Duckburg, Where life is like a hurricane! For Huey, May, and June the town's tagline couldn't be more true. The whole town's mere existence was an attack of sights, sounds, and experiences that threatened to overwhelm the three eleven-year-olds.
They had done research on the town, of course, they've been trained to research every major city in the world from St. Canard to Tokyolk. Duckburg was a big target by FOWL seeing its relationship to so many of their enemies and of course to the organization itself. But research and imagination could never have prepared the kids for what the outside world was really like.
They exited Funso's to the Duckburg Pier. The three immediately ran to the rails, all in awe at the sight of the full moon, shining down on McDuck Manor in the distance. The soft sea breeze blowing through their feathers and making it feel like the world itself was welcoming them.
"Wow… books and surveillance videos have nothing on this…" Huey's sisters agreed and after a minute of enjoying the peace and serenity of the night, they leaped off the rails and looked at the shining town ahead. "So how do we-"
"Race ya!" June and May shouted running ahead and Huey whined as he chased them.
"Not fair I wasn't ready! Wait up!" The three entered the financial district, marveling at all the strange shops that littered the main street. June was bouncing here and there as she wanted to see and try everything while May was more interested in certain shops and items, and Huey was taking photos of small statues and landmarks with the phone they were given.
Some people would glance at the three bubbly kids dressed in black in the middle of the night in confusion. Wondering where their parents were but the three didn't give much care to them as they walked down the street and began to talk.
"So what should we try first? Starducks? The Amphitheater? Ooo we can go watch one of those movie things!" June said excitedly but May shook her head.
"We need to find a place to stay the night and a headquarters to return to if we get separated. Remember your training, when in a new environment claim a piece for yourself."
"You're right May but can't it wait?" Huey asked hopeful but May pointed across the street where a chicken was pulled into an alleyway by the infamous Beagle Boys and started to get shaken down for his cash. "...Good point. Shouldn't we help?"
"No compromising ourselves, besides it's not a McDuck." They all began to look for a place to stay but the hotels would ask about their parents so they made excuses to escape. The alleyways were a big no and neither was the junkyard. Rooftops seemed like a safe bet but they weren't prepared for questions if they were found out somewhere they shouldn't have easily gotten to. Huey opened his map of Duckburg and after a bit, he snapped and his sisters leaned over to look at the map as he pointed to Duckburg Park.
"Here. We can sleep at the park for now and find a more concrete home later." May seemed to consider it and seeing her siblings' faces and pleading eyes, she sighed and shook her head before smiling.
"Fine. Once we can see the park, then you can explore a bit. Tomorrow we'll get on with our mission and should be able to focus on really getting to see and learn the town." Huey led the way with his map and May started to notice the strange looks they were receiving and made a mental note that they needed new clothes to blend in. Their current wear was solid black with hints of color, like Huey's hat having some red parts, both girls' skirts having yellow and blue lines respectively.
They made a quick stop on the way towards the park, June having gotten distracted by a bakery and Huey's stomach growl. Even though she was closing up, the owner saw the children and kindly let them in for a spell. They split a pretzel three ways while the owner, calling herself Scarlet Skye, gave the kids some hot chocolate on the house. She was a Robin with her feathers a faded red but her gentle smile and the sparkle in her gaze showed how much life she still had. They thanked her and left a generous amount of money before leaving with a wave.
"Maaay, why didn't we get some cake? That nice lady wanted to give us a discount." May had taken over the map for Huey and didn't even look away from it as she held up a finger to her sister.
"One, we can't just trust everyone we meet. Two, it's like two in the morning and you shouldn't eat sweets before bed. And three, I'm not dealing with a sugar rush Huey right now. He'd probably be running around this whole place singing with his shirt off." Huey raised a finger to argue but remembered last time and wisely kept his mouth shut. They finally arrived at the park and walked in while Huey pulled out the guidebook that was in his bag. He pointed out the different kinds of trees while June whistled and got some of the local birds to fly around her. May spent time taking photos of the animals and the birds.
June was the first to yawn with Huey following soon after and May feeling more fatigued with each passing minute. Luckily they came across a gazebo that had donated by Scrooge McDuck in memory of some niece. They used June's grappling hook to climb on top of it and snuggled together as they laid in the light of the moon.
