Golden Heart

Chapter 3

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It was early enough the next morning that most coffee drinkers, such as Fenton Crackshell, would say it was criminal to be awake at such an hour. Not that he had been able to sleep a wink the night before anyways. He'd dozed off every few hours, only to wake up in a mild panic and sweat as he dreamed of Scrooge's anger for even so much as speaking to Glomgold, let alone promising to bring him along on their treasure hunt.

He had packed the night before. Bringing two suitcases and his Gizmoduck suit of course, which was currently strapped to his back.

Fenton wrung his hands together after setting his suitcases on either side of him as he stood in front of the doors to McDuck Manor. He couldn't remember a time when he was this anxious and nervous to walk into his paramour's home. Save for perhaps the time after he had kissed Scrooge for the first time without permission, or maybe it was after he had sent the singing love bear to the billionaire's office.

Yeah, he had not looked forward to seeing Scrooge's ire once he learned how angry that had made the older duck.

"Okay, Fenton" he muttered to himself in a sort of pep talk fashion. "It's just Scroogie. All you have to do is explain to him what happened and he'll understand, right?" He looked down at the thick envelope Glomgold had given him the night before. Perhaps all this new information about the Golden Heart would be enough to pacify him and distract him from his anger? "No more standin' around, Fenton! Just do it!" The accountant went to knock on the door when the door opened before he could touch the wood, causing him to lose his balance and fall through the threshold.

With a yelp, Fenton tumbled over his suitcases and fell on his rump hard. "Oof!"

"Always a pleasure, Mr. Crackshell" drawled Duckworth as he regarded the accountant on the floor.

"Wish I could say the same thing, Duckworth! Talk about impeccable timing!" he groaned as he stood and rubbed his behind. "How did you even know I was there?"

Duckworth grabbed his suitcases and set them inside the doorway before shutting it. "I saw you walking up the driveway, Mr. Crackshell. I waited for you to knock, but after having not heard a knock for about five minutes, I began to wonder if either you had forgotten how to knock or simply wished to loiter around all day. So I just opened the door for you."

Fenton groaned. "So thoughtful." Picking up his suitcases, he asked, "Do you know where Scrooge is? I was supposed to meet him here."

"Ahh, yes. He would be in the library. He has finished packing as of last night and declared that while waiting for you to arrive, he would be doing some last minute studying. Checking references to his research. That sort of thing" answered the canine butler stiffly. "If you would like, you may keep your suitcases here."

Fenton nodded. "Sounds good. Thank you, Duckworth!" He kept his Gizmoduck suit on his back and went in search of his paramour. Once he reached the library, his eyes landed on the long table that was currently littered with books and papers. "Scroogie?"

Scrooge McDuck had been leaning over a map, a magnifying glass in his hand. His head snapped up at the call of his nickname. "Ahh, Fenton! Is it that late in the mornin' already?" He checked the clock and saw that it was later than he thought. "Pluck me pin feathers! I thought-" He stammered for a moment before shaking his head. "Never mind! Donnae matter what I thought." He folded up the map and took one of the books; leaving everything else behind. "I was just cross referencing a few things before we left. There isn't much information out there about the Golden Heart and I wanted t'make sure what little information I had was not phony."

The envelope in Fenton's hand suddenly felt as though it had caught fire as guilt welled up in his gut. "Uh...About that, Scroogie, my love."

Scrooge pushed past him, hardly listening as they walked out of the library. "I take it you packed light?" the older duck called behind him.

This change in topic caught the accountant off guard. "Uh...Yeah. I did. I didn't pack any heavy sweaters, but I DID bring my 'Happy Ducky University' sweatshirt. Hope that's not too heavy..."

This caused Scrooge to stop dead in his tracks. He slowly turned to look at the younger duck. "What? That's not what I meant when I said 'pack light!'"

Fenton blinked owlishly. "It wasn't? Then what DID you mean?"

"When I said t'pack 'lightly' I meant 'don't pack a LOT'!" snapped the other duck. His eyes narrowed. "You're meanin' t'tell me that you only brought light short sleeved clothing? No jackets? No sweaters?"

"I told you! I brought my 'Happy Duck University' sweatshirt! And I DID bring a light jacket! But I thought cause it was a thinner material, I could get away with it!" gulped Fenton nervously.

Scrooge let out a long sigh and shook his head. "Donnae matter. If ya need warmer clothes ya can buy yourself a coat. Ya did bring some money with ya, didn't you? There is a local town we can stop at for supplies."

Fenton nodded, happy to know he'd done something right. "Yes sir!"

As Scrooge turned around, Fenton's attention went back to the envelope in his hand. "Oh, uh, Scrooge?"

The two of them entered the front hall, where Fenton could see Scrooge's own suitcase waiting now alongside his own. Duckworth was waiting faithfully by the door. "Yes, Fenton?"

