DuckTales © Disney
a Few days had passed since Danny was released from his icy slumber.
Danny had kept his promised, and after working for three days straight,
Mrs. Beakley allowed for Webby's grounding to be lifted.
Needless to say, Danny earned the next full to himself.
..Which he decided to spend socializing with his adoptive brothers.
In McDuck Manor, Huey and Louie were sitting on the sofa,
while Dewey and Danny were sitting on the floor, playing a videogame.
Danny wasn't doing too well.
"WOW, Danny. your terrible at this game." said Louie.
"I'm not use to games like this." said Danny.
"But, it's UNCHARTED!" said Louie. "You should have some experience with this kind of game!"
"This is NOTHING like the real thing!" said Danny. "DARN IT!, I died again!"
Danny eyed Dewey. "You SURE this thing is on Easy?"
"We can always play something else." said Dewey.
"Naw..I'm good." said Danny. "We can always watch some TV, I guess."
"Can't argue with THAT!" said Louie.
Danny and Dewey sat on the couch with the others as Huey flipped to a channel.
(("This is Roxanne Featherly with the Daily New Report.")) began a green duck woman.
(("This week, we discuss a unusual robbery that took place at the Glomgold Estate.
Nothing of value was stolen, except for a single Nickel that Mr. Glomgold eventually recovered.
Mr. Glomgold declined to answer any questions regarding the circumstances behind this."))
Danny grimaced at the conveniently awkward news report.
"I still can't believe you and Webby robbed Glomgold,
and fought hundreds of killer robots WITHOUT us." said Dewey, mildly annoyed.
"I was kinda kidnapped at the time." said Danny.
"Eh, it's okay." said Louie. "Just remember to invite all of us next time."
Danny chuckled awkwardly. "yeah..heh-heh. NEXT TIME."
At that moment, Donald walked up and faced the four boys.
..and, per usual, the triplets paid attention, while Danny looked uninterested.
"I'mgoingtoanotherJobInterview, boys." began Donald. "RemembertomindyourMrs. Beakley, andUncleScrooge-"
(("WE WILL. (whatever..")) spoke the four in unison.
"And, REMEMBER..StaySafe, andDON'Tdoanythingdangerous."
(("Yes, Uncle Donald. (fine."))
"Goodboys." Donald looked at Danny (who was watching the TV, and not him.)
"Havea..goodday, danny." spoke Donald, his tone softer. "Iloveyou."
"sure.." said Danny, not paying any attention.
Donald frowned, then walked off.
"BYE, UNCLE DONALD!" called Huey.
"GOOD LUCK!" called Dewey.
"AND, TRY NOT TO WORK FOR MA BEAGLE THIS TIME!" called Danny
"Woah. what was THAT about?!" asked Huey, once Donald had departed.
"Webby told me how your uncle was briefly employed by Glomgold." said Danny. "I'm not about to let that one go."
The trio all looked at each other. "You seriously not going to forgive Uncle Donald?" asked Dewey.
"Nope." said Danny
"But, he's your Uncle!" argued Huey.
"Since WHEN?" retorted Danny.
"Oh, I dunno..since Mom ADOPTED you." replied Huey.
Danny sighed in aggravation, twitching off the TV.
"AW, MAN!, Goose Dynasty was on!" moaned Louie.
"LOOK, guys.." began Danny, being serious. "I know you want me to forgive Donald,
and give him another chance so we can be one big, happy family..but, I can't."
"Why not?" asked Dewey.
"Because I can't place my trust in a guardian who doesn't love me." said Danny.
"What?, don't be silly. Of course Uncle Donald loves you!" said Huey.
"Didn't you hear him before? (unless you ALSO have a hard time understanding him.")
"I heard him SAY it..but, I know he doesn't really mean it." said Danny.
"I can feel it. The way he says "I Love You" to all of you..is different than when he says it to me.
And, that is because you three are his REAL nephews. He will always put his REAL family first."
Dewey looked at Danny. "It was really that bad, huh?"
Danny nodded silently. "In all my life, I never once doubted that mom..OUR mom, loved me.
I knew that she'd lay her life down for me without a second thought."
Danny smiled weakly. "one time..she DID."
"What?"
"Mom did what?"
"This I gotta hear.."
Danny breathed out as he reminisced on a moment from his past.
"One time..Uncle Scrooge, Mom, Donald and me went in and expedition near Norway." began Danny.
"We were hunting for a fabled treasure of the Norse gods: The Eye of Odin, said to grant infinite wisdom."
"COOL!" said Dewey.
"Anyway..we traveled by ship." continued Danny. "Donald was captain due to his navel experience.
And, we were attacked by a band of undead, skeleton vikings marauders.
As usual, Mom and Uncle Scrooge fought them off with their superior fencing skills,
While Donald pretty much ran circles around them."
"That sounds alot cooler than it should be." said Louie.
"a fierce storm rolled in, and Uncle Scrooge took to the helm." continued Danny.
"the waters were rough..I was too close to the edge, and fell into the icy waters.
