DuckTales © Disney

[?]

Danny took a step on the cold, dead ground. He tried to look around, but was surrounded by thick fog.
The boy felt like he was trapped in a horror film, and any moment a monster would jump out at him.

"Hello!?" called Danny. "Is anyone out there?!"

Danny got no answer..only dead silence.

He shivered, feeling more, and more uneasy.
Danny didn't know where he was, or even how he got here..but, he wanted to GET OUT.

(("AAHHH!")) Danny suddenly heard a blood curdling scream.

Concern overriding his own fear, he rushed towards the direction of the cries.

As cleared through the fog..he found himself at the courtyard of McDuck Manor.
..But, he froze in terror at seeing the bodies that lay motionless on the ground.

Huey. Dewey. Louie..

His Uncle Donald, and Uncle Scrooge..

Mrs. Beakley..and, Magica.

Launchpad..and, even LENA.

ALL DEAD..with burn marks that resembled a blade slash.

Danny dropped to his knees, tears streaming down his face as he covered his mouth to keep from sobbing.
Nearly his whole family lay DEAD before him..and, he was powerless to do anything about it.

Danny looked, and saw one body that was still moving near the mansion doors.

..And, He gasped in horror at seeing it was his own mother, Della Duck.

Rushing over quickly, and knelt down and cradled his mother in his arms.

"Mom!, MOM!, stay with me..DON'T LEAVE ME AGAIN!" cried Danny.

Della looked at him. the light in her eyes 'flickering', she reached out to caress his face..and, smiled weakly.

"my..son." struggled Della.

"mom..PLEASE." spoke Danny, tears in his eyes.

"I knew..you were still-(*KOFF!*) I will..always. la-love, yoooou.."

Della's body then fell limp as her final breath left her. she was dead. Like all the others.
Danny shut his eyes tightly, feeling overwhelming grief. His mother just died in his arms, and he did nothing!

(("AAAHHH!")) Danny heard the piercing scream again..

..THIS TIME, he recognized it.

"WEBBY!" Danny leapt up, and bolted into the manor.

As he ran into the family room..he saw Webby. Alone, and limping.
she was bruised up, bleeding. with her feathers ruffled, and even plucked.

"WEBBY!" called Danny.

Webby looked up at Danny..but, then gasped in shock.
Her beak gaping open..as a red plasma blade burst out of her chest.

"NOOOO!" screamed Danny, as Webby's body dropped to the ground.

((*Hoahh. Kyaahh..*))

Danny looked, and saw his friend's killer slowly emerge from the shadows.
He wore similar black armor like his uncle, Lord Zelus.

..but, no hood or cape. just a tunic that flowed behind him like long tails.

The helmet was practically the same, It even had a similar respirator mouthpiece.
However, the red tinted lens were much wider, and resembled Gizmoduck's visor

"That new suit doesn't fool me..I KNOW IT'S YOU, UNCLE!" exclaimed Danny, tears in his eyes.

The dark figure didn't answer..it just brandished it's red lightsaber.
Furious, Danny ignited his own, gold lightsaber from out of nowhere and lunged forward.

"YOU WILL PAY FOR WHAT YOU'VE DONE!" shouted Danny.

Danny swung hard, but his opponent deflected him with ease.

((*Kyahh. Hoaahh..*)) The dark figure struck back with lightning fast movements.

It took everything for Danny to defend himself. Every strike felt painful against his wrists.
But, Danny just yelled like an angry child, and viciously swiped at his enemy.

He finally landed a blow to the figure's head..cracking the red visor of the helmet.

Danny gasped at seeing an eye looking at him that didn't look Avian.

In fact, it almost looked like- "NO!, GET BACK!" Danny suddenly lashed out,
shooting a concussive blast at the figure, shattering his mask.

And, when Danny looked at his enemy's face..he dropped his lightsaber to the ground.

It wasn't his Uncle Zelus. The face..was HIS face.

"you're..ME?!" spoke Danny, finally.

In an instant, the Other Danny lunged and impaled Danny with his lightsaber.
Danny choked, feeling an intense pain shoot through his body.

His body then dropped..right beside Webby, who stared at him with blank, dead eyes.

Danny grimaced, and shut his eyes tightly as the whole world went black..

Danny gasped as he shot up suddenly, breathing heavily as sweat poured down his scalp.
He looked around, and found himself back in his bed, and greeted by the sounds of his brothers snoring.

Danny fell back down, exhaling sharply. It had all been a dream.

OR..was it something MORE?

Danny groaned, gripping his face as he tried in vain to banish the images from his mind.
But, he couldn't. He could still see the bodies of his loved ones, Webby's dead stare..

..and, HIS face behind the mask of the same monster he knew his uncle to be.

Was this another future vision?, and if so..what did it MEAN?

Was it..some kind of Warning?

Danny sighed sharply. fearing he wouldn't get ANY sleep tonight.

[The Following Morning..]