June stretched and yawned again as she snuggled into her brother's side. Huey chuckled as she tickled him and he hugged her while he allowed his sister's warmth to lure him into a peaceful sleep. May smiled and gently rubbed her siblings' head feathers. She took the guidebook from Huey's lap and slipped it under his hat.
"What will I do with you two?" She whispered to no one while she preened her brother and then her sister. Once they were clean, she looked up at the round moon and laid on her back. "Tomorrow… a whole new start…"
. . .
"Hey! What are you three doing up there?!" June woke with a start, her grappling hook at the ready but she lowered it seeing it was just a dog wearing some funny outfit. He had his arms crossed and seemed annoyed.
"Hello! I'm June, can we help you?"
"Uhh yeah. Look kids I can't really have you three sleeping on my gazebo like that."
"It's your gazebo?"
"So long as I'm the park ranger."
"Right gimme a minute please thanks!" June waved and turned to her sleeping siblings with a sigh. They were a pain to deal with in the morning, especially when she had to wake them. She shook them with Huey whining and May trying to slap her hand away. "Come guys, we're getting yelled at."
"Tell them I'll go yelling back in five," May muttered annoyed but when Huey joined June in shaking her, her temper flared up. She leaned up, her hair a mess and a glare in her eyes. They backed off and pointed down at the ranger. May got up and jumped down, doing a flip, and chopping his neck. The ranger crumbled as he was paralyzed for the time being and May shook her head. "That's why you don't mess with a girl's beauty sleep." She moved her gaze to her siblings and pointed for them to join her.
June helped Huey down with her hook and May motioned for them to follow while they began to go back to the town. She was taking calming breaths, usually needing a few minutes of calm after getting angry or risk getting angrier. Huey cleared his throat after a few minutes, testing her patience. May grunted and Huey nodded, taking his chance.
"Okay. So we have to take that picture of the McDuck Housekeeper for Mother and then we should be able to do what we want until the next mission. We should also get on to finding a new home."
"New clothes too, we can't fit in like this," May added and June gasped, eager to help her siblings find outfits. She told them her plans as they heard a cry for help. They all rushed to a tree and looked out. The Beagle Boys were tormenting someone again, they needed help. "I know what you two are thinking but no… we can't."
"We were the ones that knocked out the ranger, this is our fault."
"Girls look!" Huey pointed at the victim who turned out to be Scarlet from the bakery. May groaned and looked over at them.
"Huey, it's your choice." He thought about it before frowning and walking out there while May and June scaled the tree.
"Hey! Leave her alone!" Big Time groaned as he, Burger, and Bouncer all turned to see the small duck.
"You McDuck brats never know when to just mind your own business! Wait… which one are you? Louie?"
"Uhh no that's the green one."
"Bluey?"
"This one is black."
"He's white."
"You two be quiet! Look he's not the girl and it doesn't matter which brat he is now ditch the old lady and get him!"
"Old lady? You little." Scarlet spun her bag expertly and smashed Burger in the face before giving a nod to Huey. "They're all yours kids!"
"What?!" Big Time shouted as May and June jumped down from the tree, kicking him in the face and running at Bouncer. June kicked at Bouncer's legs while he tried to punch May but she did a handstand and kicked his fist away. Big Time got back up just so Huey could punch him. Burger rubbed his jaw and helped Bouncer as they retreated. "Where are you dummies going?!"
"Hmm weren't you the smart one?" Huey asked as May and June joined him. They smirked and Big Time threatened that his Ma would hear about this before he chased after his brothers. "Well, that's one way to start the day."
"Ehh I needed to punch something anyway." June giggled at May's statement and Scarlet approached them.
"Thank you, kids. Those Beagles are always causing trouble, always looking for some recognition from that mother of theirs. They accept any child that feels left out. Gotta feel a bit bad for them. Anyway, you three are always welcome in my bakery. Visit later, I'll treat you to some cookies!" Scarlet waved and headed back to town. Now that they were all awake, they washed their faces in the local pond before listening to May and heading out to find some clothes.
"Now according to the movies, the mall is the best place for clothes." June and Huey agreed as they headed for the Duckburg Mall where there were already dozens arriving. "Sheesh, these people never sleep. Do all cities and towns usually have people up at all times of the day?"
