Hello again! Here's the new chapter for you! I know the last chapter was a big shock for a lot of you, and honestly, I share how you felt. Poor Huey… he doesn't deserve any of what is happening to him.
Welp, for this chapter, I wrote it from a POV I'm not sure I've used yet, I hope you'll like it
As always, I'd like to thank Empro-8 for helping me editing this story. Honestly, without her help this wouldn't be as good as it is, so thank you very much Empro-8 you're amazing!
Welp, I'll stop talking and let you read the chapter, enjoy it!
20.- The last hope
Scrooge paced back and forth in his office. His mind was abuzz with everything that had happened. After Gyro and his team informed them of what they had discovered, Scrooge immediately requested to see all of the mentioned content. Naturally, as a precaution, they prevented the kids from seeing any of it; they knew more than enough as it was.
The Scottish duck remembered being dumbfounded by what he saw. The videos, the contract, the whole search related to the manipulation... that parrot really had done so much planning in advance and seemed committed to carrying out his plans to the end. It meant that Huey had a limited time before the poor boy succumbed to Beaks' manipulation.
Afterward, Scrooge asked his scientist to give him a copy of the contract. He wanted to study it, study it thoroughly. He wanted to know just what that parrot was planning to do to his captured nephew. Honestly, what the rich duck saw in that contract, made his blood boil.
"Oh, curse me kilts!"
That Beaks... that malignant monster! He intended to make Huey work excessively, excessive extent even for an adult. And the parrot seemed to have no qualms about it. The document that Scrooge'd been studying implied that this parrot planned to turn Huey into a slave. Literally, and if Beaks also managed to brainwash him as they knew he wanted to do, then... then the lad wouldn't question or try to escape. He'd be like a puppet in the hands of that perfidious parrot!
No! They couldn't allow that to happen. He couldn't let Huey end up in that situation. Especially since, in addition to what Scrooge saw as Huey's labor obligations, he also realized that this contract was binding him for life, which means that, if Beaks got his nephew to sign that document, they would lose his nephew forever... well actually... even if Huey signed that, it wouldn't be valid. As Donald had indicated, since Huey was a minor his signature would therefore not be valid. But considering everything Mark Beaks had done so far, the Scottish Duck was sure he was beyond caring about legal limits.
"If I had ye before my eyes I- I..."
Scrooge huffed indignantly. He was sure that after getting his nephew to sign that paper, the Waddle's CEO would put him to work immediately. Most likely in a hidden place as until now, waiting for the moment when Huey was older or old. At that point, then it would be impossible to recover the lad.
Scrooge sighed, not wanting to think about that. But the more time passed, the harder it became for him to believe that they'd get his nephew back in time. Even after finding him, the poor lad would bd undoubtedly traumatized. A long recovery process surely awaited him. A recovery in which everyone should participate in, of course.
But Huey wasn't the only one, Scrooge knew. There was someone else, someone who now needed help to overcome the hard blow he had received. His nephew Donald. Yes, the poor lad was visibly devastated. How could he not be? The box's contents had shook Donald to the core. Scrooge had advised him not to, but Donald insisted on seeing it as well. Claiming he wanted to know exactly what was being done to the older triplet. That turned out… to be a tremendous mistake.
Flashback
Anticipating that Scrooge would most likely want to see the virtual box they had managed to find among all of Beaks' files, Gyro had copied them in a thumb drive and brought them over to show to his boss. Scrooge was very grateful for that.
They had chosen Scrooge's office to view them, as it was the only place where the children wouldn't be able to hear. When they got there, everyone entered except him and Donald. Scrooge had stopped his nephew before he entered saying:
"Donald... I think it would be better if ye didn't see what's in there either."
The sailor-dressed duck frowned and replied:
"What? What are you talking about, Uncle Scrooge? Of course, I'll see it, I want to know what that parrot is doing to my boy."
Scrooge shook his head and said:
"Lad, I don't think it's a good idea."
