Beyond our masks.
Summary: As far as the Mcduck clan know there are no more secret between them, or at least that's what the triplets and Scrooge thought. Now, shortly after Magica's defeat more troubles arrive, and in the middle of this is a parrot, a rooster, and an android.
Notes: English is not my first language... so excuse my errors, I will try my best. This fic it's actually a mash up of several concepts of Donald's adventures and alter egos, such as the duck avenger (Paperinik o Pk) or the legend of the three caballeros.
And also I can't write Scrooge's ascent, sorry.
Post shadows war.
Disclaimer: I do not own Ducktales
"It was a mistake," you said.
But the cruel thing was, it felt like the mistake was mine, for trusting you.
•David Levithan, The Lover's Dictionary
Note:
Since Panchito, Donald and José have magic I'm borrowing some spell and concepts from J.K Rowling.
But her universe belongs to her.
Chapter 6: heart shaped box.
It was 8:30 Pm, Mickey was having dinner with his wife in silence, He wasn't hungry, and could tell Minnie wasn't going to eat either. Neither couldn't eat, both were afraid of what the other is going to say, the McDuck pamphlet fiasco very present in their minds, and both knowing they can't stay neutral for too long, soon they'll have to pick a side. With a long sigh he keeps stabbing his steak with his fork trying his best to not puke, perfectly knowing his wife, Mickey suspect that Minnie would take Daisy side, and of course he won't.
Minnie opened her mouth, about to say something, but the door rang.
"I'll go" said Mickey, walking to the door, Pluto bouncing happily near. Minnie followed her husband, curious about Pluto's reaction.
Mickey opened the door and soon after was embraced by two pair of arms. Minnie then recognized Donald's friends, Panchito and José.
Ending their friendly assault on the mouse, they attacked their new target, Minnie.
She laughed as she greeted the birds back, " Panchito, José, you're here."
Panchito let go first, saying. "Por supuesto. Donaldo needs us, our brother needs us."
"Sim, we came as soon as we heard." Continue José, glaring at Mickey.
"So... what are you doing here then" he asks, ignoring Minnie's disappointed glare. "Shouldn't you be with Donald?"
"Actually, we were on our way to him." Panchito explained, surprised by Mickey's rudeness. " But, as you know... we traveled from far away and we're tired."
"And night had fallen upon us, we're sorry to bothering at home, but we were wondering if we could stay here for the night." Said José, arching an eyebrow.
"Pero, if you can't, we understand..." finished Panchito.
"No. No no, of course you can stay, right Mickey?" She said, elbowing her husband.
"Of course you can..." Mickey said, "And I apologize for my behavior, I was very rude to you, I'm sorry."
José started at Mickey for a moment, as if he was analyzing him, and as for Panchito he just smiled.
"Of course, te perdonamos."
José then spoke, after analyzing Mickey's aura, he knew he was honest, and just stressed. "All forgiven, Michael."
They started at each other in silence, until Panchito's stomach made its presence known.
"Mil perdones, but my stomach is empty hehehe." He admitted, scratching the back of his neck.
José blushed, as his stomach did the same. Minnie giggled, and taking both birds' hands she led them to the dining room, so they could eat.
After dinner, Panchito asked the couple if he could take a shower, which they agreed. José had already fallen asleep in the couch, where Minnie took notice of the parrot's poor state, she placed a spare blanket over him. She got worried when she confirmed that José was starting to run a fever, Minnie was about to call Mickey for help but again, the doorbell rang.
Making a mental note to check on him later she went to answer the door. She opened the door, gasping as she saw who was outside, a very anxious Daisy threw her arms open and smothered her old friend in a tight embrace.
"Ohhh Minnie, thank God you're here!" She cried.
"Daisy...? What are you doing here?" She asked, softly.
Daisy, with her teary eyes said. "My boss wanted me to clear my head, the pamphlet..." she didn't even got to end the sentence when she started crying. "Everyone hates ME, Minnie, even my own sister and my nieces."
