Thicker Than Water - Chapter 9
Author's Note: If you didn't read Chapter 8, some of this chapter won't make sense. -EricaX
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Scrooge took in a deep breath before letting it out slowly. He rubbed at his temples as he began to contemplate all that was happening.
"Scroogey?" came Fenton's voice from the other side of the room.
Scrooge looked up and gave a wan smile. "Aye, Fenton?"
"Try not to worry so much! You've been pacing and you only pace when you're really stressed." The accountant was currently snuggled up on the large red cushion chair that he had been in earlier, a thick fleece blanket wrapped around him. One of the side effects of whatever it was that was happening to him was not only pains in his chest and tremors throughout his body, but he couldn't seem to get himself warmed up.
Scrooge muttered something incoherently under his breath, his paramour's words doing nothing to ease his mind. Despite his current condition, Fenton's upbeat and positive outlook still shone through, which only tugged at the older duck's heartstrings. "I 'ave no time t'relax, Fenton. I 'ave far too many matters at hand t'even fathom relaxin'. Magica is after me Number One Dime...Again! She seems t'have cursed yeh and is clearly plannin' to use yeh as leverage! An' I currently have the Fearsome Four parading around me house and I assume they'll be tryin' t'make themselves at home like fleas on a dog!"
Fenton grimaced and looked away before saying, "Yeah, that does sound rough. Be thankful you didn't just find out you're a ghost though, like I did! That'll really put ya through the ringer!"
Scowling, Scrooge turned his full attention on Fenton. "For t'last time, Fenton, you're not a ghost!" His voice held less bite than usual and more emotion, the underlying pain in Scrooge's eyes betraying him.
"Sure I am!" protested the accountant, clearly bothered by it all. "I died, remember! That's what ghosts are!" He laughed nervously as he shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "Heh, heh, I mean-Everyone goes through this sorta mid-life crisis, right?!"
Scrooge walked over to Fenton and gently caressed Fenton's cheek. "Yer not havin' a mid-life crisis. And t'last time I checked, I wouldn't be able to do this if yeh were a ghost." Scrooge took silent pleasure as he watched the way Fenton closed his eyes dreamily at the touch. He then stepped away and went back to his pacing. "But going back t'more important matters: like figuring out what Magica is up to!"
Recovering, Fenton sighed tiredly before saying, "You're right, Scroogey, my love."He took in a long exaggerated breath before letting it out slowly. "I'll try to keep things in perspective here. You do have a lot on your plate right now! And its not even dinner time!" Scrooge scoffed at the accountant's intended joke. "And I may not be able to be much help at the moment since I can't even wear my Gizmoduck suit, but you still have Darkwing around to help you out!"
Scrooge rolled his eyes as he continued pacing. "Forgive me if that does not fill me with relief. If anything, knowing that purple caped buffoon is prancing around only puts me nerves further on edge."
Fenton guffawed. "Aww, Wingy isn't all that bad! Sure, he's a bit rough and...socially awkward around the edges, but the guy's got a good heart!"
Scrooge opened his beak to reply but the door to the study burst open. "Uncle Scrooge!"
Scrooge stopped in his tracks at the panicked look on Donald's face. "Aye, Donald, what is it?"
"Why is there a bunch of weird looking guys in your pool!?" the sailor demanded. "The boys wanted to go swimming and we headed out there to find them invading it!"
"You DO have a really nice pool, Scroogey. I'm not surprised they'd want to swim in it" commented Fenton.
Scrooge closed his eyes and groaned. "Bless me bagpipes! Cannae not catch a break?" He sighed before continuing. "Donald, was Duckworth out there with them?"
"Yeah and also some tall pretty lady in a red dress."
Nodding, Scrooge said, "Aye, her name is Morgana McCawber. I invited her here. Along with...well, Dr. Bushroot was t'only one who was supposed t'show up. The rest just invited themselves... I'm sorry for the inconvenience, Donal'. And send my apologies t'the boys. I need t'sort all this out..." delegated Scrooge.
Donald nodded and stepped back out of the room, shutting the door behind him.
Taking in a deep breath, Scrooge barked out, "Alright, McDuck! Enough lallygagging! I didn't get t'be the richest duck in t'world by whirlin' meself into a tizzy!"
Fenton gushed at Scrooge's sudden attitude change. "There's that Scroogey spirit I love so much! So, what do ya have in mind?"
Wordlessly, Scrooge walked over to Fenton and started wrapping the blanket closer around him. "I'll be right back, laddie-"
"Wha-!? Where are you going!?" squeaked Fenton as he watched Scrooge fiddle with the blanket.
"To get everyone gathered for the meetin'" replied Scrooge. He grunted as Fenton began fighting him in an attempt to take the blanket off entirely. "Golden kilts, lad, stop fightin' me! Yer t'stay here! I'll be right back! The meetin' will be happenin' right here in the library!"
"But I -"
"No arguin'!" snapped the old miser, causing Fenton to click his beak shut. Sighing, Scrooge whispered more gently, "Yeh need your rest, treasure. I'll be right back."
Fenton pouted but said nothing as he watched Scrooge leave the library.
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Darkwing grumbled deep in his throat as he pushed open the door that lead to the back yard of McDuck Manor. Running a hand over his face and pulling down on his overly large bill, he sighed as the door shut behind him.
He didn't like the fact that he had been practically kicked out of the manor. McDuck certainly did like to shove him under the rug like an unwanted house guest.
It was then he heard a familiar voice calling over to him.
"Dad!" called Gosalyn.
A smile appeared on Darkwing's large beak. Too many nights had passed when he believed he wouldn't be called that anymore. But his moment of happiness burst quickly as he reality came crashing down on him. He looked up and lightly scowled as he watched Gosalyn heading his way.