Donald's glared at Scrooge and angrily replied:
"Don't try to stop me Uncle Scrooge."
Scrooge let out a weary sigh and replied:
"Lad, I just ..." but he stopped suddenly. Knowing how stubborn his nephew was, he knew that he would achieve nothing. Even more, his stubborn and persistent attitude was extremely annoying for the rich duck. So much that frowning Scrooge said annoyedly:
"Okay, do what ye want, ye're old enough."
Donald narrowed his eyes, but Scrooge wasn't intimidated by that look. If Donald didn't want to listen to him, he could manage it on his own.
After everyone entered the office and locked the door, Gryo showed them everything that was in that virtual box. No need to say when they saw the contents of that box, they were... shocked to say it gently. They didn't expect anything like that at all.
It was actually much worse than they expected. Especially the videos part, every modification Beaks had made was clearly meant to lead Huey to believe he was despised and hated by his family.
Donald's eyes widened in horror at what he saw. Especially the video that involved him directly. Scrooge couldn't blame him, because he felt the same when he saw his own scene. The billionaire duck saw his nephew's shoulders tremble as he put a hand to his forehead. He looked shocked, on the verge of an attack. His breathy voice was barely audible when he spluttered:
"Oh, this can't... no... this- this isn't what-"
Despite knowing that he had been right, the felt no desire to rub it in. He knew that Donald needed was comfort.
Scrooge put a hand on his shoulder and said:
"Donald... I... wanted to avoid... this bad experience..."
Donald looked at his uncle with bright eyes. It was clear that the sailor duck was about to cry, despite the enormous efforts he made to avoid shedding tears. When he spoke, his voice sounded urgent and anguished:
"Uncle Scrooge I- Huey- we've to get him out of there. We have to rescue him as soon as possible."
Scrooge felt his heart break at that broken tone. His nephew seemed so... lost, in need of hope. And as little as it was, Scrooge was willing to give him that hope:
"I know lad, I know. And we will."
Donald sniffed, and weakly and unsure asked:
"Are you sure?"
Scrooge nodded and convinced, replied:
"I promise ye, Donald."
End of flashback
Scrooge sighed again. Since they seeing all of that, Donald wandered the mansion as if he had no purpose in life. Like... like... like a living dead. If only he had listened... Scrooge feared that Donald would be seriously affected by the contents of the box. After all, he was the one who raised the lads for ten years. It was logical to expect that he'd be the one to suffer more.
In fact, Scrooge was well aware that, if Della or Donald were the ones in Huey's situation, his own mind state wouldn't be much better than Donald's state. Scrooge'd probably be manic, stirring heaven and earth to find them. Actually, that was what he was doing now. But the Waddle's CEO had planned this carefully. He knew how to cover his tracks well, as they had already been able to verify.
Scrooge's thoughts returned to Donald. His nephew didn't have anywhere near the resources that Scrooge had. Which meant that, if he was in the same situation, but, without his help, Donald would probably be more lost than he was at the moment. In fact, seeing their uncle in his current condition, the children wasted no time in pointing out that the sailor-dressed duck appeared to be Zombie or something, and the truth… they were right.
The boys were also concerned bout their uncle's current state. They were puzzled and scared of what had caused Donald to suddenly act the way he did. It wasn't surprising, because seeing the person who took care of them since they hatched, someone energetic and dedicated, suddenly acting almost like a vegetable, that would scare any child.
And then there was… that other matter, the matter that Dewey and Louie had brought up him the morning after Gyro's visit:
Flashback
Scrooge was still sleeping—to be honest, the rich duck considered a miracle that he had managed to fall asleep—when he heard loud knocking on his bedroom door.
Annoyed and sulky at being so violently awakened, Scrooge got out of bed and dragged himself toward the door. ready to yell at whoever was on the other side for their lack of consideration.
