Wow,this was fast...I fell sick so I had time to write. Hope you don't mind what I do to Mulan. I'm surprised no one thought of the couple that's going to be presented...and I'll stop writing those 'mysterious cliffhangers',I know those are annoying, but I had to put this one as a warning that the squire shall soon eat his words XD

All characters belong to Disney...ooo, I can't wait to write this next chapter, heehee.

Four days later...

"Hey, Duck!" Pete snapped, looking behind him to the carriage. "Are you sure this is the right way? My rump's getting' sore!"

"I know it's close." Donald snapped back. "I've been there plenty of times. We'll see smoke coming out of his chimney soon enough." He squawked a little, as the carriage went over a few rocks and made the road a bit bumpy. "Yeah, we're definitely near...Unca' Scrooge is too cheap to pave down a real road."

Daisy poked her head, smiling wide. "What's my future in-law like?"

Donald rolled his eyes, but gave in. "He was one of the first ones to leave my hometown, Duckburg...he's always loved money, and so he built an inn up along here to scrap along more. He means well..." He shrugged. "He's just cheap. He'll do anything to save a dime."

Mickey laughed nervously. "Hope he doesn't mind the low money we have." A bark from Pluto got his attention, and the dog pointed forward. Mickey looked up, and gasped. "Hey, smoke, coming from a chimney! We're here!"

The two horses and carriage pulled up in front of a wide, wooden cabin..it seemed to house at least ten people, and appeared to be very modest. A raven-haired, wide-eyed woman who had been dusting the porch looked up, and blinked to see the new visitors. She put the broom away, and walked toward them. She studied each of them, but seeing Donald, her eyebrows raised with recognition. "Oh...are you Donald?"

The stable boy blinked down at her. "Who wants to know?"

She smiled. "My name is Mulan... I am one of your father's housekeepers. Please, let me help you with your horses."

Donald, puzzled, began to crawl down. Daisy, Goofy, and Pluto walked out of the carriage, and Mickey and Pete hopped off their horses. "Wow, this place is fancy if it's got servants." Daisy commented, linking arms with Donald.

He frowned, but for once not at her. "Unca' Scrooge always said he didn't need to waste money on stuff like that."

The troupe headed for the cabin, and Mickey swung the door open. As they entered, they spotted a small desk, and behind it, a figure had their back turned to them, muttering something. It was another duck, clearly. His tight trimmed clothing was dark blue, and a floppy top hat was propped on his head.

"Unca Scrooge!" Donald called out, surprisingly smiling for once.

The figure's head shot up, startled, and then turned around. There were small glasses propped upon his beak, and a few feathers stuck out from his cheeks. A blue pouch was in one hand, and a few gold coins in the other. It appeared he had been counting his money. He smiled as well, putting down down on the desk. "Well, as ah live and breathe! Donald, come give your Uncle a hug!" He walked around the desk, and squeezed Donald close. He then seemed to notice the others. "What's all this, then?"

Donald looked to his companions. "Everyone, this is my Unca' Scrooge McDuck. Unca', these are my friends."

"It's a pleasure, Mister Scrooge!" Mickey cheered, and shook Scrooge's hand. "My name's Mickey Mouse...this here is Goofy, Pete, Pluto, and - "

"And I'm Daisy!" The woman suddenly squealed, latching herself onto Donald's arm. "I'm his wife!"

Donald slapped a hand to his face. "Listen, toots, for the last time - "

"I guess quick matrimony runs in the family!"Scrooge interrupted, his belly heaving in laughter.

Donald tried to remove Daisy's arm. "Don't listen to her, she's - " He then paused, and looked to his Uncle. "Uh, what?"

Scrooge smiled pleasantly, and removed his hand from Mickey's shake. He held it up, and wiggled his feather fingers, a gold band around his ring finger.

"Well, shucks!" Goofy clapped his hands merrily. "Congratulations, Mister Scrooge!"

There was a loud throat clearing, and Goofy was shoved aside by an annoyed Pete. "Yeah yeah, good news for all. Can we get a darn room around here!"

Scrooge didn't seem to mind the attitude, and nodded. "No problem, laddie. Me girl Mulan will take your things soon...and don't you even think of paying me! Friends of mah nephew Donald are friends of mine, so this stay is free!" He then went under the desk to find a proper set of keys.

