Lena huffed the bed-hair out of her face for the fifth time while trying to text back Ty, telling him she would stay over for lunch at the manor, and that Violet and Huey were already heading to their Woodchuck meeting.

Once she got the all-clear from her dad, she smirked looking up, before groaning at the pain in her back as she arched, trying to get her spine to comply.

"If you don't want to ruin your posture, then you shouldn't slouch over your phone" Mrs. Beakley scolded her after noticing her stretching.

Lena rolled her eyes but otherwise complied as she sat at the table with her shoulders straightened up.

"So, what adventure awaits for you guys today?" Della asked while taking a plate to fill with food, only outmatched by Lena's apparent hunger that day.

"There are rumors that some fishermen found golden coins inside some of the fish, apparently they date over five hundred years, what ye say lads and lassies if we go investigate?"

"Pirate treasure!" Dewey cheered.

"Treasure!" Louie celebrated.

"You'll come, right Lena?" Webby invited with her big hopeful eyes, making it impossible to decline.

So she swallowed her bite "Sure…boat trip, fish, cool" she shrugged not quite convinced but already onboard.

"That's a hard pass for me" Della shook her head resolvedly "You can take Donald, I'll sit this one out," she said already grossed out.

"Don't worry, we'll take pictures" Dewey said.

"Please, nothing with scales in them" the crawl went up to her spine.

"Giddy up, then!" Scrooge rallied them "To adventure!"

'Adventure', apparently, included being thrown overboard by a gigantic mythical creature from the depths of the sea, be chased by unforeseen forces that also wanted the treasure, and end up meeting with an aboriginal civilization on a remote island. So by the time they reached the manor, Lena had silently pledged to herself at least three times to never agree to an adventure again.

"That was amazing!" Webby launched for a side hug, tackling the teen while both dripped salty water "Can't wait for our next one!"

And then Lena knew her previous pledge had gone out the window, if Webby asked, she would follow like her shadow. Okay, bad analogy, but still a fairly adequate one.

So, she hugged back, taking notice of how Webby fitted perfectly in her arms. Not only in the comforting sense as if she belonged there close to her non-existent heart, but literally- physically- at a height that her own chin could rest over her head without having to tilt up.

She couldn't entertain the thought any longer, though, as Beakley walked in to find a huge puddle of water at the entrance.

"What is the meaning of this?!" she demanded at Scrooge in particular while Della joined in "And what is that smell?"

"Fish!" Della gagged making a sour face.

"It's the smell of success!" Scrooge said triumphantly "we found the pirate's chest!"

"Along with a lot of chaos" Louie added "but it's payday" he pointed at the mountain of gold.

"Everyone go upstairs and take a shower!" Beakley ordered "I want you in fresh clothes before dinner"

Lena felt reality crash back, it was already dinner time. She hastily reached for her phone. In all that time she hadn't even had the chance to get it out of her pocket. Her phone, unsurprisingly, was dead. Not only battery wise, but being thrown into an ocean hadn't agreed with it. She groaned and turned to Webby.

"Hey, do you have Violet's number saved?" her tone was slightly distressed. She didn't like to make her new dads worry and they had been understanding of her, of her unusual habits and needs, but one thing they were strict about was her whereabouts. Lena had found that to be annoying and condescending at first, since for 15 years she had fend for herself, never having to check in with anyone, just coming and going as she pleased, as long as it was within Magica's benefit, of course, but still, having people that cared that much was still new.

"Um, yeah" Webby reached for her phone finding the same outcome as Lena, that was her third device that month "Oh, phooey" she grumbled.

"What's wrong?" Della asked noticing their little exchange.

"Oh, the usual. Phones got busted again" Webby tossed hers aside.

"I'll make sure to get you more resistant ones" Scrooge called over his shoulder "I'll replace yours too, Lena"

"Um? T-thanks" she said awkwardly before turning to Beakley of all people "but has Ty called by any chance?"

"Indeed, about four hours ago" she provided and Lena seemed to go a bit pale.

"They must be so mad," she told herself, but Beakley reached down to pat her shoulder.

"He wasn't particularly pleased that you didn't ask for permission to go on an adventure, but said that as long as you were accompanied with an adult -even if Mr. McDuck isn't always the most reliable-" she added her own side note "it was okay"

Lena breathed in again "I should really go, then"

"You are drenching" Mrs. Beakley pointed "Go clean yourself before you catch a cold"

"I literally have no immune system to even defend" Lena retorted.

