It had been a much more awkward two days than Magica had anticipated, sharing a body with Scrooge. It hadn't taken them long to discover that sharing the same headspace also meant hearing each other's thoughts, and feeling each other's emotions.
There was almost no hiding anything from each other which, on some levels didn't change much as they already knew each other practically inside and out but on others was very uncomfortable because to top it all off they could also see each other's memories so things that had previously been unknown were now known between them but neither spoke of it.
The one thing they both knew and neither attempted to deny was, that to a degree, in spite of all the awkwardness that came with this situation, they enjoyed not being alone.
She had been alone in that dime for so long that she had almost lost her mind and he had felt so alone during those ten years after Della was lost, even when Mrs. Beakley was there or he was working and constantly surrounded by his staff; he was alone. Both had experienced loneliness so smothering that they shared the unspoken sentiment of not ever wanting to experience it again.
No, this wasn't exactly either one's idea of companionship but it was better than nothing.
Still, Scrooge's heart weighed heavy with it all; though the dark side of him had become more prominent due to the influence of her dark magic and was increasingly impatient.
"You said you could take this pain away, so why haven't you yet?" He snapped, standing in front of his bedroom mirror, in this way he felt a little less silly when talking to her. His eyes changed to hers as she spoke. "I told you, I can't use the spell until I have my body, and full power, back. We just have to continue putting up with this… strange situation until then," She smiled. "Only five more days of this to go and then I'll hold up my end, I promise Scroogie." He sighed and turned away from the mirror.
"I know, you'd much rather be talking to my beautiful face instead of your old, miserable one," She laughed inwardly. "Shut up witch, I just want to feel better, to be able to truly move on from all of this heartbreak,"
She knew of course, that she was right, a part of him would have greatly preferred to be talking to her face to face, for several reasons.
They both chose not to speak of certain thoughts and feelings that no longer remained hidden between them, it was just not a good time to do so, though it did give her something to subtly tease him about, as she just had, to entertain herself.
It was entirely strange to know exactly what he was thinking in that moment though, that he really did want to see her face again not only to yell at it but also because he missed it and because a part of him wanted to kiss it.
It went without saying however, that she wanted to be able to stand in front of him, to smirk at his impatience as she teased him and watch it annoy him even further and maybe even see if he really would kiss her. Such thoughts were not spoken of however, neither of them wanted to address that particular topic.
Then, suddenly, they heard gate's buzzer and Scrooge went to answer it, assuming it was that blasted paper boy again. He told the little brat time and again that wasn't paying for a newspaper that should be free. When he answered the buzzer the voice that responded was the last voice he'd expected to hear.
"Scroogie? Open up, I want to see you." Goldie's voice sounded full of concern as it came through the speaker. "I heard you weren't feeling so hot and thought I'd come check on you." He remained silent as an argument was playing out in his head.
"Don't you DARE let her in here!" Magica spat. "Why not? She couldn't possibly do any harm- Oh… I see, well then…" "Scrooge McDuck don't you dare!"
Outwardly Scrooge burst into laughter as Magica's thoughts gave her away.
"You're actually jealous! That's hilarious!" "Shut up and tell her to take a hike! She'll try to talk you out of this, into going crawling back to those selfish little brats that abandoned you!"
Magica knew he was right, that she really didn't want Goldie around because she might tempt him away from her but she also meant what she had said and he knew it. But still, he couldn't help himself.
Scrooge pressed the button to open the gate and let Goldie in.
"I want to see what she has to say regardless." "Curse you. And Her."
Scrooge just grinned as he opened the front door to greet Goldie, and immediately regretted it when he saw who else was standing with her.
None them knew quite what to expect but they were stunned to see Scrooge when he opened the door.
At first glance one wouldn't have noticed the difference but not only was his outfit, and even his feathers a bit darker but his face had become darker as well, his expression was cold, guarded, nearly emotionless; drastically different from the Scrooge they all knew.
"I told you Lena would tattle on you," Magica snarked, just a little happy that Goldie hadn't come on her own, that maybe she had only come because she was bribed to. "Shut your beak," Scrooge snapped back.
"So, you came to check on me huh? Well, I'm just fine so you can all get off my property!" He went to slam the door but Goldie caught it.
"Look, Scroogie I don't know what happened but won't you at least talk to me?" She pleaded.
"No, throw her out, in fact, let ME do it!" Magica's voice rang loudly in Scrooge's head. "I said shut it! I'll handle this," He silently sneered back.
