DuckTales © Disney
"I CANNOT BELIEVE THIS!" exclaimed Mrs. Beakley, outraged.
Needless to say, returning to McDuck Manor has a rocky start.
With Webby missing, and 'Magica' among Scrooge and Danny..It was very tense in the parlor.
Magica was sitting with Scrooge, taking the brunt of Mrs. Beakley's rage,
while Donald, and two of his nephews just glared with crossed arms.
Danny was sitting not far from the group with Dewey.
While Dewey was feeling just as tense, he was more concerned over his adoptive brother.
..Who was fiddling with his Gold crystal, now devoid of it's metal casing and strap.
"Not only has MY Granddaughter been kidnapped by that witch.." continued Mrs. Beakley.
"But, It seems that our Arcane Expert was Magica De Spell THIS ENTIRE TIME!"
"Now, Mrs. Beakley-"
"Has she got you under some kind of SPELL, Mr. McDuck!?"
"I swear, I'm not-"
"SHUT UP, YOU!" snapped Mrs. Beakley, not wanting to hear ANYTHING Magica had to say.
"Uncle Scrooge isn't under a spell." said Danny, finally.
Everyone looked to Danny. "WhatmakesyousoSURE?" inquired Donald.
"If he was, I would've sensed something off about him a long time ago." replied Danny.
"You were ALSO taught everything you know about Magic BY Magica.." continued Mrs. Beakley.
"Hey, now THAT isn't fair, Mrs. Beakley!" said Dewey.
(("Mrs. Beakley..")) spoke a ghostly voice.
Everyone looked to see specter of Duckworth appear before Mrs. Beakley.
(("If you are quite done making a spectacle of yourself..
Might I suggest you allow Mr. McDuck and Madame Le Strange to explain the situation?"))
"Don't you mean "Madame DE SPELL?!"
"No." said Magica. "I am no longer "De Spell"..Never can be again."
Everyone looked, and saw an expression on Magica that none were prepared for: Regret..and, Sadness.
Mrs. Beakley finally relented, deciding to suppress her rage.
Afterall..Yelling at Magica wouldn't get her granddaughter back any sooner.
"Fine. EXPLAIN what this is all about..THEN, we will decide if we can still trust you."
Danny looked, paying close attention to the group now.
Scrooge placed his hand on Magica's shoulder..who smiled weakly, then took a deep breath.
"I will not deny that in past, I was no different from the Magica De Spell that took young Webbigail.." began Magica.
"I was born, and raised a witch. My future already decided for me LONG before I was born.
It didn't start that way. In beginning, I wanted to be GOOD witch. to use magic to help people.
But, I was mocked for my kindness..had things I loved taken from me.
It made me COLD..unable to care for anything but self."
"So, what changed?" asked Louie, not entirely convinced.
"Scroogie..though, not immediately." said Magica.
"In the beginning, we battled like Ah' did any other enemy." explained Scrooge.
"But, it was always different with Magica. With us, it felt like dancing than fighting."
"Howromantic.." said Donald, sarcastically. "TheWitchandtheMiser."
"Truly a Tale OLD as Time.." added Louie, with equal sarcasm.
"What cannae Say?" continued Scrooge. "Were were passionate as enemies."
"Which eventually grew to a different form of Passion." said Magica.
"As I grew closer to victory..I actually felt fear. Fear that it would all end.
I had spent so long trying to steal Scroogie's dime, that it became purpose of whole life."
"I see.." said Huey. "It was like playing a fun videogame..and, the LAST THING you wanted was for it to be over.
"Not the way I would word it..but, yes." said Magica.
"So, what does any of this have to do with the OTHER Magica?" asked Mrs. Beakley.
"The one who took Webbigail, and NEARLY killed all of us barely a week ago?"
Magica exhaled. "When I pledged myself to Scroogie..I tried to forsake all past wickedness.
I created new identity for myself: Amelia Le Strange, so I could start over fresh.
..but. one does not simply break old BAD habits overnight.
It was hard to resist temptation to became Magica de Spell again.
I always had voice inside head..whispering me to do bad things like I did before.
I tried to resist, suppress dark impulses to be evil witch again.
But, harder I tried..Stronger I felt my darkness growing.
It was like a caged beast that I tried to bury deep, and forget it exists."
"But, you couldn't." said Danny, figuring out where Magica's story was going.
"Denying your dark side only gave it power..and, it found another way out, didn't it?"