Mrs. Beakley had a plain look on her face as she served breakfast to everyone.
The family was dead silent, knowing full well that TODAY would be the day.

The day Danny would have to make his decision.

Morgana and Gosalyn sat far from the McDuck Family.
Even they didn't like their role in this situation, despite the just reason for it.

Finally, though..Morgana spoke. "How long has..he been your son, Della?"

Della looked at the sorceress..then, breathed out. "all his life." answered Della.
"He was just a baby when I found him. he..practically 'hatched' before me."

Morgana looked to Gosalyn..who mouthed silently *pod.*

Morgana looked to Della again, noting how depressed she was.

"I understand how you feel. Gosalyn isn't my own child, but I love her just as much." began Morgana.
"Because like you..I 'CHOSE' her to be my child. and, I would lay down my life for her."

"If you are trying to say something..just SAY IT." said Della, her tone sounding frustrated.

Morgana exhaled. "If Danny chooses to go with me..I swear I will keep him safe."

"will you?" asked Della. "Will you REALLY give him the love, and care that he would need?
This isn't like going to school, he will be living in another home..FAR from Me, and his family."

"I give you my word..I will give him the same care that I do Gosalyn."

Della looked to Gosalyn..who gave her a thumbs up.
the duck then sighed, leaning back in her chair. "okay..I trust you."

Louie scowled, not liking any of this. Danny hadn't even made a decision yet,
and they were already acting like he was leaving TODAY.

IF Danny did decide to stay..they had BETTER honor his wishes like they said they would.

At long last, Danny finally walked into the dining room.

Everyone looked at him, and noticed how tired the boy looked.
His blonde hair was a mess, and his eyes looked dark.

He clearly hadn't gotten much sleep last night.

"DANNY..are you okay?" asked Della.

Danny looked at his mother. He looked like he was close to tears.
But, Danny calmly walked over, and hugged his mother tightly.

"Hu-Honey!..What?!" Della was confused, Danny was acting so strange.

*I love you, mom..* whispered Danny.

Della gently stroked Danny's hair. "I love you too, sweetheart."

Danny finally parted from his mother, and sat down to eat breakfast.
Scrooge and Magica looked at each other in silence. BOTH knew something was off.

Webby looked at Danny..then, placed her hand on his shoulder. *is everything alright, Danny?*

Danny shivered, unable to look Webby in the eye. *no.* replied Danny, silently.

After an hour had passed, Danny finally took a drink of orange juice and placed it down hard.
Everyone then looked at him, feeling he was about to speak.

"I..had a horrible dream last night." spoke Danny, finally.
"I'm not sure if it was JUST a nightmare..or, a warning of what MAY be."

"What did you see?" asked Magica.

"I saw my whole family..DEAD." answered Danny. "I held my mother as she died in my arms.."

Della swallowed hard, feeling uneasy at hearing that.

"..I watched Webby, my best friend and the girl I love more than anything..SLAUGHTERED. right before me."

Webby grew pale upon hearing this.

"In my dream, I fought someone who I thought was my uncle..BUT, it was actually ME." said Danny.
"I..killed my own family. I destroyed everything I loved..and, then "he" killed me."

Danny then grew silent, still in shock at the vivid images.

"It was..just a bad dream" said Huey. "Nothing to fret about."

"No..It WAS a warning." said Magica. "a warning that if you allow your darkness to consume you, Danny.
It will not only destroy everything you hold dear, but in the end..it will destroy YOU, TOO."

"I think you are right." said Danny. "I don't ever want to become what my uncle is."

"Then, DON'T." said Dewey. "It's as simple as that!"

"It is never that simple." said Scrooge. "Compromising one's morals, even for a JUST reason,
Can only lead to self-destruction, an' cause more harm, than good."

Della looked at Danny. "danny..are you saying that-"

"yes." said Danny, unable to look at his mother in the eye.
"I'm sorry, mom. I've missed you..But I have to go with Mrs. Macawber to St. Canard.

I CAN'T let these things happen..I have to do whatever it takes to stop it."

Huey, Dewey, and Louie couldn't believe what they were hearing.
Had Danny gone MAD?!, he was ACTUALLY going to leave?!

Della nodded. "I understand, son. Do what you must to remain my sweet boy."

"HAVE YOU ALL LOST YOUR EVER LOVING MINDS!?" exclaimed Louie, finally.

"Lou-"

"SO WHAT IF DANNY LASHED OUT A FEW TIMES!" continued Louie.
"THAT DOESN'T MEAN HE'S GONNA GO ALL SUPER-VILLAIN ON US!"

"Louie.." began Donald. "It'sHISchoice..Wehavetorespectit."

"I don't think he is in the RIGHT state of mind to make it right now.." growled Louie.

"I know what I am doing, Lou." said Danny. "I've thought hard about this,
and it's best for everyone if I leave for awhile."

Louie scowled. "If this is about what I said before..I SAID I was sor-"

"It isn't that." said Danny.