While the others seemed quite glad of this, Donald's bottom bill had hit the floor. "Muh...Muh..." He swallowed. "Married? You're getting' married? And...and you're hiring servants and letting us board for free!" He then went around the desk, shaking Scrooge vigorously. "Who are you and what have you done to my Unca Scrooge!"

Scrooge blinked at him, then rapped his nephew's head with two fingers. "That temper is going to be the end of you, Donald."

"I inherited it from you!" Donald snapped back. "This is a trick. A money scheme. No, no, you're under a magic spell!"

"Vat's all the trouble?"

Heads turned to the top of the nearby stairs. Yet another duck stood there, although radically different from the three already on scene. She had short black hair just touching her shoulders, shining with every movement. A long, ebony dress spilled onto the steps, with cross stitching across her chest.

Now if that didn't scream witch, Scrooge's next words did. "Magica! You didn't have to get up, buttercup!" He smiled at her admiringly, standing on the tips of his webbed feet.

She waved a dismissive hand, descending on the last stair. "It's no trouble, darlink. I may as well see what all the fuss is about, hmm?"

Scrooge walked over to her, took her hand, kissed it, and didn't stop kissing it. "No fuss at all, mah sweet little angel! Just mah nephew losing his cool again."

Donald's hand shot into the air. "Mind if me and my friend have a moment alone?" Without waiting for a response, he yanked the crew outside, and closed the door. He then faced them, panicked. "Was that as blatantly obvious to me as it was to the rest of you?"

"That your family has tons of ridiculous accents?" Pete pointed out.

Mickey rubbed his face, sighing. "I think what Donald is trying to say here is that Scrooge's wife may be a witch."

"MAY be?" Donald grabbed Mickey by the collar of his outfit. "Her name is MAGICA! She may as well be wearing a giant sign that says 'COVENANT MEMBER HERE!'"

"Easy there, Donald." Goofy gently tried to hold his friend's shoulders. "Not everyone who's a witch is a member of The Covenant."

"And she may not be a witch at all." Daisy added. Now the stares were to her. "...What? Who here honestly thinks she is really a witch?"

Four hands shot up.

Daisy pouted, and put her hands on her hips. "Okay, now seriously think about it. Who here really, really think she's a witch?"

A pause, but then the four same hands shot up.

Mickey finally managed to pry Donald's hands off. "We only need to stay a night or two...if she's really a good witch or a bad witch, we'll find out."

"Who cares?" Pete snorted. "I just wanna get some sleep. She can suck his blood for all I care."

"Well I do care!" Donald screeched, shaking his fists. "He's my Unca' Scrooge, I won't let this happen to him!"

"But Donald, look at him." Daisy said softly, opening the door just a smidgen. Inside, Magica was tickling Scrooge's chin, and the penny pincher seemed to be melting under her touch. "He looks so happy. Why can't you accept this for him?"

Donald stared hard at Daisy, perhaps the hardest and most angry he had seen she had declared to be his. She seemed to shrink back, and he took a deep breath. "I'm going to check on the horses." With that, he stomped off the porch, and walked around the cabin.

"D-Donald!" Daisy cried out, and went to reach for him...but Mickey lightly touched her shoulder. She turned to him, sniffling.

Mickey tried to rub her small forming tears away. "He's not mad at you, Daisy." He said calmly. "He just needs some time alone...someone he's known and cared for about a long time has suddenly taken a complete turn. He doesn't know how to react." He pulled back. "When something like that happens...when someone you know changes, even a little, you have to wonder if it was something you did...or, even worse, something you didn't do. If Scrooge really is in trouble, he may feel its his own fault for not visiting as much...but I suppose we'll find out soon enough." He gave a smile, and opened the door fully, and stepped inside.

Pete opened one of his hands and closed it in a rapid manner, imitating Mickey talking. "Yak yak yak...what is he, Shakespeare?"

Later on, as the sun set, the traveling troupe had set up their things in their various rooms. They where then invited to dine with Scrooge and Magica, much to Donald's distaste. They sat around a long, flat rectangular table, with Scrooge at the head. He raised a goblet, laughing hard. "A toast! To good friends, good family, and good women!"

"I'll drink to that." Pete snorted, following by a smelly belch.

"So. Magica, was it?" Donald growled evenly, his eyes on his supposed future Aunt.