The memory was painful, she went to her sister's home, after a Long trip she wanted to be surrounded by her loved ones, completely forgetting about the deep relationship her nieces have with Donald. As soon as they saw her she got different reactions. All three of them avoided her during her visit, the short time they were in the same room they wouldn't make eye contact, not even greeting her, even as young adults, the girls hurried out as quickly as possible like a children would do. Even her sister, Donna had briefly confronted her young sister, but still allowing her to stay.
Slowly, Daisy had come up to her and Minnie had hugged her, almost dragging her away from the front door, into her living room, completely forgetting José who is still asleep. The female duck had sobbed quietly,and Minnie had let her cry, not realising that her friend woke José up. When she finally looked up and spoke, her eyes were wet, and her voice was choked.
"what I'm gonna do?"
"I don't know, Daisy." Minnie said. "You have hurt Donald pretty bad."
Meanwhile, unknown to the girls, Mickey was trying to calm Panchito, he was talking with Mickey, something trivial, something about sports, when the rooster heard her. His jovial expression morphed into something that scared Mickey, it was hate. He fearfully watched as Panchito raged, a barely controlled beast, ready rip apart anyone as soon as he touched it. Ignoring Mickey's pleads, Panchito stormed out of the room toward the first floor living room.
Sighing, the mouse followed the rooster, fully knowing about the incoming emotional battle. Panchito not caring about his manners, and that this wasn't his house he kicked the door open and stormed downstairs. Mickey hung back, barely catching the door before it hit the wall, half annoyed. He found Panchito downstairs, about to confront Daisy, whose crying on his wife's arms. He walked near him, but refusing to go further, staying at the door frame.
"Daisy!" He called, in an unusual cold voice.
Daisy whirled around, her eyes widening in surprise, then heaving a sigh of relief. In her mind, the always forgetting rooster came to her to offer her comfort.
How wrong she was.
"Francisco"
"Daisy." He repeated, more sweetly this time, and was enough to fool everyone, except José, who stopped faking sleep.
She ran and gave him a tight warm hug. He gave her a hug as well smiling, before sinking his nails into Daisy's back causing her to whimper more in surprise than in pain.
"Congratulations" Panchito hissed, sending chills down the spines of everyone.
Scared, Daisy backed away from Panchito, she and the married couple seeing the pure anger blazing in his eyes, which is something no one (sans José) has never seen before in their entire time they had known Panchito.
"You have invented a new kind of stupid" Panchito said, smiling in bitter amusement "A damage you can never undo kind of stupid"
"An "open all the ages in the zoo" kind of stupid." Panchito continued ranting, now he even made a jazz hands gesture to make an emphasis with a crazed grin on his face. "Truly, you didn't think through kind of stupid!"
Daisy flinched, Minnie was about to defend her friend, but Mickey stopped her by just glaring. José then, put a hand on her shoulder, whispering in her ear.
By now Panchito stopped smiling, now faced Daisy with an stern face.
"Let review: You took rumor maybe one, maybe two people knew" Panchito raised said numbers of fingers. "And refuted it by sharing an affair NO ONE has accused you!"
Panchito raised dangerously his voice, and now Mickey was worried about the neighbors, unaware of José's silent charm, allowing to keep this business in private.
Panchito stood in front of her, looking deeply into her eyes. "He finally took a break, begged you to come with him, yet you refuse to!"
"So scared of what your enemies will do to you, when you're the only enemie you ever seem to lose to"
THAT stroke a nerve, how dare he!
"You know why Maria Mouse can do what she wants?" He rhetorically asked. " She doesn't dignify a schoolyard taunt with a response!"
Now not only Daisy gasped but also Minnie, while Mickey's mouth hanged open. Daisy was getting roasted, and by Panchito of out all the people .
"So yeah!, Congratulations!" He raised his arms, exasperated. "You redefined your legacy, Congratulations!"
He even barked a laugh.
"It was an act of a social sacrifice" Daisy shouted, finally finding her voice, her face red of anger and embarrassment.
Panchito stopped, as if slapped, his face betraying hurt and resentment. "Sacrifice?"
The way he said it surprised everyone, even José. A few tears ran down the rooster's eyes, he took a few deep breaths before shouting.