"You were worried about research, well, I actually have some stuff on the Golden Heart-"

Scrooge had turned around and was up in Fenton's face so quickly, the accountant nearly stumbled backwards. "You do!? HOW!?"

Fenton had flinched, thinking Scrooge was already angry at him. But after a moment, he realized Scrooge's voice was not angry; it was excited. He looked down at his paramour for a moment before wordlessly handing Scrooge the envelope.

Scrooge ripped it from his hands and began sifting through it. "Bless me bagpipes! Wherever did ya find all this, laddie? This is actual documentation and texts on the Golden Heart! I've been looking for this kind of documentation! I didn't think any existed save for the brief mentions of the myth!"

"Heh, would you believe me if I told you I found it at the Duckberg Public Library?" joked the taller duck.

Scrooge only gave him a dead pan expression. "Fenton" he warned.

Fenton winced before blurting out, "Mr.-Glomgold-came-by-last-night-and-gave-me-those-in-exchange-for-him-to-come-along-with-us-and-I-agreed !"

Scrooge paled. He hadn't fully understood all of what Fenton had said but he had heard the words 'Glomgold', ''exchange' and 'come along' and that had been enough for him to understand what had happened. He felt his blood begin to boil as he glared dangerously at the young accountant before him. "You WHAT!?"

Fenton took a step back as he realized he was no longer standing before his beloved Scroogie, the very love of his life. No, he was seeing a wrathful demon. A wrathful demon who had just grabbed his cane. Fenton backed away further. "Scrooge! Listen! He just showed up last night! And I think he really was being sincere when he told me he just wants to make things right between you two! He's tired of being your rival and this is his way of making things up for all the times he's...well, screwed you over? Heh." His argument had started out strong, but somewhere in the middle it had fallen flat. It had sounded SO much better in his head!

"AND YOU BELIEVED HIM!?" roared Scrooge as he stepped closer, his cane ready to strike.

Under the stress of being hit, Fenton cried, "Of course I did! I'm gullible and naive! But you already know this about me! It's what makes me so adorable! Or so I'm told! Can't a guy have FLAWS!?"

Scrooge didn't answer, instead he grunted loudly before slamming his cane down on the little tea table beside Fenton; taking his anger out on it instead of his significant other. After slamming the cane down numerous times, his anger eased out of him as he slowly collected his thoughts. "Fenton, did it ever OCCUR to you that he was LYING?! He did that for leverage! Now I owe him!"

Fenton nodded mutely. A beat later he straightened up and said boldly, "You know what? That thought DID cross my mind! But Scroogie, unlike you, I BELIEVE he can change! Everyone deserves a second chance! What if he really DOES want to change? Who are we to deny him that chance?"

"We're the ones who are gonna suffer the consequences if he's NOT!" hissed the older duck in reply. He paused as his attention was brought back down to the envelope in his hand. He looked back up at Fenton. "He gave you all this?"

Fenton nodded. "Yes! He said it was his way of proving how sincere he was being! He just wants to help YOU get the treasure! He won't take it for himself, he said! He promised! I mean, why would he give you all the best information out there about the Golden Heart if he didn't want you to have it?"

Scrooge sighed. "I cannae think of many reasons. Firstly that its a trick and none of this is even real. Could be a wild goose chase for all we know."

"Well, it's not!" came Glomgold's deep heavy accent from the doorway. "But I'm so glad t'hear ya have such faith in me, Scroogie!"

Scrooge whirled around and glared at his rival, his anger shifting over to Glomgold. "YOU! How dare ye go and barge into Fenton's home and trick him into believing your outrageous lies!" He stepped over and got into the other Scottish duck's face.

"Lies!? HA! Sorry, McDuck, but what I told yer little accountant was all truth!" goaded Glomgold.

"Oh, so you expect me to believe this hogwash about you wishing to mend things between us and help ME get the Golden Heart while you get nothin' out of it for yourself?" asked Scrooge as he crossed his arms.

Glomgold nodded. "That's right, McDuck. It's just as the lad said it." He walked over to Fenton, who was standing there flabbergasted by the whole scene. He wrapped his arm around the accountant's shoulders. "He understands me, Scroogie. He understands that I'm an old man who's seen the error of his ways and wishes to make up for them while he can!"

Scrooge jolted slightly and hopefully Glomgold didn't see the unease that was sent shivering down Scrooge's spine at the sight of Flintheart's arm around Fenton. He didn't quite understand why he was feeling this bothered by the sight of them standing so close to each other. He brushed it off as being uneasy about the devious smirk on the older duck's face instead.

Fenton, for his part, nervously looked back and forth between the two rivals. "Heh, talk about being between a rock and a hard place!" he squeaked jokingly.

