Disclaimer: I do not own Ducktales.

Chapter 3: Thunder Storm

"Oh, great idea, Diane," Diane said to herself as she marched up what she hoped was the main road. She'd been hiking uphill for the past hour, with no sign of anything that looked like a mansion. And it was getting darker, and not because of the rain clouds. "Go play baseball instead of finding your dad! Why do I have to be so competitive…"

The sky, in response, let a few droplets of rain fall on top of her. Looking upwards, Diane studied the sky. She felt a few more drops of rain fall on her face - and hurriedly took of her pack. Digging around, she found the packaged rain slicker she'd gotten at ticket station kiosk before she left. She would have brought her rain coat but...she didn't have enough room in her backpack for that.

Slipping her backpack back on, she opened up the rain slicker package and put it over her. It was an adult size, and was able to effectively cover Diane and her backpack. Pulling up the hood, she glanced back up at the sky and started hiking back up the hill.

"Should have brought a flashlight…" She muttered, folding her arms under the slicker and marching forward. She would have used her phone but...she'd turned it off so her mom couldn't track it.

Not that Daisy wouldn't guess where she'd gone - it would only take a few days before she realized Diane was gone. And it'd take maybe a day to get to Duckburg from New Duck City if she went by plane, maybe two days by bus or boat. And with only a week or so free from her mom, Diane had to spend her time wisely. Unlike today...when she played a game of ball instead of looking for the main road.

The weather seemed to agree with her, as a flash of lighting pierced the sky, followed by a deep rumble of thunder. Jumping, Diane started moving faster. Usually she liked thunderstorms. She enjoyed calling out when the thunder would sound after the lightning flashed, and calling which skyscraper would be hit by lightning.

But being out here in the storm, with rain now pouring down her slicker - she found she didn't like it as much. With a sigh, she trudged onwards, thanking whoever it was who made the road that the white stripes stood out in the dark. At least she wouldn't get lost from the road.

Diane spent what felt like hours trudging along the on the side of road...her feet getting cold and wet and muddy - and stubbing her feet multiple times. Each time her foot hit a rock, she wanted to kick something. But kicking a rock wouldn't do any good...so instead she bit down the rage and moved on…

Up until she hit her foot for the umpteenth time. With a snarl of rage, she stomped onto the road itself, not in the middle, but close on the side. She glanced behind her, and then in front...and when she didn't see any cars she continued her march upwards.

"Not gonna get my feet now, are you, ya stupid rocks," Diane said in a mocking voice, smiling a little to herself. Rocks on a paved road like this were unlikely. Diane continued to march onwards, letting her mind drift to how she should introduce herself. She began to practice her introductions to her dad under her breathe. "Hi, dad - remember me? No, that's too formal...Hello, is there a Donald Duck home? Why do I want to see him? Can't you tell - I'm his daughter, Diane Duck...wait, no, everyone says I look like mom…"

She spent the next few hours practicing her first impressions, finally deciding she'd decide on what to say when she finally met her dad. Because, if he moved once, he could do it again. She didn't want to get her hopes up or anything.

"How far is this Mansion anyway?" Diane said, stopping and pulling down her hood. She didn't care if the rain soaked her hair - the stupid hood was blocking her vision and impairing her hearing a little. Looking around, she squinted ahead...was that a light?

Leaving her hood off she ran towards the light, failing to notice the one rock that sat on the road. Up until she stepped on it. Letting out a yelp, she shook the rock out, and then with a limp continued to run for the lights. She began to slow down, however, when she realized the lights were getting closer...like, too close too fast.

Diane slowed down to a stop and watched as the lights, which had looked like on big light a few moments ago - turned into a pair of lights. Diane was still trying to process what the pair of lights was when she heard the sound of an engine. With a gasp she realized it was a car, coming right towards her!

With a little scream she started backing up. Inwardly, Diane cursed herself for walking on the road - and then she cursed the driver because the rain slicker she was wearing was white - an obvious color that would stand out anywhere. Then again...it could be he was trying to break and the rain was making it hard to.

Diane was woken from her thoughts as the car honked loudly, and began to swerve, as it came nearer. Shaking herself out of her thoughts, Diane jumped off the road and into the muddy side before the car came to a screeching halt near where she'd been standing.

With the car lights on, she could see that it wasn't actually a car...but a limo. Forcing herself to get up, Diane decided that this would be the best chance she'd get at asking about where McDuck Mansion was.

Before she could approach the vehicle, however, the back door to the limo opened up, and an older duck stepped out.