"Then, HOW is this better for us if you leave?!" exclaimed Louie, demanding an answer.

Danny looked at his adoptive brother. "How long have you, Huey, and Dewey been without our mom?"

Louie frowned, starring off. "Our entire lives.."

Della looked down, feeling shame wash over her.
Danny looked equally ashamed for even opening that wound..BUT, this point had to be made.

"And, how long have 'I' been without her?" asked Danny.

Louie shrugged. "I dunno..LONG TIME."

"No..it wasn't." said Danny. "I waited a whole YEAR before I had Uncle Scrooge Cryo-Freeze me.
THEN, Three or Four months passed before Mom finally found a way to come back."

Louie looked at Danny. "what are you s-"

"You were all without a mom for over a decade..'I' was without her for over a year." explained Danny.

Huey grimaced at this. LOGICALLY, what Danny said was accurate.
despite their mom being gone for over a decade, Danny was frozen in time during the majority of all that.

And, technically, he couldn't miss her if he was asleep between breaths.

"I may've missed her..but, I can NEVER miss her as much as all of you had.
She was at least part of the first twelve years my life, but she missed all of that with you.

You all deserve to be with her..ALOT more than I do right now."

"NO, we should be with her TOGETHER." argued Dewey.

"And, How can you all bond with her with ME getting in the way?!" exclaimed Danny.
"We may be brothers..but, we never grew up together. I'm practically your HALF-Brother."

Danny then looked down sadly. "I know you want us to be ONE unified family.
But, you three will always be her real sons. And, I am just.."the OTHER one."

the three ducklings all frowned at this. "danny.."

"This isn't up for debate." said Danny, sternly. "Our mom..gave me the love that you were all denied.
So, I'm giving it all back to you. If I leave, then mom can focus on all of you.
and, not split between her three REAL sons, and her adopted one."

"Danny.." spoke Della, finally. "You know I love you all the same. Blood, or Love. You are ALL my boys."

"They need you more than I do, mom." said Danny. "I can wait a little longer to be with you..THEY CAN'T."

Della looked at Danny..then smiled warmly. "You always were selfless, son. I am so very proud of you."

Huey, Dewey, and Louie darted their eyes. each having mixed emotions about this.

"B-But, he can't jus-!"

"Danny is doing the right thing, son." said Della.
"He is putting the needs of others ABOVE his own. and, deep down..you know that."

Louie grumbled as he looked down. He hated it when people proved him wrong.
Webby then turned to Danny. "and..what about ME, Danny? Why do you have to leave me?"

Danny looked at Webby. "Webby..I love you. but..You and Lena haven't spent a whole lot of time together."

"SURE we have!, we had some.."Girl Time."

"WEBBY. she was practically "DEAD" for months." continued Danny.
"I think you need to spend alot more time with your best friend than just a few hours."

Webby looked down..then, looked over to the person in question. "Lena. have I really been..n-neglecting you?"

Lena gave Webby a weak smile. "Hey, it's OKAY, Webbs. You have a boyfriend, now. I understand."

Webby began to tear up, feeling just horrible now.
Danny then hugged Webby tightly..to which she returned the embrace.

"Webby, I love you..BUT, even grown up couples need some time to themselves." began Danny.
"You need to spend more time with LENA, now. I'll still be here when you are done."

Webby smiled..then, nuzzled against Danny. Danny smiled, then nuzzled Webby back. "I'll be back..I promise."

Webby smiled. "It doesn't matter where you go..You'll always be part of me-"

"and, I'll always be part of you."

Gosalyn groaned at this whole, sappy scene. "oh, good grief, I've read "fanfiction" less sappy than this."

Morgana then rose up, and gently touched Danny's shoulder.
"I will give you some time to prepare, and say your good-byes."

"Thank you, Mrs. Macawber." said Danny.

Morgana smiled. "No need to be so formal, child. You can call me "Auntie Morgue"

Danny grimaced at the sound of such a title. "eh..I'll think about it."

[End of Part 25]

[Author Notes]

With this chapter, I give some "Reader Service", and address certain criticisms.

For one, I give readers who wanted a scene similar to Star Wars: The Force Unleashed a scene
in which Danny has a vivid vision fighting against an evil, "Sith" version of himself.

I felt Danny needed a little "push" to ultimately decided to go train under Morgana at St. Canard
(as well as a taste of a "Dark Side Ending" to this story..which I will work on later.)

I also addressed an issue DuckTales fans had with how Webby reacted to Lena's resurrection.
Danny himself points out how Webby hasn't spent THAT much time with her, and may be neglecting her.

In the end, though, Danny's decision to leave is for the benefit of his friends and family.

To give his adoptive brother plenty of time to bond with their mother,
and allow Webby to focus more on socializing with Lena, than splitting her focus.

(So, basically. I will REMOVE my OC from their lives, and see how they cope now. XD)

AND, finally. I broke the fourth way with the best line from Gosalyn (Even I can criticize my own writing.)