Glomgold turned his full attention on the accountant, going far as rubbing Fenton's arm in an almost comforting way. It had the opposite effect. "Ahh, relax, Crackshell! I appreciate yer understanding and cooperative attitude. I only wish the rest of the world could be so sweet and understanding as you." He leaned in ever so closely, whispering into the younger duck's ears, "Makes me see just what Scroogie might see in ya."

Though he had whispered, Scrooge had still heard him. "Get away from him, Flintheart! And go soak yer head while yer at it! You're not comin' with us and that's final!"

Glomgold finally released Fenton and looked away before crossing his arms. "Fine then. Give me back the envelope." He reached his hand out.

Scrooge's eyes widened as he pressed the sacred maps and texts to his chest. "Oh no! If you're such a changed man, Flinty, then you should have no problem parting with these on good conscious!"

Glomgold frowned. "Now see here, McDuck!" he began angrily. "I've gone out of my way to make sure you get what you need to find that Golden Heart! Besides, if you'd stop accusing me for five minutes and actually READ those texts, you'll find that the Golden Heart's ability to enhance a person's wealth can only be given to one person! And that person has to be in love, which I'm NOT! But you and your little boyfriend over here, ARE! Meanin', even I were up to me ol' tricks, which I'm not, I wouldn't be able to take it from ya anyways! Only ONE person gets it and accordin' to legend, if the Golden Heart is stolen, it doesn't work. I couldn't steal it from under yer beak if I wanted to!"

Scrooge pursed his beak, his glare never leaving Flintheart's face. Though he did sneak a glance down at the texts and maps in his arms. He had not managed to find any of that in his research. Perhaps bringing Glomgold along wouldn't be the worst plan ever, especially if anything he had just said was to be believed. "Ugh, ya drive a hard bargain, Flinty."

Glomgold leered at Scrooge. "Don't I know it."

"I still don't believe any of this nonsense about you tryin' to 'change yer ways' however" added the old mallard.

"Good enough" shrugged Glomgold.

Fenton looked between the two of them. "Wait, so...Was I right? Were you really being sincere, or were you tricking me last night?"

Both Scrooge and Flintheart answered at the same time. "He was lying!" "It was the truth." The older ducks glared at each other.

Fenton pulled at the collar of his shirt and gulped. "Well, this oughta be a fun trip then, eh?"

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Fenton figured that it would be better left unsaid what happened during the car ride over to the airport. Duckworth would bets agree, he figured. Though he had always found it hard to figure out just what the canine butler was thinking most of the time. He really needed to loosen Duckworth up a bit!

Glomgold and Scrooge, while together, acted a lot like fighting children in a schoolyard, Fenton had learned very quickly during the car ride. Though he had known of their deep hate-filled rivalry for a while, the accountant had no idea just how bad it was nor had he ever seen them together in person.

Until now.

Sadly, he had been forced to sit between Glomgold and Scrooge while in the car. It didn't go unnoticed that Scrooge had been more lenient and forgiving as Fenton pushed himself over closer to his paramour to avoid contact with Glomgold. Normally Scrooge frowned at the unnecessary amount of closeness. It had made him smile as he leaned against Scrooge. He didn't dare try anything more with Scrooge though, not with Glomgold so close. But it had sent stirrings in his heart that reminded him why he loved Scrooge so much.

The two rich ducks had argued about anything and everything under the sun. From politics to what kind of salad dressing was better. The accountant could only imagine what the rest of the trip was going to be like.

As the three of them stepped out of the car, a familiar voice rang over the sound of loud airplane engines. "Heyo, Mr. McDee! How've ya been?" came the happy booming voice of Launchpad McQuack as he walked towards them. Behind him was Scrooge's private airplane. The pilot pushed up his aviator hat a bit and beamed at them. He wore his usual brown jacket and cream colored scarf.

"Hello, Launchpad. Long time no see!" greeted Scrooge after pushing Glomgold aside. He ignored the other duck's grumbled curses. "How's it been for you in St. Canard?"

Launchpad straightened and shrugged nonchalantly. "Oh, you know. Same old, same old. It's not exactly a normal day without some kind of catastrophe, whether it's villains jumping in and out of paintings, electrified rats, or plant slime monsters. But it keeps me active, at least! Heh!" He rubbed the back of his neck. "But actually, things have been pretty quiet lately back in the city. It's the main reason I was even able to come, really. DW doesn't need me much at the moment. Plus, I had been planning to stop in town to visit my sister Loopy."

Fenton stepped up. "'DW'? You mean Darkwing Duck? How's he doing these days?"

Launchpad shrugged. "As good as a hero can be when the crime rate is this low. Heh heh!"

"How touching! A family reunion!" commented Glomgold sarcastically.

