Thicker Than Water

Chapter 15

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"What d'yeh mean that yer communications are out?" was the first question spoken after Grimmits announced the news. Everyone else was staring at the admiral in shock. They were all still relaxing and wasting time in the Mess Hall when Grimmits had come to announce this dreadful news.

Grimmits growled. "I mean our communication systems aren't working! We can't seem to send or receive a signal from any other form of contact! Our systems should be able to communicate with our home base! We no longer can!"

"Maybe the circuits are sleepy!" piped up Megavolt in a more serious tone for someone who was suggesting such a thing. Everyone turned to him and gave him a strange look. Seeing this, he shrugged and asked, "What? It happens!"

Scrooge growled deeply under his breath from where he was sitting on one of the benches. Fenton was laying down on his side, taking up most of the bench space they shared. He had fallen asleep a while ago, unable to keep his eyes open as the efforts of Magica's curse grew heavier on him.

Scrooge stood and began to pace back and forth. "Is there any chance yeh'll be able to bring yer communications back up!?"

Grimmits glared at him. "My best technicians are currently looking over the trouble."

"'Your best men'" mocked Megavolt, which gained everyone's attention. He shot an angry look to Grimmits. "Do your best men happen to know how to soothe a light bulb to sleep!? Do they know how to uncross angry circuits!? Do they even know what the problem is!?"

Grimmits, who towered over most everyone in the room, stepped up towards the frazzled electrified rodent and sneered down at him. "Remember your place, criminal! I could have you locked up in chains within minutes if you don't drop that attitude! Your are aboard this ship by MY permission and MY permission alone and I can be sure to haul you off this ship at any moment!"

"We're in the middle of the ocean though" Megavolt reminded him, his anger deflating at his fear took over. "At least, I think we are." He turned to Quackerjack for confirmation. The jester nodded. He whirled back to face Grimmits. "You wouldn't toss me overboard! It'd kill me!"

Grimmits just raised an eyebrow. "That's my point."

Megavolt gulped, suddenly realizing how bad things could get for him if he didn't behave.

Gyro cleared his throat and raised his hand timidly. "Uhh...excuse me, Admiral Grimmits. But I happen to be a scientist and inventor. I would be more than happy to assist your technicians and help in any way I can."

Grimmit's expression softened ever so slightly at Gyro's polite offer. "You're certified?"

Gyro's eyes sought out Scrooge, who stepped forward with a nod. "Aye. He's certified. Gyro here is a genius and me own personal 'd be daft not t'let him take a wee look."

Megavolt jumped up. "I'm going too! I'll help you guys, I swear!"

Grimmits shook his head. "There is no way I am going to allow a convict anywhere near our systems!" he spat.

"I'll watch over him" piped up Gyro once more. Megavolt smiled brightly at the idea of working alongside Gyro. A spark appeared at the end of one of his whiskers as he watched Lil' Bulb appear from out of Gyro's shirt. The little creation took a look at its surroundings before hiding away again. Megavolt loved the idea of getting a chance to see Lil' Bulb again! Not to mention work near the man who created him!

Quackerjack crossed his arms and pouted as he saw Megavolt's excitement. "Be more obvious, Sparky" he sneered, clearly jealous.

Grimmits seemed to consider his options. "Fine. If you insist on going, then I'll be sure to go along with you. Darkwing, I expect you to watch the other three criminals while we're gone."

"Lucky me" sassed Darkwing with half lidded eyes. He seemed bored out of his mind from the lack of action.

Grimmits reached out a hand and grabbed Megavolt by the throat and pulled him close. "One wrong move and you'll be swimming with the sharks, Voltage."

Completely cowed, Megavolt nodded before Grimmits let him go. The electrical rodent turned and gave Quackerjack a wave. The jester was clearly wished to go too but Bushroot was busy saying something in his ear. Most likely preventing the jester from causing a scene. Everyone watched as the three of the left.

Now that they had a plan to due with their latest problem, Scrooge was finally able to allow the tension in his shoulders to lesson as he breathed out a sigh of relief. He watched everyone mingle about for a moment, noting that everyone went back to their little groups. Bushroot and Liquidator were sitting in the far corner trying to keep Quackerjack from going after Megavolt and Gyro. Donald was trying his best to entertain Huey, Dewey, and Louie in their own little spot. Darkwing, Launchpad, and Gosalyn were quietly talking amongst themselves while Morgana stood alone, trying her best and failing not to glance over at Darkwing every chance she had.

That simply left one other person he needed to check on. Scrooge turned back to the bench he had been sitting on earlier and frowned in concern when he saw that Fenton was still sleeping uncomfortably on the bench. Despite all the noise and talking going on around him, Fenton had managed to sleep through it. That was what concerned the old miser the most. Fenton was a social creature and the fact that all of this was going on and he wasn't able to stay awake for any of it was alarming. Fenton never allowed himself to relax when there was this many of his friends around.

Once again, Scrooge thought about how a quiet Fenton was never a good thing.

Pushing himself out of his thoughts and back to reality, Scrooge bent his knees and crouched down in front of Fenton. He tenderly ran a hand through Fenton's head feathers. "Fenton?" he called to his paramour quietly. He didn't wish to startle him awake, but he knew he would have to be loud enough to be heard. "Fenton, me treasure, can yeh wake up for me?" He waited for Fenton to wake up, all the while running his hand through Fenton's feathers.

Slowly, Fenton's eyes squeezed tighter shut before slowly opening. Sleepy and dazed eyes met Scrooge's. "Hmmm...Scroogey?"

Scrooge nodded patiently. "Aye, that's right. It's me, Fenton. Time t'get up fer a bit. How are yeh feelin'?"

Fenton inhaled sharply before he began stretching and breathing out slowly. He pushed his arms out in front of him as he stretched and tried to wake up. "Tired."

