I gasped and opened my eyes. I was on the couch. Dewey had his head in his hands, muttering, as if silently pray. I rolled my eyes and, ignoring the pain.
Dewey must have sensed my body shift because his head snapped up and he stared at me with red, puffy eyes. I should have felt a bit guilty.
But I didn't.
I got up, and winced when the building shooked. Nico and Louie shouting at each other along with Lena trying to break it up. I stumbled, but Dewey caught my arm, and I jerked it back, glaring at him. He opened his mouth to say something but I held up my hand.
"Don't -. Just... Don't -." I snapped.
I strolled over to where I last seen Nico, Lena, and Louie. They had moved the fight out doors and both Lena and Louie had ganged up on Nico. Seeing Nico in this fit of self pity as bricks fell on top of him made my stomach twist into a guilty knot.
It wouldn't be long before he, and his sister were gone from this Earth. If what Marie had told me was true. I was at least going to help her brother. He needed to know. He had the right to know.
I owned at least that much to them.
I quickly stepped in between them. Lena glared at me while Louie just stared.
"W,Webby." Huey said.
He was standing, in the archway of the garage, just watching the whole thing. He had been leaning up against the door, but pushed of and started for me.
I glared at him and he froze as I slowly walked over to Nico. I bent down, and held out a hand. Nico knocked off a couple more bricks off his shoulders before he glared at me.
"You gonna leave me hanging?" I asked, in a tired voice.
"I don't need -." Nico grumbled as he struggled to get up.
"Marie is scared." I whispered to him.
He froze at his sisters name.
"I, I can't protect her anymore, deep down, I guess, I've been all this time. Trying to make up for how I killed her, by her residing in me, and taking all her verbal abuse..." I swallowed hard, my hand still out stretched.
I could feel everyone watching me. Wondering what was going on in my head right now. I wondered the same thing. But I wasn't imagining the feelings coming from Marie when she disappeared. I knew it was coming from her, being connected with her for so long. I just never thought I'd feel it, coming from her.
I needed Nico to feel it from me this time.
Even though I only felt that feeling a couple of times, none of it my own, and didn't even know I could pull it off, but with Marie's help, maybe...
"S,She asked me to do something, Nico, and, and I'm not strong enough to even think about doing it. But..." My voice wavered as I closed my eyes and took a deep breath before continuing.
"I'm going to try everything in my power to make sure everyone is happy. Even if I can't be, even if the universe is against me in being happy. I still want that for everyone else. Including you. Please. Let me." I begged.
Nico looked into my face and I felt Marie's soul flash through my eyes, he saw, I knew he saw it because his eyes went wide when Marie pushed out her feelings towards me and Nico.
Nico groaned out in frustration.
"Fine." He said, finally, and took my hand. "Just so you know," He added, as he got up, "this won't change anything between us," He craned his neck towards Louie and narrowed his eyes, "or him."
"Fine." I said. "Truce?" I asked.
"Truce." Nico muttered. "For now." He added, gripping my hand tightly, making me wince just to show that he meant it. I brushed it off, no longer scared of him.
Not scared of anyone, now that I have something to protect, someone else who needs me...
He stood up beside me and I locked eyes with Dewey.
"You. Me. Talk, now." I snarled, marching over to him and grabbing his arm.
"Um. Okay -. But -." He looked over at the rest of them.
I did craned my neck and glared at them.
"Knock it off with the fighting. Or so help me -." I let my eyes fall on Louie who's hand twitched as if wanting to flick his wrist again. Lena tore her eyes away from Nico long enough to see the tension between me and Louie. "I'll leave, for good this time."
Louie stared at me, and I heard a small sound come from the back of his throat almost like a whine as he slowly sank to his knees. Lena looked from him to me then back to Louie in alarm.
I turned and started dragging Dewey towards his bedroom.
Kind of ironic now, that Louie was the one who had threatened to leave after the first time I had left. I knew now he only said that to keep me from leaving again, fearing that this might happen. That I would want to leave on my own, and never come back.
I hated to have to use that fear with him, but it was the only thing I can think of to stop the fighting.
Once at his door, I opened it, pushed him roughly inside, and slammed the door shut. I sighed, deeply, and closed my eyes before opening them again. I slowly turned to face Dewey.
Dewey stood, watching me nervously.
"Had an interesting conversation with Nico before all this happened." I began. "He said it was Louie who ordered you to save me that day. That if it weren't for him, none of this with his sister or his family would ever had happened."