"What in Scotland yard -" The duck said. He was wearing a red coat, with a black top hat, a pair of spectacles, and a cane. "Are ye daft, lass?"

"I-um-I-I'm sorry," Diane said, blinking and looking at the older duck nervously. She cleared her throat and fiddled with her slicker. "I was looking for someone -"

"By walking on the road!" The duck exclaimed, gesturing around the dark road. "In the rain, in the dark. Oh - yes - that makes perfect sense."

"I can't control the weather," Diane snapped back angrily, folding her arms and glaring at him. She pointed to the limo. "Besides - I'm not the one with a crazy driver!"

"No one," Scrooge said, coming forward and pointing his cane in her face. "Criticizes Launch Pad's driving, but me."

"I don't know who Launch Pad is," Diane said, pushing the cane away and stepping forward. "But I do know you owe me a ride."

"Ach - and what gives ye that idea?!"

"One - my clothes are drenched and muddy. Two - it's dark, I can hardly see, and it's rainy. And three - from the way you're dressed I'd assume you're Scrooge McDuck."

"Aye, I'm Scrooge McDuck," Scrooge said, putting his cane down and leaning on it. "But why on Earth would I give a child I don't know a ride in my limo?"

"Because, if my sources are right, I'm related to you." Diane said. Scrooge raised an eyebrow.

"Do ye have proof…?"

"Of course I have proof." Diane retorted, scowling. "But I can't show you out here in the rain because then it'd get wet, and become ruined.

"Mr. McDee?" A voice asked from the car. Diane leaned around the older duck to look inside the limo. It looked warm, well lit, and comfy...and it was driven by a very buff looking duck. "Are things okay out there?"

Scrooge didn't respond for a moment, and instead looked at Diane. She turned back to him, and met his eyes. He was debating whether or not to let her come with him...she was a girl he didn't know, asking for a lift. If he denied her the ride, she might end up hitching a ride with a less than savory character like Glomgold, or, heaven forbid, one of the Beagle Boys.

"Aye, Launch Pad," Scrooge said, blinking and moving aside to let Diane pass. He nodded at the limo door. "Everything's fine."

"Thanks," Diane said, taking off her slicker and folding it up so the mud wouldn't get on the leather seating. And she shook her feet off as much as she could before she got in. No sense in mucking up a nice limo like this.

Scrooge McDuck got into the limo, and closed the door. Diane took her backpack off before she sat down, buckling up and putting her bag in the seat next to her. Launch Pad looked back through the little window between the back and driver seats.

"Who's that?" He asked. Scrooge looked at Diane, and she looked right back, her soaked hair sticking to her head.

"Supposedly someone who's related to me," Scrooge said. Diane pulled her backpack back on her lap and held it tight.

"I'll show you my proof at your mansion." She stated. Inside, she was afraid he'd refuse, and instead take her down to a police station. True, she could tell him that Donald was her dad but...she didn't have any solid proof that he was her dad. She had a photograph of him with her mom from 11 or so years ago, a page from her mom's address book, and her dad's tie.

She would have gotten her birth certificate, but that was locked away in a filing cabinet...and she hadn't been able to get the key from her. So, as far as solid, beyond a shadow of a doubt proof - she had nothing.

"Fine," Scrooge said, buckling up. "Launch Pad, it seems we'll be going back home early."

"Right away, Mr. McDee," Launch Pad said, turning the car around and driving up the hill. Diane hugged her backpack close to her, wondering if she was dreaming. Was this real? Was she sitting in the car with the richest duck in the world, her dad's uncle, on her way to his mansion?

"Are ye all right, lass?" Scrooge asked, glancing at Diane. She blinked and looked over at him, and nodded. She wasn't even going to try and smile she was so nervous.

"It's just...I never thought this day would come," She said, hugging the backpack close. Reaching over to her hair, she un did the tie that had been holding up her hair. She'd been in such a hurry when she left the Beagle Boys. She held the now soaked tie gently in her hands, feeling her eyes tear up.

"It better be something important," Scrooge said, folding his arms and leaning back in his seat. Diane glanced at him, and nodded.

After eleven years of living with just her and her mom...Diane was finally going to meet her dad.

Thanks for the reviews! I'm glad you guys like this fic. Don't worry, next chapter Diane will finally meet her dad, and the triplets and Webby. How she reacts - I'm not gonna say. I don't want to give too much away. Anway, I hope you enjoyed this chapter!

P.S. This story is also on Wattpad, under the same name, and with my username SciFiGirl253.