The Golden Heart - Chapter 9

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"Alright, Mr. McDee" announced Launchpad as he set the last of the firewood onto the pile. He wiped his hands together to get some of dust and dirt off. "That's all the burnable wood I could find. Most of it's fallen tree roots, t'be honest."

Scrooge looked up at the wood pile from where he was taking inventory along the wall of the cave. He hummed in thought. "Hmm...I suppose that will have t'do. Save some of those bigger wood pieces though, Launchpad. We can use them as torches later."

"What are we, some kind of Boy Scout group now!? Just toss it on the fire and be done with it! We need to warm ourselves up!" hissed Glomgold from several feet away. He was desperately trying to dry out his clothes and belongings. "Besides, whatever happened to that lighter Crackshell claimed to have had!?"

Fenton sighed, pulling his knees up to his chest. Both he and Launchpad, who had just sat down near Scrooge after having collected the fire wood, both eyed the two rich ducks nervously, before eyeing Scrooge with concern. They knew what was about to happen.

Glomgold had earned himself a quick glare from his rival. With his eyes flashing in anger, Scrooge spat back, "Quit yer belly achin', Glomgold! This is called basic survival! We're not at some posh golf course where yer doted on hand and foot! In case its left yer notice, we're in the middle of the vast French moors, trapped in t'bottom of a lost cave! There's no sense in burnin' what could be all that's left of wood down here! How d'yeh suppose we find anythin' down here, along with a way out, when we can't even see after all the wood is burned up!?"

Glomgold didn't reply, his mouth shut in a tight frown.

"Now, if yer done suggestin' idiotic notions, I suggest yeh keep yer beak shut as we devise a plan fer our next step!" snapped Scrooge. "As for Fenton's lighter-during the fall, it had landed on a rock and smashed. It's useless! Just like you're bein' right now! Everyone else has been contributin' their help save fer you! Now shut yer gob before I shut it fer yeh!"

Properly chastised for the moment, Glomgold simply crossed his arms and sulked, his glare never leaving Scrooge.

Ignoring Glomgold, the richest duck turned his attention back to the task at hand. "Now, everything seemed t'be in order. I think, Launchpad, it would be best if yeh focused on findin' a way out of here." He was busy adjusting the wood pile and finding the best twigs to start a fire with.

Launchpad blinked at his boss owlishly. "Heh? You want me to what?"

Patiently, Scrooge replied, "I want yeh to find a way t'get us out of here." He raised a finger up towards the ceiling of the cave and towards the only light source they currently had. He began twirling the twig in his hands to cause friction with the other one. After a moment, steam began rising from the wood pile. Without taking his eyes off his work, Scrooge carried on, "It would appear that the wall of the cave in climbable. You and Fenton both found roots sticking out from the walls. Surely some of them are strong enough to carry yer weight, especially down this far in t'ground. Climb up there and find us a rope. Or even better, go and find us help. Per'aps going back to the cottage and finding our hosts. I'm sure they'd be more than happy to help us out."

"You want me to climb all the way up there!?" whined Launchpad, his shoulders sagging.

With a deadpan look, Scrooge said, "I've seen yeh climb far higher cliffs in our past adventures, Launchpad. I have no reason t'believe yeh couldn't climb this. It couldn't be more than twenty feet high."

Launchpad hunched over further and sighed, knowing the old miser was right. He had climbed much higher and more difficult terrain in the past. Yet that didn't mean he wanted to. "Alright, fine, Mr. McDee. I'll do it."

"Thank yeh, Launchpad." After another moment, Scrooge cackled happily when the fruits of his labor were seen. The wood caught fire and with a little bit of upkeep, the fire was growing and they found themselves among a decent sized camp fire.

"Good job, Scrooge. The fire is great" smiled Fenton, having spoken for the first time in a while.

Scrooge looked up at him, taking in the accountant's slumped shoulders and wan smile. He never would have guessed how much he would find himself hating it when Fenton called him by his actual name. He opened his mouth to say something, but no words were forthcoming. Instead, he looked away and pushed one of the twigs closer into the fire.