"You still have a sense of smell, then," she said plainly "I'll phone your house to let them know you are here and that your mobile is broken," she said evenly while Lena stood still for a moment longer, unsure "Go, I'll take care of it"

The smug smirk came back to the teen's beak "Aye, Colonel Crumpet" she teased walking upstairs, being dragged by Webby who was already rambling about having to lend her dry clothes.

"Well, that's a sight I didn't think I would ever see," Beakley said over to Della.

"What? Lena wearing pink since she'll have to borrow a shirt?" she smirked playfully.

"Lena having a sense of responsibility"

Della made a face "That's not fair-"

Beakley shook her head "I don't mean it in a bad way" she clarified "Before she would drop unannounced, stay over for days, couldn't answer to any kind of authority…" she traced back "the one time she actually said she would call to check in was when she was possessed according to Mr. McDuck" she sighed heavily "I…should have seen it" Beakley finally admitted, tossing the loose coins into the chest "I know the signs of an abused child and still…I overlooked hers because I thought she was being a bad influence on Webby" she said ashamed "When in reality, Lena was learning from her, she wanted to belong" she dropped her shoulders in an uncanny display of fragility "I asked her directly who raised her and not even then I read into her reaction. I pocked at a bleeding scar and didn't notice the pain. She wasn't getting close to any of the kids for the sake of Magica anymore; she just…needed a family"

Della could see the remorse in the older woman's eyes. So she gently patted her arm "It's not your fault, Mrs. B" she cooed "and she has a family now"

"I know and…I am glad about it," she said earnestly "But sometimes I fear that the struggle isn't over for her"

"What do you mean?"

"Well, it's easy to tell someone that the battle is over, but that doesn't mean they know how to stop fighting. No one told her she could let her guard down"

Della pondered at it, her own hand fidgeted with a pack of oxy-chew she kept at the bottom of her pocket at all times "Being in your toes means to be ready for anything, that can't so bad" she provided, trying to justify her own fear and behavior.

"Jumping at your shadow at every corner means you are not living, but surviving"

That wasn't even aimed at her and still, the words hit too close to home for Della.

"She deserves to have a future outside her past, but I'm pretty sure she never saw herself past Magica's vengeance. So she goes about like she's stealing every single moment she now has while waiting for something to take everything away from her"

"You don't know that" Della mumbled, hugging herself.

"Perhaps I am wrong; I just admitted I misjudge her before. But then again, when was the last time she mentioned a plan for the future?" she asked lightly.

"She just got back- her freedom" she mended "of course she needs time before figuring out what she wants to do or who she wants to be"

They held gazes and Della feared the older woman might see past her own façade, but ultimately, Beakley just sighed "I hope you are right"

The teasing Lena received for wearing the most vibrant pink shirt ever at dinner, was short-lived after an ominous-looking flair of blue magic emerged from her hand. After that, she enjoyed the meal with the others once Beakley had assured her that her parents were okay with that. Still, she called them through the landline to double-check before sitting at the table.

By the time they finished, Lena promptly said her goodbyes ready to go home.

"Your clothes are still in the dryer" Beakley informed.

"It's okay, I'll swing by another day to pick them up and switch back" " she held the end of the pink blouse "Can't wait to see what Violet will say about this"

"It looks nice!" Webby stated, "don't let the boys deceive you, you look great on anything!"

Lena chuckled with the tiniest bit of embarrassment showing "Thanks, Pink. But I think I'll let this with its rightful owner" she answered "well, better get going"

"Until next time!" Webby hugged her -fitting for a second time just right- and the moment after, there was nothing but a subtle breeze as the shadows rearranged.

It was not until two weeks later that the Saberwing sisters made another appearance at the manor. This time to stay over for the whole weekend since Ty and Indy had to leave for a work conference and conveniently, the only people available to watch over them were the Duck's at the mansion.

Lena threw her bag to the ground while Violet rang the bell.

"Not that I don't like coming over, but we could have stayed at home perfectly fine just the two of us," Lena said, rubbing her sore back.

"If your concern is that they don't trust you, believe me, they do, but their nervousness subdues their good judgment"

Lena waited a beat "Did they ever leave you home alone? Before me?"