"And just what are YOU doing here, missy!?" he demanded. "I told you to stay with Launchpad at the park!" He paused before adding, "And how did you even know I would be here!?"
Gosalyn stopped just before her baffled father and crossed her arms. "Come on, dad, it's not rocket science! There was only so many places you were going to be!"
Darkwing face palmed with a groan. "Then what happened to Launchpad?"
Gosalyn shrugged. "Nothing. He came with me! Which means, I did what you told me and stayed with Launchpad like the good little daughter I am!"
The masked vigilante scoffed. "Hardly..."
"I'm sorry, DW!" panted Launchpad as he sprinted over the McDuck's lawn to catch up with Gosalyn. "She wouldn't listen to anything I said! But I made sure to keep an eye on her the best I could! You know how she gets when she feels like she's out of the loop!"
Before Darkwing could even comment, Gosalyn snapped, "And that is exactly what I have been lately! Out of the loop! What is going on, dad!?"
The hero shrugged his shoulders, scrambling for an answer. "Nothing! McDuck is holding a meeting, that's all! We're trying to get to the bottom of all this!"
"Keen gear! A meeting! Maybe now I'll finally get some answers! Where's it at? Inside?" Gosalyn began walking towards the door Darkwing just came out of, but a strong arm stopped her and pushed her back towards Launchpad.
"Hey, hey, hey!" lectured Darkwing. "Hold it right there! You are not joining the meeting. It hasn't even started yet...Something is wrong with..."He looked back nervously at the door. "-with Fenton. I don't even know when its starting. The old coot kicked me out."
Gosalyn stomped her foot down. "You can't keep me in the dark forever, dad! I deserve to know what's going on!"
"I can't tell you what's going on because I don't even know! We have no idea what Magica is planning or why she's doing anything! Hence the point of the meeting!"
"Fine then! You can at least tell me what's going on between you and Launchpad!"
Both adults suddenly went red.
"Heh heh, well gee, Gos, nothin' really" replied Launchpad as he rubbed the back of his neck. "We really haven't...uh...Had much time to talk about...ya know...that." He sent Darkwing a pleading look over Gosalyn's head, which made the other duck look away.
Darkwing shook his head, annoyance filling him to the brim. "I don't have time to sit here and talk about my supposed love life, little lady! A lot happened while you were...gone...But we don't have time to catch up. I have to go find-"
"Then why don't we talk about all the stuff you did when you thought I was dead, huh!?" snapped Gosalyn, brazenly getting up into her father's face. Darkwing froze, his eyes wide as he stared down at his daughter. "I may not know all the details, but I know some of them! You went all berserk when you thought I was dead! You turned into an entirely different person! Why don't we talk about that, huh!?"
Silence surrounded them for a long minute before Launchpad spoke up. "Umm...Gos, I don't think that's such a good idea. That's uh...kinda what you would call a touchy subject."
"I don't care! He won't talk to me about what's going on between you two, so the least he can do is talk about this!"
They looked at the hero in question and saw that Darkwing had a crestfallen and distant look on his face. Launchpad's heart broke slightly as the sight, having wished he would never see such an expression on his favorite duck's face ever again.
"Gosalyn...sweetie..." began Darkwing quietly. He reached a hand out to pull Gosalyn close. "Daddy made some...He made a lot of mistakes that he's not at all proud of, okay? I really don't want to talk about any of it."
"But I do!" cried out Gosalyn, her voice going on octave higher as the conversation turned emotional. "Because the person I saw in those magical vision clips reminded me exactly of DarkWarrior Duck and I promised myself to never allow you become that guy ever again!" She was shouting at this point and Launchpad and Darkwing were staring at her as though she had two heads.
Sputtering slightly, the vigilante asked, "Wait, Duck-Warrior Who? Sweetie, what are you talking about?"
Gosalyn clamped her beak shut, obviously regretting bringing it up. Instead of replying, she wrapped her arms around her father's torso and buried her face in chest. "Just-Promise me you'll never turn bad! Promise me you'll never end up like HIM!"
Instinctively, Darkwing wrapped his arms around Gosalyn and rested his chin on the top of her head. In a soothing voice, he said, "Oh, Gos...I-I still don't know what you're talking about...But I promise not to regardless. I-I refuse to be like that too, okay?" His eyes moved up to meet Launchpad's, who was smiling back at him. "Besides, I don't think Launchpad here would let me."
The quiet moment between the three of them was cut off when the sound of a very irritated Duckworth came from over by the pool.
"For the LAST TIME, Mister Quackerjack, we do NOT have any inflatable swim toys!" shouted the butler.
Darkwing gently pushed Gosalyn away with a frustrated groan. "Why can't my life be simple for just ONE day!?" he groused before setting off towards the sound of Duckworth's voice. Darkwing, Gosalyn, and Launchpad walked to the other side of the lawn area and past some tall bushes that were blocking their view to find Liquidator, Quackerjack, Megavolt, and Bushroot surrounding Duckworth. Morgana was also there, looking very stressed and uncertain as she watched the scene unfold.
"WHAAAT!?" screeched Quackerjack. He was currently clinging to a very irritated and indignant Duckworth by the shoulders, the poor butler carrying all the jester's weight, but maintaining a dignified stance. "BUT HOW!? Your boss is a quadrillion-billionaire! How could he NOT have hundreds of wet noodles and inflatable duckies!?"
From where he was standing, Bushroot leaned over to Liquidator and whispered, "Is a quadrillion-billionaire even a real thing?"
Not taking his eyes off Quackerjack's tantrum, Liquidator whispered back, "Not entirely sure."
From the other side of Bushroot, Megavolt added, "I didn't know Quacky knew such big words..." This earned him strange looks from his companions.
