"You are wasting time, as usual." Lena rolled her eyes as she was walking back to the theater with an armful of groceries. Some bought and some… borrowed from kind parties.
"Every waking moment I'm not trying to grab the dime or kill Scrooge you say I'm wasting. I can't just pop in whenever I want, not only will that make the others suspicious but Scrooge himself. The second he even thinks there is magic afoot he'll find both of us seeing that you always are talking and showing up! We are doing this my way. One step at a time."
"The eclipse nears with each passing day and yet I still remain in this powerless form! You have gotten no closer to the pink one."
"Webby and I are already best friends, what more do you want? You want me to date her?"
"With how your weak little emotions are sometimes I wouldn't be surprised if you went that far," Lena growled but didn't say anything. "We are going to the manor today."
"These three still need me, it's only their third day here. You saw how they were yesterday. I took them to a movie and June was holding onto me scared out of her mind."
"Yes, and the nerd was taking notes and the yellow one was saying how she would do each kill better. What's your point? They're freaks like you."
"At least they have each other. I'm stuck with you." Lena opened the door to her home as all three of her wards were coming out holding bags. She felt a strange pain in her chest for a moment. "W-what's up guys? Y'all going somewhere?" June nodded with a smile, taking her hand.
"Work, a serious assignment. One that actually will take all of us. We should be back by tomorrow." Ahh, their mysterious "work". Lena had asked about it once but May shut down the conversation as she said they weren't really allowed to talk about it yet but promised they'd tell her someday. Lena could accept that, after all, she had her own secrets and their work actually meant they all had money to spend now.
"Oh, the groceries! Tomorrow I'll be able to cook us all something great with these!" Huey took the bags into their home and May helped him as he was wobbling. June noticed Lena's relieved expression and smiled.
"We'll be back before you know it. Maybe you should visit that friend you've told us about. After this next job, we should have some time off to relax. Maybe you can introduce us." Lena forced a smile as she nodded, having been looking for excuses to not go to McDuck Manor.
"Right. I'll do that. You all have some fun on that job of yours, but not too much that you go forgetting me now got it? I wanna try the nerd's cooking." June giggled and nodded.
"Deal!" The two shared a fist bump and Lena waved as the three set off. She sighed and took a moment to build her will and when Magica came out she held up a hand to stop her from talking.
"I know I know… Let's go to the Manor."
. . .
June was nearly bouncing off her seat as they settled in the jet, so much that May had to buckle her sister in. Huey was in the cockpit asking the egghead pilot several questions on how to fly a plane. After collecting her brother, the three sat facing a large screen. Their mother appeared on screen and she seemed to be working on her arm as something had torn it off.
"Mom! Are you okay?!" June shouted and Heron sighed but she forced a smile at them.
"Yes, I had a run-in with an old foe or two and underestimated one of their puppets. Valuable information was gained though." Huey smiled, it was a skill of hers that he always appreciated. Her ability to learn even from defeat. "However, my injuries are not your concern today. In reviewing old information I caught wind of new news. Sightings of a mythical race. I want you to go to Dunwyn Castle and find if any of their guardians, the Gummi Bears, exist. You are to go under the names of Winter, Autumn, and Summer Daye. FOWL has arranged for you to get a tour to gather information."
"And if we find any guardians?" May asked.
"You are to dispose or capture any Gummi Bears and find their Great Book. I want it in FOWL hands or destroyed. Those are your orders." The three nodded and saluted their mother who turned off the screen.
"Sooo does anyone know about this Dunwyn Castle?"
"I think I saw something about this in the guidebook." Huey dug in his bag for it but frowned when he couldn't find it. May shook her head.
"Under your hat genius. I put it under there when you fell asleep with it again." Huey lifted his hat and chuckled embarrassedly as he found it there and masked his embarrassment further by reading the passage of the castle.
"Dunwyn Castle has stood for over thousand years repelling enemies of all sorts over the centuries. Ruled by the royal family of the small kingdom of Dunwyn, in the last generation, they have opened their land to outsiders. The current ruler is King Arthur. Hmm weird, it seems some of the information is unfinished or maybe… this is a new copy of the book so maybe it was removed?"
"Someone covering up the Gummi Bears' existence? Why?"
"I think I know where we can find someone to ask! Welcome to Dunwyn!" June said as she pointed outside her window and the three looked out seeing a grand castle that was surrounded by a thick forest.