The last thing I remember seeing before I fell in was Mom, and Donald looking at me."
Danny then shivered as he recalled his near death experience in vivid detail.
"The water was so cold..like hundreds of knives stabbing me at once. I couldn't even scream, I was freezing.
I remember seeing someone diving in after me..I saw mom's face, and then blacked out."
The triplets were deathly silent, unable to respond at all.
"I woke up coughing up sea water.." continued Danny. "Next thing I knew..Mom was hugging me.
She was trembling. At first, I thought she was just scared..but, she was freezing, too.
We were forced to turn back, and head home. It was the first time we ever abandoned a quest.
Both me, and mom were under intensive care. Mom recovered faster than I did..and, watched over me the whole time."
"Great story." said Dewey. "But, what does that have to do with you and Uncle Donald?"
"Because it was MOM who dove in after me, and NOT Donald." said Danny.
"Mom is a pilot, not a sailor like Donald. He was a better swimmer, and could've gotten me out of the water quicker."
Danny looked down. "Mom knew this, but she never hesitated. She knew she could die saving me.
and, yet SHE took the risk, and my UNCLE Donald didn't even try..and, it nearly cost him his own sister."
The triplets all looked down, seeing some logic in what Danny said.
"That's how I know your uncle doesn't REALLY love me." said Danny, finally.
"He'd risk his life for all of you..but, NEVER for me." Danny then frowned, feeling sadness eat away at him.
"Don't get me wrong..I want to forgive him. I want to believe that he really does love me.
But..I just don't feel the same love from him that our mom had. I'm sorry..I just can't do it."
Unknown to either of the boys..Donald hadn't left yet,
and had been looming near the room and heard every word Danny just said.
The duck frowned, recalling that very event as well.
What Danny didn't know was that not only did he not go after him,
but he even tried to stop Della from diving into the waters as well.
Donald tried to convince himself that he was trying to protect his sister.
BUT, Della was a mother first, and a sister second. And, the only reward Donald got
for coming between her, and Danny's safety..was a swift jab across his beak.
Looking back, Donald felt incredibly guilty..and, it infuriated him.
He hated that Danny was always right about him, and how much of a coward he really was.
Donald often wondered if Della could see him from wherever she was.
He'd always hoped she would be proud of him for taking care of her boys.
But, he couldn't shake the feeling..that she would be ashamed of him for how he treated Danny.
Danny was her son, too. Only NOW he realized that..perhaps too late.
Somehow..Someway. Donald would have to prove himself to Danny.
He wouldn't be able to live with himself if even one of Della's children hated him.
Donald finally left, leaving all four of his nephews alone.
"So, Danny.." began Huey. "You must know about Mom, and her old glory days."
"Yeah, I was there for pretty much all of it." said Danny. "Why?"
"Well..I'm just wondering. Did you ever..you know." Huey stuttered as he asked his question.
"Do you know who our dad is?"
The room fell silent. Danny sunk in his seat. "I wish I could tell you..but, I don't know."
"What!?"
"Huh?"
"I was just a kid..I didn't poke around into mom's social life." said Danny.
"I do remember one time she acted..weird. Like her head was literally in the clouds.
Then, one day, she was crying non-stop, and wouldn't tell me why."
The Triplets all grimaced at this. "Then..you three came along. and, that was it."
"So, you don't know anything?"
Danny shrugged. "I wish I could tell more. But, mom was wary of exposing me to strangers."
"I understand." said Dewey. "Guess that'll be a mystery for another time."
Danny then smiled. "But, Mom did have a crush on someone who she trusted."
"Who?" asked Dewey.
"Launchpad." answered Danny.
(("LAUNCHPAD!?")) exclaimed the trio.
"They were both pilots, and Mom thought he was a lovable goofball." explained Danny.
"And, it's strange..Launchpad was the closest thing I ever had to a dad."
Danny then frowned. "But, he's so different now..Like a confused kid.
He seems to know me, but talking to him is like talking to a stranger."
"Maybe all those crashes took a toll on his brain." mused Huey.
"Or, mom's disappearance." added Dewey.
"Could be both, we never know." said Louie.
Danny then grinned. "MAYBE Launchpad is really your dad afterall, and doesn't even know it."
There was a long silence..broken by a fit of laughter.
"Good one, Danny. GOOD ONE." said Louie.
Danny chuckled..THEN, Webby ran up to the boys really fast,
and appeared to pull Danny into a Headlock..BUT, was really giving him a hug.
"OOOOOH!, THANKYOU-THANKYOU-THANKYOU!" exclaimed Webby, quickly.
"HEY!" exclaimed Danny.
The triplets all snickered as they watched their brother get choked by Webby.
Webby finally released Danny, and smiled. "Granny says I'm not grounded anymore." began Webby.
"I'm free to go on adventures with Mr. McDuck again..THANKS TO YOU, DAN!"
"No problem, Webbs. I was happy to help." said Danny.
Webby smiled. "So, you up for some wrestling later today?!"
"uhh..sh-Sure." said Danny, actually Unsure about it.