Glomgold was the next person to speak up. "Alright, so, we've figured that the pilot can stay back and try to get a way for us out of here. I suggest Crackshell stays behind as well."

Fenton looked up incredulously from where he'd been resting his chin on his knees, his arms holding his legs close. "What? Why!?"

"Aye, Flinty. Exactly why do you feel that's necessary? Launchpad is more than capable of handling the task by himself" argued Scrooge.

Oblivious to the conversation happening around him, Launchpad, who had been looking up at the cave wall he was going to be climbing, said, "Oooh, I see what ya mean, Mr. McDee! There ARE tree roots sticking out of the wall!"

The other three were silent for a moment while Glomgold gave Scrooge a skeptical raised eyebrow.

Sighing, Scrooge shook his head. "The evidence is not entirely in my favor, but it's true. Fenton does not need to stay behind with Launchpad."

Hearing the last bit and deciding to join in with reality, Launchpad piped up, "Honestly though, I wouldn't mind the company."

Fenton curled up further into a ball as he glanced over a Scrooge. He was finding himself wondering if Scrooge even wanted him around at this point. Yet he was unable to stay silent on the subject. "I swear I can useful, Scrooge. I want to help you find the Golden Heart! That's the whole reason I even came on this trip!" His words grew more passionate with every sentence.

Scrooge nodded in agreement. "Aye, Fenton. I agree with yeh. I see no point in you stayin' behind. It only takes one person to climb up. No point in there bein' two of yeh."

Glomgold frowned. "He's dead weight, McDuck. He'll only hold us back!"

A strong wave of anger and annoyance welled up inside Fenton as he glared back over at the second richest duck. "I will not! Cheese and crackers! Give a guy a chance! At least I've helped out! I helped Scrooge figure out the clue in the text! We figured out this cave was beneath the well! You haven't done anything save for insult everyone!"

Scrooge stared at Fenton in awe, a smile coming to his beak. It was a rare sight to see Fenton angry and snapping at anyone and Scrooge found himself admiring the sight more than he cared to admit. Fenton was an odd egg, to be sure, but his heart was always in the right place. It was admirable. However, at the same time, Scrooge knew and hated to admit that deep down, the real reason he wanted Fenton along was simply because he didn't want to find himself alone with Glomgold. His rival had been getting under his skin and feathers frequently lately and for reasons he didn't want to think about.

Glomgold scoffed and crossed his arms at Fenton's accusation. "Listen, yeh little scamp, I don't have the stomach to watch yeh fawn and drool over McDuck like a lovesick puppy the whole time!" He turned his glare to Scrooge. "Besides, I was the one who gave you the texts and scrolls that got us here t'begin with! So I should get some kind of say as to how this all plays out!"

"Gag me with a tongue depressor, Flinty! Yeh tricked a gullible accountant to invite yeh to come with us! Well done! Now stop actin' as though yeh willingly handed over the texts and scrolls! Yeh didn't! Ya weaseled yer way onto this trip after lettin' it slip to me that yeh knew of the legend! If anyone should get left behind, its YOU!"

Clearly at the end of his rope, Glomgold plucked his hat off and began twisting it angrily in his hands. "I'm warnin' yeh, McDuck! That no good excuse of an accountant should not go with us! He's already suspicious about the King's story! He will ruin everything and make it harder for you to make yer decision!" He pointed an accusing finger at Fenton. "That boy will be yer undoing!"

The silence in the cave that followed was more deafening than any of their yelling and arguing ever could have been.

Launchpad nervously re-positioned himself where he was sitting next to Fenton, glancing at his two friends to gauge their reaction.

Panting from all the pent up anger, realization seemed to dawn on Glomgold's face as he finally heard all that he had said. His eyes widened fearfully as he dropped his accusing finger from Fenton. His widened eyes turned to Scrooge, who was staring at Glomgold as though he had never seen him before.

"My decision?" His question finally broke the tense silence. "What decision?"