"Daisy Duck, you haven't even met sacrifice!"
Once again, Daisy backed away from the Southern bird, seeing the pure rage in his reddish brown eyes. It brought the young journalist into an uncomfortable position, not only for her but her best friend and husband. She couldn't blame any of her friends for being furious at her, especially Panchito and José. After all, she not only humiliated Donald, she also broke his heart, a former navy soldier. She had already seen people mocked him, and even pity him in the social networks. And even she could tell that Minnie was in complete shock that her best friend could do something like this. Her own sister, not wanting to believe she would do such a poisonous act, and even wondering what would've happened if she had stayed with Donald.
God, now her mind drifts to Goofy.
Goofy even took the risk of losing his job just to head back to Duckburg after hearing the notorious news, and not only that, you could say that Goofy Groof didn't hold back when he gave Scrooge McDuck a slap in the face. Then, Gladstone, is the other one who brought this shameful act that has caused such pain upon Donald's family.
Panchito grasped her arms, not roughly but not gently either. Both of them crying, she turned her head to the side, trying to hide his shame, but looking unconsciously to Mickey and José, who walked towards him. Mickey and José didn't dared to look Daisy in the eyes, but for a short fraction of time they did, their eyes felt with pure hatred, she's not surprised of José, she always got the impression he didn't liked her, but of Mickey, she never had seen such glare on him, not even when Minnie broke up with him for Mortimer. That got her, she ket some tears fall from her eyes, before she harshly wiped them away.
Back into reality, still enraged Panchito looked at the golden ring she has, then he looked at his own, the one he still uses just for show since his divorce still is not official, the same he came to despise every single day. He was glad that his wife never got pregnant, since he never loved her, and she never loved him, it was an arranged marriage from the start anyway, to keep the ranch growing. Though none of those things matter right now, this was about Donald, Panchito took his back on Daisy for a moment, trying to keep his emotions at bay.
"I languish in a loveless marriage in Mexico, I lived only to read his and your letters" he confessed, his voice tinted with sorrow. "I looked at you and think "God, what've we done in our lives? And what did it get us?""
He turned to her, not caring about the rest, his eyes were focused on Daisy. Still remembering how he had fallen for her with just seeing her, just to find out Donald, his brother, was in love with her. He just smiled, gladly making a sacrifice of letting Daisy go to Donald, to let them love each other, even being the best man when Donald proposed to her, all those years of sacrificing his love for her were suddenly worth for nothing the moment she suddenly broke up with him, they didn't knew why until now. Panchito was furious and wondered how could the girlfriend of one of his closet friend do such a cruel thing.
"That doesn't wipe the tears or years away, but we're back in the city and we're here to stay" he said as he took her in his arms, whispering in her ear. "And you know why I'm here to do?"
Daisy reaches up to touch Panchito gently onto the cheek, very gently also leaned in, almost kissing.
"Francisco" She whispers
"I'm not here for you" Panchito growled, stepping back. Daisy bowed her head down, ashamed.
"I know my brother like I know my own mind, you will NEVER find anyone as loyal nor as kind" he yelled, his tears running free. " And a million years ago he told me: this one is mine"
José remembers that, that winter ball where they meet her, and when Panchito helped Donald to get Daisy.
"So I stood by: Do you know WHY?" He asked.
Minnie was already in tears, feeling sympathy for Panchito, knowing how much he has sacrificed for Donald. Mickey is thinking the same as Minnie, and realized he's not as great friend as Panchito and José are, he's not even questioning himself about the type of sacrifice Panchito did, fully admitted he wouldn't have made it, he loves Minnie madly, and he wouldn't have gave her up.
Once again, he lost to these bids, they are better friends than he could ever be.
"I love my brothers more anything in this life, I will choose THEIR happiness over MINE every time!" He cried, his frame shaking.
José sobbed, covering his face with both hands. Mickey put his hands on José's arms.
"Francisco." José whispered.
"Donald!"
"Donald" Daisy whispers her ex-boyfriend's name, openly crying. The petite duck regretting the whole affair, regretted using Gladstone, also regretting exposing the affair for the entire world to witness.