"Still? Yeh fell asleep about an hour ago" Scrooge informed him. He watched as Fenton slowly sat up.

Fenton placed a hand on his forehead. "I don't feel good, Scroogey. I...I don't feel like myself..."

The look on Scrooge's face could only be described as anguished heartbreak. He pushed aside Fenton's hand to rest his own hand over the younger duck's forehead. "How do yeh mean, lad?" His head didn't feel warm, so the rich duck didn't suspect he had a fever of any kind.

Fenton opened his beak to answer but no words came out. Instead, his eyes grew distant as though he wasn't fully lucid. Fenton's hands began to tremble and Scrooge flinched back in surprise. A moment later, Fenton's arms began to shake as well and his breathing slowly became uneven and slightly erratic.

Scrooge's eyes widened in panic. He stood up just in time to catch Fenton shaking form before the accountant fell forward. "Fenton! Fenton!?" Scrooge began looking around frantically until his eyes landed on the person he was looking for. His eyes met Morgana's, who was standing off in a corner by herself. "Miss McCawber!"

Morgana gasped at the call of her name, taking in the sight of the world's richest duck trying to help support a shaking Fenton. "Oh, my!" She rushed over.

The commotion gained the attention of most everyone in the room, though it was only Darkwing who ended up rushing over alongside Morgana.

Scrooge tried helping Fenton back up into a sitting position, who's eyes were open though he was no longer responding to any of Scrooge's attempts to speak with him. His trembling and shivering were growing worse by the second.

Scrooge turned to Morgana. "Miss McCawber! Yeh have t'help him! I donnae know what is happenin' t'him! He's never gotten this bad before! Even after he woke up from the Golden Heart incident, he was never like this!"

Morgana knelt down in front of Fenton, gently pushing Scrooge out of the way, who didn't go far. He gave her space, but just enough. He held onto Fenton's arm as he watched worriedly. Morgana cupped Fenton's face with her hands and slowly guided his head upwards so that she could see his eyes. She frowned. "Well, I'm afraid this is far from my expertise-"

"Come on, Morgana, I know you can least give us an idea on how to help him" spoke Darkwing over her shoulder.

She jumped at the sound of her voice. After their last few conversations, particularly about her skills in magic, Morgana was quite surprised Darkwing was now giving her any kind of encouragement in regards to this subject. She knew now was not the time to say anything, though. Fenton needed her.

"Oh dear..." she muttered, trying her best not to panic. That was her problem. She panicked whenever she was put on the spot like this. This is exactly what happened with Gosalyn in the Toy Factory. She had been trying to help; trying to fight of Quackerjack's toy teeth and when Gosalyn had fallen, instead of doing the most logical thing, she tried to use her magic to fix things. But was magic going to help Fenton now? She didn't know nearly enough about sacrificial magic to do anything truly helpful. She knew from her studies that all the symptoms Fenton was currently showing were signs of a curse and she knew it was a curse on his heart and soul.

Morgana wracked her brain trying to remember any kind of healing magic that would help them in this moment. Healing magic wasn't her strong suit either. A voice in the back of her mind began to wonder exactly WHAT form of magic was skilled at but her ignored it. She had to focus.

Still holding Fenton's face in her hands, Morgana closed her eyes while Darkwing and Scrooge watched intently. She began muttering a spell quietly under her breath; forcing herself to focus on the spell and nothing else. Thankfully Scrooge and Darkwing seemed to realize she needed space and concentration for their didn't say anything nor try to get any closer.

Minutes passed as Morgana continued to mutter some kind of incantation. At first it didn't appear to be doing anything, yet slowly, very slowly, Fenton's shivering lessened and calmed down to the point where it was hardly noticeable. With help from Scrooge and Darkwing, all three of them were able to carefully settle Fenton into a proper sitting position and both men held onto the accountant's shoulders, each holding onto one, before they were satisfied that he would sit up on his own.

Eventually, after an unknown amount of time, Fenton sighed and grunted before he opened and closed his eyes several times as though he was just coming out of a trance. He looked back and forth between the three faces in front of him. "Was I talking in my sleep again?" he muttered. "M'ma hates it when I talk in my sleep. Says it interrupts her late night soap operas."

Scrooge let out a huffed chuckle before shaking his head and placing a tender kiss on his forehead. "Nae, Fenton. Yeh weren't. But yeh were quite dazed. Miss McCawber had t'snap yeh out of it."

Fenton's bright eyes turned up to Morgana. "Oh! Hi, Morgana!"

Morgana smiled sweetly at him. "Hello, Fenton. I'm glad to see you're awake."

Fenton nodded. He turned and noticed Darkwing. "Oh, and Wingy is here too!"

Darkwing nodded, giving him an awkward wave of his hand and a lopsided smile. "Yep."

Scrooge turned his attention to Morgana. "Can yeh explain what just happened t'him?"

Morgana frowned, looking away in thought. "Hmm, I can't say for certain, but my best guess would have to be that the closer Magica gets to preparing the ritual and the closer we get to Mount Vesuvius, the stronger the curse becomes on his heart and soul."

Fenton blinked in confusion. "Wait, I did what now? I'm getting worse!?"

"Yeh cannae remember what just happened? Yeh woke up, muttered not feeling like yerself and then yeh went into a little dazed fit" explained the old miser.

Fenton shook his head. "Did not! I just woke up!"

Not bothering to argue with him, Scrooge turned back up to Morgana. "I believe yeh are correct, Miss McCawber. Do yeh have any suggestions t'help him?"

Morgana wrung his hands together nervously, unable to meet the rich duck's eyes. "My potion is no longer having any effect on him. I'm afraid that was the best I could offer. All did just now was a reviving spell. I'd be more than happy to stay nearby Fenton and help him snap out of it if he has another fit, but I'm afraid that's all I'm able to do for now." She turned away, feeling shame wash over herself. Once again she was proving how big of a failure she was. She didn't wish to see or hear Scrooge's disappointment which she knew was bound to come.

