DuckTales © Disney
In the Parlor of McDuck Manor, Scrooge was leaning against the mantel of his fireplace.
Waiting patiently for his audience to arrive.
"You should've known this was coming." said Mrs. Beakley, who was standing afar
"Ah' suppose so." said Scrooge. "Ah' thought fae sure Ah' hid dae lockbox away good."
"They shouldn't had found out this way." said Beakley, sternly.
"Your keeping secrets from the children has NEVER led to anything good."
"ah' know."
"I hope you ALSO know where this will lead you in the end."
Scrooge eyed Beakley, having a good idea what she was referring to.
Then, he heard pattering footsteps approach. He looked, and saw Huey, Dewey, Louie, Webby, and Donald enter.
"No more stalling, Uncle Scrooge." said Dewey, sternly. "Tell us EVERYTHING you know about..our brother."
"right-Right, just give me a minute..it's been so long."
Scrooge walked over, and took a seat in his chair. the old duck then looked at the photo of Della..and, Danny.
he looked straight at his Great-Nephews, adjusted his glasses..and, spoke.
"It all began Twenty-Four years ago. TWELVE years 'fore either O' you hatched." began Scrooge.
"Me, yer' Uncle Donald, and yer' mother..had finished an expedition, an' were flyin' back to Duckburg.."
***Flashback***
Donald Duck was sitting in his seat, his body shaking like a leaf.
Scrooge McDuck was sitting across from him..and, scowled at his nephew.
"Calm DOWN, Donald. We're almost home."
"Thesoonerthebetter." said Donald. "IfDucksweremeanttofly, we'dhadbeenbornwithwings!"
Scrooge just rolled his eyes. "Ah' don't see why yer' so worried.
We have the' BEST pilot in all of Duckburg flyin' the plane."
Before Donald could even respond, the plane suddenly began to spin around,
causing the room to flip upside down..which freaked out Donald.
"WAAAAAHHHHK!"
Scrooge remained stonefaced. Not even blinking as the plane flipped around.
Once the plane became stable once again, Scrooge unfastened his seatbelt, and walked to the cockpit.
Jerking the door open, he approached the Pilot. "Cut out th' stunt flyin', Lass."
Della Duck didn't even turn her head..she just snickered. "Is my brother clinging to the ceiling, yet?"
"he is jus' 'bout to bounce off'a th' walls, if that's what you mean." replied Scrooge.
"I wish I had a monitor to see the look on Donald's face.." said Della, enjoying every bit of this.
"Ah' think pilots are suppose to look at what's in front of them at all times." said Scrooge.
"Not spy on the passengers, jus' ta' get their jollies freakin' them out."
"Oh, come on, Uncle Scrooge.." began Della, who began to steer with her FEET.
"Remember who you're talking to?, I'm DELLA DUCK!, the best pilot from Here, to Cape Suzette!"
"Don't let it go to yer' head, Lass. Yer' NOT invinci-"
((*BOOM!*))
The Plane was suddenly shook by a violent shockwave, following a blinding Flash.
Della quickly gripped the steering, shifting from playful to seriously in a heartbeat.
"QUEEN MARY OF SCOTS!, What in BLUE BLAZES was that!?" exclaimed Scrooge
"I don't know.." said Della. "It sounded like thunder, but I don't see any-OH, CLUCK!"
Della quickly made a sharp turn as something huge, and burning billowed right at the plane.
She could feel the heat from the fire as she flew just a few feet way the obstacle.
Della squinted her eyes as she stared at the mysterious object.
..It looked like. an SHIP!
"hold..ONTO SOMETHING!" groaned Della, trying her best to not crash into the colossal object.
"GYAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!" Della screamed as she continued to turn sharply.
One of her engines was overheating. She knew if it blew, they would be in trouble.
But, at last the massive burning object passed them. Della breathed out as she eased the throttle.
She, and Scrooge then watched as the strange object fell though the sky,
soon becoming just an amber glow in the dark night as it plummeted to the earth.
and, then..a sound of thunder was heard once more. Then, Silence.
Della stared, stunned at what had just happened. Scrooge fixed his hat as he got up off the ground.
"what on earth..was that?"
"I'm not sure it was from earth." said Della, finally.
Scrooge eyed Della. "Della..don't even think 'bout-"
But, it was too late. Della was already diving down in the direct that the object fell.
It was at THAT moment that Donald burst into the cockpit.