She flipped a few hairs over her shoulder. "Magica De Spell, entirely, but yes, you're right."

Donald looked to his companions, staring at them and waving one of his hands in an 'Are you hearing this?' fashion. He then swallowed hard. "Okay...Magica...how did you have the pleasure of meeting my Unca' Scrooge?"

Magica picked up a spoon, studying her own face and continuing to primp her hair. "I asked to stay at his cabin. We hit it off." She said simply.

Scrooge sighed happily, after taking a sip from his chalice. "It was the most fantastic week of mah life."

Mickey blinked. "You've only known each other a week?"

"How romantic!" Daisy squealed.

"How pathetic." Donald muttered.

There was a small 'clink', as Mulan entered with many dishes. "Oh...sorry, I thought you all might be finished."

Magica put down her spoon impatiently. "Can't you do anything right?"

Mulan lowered her head, and began to back out of the room. "My apologies, Miss Spell. It won't happen again."

Scrooge rubbed the top of Magica's hand. "Should I replace her, mah lovely?"

The bride clicked her tongue. "Forget it, vat woman, she will soon learn her place." She resumed looking at herself, this time using the knife. "Mmmm, darlink, tell me how gorgeous I am."

"Nothin' would delight me more, me shinin' diamond!"

Mickey quietly ate, studying the two...

The moon was high and heavy,and most of the guests were asleep by the time Goofy had finished his meditation. He frowned, taking off his cone cap. Once again his glimpse into the future had been...unusual. Sure, he couldn't predict the exact pinpoint of when and where something would happen, but he saw the events none the less. However...something like this had never happened.

He laid down, trying to figure it out. Perhaps as little as a week ago, he easily saw these events clearly, right up until the sword was pulled out, and who had yanked it out. However, he no longer saw what happened to that person afterwards.

This was a first...the future was...unpredictable.

The magician smiled wide. Maybe it wasn't such bad news after all. What was life without a little excitement?

Elsewhere in the inn, someone else wasn't getting any sleep. Sitting up, the young squire rubbed one of his ears...so it wasn't his imagination, he thought. He slid out of bed, trying to tune into the sound. What was it? He headed for the window, and looked out. He was on the second floor, and could see someone on the ground, opposite Mulan's room...hitting the ground?...No, digging!

Mickey squinted his eyes, and then he realized who it was! Scrooge McDuck! He was holding a sack of money with one hand, and digging with the other. When the hole seemed to satisfy him, he tossed the sack inside,and began to bury it.

Mickey rubbed his chin, curious. After Scrooge was done, he rubbed his hands together in excitement, and headed back into the inn. "Something is going on..." The mouse murmured to himself. "Maybe Scrooge is still the greedy Uncle..."

"Are you sure it was around here?" Pete whispered, tip toeing sneakily with his traveling companions. "Maybe the night was playin' tricks on ya."

Mickey had woken the others, although he had been nice enough to wait until the sun had risen. He informed them what he saw, and although disbelieving, they had followed him.

"Wait, look." Goofy pointed out. "That patch of dirt looks uneven...must be what Mickey was talkin' about."

"Great, just great." Donald spat, tapping his foot impatiently. "Now she's turning my Unca' Scrooge insane!"

"YOU GET AWAY FROM ME MONEY!" came a loud scream, and the back of Pete's head was hit by a shovel. After the lummox howled in pain, he turned around to catch his attacker...which, of course was Scrooge. He managed to back away from Pete, but blinked at the group. "All of you? Oh, goodness...still so dark out, thought me eyes were goin'."

Pete growled, rubbing his sore head. "Apparently your marbles were goin' a long time ago."

Scrooge raised an eyebrow. "What're you getting at, sonny?"

Daisy stepped forward, but made sure not to become a new target by keeping close to Donald. "Mickey saw you burying your own money here, and...well...we got curious."

Scrooge frowned, but sighed. "Suppose it can't be helped. I'll let you all in on the little secret." He went to the patch of dirt, and began to dig. After a few moments, not one, but two sacks were revealed!

Goofy rubbed his eyes, making sure this was right "Huh? But Mickey said you only buried one!"

Scrooge grinned, picking up both sacks. "I'll admit, I'm not just marrying Magica 'cuz she's attractive. She told me this is sacred land, and if I bury a sack of gold coins in this spot, another one will join in come the morn'! I've been doin' this for a week, and now I'm twice as rich!"

