Chapter 2 – Family Day
Scrooge makes his way out to the backyard of his mansion. He stops when he is outside and scans the area as his family is currently enjoying a barbeque party. The rich old duck lets out a content sigh at the sight of everyone mingling and playing games.
Donald Duck is roasting hot dog wieners and hamburger patties on the grill at one end of the yard. While he is rotating the meat, he has a conversation with his sister, Della, and girlfriend, Daisy.
Mrs. Beakley shares a glass of punch by the buffet table with Fenton, his M'ma, Maria Cabrera, and his girlfriend, Gandra Dee. Launchpad converses with Drake Mallard (aka, Darkwing Duck), Penumbra, and a few other Moonlanders over by the pool. Meanwhile, Gyro enjoys a salad along with his tiny robot, Lil Bulb, his intern, Manny, Cousin Fethry, and Cousin Gladstone, at one of the tables.
Over to the other end of the yard, Huey and Webby are playing badminton while B.O.Y.D. referees and keeps score. The rest of the kids are on the side of the badminton court, talking amongst themselves.
He begins to reflect on how it's been an emotional roller coaster over the past twelve years. From the tragic disappearance of his niece, Della Duck, to discovering Webbigail Vanderquack is his own cloned daughter. Yes, it has been quite a long journey.
Now that his family is reunited and is growing with additional members to his clan, Scrooge can say he is happy. Nothing is going to separate him from his family ever again.
Finding the game at the badminton court has his interest, the old duck starts walking in that direction. He stops beside Lena just as Dewey finishes his story.
"…It was at that moment I knew what I had to do. I turned the plane around, and I just Dewied it! Don Karnage didn't know what hit him!" Dewey gloated, feeling extra pleased with himself that he defeated the notorious pirate.
Leda, Louie, Gosalyn, and Violet all roll their eyes. May and June giggle at their reactions to the retelling of the event.
"We know, we were there, remember!" Louie lets out an exasperated sigh.
"Yeah, but May and June weren't." Dewey states. "I had to tell them what they missed."
"Whatever," Louie shrugs with his hands tucked inside his hoodie pocket.
Scrooge chuckles at the dialogue between the two brothers. He starts to focus on watching Huey and Webby compete to win.
"So, ah, who's winning?" Scrooge leans over to ask Lena.
"One more point and Webby wins the game." The eldest teen replies with excitement.
"Outstanding," the old duck grins.
Everyone knows how much Scrooge loves a good competition. Whether he is playing against someone or watching his daughter compete, the elder is eager to be a part of it.
At this point, all the kids are focusing on the two players. The white object is fun to watch as it is being whacked back and forth over the net.
Both Huey and Webby struggles to keep the birdie from landing on the ground. Huey will swing his badminton racket at the white conical-shaped shuttlecock, causing it to soar over the net. Webby then jumps up to smack it so it will return over to Huey's side.
Soon enough game starts to get even more intense, and Scrooge and the kids start cheering for their favorite player. Scrooge, of course, is rooting for Webby along with Lena, Violet, and Dewey.
As soon as the game appears endless, Webby finally leaps up and swings her racket down on the birdie in an overhead shot. The white feather-like object crashes down on Huey's side. The action is so quick that the Junior Woodchuck could not reach the birdie in time. It bounces three times at his feet, sealing Webby as the victor.
"That's twenty-one points. Webby wins." B.O.Y.D. declares, raising his arm to Webby's side of the net.
Those that cheered for Webby raised their arms with a loud whooping cry. Even though the rest of the small audience is disappointed that Huey lost, they still give an upbeat clap for playing a good game.
Both players walk up towards each other and stop just at the center, under the net.
"Looks like I totally smooshed that overhead shot." Webby chuckles.
"I believe you mean 'smash,'" Huey corrected her. "You did indeed make a powerful smash that won. A well-played game, Webby." He adds, holding out his hand in good sportsmanship.
"You too," Webby nods as the two shake hands.
"Alright, me next!" Dewey rushes up to the two players.
The blue-clad duck looks at Huey before grabs his racket and pushes him out of the way. He then reaches over and snatches Webby's before looking over to Gosalyn.
"What do you say? Wanna 'Gos-for-it'?" He taunts as he tosses Webby's racket at her.
"You bet," Gosalyn replies as she catches the racket with one hand.
Both Webby and Huey leave the court to make way for the new players.
Scrooge turns away from the new game to see Donald Duck flipping the hamburger patties. Feeling a little hungry, Scrooge makes his way over to the grill.
"Donald, my boy," He chirps, starting up a conversation with his nephew. "You are off soon on your own grand adventure? When is it you set sail?"
The younger duck turns and smiles at his elder.
"I am," he says before addressing the pool where his houseboat once sat. "See, I already moved the boat back to the harbor. We will be heading out first thing tomorrow."
Though most people would have difficulty trying to understand Donald, Scrooge, on the other hand, is one of the few people who has no problem hearing through his speech impediment.
The billionaire stares at the empty pool and frowns briefly. The rich duck's backyard is not going to be the same now that Donald won't be staying there.
"That is good. I am really excited for you." Scrooge attempts to sound positive, but his voice unsuccessfully hides a hint of disappointment.
"I'm still going to miss you, you big galoot," Della grumbles, throwing a punch on Donald's arm.
"Ow," Donald flinches. "I'll miss you too." He admits.
Donald quickly rubs his now sore bicep before attending to the searing meat on the grill. At that moment, the small group from the buffet table joins them.
"We will all miss you while you are gone." Mrs. Beakley admits, holding up her half-empty cup of punch.
Fenton, Maria, and Gandra Dee each nod in agreement.