. . .
Their plane landed and the pilot removed their mask and said he would wait there for them to return. The three nodded and started off towards the castle but a breeze comes from the forest and Huey stops as he shivers and turns.
"Something wrong bro?" June asked seeing Huey's confused expression.
"Did you just feel that?"
"Feel what?" May asked now interested as she looked up from the brochure she was given.
"It felt like… Nothing. Come on we're wasting daylight."
"I'm not! Come on guys, it's our first castle! Race ya!" June ran off with May sighing and running after her to tell her that she couldn't just run into the castle. Huey spared the forest another glanced before shaking his head and running after his sisters. They arrived at the castle and stopped to soak in the sight. "Wow! It's huge!
"Incredible that it's still standing after so long."
"Nearly magical if you ask me." May said as she grabbed her siblings and too if you ask me," May stated before she pulled out the phone and grabbed her siblings, taking a photo with them. The castle in the background. She looked at the photo while Huey tried to fix his hair.
"What was that about May?" June asked, looking at the photo and giggling at her own surprised face and Huey's freak out.
"I… want to buy a camera. All the nice views in Duckburg, our first sunset, our first real friend. I want to capture those moments…" She looked down and knew that she was being childish but… she wanted more than memories. She wanted proof that these moments were real, that they really did get out of the headquarters. She had been so afraid lately to sleep, afraid that this has all been a dream.
"Why didn't you just say so?" Huey asked as he finished fixing his hair and slipped back on his cap. May seemed a bit surprised at the answer and June just nodded eagerly.
"He's right! If you wanted a camera you should have said something, we would have stopped by a shop to get a good one! I bet mom will give us some cash once this job is done so we'll be able to get an awesome one!" May smiled at them and nodded.
"Thanks, guys… now onto the job. Remember to play your part Winter, Summer."
"You got it, Autumn." They approached the castle but were stopped before they could enter. A butler frowned seeing the children.
"Can I help you?"
"I'm Summer Daye and these are my siblings Winter and Autumn. I believe our mother called to arrange us a tour of your great castle?" The butler walked away before coming back soon now with a smile that seemed just a bit fake.
"Ahh, the Daye Triplets! We've been waiting for you. Forgive me for my rudeness before. Follow me and we'll begin the tour." And so the next two hours were wasted following the butler as he spouted facts and lore that never seemed to end. May distracted herself by taking photos and June would swear she fell asleep twice standing up. Huey was the only one having fun as he seemed to engross himself in the legends and stories the butler would tell. Their tour eventually ended in the courtyard where the real entrance to the Gummi Forest could be seen. June saw this and grabbed her brother's beak before he could ask another question.
"Where's that sir?" She pointed at the forest and the butler seemed a bit distracted.
"Oh, that… that is the entrance to the Gummi Forest. A maze of a thicket, so much that our dear king has placed guards at the entrance to ensure no one wanders in. I couldn't imagine why anyone would want to, nothing in there but bugs and dirt." May frowned as she could tell there was more to this.
"What about the Gummi Bears?" The butler looked as though she had just slapped him and a booming voice answered for him.
"Myths and fantasies that should be forgotten, dear girl." The three turned to see a muscular Hawk training with a sword against a dummy. He yelled and sliced the dummy in two. He wiped his brow and tossed the blade to another servant who was waiting nearby. The Hawk walked over and smiled at the kids while he chuckled. "I see we have some guests, rare that we get children. Most are college students or some kind of researcher. I see you lot have been suffering through one of ol Ralph's tours. He means well but he also loves this castle more than I do." The Hawk laughed and slapped Ralph on the back, nearly knocking him onto Huey.
"Uhh, who are you?" May asked as June jumped onto the Hawk's arm muscles and swung playfully.
"I'm Arthur Dunwyn, the king of this castle." He smiled at June's playful nature and May quickly got a picture of them. Huey wasn't satisfied yet as he crossed his arms.
"Why did you say that when we bought up the Gummi Bears?" Arthur let June down and sighed.
"I refuse to let my land be only known for stories of fictional guardians and tales from old men. The Gummi Bears are a myth nothing more. My grandfather told me stories that he had heard from his own grandfather. Stories of when he was young and he actually met the Gummi Bears and fought by their side."
"Wouldn't that prove they're real?"