"Alright fine, come in," He eyed Donald, Mrs. Beakley and Huey. "All of you can come in." He added, noting the other's hesitation.
They all slowly entered the mansion, taking in the atmosphere. It was dark, all the drapes drawn and only lit where necessary, just like Scrooge, despite everything else, still being as cheap as possible. The remnants of the beginning of Scrooge's downward spiral were still present, the stacks of pizza boxes still sat where he'd accumulated them though the pizza remnants had since been cleaned off the floor and the possums chased out. It would have been comical if it hadn't been for the foreboding and uninviting air the place now held, mainly emanating from Scrooge.
They all uneasily followed Scrooge into the great room where he sat on his easy chair, leaning forward, elbows perched on the arms of the chair, chin resting on his folded hands and an expectant look on his face, waiting to hear what they had to say for themselves.
"Uh, Scroogie… are you sure you're really, okay?" Goldie asked uncertainly, the others having silently agreed it might be best to let Goldie do all the talking.
"Oh, I'm fine really, just peachy." He said sarcastically, knocking over a pile of pizza boxes with his cane. "Why on earth wouldn't I be? I mean I wanted this after all." He stood and stepped closer. "But tell me, why are you here Goldie?"
Goldie had never been afraid of Scrooge, but right now she was truly scared of him. He seemed like might truly be capable of almost anything right now but still, there was hurt in his eyes. "He's just lashing out because he's been deeply hurt, remember that." She reminded herself before speaking, answering his question.
"Because Donald told me what happened and I'm worried about you," she said, taking a hesitant step closer, but then he moved away and glared at Donald.
"And why do you care now? I thought you were leaving Duckburg so why are you still here?" He demanded coldly.
Donald took a deep breath before answering his uncle. "Because I'm worried about you too, I can't just leave you like this Uncle Scrooge!" Huey nodded his agreement, too frightened of his uncle to speak.
"Mr. McDuck you've got to calm down, I'm sure you can all sort this out-" Mrs. Beakley started but Scrooge cut her off.
"No. Why should I? I'm not the one who walked away!" He snapped, smashing a nearby pizza box with his cane. "You were just fine to walk away before so go ahead and leave now! And you…"
He turned to Goldie who stood still, afraid to move after his outburst. "What's in it for you this time? What do you get for coming here to talk to me, hm?"
She was stunned, though she knew she shouldn't be, she knew exactly what he was talking about. Too often she'd only used him, used his feelings for her to distract him so she could beat him to whatever treasure they were seeking and left him behind to clean up her messes. Yes, she did care for him but she had always been terrible at showing it and had never been willing to really commit to him.
"Well, Scrooge I- I was just really worried about you, I still am because this isn't you, this is just the hurt talking-" Once again Scrooge had cut her off. "No, this is me finally coming to my senses, finally seeing the truth. You don't really care, you never did, I was just too blinded by my feelings for you to ever see that." He said icily. "In fact, I don't think any of you ever really cared about me, just whether or not you were in my will. Well, I'm done and now, I'm giving you all one last chance to leave." His tone was harsh and unsettlingly calm.
"Scroogie… you're really being a brute… I can't say I'm not impressed," Magica mused silently, though she was also aware that Scrooge wasn't really himself lately, but hopefully once she was able to free him of his heartache, he would be more himself again. "I'm just telling the truth. If any of them really cared I wouldn't be stuck with you like this right now, not that I'm not enjoying your company," And he really meant it, he enjoyed having her around again, even like this.
"Mr. McDuck please, surely you haven't stopped caring about your family, have you?" Mrs. Beakley pleaded with him, not sure what to expect from him anymore.
Scrooge smiled, almost like he used to. "Of course, not Bentina, that's the only reason I haven't let Magica be the one to chase away the lot of you, because I do care." He turned around and took a few steps away from them.
"But since you all refuse to leave then I guess you're just going to have to stay." Magica's voice now could be heard, his shadow morphing into her silhouette.
"Uncle Scrooge please, don't do this…" Huey pleaded quietly, speaking up for the first time. Scrooge turned to him and approached him.
"Aw lad don't look so hurt; this isn't anything personal," He said, his voice soft but his eyes still cold. "B-but the JWG says-" Huey whimpered but Scrooge didn't let him finish. "Lad, there's some lessons that book won't teach ya, lessons you just have to learn for yourself…" He started, backing away and with a quick flick of his cane he began to change the mansion, into a more gothic look to better suit his purposes and to begin the process of banishing his memories, even if Magica couldn't do it yet, he'd start on it himself, little by little.