"Uncle Bradford was like that. We never saw him sleep."
"I don't think I could handle a whole town of Uncle Bradfords…" They shared a laugh while they entered the mall and gasped at the sheer size of it. Dozens of shops and stands on two whole floors. They all separated with the promise to meet back up in a few minutes. Only June made it back.
"They never are on time, we need to buy watches." She sighed as she walked off in the direction she had seen Huey go in. He wasn't in any of the clothing stores or in the wildlife survival one with the funny smells. She considered running to find May first when she heard a boy complaining to his friend about some weird kid beating him twice. "Huey." She entered the shop the boy left to find it was a game store and Huey was playing against another boy. A small crowd was around them. June walked up and pushed through the crowd just as her brother won and they cheered.
"June! June look I-" She grabbed him by the collar and started dragging him out as he complained and tried to reach for the controller. "Nooooo! I was getting a high score! Just one more minute!"
"I'm not having May yell at me just so you could play your-"
"Let go of me!" The two stopped hearing their sister's voice and Huey quickly got serious as they ran towards the voice. May was right outside a shop holding a red sweater but a worker was pulling on one of the sleeves. "I'm just showing my brother it!"
"Yeah right, you little thief!" Huey and June joined May and a loud tear was heard as they all landed on the ground with a torn sweater in their hands. "Now look what you've done!"
"Oh, Huey… I saw this sweater and I thought you'd-"
"You brats still have to pay for this!" Huey glared at the worker and walked towards him as a hand touched his chest to hold him back.
"Sheesh Dairy, who pissed in your cereal?" A teenage duck wearing a teal collared shirt with a black long-sleeved shirt that has gray stripes over it and pink-dyed hair stepped between them. The worker glared.
"My name is Barry, what do you want Lena?"
"To stop you from keeping that big mouth of yours yapping. They're just kids, dude. If you're that prissy here." She tossed some money at him for the sweater and helped May up. "Come on, I got someplace better for you all." She pushed them all away from the store quickly.
"You didn't have to do that for us, miss."
"First, ew don't call me Miss. My name is Lena. Second, don't worry about it, it was his money anyway." The three gaped and May motioned at her.
"I like this one." Lena laughed while they left the mall. She led the group behind it.
"So are you three like siblings?"
"Yep! I'm June, this is May and Huey."
"I was half expecting him to be April."
"Why does everyone say that?" Huey asked as they entered a small flea market where goths and hippies seemed to be relaxing at. "Where are we?"
"Uhh, a flea market?"
"We're buying fleas?"
"What? No, this is where you can get some actual clothes that aren't trying to bankrupt you. It's where I got some of my clothes, though this one I have on was worn by the actual Featherweights. Got it at a concert."
"I always wanted to go to a concert! What… is a concert?" June asked and Lena opened her mouth only to close it and open again.
"You… remind me of a good friend…" She led them to a stand where a guy was asleep and Lena kicked him. He jumped and smiled seeing who it was.
"Ahh Lena, my favorite customer! How are you, my girl? Come in need of my wares?"
"I'm your only customer Frank. Though I need you to perform some of your magic on these three. They're good for it." The Stork yawned and got up, looking at the three and examining them closely.
"Hmm, they sure could use some color…" He started with Huey and then looked over May but when he got to June she happily stuck her hand in his face and introduced herself. He laughed and pointed at June. "Let's start with you. I have just the thing." He opened a chest that he had been using as a pillow, digging around before pulling out a blue sundress. "There you go. Oh and here." He gave her some blue hairpins for her pigtails. June smiled and accepted the outfit happily. "Okay next is you, missy.
"I don't do dresses."
"Dearie I didn't even need my good eye to tell you that. No, your personality screams… this!" He pulled out a yellow tank top that had some rips at the bottom.
"Hmm… not bad." Frank playfully bowed and gave her a yellow ribbon for her ponytail and turned to Huey last.
"Now for you…" He pulled out a hoodie which Huey shook his head at, looked too hot. A t-shirt but he disliked it again, not his style. A sweater which was not bad and he did agree to buy it but not for casual wear. As a joke, he held up a red sailor suit which made his sisters giggle. Frank racked his brain and snapped as he pulled out a red polo shirt and matching hat. "Try this." Lena led the three in a small forest area where she guarded them as they changed and came out in their new outfits. They did look more normal at least.