"Ancient tales from the aging imagination of an old man. No one has caught an eye or tail of the Gummi Bears for over four hundred years. Not since my great-great-grandfather supposedly did." The kids all looked confused as Heron said that she had sent them only after a report happened of someone having sighted them.
"No one has seen them since?"
"Not a soul." Arthur reconfirmed and started to lead the group back to the castle but June stopped.
"I don't believe that…" Arthur stopped and faced the girl.
"What?"
"I don't believe that they're fake. I heard the legends from my mother, they were guardians of this land. They could cast spells and make someone bounce. Destruction beyond compare." Arthur seemed to consider the girl.
"Those weren't the words… anyway magic and guardians. Those things just can't exist, little one."
"But what if they did, what if you're wrong?" The king stared at June and bent down to her height.
"What are you saying?"
"Summer's saying that maybe the reason you never saw them was that you don't believe," May said as she stood next to June. Huey joined them on June's other side.
"Autumn's right! Let us enter the Gummi Forest, we'll find the answer ourselves."
"That place is not for children to wander. I only allow a handful a year to enter those woods." The three smiled and Huey winked at the king.
"Trust us, your grace, we're not just some random kids. Give us a chance." King Arthur thought for a bit and got back up, ordering Ralph to collect the weapon for him. The butler nodded and rushed into the castle before returning with a dagger. Its blade was some kind of blue crystal. "Whoa… what is that?"
"Vesuvian Diamond. A rare material that can cut through anything the legends say. I never put much stock in legends but this is a powerful weapon. It's said my grandfather used it to defeat ogres. Your mother is known in circles for being a genius and for her skills in sword-fighting. I trust you know how to use this?" May took the dagger and walked up to one of the remaining training dummies. She took a breath and held it as she twirled the blade expertly and stabbed the dummy quickly in several fatal places over the body, before stabbing the head and slicing through the neck like it was butter. The head rolled over to the king who seemed impressed with the display while Ralph was now terrified.
"How was that?" Arthur laughed at May's comment.
"I like you! You have spirit. You three have to the end of today then to go into the forest and find your guardians." The three thanked him and ran off with Ralph seeming unsure. "You have something to say, old friend?"
"Why did you do that sir?"
"Nothing I could say would convince them otherwise. Some things children must discover on their own."
"But letting them enter the forest alone? Is that the right path?"
"It's how I discovered the truth. At least they have each other. Besides I'll have a platoon of knights at the ready should nightfall come and they haven't come out yet."
. . .
The Gummi Forest was different. Huey hadn't really in the woods before, just the park but this place seemed alive in a way the park just wasn't. Barely any light came through the trees and the air was thick with suspense as though at a moment the forest could come alive. May took lead while twirling the dagger as a form of comfort.
"You did good back there, June. That little speech." June walked behind Huey, keeping watch and marking their path with signs that Huey's guidebook.
"He wanted to believe. I think he's hoping we find something that he couldn't."
"It's weird, isn't it? For us, magic and monsters are just common knowledge but to normal people, they're something that they can't fathom."
"That's why FOWL exists. It's why we're needed so that they don't have to worry or fear them. We collect and destroy chaos so everyone can live peaceful lives. Powers like magic usually lead to trouble." May stated as she held up a hand and they stopped. "Something is wrong… June, check your signs." June turned and ran back to her most recent sign but found it was gone.
"Wait what? I just made it, where did it go?" May bent down and grabbed a rock, throwing it far from them, and waited a few seconds to see it vanish and reappear back at her feet."
"A trap… we've made a mistake. June look out!" May ran at her sister before all of them heard the whinny of a horse and the echoing laughter of a man. A spectral figure on a horse raced at them and it swung a sword at June but May jumped and saved her. Seeing the horse going for their brother now, she threw her dagger at Huey who caught it and blocked the slash at his chest. His dagger knocking the sword from the ghost's hands.
"Curious, it's been so long since I've faced children. Not since…" The specter stopped and held his head as he got off his ghostly steed. He was a large duck with dark feathers dressed in knight armor. He brandished his blade and pointed it at Huey. "Caven! You miserable brat! You were the one that stopped me from taking Dunwyn! You and those bears!" Huey gulped and looked at his sisters behind him.
"What's going on with him?! Wait… I recognize that name." June picked up the guidebook they had dropped and turned to a page about spirits.
"He's a restless ghost, it looks like he's confusing you for someone in his past. By the looks of it, an enemy." Huey groaned and turned just in time to dodge a jab from the sword. May and June rushed to his aid but the ghost pushed them back with harsh winds.