Dewey opened his mouth to speak, but I gave him a death stare and he clamped his mouth shut.
"Then, Marie said some interesting things too." I continued. Dewey winced when I said her name and I raised an eyebrow. "What? Surprised that I can say her name now, without blubbering and feeling sorry for myself?"
"N,No." Dewey stammered. "I, I just don't know what to make of you right now." He admitted.
He stared at the cut across my neck, and I knew that he was thinking that he hoped it wouldn't turn into a scar. I secretly hoped too, but I didn't really care at the moment.
"She said that she was pregnant with your baby." I said, forcing the words out.
Dewey hung his head.
"You were. Weren't you." I said. I had hoped that Marie had lied. That all what she had told me about Dewey, Louie, and my baby was all a lie. But now, seeing Dewey, hang his head in shame, told me other wise.
"Why didn't you tell me?" I asked. "Why keep something like that from me? All of you are still lying to me!" I shouted at him.
I was vaguely aware that Louie, Lena, Huey, and possibly Nico was standing outside the door listening intensively. I can sense Nico's tension, through our wave link.
"No! Just, just me. I've, I've been lying to you." Dewey grumbled, not lifting his head. "T,The other's had no idea about Marie, we, we were planning on telling them after, after that night... But..." His voice broke .
I stared at him.
"I, I hated you, after that. But, then, I, I fell in love with you, Webby. I never lied to you about that. I swear. If anything, I wanted to protect you from ever finding out. To avoid this very thing that's happening now. That's why I never told you about what really happened that night -." Dewey said.
I blinked. Remembering the fire. Louie had been there. How could I have forgotten? His fire wasn't green then, just regular orange fire. Had it not yet turned green? Or had it just happened over time?
"Tell me, what really happened. Now." I ordered.
Dewey did.
He told me how he, and the rest of them, had found Scrooge's nesting ground. How Louie had scoped it out first with Nico, then, seeing me, Louie ordered Dewey to save me. Once we got to the hide out, things took a turn for the worst.
Marie, and Huey had stayed behind to fight what they could of the vampire cult, then met back up at the hide out just as I bit down onto Marie's neck, killing her.
Loosing my memory, Nico had a huge fight, and stormed out of the garage. Dewey, Huey, and Louie argued about what to do with me then, how I was Scrooge's mate. Huey suggested on the killing. That part made my stomach twist in anger.
Huey?
Nico and Marie I'd understand.
But Huey?
I didn't even think he had the guts to kill anyone.
How much did I actually know about these Great-Nephews of the Head Vampire?
"I'm so sorry, Webby." Dewey whispered, he took a chance and took a step towards me. I narrowed my eyes at him but didn't stop him as he wrapped his arms around me and held me tightly. "I just wanted to protect you. I, I never -."
I stood, glaring at him, my arms crossed.
"Please, Webby." He whispered, he took another step forward, eyes never leaving mine. "Let me protect you, both of you." He added, eyeing my stomach.
He seemed to tell me the thing I already knew as I slowly slid my arms down and cradled my stomach Dewey
In order to have feelings, you had to have a soul.
I had no soul of my own.
Except...
I slid my arms down to my side , already feeling my anger fading.
"Please, Webby." Dewey pleaded. He stopped in front of me and as I cradled my stomach he laid his warm hands over mine. "Let me protect you, both of you." He added.
I blushed slightly.
Against my better judgement I nodded silently. Dewey have me a watery smile and hugged me gently I was surprised how easily Dewey can make me forgive him so easily .
I knew he wanted to redeem himself from not being able to protect Marie, but I didn't say anything, and deep down I didn't care. All I wanted was this, us, and...
A soul of my own.
I blinked back the tears that threatened to fall.
"I promise, Webby. No more lies, from here on out." Dewey swore to me. "Just, please don't leave me, us, Webby." He begged. " You are the light to my darkness. " He muttered.
I have him a watery chuckle.
"Lame. Even for you Dewey. " I muttered back. "I'm nothing but darkness."
" We all have darkness inside us, Webby. " Dewey said. He was still holding me close. "I was just lucky enough to find my light again."
I but my bottom bill.
When was I going to find mine, and why wasn't Dewey good enough?
"Let's make the future even brighter for our child. " I said. Dewey pulled away and gazed into my eyes. "Let's did this world of vampires once and for all. Before he comes into the world." I told him finally.
Dewey's eyes widen and I actually laughed at the look of surprise on his face.
' Y,You mean -. " He stammered.
I beamed at him.