While Mickey studied the bags with a frown, Donald suddenly hugged Scrooge from behind. "Thank goodness! You haven't changed at all! You're still obsessed with money!"

Scrooge looked at his nephew as if the boy had three heads. "Of course I still love money. I just have more to spare now. I can actually afford Mulan and to keep you here for free!" He took Donald's hands, and actually began to dance with him. "I get a beautiful bride, and all the money I'll ever want!"

Daisy smiled, and poked Donald in the shoulder. "Are you going to like her now, Donald?"

He didn't reply, but did grumble something along the lines of 'still dresses funny'.

Scrooge suddenly stopped the celebration. "Aye, speaking of Mulan...sorry to say she's leaving today."

Mickey, who had still been inspecting the bags, looked up. "Leaving? But why?"

"Lassie says her father's ill, and its time for her to go home." Scrooge frowned. "A real shame...she was a real sweetheart. Ah well, the less I have to pay something, the better."

"Aw, shucks." Goofy frowned. "We should at least say goodbye to her!"

"And ask for some ice." Pete added, still sore.

Scrooge smiled. "Magica's already helping packing her things, they're both in the stable...just a shame...nearly felt Mulan was me own daughter.." He shook his head, trying to get rid of the sentimentality. "You all give her well wishes, I'll add these beauties to their family!" He chuckled, tossing his sacks up and down.

Daisy linked arms with Donald, giggling high. "See? And you doubted true love. Maybe we can have a double wedding with those two!"

Mickey began walking. "Let's hold the weddings until the goodbyes are over."

Magica was leaning against a stable door, watching Mulan struggle onto a black and white horse. "Will you hurry up and go?" She snapped. "I have better things to do than watch you go giddy-yup."

"My apologies." Mulan sighed,but perked up when she saw the friendly visitors enter. "Good morning everyone...I am sorry to depart so soon."

"You just go take care of your Daddy!" Goofy ordered, wagging a finger. "You be a good girl now."

She chuckled, putting a hand to her lovely face. "I will, good sir...but could one of you help me grab my rucksack? It has all my things, and my hands are too tired from reining my horse..."she showed them her red palms to justify the story.

"Yeah, yeah." Pete grumbled, lifting up a soft velvet bag.

Suddenly, the stable doors slammed open, and a furious Scrooge screamed at the top of his heavy lungs, "SOMEONE TOOK ALL ME MONEY!"

Without hesitation, Donald pointed to Magica. "I knew it! You tricked him!"

Magica narrowed her eyes, and slapped Donald's accusing hand away. "How dare you! I did no such thing!"

Scrooge stormed over, breathing heavily. "How do I know it wasn't one of you scoundrels!"

Daisy gasped, stepping back. "It wasn't any of us sir!"

"It has to be someone!" Scrooge roared. "Someone broke through the lock of my money room, and every single sack that went through the sacred ground process is gone!"

Donald went right back to hissing at Magica. "You duped my Unca' into this!"

Magica leaned forward, growling. "I told you, such a thing was not my doing!"

Now during this entire visit, Pluto had been staying in th stable. Upon hearing all the noise, he yawned, and sat up, exhausted. He walked out from under a few bundles of hay, and blinked at the argument. He listened to both sides, and then sat up right, forming an idea. He then lifted his nose...something smelled, and it wasn't horse droppings. He put the nose to the ground, sniffing along, until he came to Pete.

Mickey noticed his small companion's movement, and smiled. "You thinkin' what I'm thinkin', Pluto?"

The dog happily nodded, and then began barking furiously.

Scrooge jumped, and then glared at Pluto. "Will someone get that mutt to shut up?"

Mickey held up a hand. "Everyone needs to calm down...the money is still here!" Various gasps filled the room, and then the squire looked to the horse rider. "Isn't that right...Mulan?"

Mulan paled, and quickly slid off of her horse. "You honestly think..."

"Oh, cut the act!" Mickey interrupted, and grabbed her hands. "These aren't from setting up your horse...they're from furiously trying to work with the lock to Scrooge's money room! In fact, that's why you're leaving today, so you can make a clean get-away!"

Mulan snatched her hands back, and then ran for the doors! Fortunately, Donald wasn't about to let an enemy of his Uncle get away, and tackled her down! He held her close, forcing her to kneel. "Oh no you don't!"