Clearly panicking and wishing he could take back his words, Glomgold reminded them of a fish out of water with the way his mouth opened and closed as he tried to form words. "To-" began Glomgold. "On whether or not to-To take the Golden Heart, of course! Crackshell is a distraction! I told yeh that earlier, Scroogey! He's a doofus and a klutz to boot! He'll find or cause trouble and we won't be able to get to the Golden Heart!"

"I will not cause trouble! Besides! I WANT Scrooge to get the Golden Heart!" defended Fenton, though his words seemed to go on deaf ears.

"That doesn't really explain what my decision would be. You mentioned a 'decision' I would have to make. What decision are you talking about?" Scrooge pointed out coldly.

A nasty twisted smirk appeared on Glomgold's face as his shifty eyes turned to Fenton. "Why, yer decision to choose Crackshell or the Heart. He'll find himself in trouble and you'll have to make a choice."

"What hogwash are you spewing out, Glomgold!? What devious plot is runnin' through yer mind!?" demanded Scrooge. He suddenly stood up, grabbing one of the larger sticks and allowing the one end to catch fire; making a good torch. "Now I'm all the more convinced that Fenton needs to stay with us. Yer plannin' somethin' and I don't like it! Keep yer secrets, Flinty! Whatever it is yeh have planned, yeh won't get away with it!" In a slightly softer voice he spoke to Fenton. "Come along, Fenton. Get yer things together. We've spent enough time dilly dallying. We're gonnae find the Golden Heart!"

Still unnerved by everything that Glomgold had said to them, Fenton wordlessly stood up and began gathering his bag and belongings together.

Launchpad took his cue and began doing the same thing. "Eh, does anyone have any extra gloves? I uh...I may end up needing them. Mine already have a couple holes in them and the climb up may wreck them further."

Fenton jostled a few things around in his bag before he found some gloves and handed them to Launchpad. "Here. Scrooge has some in his pack if we need any."

Scrooge left the camp fire going, knowing Launchpad would appreciate the extra light as the pilot began figuring out how to climb the wall. He quickly put on a pair of gloves to protect his hands and stuffed the second pair in his back pocket.

Fenton and Glomgold both made themselves their own torches after putting their gear packs on their backs. Fenton fiddled with one of the straps to the back packs while he watched Scrooge step further into the cave. They had yet to explore any further than the immediate area since the darkness had been so thick.

"Come along!" called Scrooge over his shoulder. "This way!"

Fenton gave Glomgold a wide berth; making a conscious effort to stay away from him. He quickly made his way closer to Scrooge, falling into sync with the other duck's pace. Glomgold stayed a few paces back, his eyes digging into Fenton's back. The accountant could feel his stare and tried his hardest to ignore it.

They walked into the darkness and it didn't take long before Launchpad and the small lake they had fallen into were lost in the darkness as well.

The cave's walls were barren of anything interesting. Just mud and stone and occasionally they could see some granite along the ceiling. Their footsteps echoed along the floor and the hissing of the wood from their torches seemed louder than it should be.

Never one who dealt with silence well, Fenton found himself breaking it. "You were right about one thing, Mr. Glomgold." He paused, but neither of the rich ducks said anything. "I am suspicious of the King's story. I feel like a part of it is missing."

"Nonsense! The whole thing is there!" growled Glomgold.

"No. Near the end of it, it looks like some of it was wiped out" argued Fenton.

"It's an old text! Do yeh have any idea just HOW old!? No, yeh don't! It was bound to have some damage from age!" insisted Glomgold.

His voice echoed a bit. The cave had become more narrow; more like a tunnel, the further in they walked.

"I think Fenton is right" commented Scrooge.

"You do?" both Fenton and Glomgold exclaimed at the same time.

Scrooge nodded, his eyes looking ahead as he moved his torch further in front of him. "Yes. Fenton had mentioned it bein' strange that the King's story was missin' a few details just last night. I didn't think much of it then, but now that I think on it, it does seem a tad suspicious. Especially since you were the last person in possession of it, Flinty." He turned back to glare at his rival. "And frankly, I'm far more likely t'believe Fenton before I'll ever go trustin' you!"