Violet shrugged but ultimately answered, "Indeed, a couple of times" she admitted noticing the hurt in Lena's face "They asked the neighbors to keep an eye on me though, and it wasn't overnight, they just arrived at rather odd hours in the morning" she provided.

"So…it's not that they don't trust us, just me"

"They are worried something might happen to you, not that you'll cause something. That's why they rather have us with people that can help instead of leaving us to fend for ourselves" she said earnestly, noticing a soft smile at the corner of the older girl's beak "They still don't let me use the oven since I have a record of leaving it on. My attention span for trivialities such as house chores is rather limited"

Lena chuckled and wrapped an arm around her shoulders "Your one weakness, nerd, boring chores" she teased before dropping the act for a moment "Thanks, Vi"

"Whatever for" she replied casually.

"Still, how about one of these days we do something just the two of us?" Lena offered "no magic, no library, and no sewers, but… I don't know, hang out?"

Violet was momentarily aback but noticed that Lena meant it. She truly just wanted to be an older sister to her and that was her attempt at bonding.

"That…sounds pleasing," she said "I would very much enjoy said plan"

Lena tried to hide her growing smirk, playing it off "Cool"

The door burst open as a very excited Webby greeted them "Double Sleepover!"

"Hey Pink"

"Greetings, Webbigail"

"Come on in, let's get the fun started" she dragged them inside, and just like that, the slumber party was inaugurated. They read through some of Scrooge's forbidden books of magic, fought a couple of specters, and finally were called to dinner.

So by the time they reached the table, Lena looked completely exhausted, unlike the other two that seemed outrageously ecstatic of what they had learned out of the summoning.

"So apparently salt does have a repellent nature against creatures of darkness," Violet said matter-of-factly.

"Yup!" Webby jumped into her seat as Lena all but melted into her chair groaning and puffing her streak of pink hair out of her eyes.

"Huh, rough fight, kiddo?" Della asked as they joined in.

"Nah, Webby took care of most of them" the teen answered sitting more properly as Beakley approached.

"It was really great!" the smaller duckling added "I got to use a sneak attack and everything!" she looked over her shoulder as her Granny smiled approvingly before taking notice of Lena's slouching.

"Bad posture will get you only more ache"

"I've given up on that department" Lena answered casually, waving a hand.

Beakley tried not to scold her again, so instead, she served the dishes. The British duck always prided herself on the notion that her cooking was as exceptional as her very own fighting skills; it was all about precision and measure. Of course, she knew everyone at the manor had different acquired tastes but it definitely surprised her when the shadow witch served herself a third plate. She couldn't actually recall an instance in which she would even finish the first dish, and yet, here she was, devouring. Beakley was used to the triplets having that much appetite, but Lena had never really needed food before, not under Magica's control. Perhaps the idea of not having her over her shoulder gave her some freedom, but Beakley still had the feeling something else might be it. Something far less elaborated than the intricate relationship the teen had with authority.

By the time they were done and heading to Webby's room, Beakley reached for the left-behind clothes.

"Before it skips my mind, Lena, here are your belongings" she extended the neatly folded sweater.

"Sweet!" she reached for her stripped wear "this is my favorite one" she smirked before reaching for the shoes as well "and the most comfortable pair of sneakers" she added slipping her foot in, only to find it a bit too tight "Huh" she hummed to herself, frowning "did they shrunk at the dryer, Tea Time?" she asked.

"That's not only unlikely but impossible, Mr. McDuck would never settle for something that could ruin his clothes, I assure you, they are exactly the same, if not cleaner, than when you left them"

"But they don't fit the same" she countered groaning as she tried to make them feel as always. And then, the idea clicked for the older duck as it all pieced in together.

"Stand straight for a moment" she instructed.

"I highly doubt my posture somehow changed the way my shoes fit, Abbey Road" she retorted "cellphones are not responsible for every single little thing, you know?"

"Could you possibly save the snarky remarks for a better time?" she folded her arms in her usual imposing demeanor "Stand with your shoulders back"

"Aye Colonel Crumpet!" she mocked a salute and as she held her head tall, Beakley could see it clearly. Still, she leveled a hand at her height and compared it to memory. She had perfect recollection of details as a former spy, and the difference was clearly there.

"You are taller" she finally pointed out and Lena all but collapsed into herself "I think you are growing"

"That's not funny" the hurt and bitterness in the teen's voice caught Beakley aback.