Fenton smiled at him. "Oh, Launchpad isn't family. But it DOES rather feel like a reunion, doesn't it?"

Glomgold just stared in disbelief at the accountant, who was oblivious to his shock. Scrooge sighed and shook his head. "Eh, Fenton?" he began. He reached out and grabbed his significant other's shoulder, pulling him close. "Why don't you help Duckworth get our baggage out of the car?"

"Umm...Alright..." He went back over to the car.

Launchpad watched in bewilderment, having just now noticed the third party member. "Wait, you're bringin' Flintheart Glomgold with you, Mr. McDee?"

"Yeh gotta problem with that, laddie?" sneered the Scottish clas duck.

Scrooge frowned at the other duck before turning to the pilot. "Sadly, yes, Launchpad. I'm sorry for the sudden addition to our crew."

"No worries there, Mr. McDee! You know I always pack more supplies than necessary in case of emergencies! I've got it covered!"

"So this is how we're flyin'? 'The Great Witless Wonder', Launchpad McQuack, is flying us across the ocean and over to Sitka, France? Yeh've got to be joshin' me!" spat Glomgold. "We'll bet at the bottom of the ocean in no time with his track record!"

Launchpad gave him a hurtful look. "Heeeey, now! I've had my share of crashes sure, but let me tell ya, any crash you can walk away from is a good crash! If it has wings, I can fly it! Trust me!"

"And crash it" muttered Scrooge.

"And crash it!" echoed Launchpad proudly.

Glomgold rolled his eyes.

Scrooge leaned over to him gloatingly. "Perhaps if ya don't like our travel arrangements, y'can just stay here, Flinty."

Glomgold gave him a hard look. "I'm going!"

It was a cheap shot, Scrooge knew, but he had taken it anyways. He glanced over to see how Fenton was fairing. The accountant was finishing bringing their suitcases over to the plane where Launchpad began packing them into the cargo carrier. With a grunt, Fenton walked back over to Scrooge and wiped his brow. "I think that's all of it, Scroogie."

Scrooge nodded. "Splendid. Soon we'll be off and closer to the treasure!" His eyes lit up at the reminder of exactly why they were going to France. The thrill of once again hunting for treasure always sent shivers of excitement through his bones. He glanced over at Fenton. "You know, laddie. I do believe this will be the first treasure hunt you've gone on with me. Normally I'm taking the boys along for the adventure."

Fenton smiled. "Yeah, I sure hope they don't mind that I'm going instead of them!"

Scrooge shrugged. "Neh, they'll get over it. They're in school right now anyways. I promised their uncle Donald only to take them places when they were out for the summer. Mrs. Beakley and Duckworth can handle them. At any rate, football season is about to start, so they'll be distracted by that."

Fenton had stopped listening at the mention of his first treasure hunt with Scrooge. It was true! He hadn't even thought of that! All the drama with Glomgold tagging along had caught made him forget! Not to mention they were going to the most romantic location in the world! FRANCE!

Nimble fingers found themselves wrapped around Scrooge's left forearm as Fenton stepped closer to his paramour and whispered into his ear, "Oh, that's right, Scroogie, my love, my paramour! You're letting ME come along! And I didn't even have to BEG!"

Scrooge chuckled. "You know, now that you mention it, perhaps I shouldn't let you come along. You allowed yourself to be bamboozled and tricked into letting Glomgold come along after all." A teasing smirk was on his face as he watched his significant other squirm. He certainly did enjoy teasing his accountant.

Fear struck the accountant quickly as his grip tightened. "No! I'm sorry, Scroogie! So, so sorry! But you know how I am! I believe in people! I know I messed up but I just have a feeling this time is different, Scrooge! I think something's changed in him! He wants something more than just that treasure! He wants to be a different person! A BETTER person! I know it! I know by the way he looks at us! He looks at us and sees a way to redemption! We just need to help him!"

Scrooge rolled his eyes at his dramatic use of words, but there was a soft smile on his beak. "You're naivety is gonnae get the better of you someday, Crackshell." He jumped when Fenton suddenly kissed Scrooge on the cheek.

"We're going to France!" giggled the accountant, his mind having already wandered back to a happier topic. Scrooge allowed him to hang on him and kiss his cheek; strangely having a need for the contact. Fenton's excitement was contagious and though he wasn't positive, he guessed having Fenton so close to him might be part of it.

'You're goin' soft, Scrooge, ol' boy' thought Scrooge.

"Okay!" announced Launchpad loudly. He turned around to the others. "Everybody's stuff is in the cargo carrier and is secure! Is everyone ready?" He received silence for his answer. Fenton was still holding on tightly to his beloved while Scrooge and Glomgold were glaring daggers at each other. They were waiting on Launchpad. "Well, I can tell this is gonna be a looong flight!"

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