Darkwing reluctantly walked up to where Morgana was standing nearby.
Upon seeing him, Morgana squeaked, "Oh! Hi Dark!" She looked away in attempt of hiding a light blush.
Darkwing smiled sheepishly. "Hi, Morg." He scratched nervously at the back of his neck, the awkwardness from the last couple weeks filling the air around them. Crossing his arms and glaring at Quackerjack, he called over, "Hey, Quacks! Give it a rest!"
Quackerjack's head jerked to the sound of Darkwing's voice. He bounced off Duckworth and stomped his way over to the vigilante. "I don't wanna hear it, Darky!" He jabbed a thumb over his shoulder. "Mr. I've-Got-A-Pinecone-Up-My-Pants over there says old McDuck doesn't have any pool toys! PUUUHHH-LEEAASE! He's holding out on us, Darky and it's NOT FAIR!"
Darkwing gave him a baffled look. "And this is my problem, because...?"
Waving his arms out wildly, Quackerjack shouted, "Because I'm boooooreeed!" He leaned into Darkwing with a large stare, making the vigilante take a step back. "And you KNOW what happens when I'm BORED, don't you, Darky!?" He glanced around them. "Hmmm...Can't imagine how many VALUABLE things there must be to break around here!"
"Sir-!" began Duckworth angrily but he was cut off.
"ENOUGH!" came McDuck's furious voice. The old mallard's voice seemed to echo throughout the whole of McDuck property.
Everyone froze as their attention was drawn to the billionaire who looked as though he was ready to take on three wild bulls. He pointed at Quackerjack with his cane. "I suggest yeh keep your overly large beak silent, yeh overgrown child or I'll see to it yeh never see another toy in yer life! As fer you two!" He was reffering to Megavolt and Liquidator. "Be grateful I don't tan yer hides for showin' up in t'first place! I've taken on the likes of Pharaohs and giant stone monsters and worse-Don't yeh dare think I can't deal with YOU THREE just as easily!"
The Fearsome Four all stared, having enough sense to look thoroughly cowed as they shrunk under the seething duck's gaze.
Darkwing, Launchpad, Gosalyn, and Morgana all looked at each other with wide eyes; none of them knowing what to say.
Scrooge stood in the middle of the group, glancing back briefly to make sure Fenton was managing alright without him. "You tell him, Scroogey, my love!" came Fenton's unconditionally supportive and confident voice.
Scrooge whirled around to see accountant was standing near the doorway to the pool area, leaning against the door frame with the red blanket still wrapped around him. The billionaire grumbled darkly. "Yeh were supposed to stay INSIDE, Fenton! Oh, never mind!" He turned back to the Fearsome Four. "Now, as I tried to explain to yeh all before, Dr. Bushroot was the only one who was actually invited. Meanin' I want the three of you to leave immediately!"
Liquidator, having been properly chewed out by the billionaire earlier, frowned deeply; refusing to be shown up again. He raised a liquid finger in the air to gain attention. "As true as your statement is, Mr. McDuck, this Liquidator Brand Water is a packaged deal. If I go, so does Bushroot!"
Bushroot gave a squeak as he frantically turned to Liquidator. "Buddy, that's not necessary! I'll be fine! He just wants to talk! And if things do go South-" He gestured to the trees surrounding the manor. "There is no shortage of back-up around here!"
Liquidator gave an unimpressed glance at the trees around them and crossed his arms. "No deal."
"Mr. Flood" said Scrooge as diplomatically as he could with his current high blood pressure. "I promise yeh, I only wish t'talk with Dr. Bushroot. For reasons unknown, Magica has involved him, meanin' he needs t'be here."
Smugly, Liquidator snapped back, "Sorry, McDuck, but this entrepreneur isn't buying!"
Scrooge huffed in annoyance.
Quackerjack then stomped his foot down. "Well if HE isn't leaving, then neither are we! Right, Megs!?" He elbowed Megavolt with a nod.
Megavolt grunted and rubbed at his arm with a frown. "Sure, fine, whatever. I don't even know what we're doing here or where HERE even is!" He looked around himself as though seeing the place for the first time.
Scrooge nodded sagely. "Fine. That's fine."
"Really?" said the Fearsome Four in unison.
The older duck nodded, digging his cane into the ground and twirling it. "Sure. Yeh can all stay out here while Dr. Bushroot joins us in the meeting outside." Quackerjack began to complain loudly when Scrooge continued. "You lot can stay out here, which, if I am correct, completely follows our deal" He looked pointedly at Liquidator. "For you are still on the McDuck grounds. But I will warn yeh, Mr. Flood, if either Quackerjack or Megavolt or yerself so much as go near me manor or step anywhere near me pool or touch anything else on me property, I'll be sure Dr. Bushroot doesn't see another ray of sunlight ever again."
Bushroot gulped while Liquidator stared in horror. He gurgled in his throat before saying, "What's stopping us from just going to the meeting with you!?"
Scrooge gave a lazy glance towards Darkwing. "Yeh still have that weed killer on yeh, don't yeh laddie?"
Darkwing blinked at him stupidly. "Do I wha-?"
Gosalyn elbowed him hard in the ribs.
"OW! Yes, yes I do!" He rubbed at his now sore side.
Scrooge turned back to the four villains. "Along with other household goods that could easily take the four of you down..."
Bushroot stepped foward before any of his comrades could make things worse. "Okay, okay! Listen, I really don't fancy getting sick on weed killer for a week. So guys, just...let me go to their stupid meeting and we'll be gone and outta here before we know it, okay?"
Quackerjack huffed and crossed his arms. Megavolt shrugged. Liquidator just gave Bushroot a worried expression.