Glomgold opened his mouth to retaliate back, when Fenton shouted in shock.

Both rich ducks turned to him; stopping in their tracks.

"Scrooge! Look!"

Scrooge followed Fenton's gaze and pointed finger and saw what the young accountant was so excited about. The cave had begun to open up wider so that it was no longer a tunnel. The ceiling went up higher where stalagmites and stalagmites surrounded them. It was very clear that cave's natural dwelling had changed from the tunnel and smaller cave they'd been in previously. Along the edges of the cave's was filled with water; though it was impossible to say how deep it was.

The three of them looked around, spreading out around the large open space they now found themselves in. Scrooge walked up to the wall of the cave and used the light of his torch to better inspect it. After a moment, he shouted with glee. "Brigadoon!"

Fenton jumped at the exclamation; having gotten spooked by it. He turned and went over to see what the fuss was about. "What is it? Did ya find the Golden Heart!?"

Lost in his happiness, Scrooge beamed happily and wrapped an arm around Fenton's shoulders and pulled him up close; their cheeks touching. Stunned by the dramatic attitude change and closeness, Fenton could do nothing more than stare in surprise at his paramour. "Nae, Fenton! Nae! But just as rewarding!"

Faintly from behind them, Fenton was able to hear the sound of Glomgold dropping his gear pack and muttering incredulously, "Great Scott. Yeh've got to be joshin'."

Scrooge began cackling happily and he let go of Fenton and began bouncing up and down in happiness. Fenton simply looked between the two ducks in confusion. "I'm confused. Why all the excitement?"

"Look up, Fenton, m'boy! Look!" chuckled Scrooge in his glee.

Fenton did just that and his eyes widened in wonder. This was no mere cave. It couldn't be. It simply wasn't natural. Those were not simply stalagmites and stalactites that were hanging from the ceiling and rising from the cave's floor. They shone like gemstones of all kinds. Sparkled and gleamed to the point where it was breathtaking.

"Yer tellin' me that all these years I owned this property and all THIS was underneath the ground!?" shouted an infuriated and jealous Glomgold. He fumed and stomped his foot like a child while Fenton and Scrooge continued to marvel at the wondrous sight before them.

"Oh, there's everything here! Iron ore and zinc!" Scrooge began to ramble in his excitement as he pointed everything out. He was close to Fenton once more, a hand on one of the accountant's shoulders. "And look there! Diamonds! They're not even native to this area but there they are! Lapis Lazuli! Quartz of all kinds! If I weren't seein' it with me own eyes, I wouldn't believe it! It's as though its all natural, but it couldn't be! Such minerals are not naturally found in one place!"

Fenton couldn't help but smile at his paramour's excitement. "Maybe this is part of the King's story that was missing" suggested Fenton. "I mean, some of these gemstones looked like they'd already been partly mined."

Scrooge, however, was not listening. He stepped away from Fenton once more and stepped into the center of the cave, spreading his arms out and looking upwards at the shining stalagmites from where they hung. The light from their torches only illuminated the cave so much, so every movement of the light showed more beauty.

Dancing and parading around, it was clear that Scrooge was completely caught up in the moment. Fenton had witnessed this before. It was not unlike the gold fever the older miser was known to develop while treasure hunting.

The accountant laughed, glancing back at a scowling Glomgold. It was obvious that the second richest duck was trying his hardest not to look impressed or envious, but he was failing miserably.

Fenton had just turned to look back to his paramour, when suddenly he felt hands grab at his arms and he was quickly pulled into a tight and very uncharacteristic hug from Scrooge. They were both careful not to drop or collide with the torches they were both still holding onto.

"Tickle me tail feathers! Luck of the McDucks!" he exclaimed. He quickly pulled back from the younger duck and beamed at Fenton. "I never would have guessed such luck! What a turn of events! Not only are we on our way t'findin' the Golden Heart, but look here at all this! I can't even count all the resources in this here cave! This alone is worth a FORTUNE!" Impulsively, Scrooge quickly gave Fenton a very light peck on the cheek before letting the accountant go.