He opened the door and his face softened when he saw Dewey and Louie looking at him with wide eyes, they seemed... shocked. Something had happened to his nephews.
"Lads, what's going on?" he asked with obvious concern in his voice. The two kids looked at each other and then Louie, fiddling with his hands, said:
"We... we had a dream Uncle Scrooge."
The Scottish duck's eyes widened in surprise. In a voice even more concerned than before, he asked again:
"Another dream about Huey? What have yeh seen this time?"
Another brief glance between the two, then Dewey explained:
"It was more than a dream Uncle Scrooge."
Puzzled, Scrooge asked:
"What do you mean by that?"
Louie was still fiddling with his hands. That was strange, since the lad usually hid his hands in his pockets. Although of course, wearing pajama instead of his usual sweatshirt.
After a few moments of tense silence, the younger triplet finally replied:
"We've... we've spoken with Huey."
Opening his eyes to their full capacity, the only thing Scrooge was able to vocalize was:
"W-what?"
Again, it was Louie who spoke. He explained:
"I know it sounds crazy, but that's how it is. We've seen him, we've talked to him. And we know that Beaks has taken him out of that room and shown him the videos."
"What?!" Scrooge shouted alarmed at the last part. The two boys retreated in fear at their sudden great-uncle reaction. Scrooge understood that they had reacted like this, but what the children didn't know was what implied that their older brother had already viewed the videos. That gave them less time than Scrooge thought they had.
Scrooge heard Dewey inhale deeply before the blue-clad triplet said:
"What we say Uncle Scrooge, it's true. We've spoken with Huey. We've both done it."
Trying to remain calm, the Scottish duck tried to see the positive side of that situation by asking the kids:
"And did he say something to ye? How did he seem?"
The two boys looked away. Dewey sighed and anguished, said:
"He seemed confused, upset, and didn't seem to trust us at all."
And then Louie added:
"Uncle Scrooge... do you think Huey'll end hating us?"
Scrooge looked at his nephews sadly. He wanted to believe that this would never happen. But seeing what was being done, and knowing all the procedures that Beaks was using to achieve success, Scrooge doubted more aHuey's relationship with his family would emerge I damaged. However, he tried to sound as sincere as possible when he replied to the boy:
"No, I hope not."
And then he asked:
"Is there anything else your brother has told ye or ye've seen?"
The kids looked at each other, and then again at Scrooge. Dewey began to respond:
"No, except..."
Intrigued, Scrooge asked:
"Except what?"
Louie sighed and replied:
"Huey was dressed like Beaks, except for the cap."
Scrooge's eyes widened once more with fear. Fear that was reflected when he spoke again:
"Really?"
"Yes, why?" Louie replied, and Dewey added:
"Is there something wrong with that?"
Scrooge inhaled sharply. He couldn't tell the children that, so, trying to invite them to leave, the rich duck replied:
"No, no lads. That's not wrong. Thank you for... tell me about this. Now... go back to your room. Wake my up if yeh have another dream."
Both children looked reluctant, but obeyed by answering:
"Yes, Uncle Scrooge."
Scrooge watched them disappear from view. He closed his room door and sighed, closing his eyes.
The fact that Beaks had dressed Huey in clothes like his, indicated that the parrot was trying to break any ties that Huey had with his past. Even the smallest and most trivial.
Fortunately, consciously or not, his eldest nephew had kept his cap, a characteristic and very personal element of his. That gave the old duck hope for Huey's resistance to the brainwashing process. Scrooge just hoped they didn't come too late.
End of flashback
What Dewey and Louie told Scrooge regarding the dream only left Scrooge more troubled. They really… really needed to find Huey as soon as possible. If they didn't... he feared his nephew's mental state and the permanent damage that could cause him-
The sudden noise of his phone snapped him from his thoughts. Who was calling him now? Looking at the device, he recognized the number immediately and without wasting time picked up:
"Yes? Gyro? What's going on? Do ye already know where my nephew is? How do we find him?"