"Kay, see ya! I'll just leave you to do more guy stuff." with that, Webby ran off.
"That girl needs to lay off the sugar." said Danny.
Danny looked, and saw the weird looked his brothers were giving him. "what?"
"WEBBS?, Really?" said Dewey.
"It's our..thing." said Danny.
"Usually only couples give each other pet names." said Huey.
"OOOH!, looks some 'SOMEONE' has a crush on "SOMEBODY." said Louie, in a teasing tone.
"Hey, cut it out. It's not like that." said Danny. "Webby is just a good friend, that's all."
"Then, why are you blushing?" asked Louie.
"I'm not BLUSHING!"
"Yeeeah, you kinda are." said Dewey. "Your redder than Huey right now."
Danny shielded his face.
"OOH!, looks like somebody DOES like SOMEONE." teased Louie. "I call "DABBY!"
"What?!" said Danny, having no idea what Louie was saying.
"Dabby. It's your shipping name: Danny PLUS Webby EQUALS "Dabby"
"oh, "Har-Har" said Danny, mocking laughter.
"Danny and Webby sitting in a tree..K-I-S-S-I-AYEEEEE!"
Louie was suddenly levitated in the air, and suspended upside-down.
"Still think it's funny?" asked Danny, a smirk on his face.
"Okay-OKAY, I'll stop." said Louie, frantically.
With that, Danny lower Louie down on the couch. "Eh, it's just as well." began Louie.
"I doubt Danny could really 'handle' someone like Webby."
"Who could?" added Dewey, prompting the trio to laugh.
Danny chuckled awkwardly..but, he still blushed.
"OOF!" Danny groaned as he was once again pinned down by Webby.
"VICTORY!" exclaimed Webby.
"yep." said Louie, who sat with Huey as spectators. "He sure can't handle her."
"OKAY, I GIVE!" exclaimed Danny.
Webby hopped off of Danny. "Sorry. Guess I got carried away again."
Danny breathed out as he sat up. "That makes four matches in a ROW!"
"I thought you were good at this kind of thing, Danny." said Louie.
"He is. Webby is just better at it." said Huey.
"HEY, GUYS!" exclaimed Dewey, as he ran into the room. "Guess What?!"
"What is it, Dewey?" asked Huey.
"Uncle Donald got lease on a new House Boat." began Dewey.
"And, he's going to take us all on a fishing trip to celebrate!"
"Awesome!" exclaimed Louie, excited.
If there was one thing the triplets loved about their Uncle Donald,
It was all the years he took them on fishing trips in the open water.
(Even if he DID overdo it with his elaborate safety precautions.)
"Well, okay. have fun you three." said Danny, as he started to walk off.
"uhh.., Danny..Uncle Donald wants you to come, too." said Dewey.
Danny stopped dead in in tracks. He turned, and looked at his brother. "No." he said, bluntly.
"Come on, Danny. We know you don't like Uncle Donald.." began Dewey.
"but, we've ALWAYS done this together as brothers..and, it wouldn't feel right without you."
"GUYS, this is all just a trick by Donald to try and butter up to me." said Danny.
"Maybe so..But, we still think it'd be fun to have you there. Right guys?!"
Huey and Louie all agreed with Dewey.
Danny crossed his arms, refusing to budge..Webby then touched his hand.
"danny..It means alot to them." said Webby, softly. "If not for Donald, then do it for THEM..your brothers."
Danny looked at Webby..then, at his adoptive siblings. Finally, he sighed sharply. ultimately relenting.
"okay..I'll go. But, ONLY if Webby comes with me." said Danny.
Webby gasped, going into 'Joy Mode.'
"Not that I'm complaining, but..Why?" asked Huey.
"I need her to keep me SANE." said Danny..while Webby jumped up-and-down, squealing with excitement.
"riiight.." said Louie, unconvinced.
[End of Part 8]
[Author Notes]
This could be considered the second half of a full length episode if this were in animation.
And, this chapter marks the start of Danny's moral dilemma where he must choose between Forgiveness, and Bitterness.
I (try) to give Danny a justified reason to not forgive Donald so easily,
as well as establish that Donald isn't giving up so easily, and must PROVE himself to Danny.
"Trust is easy to break, but takes time to build..And, restore."
For Danny's story, I decided to make a reference to Norse Mythology (and, quite bluntly. Disney's Gargoyles)
by stating that the one artifact Scooge failed to attain was the Eye of Odin.
I may revisit this in another story/episode. But, for now..It gets namedropped.
I know this whole Donald Fishing Trip may seem like a diversion to prolong the story,
but I promise it will progress the story, and is vital to some later parts towards the end.
And, LASTLY. I tease at the prospect of Launchpad McQuack being the biological father
of Huey, Dewey, and Louie given the ambiguous connection he may have to Della Duck.
Alot of fans ship these two, and I must admit..I find it cute.
(Of course, I am NOT going to confirm, or deny it in this story.
I will just leave this open to debate, and let fans decide for themselves.)