"Is the best duck in our lives!" He yells, grasping her collar firmly. "So you never forget the fact that you could've been blessed with the Best HUSBAND!"
Daisy nods, forcing herself to look at Panchito.
"Congratulations!" He said. "As long as I'm alive you will treat him right!"
After that, he walked towards José, practically dragging him upstairs, where Mickey told them they could stay for the night.
"Congratulations" Panchito hissed before closing the door.
[•••••]
Donald kicked the daylights out of the last Beagle Boy more harder than he needed to, that's what Fenton noticed, but said nothing.
"I know what you're thinking" said Paperinik. "Stop worrying. I'm fine."
"Ha! If you call sulking fine, then you're wonderful!" Commented Uno through his com, earning a slight growl from his partner.
Gizmoduck debated with himself about talking with his new friend, but he doesn't know how to do so. He always admired Paperinik, so strong and brave, but he knew why he was also known as the avenger.
He was merciless when he needed to, and even had killed. That's why Mr McDuck doesn't like the vigilante, Angus Fangus actually despised the hero more, blaming him for all the collateral damage or accusing of being a murderer and an ally of evil. And as Fenton recalls, not even in S.H.U.S.H Paperinik has a good reputation, Damn even Beakley herself hates Paperinik, curious about it, he went to investigate, almost wishing he didn't. According to his information, there's another secret agency, one which is more bigger than S.H.U.S.H, The Agency, both rivals.
the information reveals that one of the agency's top member, Kay Jay was a double agent, and not only that, she also stole several equipment and vital information. The agency has more strict punishment for traitors, one of them death.
Kay Jay's crime was so severe that she was wanted death, and they sent all the best agents against her, Paperinik included. But, for some reason, even though Paperinik had her, he deliberately let her go, not even trying to re-apprehend her, which caused the death of one veteran S.H.U.S.H agent who tried to prevent her scape. Grimacing, Fenton tries to push away those thoughts, Donald must have his reasons to let her go, in fact, he doesn't picture himself killing someone following orders.
"Gizmoduck." The fake voice calls him, Paperinik is glaring at him, his eyes like steel. "I think we have done enough patrol tonight, let the police handle the rest."
Under the mask, the younger duck blushed, his body stiff "yes, sir!"
Paperinik sighed, closing his eyes. "Uno, bring us back"
And with a flash they were back to Paperinik's hideout.
Once again Gizmoduck landed on his butt, desperately fighting his nausea. Paperinik, on the other hand directly went to his favorite chair, collapsing on it with a groan. Uno decided to appear, startling Gizmoduck, not used to his sudden appearances.
"Paperinik" he greeted, then turning to Fenton "Gizmoduck"
"At your service" said Gizmoduck.
"Dinner is going to be served in a few minutes" the A.I informed. "But would you please go and take a shower, both of you smell."
Paperinik huffed, annoyed. "Can't we eat first then wash later?"
"Sorry, hero. My tower, my rules."
Rolling his eyes Paperinik decided to obey his friend, he stood and ripped the mask from his face.
"You're such a pain, sometimes I want to push my blades on your face."
Uno's eyes rolled at the empty threat. "Whatever you say."
Donald turns, his blue eyes locked on his brown ones, and with that weird fake voice of his said. " Vamos, no te quedes parado ahí. Don't be shy and take your clothes off"
Fenton gave a shy laugh, he knows Donald is playing, and he's amazed about it, usually, Donald has a slight good reputation among the McDuck enterprises' employees as a sweet, awkwardly social dude with a foul temper. But tonight, he's definitely not that Donald, the way he carries himself, his strong, hard features that are somehow still stunningly clumsily Donald. It almost takes his breath away because the feelings are so overwhelming, but not in a romantic way. Ever since the avenger saved earth from those aliens years ago he had been entranced, he have never found someone so fascinating or daring and it scares him in a good way. The avenger was everything he ever imagined him to be, and more.