"I'm not trying to mock you, it's an observation"

"I can't grow" she stated firmly "I'm a shadow, remember?" she spat "I've looked like this for fifteen years" she gestured at her own body with disdain "Just admit your stupid machine is broken and it messed up my clothes"

Any other day, the rude behavior would have been met with a scolding, but Beakley could see a lot of conflicted emotions swirling in the teen's eyes, she hadn't expected that reaction "Listen" she approached, putting a hand over her shoulder "I'm not familiarized with a lot of your past, but think back to the last few weeks and how your body has changed" she said as gently and firmly as possible "for what I've seen, you've been complaining about back pains, your hair's length is getting in the way and even your eating habits are different" she listed "those are just adjustments every teenager faces while growing up"

Lena seemed to realize a moment too late that all those observations were true, still, she shook her head and pushed Beakley's hand off "Whatever. None of that changes the fact that I am not even a real person" she pointed out coldly "no bones, no blood, and no heart. I'm just a shadow that's stretching" she snatched her belongings, turning around and marching upstairs, leaving behind Beakley, but her words could not be outrun.

Della would never admit she saw Mrs. Beakley as more of a parental figure than her very own parents, but it was true. The former spy had been there to listen, advise and even ground Della in her early years of formation. So when the older duck reached her door to talk, the sudden change of roles had been a bit of an uncanny scenario. Still, she let her in.

Beakley walked into Della's room, taking notice of how dark and monochromatic it was. And how outstandingly quiet too. She tried not to disrupt the already established mood and kept her voice low; not only for the sake of the pilot but for the rather odd hour she had decided to drop unannounced.

"What is it, Mrs.B? Are the kids alright? Are Uncle Scrooge or Donald in danger?"

"Nothing of the sort, everyone's physical well-being is unthreatened"

That had been specific "Okay, so…?" she motioned with her hands and the other woman sighed, looking for a way to explain herself.

"I need a favor" she looked up "It's been abundantly clear that other than Webby, the one person Lena talks to in this household is you. And more importantly, she listens to you"

Della was about to pride herself on that sentence, if not for the worried eyes of the English duck "What's wrong with Lena?"

"Nothing"

Della frowned.

"I mean, there's really nothing wrong with her. I just had a rather unsuccessful conversation regarding her height"

"You lost me" Della shook her head.

"You have become very observant about non-verbal body language," Beakley said apparently out of nowhere "can you tell me you haven't noticed any changes in her?"

"I mean…she sleeps in more now than before, she's been slouching a bit and eating way more than usual…"

"She's growing up" Beakley provided "or at least, that's my conclusion. But when I told her she looked so…wounded" she sighed, "she told me she was not a real person, that she was just a shadow stretching and…it bothered me so much to hear her speak of herself with such…hatred"

Della winced rubbing her palm up and down her opposite arm.

"I was hoping you could talk to her" she admitted "I know it's not my place to ask or intervene, but…"

"But I might be able to reach out to her" Della concluded, sighing "you know, she could just as easily shut me down," she said, "I've never pushed on a topic, when we talk it's just…"

"Genuine" Beakley said "that's why I have my hopes put on you" she stood up "If she truly doesn't want to talk, then it's beyond me as well, but she should at least have the opportunity to decide if she wants to open up about it with someone she trusts"

"How am I the best choice?" Della asked in a small voice "I was never there for my kids when they needed advise"

"And she's never had anyone to offer her some" she smiled softly.

What a pair.

Unsurprisingly, Della found the teen up and about in the dead of night. It was starting to become a bit of a routine for the two to be the only ones awake at unfortunate hours. And perhaps, if she didn't know what was keeping the teen awake, she wouldn't have minded dropping on her like that. But as she approached, she noticed something that she had never seen, not on this degree. Lena was…broken. They both often said they felt that way, like pieces and not a whole, like torn parts put back together, but she never saw those words become a reality as vividly as she did now. The teen was hugging herself tightly as if fearing that the moment she let go, she would fall apart.

"Lena?" she called softly, her tone gave away her concern.

The girl moved further into the darkness, but not completely immersed in the shadows "Don't…" she mumbled, her own voice sounded wavering and weak.

"Hey, kiddo" she knelt down next to her, putting a hand over her shoulder just for it to pass her through. That was new. She was in the in-between, staying in the shadows and physical world alike.