Magica nodded. "Yes, Danny..it did. The one who now calls herself Mystica De Spell
used old magic spell to split from my very soul by using own shadow as a portal.
When we split..I no longer felt the pull of darkness. I was at peace, FREE."
"and, I assume Mystica was also free in her own way." inquired Dewey.
Magica nodded. "Even when I was at worst..I had limits as to what was 'too evil.'
But, Mystica has no such inhibitions. She was willing to KILL to get what she desired."
"So, Fifteen Years ago..when Mr. McDuck imprisoned "Mystica" in his dime-"
Magica chortled at Mrs. Beakley. "Who do you think TAUGHT Scroogie that spell?"
There was a long silence..then, Danny stood up and walked over to Magica.
He looked at her, his expression unreadable.
Magica could sense nothing from him. She froze, awaiting to see what he would do next.
"Aunt Magica.." began Danny. "I forgive you for lying to me. I understand why you did it."
Magica smiled, her eyes moist. "and..I am sorry, too. Not just for lying to you for so long.
But..I am also sorry about Lena, and what other self did to her."
Danny looked over at his own shadow on a wall..and, saw the ghostly silhouette of Lena.
He saw Lena smile at him, and then nod..to which Danny smiled in response.
"I have a feeling that wherever Lena is..she forgives you, too." said Danny.
"I hope you are right, Danny." said Magica. "I may've failed to save Lena..but, I won't fail to save Webby."
"But, where do we even start looking?" asked Huey. "Mystica could be hiding anywhere!"
"She's looking fae something in particular." said Scrooge.
"She thought it might be at me Bin's science lab, but it wasn't, apparently."
"But, she still took those Crystals." said Magica
"WHICH, I should point out I think was TOTALLY RAD that she,
and Danny used them to make Laser Swords!" said Louie.
"LOUIE, beserious!" said Donald.
"sorry."
Danny breathed out as he paced around, trying to think.
He STILL hadn't told his adoptive brothers about his "reunion" with their mother thanks to Mystica.
He had considered, but ultimately decided to hold off on that until the current crisis was resolved.
Even he knew they all needed clear heads, and it was stressful enough as it was.
Danny then returned to fiddling with his crystal..but, then glimpsed at his friendship bracelet.
..and, THAT is when he got an idea.
"wait..Webby is still wearing her friendship bracelet!" said Danny.
Everyone looked at Danny. "Yeah, so?" said Louie, not getting the point.
"She made it in pairs. She gave me Lena's bracelet..I still have it!" said Danny,
as he showed everyone the colorful bracelet around his wrist.
Magica's eyes lit up. "of COURSE!, how could I be so stupid!
Your bracelet grants you a unique link to Webby based on your strong feelings for each other.
You could use Clairvoyance on your bracelet to 'see' whatever Webby is seeing."
Mrs. Beakley looked dumbfounded. "Could that actually work!?"
"It is worth a try." said Scrooge. "Go ahead, lad..we believe in you."
Danny pulled back his sleeve, and looked at his bracelet.
he then closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and placed his hand on his wrist.
The boy then focused with all his might on Webby.
..and, eventually. the blackness lifted as he saw murky images in his mind.
In a dark chamber that looked to be the inside of a cave,
Webby was sitting against a wall with energy binds around her legs and arms.
"..and, THAT, child. is the story of my true origins." finished Mystica,
who had been pacing around, apparently finishing a long story.
Webby looked bored. "You really suck as this torturing thing, you know that?"
Mystica then pulled Webby into her grasp, and began to strangle the duckling.
"oh, don't even TEMPT ME, child.." began Mystica, her tone icy.
"I can show you types of PAIN that will make you BEG for the sweet mercy of Death."
Webby just smirked at this. "You don't scare me..You can't do anything to me. How would DANNY react?"
Mystica dropped Webby to the ground. "Your faith in his power to overcome me is misguided." said Mystica.
"As long as you live..I will ALWAYS control that boy. YOU are his weakness..not his strength."
Webby glared at Mystica..but, then gasped as a look of terror spread over her face.
"Ah, now THAT is more like it." said Mystica.
(("DE SPELL.")) spoke a distorted voice.
Mystica jumped in fright, then quickly turned to see the ghostly visage of a dark, hooded figure.
"muh-MY LORD!, I-"
(("My patience with you is growing ever thinner. HAVE you obtained the item, or not!?"))
"forgive me, oh Dark One..It was NOT at Scroogie's Bin, but-"
(("I have waited TWENTY-FOUR YEARS to regain what was taken from me..")) began the dark figure.