They paid Frank well and he welcomed them to come back should they ever need another outfit. The group walked off and the siblings welcomed Lena to join them in lunch and she shrugged saying she had nothing better to do. They stopped at a Papa Swan's Pizza. Lena stared at the three as they seemed confused about how to eat the pizza. She took the lead and just grabbed it while taking a bite. June was the next to try it out even with Huey saying she should wash her hands first.
"You three are weird, you know that?"
"You get used to it."
"We were raised sheltered you can say." Lena learned just how sheltered as they proceeded to eat pizza like they never had it before, which they hadn't. They ordered another and were full by the end. They left and Lena asked where they lived so she could drop them off but they all looked away from her and she realized three kids wandering around wasn't as normal as her friends made it seemed.
"You're homeless… just like me." June nodded and Lena sighed. "Ugh… fine come on. For now, you can stick with me." They followed her to the Amphitheater which had fallen into disrepair it seems after the tide grew. "Welcome home, my own little slice of paradise. Just don't go messing up any of my stuff." They saluted her and she opened a hidden door under the stage. Huey and June went to join her but May held them back for a minute.
"Gimme the phone."
"What?"
"I'll go to the manor and get the photo we need."
"Why can't we go together?"
"You two get sleepy after a big meal and it's already sunset. I'm the second fastest and the quietest. Besides Lena needs to be distracted if we're staying here."
"What if you get in trouble?" She smiled and ruffled her brother's feathers before pulling out a flare gun.
"I got this baby then. I need you two to trust me." June and Huey shared a look before they hugged her. She sighed and smiled hugging them back. A few moments passed but they gave her the phone and she promised to be back in two hours. They watched her run off and Lena came out asking what happened. They explained that sometimes they would get work and it was May's turn. Lena nodded and invited them to play a few board games or something. They joined her for some games but Huey did get tired quickly and claimed a quiet corner to read his guidebook in until he fell asleep.
Lena sat outside and held her head as she wondered what she was doing. She was already using her friends, now she was dragging others into her life. Hadn't she learned? Friends, Family, Freedom, what was the point if they only bring pain?
"What am I doing?"
"Sitting?" She jumped at hearing a voice next to her and seeing it was June. The girl smiled and kicked her feet. "What's wrong?"
"Oh, it's nothing… just bad thoughts."
"I get those sometimes…" Lena shot her a disbelieving glance but June smiled gently while looking down. "I know I don't seem the type, May maybe but not me. But we all went through a lot through our lives and I'm not stupid, I know when things were bad. I know where we are lacking and I know some of us feel… neglected and lonely. I've dealt with my own mind but at least when I break, my siblings are always there for me. You're alone out here, that sounds like hell…" Lena blinked and looked away.
"Sometimes… being alone isn't that bad…"
"You don't believe that… take it from someone who spent a lifetime wanting something. I know when someone is wanting." She leaned against Lena who stiffened before relaxing slowly. "I don't know what you are waiting for… but I hope you'll find what you want."
"What I want… or what I deserve…" Lena didn't speak again and just held June as the girl dozed off. It was strange, June was able to pull out the same emotions that Webby had when they met. She needed to keep closer tabs on her feelings or she'd never be able to do what she needs to for her freedom. The sounds of footsteps drawing close, caused her to grab June and put her hand over her amulet. "Who's there?!"
"Don't shoot, it's just me." May answered looking tired and she waved at Lena, seeing June and sighing. "Sorry for her, she hates sleeping alone. I'll take her." She carefully takes June and heads under the stage. "Hey… thanks again Lena for everything you did for us today. We'll try not to burden you." Lena waved the comment off
"Don't sweat it, I know what it's like to have no home. We do the best we can… it's all we can do." May nodded and gave her a good night before going to join her siblings. She laid between them and sent the photo she got to their mother.
. . .
Black Heron finished preparing her old lab and all the ingredients she would need. Just then her phone chimed and she opened the photo with a smirk.
"Found you Agent 22, now it's time to get back what you took from me."