"You're doing great, Fenton. Your tactics and techniques are a little bit amateur but you're getting better since you started" As he speaks he starts to remove his hat, shield and wrist bands, tossing them aside callously much to Uno's distaste. "And considering you're on the business for only a year and a half and not in a coma, I must say that's a great signal of your potential."
Fenton can't help but swallow hard. "Thanks"
"So how does it feel know that the great Mark Beaks wants you dead?"
Donald asks and his eyes meet Fenton's for just a second before she looks to Uno, who just gives a small smile and one of his typical disapproving glares.
"W-what!?" Stutters Fenton, finally taking his armored costume off.
"Unzip me?" His tone is full of mischief, turning his back to Fenton, a smirk placed firmly in his face. That stupid voice modulator made him sound so not Donald that is weird, eventually Fenton did what Donald asked.
In the background Fenton could hear Uno scolding the avenger in Italian, so he couldn't catch a trace of their conversation. Once done with the zipper, he wants so badly to look away from the scene when Donald starts to remove his jumpsuit, but he can't. Already realizing what's going on, when Donald turned his back to Fenton, asking him to unzip his costume, he knew immediately it would be an act of intimidation, like a trial of worthiness. He expected to see jagged scars where her back had been torn up in battle, instead he stares at his strong shoulders, and toned abs, yeah they are plenty scars, but not that bad. When he turned he noticed the rest of them, one across his chest, right above his heart, also noticed the strange looking amulet that hang on his neck. A strange kind of fear settles inside of Fenton, something he's never felt before this moment. He tries to hide it, not wanting to disappoint his hero.
"You think you're ready?" He asked, his tone neutral. "Look what I went through in a similar mission and survived."
Fenton just stares at him, his heart beating so hard against his ribcage that he's starting to get dizzy.
"I'm not doing this to scare you but to warn you" Donald added. "What we're gonna do is serious."
"I know, but maybe... maybe we could use the help of S.H.U.S.H "
Donald chuckled at his suggestion. "Fenton, S.H.U.S.H would rather shut me than help me, I know you're aware of that."
"yeah, I know." He nervously fiddles his thumbs. "Sorry"
"It's up to you on whether you take the mission or not." Donald told him. "I'm not gonna think less of you if you don't."
Fenton clenched his fists tightly, hissing through his gritted teeth. This was a suicide mission, he knows, if one of the veterans needed help, he knew this was bigger than him. The chances of him coming back alive were slim, it was almost a certain he would die. He could refuse, yeah, but why did it felt like betraying his morals, his family, and especially his boss, Scrooge McDuck. Letting his nephew go alone, risk his life...
"No, I'll go with you. I'm ready." Fenton said with all the determination he could muster. "We're not going to throw away our shot."
Donald smiled. "Uno, proceed on telling us everything we must know."
"Take a bath first!"
[•••••••]
Meanwhile.
Louie was awfully concentrated on reading his ancestors book, reading about the tragedy of Don Dugo. The duck who appeared in his dreams was a valiant one, a formidable soldier, his death was a tragedy that marked the end of an era on the McDuck clan. He was about to turn the page when his brother's yelling caught his attention.
"No WAY!" Hyped Huey, clutched his cellphone like a maniac.
"wow brother, where's the fire?" Asked Dewey, who was losing a game of chess against Webby.
"The duck avenger!" He said. " He went on patrol with Gizmoduck!"
Webby smiled as she moved another piece across the table. "Great! Gizmoduck is making alliances with a veteran, he's doing great!"
Dewey groaned as Webby took another of Dewey's pieces. "Webby, you're such a savage! How come you're so good with this?"
"Uncle Donald taught me!" She squealed in delight.
"Guys! You have to see this, the avenger gave an interview to channel 00"
Everyone rushed to see, Huey did his best to hold his phone property for everyone to see.
Angus Fangus was there, with his smug grin and microphone. He came near and asked Gizmoduck a few questions, then he turned his attention to the avenger.
"So, avenger." He said his name like a curse, his dislike evident. " I see you have a protege. How cute."
The avenger fixed his brown eyes, keeping his face neutral. "Yes."
"So, you consider this new fella, Gizmoduck your friend?"