"AREYOUTRYINGTOGETMEKILLED, DELLA?!, WHATINBLUEBLAZESAREYOUDOING!?"
Della just grinned, fire in her eyes. "venturing into the UNKNOWN."
As Della landed the Cargo Plane, Donald quickly ran out, and proceeded to kiss the ground.
Scrooge exited in a more dignified manner, while Della jumped out from the window.
The Three Ducks then stared out at what lay before them.
Whatever that mysterious object was that fell from the sky, It was so humongous,
that it burrowed into the forest like a plow. Creating a makeshift runway of earth of ruptured earth.
"What do you suppose did all this?" said Della.
"Hmm..Ah' din'nae know." pondered Scrooge. "It could be a Comet."
"no. I got a good look at it earlier." said Della. "It looked like an Aircraft of some kind."
"Impossible!, there are no planes THAT big!"
"We won't know until we go check it out." said Della.
"WHAT!?" exclaimed Donald "WealmostgotsplatterlikeBUGSonawindshield, AnYOUwanttogolookforit!?"
"It'll be FUN, Donald!" exclaimed Della, excited.
"DELLA. We were already on our way back from another expedition." argued Scrooge.
"An' Ah' would feel better with th' "Blade of Typhon" safely stored away."
"Oh, come on, Uncle Scrooge!" pleaded Della. "We have room for one more artifact."
The old duck exhaled sharply, unable to say no when Della gave him those big, 'baby' eyes.
"Okay, FINE. One quick look, but then we're out of here."
"Great!, Coming Donald?"
"Nothanks, I'llstaywiththeplane." with that, Donald ran back into the cargo plane.
Della shrugged. "your loss."
Scrooge and Della then began to walk down the wide trail that lay before them.
After five minutes of walking, the two ducks finally arrived at their destination.
and, they both stopped DEAD in their tracks.
Della was right..It was an aircraft. In fact, it was a SPACESHIP.
a shuttle TWICE the size of the empire state building, with a very alien shape to it.
Steam still emitted from it's hull as it's once burning structure cooled against the night air.
It just lay there where it crashed. like a dead, fallen titan.
"bless me bagpipes.." muttered Scrooge, awestruck.
The old duck had seen many things in his long life..but, nothing quite like this.
Della, however..felt like a kid in a candy story and toy shop on Christmas Day.
Since she was a hatchling, she was always fascinated with airplanes.
But, the only thing she loved more than planes..was Spaceships.
and, there..right before her was an honest to god ALIEN spacecraft.
Her mind raced at how such a machine even worked. She would give anything to fly it!
Della finally started running towards the wreckage. "DELLA!, WAIT!" called Scrooge.
Della didn't listen, she just kept running. she stopped as she faced the ship,
and was in awe at how much larger that it really was up close.
"ahh..it's BEAUTIFUL!" Della reached out, and spread her hand over the hull.
"i'm touching a spaceship. I'm ACTUALLY touching a spaceship!"
"DELLA DUCK, You stop right this instant!" snapped Scrooge, as he approached.
"We have no idea what is in this thing..OR, how friendly it's occupants might be."
"We can handle anything, Uncle Scrooge." said Della.
"Now, help me find a way inside..I HAVE to get a better look at this."
Scrooge sighed. "FINE. Let's head over to the rear, there may be a door somewhere."
as Scrooge marched over to the rear of the ship, he quietly grumbled to himself.
He felt like a complete LOON for going along with this with no plan, or preparation.
Scrooge approached the rear hull, and with a groan tapped at it with his cane.
*TAP!, TAP!* nothing happened.
"well..Ah' tried."
Della walked up, and then took Scrooge's cane.
sticking out her tongue, she closed an eye and squinted as she aimed.
Tossing the Cane like a javelin, Della struck a part of the ship..which opened up.
"Oh, really clever, lass." grumbled Scrooge. "But, that is too high up for us to-"
AGAIN, Della let her actions speak for her, and removed her scarf.
stretching it out, she spun it like a lasso, and flung it's full length at the open door.
Remarkably, she snagged onto something, and began to pull herself up.
"smug little.."
Inside the ship, Della and Scrooge were walking through the dark corridors,
shining their personal flashlights through the eerie darkness.
"this is so cool.." said Della. "I can't believe I'm in a real life spaceship!"
"Yea, Ah' cannae believe ah'm here, either.." muttered Scrooge.
Della sped up once she saw a doorway at the end of the circular hall.
She and Scrooge approached the door, and carefully opened it.