"No help from the dear princess or that bear this time boy!" He ran to the girls when Huey shouted.
"Stop Duke!" The ghost stopped and turned to the boy. Huey held the dagger with both hands and glared at the ghost. "That's you isn't it? Duke Igthorn, the greatest enemy of Dunwyn. Ralph said you were defeated by the future King Cavin and Queen Calla." The ghost rushed the boy but Huey rolled and kept backing away from the Duke's onslaught.
"You?! King?! You won't live to see the day!" He backed Huey against a tree and slashed down at him which he blocked with his dagger.
"H-how about a challenge then? A knight's duel… for the throne." Igthorn stopped and considered it. He backed away and smirked.
"Very well, but you'll have no help from your allies." He held up a hand, causing winds to surround the two. "Come young page, and meet your fate." June and May ran up to the winds and shouted to their brother.
"The dagger won't be enough to win! He can't be harmed from stuff like that! He bound himself to the forest, you have to find out why!" Huey nodded and ran at him, meeting the first few slashes before he kicked him in the stomach. The duckling groaned, he was a planner, not a fighter. He could fight but usually left it to May or June but they were counting on him this time. He rolled under an attack and slashed at the ghost's legs but they broke apart only to come back together.
"Fool! Your pathetic attacks can't hurt me!" He grabbed Huey by the collar and threw him hard to the ground. "I'm the Terror of Dunwyn! The Scourge of the Gummi Bears! The Shadow of the Gummi Forest." Huey coughed and spat as he looked up at the ghost and it all fell into place for him.
"That's right… I get it now!" He got back up and jumped on the tree behind him. Climbing it and swinging from branch to branch, dodging the sword swipes and using his dagger to cut branches down at the ghost who laughed. "Come on… just one more."
"Is this the best you can do?!" He grabbed Huey's leg and smashed him into the ground, causing his dagger to land away from them. He quickly grabbed a stone and used it to block Igthorn's attempt to stab him in the chest.
"Ugh! J-June! Throw your grappling hook! I need it!" June nodded and immediately threw her hook into the winds. Huey used his feet to push the Duke away before he jumped into the winds and was thrown around as he reached for the grapple. He could feel the air being sucked from his lungs but he grabbed it and came out of the winds choking and coughing.
"Huey!" His sisters yelled and he felt a hand grab his throat. He struggled and glared at the Duke.
"Any last words, King?" Huey aimed his grapple at the knight before aiming it above them and shooting it.
"Yeah… stay dead this time…" He pulled the hook which broke a large branch and finally allowed sunlight to shine down on them. Igthorn dropped the boy as he began to burn and vanish.
"No! No no no! Damn you! Damn you all!" Huey rubbed his throat as the winds began to die down and his sisters rushed to his side. They checked him for injuries and pulled out a first aid kit.
"You're the only one here's who damned." The ghost disappeared with only his sword remaining. The forest brightened and a warm breeze blew through their feathers, inviting them deeper in. After a few minutes of rest, they took the sword, collected the dagger, and continued their way in. The breeze led them through the forest to a small glen where a giant tree stood with windows and a pound at the base. "This is it.."
"The home of the Gummi Bears." May took another photo and the three entered the cozy little home. It was bigger inside than how it looked on the outside with a warm fire in the fireplace, art on the walls, and an overall gentle and inviting atmosphere. They looked around and June heard music coming from another room, motioning for them to follow. They walked through the house until they reached a library.
"Dashing and daring
Courageous and caring
Faithful and friendly
With stories to share"
A catchy song was playing from a record nearby. There was a large red book on a pedestal with a lock. The three approached the book, Huey gently gliding his fingers over it.
"I think this is it… We found the Great Book…"
"And that's not all children." May and June turned arms up, ready for a battle while Huey held the book close to his chest. There was an elderly bear nearby in an armchair. He wore a blue cap with a yellow feather, glasses over kind eyes, a red and yellow striped shirt, and blue shoes. His fur was a faded pink. The bear coughed and May could tell something was wrong.
"June, get the first aid again." She rushed over with her sister but the bear held up a hand.
"Thank you children but there is no changing fate."
"But… you're dying…" The bear chuckled and petted May on the head.
"I've always been afraid to confirm that but the last century has had me thinking."
"Is there nothing we can do?" June asked and the bear shook his head.