"It's time you learned a lesson, it's time that you understand, don't ever count on anybody else
In this or any other land," He began melodically, as he continued to change the mansion.
Magica, even though a shadow still, joined in using her magic herself to conjure up an appropriate melody while she was at it.
"I once hoped for friendship, to find a place among my kind; But those were the childish wishes of someone who was blind…"
The music helped to channel the magic as they worked, the magic swirling around the room as the walls, floors and ceiling changed. Then both voices harmonized in unison.
"Open up your eyes, see the world from where I stand; me among the mighty, you caged at my command! Open up your eyes, give up your sweet fantasyland; It's time to grow up and get wise;
Come now little one, open up your eyes…"
The magic continued to swirl, becoming cages around each of them.
"Uncle Scrooge, please stop!" Donald cried, unable to get to Huey before they were trapped in separate cages. "Scrooge please, stop this madness!" Goldie pleaded, getting a small shock as she touched the magical cage that she was now in.
Both Scrooge and Magica just continued to use her magic and harmonize. "We all start out the same, with simple naive trust; shielded from the many ways that life's not fair or just…" He shot Goldie a pointed look. "But then there comes a moment, a simple truth that you must face… If you depend on others, you'll never find your place…"
He stopped and took a long look at a photograph of himself and his nephews, Magica knowing exactly what he was thinking and him knowing exactly what thoughts were running through her mind as well, they were both more alike than they had ever realized and right now they could truly understand each other completely, they both felt the same pain, the same isolation, the same loneliness. He then set the photograph down and continued.
"And as you take that first step, upon a path that's all your own; You see it all so clearly…
The best way to survive is all alone!"
Magica rejoined him,
"Open up your eyes, and see the world from where I stand; me among the mighty, you caged at my command,"
They both laughed wickedly for a moment as the magic still continued to swirl around, its soft glow allowing Magica to move around the room however she pleased as his shadow, singing the next words solo while Scrooge concentrated on his work for a moment.
"Open up your eyes, and behold the fading light, it's time to grow up and get wise;"
Scrooge now rejoined her in their harmony
"Come now little one, open up your eyes… Open up your eyes…"
They finished and everything looked completely different, the mansion they had once called home was now a dark and unwelcoming shadow of itself.
Magica smirked as she remained as close to Scrooge as she could get, the closest she could get to physically being beside him.
He turned around and they all now saw the amulet pinned to his coat, glowing brightly as he waived his hand and the cages levitated. "Don't worry, we won't hurt you, you're just going to stay awhile until I decide what to do with you," He said, a wicked smirk on his face as he stood close to the wall his shadow, Magica, was being cast on, as close as he could possibly be to her right now.
As the other's cages were teleported to different rooms Magica looked at Goldie with a sour expression. "I'd really rather we not keep her Scroogie," she said, swirling around him. "Yes, I know but should we really let her go?" He asked, casting an uncertain glance Goldie's way. "You have a point…" Magica pouted. "Just put her in the basement or something!" Scrooge snickered. "Okay fine, I have an idea…"
He waived his hand again and Goldie suddenly found herself locked in Scrooge's attic, although it looked more like a dungeon cell due to the dark magic makeover the whole house had just undergone.
"You know, I like talking to you this way better, I feel much less like I'm talking to myself," Scrooge remarked after Goldie was gone, returning to his seat in his easy chair and lighting the fireplace with a flick of his wrist so that his shadow, Magica, would cast right near him.
Magica looked at him, her glowing red eyes seeming to glint a bit more with her mischievous tone. "Oh, you really miss me don't you Scroogie~" She cooed. He just sighed, leaning back in his chair with a cheeky grin. "About as much as you wanted Goldie gone," He chuckled, meeting her gaze. For the time being, they were perfectly comfortable teasing each other about their feelings and not really acknowledging them.
Meanwhile, Launchpad and the other kids had finally located what remained of the village Magica had once lorded over long ago. Lena had a basic idea of where it was and it was the only place that she knew of that could possibly hold any clue to Poe's whereabouts. So, the search began.
The song used in this chapter is 'Open Up Your Eyes' from 'My Little Pony The Movie', I'm not an MLP fan, I just really liked the song and it really fit well within this story.