Scrooge prepared for an attack..But, none came.
As they entered the bridge of the ship, the duck froze at the grisly sight that lay before them.
There were DOZENS of motionless bodies laying about the floor.
Some wore armored suites, others wore elaborate clothing.
Della approached one of the strange creatures, and turned the body over.
She gasped, stunned. she had never seen a creature quite like this before.
It had bare skin that lacked feathers, or even fur. Just hair on it's head.
and, it had no beak, or a snout..just a flat face.
Della figured it was some kind of ape..but, none like she'd ever seen before.
It looked so familiar..and, yet so very ALIEN at the same time.
Scrooge approached her, unnerved by what he was seeing.
He placed his finger to the male creature's neck, feeling for a pulse.
He felt none.
"Dead. how unfortunate." said Scrooge, his voice softer.
"They must've died in the crash.." mused Della. "poor things."
"Well, we don't appear to be in any danger." said Scrooge.
"Ah' suppose we can explore the ship a little longer. Maybe we'll find somethin' of value."
Della grimaced at this. "I don't know..That kinda feela wrong now."
"We take artifacts from dead civilizations all the time! This is no different."
"But, these people died recently." argued Della. "It feels like grave robbery."
"Better WE take whatever is here than somebody else, Della." said Scrooge.
"Ah'd hate to think what someone like Glomgold might do with this ship."
Della pondered this point. "I suppose you are right."
"You go explore th' rest of th' ship, Lass. Ah'll stay here for'ah bit."
Della nodded. "Okay, Uncle Scrooge."
Della then stood up, and began to leave the large room.
As Scrooge examined some things of interest, Della walked through another door.
As Della walked through another corridor, she saw more dead bodies laying on the floor.
The duck felt a pang of sorrow, sad that not one of these creatures survived.
Part of her hoped ONE might still be alive..so she could talk to them,
and possibly learn more about this ship, what these creature were, and where they came from.
Just then, Della saw something..Another light source.
She quickly ran over to it, and found a door partially opened.
Entering, she found a smaller room dimly lit by a blue light.
The room felt cold..like a walk-in freezer. Misty vapors billowed out, making it difficult to see inside.
Della then saw another body at the end of the room.
Even from where she stood, Della could identify that it was Female.
Della approached, noting the body was leaning against a structure.
She looked like she was shielding something.
Della gently pushed the body aside..and, found what looked like an EGG.
Only, it wasn't an Egg. It was artificial. made of metal, with a glassy dome.
But, it looked very much like an egg to Della.
Della carefully reached out, and touched the glassy part of the "Egg Pod."
But, as soon as she did, it hissed as cold vapors escaped it's "shell"
Della figured this thing worked like an egg, and decided to grasp glass shell, and pull it off.
And, inside..she found an infant version of these strange, alien creatures.
Della gasped, tearing up. It was so tiny..naked, and helpless.
she realized right then that the dead female may have been this it's mother.
and, that she died trying to protect her "Hatchling."
The baby then let out a small breath..which gave Della joy.
There was a survivor afterall.
As the infant stirred, he started to cry for it's mother.
Della reacted quickly, and gently scooped up the infant, and held him close.
"shhh..don't cry. It's okay." cooed Della, her voice soft. "no one is going to hurt you."
The infant fussed for a moment, unsure who was holding it..or, What.
But, it eventually calmed down. finding the soft, almost downy feathers of Della's hands comforting.
Della then removed her scarf, and wrapped the infant up in it so he wouldn't freeze.
Holding him close, she looked at the body of the dead mother once again.
She then looked back at the infant..who curled up in her embrace.
Della teared up, realizing the tragedy that had just taken place.
The child was an orphan now. WORSE, the only one of his kind left alive.
For some reason, Della felt compelled to hold the child closer.
He was an Alien, one that looked strange to her. BUT, he was also a baby.
..a baby that needed a mother.
"i'm sorry.." whispered Della, caressing the infant's tiny head.
Della then looked to the body of the mother one last time.
And, at that moment..Della Duck made up her mind.
"I promise.." spoke Della. "i'll keep him safe."
In another part of the ship, Scrooge McDuck was looked at cylinder
made of a glass-like substance, which contained crystals of varied colors.
The way the crystals seemed to glow implied they weren't ordinary stones,
and the Duck grinned as he took the cylinder in his hand.
Perhaps Della was right to explore this ship afterall. It was a risk worth taking.