"Yeap, we are having a boy."
I heard our audience from behind the door groans at the fact of her another boy in the family while hearing not a sound from Lena or Nick I rolled my eyes turned on my heels and threw open the door.
"So, who's hungry for some food?" I asked ignoring the guilty looks on Huey and Louie's, and slight frowns from Nico and Lena.
Only I can end all this, but not until our baby is born not until I was sure that I didn't have to kill myself in order to kill Scrooge like I feel I might because even if Scrooge is evil, the reason for my suffering how can I bring myself to kill one of Dewey's relatives?
I knew we'd have to kill Scrooge at some point. His followers are going to be easy. Scrooge was on the other hand...
I couldn't and didn't even want to kill Huey even with Nico controlling me back then.
How was I suppose to kill another one of Dewey's family?
I didn't mention the fact that I'd have to be the one to kill Scrooge being his mate only I can do that now. From what I had read in the archives.
Two ways to kill the Head of the Vampire. Through the stake in the heart, and it's mate...
"Don't take this the wrong way, but you'll want that soon enough." Quackmaster had said.
I shuddered.
"Okay, Louie and I will cook." Lena said, she grabbed Louie's hand, who was still staring at me with hurt in his eyes as he was dragged away by Lena into the kitchen.
I glanced over at Dewey who shrugged and gave me a small smile.
"Okay, so, now that everything is sorta back to normal." Huey said, side stepping Nico who watched him as he came over to Dewey and whispered, "Do we really trust Nico not to stab -. I mean, uh." He glanced my way, I rolled my eyes, "betray the truce?" He recovered quickly.
"Come off it, nerd." Nico snickered, he went over to me and put an arm around me making both Dewey and Huey glare at him, I heard a small growl escape Dewey's throat.
"Like I'm gonna kill her while she's pregnant, even after our truce is over? Yeah, I'm not that shallow." Nico snickered, rolling his eyes.
"Could have fooled me." Huey grumbled.
Nico ignored him and looked down at me, I was surprised he was struggling to ask me something, which wasn't like him. "You. Um. Think it's gonna be, ya know..." He hesitated aware that Dewey was staring daggers into him.
I stared at him confused for a bit before I finally realized was he was implying.
"Oh! I, I don't know." I admitted, as I racked my brain. "He, He did have sharp teeth like mine when ever -. But -."
"Even if he was," Dewey said, stepping between him and me, making Nico's arm fall off my shoulder roughly, "I'm protecting him, them, from you. Even, even if I have to -." He stopped.
Nico's face softened.
"I have no intention of battling it out with you Dewey." Nico told him. "You loved my sister after all, and she loved you. She made me promise before she, died, not to fight with you for whatever reason. I'm one to keep my promises Dewford."
Dewey stared at him.
"So, you mean, if it came down to be protecting Webby and my child from you, you won't -." Dewey said.
"If it came to that," Nico said, "Yeah." He said.
"Nico..." I said softly, my chest tightened with regret and sympathy of him and when I reached out to touch him but he slowly took a step back.
"I, uh. Gotta go meet someone for, something," He said, his face red with embarrassment.
"Scrooge?" Huey asked, eyeing him with dislike.
"Don't have to see him until she has too." He said, jerking his thumb at me. "If you must know I'm going to go see Gyro. To see if anything's changed in the -." He stopped and looked over at me.
"Can I come?" I asked, suddenly.
"Don't you need rest?" He asked back, eyeing my stomach.
"Since when are you concerned for my well being?" I pointed out.
He blinked.
"Point taken. Do whatever you want. I don't care. Just can't wait until this stupid truce is over." Nico said, rolling his eyes. Dewey grabbed my hand, "But just you." He said, glaring at Dewey. "I don't want your boyfriend ruining anything."
"Like Hell I'm -." Dewey said.
I gave him a sharp look and he stopped.
"Why don't you see what you all can do about Scrooge's followers? Gather up some reinforcements? The more followers you guys kill, the less Scrooge has to hide behind..."
Dewey frowned but nodded as I headed out for the door.
"Got him wrapped around your finger, huh?" Nico said, once we grabbed some food from the kitchen that Lena and Louie had been cooking as we talked.
Louie opened his mouth to say something but stopped when Nico glared at him. I told them I'd be back by night fall and headed out the door with him.
The sun shown brightly on my face, I hadn't even realized it was morning. I closed my eyes and breathed in deeply before opening them. Nico started to walk on ahead of me.