"Finally!" groaned Scrooge. "Now that we have THAT mess handled. Mr. Flood, I trust you'll handle yourselves..." He gave the watery canine one last warning glare before turning around to face Darkwing and the others. "Duckworth, if you'll stand guard?"
Duckworth looked as though he would rather jump off a cliff. "With pleasure, sir" he said sourly and sarcastically.
"Now, Darkwing, you will of course be there. Along with Launchpad and Miss McCawber-"
"And me!" Gosalyn interrupted loudly.
Scrooge gave her a wary glance before heaving a great sigh. "I'm tired of arguin' at this point. Fine! Now, Dr. Bushroot, if yeh would just follow us inside."
Bushroot gave one last worried look at Liquidator before following the six of them inside; including Fenton.
Once they were all inside, Quackerjack whined, "WELL! If this isn't the lamest party I've ever been to, I don't know what is!" Megavolt and Liquidator just glared at him.
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It took a little work, but once everyone was inside, Scrooge had everyone gather in the library. It seemed like the most logical place and it was large enough to fit everyone comfortably.
Fenton, of course, was sat in the red chair he had been in earlier and Launchpad, on Scrooge's suggestion, moved the large study table closer to Fenton's chair so that they could all gather around.
Darkwing kept glancing up at Morgana, who seemed to be a nervous wreck. She knew the reason she had been asked to join the meeting; she was practically going to be leading it! Being an enchantress, she would be the one who knew the most about Magica's spell.
As Scrooge checked on Fenton and made sure he was comfortable, everyone had a moment to mingle. Darkwing, Launchpad, and Gosalyn all gathered around Morgana. "Do you think you know what Magica is up to?" asked Gosalyn.
Morgana wrung her hands together nervously. "Well, I-I have a couple ideas. I did remember to bring my grimoire and a couple other spell books. Once we pool some ideas together I should be able to figure things out."
Gosalyn titled in her head in curiosity. "What is a grimoire?"
"Easy way to explain it is by saying its a witch's or warlock's spell book. It's where we keep our notes and all the spells we've tried and researched. I brought my own along with my grandfather's" affirmed the enchantress.
Seeing how nervous she was, Darkwing unconsciously grabbed her hand and gently squeezed it. "You've got this, Morg" he said softly.
Morgana blushed.
Bushroot looked as though he was ready to faint. Darkwing looked past Morgana and grimaced at him. "What's with you?"
Bushroot's floral mop of hair and anthers bobbed back and forth as he shook his head. "N-Nothing, I just can't believe I'm in Scrooge McDuck's mansion!" He looked around the library in awe. "This is the world's richest duck's LIBRARY!" He covered his face with his leaf shaped hand in embarrassment.
Darkwing whistled. "Ooookaaaayyyy."
Before anything more could be said, Scrooge turned his attention to everyone in the room. "Alright, thank yeh all for bein' here. I know the circumstances aren't all that great, but t'get everyone up t'speed: Magica de Spell is after me Number One Dime. While that may not seem all that big a'deal to yeh, it would seem she targeting more than just me." He gestured to Bushroot. "Such as yerself, Dr. Bushroot. Would yeh care to tell us exactly what Magica did to yeh?"
Bushroot looked like a deer in the headlights. He had not been expecting to be put in the spotlight so suddenly. "Uhh..." He rubbed the back of his neck nervously. "Well, technically I haven't met this...Magica lady...Earlier this week, Negaduck showed up at my Greenhouse and took a sample of my blood. I was asleep at that point, but I woke up when he jammed a needle of...something...into my bloodstream and it...It...Somehow it reverted me back to a regular duck. He...un-mutated me somehow. And I've been told since then that Negaduck is working for Magica. Who, I still don't know but she sounds quite awful..."
Scrooge nodded. "She is" he dead panned. "Did anything else happen after that?"
Bushroot nodded. "Negaduck then took my blood a second time. Meaning he had wanted both my mutated and un-mutated blood."
"Thank yeh, Dr. Bushroot" dismissed Scrooge. He turned to Morgana. "Any thoughts, Miss McCawber? Do yeh know of any spells that would require something like that?"
Morgana quickly began explaining why something such a mutated blood could be vital to an enchantress' spells or potions.
Darkwing, meanwhile, glanced at Fenton. "Boy, aren't you lucky? You get to sit back and relax during this snooze fest" he grumbled with his arms crossed.
Fenton just shrugged. "I just found out I technically died, so I may look relaxed, but I'm a jumble of nerves..."
"Geen gear! That's cool!" gushed Gosalyn quietly on the other side of Fenton's chair.
Darkwing gave her a look of disapproval before forcing himself to pay attention.
"So, wait, Negaduck did that to me just so she could have my blood for some spell?" asked Bushroot, looking appalled. "I spent days trying to get myself back to normal!" He paused. "Err-Normal for ME!"
Morgana titled her head to side complacently. "Well, most likely for a potion, but yes."
"Is it safe to say she's making a potion then?" was Scrooge's next question.
Morgana took in a deep breath. "Well, oh dear...umm...Let's see..." She fiddled with her fingers and looked up at the ceiling as she sorted her thoughts. "First off, I should say, the De Spell Clan have always been known for their Dark Magic. I mean, my own family uses the occasional Dark Magic, but no where near the level of magic the De Spell clan does. They are known more for their sacrificial magic. Rituals and curses and the like." She waved her hand and her grimoire appeared on the table before them. At everyone's confused look, she said, "This is my grandfather's grimoire. I have my own, which I brought as well, but my grandfather's book might have a bit more information on the matter, since he dealt with the De Spell ancestors a few times."
"So your families know one another?" asked Scrooge.