Scrooge faced the maiden, still raging. "Mulan! How could you! I gave you a good job, a home, and now you do this to me!"

Unable to meet his eyes, she lowered her head. "My father is ill...that part wasn't a lie. I needed the money, to afford his medicine. I know I can't ask for your forgiveness..."

Magica spat at the ground. "Ha! I knew she was no good."

"I wouldn't go calling the kettle black just yet." Mickey smirked. "Hey, Pete, put that bag down."

Confused, the giant did so, and opened it. "Yup...all the sacks inside."

"Didn't that feel awfully light, for being filled with sacks of gold?" Mickey looked carefully at Pete, while Magica gulped.

Pete scratched his head. "Hey, now you mention it, it didn't weigh much at all!"

Mickey took out one of the sacks, and opened it...out spilled many a leaf, all colors and hues.

Scrooge screeched in terror. "Me money! It's been turned into leaves!"

Mickey shook his head, tossing out sack after sack. "There never was any real money! My theory was right...and so was Donald's, in a way. Magica knew you'd never actually look in those sacks, because you hate spending your own money. She buried a fresh sack of leaves into the ground every time you put a gold one in...I bet she's secretly been storing away all the real gold until there's only one sack left, and that's where the money to pay Mulan's been going...and I also bet that's almost out." He dug in deeper, and then smiled, pulling one out. "This feels heavy...it's the real deal!"

Scrooge's jaw dropped, and then he turned to face his supposed bride. "Magica...how could you?"

Donald , holding onto Mulan with one hand and shaking his fist at Magica with the other. "I knew you were a witch!"

"Oh please." Magica crossed her arms. "I'm not a witch."

Donald's fist got slower. "But...but your hair...the clothes..."

"It's a fashion statement. Black is slimming."She twirled her hair around one finger.

Scrooge ran a hand down his face. "Sweet Sebastian, can I trust no one these days?" He took a deep sigh, and then pointed to Mulan. "You're staying until you can pay for yor father's medication, but I'm giving you a ten percent cut." He then pointed to Magica. "And you're going to help her, and pay me back for all the money you tricked me into thinking I had!"

Stunned, Donald ran to his relative, nearly smacking him down. "Aren't you going to send them to jail!"

"And waste me money on such a trip?" Scrooge scoffed. "Speaking of which, now that I've found out my finances aren't as high as they used to be, you all owe me a night's pay! Then get lost, all of you!" He grabbed a grateful Mulan by one arm and an annoyed Magica by the other, and began to drag them away.

Pete dropped the velvet rucksack. "I...have never been so confused in my whole life. Were either of them witches?" He said slowly, trying to catch up.

"There were no witches!" Daisy chuckled. "Maybe we should go before we get charged more." She began going off to find their horses and carriage.

As the others joined her, Donald sighed heavily. "What didn't he fire them, or kick them out, or anything?"

Goofy smiled, showing his classic big teeth. "Like I said, love's a magical emotion. He may look like he's angry, but some things, like a family, are more valuable than money." He then chuckled. "We'd better be careful of such an emotion!"

Mickey laughed alongside his friend. "I think love is the least of our worries, Goof!"

The magician looked down at his pal. "You don't think you'll find a gal?"

"Give me a break!" Pete guffawed, nearly spooking the horses. "Like any girl would fall for someone that small!"

Mickey sighed, pulling his hat down. "Besides that...I don't have time for love. I've got more things to worry about...I have to give all of myself to England, and protect this country. I can't have any distractions. No-siree, I'm pretty sure I'll never fall in love!"

At the exact same time, in an inn to the west, the innkeeper was counting the coins in his hand. He then grinned up, seeing his lovely house guest walk by. "Ha-cha-cha..."He cooed, and then stood up straight. "Leaving so early?"

She stopped at the doorway. "I'm afraid so...I have to go to Nottingham forest, right away. I hope I paid you all that was due, Mister Mortimer."

The lanky mouse tried to looked suave, running a hand along his smooth head. "No worries, doll! You sure you don't need a big, strong man to help you along?"

She looked back, with what one person might say was a cute smile, and the other might say was 'you wish' with lips. "No thanks. Have a nice day." She then fixed her petite bow, and made her way out.

End Of Chapter Five.