10]
[GUEST REVIEW REPLIES]
"Are there any other treasures that Scrooge failed to get besides the Eye of Odin...?"
So far, JUST the Eye of Odin. I do not yet know where this series is going.
There could be more, OR perhaps that was the only one Scrooge failed to obtain
Only Time will tell.
"Could Amelia used a locating spell to find Della on the moon
OR would Danny have to somehow sense Della's presence on the moon via his powers...?"
As Gargoyles has taught us, there is little difference between Magic and Science.
And, Locator Spells theoretically work the same as a GPS..which CANNOT locate something Off-World.
As for Danny's powers, it works in a similar way as a cellphone: Limited Range affects effectiveness.
He is also a child that is still growing. There is still very much for him to learn from his mentor.
"I wager that Danny's people came from a parallel Earth, but he and the crew were probably genetically altered people.
If the ship had any video logs; I'd wager it would explain that the crew were being hunted down out of prejudice
and persecution and came to the Ducktales reality via a tear in the barriers between universes."
Interesting theory. But, if I do go the route of Parallel Universes with this series,
It will be to do a Mighty Ducks crossover (I am SURE fans of DuckTales, and Darkwing Duck remembers THAT gem.)
You are in for a surprise.
[Author Notes]
Got kinda dark with this one.
The story is nearly wrapped up, but we have quite alot of chapters to go
before the grand finale of this "episode" of DuckTales.
We've made it THIS far, and I hope readers still haven't caught on what is coming.