Morgana looked up from the book. "To an extent. Its been a long time since they've crossed paths though. Mainly because most of the De Spell clan is gone now. I believe Magica may be one of the last reaming of her family."
"Thank goodness for small miracles" muttered Scrooge under his breath.
"Hang on a minute! So, if she IS making a potion or something, doesn't that mean she needs ingredients?" Gosalyn spoke up. Everyone turned to her with interest. "I mean, the little you showed me, Morgana, is that you gotta have a recipe and all your ingredients. It's like cooking, right?"
Morgana nodded. "Generally speaking, yes. You have a good point, Gosalyn dear."
"So Bushroot's blood could be seen as an ingredient?" suggested a bored looking Darkwing. Morgana nodded.
Trying to keep the ball rolling, Gosalyn added, "Okay then, so what other ingredients do we know of? I mean, what has she done recently?"
"She killed me!" stressed Fenton dramatically from his chair in a squeaky voice.
Scrooge rolled his eyes. "She did not! That was the Golden Heart, laddie! The Golden Heart is what-It's what caused yeh to-"He couldn't bring himself to say the truth. He leaned across the table and said earnestly to Morgana, "However, she must 'ave done something t'Fenton because she took his blood as well and said his heart was key to her plans!"
Morgana gave him an alarmed expression. "His heart!?" When Scrooge nodded, Morgana only looked more perturbed. "Oh dear...That's not good..."
Silence filled the library, the only sound was Morgana frantically flipping through the pages of the book. After a few moments she spoke up. "If what you say is true, then it's not a potion that she's making."
"How do yeh know?" inquired the billionaire.
"Because if it was a potion, she wouldn't have taken his blood, she would have just taken his physical heart" revealed Morgana.
Fenton curled in on himself, grasping the blanket around himself and holding his hands to his chest. He whimpered.
Morgana turned a page, skimmed over it and then covered her mouth as she gasped in fright and alarm. She took a step back. "Oh no..."
Darkwing stepped closer to Morgana, resting a hand on her arm. "What is it, Morg? Did you figure it out?"
Morgana's eyes never left the grimoire as she nodded. "I believe so... She's not making a potion. She's performing a sacrificial blood ritual. Those are strictly used in order to obtain more power-Or, more accurately, its used to suck the magic out of a magical or powerful object at the cost of many lives." She looked up at Scrooge's tired and aging eyes. "Mr. McDuck, from what you've told me, Magica has been after your Number One Dime for years, yes? Well, it would seem she wants to punish you for refusing her of it all these years. She's planning on taking your Number One Dime in the most cruelest of ways."
Scrooge, now very worried and concerned, shook his head softly. "My dear, I'm not followin'."
"Your Dime is very special and important to you, isn't it, Mr. McDuck?"
Without thinking, Scrooge pulled the aforementioned dime from the safe pocket inside his jacket near his neck. He showed it to her. "It's the first dime I ever made. My success is thanks to this dime, right here. I would not be who I am today without it."
Morgana nodded sadly. "Well, then I'm sure a lot of emotions and memories are tied to it whenever you think about your Dime." Scrooge nodded and the witch continued. "By using this Ritual, Magica will be tying together those memories and emotions through you. Now, a Blood Ritual, especially a sacrificial one, requires, obviously...a lot of sacrifices. The trouble with such a ritual, is that she's defying the laws of nature, so she's creating a balance. There's a lot to it."
She looked down at her book. "According to this, in order for the ritual to work, she needs the blood of the person you love most." Her eyes turned to Fenton, who blushed furiously.
"Awww, Scroogey loves me most!" gushed Fenton. His euphoria was short lived however as his expression crumbled. "I'm not sure if I should be happy about this, given the circumstances." Scrooge leaned over and kissed his forehead, causing Fenton to turn red.
"The blood of a broken heart" was the next on the list Morgana was reading from.
Darkwing made a confused face. "Broken heart? But we don't know anyone who's had their heart broken, do we?" His jaw dropped as a thought dawned on him and he frantically said, "I didn't hurt you that badly, did I, Morg?"
Morgana gave him a surprised look as she shook her head. "Well, I was hurt by our sudden...break-up, but...I wouldn't say my heart had been broken...I mean-Things hadn't exactly been going well between you and I and I would be lying if I said I hadn't seen it coming..."
Darkwing gave her a hurt look; not knowing what to do with that information.
"Actually, DW" piped up Launchpad, who, up until this point, had been sitting on another desk listening. "I think I know who..." Darkwing just waited for him to continue, his stomach feeling as though it had dropped to the floor. "I was...I was pretty heart broken when you said I wasn't worth getting your emotions back for...That night on the street...A-After the Police Academy Banquet..."
Darkwing looked around to find everyone was staring at him. He tugged nervously on his collar. "I had said sorry about that...I wasn't myself" he mumbled quietly, not meeting Launchpad's gaze.
Launchpad nodded enthusiastically. "Oh, I know that, DW! And I forgive ya! But point is: now we have someone who had their heart broken, which matches up with Magica's plans..."
Darkwing looked down at the floor, flinching whenever Gosalyn went to pat him on the arm.
"So, what about the other ingredients?" asked Bushroot.
Morgana looked back to the book. "The blood of someone who's pure heart has turned dark." Her eyes went straight to Darkwing. "That would explain why she wanted to make you emotionless, Dark."
The masked mallard simply put his hands over his eyes and groaned.
"I don't get it, what did she do by making him emotionless? Besides making him more annoying" questioned the floral duck. He flinched whenever Darkwing glared at him.
"By making him emotionless, she also took away his moral code as a hero" offered Morgana. "Not that we were on speaking terms then, Dark, but Launchpad did inform me of...some of the stuff you did..."
