Hey all! Thank you so much for checking out the first chapter of "The Golden Desire!" After the finale aired, I thought about what could be next for the McDuck family, and this story came to mind and I wanted to write it. I plan this to be many, many chapters, but, I don't have an exact schedule. I am very busy, so just hold the fork with me until I can get a chapter released.
Thanks again, and here we go!
Chapter 2; The Whimsical Wooden Box!
"Since Uncle Scrooge will be gone all night… again, I have some work to get done on the GizmoCloud!" said Huey with a voice full of dorky excitement.
Huey pressed the button to his computer and his laptop's screen powered on instantly. He got onto the GizmoCloud website and messed around with the codes. That's Huey's job, innovation through code cracking, and he was impressed in himself for once in his life. Louie was laying on the floor reading his book of law. He giggled and snorted, catching Huey's attention.
"Are you reading your book?" Huey asked with annoyance. Louie looked up with shock. He shifted into a sly smile.
"Of course I am Hubert. I have the book right here. Yes, this type of law is interesting." Louie responded, shaking his head.
"What kind of law?"
"Corporate law."
"You said you were reading about corporate law last week."
"It is a long section Hubert."
Huey grabbed Louie's book out of his hands to find his phone on an episode of the Ottoman Empire. He glared at the boy in the green zip up sweatshirt.
"What? Just because there are no new episodes, does not mean I like rewatching it!"
Huey groaned. "But, I promised you money in return."
Louie chuckled. "Oh, that was a scheme to earn some more money for my law school fund. Fenton must give you tons of money for your job because it has been really helpful for me."
"Would you cut it out Louie. You will never be able to head to the field of law with that attitude. I earned my place at the lab through hard work and dedication."
"Whoa whoa, and you are saying that Louie Inc was not through hard work? I learned my lesson with the Bombie. I just wanted to relax. What's wrong with that?"
"The problem is that you are literally stealing money out of my pocket through manipulation! Why didn't you say you needed to relax!?" Huey was gritting his teeth through his breath.
"Okay okay. Don't go Duke on me. You can have your money back. I made a mistake, okay? Louie through a pile of cash in his sweatshirt in front of Huey's desk. "Now, I'm going to go on a walk. Continue your work if you want." Louie headed out the door quickly.
"Wait up Louie!" Huey watched him get up from the floor and immediately ran after him. The GizmoCloud could wait.
…
"Why are we searching for clues in Daddy Scrooge's bedroom first? What about the money bin or the archives?" Webby was confused when she and Dewey stood in front of the doors to Scrooge's bedroom.
"Because, the best secrets are kept inside the bedroom. Huey's research on Isabella Finch's journal was there, Louie and his business ideas were on our board, and I hid my hit show from them for years in our bedroom before… well… you all found out."
Webby smirked. "So I guess it is not really a secret, isn't it?"
The blue one rolled his eyes. "Yeah yeah, but trust me. We can head to the archives next. With Uncle Scrooge at the bin for the night, his bedroom is free and we can find some clues to this 'golden mystery.' He reached for the door knob and opened it slowly.
Unfortunately for them, Scrooge's bedroom was the biggest bedroom in the manor. A large bed layed in the middle and dressers and drawers stretching from one side of the room to the other. It was going to be an adventure… within four walls of a bedroom. It was the best they got, and it was time to start searching.
Seconds turned to minutes, which turned to hours. From drawer to drawer and shelf to shelf, nothing was found. Piles of clothes, suits, and robes were scattered across the floor and the deep oak floors of the room were covered with clothing. Dewey and Webby kept searching, something had to be here.
"I dunno Webby, we have been searching for two hours, and still nothing. Just more things of Uncle Scrooges that he wears. Maybe we should clean up and try again later." Dewey said while rubbing his eyes in exhaustion.
Webby panicked. "No! We have to find something, and then we can head to the archives tomorrow morning. We have to keep searching. There is something here, I know it." She looked around the bedroom and started at Scrooge's dresser. This dresser was as tall as the tips of his bed and was made out of pure oak like the floors. All of the doors and shelves were flung open and empty. She looked all the way at the top to find a top drawer still closed, way up high. Her eyes widened.
"Dewey, grab a ladder and help me up."
"What, why?"
"Just do it! There is a drawer way up unopened."
Dewey ran into Scrooges closet, where a step ladder was placed in the very back corner. He snatched it and ran back to the dresser drawer on the opposite side of the bedroom. Once he placed in on the ground, he stepped on and held his hand out to Webby.
"I am ready when you are!"
She climbed up on Dewey's shoulders and reached high to pull on the drawer. She peaked inside to find more clothes… that is until the dresser drawer fell. Webby and Dewey fell backwards and the drawer fell with a big thud thundering across the floor. They both look at each other with fear in their eyes, but stare at the drawer in front of them. It cracked in the corner, but it was still as sturdy as ever. Webby pulled the bunches of clothes that were piled up until she came across a box.