"Honey?"

"Leave. I want to be alone" she chocked out, hiding away.

Della sighed as she removed her palm, but she couldn't bring herself to actually go. So she sat down, facing away, giving her a bit of space.

"You can be alone, but you don't have to be lonely" Della stated, talking over her shoulder "I'm going to stay right here," she said with resolve.

Lena gazed back; she was confused and…moved.

They stood in silence for a long time, memories flooding both their minds at the familiar scenario in each case. One trapped in the shadows of the moon and the other in the space of the shadows. They had been lonely and now, even if they were facing opposite directions, neither felt alone. They had someone that truly understood…

"Did…Tea Time asked you to check on me?" Lena broke the spell they were under.

"She…told me what happened" Della offered, turning a bit to take a look at the girl, who shrugged more into herself "Honey…I…I don't understand" she finally said, "Is it so bad to be growing?"

"I'm not!" Lena said harshly, digging her fingers harder into her arms "I am not real"

"Stop saying that," Della said firmly, turning around, even if Lena was still facing away.

"I can't change!" Lena pointed out desperately, more to herself than the other duck "I've wished for years and years for that to happen, but I'm not like the others!" the tears were sliding down "they are all going to age, they'll go away, they'll have normal lives! This!" she gestured at her body "this is all I am ever going to be" she said bitterly "Violet will go to college and she won't need me as her older sister, my dads will grow old together, everyone here will move on and I'll still look like this! I can't change, I can't die and…I can't live"

Della didn't know she could feel someone else's pain as her own to such a deep degree until she wrapped her arms around the teen and held her tight.

"You will never be alone, honey," she said the ultimate truth she knew Lena was afraid of.

The teen gasped for air -choking on those words- feeling a pang in her chest, the way air couldn't reach her lungs, how everything hurt, how that scar had been bleeding inside her for so long, and now she was finally acknowledging it.

"You don't know that" Lena answered, fighting off all the emotions swirling through her "you don't understand! You'll all eventually leave, you will leave me"

"Because I've left my family behind I can understand the fear you are feeling," she said, holding her closer, even if she felt Lena pushing her away "For years in the moon I stayed the same as my boys grew without me, as everyone here carried on with their lives and I had to live in fear of missing it, of losing them before even having a chance to meet them" her voice was wavering, but the resolve didn't leave her tone "I do understand honey, more than you know" she stroke her back, feeling the way Lena stopped struggling to instead hold into her with might, burying her face against her chest, crying all the emotions she could never express in front of Magica.

"I don't want to be left behind, not again…I don't want to be a shadow, alone with just…memories"

Della embraced her lovingly "I know" she rubbed her back in circles "I understand how uncertainty can be so scary, I lived with that shadow for a decade" she mumbled "but you don't have to face any of this on your own" she added "as long as we are here, you will have a family" she smiled softly "I mean, look at Uncle Scrooge, he will probably outlive Magica herself"

That earned her a half-hearted chuckle out of the teen, so Della smiled sweetly "And even if we eventually do go…our love will always stay with you. That I can promise" she kissed the top of her head.

They stood in silence for a moment, only the sound of Lena's uneven breathing filled in as Della kept on stroking her back in soothing caresses.

"I'm sorry…for what I said" Lena whispered.

"It's okay" Della assured in a soft tone.

"I should probably apologize to Tea Time too…" she traced back.

"I'm sure she would appreciate that, but she wasn't mad at you, you know? She was worried" she said gently, shifting her position to get a look into the teen's eyes "And what she said, regarding you, I don't think she was wrong" she tried to address the previous topic "That doesn't change the fact that you might still live forever, but we don't know that either now that you are not linked to Magica anymore. Maybe stepping out of her shadow is finally giving you room to grow" she smirked softly.

"What if…what if I look like her?"

Della blinked her surprise back "I'm not sure" she said honestly "I have no clue what she looked like before or if there will be a resemblance. But I know that you will still be you, no matter the exterior" she cupped her face, moving the rebel streak of hair out of the way "And if you want to figure that out, you have to give yourself a chance first. As scary as that might be, we will be here for you"

Lena hugged her once more, closing her eyes, finally breathing in "Thank you, Della"

I still have more of this arc I want to explore! So part 2 is currently in the making! See you soon (Hopefully)