Instead, Scrooge said in a grateful tone, "Thank yeh so much, Miss McCawber! Yeh've helped us out so much! I donnae know what we'd do without yeh!"

Morgana's eyes widened in shock at his words and she found herself turning around to stare at him. She read his old feathered face, waiting to see the underlying sarcasm or lie but Scrooge's face was nothing but open and sincere. She blushed and looked down. "Oh! I-I'm really not doing all that much!"

Scrooge reached over and placed a hand over one of her own. "Aye, but every little bit helps, lass, an I want yeh t'know how much I appreciate it!"

Fenton and Darkwing both stayed quiet, watching the exchange between the two with small smiles.

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"Ugh, I've seen refrigerator bulbs treated better than the ones down here are!" grumbled Megavolt as Grimmits guided them into the control room. "You people...No consideration for technology!"

Grimmits was walking in front of them, his expression a mixture between deadpan and furious. He quietly fumed about how he was stuck dealing with such a criminal while Gyro and Megavolt walked beside each other. The tall inventor stayed silent as he listened to Megavolt complain; eyeing the villain curiously.

After several long minutes of debating with himself on whether or not he should comment on Megavolt's ranting, Gyro timidly inquired, "Do you believe it's the electricity that gives light bulbs and other appliances life or is just the appliance itself that has the life and is made stronger with electricity?"

Megavolt froze. He stopped talking and walking and possibly breathing all at the same time. Gyro stopped as well once he realized the villain wasn't walking beside him anymore. Grimmits continued to walk till the end of the hallway they were in before turning and glaring at them. "Some time today, ladies!" he barked at them.

Gyro flinched at being called a lady, sparing an unhappy frown at Grimmits, but otherwise didn't react. He knew it was simply a figure of speech and not a jab. He turned his attention back to Megavolt who was staring up at Gyro with adoration.

"Y-You-" stuttered the electrified rodent before he closed his eyes and shook his head as thought trying to sort through the thoughts in his frazzled mind. He opened his mismatched eyes back open and tried again. "No one has every asked me that before!"

Gyro titled his head at him. "Really?"

Megavolt nodded before pausing. "Well, not that I can remember!"

Grimmits cleared his throat once more. "Flirt with each other later! Let's MOVE!"

Gyro took a step back from Megavolt as though he'd been shocked with the rodent's powers and instantly began walking over towards the admiral. Once he was there, he grumbled, "Don't be rude!"

"You're delaying us by standing around talking! Of course I'm going to snap at you!" growled Grimmits.

"That's not what I meant" snipped Gyro before crossing his arms and looking away. He didn't elaborate.

Megavolt, baffled by what had just taken place, caught up with them before the three of them continued.

It wasn't much longer before the three of them found themselves in the lower control room. The room was mid size with walls covered with computers and hard drives. Both Megavolt and Gyro took it all in with wide eyes as Grimmits began gruffly showing them the main grid that harbored all of their radio and sonar connections. "I've ordered my tech crew to take a break for the time being so you can work privately. If there's a problem with our system, you'll find it here. I trust the two of you don't need further explanations as to how this works."

Both chicken and rodent shot the admiral an unimpressed glare, neither caring to be mocked by such a question. Of course they knew how it worked!

"Well, let's just take a look at what we're dealin' with here" mumbled Megavolt as he leaned over the controls. He began rattling off hardware facts as he glanced over all the machinery, adding in some of his own opinions into the mix. "Seriously!? Still using this old model!? And you call yourselves state of the art!"

Grimmits rolled his eyes at Megavolt's narrating. His eyes ten turned to Gyro, who was being a lot more discreet as he soaked in everything. Naturally suspicious, Grimmits frowned and asked him, "And who exactly are you supposed to be?" he jutted his thumb at Megavolt before pointing at Gyro. "I know this one is a wanted criminal from back in St. Canard but you-Never heard of you-But McDuck was pretty clear he wanted you along on this voyage. Why is that?"

Gyro shrugged modestly, glancing at the admiral over his shoulder. "Honestly, I've been asking myself the same question, sir. But, I do happen to be his personal inventor. Perhaps he thought I would be of help?"

Grimmits nodded slowly.

Megavolt, having heard them, eagerly added, "He can make sentient anthropomorphic creations!"

Grimmits blinked at him. "I'm sorry, what?"

Gyro cleared his throat to get their attention as Lil' Bulb crawled out from where it'd been hiding underneath his shirt so that the other two occupants in the room could see it. "
He's referring to Lil' Bulb." Lil' Bulb, now perched on Gyro's shoulder, waved at Grimmits.

"I see..." began Grimmits, though whatever else he was going to say was forgotten as there was suddenly a loud clanging sound outside the room's door. It sounded as though something heavy and metal was hitting the equally metal walls. Alarmed and fully ready to defend, Grimmits turned to the door and began rushing out of it. He called back to them, "Stay there! I'll check it out!"

Megavolt and Gyro simply watched him leave, both uncertain what was happening.

He stepped through the threshold of the door, looking down back and forth the empty hallway. Seeing no threat, Grimmit's frown actually deepened. Something had to caused the noise and he was determined to figure out what.

His hand ready to pull out the gun at his hip, Grimmits walked a little ways down the hallway before he heard movement behind him. Just as Grimmits went to turn around, a sharp pain slammed into the side of his head. The large canine was out almost instantly.

Out of the shadows came an Egghead, who glared down at the admiral through their helmet, in their hand was a thick metal pipe. He watched as a bit of blood began to seep out from the wound now on Grimmit's head.

Behind the Egghead, Steelbeak chuckled. "Like takin' candy from a baby" he mused gleefully. He gestured for the Egghead to leave. "Take 'im to the main deck. If yous is seen, take 'em out."