Gosalyn, who had been listening intently, glanced back and forth between Morgana and her father. Her thoughts instantly went to DarkWarrior, who she had seen in that fake future thanks to Quackerjack's Time Top. Once again, her heart began beating fast; not wanting to think of what her father could become if he was pushed to his limits. "You mean the stuff that that Magica lady showed me? But he wasn't himself at the time! That shouldn't count, right?"
Darkwing looked as though he wanted to say something, but Morgana beat him to it. "It doesn't matter how she managed to make it happen, the fact is, Dark did those things. His pure heart has been tainted. Which, according to this grimoire, is part of the ritual."
Like a volcano erupting, Darkwing pointed an accusatory finger at everyone, addressing them all. "You listen to me! I will not stand here and be judged! None of you can say you wouldn't have done the same thing if you'd been in my shoes! I was beyond grief and that potion was an easy way out! What I did while I under the effects of that stupid potion does not reflect on me as a person! It made me into someone else!" he shouted at them, though he sounded like he was trying to convince himself more than anyone.
Bushroot seemed to pick that up. "Sounds as though you're in a bit of denial."
Darkwing seethed at the mutant plant duck. "I am NOT! I'm a good person! I am a HERO! A Masked Vigilante who protects the innocent! Nothing more, nothing less!" He took a moment to catch his breath, moving away when Launchpad tried to comfort him. "I am not-" His voice caught with emotion. "I am not a bad person! I have one bad day while under a spell and suddenly everyone sees me as the bad guy! I'm not!"
"None of us are sayin' you're a bad person, laddie" commented Scrooge.
"No, but I see it all in your eyes!" snapped the hero.
"Is this what Big Time had been taunting you about yesterday?" asked Fenton.
Darkwing just stared at him, making a wounded sound in the back of his throat. At length he said, "I don't want to talk about it."
"But dad-"
"I said I DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT!" With that Darkwing turned and with a flap of his cape, he was pacing the outer part of the library around the table they were congregated at. He was biting his fingernails and muttering to himself.
Scrooge patted Gosalyn on the shoulder. "Let it go, lass. Yeh can discuss it later. Give him some space. We have more important things t'discuss..." Gosalyn looked like she wanted to argue, but she stayed close to Scrooge; lost in her own thoughts.
Launchpad watched Darkwing, his eyes never leaving him as Morgana continued.
"The blood of someone who has been betrayed..."
Bushroot shrugged. "I think its safe to say that could be any of us...
"Tainted blood that has been restored. Meaning, a mutant's blood. That would explain why she wanted both your mutated blood and your regular blood, Reggie. Its why she turned you back."
Bushroot sighed. "Just one of the many problems that has come from mutating myself I suppose..."
"The blood of the doppelganger... "
"A dopple-what?" asked Fenton as he scratched his head.
Morgana smiled patiently at him. "A doppelganger is a look-alike or double of someone already living. They're often portrayed as ghostly and tend to bring bad luck." She gestured to Darkwing. "Like Darkwing and Negaduck. The two of them would be considered doppelgangers, in a sense. Since they're identical, just from different dimensions. So, I guess she's going to either use your blood twice or possibly use Negaduck's, since she is working with him. Its possible he's already offered his blood to be used."
Darkwing rolled his eyes. "I doubt it. Negaduck doesn't give anything away for free."
His comment went ignored. "And, of course, the blood of her worst enemy" finished Morgana. Everyone looked to Scrooge.
The old mallard looked away. "Figures."
"Wait, then why did Magica kidnap me? I don't think I fit under any of those categories" Gosalyn pointed out.
"Isn't it obvious, lass? She did it in order t'get t'Darkwing" answered Scrooge. "It's so that he would have a reason to drink that potion to begin with. It would also explain why she just let you go without question. You were no longer valuable to her."
Darkwing made a noise between a choke and a groan. It was then that Launchpad stood up and walked over to him. He stopped Darkwing's pacing and guided him back to the group. Darkwing, for his part, looked like a very disgruntled child who was not getting his way. The pilot refused to let him squirm away though by keeping a hand on his shoulder.
Allowing himself to lean into Launchpad, Darkwing groused, "Okay, so we know she's casting this: what are we going to do about it!?"
"A good question, laddie" amended Scrooge. "Going to her would be a bad idea. That's probably exactly what she wants. The fact that she hasn't come at us already, save to get ingredients, makes me think she's biding her time."
Clearly on her last nerve just like her father, Gosalyn snapped, "So we're just supposed to stand here and wait!?"
Darkwing gave her a warning glare, "Quiet missy! You're not even supposed to be at this meeting!" Gosalyn stuck her tongue out at him.
"What I want to know is, what does any of this have to do with me?" Bushroot asked, immediately regretting it when everyone glared at him.
"Tch! Oh, of course! The villain only thinks of himself!" growled Darkwing.
Backpedaling slightly and trying to sound as defensive as possible, Bushroot replied, "No, really! So, she took my blood and un-mutated me! I'm back to the way I was and there's nothing more I can do to help! So, why am I here?"
Morgana gave him a thoughtful glance. "Well, there is a chance that everyone who's blood is in the ritual could die." Running her finger over the pages on the book, she shrugged. "Generally that's what Sacrificial Magic is about."
No one said anything as the gravitation of the situation sunk in with everyone.
"So, we're all linked by this ritual?" asked Launchpad.
"Sadly, it would appear that way" replied Morgana.
After a moment, Fenton whispered with anxiety, "W-Why am I the only one suffering? She's taken B-Bushroot's blood. But he's fine. Why am I trembling and in pain?"