Awestruck, Fenton watched Scrooge go back to marveling at the cave, a hand gently touching the place on his cheek where Scrooge has kissed him. Fenton was quite sure his face was as red as a cherry as he stood there holding his own torch. Scrooge had willingly kissed him; albeit, on the cheek, but that was most spontaneous and romantic Scrooge has ever been with him. He knew a good part of it was due to the thrill of finding treasure, but Fenton didn't care.

It was easy to forget everything else. Just focus on the beautiful sight before him. The pure joy was coming off Scrooge McDuck in waves and in such a magical and enchanting place. A lot of people questioned and judged Fenton for his feelings for the richest duck in the world, thinking he was simply being a gold digger. Yet Fenton Crackshell had grown up appreciating the smaller things in life. His Ma'ma didn't have a whole lot and the salaries Fenton has made over the years went straight to bills for the most part; if not for the occasional gifts for his love interests.

Fenton really didn't care about money or riches of any sort. No, he liked making people happy by simply showering them with love and gifts. Watching Scrooge dance happily around the cave, kissing the gemstones carved into the walls- That's what made Fenton happy.

Though he was known to be a cruel old penny pincher to the majority of the world; Fenton had never once viewed him that way. No, when he looked at Scrooge McDuck, he saw an adventurer ready to explore and find treasure. He could be strict and harsh and demand more than anyone could ever offer, but the world was a cruel place to begin with.

Fenton walked up to one of the stalagmites that was at least three feet taller than he was. He moved his torch closer so that he could inspect the rough yet shiny surface. He wasn't entirely sure which gemstone this particular gemstone was made out of, but he ventured a guess to himself that it was a type of quartz.

"Is this quartz?" he heard himself ask out loud.

"Aye" came the baritone voice of Glomgold. "Smoky quartz by the looks of it. Yet its hard t'say exactly which kind for sure or what all is here before its been properly excavated."

Fenton flinched at the sight of Glomgold approaching him and quickly went to turn away. Yet Glomgold still spoke to him. Scrooge was currently on the other side of the cave exploring and the older duck knew it was a prime time to speak up. "Best get used to this, laddie."

Unable to help himself, Fenton frowned at Glomgold and asked, "Get used to what?" His voice was filled with irritation.

"Always bein' in second place in ol' Scroogey's heart" sneered Flintheart. He gestured to Scrooge who was cackling to himself in excitement; oblivious to the world. "Yer a distraction, laddie. That's all ya are. Till the next treasure hunt comes along. Then yer back to bein' old news."

Carefully crossing his arms as he held onto his torch, Fenton tapped his foot in annoyance and refused to look at Glomgold. "Nope! I'm not listening! My paramour is happy! We're on a treasure hunt! We just found all these gemstones and ore and you are not going to ruin it!"

Glomgold shrugged. "Right, right. I'm honestly not tryin' to ruin things for ya, Crackshell. I've just had years more experience with this than you."

That one stumped Fenton. His eyebrows knit together as Fenton tried to figure out Glomgold's meaning. "Years more experience treasure hunting? Sure, but not as much as Scrooge-"

Glomgold shook his head. "Years of experience being in second place. An I'm not talkin' about bein' the richest duck." His eyes turned to Scrooge and Fenton's own eyes followed them.

There was an awkward pause as Fenton registered his words. He then made a face. "Ugh, you and Scroogey?" His paramour's nickname slipped out by habit. "Please tell me that never happened!" He used his free hand to wipe at his eyes. "While the idea of anyone else with Scroogey has never really bothered me-Except for Goldie, maybe-I'm quite disgusted by the idea of anyone with...well...you."

Glomgold gave him a deadpan glare. "I'll have you know, Crackshell In my day, I was known as one of the most attractive men around!"

Another pause as Fenton thought this over. Then, "You must have grown up in a very unattractive area then."

Seething at this point, Glomgold growled. "Better than some lanky accountant who's stupid enough to forget to clean his laundry and wear his bosses' suit into work!"