"Do you have a plan on where you attend to go first?" Scrooge asks his nephew.
"We were thinking of traveling along the Caribbean before heading north," Daisy replies on behalf of her boyfriend.
"Not really the direction I would go, but this is your adventure, I suppose," Scrooge mutters.
The elder glances down at the grill and realizes the motivation of why he came here in the first place. He picks up a plate, and with a smile, Scrooge holds it out towards Donald.
"Now, how about one of those famous dogs you have there." The rich old duck says.
OoOoOoOoOoOo
The following morning, Scrooge is in the back seat of his limo. He stares blankly out the side window while Launchpad is driving. A part of him dreads having to go to his money bin this early. However, since Bradford left, there has been much paperwork left unfinished. Eventually, he will find another C.E.O. to help with the business end of McDuck Enterprises, but for now, Scrooge has to take care of everything.
Before that, Scrooge does have one stop to make first. Once the vehicle makes a complete stop at the docks, Scrooge opens the side door and lets himself out.
"Wait here, Launchpad, I won't be long." He says.
"Righty-o, Mr. McDee." The pilot, slash limo driver, chirps.
Scrooge walks along the dock and passes the kids as they help pack up the remainder of luggage onto the recently fixed-up houseboat.
"Mornin' kids." He says casually.
"Morning, Uncle Scrooge." The youth chorus in unison.
"Louie, mind being more helpful with some of these boxes," Violet complains to the green-clad duck.
"What I'm supervising." The boy shrugs. "Louie doesn't do grunt work."
The purple hummingbird lets out a frustrated growl before picking up another box and carrying it onto the boat.
Scrooge continues up the ramp and saunters inside the houseboat cabin. There he spots Daisy while she does an inventory of their belongings, while May, June, and Della help. The clone twins are very excited about this trip, while Della is still showing signs of not wanting to let go just yet. Daisy is attempting to be extremely patient with Donald's sister, yet, she could explode at any time.
The elder duck decides not to get involved and sneaks past the ladies. He stops in front of May and June instead.
"Have you two seen, Donald?" Scrooge asks.
"He's down in the boiler room," May replies.
"He wanted to make sure everything is secure for a safe trip," June adds.
"Thank you," Scrooge tips his top hat to the girls and continues to the stairwell towards the lower deck of the boat.
As he makes his way down the steps, he hears a crash from the other room. Scrooge flinches, suspecting what could have caused it.
"Della!" Daisy cries. "We needed that!"
There it is, Scrooge thought.
"I am so sorry." Della quickly apologizes. "Here, let me grab a broom."
"No, please just stop helping." Daisy pleads. "In fact, why don't you go upstairs and check on the kids with the rest of the boxes."
"Well, alright then." With a reluctant reply, Della sounds like she is following Daisy's instructions.
Scrooge smiles as he continues down the stairs and stops when he spots Donald. Gradually the elder's smile turns into a frown how he will miss his nephew and his new traveling companions.
He quickly shakes his head and forces a smile back on his beak.
"I see you are nearly ready." Scrooge finally speaks.
Donald spins his head around and gives a sheepish smile.
"Yes, Uncle Scrooge." He replies. "Just going over a few last-minute checks before we head off."
"I see," the elder duck almost sounds disappointed. "How long did you say you would be gone for?"
"I'm not sure, a year, maybe two?" Donald admits.
Scrooge is about to add to the conversation but is quickly interrupted.
"Everything is all packed, Uncle Donald," Huey announces from upstairs.
"Thanks, Huey." The sailor nods.
"I've also taken the liberty to chart a map of certain locations you guys should visit." The red-clad duck says with enthusiasm.
"Not necessary, but thanks." Donald rolls his eyes.
He knows his eldest nephew means well, but he can quickly go overboard with planning any trip.
"There is also a list of places I highlighted here in this touring guidebook," Huey adds, holding up a small book. "For example, there's a Museum of Spores and Fungi that is sure to be fun."
"Blarf," Louie rolls his eyes from behind his brother. "You are such a nerd."
"Haven't you learned anything from adventuring?" Dewey asks.
"Yes," Huey snaps in response. "Have you?"
"Hey, everybody, come to the kitchen. The special farewell breakfast is ready." Webby cheers.
While Huey is distracted by Webby's intrusion, Dewey gives his older brother a playful punch on the arm before being the first to run to the next room. Louie than Huey chase after their sassy brother in annoyance.
Both Scrooge and Donald look up at their nephews and smile with pride. How much they've grown the past few years. The two ducks then glance over at each other.
"Come on, lad," Scrooge says, swinging his arm around his nephew. "I suppose I can stay for one cup of tea before heading to me Money Bin."
OoOoOoOoOoOo
Without knowing, a small group of Beagles is watching the houseboat in the distance. They are crouching down behind stacked kayaks at the end of the pier.
"Do we attack now, Ma?" The smallest of the Beagle Boys asks. "They are all there in that boat – nicely packed, like sardines in a can."
"Not yet, Bigtime." Ma Beagle irritably mumbles.
"But Ma," the little Beagle whines. "Aren't we to attack them or not."
"Stick to the plan, Bigtime." Ma Beagle warns. "We wait, just a little bit longer."
The sight of movement has the Beagle elder focusing her binoculars. She smiles when she sees it is Scrooge himself leaving the boat.
After seeing the billionaire hop back into his limo, Ma Beagle waits till it drives off and disappears around the bend.
"Okay, boys. Now!" She orders.
Her three sons instantly get up and rush down the dock. From where Ma Beagle sits, she smiles at the sounds of screams and objects smashing. So far, the plan is going off without a hitch.