Morgana shrugged. "I'm not sure, but if what you said about the Golden Heart is true, then perhaps you play a bigger role in all this. How else would you still be here? I'm not entirely sure how Magica connected you to the Ritual to allow you to be the sacrifice, but while you're heart stopped in France, that would have been the perfect opportunity for her to mess with your heart. Because your heart and soul would have been in a weakened enough state that she could have cast any spell she wanted to without detection. There are also many Dark Spells that allow a witch to stop a beating heart for that very purpose. So, most likely, it was Magica who brought you back to life."
Fenton took a moment to digest this information. "All so I could be her sacrifice?"
No one responded but Fenton still got his answer.
Launchpad gulped, pulling on his collar. "Wait, so this means, she's gonna be coming after us for our blood, r-right?"
"Like some kind of vampire!" gushed Gosalyn.
Darkwing rolled his eyes. "Oh, please..."
Scrooge cleared his throat. "Alright,enough melodramatics. It would appear we've figured out everything for t'time bein'. Now we just need to decide what to do about all this." He glanced at Fenton, who looked to be half asleep. "So let us take a break and re-group in an hour, hmm?"
Everyone mumbled their agreement as they awkwardly shuffled out of the room.
()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()
"I spy with my little eye..." drawled Quackerjack.
"Holy Circuits! Can we just stop playing this game!?" hollered a very aggravated Megavolt.
Quackerjack, Megavolt, and Liquidator were lounging several yards away from the manor and pool area, all sitting in the grass. Or rather, Quackerjack and Megavolt were. Liquidator was more like a lazy puddle on the ground.
"No!" snapped Quackerjack tensely. "I've been denied playing in ol' McDucky-Doo's mansion AND his pool. Let me at least have SOME fun!"
Megavolt pulled on the grass with his rubber gloved fingers. He laid there on his back, glaring at the sky. "But it ISN'T fun! Likky and I have already guessed all the things there are to guess!" He sat up on his elbows and looked to Liquidator. "We have, haven't we?"
Without having to re-form his entire body, the liquid villain simply gave him a thumbs up.
Quackerjack harrumphed. "Not MY fault neither of you had fun playing Pictionary!"
"You kept drawing the same thing! And don't even get me STARTED on Rock, Paper, Scissors!" cried the electrical rodent.
Quackerjack whipped his head back and forth at his companions. "Well, ya know what? You two are both fuddy duddies! I'm trying my very best to "follow the rules" and this is what I came up with! It's all Drippy's fault we can't do something more fun!"
"How is it HIS fault? I thought that old duck made the rules!"
Liquidator tuned the two of them out, glancing over when he saw movement by the back door to the mansion. His interest was piqued when he saw his favorite person step out of the door and into the sunshine of the afternoon. He watched as Bushroot beamed up at the sun, taking in the minute details such as how his anthers seemed to stretch for the sky and how his green skin seemed to become slightly more vibrant under mother nature's life giving nutrients.
Without leaving his puddle form, Liquidator slunk his way over to Bushroot, being sure not to get stepped on by Launchpad and Gosalyn, who were trying to calm down an irritated Darkwing. Once Bushroot was away from everyone else, he morphed into his dog form next to Bushroot, surprising the floral duck with a kiss on the cheek.
"Oh!" exclaimed Bushroot, touching the place where Liquidator kissed him. "Oh, hi Buddy!"
"Hello, my little weeping willow" gurgled Liquidator with a smile. "So, how did the top secret meeting go?"
Bushroot shook his head with a laugh. "It was nothing like that. It's just...well, it turns out I'm more involved in all this than I thought..."
"Oh?"
The other mutant nodded. "Morgana was able to figure out that Magica is doing some kind of Blood Ritual and that was why Negaduck took my blood. I guess my blood is an ingredient? I don't really understand the logistics of it."
"So what does that mean?" came Liquidator's question as he brushed a watery hand through his boyfriend's foliage.
"It means that we have to help them stop it from happening. Because, since it's a sacrificial magic, if she pulls it off, anyone involved...err...dies..." explained the scientist.
"And sadly that means we will be requiring Dr. Bushroot's assistance just a little while longer, Mr. Flood" Scrooge interrupted.
Liquidator frowned. "What? More meetings?" he mocked. All of his former idolization for Scrooge McDuck seemed to have evaporated.
"Aye, and if yeh keep up that attitude, I'll be sure you spend the rest of the time we need him cooling off while frozen solid in a freezer" snarled Scrooge. Liquidator, properly chastised, simply growled at him while Bushroot gave him a sympathetic pat on the shoulder.
"Nyeh heh heh heh heh heh heh heh heh heh heh!" Magica's shrill laugh cut through the air, gaining everyone's attention.
"Magica!" gasped Scrooge. He instinctively moved closer to Fenton, who was once again leaning on the door frame in hopes to get a little bit of fresh air.
"Scroogey, you fool!" With a puff of purple smoke, Magica appeared floating several feet above their heads. She glanced around at them all, taking in the sight excitedly. "I have been watching your poor attempts to figure out my schemes for days now!" She laughed and pointed at Morgana. "It became even more funny when you brought in this floof of an enchantress!"
Morgana scoffed, placing a hand on her chest. "Well, excuse me! I'll have you know I am the daughter of the great-"
Magica interrupted her. "Yes, yes. No one cares, dah'ling! Certainly not me!" With a flick of her wrist, she spelled Morgana's beak shut.
Morgana squawked indignantly in shock. Darkwing gasped and watched worriedly for a moment before Morgana wiped the spell off with her own magic.
"What do yeh want, Magica?" demanded Scrooge.
Magica shrugged and gaped at him as though it was the most obvious thing in the world. "Yer Number One Dime, of course! But since you is refusing to give that to me, I am taking matters into my own hands!"
"By performing a ritual?"