Scrooge knew he had asked too many questions in a very short time. But concern for the boy made him want to know as much as he could. On the other line side, his scientist responded:
"Mr. McDuck, we have bad and good news."
The Scottish duck narrowed his eyes. He asked:
"What do you mean bad news and good news? Explain yourself, lad."
He heard Gyro sigh before he replied:
"We managed to access to Mark Beaks' GPS record. But unfortunately, he had turned off the GPS signal in the periods of time when we assumed, he was with your nephew."
Frustration seized Scrooge when he heard those words. No! It was like Della's again! So many efforts invested… and couldn't he get his family back?
"What? Does that mean we can't know where Huey is?" he asked with a hint of despair in his voice.
After a brief silence, his scientist spoke again:
"That was the bad news, Mr. McDuck. The good news is that we've also managed to control that parrot's GPS. Which means that the next time it is turned off we'll be able to turn it back on remotely and thus be able to determine where he is."
Fear quickly turned to joy upon hearing that. There was a new reason for hope. Speaking much calmer than before, Scrooge ordered:
"Great, then do it immediately."
Gyro made some inexplicable noise and then simply said:
"… We can't."
That infuriated Scrooge. How couldn't they? If he just said they could do it! Why was he saying no now?
"What?! Why not?" the Scottish Duck demanded with evident rage in his voice.
Gyro's response was immediate.
"Because Beaks has his GPS activated, which means we know where he is."
Scrooge's eyes snapped open. He had… forgotten that little detail. Arg, nerves and stress were surely bringing out the worst in him. Scrooge took several deep breaths and when he managed to calm down enough, replied:
"True... true, ye're absolutely right Gyro. Well when the time comes, let me know immediately, understand?"
The chicken responded almost instantly:
"Yes Mr. McDuck, we will do so."
Scrooge nodded and asked:
"Is there anything else ye wanted to tell me?"
There was a moment of silence, almost so long that Scrooge opened his beak to speak again, but before he could get to it, Gyro spoke earlier admitting:
"... Actually... yes, there is something else, listen..."
Scrooge began to listen carefully, and as he listened; his eyes widened in horror when he heard what Beaks had written about his nephew. The attitude he displayed, what he planned to do... that... that was horrible!
Huey was perhaps the most obedient of the boys, but he would never act in such a submissive and scary way. Also… the statement that Beaks had shown him the videos was a very bad sign. Especially knowing that the entire time before that, the boy had been isolated and in a state of constant weakness. If Beaks had put those clips on right after he got him out of that room, then that was sure it has had a devastating effect on the boy.
But by far, what continued to scare him the most was hearing that parrot was trying to destroy Huey's confidence in his family. How did he intend to do it? How long did they have before the boy really lost his faith in his family?
Now more than ever, it was imperative that they manage to find the oldest triplet. Every minute that passed, was a minute that crazy parrot was getting closer to his goal.
This, this had turned into a race against time to save Huey's life.
As you can see, team science managed to get control of Beaks' GPS, but they're late, and Beaks is now on Duckburg again, which means until Beaks doesn't go to see Huey again, they won't be able to find where this parrot is hiding him prisoner. Also, as you probably have noticed, Scrooge is a business duck, so if there's someone who can understand better all what Beaks plans to do with Huey if he signs the contract, it's him. Welp, as always, I hope you liked this chapter, I've to admit, I had fun writing from Scrooge's POV.
Okay, after say that, I really hope you all enjoyed this chapter, I also would like to thank you all those who've read this story, those who follow it or have it among their favorites and I'd like to especially thank: GiddyReflections and Waffle for their reviews. Thank you very much, I really appreciate it!
Waffle: Yeah, I'm totally aware Huey'll need years of therapy, and I also think even that, he'll maybe never be the same he was before all this happened to him. Anyways, thanks for your kind word I'm really glad you think all of this of my story, I'm amused! Thankyou!
See you in the next chapter