The Egghead nodded and began doing as they were told; grabbing onto Grimmit's large body and dragging them along.

As Steelbeak watched them go, he added quietly, "It's time t'get this party started!"

Meanwhile, inside the control room, Gyro and Megavolt were now busy going through the wires and cables they had found underneath the mian unit.

"This is strange" commented Gyro. "I've never seen this type of cables for audio based purposes. Not to mention, it looks as though somebody has gone through these recently. Look at the cable boosters. They're brand new whereas the cables themselves are much older."

Megavolt nodded. "Yeah, I noticed that too." He raised a handful of cables up to his ears. "None of them wish to talk to me, either. It's like they're shy." He followed one of the yellow cables in his lap, watching as it went through the base of the control unit and into the wall. He suddenly stood up. "Hmm...These cables shouldn't be going upwards. Lemme follow these and see where they go."

Gyro watched curiously as Megavolt began to follow the cables, which went down through the room's walls. It was impossible to track where they went unless they had a saw blade to cut through the metal walls. "How are you going to-?"

"Shhhh!" hushed Megavolt.

Gyro could do nothing but watch as Megavolt placed bhis ear up against the metal wall as though he was listening to the cables deep inside themselves. "They're not talking to me but I can just faintly hear them still. If I follow them, I'll see where they lead."

Megavolt did just that, listening and following until he was out the control room and into the hallway where Grimmits had just left. "They're off this way! Maybe the problem is somewhere else! Maybe another power grid! A ship this size is bound to have more than one!"

Gyro nodded, watching him go. "Alright, I'll stay and see if I can't figure something out here."

Megavolt didn't respond, to busy and excited to follow the cables.

Gyro sighed, foregoing the cables and stuffing them all back underneath the console. Megavolt could fuss over the cables; he wished to check out another possible reason communications were down. He stood up and looked over the main screen. Finding the keyboard at his fingertips, Gyro began bringing up the codes to mainframe. He wasn't able to access too much thanks to the system being heavily protected by passwords, but Gyro was a genius and he knew a few tricks on how to get past some of the less secured ones. He was quickly typing away as a shadow appeared at the doorway.

Steelbeak had been thrilled when he found Megavolt wondering about, muttering something about cables. He had planned to deal with both of them at the same time but now he had a chance to speak with this Dr. Gearloose first before he made his move Fixing his tie, Steelbeak smiled and slowly walked up to the chicken before him.

Gyro jumped at the sound of someone clearing their throat. Whirling around on the spot, Gyro was startled to find Steelbeak standing there. Of course, he had no idea who Steelbeak was and therefore had no idea how much danger he was in as he let out a nervous chuckle and placed a hand over his heart. "Goodness! You startled me!"

Steelbeak chuckled and shrugged. "Heh, sorry. That was far from my intention. The name's Steels. What's yours?"

Gyro, now over his fright, frowned and looked Steelbeak up and down. He was wearing his usual white suit and black dress pants. Not at all like the uniforms the inventor had seen any of the other naval personnel wearing. In fact, it was even far dressier and expensive looking than even Admiral Grimmits' outfit. "Umm..." He glanced back at the computer behind him, adjusting his glasses. Lil' Bulb had gone back to hiding somewhere in his shirt. Good, he would prefer to keep Lil' Bulb a secret in case his little creation needed to help him out again. "W-With all due respect, Mr. Steels...I need to ask...Who are you and why are you here? Where did Admiral Grimmits go?"

Nonplussed by Gyro's suspicion, Steelbeak gave him what he dubbed as his million dollar smile. The rooster was known for hitting on the ladies and enjoying his free time with a few of them along with some drinks. It was in his nature to get flirtatious when the setting called for it. It helped him to get information out of his victims easier. Being in the line of work he was in, he was also good at deciphering a person. Reading them. Learning about them before they even had a chance to talk. Looking at Gyro now though, he couldn't tell much. Gyro was so many contradictions. Nerdy and shy yet clearly not afraid to defend himself. Tall and lanky, yet Steelbeak knew enough about scientists and inventors that they had to be strong to build some of things they do. Then lastly, Gyro looked male, but his eyes told him otherwise.

After a lifetime of hitting up girls and spotting them across rooms, Steelbeak could tell the subtle differences between a man and a woman just by their eyes. Gyro's eyes were a brilliant emerald green with a soft glow about them that could never be found in a man. At least, not in his opinion.

Snapping out of his thoughts, Steelbeak stuffed his hand into his pockets and shrugged once more. "He got called to the main deck. Som'in about McDuck needin' 'im." He stepped closer to Gyro, taking advantage of being taller than the inventor. "Grimmits tol' me t'check in on ya."

Not wishing to back down, Gyro just continued to stare up at him.

"Now, how's about yous tell me your name."

Daring to turn away from the tall rooster, Gyro looked to the screen and continued to his work of checking all the systems. "Gyro Gearloose."

Steelbeak nodded, though he had already known. He had looked into Gyro the moment he had heard Negaduck utter his last name.

Gyro began typing furiously away at the computer as Steelbeak slowly paced around the room. "Gearloose, eh?"

Gyro didn't answer.

"Not a completely common name...But I guess it's not too uncommon either...Heh..."

Gyro opened up another screen on the computer and began reading the data. His tiny glasses reflected the light from the screen since the room was dimly lit.

"Do yous happen t'be related to a Georgina Gearloose?"

The question sent a shiver of fear down Gyro's spine and prayed to every deity in the sky that Steelbeak hadn't noticed it. He could feel his heartbeat begin to race. He knew the moment Steelbeak asked for his name that he would regret giving it. Everything about this situation terrified him. Grimmits would have informed him that someone else would be coming down. He would have mentioned a Steelbeak- Because that's how Grimmits was. He was someone who made sure everyone knew the facts-if anything for security in happenstances such as this.