(("and, I won't let your arrogance force me to wait another Fifteen Years to try again."))
"I understand milord-"
(("Too much is at stake.")) continued the dark figure, sternly.
(("If You don't acquire the item within the next Twenty-Four hours..then, I will do it it MYSELF."))
Mystica gasped. "you..are coming HERE?"
(("and, when I arrive, I had better LIKE what I see.
..or, I will make you wish you were STILL trapped in that Dime."))
Mystica grimaced. "I..understand, my lord. I promise, you WILL have what you desire."
Mystica could almost see her master smiled in response. (("One way or another..I always do."))
With that, the dark figure disappeared. leaving Mystica alone with Webby again.
"You sure showed him, Shadow Queen." mocked Webby.
"SHUT UP, YOU BRAT!" snapped Mystica, who began to muse on her next move.
"okay, De Spell..THINK." began the witch to herself.
"If Scroogie didn't take it to his research lab underneath the bin.."
Mystic then smiled. "Then..that means the old fool never never found it to begin with!
(*cackles*) YES. It has to still be there!, and unlike the bin..It is UNPROTECTED."
Mystica then pulled Webby into her grasp yet again.
Only this time, she gripped Webby's wrist..squeezing where her friendship bracelet was.
"Danny..I know you are watching me." spoke Mystica, her voice chilling.
"I am no fool, I know that these pitiful trinkets hold a magic that you can manipulate.
SO, if you still want to get your girlfriend back, then you will meet with me ALONE.
..At the place where it ALL began. I will be waiting."
Danny gasped as he was jolted out of his vision.
Breathing heavily, Mrs. Beakley and Magica ran up to him.
"Where is Webby, Danny?" asked Mrs. Beakley.
"What did you see?!" asked Magica.
Danny huffed, trying to catch his breath. "Mystica sensed me watching her. She cut me off." began Danny.
"I couldn't make out where Webby was. It was DARK, looked like a cave of some kind.
..But, she won't be there. I saw her speak with her "dark master",
and he's given her Twenty-Four hours to find whatever she is looking for."
Scrooge nodded. "Then, WE have Twenty-Four hours, too."
"Danny. do you have ANY idea where she is going?" asked Magica.
Danny was silent, contemplating his options.
Mystica would only meet with him alone, and may hurt Webby if he didn't honor those conditions.
But, he wasn't sure if he was strong enough to defeat her on his own.
After a long pause..he finally answered.
a purple fog creeped over an empty clearing..
and, from the thick screen, Mystica walked forward with Webby reluctantly following.
Webby recognized where she was at. She had been here before..nearly a week ago.
"The old McDuck Airfield!?" exclaimed Webby.
Mystica chortled. "Clever, Scroogie..clever. To hide what which I seek in the LAST place anyone would look."
((*SSSSCCK!, Hmmmm..*)) Mystica ignited her crimsom red plasma sword.
She raised the blade up to the sky, closed her eyes and focused.
In flashed of light, the Crystal Fragments that Mystica succeeded in stealing
all materialized, and began to orbit around Mystica, and her plasma sword.
The witch growled as she channeled all her hate and anger. making the crystals glow brightly.
Purple lightning began to surge through the plasma blade, making it spark erratically.
As the voltage built up, stray bolts began to strike the ground, turning sandy areas into glass.
Mystica the finally pointed her surging blade towards the derelict structure,
And, shot a powerful barrage of lighting, with impacted the building like a missile.
((*KZZZZZZZZ!, KA-KROOOOOHMM!*))
With a sound of thunder, the former command center of the McDuck Airfield blew apart.
When the sand settled, there was nothing left of it but a burnt crater..
..and, a lone, metallic elevator that was all that survived the lightning bomb.
Mystica just grinned as she walked casually, while dragging Webby along with her.
They approached the capsule shaped lift, and upon waving her hand, Mystica opened it with ease.
Stepping inside, Mystica pressed a button, and began to descend down to the lower levels.
As they traveled down, Webby scowled. "you'll never get away with this, you know."
Mystica chortled at this. "Ooh..Now, THERE is an original line."
"Well, you would know." mocked Webby.
Mystica smirked. "I am sure you must think this is all just a standard "evil plot."
But, there is MORE going on here than you know. Things you cannot begin to understand."
"I understand you killed my best friend." said Webby.
"and, you are now trying to control Danny like you tried to control Lena."