"I meant what I said," I told him, as I caught up with him. He craned his neck to look at me but kept walking. "I'm going to do everything in my power to make everyone happy. Including you."
Nico stopped and his lips slowly formed into a sly smile.
"Even if what make me happy is killing you?" He asked, taking a step closer to me. His face so close to mine that I was lost in a hypnotic trance due to the fact that his eyes burned into mine.
"If that's what will make you happy." I began,"Yes." I said without hesitation. "But that won't mean I won't put up a fight. I'm not scared of you anymore, Nico. I'm not going to feel guilty about what was unavoidable at the time. Not when I have something," I said, and looked down at my stomach. "Something to protect." I finished.
Nico scoffed.
"He's not going to be very happy if he finds out." Nico said, as he finally pulled away from me and started walking again. "But, I suppose, considering our truce, if he tries to harm the baby. I'll protect you." He said, making a sour face.
"You think he will?" I asked, my voice cracking.
"No doubt, or use it someway for his own needs, like he is with you." Nico replied. "He's not going to stop with his plans just because you are pregnant, Webbigail."
I bit my bottom bill.
Of course it wouldn't be that easy.
We walked down the deserted streets. Most of the residents have confined to stay indoors now, except to go out if they have too, considering there is a 'raged vampire,' on the prowl even in the daylight.
We'd get the occasional peek from some weary on lookers from pushed aside curtains, they'd eyed us suspiciously and I didn't' even bother to wave and smile like I would have once upon a time. That part of me, the innocent, happy go lucky part, was drained out of me that day Scrooge took my humanity away.
"Can I ask you something?" I asked, as Nico paused at a rough looking building, half smashed to pieces and only one side of it exposed to the outside with giant teeth marks on the building part of it.
I shuddered, wondering what kind of animal made that.
Nico shrugged as he crawled over the crumbled part of the building and I followed. Not bothering to help me as I stumbled a bit on a jagged piece of rubble and scraped my knee.
I didn't even feel the burn as I caught up with him.
"What made you decide to call a truce with me?" I asked.
Nico raised an eyebrow at me and we stood in the entrance of what looked to be a broken down lab. We had been walking for about a half-hour at the most so I'd say we weren't far into Duckburg, but not quiet in Cape Zuette. I can see the city landscape from here and shuddered.
Such a crowded place for a soul vampire to be. I'd never stop sucking souls.
"I dunno." Nico admitted. "I, guess, it's the way you mentioned my sister. I don't think you've ever mentioned how you and her, um..." He hesitated.
"Communicate with each other?" I suggested.
"Yeah. I mean, I didn't know you actually spoke to her, just thought you'd communicate through feelings or something." He told me.
"I wish." I grumbled. "Most of the time I can't get Marie to shut up."
That made Nico chuckle, which made me smile a bit.
"Glad you find it funny." I told him, punching him playfully in the arm. Oddly he didn't make a big deal about it or looked angry. "Giving up your soul to become a vampire hunter in order or avenge your sister's death, you must still have some humanity left in you to feel something like that for her." I said. "More or less then I can say for myself." I added.
"You feel things too," Nico pointed out.
"Only if I have souls inside me." I reminded him. "When I don't I just feel... Empty." I said more sadly.
"You do have something else inside you though." Nico said. He glanced down at my stomach and I blushed. "Lot different then a soul though, I take it."
"Yeah. I can't feel our baby's emotions or anything, like I can with souls." I told him. "I, I'm not sure how I can even take care of him, when I can't even seem to take care of those already alive..."
I felt tears in the corner of my eyes.
"Stop trying to make me feel sorry for you." Nico said, he turned and started walking off deeper into the building.
I blinked.
"I'm not." I shot at him, as I struggled to keep up with him. "I'm just saying -."
I was stopped by a large, hairy beast coming at me with sharp fangs, and a orange-yellow eyes. It raised up a paw and was about to swipe at me when Nico pushed me roughly out of the way and I landed on my side against a pile of broken wires that hung down from the ceiling.
I groaned in pain as fire erupted from my side, and as I struggled to get up the beast was attacking Nico who had pulled out his knife and was swiping at it.
I had no idea they were still around, and I was starting to feel something, more, angry and territorial then normal, as if all of a sudden Nico meant more to me then anything else and I was angry he was being attacked.
I couldn't believe what I was staring as they struggled. The beast desperately trying to get at me.
I stared at the beast in shock.
Wereducks.
Author's Note: Was there any doubt? Vampires and Wereducks? LOL. Just had to add them in!