His fingers hovering over the keyboard, Gyro managed to keep his voice even as he replied, "Never heard of her."

Steelbeak leaned over next to him so that he was beside Gyro and leaning over the console he was working on. "Really? Yous sure?"

Gyro nodded, his eyes never leaving the screen.

"Huh, shame" sighed the F.O.W.L. agent as he feigned confusion. "Yous woulda liked her. She was a scientist, yous know." Gyro still refused to reply as Steelbeak stood up straight again and went back to slowly pacing. "She used t'work for a guy I knew. Course, this was years back. Say, twenty years ago. I was just gettin' in t'the field I'm in now, yous see."

"And what field may that be?" inquired Gyro.

The question seemed to derail Steelbeak's line of thought for a moment as he soaked in the question. "Ehh...Naval enforcement, heh."

It was a lie and they both knew it.

Gyro brought up another screen on the computer and finally he was able to find the answers he was looking for. The communications were down because everything was offline. According to the words on the screen in front of him, half the ship's electrical system has been hacked into. That would explain a lot.

""Yous know, yous kinda remind me of her...She was a hen, tall, red hair, wore glasses...Yous sure yous aren't related?" Steelbeak continued to push. "Cousin, maybe?"

Gyro shook his head. "I was an only child. So were both my parents. I never had any cousins."

Steelbeak nodded slowly, still moving about the room with his arms behind his back. "Well, it's a shame. I'd likes t'talk t'her. See, she did something that angered a lotta the wrong crowd. She was a scientist, yous see. Which makes me think of yous all the more! And she destroyed a project that my higher ups were secretly working on. Ever heard of Dr. Akita? He was the man in charge of the project."

Akita. Gyro had hoped to never hear that wretched name ever again.

He thought about lying, but he knew Steelbeak was already suspicious of him, so he decided on a half truth. "I've heard of him. He was one of the greatest minds in science. His head lab was in Tokyolk, if I'm not mistaken. He hasn't been seen or heard from in a long time though. Not since-"

Steelbeak nodded again. "Not since the great explosion that happened at his lab. Yous knows an awful lot about him."

Gyro shrugged, trying to act nonchalant. He also tried to keep his face hidden and facing the screen. He didn't like the idea of his back facing Steelbeak, but it was better than allowing him to see his face. Gyro had never been much of an actor and he feared that if Steelbeak were to see his face, he would be able to see he was lying through his teeth. "As I said, he was one of the world's greatest minds. I'm a science geek. Of course I've looked him up and read about him." It was a simple enough cover.

Steelbeak didn't say anything for a while, which just put Gyro more on edge. He continued to read the data on the screen, understanding more and more what was going on. It was becoming clear that they were not alone on this naval ship. Grimmits and the naval officers weren't the only ones on board save for his friends.

Gyro could feel Lil' Bulb grow restless in his shirt. He looked down and found his little creation peeking out from his collar; opposite of where Steelbeak was standing. Very carefully, Lil' Bulb quickly and silently ducked back under his shirt and began to crawl down his long shirt sleeve. Once at Gyro's wrist, Lil' Bulb crawled out and hopped down to the floor. It would seem it was time for Lil' Bulb to go and seek out help for his creator once more.

Just when Gyro was beginning to wonder if Steelbeak had left, he flinched when he felt a finger touch his hairline just along the left side of his face. He could smell Steelbeak's boozy breath as the larger rooster whispered into his ear. "Red hair, same build, same age, same initials..."

Gyro finally turned his head to look at Steelbeak, who was smirking at him. He quickly looked away.

"I've heard your name before, Gyro Gearloose. I looked yous up. Accordin' t'the files, Gyro Gearloose didn't exist until twenty years ago. I searched deep too. Medical records, birth certificates...anything with proof that yous existed before that time. Nothin'!"

Gyro looked down next to his hand and saw one of the cables that Megavolt and himself had pulled out. He discreetly grabbed it and carefully pulled out the small pocket knife he always kept in his pants pocket. Steelbeak continued to speak. '

"I find that awful suspicious, don't yous think?"

Gyro made a low humming sound in the back of his throat, but otherwise didn't reply.

"Makes me think yous might just be the missin' Georgina. Seein' as hows she disappeared...twenty years ago...And boy, if yous ARE her, my bosses at F.O.W.L. would LOVE t'meet yous!"

Just as Steelbeak moved to attack Gyro, the inventor spun around and jabbed the end of two wires into Steelbeak's neck. Electricity shot through the cables and into Steelbeak, causing the well dressed rooster to begin shaking from the shock.

"AAAAAHHHHHHHH" screamed Steelbeak.

Gyro held the wires there for several long moments before he let the active wires fall and pushed himself away from the console and began running out of the room.

Due to running through the door with so much momentum and speed, Gyro is unable to keep himself from slamming into the hallway's wall. He grunts before pushing off and running down the hallway, hoping he picked the right direction. Just as he thought he was going to be able to reach the stairs that led out of the hallway, a strong hand grabbed a hold of his arm and yanked him back. Gyro fell to the ground after he was released.

Steelbeak's feathers looked fluffier than usual and there was sweat dripping down his forehead from the heat of the electrical shock, but the fury in his eyes was what caught Gyro's attention. He cowered down and tried to make himself as small as possible. "No! Get away from me! Please! I won't let you take me to them!"

"Well, it's nice to meet yous too, Georgina! Neat trick with the electricity, but I've been in this game a LOT longer than yous and a shock like that won't put me down long!" sneered Steelbeak. "Heh! Cross dressin' and pretendin' t'be the opposite sex!? I'm impressed! Yous sure is committed t'hidin'! Yous shoulda been a double agent or spy or somethin'! Yous got some talent!"

Gyro, who was now on the floor, kicked out his long thin leg and managed to kick Steelbeak in the shoulder as the tall rooster knelt down towards him. "I'm not a cross dresser!" he hissed. "I'm a man! Born in the wrong body! I'm transgender!"