"uncle scrooge.." began Della silently, as she entered the room.
"Ah, Lass. good of you to return" began Scrooge, not looking at her.
"You may've been right to come here. Ah' already found meself a treasure worthy salvaging."
"funny..so did I." said Della.
"Really?, what did-" Upon turning around, Scrooge froze as he face Della.
His old eyes staring at the infant alien that his niece was holding in her arms.
"he's the only survivor, Uncle Scrooge." said Della.
"Wait, you mean yer' gonna- DELLA, we have no idea what dae thing even is!"
Della glared at her Uncle. "First, don't you EVER call him a "thing."
and, Second. It doesn't matter what he is..what does matter is that he is a baby.
..and, he NEEDS me."
Scrooge was flabbergasted. "Della..you cannae just take some strange alien creature
an keep it like a pet JUST because you think it's cute."
"He doesn't have anyone else to care for him." argued Della.
"He may very well be the last of his kind. If I leave him, he'll die."
Scrooge breathed sharply, feeling he was losing this battle.
"Della..we don't know anything about what he is, or HOW to take care of it."
"He can't be THAT different from us." said Della, caressing the infant's head.
"and, whatever else he is..I can learn. I just can't bring myself to abandon him, Uncle Scrooge..
..I feel as if. Maybe we were MEANT to find this ship.
and, that I was MEANT to find him, so I could save him..protect him."
Della then looked at Scrooge..THEN, she raised the infant up to his face.
"Look at him in the eye..and, THEN tell me to leave him."
Scrooge had no choice but to look at the alien baby. the infant opened it's eyes.
Eyes that reminded him of Donald and Della when they were hatchlings.
The Infant cocked it's head, as if curious at what it was looking at.
It then reached out with it's tiny hands, and grasped the old duck's beak.
Scrooge grumbled, feeling defeated. He was known to be Grumpy, even Stingy..but, he wasn't heartless.
"fine..you may keep it-Him." said Scrooge.
Della smiled, and held her new baby close. "Thank you, Uncle Scrooge."
"May be fae th' best." continued Scrooge. "Perhaps raising him will teach you about responsibility."
Della then looked around the room. "What will we do about all this?"
"Ah'll have the ship moved to a more secure location." said Scrooge.
"With some luck, no one but us will have to know about this."
Della looked at her uncle. "That could cost you alot of money."
Scrooge grinned. "Th' gain from th' future research..outweighs what it may cost me.
Sometimes hafta SPEND money to MAKE money."
Della shrugged, not seeing any harm in reverse-engineering this alien tech.
It may even enable her to fly her own spaceship one day.
"and, what about these people?" spoke Della, again. "I hope you're not going to study them as well."
"If yer' planning on keeping that wee bairn, Ah'll have to." said Scrooge.
"If he gets sick, ye'll need to know everything you can 'bout his biology to treat him."
Della scowled. "fine..but, AFTER you get all you can from them, I want you to bury their bodies.
These were PEOPLE, and might've been his family. They should be put to rest."
"Fine. so..what do you plan on namin' that one?"
Della looked at her new baby, and pondered a possible name. "you know..I think I'll name him after ME."
"What do you mean by that?" asked Scrooge.
"I remember my mom saying that had I been hatched a boy, my named would've been Danny Duck." said Della.
"So, that is what I'll name him.." Della lifted the child up. "Danny..Danny Adelle McDuck."
[End of Part 2]
[Author Notes]
a Majority of this chapter is told via flashback to the Della Duck era of Scrooge McDuck.
To prepare, I read issues 2-3 of IDW's DuckTales comic book series that companions the 2017 series,
as they each had four "Archive" stories of Scrooge's adventures with Donald and Della Duck.
(though, I should say Scrooge and Della, as a running gag in each story was how Donald Duck
always got in some kind of peril, and needed saving from his sister and uncle.)
While humor is important, this is also meant to be a dramatic scene.
One with Death, a Mystery, and some heartwarming moments between Della and Danny.
(on that note, I decided on Della finding baby Danny in an Egg-shaped pod,
as I felt it would be ironic for a Duck to witness a human baby emerging from an "Egg.")
I also give a plausible excuse for the name "Danny." Just replace a few letters, and Della and Danny are the same name.
Apologies if this isn't all that action packed, but even the DuckTales cartoon
has some expositional, and emotional moments apart from comedy and action.
I also give some implications at how events from canon came about as well,
and foreshadow some things that we all know happened.