Keeping a bird caged doesn't make its wings disappear. Prince Hubert Jet McDuck was always a bit of a poet fan, having read over half the books the castle library contained, he found he could connect to the deeper messages hidden in simple words. He always felt a bit of guilt for his connections, what right did a prince have to complain? He had dozens of servants ready to serve him, a kingdom counting on him, an army ready to die for him, and yet he felt like all of those privileges were more chains than gifts.

He wandered the castle, politely staying out of the way of the servants and maids. He used to offer his help but none ever could allow it so he decided to just do his best to not make any messes for them. The castle was an enormous fortress with many treasures from his great grandfather's old adventures and hidden history about his family and the Caspian Kingdom. The biggest of the nine kingdoms. Over the years, Hubert had long believed he had explored everything the castle had to offer even making his own map of it all.

Endless conflicts had caused the castle to evolve into the maze of secrets passages and mysteries it had become. His great grandfather Scrooge McDuck was the one who built the castle using gold he had collected from his time as an adventurer. His friendships, dedication, tenacity, and wit were enough to grow a kingdom. The kingdom prospered with good fortune and worthy leaders, surpassing the others and even gaining the title of the greatest one, with this cycle only breaking within the last few years and unknowingly to all but a very select few.

The Queen, Della McDuck, had vanished without a trace leaving a kingdom without a leader and a son without a mother. Her best friend and lady in waiting, Selene Luna, knew that Hubert wasn't ready for the responsibility of running a kingdom and decided to take on the challenge herself until he was ready. Until then, the other kingdoms and their own citizens would have to remain in the dark about the Queen's fate or her son would be in danger.

Some were suspicious about the Queen and spies even tried to invade the castle causing the defenses to be increased and Hubert to be not be allowed to leave. The prince was hurt, wishing more than anything to find his mother, to see his people, and maybe to discover himself. However, he knew it was for his protection and he accepted this by dedicating himself to knowledge and hoping to become a worthy king. There were nights though, where he dreamed for the chance to escape the palace walls. A wish that would soon be heard...

. . .

Hubert was heading for the throne room to talk to his aunt Selene, his birthday was coming in a week and he would be thirteen. He knew he would be tested to see if he was ready to take over but he was afraid, it wasn't that he was afraid that he would fail, he was afraid to succeed. He wanted advice, what the right path would be. He had arrived just as a shout was heard.

"WHAT?! I refuse!" Hubert flattened himself against the wall and listened. "You can't expect me to approve this- this treason!" He had never heard his aunt be so angry.

"You must listen to reason! This fruitless search has cost lives and gold! You were trusted to be the queen, if you can not do what is best then you will be removed."

"Do what's best?! For who?! You?! That boy isn't ready! You only want him a king so you can advise him. So you can rule!"

"There is no more time! The other leaders demand a meeting with a McDuck and the child is the last one. Her choices had already caused chaos through the land before she ran away, now we must pick up the pieces and fix what she broke."

"His mother is alive and she did not run away!"

"We are inclined to disagree. Now I'm afraid you must be removed, trust that we'll take good care of the child." The prince ran after that, away from the shouting, away from the pain. He pushed past those that tried to stop him and didn't stop when he heard his name being called out. He ran and ran until he burst into the one place he had been too afraid to enter. His mother's room.

It was large but no larger than most rooms, his mother believing in being humble and keeping true to one's self. Dozens of sketched ideas were scattered around with small handmade inventions. She was a creator at heart and had developed many things before her job caused her to give up most of her ambitions. She never saw her position as putting her above her advisers and friends. He cried as he climbed into her bed and hugged one of her pillows.

"Why… why did you leave me here all alone? Where did you go? Do you know what you've done? Do you… miss me?" He had no answers as he cried and didn't move for what seemed like hours. He only woke when he heard the door open. Selene walked in silently believing Hubert was asleep, kissing his head and whispering an apology. He resisted crying and heard something that resembled a gentle crank sound.

"Goodbye, my prince. Be brave and live strong, just like she did." He wanted to turn, to do something but he stayed still. The door shut again and he was left in silence once again. He fought against his tears until a soft tune began to play. He turned to see a small music box by his mother's bed. The melody started slow and weak but soon blossomed into a more hopeful beat as the box opened and revealed a small gold figure of a woman holding a child.

"M-mother…" He whispered and touched the figure as tears ran down his face, finding the child piece could come off. The song came to its end as he looked down and noticed something etched into the wooden base of the box. He found it was a tiny hollow hole. He turned the key again to start the song and grabbed the child piece, finding it fit into the hole perfectly and it spun softly as the song played. A draw opened on the music box and a note was left inside. Hubert grabbed the note and found it held a passage from his great grandfather and a message from his mother.

To my descendants:

Today I just finished hiding away the last of the relics I had found that I believe were too great for one to control even a king. The Stone of Dreams. It can grant any one wish of the wielder without fail. I ensured that no one but one of our line could find it. I have lived a long life full of adventure and success. I only wish the best for my family and should the stone's power ever be needed then I trust in you my family to follow your heart and find the stone. - Scrooge McDuck

PS - I finally found it! The tenth kingdom! With the stone, everything can be made right. Hubert can live happily. Travel should only be around a month or so. Let my heart guide me…

Hubert stared at the writing, his mother left for this stone? What did she need to fix? He didn't know but he did have a way to find out… the stone. It could bring her back! Everything could be fixed. He reread the letter and thought of all he knew of their world, he had never heard of a tenth Kingdom. Not a single hint to anything other than the nine except… he had once read in an ancient tome that a star once fell from the sky and crashed into their world but as far as he knew the story was a lie. No kingdom was known to have such a crater.

Looking through his mother's books he found a map and it looked like it all ended after the eighth kingdom but maybe, that was a lie… He had to find the truth. His mother had believed she could find it and failed, he would pick up what she left behind. He slipped on a red cloak and hood, leaving his regal clothes behind. Taking the letter, the music box, some necessities, gold, his crown as proof of his identity, food, water, and a single dagger just in case, he snuck out of the castle. He glanced back at his home before climbing over the wall and headed for the Second Kingdom.

(A/N - Sorry for being gone for so long! After losing internet, messing up my laptop and having to buy another, and dislocating my leg I was busy and had no muse to write. This story is helping and I'll be back to my other stories soon! Thank you all!)