Steelbeak stumbled back but was chuckling; hardly affected by the attack. "Ahhhh, well, it's a shame! Yeh woulda made a MUCH prettier prisoner had ya stayed a dame!" He reached out and grabbed Gyro by the arm once more, yet not without having to deal with Gyro's wriggling and attempts to escape as Steelbeak hoisted him back up to his feet.

"Let go of me! Please!" The fight was quickly leaving as reality seeped in for Gyro. Steelbeak was three times his size if not more! He didn't stand a chance against him! "That was so long ago! How could they still care that I destroyed their project!"

"Hmmm, yeah, 'project'. Just a few billion dollars worth of a project, that's all, toots!" scoffed Steelbeak as he began leading him down the hallway.

"Don't call me 'toots'!" snapped Gyro. "Now you're just misgendering me on purpose!"

"Maybe I's am, maybe I'm not! But I'll call yous whatever I want, Georgina, babe! There's nothin' yous can do about it!" He shoved Gyro down the hall before grabbing hold of his arm again.

Gyro whimpered as he got shoved and just hoped that his friends would come looking for him.

As they walked, Steelbeak continued to jeer, "I's admire yous. Takes a lotta nerve t'go up against a guy like me. That trick with the live wire was clever. Too bad it wasn't enough electricity t'take me down!"

"Oh, yeah!?" came a nasally voice from behind them. "Then how about you try this kinda voltage on for size!"

Before Steelbeak had a chance to react, Megavolt appeared from behind them, clamping his blue gloved hands down on Steelbeak's shoulders and electrocuting him with several watts of electricity. Unlike when Gyro attacked him, Steelbeak went stiff and his whole body shook from the current of electricity running through his body. It was all over before it barely started and Steelbeak fell to the floor in a smoking heap.

Gyro stared down in surprise before looking up and seeing a smirking Megavolt. Lil' Bulb was perched on the rodent's shoulder and gave its creator a little wave. "Lil' Bulb! Megavolt! Thank you both!"

Megavolt shrugged. "He had it coming to him!" He stepped over Steelbeak's prone body and began guiding Gyro away. "Come on! I know I saw a few Eggheads sneaking around while I was chasing after those cables! We gotta warn the others!"

Gyro nodded, following after Megavolt without thinking twice.

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"Poor Fenton" lamented Huey as he and his brothers followed the group out onto the main deck of the ship. They had all watched as Scrooge and Morgana frantically tried to help Fenton through his trembling fit and no one knew what to do or say about it. Once Fenton had become a little more himself, the tension in the air began to slip away and everyone agreed that they wanted some fresh air.

It had been Launchpad that had suggested everyone go outside into the fresh air. Admiral Grimmits was still no where to be found, but they all assumed he was still with Gyro and Megavolt down in the control room. They had hoped to have had some kind of news by now on whether or not the two science geniuses would be able to fix the problem, but so far no word.

Now, Huey, Dewey, and Louie were lounging about how on the deck. Their Uncle Donald wasn't far away, making sure to keep an eye on them as he spoke to Launchpad and Darkwing.

Gosalyn, who had overheard Huey's comment as she walked over to them, chimed in by saying, "I think Morgana was able to help out Fenton for the time being."

All three brothers turned to look up at the sound of her voice.

"Does she know what happened to him?" was Louie's question.

Gosalyn shrugged. "If she does, she hasn't said it loud enough for me to overhear. Dad is trying his best to keep me out of it. He won't admit it, but I really think he's starting to see Fenton as his friend. I know when my dad is panicked and he looked terrified when Fenton started acting up."

Huey, Dewey, and Louie nodded.

"Yeah, we've known Fenton for several years now. He's pretty cool. Little dorky at times, but he hangs out with us and helps us with our homework sometimes" Dewey told her.

"So...he's dating your uncle Scrooge? Isn't he like...over 100 years old?" Gosalyn asked as she made a face at the idea.

"He's not THAT old!" laughed Dewey. He then stopped and looked to his brothers. "Is he!?"

They both shrugged.

Gosalyn opened her mouth to say something when something caught her eye. She looked over just in time to see an Egghead duck into a stairwell that led down into the ship. Her eyes widened as she instantly stood up.

"What's wrong!?" asked Dewey worriedly. All three of them were staring at her with concern.

"Nothing" she breathed quickly, her green eyes searching for the one person who badly needed to know what she had just seen. "Excuse me!" Without waiting for a reaction from the triplets, she darted off towards Darkwing, who had just walked away from where he'd been with Fenton, Scrooge, and Morgana. "Dad!"

Darkwing turned to the sound of her voice. "What's up, Gos?"

"Dad-I just saw-" Her words were cut off by the shouts of Huey, Dewey, and Louie.

"Get off of us!" shouted Louie.

"Let us go!" demanded Huey.

"You won't get away with this!" threatened Dewey.

Their cries of alarm and anger grabbed the attention of everyone in the room. Including Donald.

The sailor squawked in surprise and fury as he saw three Eggheads attacking his boys. "HEY!" he cried out. "What's the big idea!" He leapt up from where he'd been resting his eyes leaning against the wall.

Scrooge, who'd been speaking quietly to Fenton and rubbing the account's shoulders where they sat on the bench, looked up as well. Still holding Fenton's hand, he stood and called out, "Donald! Lads!"

"Ooooh" giggled Quackerjack from his corner of the main deck. "Some Eggheads have come to play, have you!? And you all said this wasn't a party!"

Everyone began to surround the Eggheads, each of them holding one of the triplets. As everyone, minus Fenton, inched closer, more Eggheads began to appear from out of the shadows.

Scrooge glanced around, taking in the sight of everyone present. His eyes darted around the room; taking a head count. While he wanted to help his nephews, he also didn't want to venture very far from Fenton. "Where are all the naval officers!? Where's Admiral Grimmits!? Darkwing! Do something!"