With a cry of indignation, Fenton pulled at the fluffy feathers on top of his head. "I had been told my laundry would be done for me! The one time I actually thought Ma'ma would do the laundry! Give a guy a break!"

Glomgold snickered before replying, "All I'm sayin', Crackshell, is that Scrooge may be playin' along with this 'relationship' right now, but all he really cares about is treasure. Plain and simple."

"Scroogey loves me!" insisted Fenton. His voice cracked ever so slightly.

"Oh? Has he told you that? Has he said that out loud to you yet?"

Fenton looked away before mumbling, "No...But...Ya know, he's...not too good expressing himself sometimes..."

"Best stop makin' excuses for him now, laddie" continued Glomgold. "It'll only get harder if ya don't. Face facts: to Scrooge McDuck, yer nothin' more than his accountant who gets to tumble with from time to time!"

Fenton refused to let Glomgold get under his skin; continuing to watch Scrooge happily go from stalagmite to stalactite in fascination. It was obvious the world's richest duck was mentally cataloguing all the different gemstones and precious stones that were throughout the cavern. At this point, the younger duck wasn't entirely sure which was making him more worked up; the thought of himself never adding up to more than an accountant in Scrooge's eyes or the idea of Scrooge doing any kind of 'tumbling' with him.

Feeling Glomgold's stare on him, Fenton couldn't help but snap, "Leave me alone! You're just angry that Scrooge owns all this and you gave it to him willingly!"

Gobsmacked, Glomgold growled.

Hearing the outburst, Scrooge was startled back to reality as he turned away from a wall covered in gemstones and looked over at his fellow companions. His eyes narrowed when he saw Fenton's annoyed expression and Glomgold's glare. "What trouble are yeh causin' now, Flintheart!?"

Glomgold, never one to back down from an argument, stepped closer to Scrooge and met him halfway. The two stood before each other, both with their arms crossed and eyeing each other with suspicion. "No trouble! Just remindin' Crackshell of his place in yer life: which is as your accountant and nothing more!"

Angry and embarrassed, Fenton acted before he could properly think about what he was doing. He took his fist and slammed it hard against the stalagmite he was standing next to, opening his mouth and shouting, "Stop trying to tell me I'm not worthy! I know I'm not! I'm just some silly bean counter with dreams too big for his own good!" There was a loud crack from where his fist had slammed into the stone.

His words echoed through the cave and it was evident that something was happening. His fist was throbbing from where he had hit the rock but that was largely ignored as rumbling and shaking began to vibrate throughout the cavern.

"FENTON!" shouted Scrooge angrily. "What have yeh done!?"

Fenton's eyes widened in shock and horror as rocks and stones began falling from the ceiling.

All of three of them jumped back as a large stone fell between them.

Terrified at the reality that he had caused this, Fenton began blubbering out apologies. "I'm sorry! I really am, Scroogey! I was just-angry! What's

happening!?"

Scrooge was staring up at the ceiling; some of the stalagmites still shaking vicariously from above. Soon the shaking seem to settle and things went back to normal.. There was a deafening silence for a long minute as they waited for baited breath to see if anything else was going to happen.

Finally, Scrooge answered his question, "Yeh nearly caused a cave in is what yeh did!" snapped Scrooge. It was clear he was upset as he dusted himself off a bit from all the dirt that had fallen. "Use yer head, for once, laddie! Yeh can't go disruptin' the place like that!"

Glomgold, having stayed silent during the whole incident, eyed the two warily.

Fenton wrapped his arms around himself as he felt tremendously guilty. He walked over towards the wall of the cave, suddenly feeling the need for space. "I said I was sorry! Mr. Glomgold was saying all sorts of things and I just snapped and- AAAAHHHHH!" His next step had sent Fenton falling downward into a crevice that had opened up unknowingly beneath him.

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Author's Note: I am so sorry for another cliffhanger! I do have most of next chapter written and hopefully it will be up before too long! Let me know what you all think! I love you all! -EricaX