"Are you STILL hung over about that?" said Mystica, half amused.
"GROW UP, child. Your "friend" was just an illusion..a product of my own imagination.
And, sooner or later..we have to let go of our "imaginary friends", and move on.
You are nearly thirteen, child..learn to let go."
Webby just glared at Mystica. "I will never forget her..and, I will NEVER forgive you."
Mystica only smirked at this. "Cute. but, it isn't YOUR hate that I care about."
*Sssss-CHH!*
Mystica and Webby stepped out of the elevator, and walked down the long tube
leading into the spaceship that brought Danny to earth so long ago.
"The Exodus.." began Mystica, apparently naming the ship.
"She is even LARGER than he said it was. No wonder Scroogie had to bury it."
Webby eyed Mystica. "Exodus?"
"What the would-be Hue-Man immigrants named this custom made Freighter." explained Mystica.
"It was meant to ferry the last survivors of a colonized planet..AND, something else."
"What else?" asked Webby.
"Not that it is any of your business..But, it is the final component to a Super Weapon." said Mystica.
"My master tasked me with claiming it for him, but..FATE waylaid my progress."
"In other words, you screwed up when you fought Mr. McDuck fifteen years ago."
Mystica scowled, the glared at Webby. "yes..Well, THIS TIME I won't fail.
Now that I have found the lost cargo ship, there is NOTHING that can stand in my way! NOTHING!"
[One Hour Later..]
"Come on you stupid door, OPEN ALREADY!" yelled Mystica in frustration.
Webby giggled, finding it amusing to watch Mystica's attempts to bust open
the sealed bulkhead door to fail miserably.
Not even her magic spells, NOR her new 'Plasma Sword' (and, added Crystals) could break it open.
"CURSES!" exclaimed Mystica, defeated. "The door must have a powerful mystic protection!"
"Guess whoever locked that door wanted it to STAY SHUT." said Webby, mocking Mystica.
Mystica scowled. It was beginning to dawn on her WHY this ship was buried so deep underground.
She suspected that not even her other half could break through either.
Someone VERY powerful must've sealed this door..Someone JUST as powerful as her dark master.
"If I don't get this door open soon..My master will be furious." mused Mystica, as she paced around.
"He has already grown impatient with my progress..the last thing I need is to anger him further."
Webby shrugged. "good luck with that."
Mystica ignored the little girl, and took a moment to think.
Unable to solve this problem using Magic, she decided to try the scientific approach.
Mystica carefully examined the console that was near the door.
She noted a scanner..one that looked like it could read one's palm.
However, the plate had an imprint of a FIVE fingered hand, not four.
She soon realized that this was a Genetic lock, and only a "HUE-MAN" could open it.
Meaning she had only two possible choices to open the door..
Take a chance, and wait for her master to arrive to open it (and, HOPE he would be merciful..DOUBTFUL.)
..or, take a chance that DANNY could open it.
Mystica ultimately decided that Danny was the best solution.
and, if he continued to be difficult..all she really needed was his HAND.
"AHEM.." Mystica and Webby looked..and, saw Danny approach.
"DANNY!" exclaimed Webby..who was then jerked into Mystica's grasp.
"CHILD..So, you figured out my clue, did you?" began Mystica, her tone arrogant.
"It wasn't that complicated.." said Danny, as he stopped a few feet away from the witch.
"So..have you made your decision?" asked Mystica, as she tossed Webby into her other hand.
"How much DOES the pink one really mean to you?"
Danny looked at Webby..who shook her head. But, Danny just walked up..and, fell to his knees.
"more than my own life..which I surrender to you."
Webby's heart sank upon hearing this. "danny, no."
Mystica smiled wide. "I knew you would come around eventually..You just needed time."
[End of Part 14]
[Author Notes]
I pretty much answer the Big Question about "Magica vs. Mystica" that has been asked alot.
Which is simply that they are BOTH the real Magica, it is just that one is Pure Evil. while another is "Bad", but not evil.
I based alot of Magica's story on some source material provided by "MonkeyLi"
In which Magica was revealed to had been a good hearted Witch that was bullied into being wicked.
I felt that if Magica tried to reform after being a villain for so long,
her repressed darkness would develop into split personality, and would try to break free
(and, literally did. Into the truly wicked version of Magica that we saw in the Reboot.)
And, yes. I return readers to where the story began (in the Modified Freighter Ship) for the climax,
and ended on yet another gripping cliffhanger that may leave readers on the edge of their seats.