Darkwing's eyes widened at the command. "Pfft! HOW, gramps!? I'm surrounded, just like everyone else here!" As he said these words, more and more Eggheads filed around them.

"Feeling trapped? Feeling hopeless? That's alright, just have Liquidator's Quality Brand Water help you out!" gurgled Liquidator. He allowed his liquid form to grow in size, making himself appear more and more intimidating. Several of the Eggheads took a few steps back.

"THE SHIP'S BEEN COMPROMISED! EGGHEADS HAVE TAKEN OVER! EVERYONE-!" Megavolt's screaming came to a halt as he and Gyro burst through the door that led to the control room. They stopped dead in their tracks; Gyro nearly colliding into Megavolt as the shorter rodent stopped abruptly before him. "OH! Heh, you already know..."

"Mr. McDuck!" cried out Gyro as he spotted the old miser surrounded.

"Gyro! Be careful! Stand back!" warned Scrooge.

"Relaaaax" drawled Darkwing. "It's just a bunch of Eggheads!"

"Steelbeak is here too!" Megavolt informed him.

Darkwing shrugged. "Please! We can handle Steelbeak too! There's plenty of us to deal with these chumps!"

"Heh heh heh heh heh heh heh heh heh!" came the familiar cackling laugh. It seemed to shoot through the air, causing everyone to look up into the evening sky and search for the source of the sound.

"Scroogey!" squeaked Fenton at the sound of Magica's laugh. He stood up with wobbly and unbalanced feet and reached out to his older paramour. His heart raced at the idea of Magica being around. The last few visits from the witch had been far from pleasant.

Scrooge turned back to Fenton, holding onto his hand tighter and pulling him close. Fenton grabbed hold of Scrooge's arm and held on tightly, not fully sure if the trembling in his hands and arms were from the curse or from the fear he was currently feeling. He felt awful and weak and he had no way of using the Gizmoduck suit to help anyone else in this fight. He just wanted it all to end and they could go home and be warm and cozy. Not here on this ship in the middle of the sea, surrounded by enemies.

All the Eggheads seemed to be waiting for further instruction as none of them made a move save for the three that were still holding onto Huey, Dewey, and Louie.

"Let go of my boys!" roared Donald angrily. He went to take a step towards them, but Launchpad placed a hand on his shoulder to stop him. Donald whirled around to glare at him; his glare demanding to know why he was being stopped.

"Easy, Donald" soothed the pilot. "You don't know these guys! They're F.O.W.L. agents! You don't wanna mess with them! DW and I have more experience."

"I don't care!" squabbled Donald, his speech sounding more garbled than usual in his anger.

One of the Eggheads grabbed Bushroot by the arm and yanked him away from the other members of the Fearsome Four. "Heyyy, watch the foliage!" he whimpered.

Seeing his beloved being roughly deepened, Liquidator could feel his watery body grew hot with anger. "Do you have any idea who you're messing with!?" he threatened to the approaching Eggheads.

"I think the REAL question yous should be askin' yerself, Drip Brain, is whether or not you realize who YOUS is dealin' with!" came the accented voice of Steelbeak. He appeared out from the inside of the ship where Megavolt and Gyro had left him. The inventor wasn't able to move fast enough before Steelbeak grabbed him roughly by his red hair feathers. "I suggest yous don't move if yous want little Georgina here to get hurt!"

Gyro muttered darkly at the mention of his dead name, raising his hands up and trying in vain to make Steelbeak release him.

There was a beat of silence.

"His name is Gyro, yeh moronic marauder!" spat Scrooge.

"Are we supposed to be scared?" taunted Darkwing.

"Heh heh heh heh heh heh heh!" came Magica's cackle once more. Everyone looked around them yet continued to see nothing but the night sky. "Why, yes! You should be! At this very moment you are exactly where I want you to be!"

"And where would that be!?" demanded Scrooge.

There was a great lurch as the whole massive navy ship shook; the sound of metal groaning and creaking splitting through the air. The waves of the ocean grew rough as strong winds began to blow through in an unnatural way.

"I know this magic!" cried out Morgana as she covered her face with her arm. The wind blew strongly around all of them. There was another great lurch, this time causing everyone to loose their balance save for the Eggheads. It was as though a whole other force entirely was helping them keep their balance and stay standing.

"She's sending us through a portal!" Morgana finished explaining.

The waves grew less wild and began to settle as the ship regained its balance in the water.

Darkwing managed to catch his fedora hat just in time before it blew away. As he caught it, he heard Launchpad call out to him, "DW!" The pilot's voice sounded frantic. Holding his hat in place on his head, Darkwing turned to see Launchpad was holding Gosalyn close to his chest as the winds grew even stronger. It reminded him of a hurricane without the thunder and rain.

"Dad!" called out Gosalyn from where she was tucked closely to Launchpad's chest and held tightly by one of the larger man's arms.

Darkwing reached over and wobbled his way over to them. Once he was within reach, Launchpad grabbed onto him and held him and Gosalyn close.

"BOYS!" cried out a panicking Donald as he could do nothing but watch the Eggheads keep them prisoner as they held on to the sides of the ship.

Scrooge was anchoring himself and Fenton to one of the flag poles that decorated the main deck. Fenton had his head tucked into Scrooge's chest. "This must be what it's like to be in the middle of a tornado!" cried Fenton.

Quackerjack, Megavolt, Liquidator, and Bushroot were all cowered together in a group, all helping each other stay balanced. With how strong the winds were, they all felt like they could just blow away into nothingness. Morgana was managed to keep herself from falling with the aid of a bench and all the Eggheads, Steelbeak, and their prisoner Gyro were all using the navy ship's structures to keep standing.