"Oooh, he's catching on" laughed Magica mockingly. Now, let me clear a few things up for you all! Yes! A good number of you are involved in my plans!" She glanced back at Quackerjack and Megavolt, who were now part of the group after seeing Magica arrive. "Some of you are not. But it does not matter! You will be coming to Mount Vesuvius, where my lair and home is being, and if you do not, worse things shall happen to you, Scroogey!"
Darkwing, never one to handle being out of the loop or ignored, called up to her, "Oh, so you think we'll just pop on over to your place? Think again, lady! We're not falling for it!"
Magica turned her attention to the vigilante, this being the first time she fully interacted with him. "Oh, you, little mallard, have been most fun to play with!" Darkwing looked as though he wanted to strangle her. "Watching you drink my little potion and show the world what you really are underneath. Heh! Classic!"
The masked vigilante looked as though he had been punched in the gut. "That's a lie! Your potion changed me!"
"Nyeh heh heh heh heh heh heh! Is that what you are telling yourself? Hah! All that potion did was lower your inhibitions. It took away pesky emotions and pesky social formalities! Everything you did was buried deep inside you! All I did was release the monster! Heh heh!" cackled Magica, clearly enjoying his torment.
Launchpad laid a hand on Darkwing's shoulder. "Aw, don't you listen to her, DW! She's just a washed up witch with nothing better to do on her hands!" He frowned up at the enchantress in question.
Magica's eyes went wide. "Ooh, little heart broken pilot grows a backbone! Heh heh!"
"Enough Magica! You're business is with me and me alone! Perhaps we can eh..." Scrooge has started out strong, but now he wasn't entirely sure what to say. He thought about just giving her the dime, but the thought of her having his precious Number One Dime made his inside twist painfully. "We can work something out..." he finished lamely.
Magica shook her head, her back hair bobbing back and forth. "Nice try, Scroogey! But you have run out of chances! And I have given you many over the years! You have denied me my dime for far too long! I have no devised a way to get the dime and ruin your life once and for all!"
Scrooge looked as though he was about to say something, but the back door opened and Donald, Huey, Dewey, and Louie stepped out into the backyard. Once they saw Magica was there, they all froze in place.
Before Scrooge or anyone else could say anything, Magica continued, "Like I was saying! Unless you wish your loved ones to suffer more than they already have, such as your precious nephews, I suggest you be listening! In two days time I expect you to be at Mount Vesuvius and we will finish this once and for all, Scroogey! Also be bearing in mind-" She pointed to Fenton. "Regardless of what you choose to do, your little lover boy's life is already tied to the ritual. His heart is what keeps the potion I'm using for the ritual going! It does not matter if you show up our not, he will die if my plans pull through or not! You wouldn't want him dying in vain, now would you? Nyeh heh heh heh heh heh he-" She began coughing heavily. Purple smoke began to surround her as she coughed. "Oooh, too much evil laughter today..." Then she was gone.
Quackerjack was the first to speak. "What kind of party IS THIS!? I'm not sure I want to be a part of it anymore!"
Scrooge groaned and rolled his eyes.
"Unca Scrooge, what is she talkin' about?" asked Louie as they three triplets stepped up to surround their grand uncle.
Scrooge ignored his question, his attention turning to his older nephew. "Donald, is there any way I would be able to speak with Admiral Grimmits? It's of a matter of grave importance."
Donald blinked owlishly at him. "Uhh...sure, but I don't see how he can help..."
Fenton stepped up next to Scrooge and smiled ridiculously largely when Scrooge wrapped an arm around him. The old miser pressed on, "We will be needing a method of transportation."
"Aww, gee, Mr. McDee! All you had to do was ask and I could have flown us all there in no time!" lamented Launchpad.
"Even with a large plane, Launchpad, it would be a tight fit. Nae, I would feel far safer knowing I have naval personnel around to help keep certain guests on board the vessel in their place." He didn't have to glance at the Fearsome Four, who were suddenly all whistling innocently as they looked up at the sky with their hands behind their backs. "For as I said, they're like fleas on a dog. Once yeh have them, yeh can't seem t'get rid of them."
Donald watched the Fearsome Four nervously. "Aren't they the super villains I've heard about on the radio and TV?"
"In the flesh!" boasted Liquidator. He paused before glancing down at himself. "Err, well, figure of speech, heh!"
"Ahh, yes, our reputation proceeds us once again, Quacky" gushed Megavolt proudly.
Quackerjack never took his eyes off Donald. "Is he speaking English? I don't understand him. Why am I the only one who doesn't understand him!?"
Donald's temper began to rise at his question and Huey, Dewey, and Louie all prepared themselves to hold him back if they needed to.
"Ignore him, lad" pressed Scrooge. "But yes, I will be needin' t'speak with Admiral Grimmits. It would appear Magica is not about to pull any punches and I donnae wish to anger or push her buttons further. We shall do what she says and deal with what we can. The nice thing about going by naval ship is the amount of protection we'll have on the vessel as well."
Donald nodded. "Heh, if you say so, Uncle Scrooge. Though I'm not too sure how happy he's going to be about all this..."
Scrooge waved his worries off. "I'll sort it all out, don't yeh worry lad." He turned to his left when he felt Fenton grab his arm and squeeze.
The accountant was leaning into him and the old miser tried to ignore the tremors he could feel coming from the other duck. "This is not at all how I pictured our first cruise together to go, Scroogey" confessed Fenton with a depressed frown.
Scrooge gave him a lopsided smile. Of course Fenton would look at their current situation in such a way. "Then don't look at it that way, me treasure. We're gonnae sort all this out and soon this will all be a nightmare of the past we can quickly forget" he assured him. Though when he looked away, Scrooge's expression was far from convincing as he himself was not entirely sure what the upcoming future would bring.