This box was made from birch and, like the locket, covered in dust. It was a perfect square and despite the fall, did not show a sign of wear or tear. It had no latch or key, just a simple box with a lid. Webby blew the dust of the lid and slowly opened the box to find treasures galore. Inside, were artifacts she had never seen before. A golden chain that contained no signs of rust. A small bag with locks of golden hair. A golden nugget kept safe from prying hands. Shells that showed were age that were found on a coast. And two folded pieces of paper along with a pen.
She took the smaller piece of paper and unfolded it. Much to her surprise, it was indeed pictures of Scrooge and Goldie. It looked recent, like it was just taken. She took note of the vertical shape and the three photos that were lined up.
Dewey saw the photo and his beak began to quiver. "Uh… Webby. I recognize where those pictures are taken. That is the Funzo Funzone's photo booth."
Webby laughed it off. "There is no way Scrooge and Goldie went to Funzo's together. Scrooge hates Funzos! Since FOWL's lab was found there, Funzo's has been closed. Scrooge has been to Funzos with me before when you and Launchpad went to play Double O' Duck, but he was with me the whole time and I did not see Goldie anywhere. The only other time I can think he went to Funzos is…"
"Your birthday party!" Dewey said. They both gasped at the thought and looked at the box again. Webby pulled out the other piece of paper. She slowly unfolded the creases and edges. She smoothed it against the edge of the box. Dewey could not believe what his eyes laid upon.
"I knew it! A note! This is just like the Spear of Selene again. Nailed It!" he said with excitement.
"But, it isn't a note, it is a letter… in Daddy Scrooge's handwriting." Webby clutched the letter tight in her hands. Dewey looked over her shoulder in anticipation. She reads it, word for word.
Dear -- -- Goldie,
Through the years, we have been through -- -- tons of difficult days and experiences. Sometimes I wish I could -- -- -- -- -- see you again. Since we saw each other at the Foreverglades, I have thought of how you wanted to start over. It has been on my mind -- -- --. I never said it myself, but I really do -- -- -- miss you. - -- -- -- - -- -- -- --. - -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --. - -- -- -- - -- - -- -- -- -- --. Well, I guess what I am trying to say is, we should meet up somewhere, and talk. Just know that I am collecting gold for you to repay you in my respects. I can put my adventuring aside for you one day. Hope to see you soon Greedy Girly.
-- Scrooge McDuck
"He crossed a lot out. Can you tell what it says?" Dewey asked.
Webby tilted the piece of paper upside down. She then layed on her back and held the letter up to the lights towards the bedroom ceiling. The longer she stared at the letter, the more dizzy she got. She sighed and handed Dewey the letter.
"I can't read it. Scrooge used a really dark pen to scribble it out. Why did he want to meet Goldie again after the Foreverglades? Why did he decide to write a letter to her? And why is there a wooden box at the top of Scrooge's dresser filled with things that either belonged or founded with Goldie!" Webby's curiosity was exploding left and right. She and Dewey looked at the letter again in worry and concern. They knew this was bigger than they thought. Something was definitely wrong.
"Hold up? What is going on here??"
Dewey and Webby whip their heads towards the door to find Huey and Louie standing under the doorway. They were shocked at the mess that was made in front of them. Clothes on the floor and on top of Uncle Scrooge's dresser. A dresser drawer with a giant crack forming in the corner was sitting in the middle of the floor. And in the center of it all, Dewey and Webby huddled around a box full of stuff.
"You guys are gonna get in big trouble if Uncle Scrooge finds out the mess you two made." Huey said with worry. He watched Dewey and Webby as they froze into shock. He then looked at the open box. "What is that?"
"Ummmmmm… not secrets!" Dewey shouted.
Webby sighed and put her hand on Dewey's shoulder. "Don't cover for me Dewey. Things are bigger than we thought." She turned towards Huey and Louie, both with concern and confusion written on their faces.
"Guys, I'm sorry for this, but Dewey and I had a mystery to unfold. We noticed Scrooge was collecting tons of gold on our recent adventures and we thought it could be something greater."
"Doesn't Scrooge like treasure and gold?" Louie asked. "It's his whole thing. I mean, I have been enjoying these adventures for gold."
"It's more than that." Webby continued. Anyway, one thing led to another, and I remembered the connection between Scrooge and Goldie, and Goldie's promise to Scrooge about giving gold to him when he needed it most. We went to check the bedroom for some evidence, and this is what we found so far." She picked up the box gently and handed it to Huey. He and Louie looked inside.
"Eww! Why would he keep Goldie's hair inside a box? I get that they have a long history of old people romance, but that is just weird!" Louie said in disgust. He moved his hand around the box to touch the different artifacts, possibly with a story attached to them that Scrooge had never told. He saw the photos of Scrooge and Goldie and showed them to Dewey and Webby. "When was this taken?" he asked.