As quickly as it had started, the winds began to taper off. As everyone gained their bearings and looked around at their surroundings, Magica sneered down at them. "I grew impatient in waiting for you all to arrive to Mount Vesuvius! The potion is ready and so is the ritual!"

Fenton gulped in fear as he looked up at her from where he was hiding beside Scrooge.

As though sensing his gaze, Magica turned to Fenton and smirked down at him. "Ahh, yes! The little accountant! You are most important! Heh heh!" With a snap of her fingers, Fenton vanished into thin air with a small cry.

"Scrooge!" His fearful and desperate cry was cut off, his voice echoing in the wind. Fenton was gone; no longer with them.

"FENTON!" Now grasping nothing but air, Scrooge shouted in alarm. He stepped back from where Fenton had just been standing seconds ago. After a moment, he whipped his head back up to glare at Magica. "What did yeh do!? Bring him back!"

Magica waved him off. "Oh, no worries, dah'ling! I just sent him off ahead. Precious cargo after all. His heart is too important for the ritual! Had to make sure he got to my lair first!" Magica opened her beak to say more when she leaned back and dodged a pair of toy teeth just in time. She snarled at Quackerjack.

"Stop hogging all the fun, lady! WE'RE supposed to the be the villains around here! Go play somewhere else!" he whined.

Magica rolled her eyes. "I don't have time for trouble makers like you!" She gestured to the Eggheads, who began to circle in closer on the Fearsome Four. "I think it's time we take our leave now!"

With a wave of her hand, Darkwing, Launchpad, Scrooge, and Bushroot all disappeared the same way Fenton had just moments before.

"DAAAAD!" screamed Gosalyn when she found herself completely alone after having just been with her dad and Launchpad.

Magica smirked at everyone's dismay. She turned to the remaining group and instructed the Eggheads, "Rough them up a bit, dah'lings! They're not needed for any of my plans!" She eyed Donald, who glared back up at her. "Though if you do rough that one, stay away from his face. He's a pretty one! Heh heh heh!"

With another puff of smoke, Magica was gone. Liquidator swished his way backwards as he looked down into his now empty arms from where Bushroot had been held moments ago. His face looked heartbroken at the loss of his beloved, but only for a moment as anger seeped into him watery body. "You've messed with the wrong salesman!"

Steelbeak, still holding on tightly to Gyro, smugly looked around the surrounded and trapped group. "Well, dat's a shame! Too bad I don't feel worried! Somethin' tells me you lot are outnumbered."

With Huey, Dewey, Louie, and Gyro already captured, the remaining group slowly inched closer as they debated how they were going to handle this. Morgana, Donald, Gosalyn, Megavolt, Quackerjack, and Liquidator had only one option. They all looked to each other, all thinking the same thing. It was time to fight back.

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Darkwing groaned. "Ow..." He felt disoriented as he tried to move his body. He felt himself move until he was on his back. Judging by the feeling under his hands, he was laying on dirt. He pushed himself into a sitting position, feeling a moment of vertigo before his senses settled.

He could hear someone calling out. It took a moment for him to understand the words.

"Fenton! Fenton, please wake up, treasure!"

That was Scrooge's voice, Darkwing's brain supplied. With bleary eyes, he looked over to the source of the voice and found Scrooge kneeling on the ground several yards old miser was facing away from him, reaching through the bars of the cage he was trapped in and trying to reach out to another cage. That was when Darkwing realized it.

He was also in a cage. They all were. All five of them were in separate metal cages which went around the large circular room they were now in. All along the walls were thick red curtains as though they were about to see a Broadway show. Along the rounded ceiling hung stars and moons and other mystical looking objects. Despite there not being any windows, the room seemed to give off its own eerie glow.

"Fenton, please!" Scrooge continued to plea and Darkwing's eyes turned to look at the cage across the room from him. There, in the middle of the cage, laid Fenton. The accountant's eyes were closed as he laid on his side. Each cage was several feet apart from each other so Scrooge had no way of reaching his paramour.

"DW" came a quiet but very welcome voice.

Darkwing turned to the cage to his right and found that Launchpad was also in one. Across the room from Launchpad sat Bushroot. The mutant was curled up in a nervous ball as he glanced warily around. On Darkwing's left sat an empty cage and the vigilante could only wonder who the cage was meant for. He highly doubted Magica placed that cage there for no reason.

"Hey, LP" he called back with a weak smile. "Are you okay?"

Launchpad gave him a lopsided smile. "As good as I can be, considering I'm trapped in a cage, DW, heh!"

Darkwing appreciated the attempt at humor.

There was a loud hissing sound that brought Darkwing's attention to the middle of the room. Despite the fact that he had once dated an actual witch and had visited the land of monsters several times due to that, Darkwing had yet to see a cauldron quite as massive as the one that was currently bubbling away at the room's center. Steam poured from the hot potion that was clearly inside; a roaring fire burning brightly underneath it. Around the cauldron sat Magica's work table and the tall intricate tree stand that belonged to Poe.

Magica was busy pouring more colorful liquids into the boiling cauldron from where she stood on a step stool. She didn't seem at all bothered that they were all awake and starting to move about.

After it became clearly futile to awaken Fenton, Scrooge heaved a great sigh and looked away. He slumped against the bars of his cage. He then looked up and met Darkwing's gaze. Darkwing may not have known the man for very long, but to him, Scrooge looked exhausted and heartbroken. It made a tremor of anxious fear bubble deep in Darkwing's chest.

"Now that Scroogey has finally stopped whining about his little accountant" Magica finally began to speak. Her eyes never left her work. "We can FINALLY begin the ritual!" She raised her hands up gleefully. "Starting with adding in your blood!"

She gestured to the vials of blood she had collected from each of them. Scrooge, Darkwing, Bushroot, and Launchpad all gulped in fear; none of them having any idea what was going to happen next, though with a pretty clear idea of how it would possibly end.

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