Hunger makes a thief from any man. Louie Gold was not a thief. He would argue that he was simply a survivor and a very talented artist with a very specific skill set. Even at his young age, he was known all around for his sharp tongue and quicker fingers. Of course, the boy was careful to never really use the same name more than once should he ever be caught he'd only be charged for one crime. But whenever a heist was done and the feat spread around, many blamed the Boy with the Golden Touch.

The stories say he had the power to steal any treasure, any painting, anything that he found worth in would vanish no matter the defense. The ultimate challenge for any knight, he was high in the charts for his crimes but no one could ever agree on a face leaving the poster blank. Every noble feared him and every commoner was left amazed by his talents.

Louie found himself resting in the outskirts of the Superior Kingdom, a pretentious name if he ever heard one but this place was famous for its crime. The kingdom was founded for thieves by thieves and since then became a pit for low lives. Louie found himself making a home there but always leaving the first chance he got. It was a disgusting place and not fit for someone who could be a king someday.

He stared at the treasure he had just recently stolen, a golden idol that was said to be able to predict the future. A glorified and expensive paperweight was more accurate to Louie, he never understood why people believed such stories. From all he had stolen he had never seen a legend be proved right instead he seemed to always prove them wrong.

He sketched the idol in an old journal, something his teacher had recommended for him. Try as he might, Louie found he was often trapped in the past and would lose himself in memories but the book helped remind him of his achievements. There were many who believed Louie to be a simple thief with nothing more to motivate him than the need for more and more riches but the boy wasn't so simpleminded.

He wanted more than just to be rich, he wanted a legacy. He wanted a kingdom all his own where he could live freely. He wanted what Scrooge McDuck had managed to get. All the stories of the old bird stood fast that he was smarter and tough than anyone else, an adventuring hero who grew from nothing and was destined for greatness. Louie however felt that he knew the truth, no one gained riches without pain and destruction left in their path.

"What does honesty and heroics get you now? Poverty and a prison sentence, rotting for someone else's mistakes. The only way to get anywhere is to have the skills to take what you want and the guts to leave behind the dead weight."

He flipped through his book, pages, and pages of treasures littered his sight. Had he truly been doing this so long? How many people did he abandon? How many did he use for his own means? Did they deserve it?

"You can't ever worry about responsibility, that's a hole even the greatest thief can't escape." His old mentor's words replayed in his mind. He was sad to admit that he didn't fully grasp many of her lessons until she was gone, but while a few still alluded him most had come to light. He looked down at his journal as he reached the front of the book, a sketch of an older duck woman with sad eyes stared back. He shut the book and sighed while holding a golden pendant he wore around his neck. A knock at his door caused him to look up and a soft kind voice called out.

"Lou Lou, Soup is almost ready! Come down when you're ready!" Louie smiled softly as he shouted back he'd be down soon. Mrs. Von Drake was the only person Louie knew in the whole kingdom that was actually as kind as she seemed. She was old and it said her husband was a hero around these parts long ago. They moved into the kingdom and were tormented for years but slowly their kindness reached the hearts and wallets of the citizens. They were kind and gave housing to those that needed it. Their inn was small but cozy with a fair price to boot.

This bought them the protection of most of the kingdom, all agreeing to leave the home alone seeing that it was nothing but better for them to have a place they didn't need to worry about being robbed. Louie stayed there anything he was in Superior and in turn, grew close to the lonely elderly duck who came to see him as a son.

He put his book away and stepped off his bed with a stretch, looking around the rather messy room he occupied. He was always given the attic as while it was the smallest room it was the most hidden and private. Louie had comics and some money hidden in the room should he or Mrs. Von Drake need it for emergencies. Glasses littered the ground, something he knew he had a problem with.

He decided to make things a bit easier on his caretaker by collecting the glasses for once, hearing thumping downstairs. He shook his head with a shout that he was coming. Carrying the glasses, he carefully walked downstairs. And turned the corner with a smile.

"Guess who's actually learning to take care of himself." Louie's smile turned into a shocked gasp as he saw Mrs. Von Drake on the ground with a sword at her back. She seemed to be in pain as she shook there and looked up at the boy, whispering for him to run. The glasses fell, shattering against the ground and freezing the boy before he glared at the attacker. "You!" He ran towards him but only managed a step before another man appeared and used a spear to smack him to the

ground.

"Louie Gold, Mother would like a word with you." Louie spat and glared up.

"You and your mother can take your words and shove them up your-" A cry of pain caused him to stop and he tried to stand only to cut his hand on the glass. "S-stop! Stop, just leave her alone and I'll come just stop!" The two shared a nod and walked over, both grabbing Louie's arms as they dragged him away. He shouted and struggled as they left the old duck on the ground…

. . .

Louie didn't recall much after that as he bit one of the attackers only for the spear to be smashed into his beak again. He finally woke after that when he was thrown to the ground and fought to his knees. He coughed and held his bleeding hand as he looked up and cursed. Ma, the Queen of the kingdom was sitting on her throne and looked at Louie with barely an interest.

"Are you two sure he's the right one this time?"

"Umm yes Ma, the old lady refused to say it but we heard her call him." Ma nodded and stood walking over to Louie.

"Well, you sure don't look like a master thief. In fact, you look like you should be stealing from a cookie jar."

"My looks help me lower the guard of fools like you…" Louie felt the butt of the spear hit him in the back which seemed to burn harshly at the touch and Ma cackled.

"I like this one, he's got some fire when even he's all burnt out. Now normally, I'd just sell you off to another kingdom to see who would pay the most but lucky you, I have a need for you."

"Feeling real lucky…"

"My boys heard from some of our spies that a young prince has gone missing. The boy is said to be a McDuck and there's the chance he is heading for something big. I've always known those rotten McDucks cheated their way to the top and now I get to beat one at their own game."

"What does this have to do with me?"

"Simple, you will be the one to steal this treasure for me."

"W-what?!"

"Accompany the brat to the treasure, have him grab it, and then kill him and take it. Bring it back and I may let you live."

"What's stopping me from just running and never coming back?"

"That mark, we burned into your back." Louie's eyes widened and he looked back, the burning sensation from earlier. "That is a gift from one of my sons. It will grow and grow until your body burns from the inside out. If you don't get us the treasure then you'll die simple as that." Louie glared at the queen. "So we have a deal?"

"...fine, not like I have a choice."

"No, you don't. Boys, untie him and get him what he needs. His timer has already started, he best gets going to the Victoria Kingdom or risk losing the prince. Good luck, Goldie." Louie was grabbed and taken out of the throne room. He prepared quickly for his journey, grabbing a bit of everything that he felt he needed. With that all ready, he wanted to run to see Mrs. Von Drake but he felt that she may never want to see him again after this incident.

He decided to just grab his bag and leave, feeling more lost than he ever had before. It was at this moment another one of his mentor's quotes made sense.

"Never grow attached to anything or anyone because the world will always take them from you first."