"There would be no joy in a longer life for me. I'm Cubbi, the last of the Gummi Bears of Gummi Glen. We protected this land for generations."
"Umm Cubbi, err sir?" Huey asked as he fidgeted in place.
"Yes, boy?"
"If you protect this land why did that ghost attack us?" Cubbi sighed as he shook his head.
"I was injured around fifteen years back. A young Hawk entered the forest and while I'd been able to protect many over the years, the ghost struck the boy down. Before the job could be done I took the fatal blow. My arm and leg were damaged but I was able to get the boy out of the forest. Since that day I was barely able to move much less do my duty…" The pain in the bear's voice hit the children to their cores but he smiled at them. "But then you three came. Thanks to your efforts, Gummi Forest is safe again and I can pass with the knowledge that my home is safe." The three shared a look, this was wrong. To come in like this and look like heroes when they were meant to take his book and to take him.
"Sir… we-" June started and Cubbi put a kind hand on her shoulder.
"Child, there are shadows cast on your heart. On all of yours. Pain from actions that must be done. Speak and I will try to understand." June nodded and told of their mission, to collect the book and to capture or destroy the Gummi Bears. Cubbi listened and when her story ended he smiled at them. "Well, children, what is your choice? Will you burn it? Take it? That book is all we are. It's our history and the stories of who we are. The only thing left that proved we existed." They all stood and looked at the book in Huey's hands.
"We… have a mission." May started but June quickly spoke up.
"But this is wrong. To just take it like this…"
"We would be protecting it from those that would use it."
"But also erasing the Gummi Bears for good… they would never be remembered for the heroes they were."
"June, we have orders."
"The orders are wrong! FOWL protects the world not destroys parts of it. We're heroes, not villains. I say we protect the book, show it to the king to prove their Gummi Bears' legacy." June touched the cover. Huey looked at the book and sighed.
"Fine… but we remove the spells and other magic. Leaving the legacy and stories." He put his hand on June's and May looked at them and then to Cubbi. She nodded softly.
"We're heroes… okay." She joined her hands with theirs and Cubbi clapped for them.
"You three truly are something special… and I thank you. Your choice will ensure my family and I are never forgotten or erased again." He reached beside his chair and pulled out a wooden sword. "Please… return this to the king. He lost it that day in the forest. Oh, and I wish for you to have this as a token of friendship." Cubbi pulled a medallion from around his neck and offered it to Huey. "Thank you friends… and may we meet again. I hope you three find the peace you long for…" Cubbi smiled and leaned back only to dissolve into yellow sparkles. Which floated to the ceiling and passed through it.
The three collected the items and the record before leaving the home. Huey glanced back to see it was no longer a house but a tranquil tree. He smiled and slipped the medallion around his neck. They arrived back at the castle, intruding on a speech that Ralph was making to a large platoon of soldiers who seemed on the verge of charging into the forest. They wished to talk to the king and he led them to the king's private chamber. Arthur listened to their tale and they showed him the items Cubbi had given them. Arthur held the wooden sword like they would an old friend.
"My father… made this for me… has it really been so long since I believed in childish wonders?" He wondered aloud but then smiled at the three. "Thank you for this. For giving me back my spirit and for showing me how wrong I was for trying to destroy a part of my home's history. I will display the Great Book and the Sword of Igthorn. Let them show the Gummi Bears existed and their efforts in making Dunwyn stand as long as we have.
"What about the dagger sir? The medallion? It's needed to open the book, right?" Huey asked as he held it out but the king pushed Huey's other hand over it.
"Consider it a gift. We will open the book, but after that, I believe the medal should stay with you. Wear it with honor Winter." Huey nodded and used it to open the Great Book. After displaying it for all to see and Ralph actually being pushed to tears, using the wooden sword, The king playfully knighted the three for their services. They refused to spend the night saying they have someone waiting back home but thanked the king. The three waved and headed back to the plane. Telling Heron of their successes and keeping some parts secrets. The book was no longer a threat and the Gummi Bears were gone. She deemed their mission a success and said they did her proud.
They were heading back to Duckburg when their mother sent their allowance and payment for the job. They promised May to get her a camera when they got home with June asking her to train her to use their new dagger. May agreed and the three relaxed. Huey smiled as his sisters slid to his sides and closed their eyes to nap. He rubbed his fingers over his new necklace and the medal.
"Finding our peace… I think I have mine."