"We don't know, but that is Funzo's photo booth. They must have met there before it closed down." Dewey said.
"And the only times he was there was when we picked up Dewey and Launchpad and at my birthday party." said Webby.
"But, you were with him the entire time the first time from what you told us. It had to be your birthday." Huey reasoned.
"That is what we thought!" Webby exclaimed.
"And that is not all." Dewey handed Huey and Louie the letter. They both read through it silently. Their eyes got bigger with each line read. Huey tried to hold the letter up to the lightbulb up towards the ceiling to read the crossed out sections. Nothing.
"I don't like this. This is getting creepier by the minute." Louie said with concern. Huey nodded in agreement. The kids all stared at this box that filled them with wonder and fear. This was a box that Scrooge must have kept for years upon years. Memories and stories must be attached to this piece of wood, yet they know little to nothing about it. But they have their own memories of a similar experience; it feels like deja vu. The silence in the room felt daunting and cold. How could he keep another secret? What is the intention? Where to go next with this mystery?
And no one knew what to do next.
That is, until the door bursts open, with a shadow entering the room.
"What in the blazes are you doing you devious descendents!" an angry Scrooge boomed across the room. "Look at the mess you made. Who is responsible for this!"
The kids watched their Uncle with shock. Where did he come from?
"We thought you were working late… again." Huey said, raising an eyebrow.
"I closed things down early for tonight to hit the hay early. But enough about me, please answer my question. Who made this catastrophe of a mess?
The kids looked at each other with wide eyes. Louie stood up and pointed to Dewey and Webby.
"Uhh… it wasn't me. Dewey and Webby made the mess." Louie tattled.
Dewey and Webby stood up to approach him. "We are sorry Uncle Scrooge. We were curious about something, and we wanted to find some answers." Dewey said with confidence. He may be tough in battle, but Dewey was tough with his words too. He was always the one to speak up when others would not. His family respected that of him, including his own Uncle.
"Thank you for being honest Dewey. But you kids know that you cannot come in here. My bedroom is private and my space only. What if I came into your room and tore it apart?"
"WE WANT ANSWERS UNCLE SCROOGE!"
Scrooge turned around to see Huey's face turned fire red. He stood up and approached him step by step. Scrooge started at the red boy, from his red cap to the bottom of his collared shirt.
"Are you keeping something from us?" Asked the boy in the red cap. Scrooge stuttered at the thought. Before he could speak another word, he was interrupted.
"You're hiding something about Goldie. We saw your box." Louie said pointing to the box still sitting in the middle of the floor. Scrooge gasped and ran towards it, gathering the photo, the letter, and all the little artifacts back. He placed the lid on top and put it on top of his dresser. Tension rose in his body as he stared at the box.
"How did you…"
"The bedroom is the place where most hidden secrets are kept." Dewey boasted with confidence. Louie pushed past Dewey and came face to face with his Uncle. The other boys stand behind him, side by side.
"So, we are asking, what is going on with Goldie?" Louie asked.
"No more secrets. Why are you arriving late every night recently? Why the search for gold? What else are you hiding? Huey asked, writing down every single question in his Junior Woodchuck Guidebook.
"No more repeats of the Spear of Selene. Tell us what is going on!" Dewey said desperately with rage.
Scrooge was surprised with the behavior of the kids. He looked at his own daughter, who had not spoken a word. She looked at him and pleaded, just like the boys.
"Please… we just want to know what's going on." she said softly.
Scrooge looked at the kids in terror. He sighed and relaxed the tension in his shoulder.
"Alright, I have a story I have to tell you. Come to the living room, and bring the box with you." Scrooge left the room and the boys all followed. Webby gently grabbed the box from the dresser and ran behind them. She was excited but nervous on what to hear. Nevertheless, she was glad to finally get some answers.
…
The moon stood high above McDuck Manor. The wind was blowing and the leaves tore off the branches one by one during the brink of summer. The topiaries and bushes in the garden were blowing too, but one bush rustled. A streak of golden hair peaked out the leaves ever so slightly. Behind the bush was a lady duck with beautiful golden hair pulled back in a ponytail. She wore a brown vest with a tan undershirt along with khaki shorts and shoes to cover her feet.
The tired Goldie O'Gilt checked her phone again. Nothing. Her gleaming green eyes looked up at the walls of McDuck Manor. She sighed and climbed out of the bush for a second. Scrooge walked by with his kids following behind him, including her favorite Sharpie and his daughter Webby. The other two, she had know idea. She called them Cappy and Bluey. She sighed as her eyes looked on with worry.
"Oh, I hope you know what you are doing Scrooge." she said softly with concern. She retreated in the bush again, ready for the right moment.