"yeah, why not?" Paperinik asks, squinting his eyes in amusement. "Are you jealous? What are you asking that?"
Angus smirks. "Oh for nothing. I guess then we're lucky you have such formidable hero as an ally."
"wow, that guy really hates the avenger." Commented Dewey.
Webby nodded. "Not only him, several of reporters and very important people are against the avenger."
"Huh, really? Like who?" Huey asked, pausing the video.
"Uncle Scrooge, for starters."
"What!?" Exclaimed Louie "why?"
"You know the Paperinik's fame. He had killed, he does what he needs to triumph."
"Who else?" Asked Louie.
"My grandmother."
"Now, I'm surprised." Declared Dewey. "Why?"
"She never told me" replied Webby "but then, there's this friend of uncle Donald, Mickey Mouse."
"Mickey Mouse? Isn't a cop, I think I remember him." Says Huey.
Dewey shakes his head. "No, he's a private detective."
"yeah, he doesn't like the avenger, but in his case it's more about envy."
"Envy?"
"Yeah, Paperinik is more quickly solving mysteries than him." She said. "Even though Paperinik lets him keep all the rewards."
Louie raised an eyebrow. "well, let's watch the video."
"Thanks" said Paperinik.
Paperinik without over-thinking it, he clears his throat and extend out his hand, expecting Angus to refuse it. To his surprise, Angus takes it, gently squeezing their fingers together, but then urges Paperinik closer to him, until they're in each other's airspace. A hot, gripping flush rises to Paperinik's face, not in embarrassment, but in rage.
"What about you, Avenger?" Angus' hand squeezes again, loosening its grip. "Yeah, do tell. Do you wait for good things to come to you, or would you rather..."
Finally, Paperinik can politely slip free of the handshake, dropping his arm but doesn't step away, his gaze on the journalist. "Seize the truth and all its pleasures it has to offer," Angus adds, beaming self-satisfied.
"This guy is creepy" commented Huey.
"Agreed" yelled everyone.
"I don't know, you tell me." He says. "What do you call truth? Because all the shit you say about me is not true.
Angus' laughter reverberates melodic and croaking. "Hmmmm, as elegant as always I see."
Paperinik's mouth curls into a wider, toothy smile. "Don't give me that look, I know you want to ask something."
Paperinik tells him his voice fills with pettiness, tilting his head and drawing in closer again to Angus.
Angus' smile fades, a scowl replacing it. "Tell me, avenger. Are you still in contact with Donald Duck?"
"What!?" Yelled surprised the triplets.
"Oh, yeah. Your uncle was known to be one of Paperinik's greatest friends." Webby said as if it was nothing.
"How come!?"
"During years, long before you and I hatched. Your uncle was a friend of him, helped him with escaping and more." She explained. " For some time, people suspected your uncle was Paperinik, until one night..."
"What happened?" Asked Dewey.
"a villain, I don't remember who he was captured your uncle, using it as a hostage to escape." She paused. "And when Paperinik took his sweet time to appear the villain pushed your uncle out of a window."
The triplets' eyes widened.
"But Paperinik caught him, saving him, and capturing the villain." She said. "And ever since that, nobody suspect your uncle anymore."
"wow" was all what they said, as they re-watched the video.
"Yeah, what about him?" He defiantly asked.
"Just asking, making sure of something." He sneered. " Tell me, did Donald Duck finally decided to follow your influence and become a rebel?"
Paperinik doesn't move from where he is, or flinch away from the journalist.
"Sorry." Paperinik says, darkly chuckling.
Surprisingly, Angus' body tenses slightly under the other man's attention. "Didn't know I was the babysitter of a grown-up duck"
"I want to know if Gizmoduck is Donald Duck in disguise! I want to know if we have another menace in town!" Angus yelled, a look of anger growing in his eyes.
Suddenly Gizmoduck takes a few steps back, clumsily his back hits one of the media.
"You amuse me, Angus." The avenger said. "Always seeking someone to mess with. But to answer your question. NO"
A small smile settles on his lips, sneering at Paperinik, that's how he feels.
"Well, that's good news."
Paperinik nodded. " You know how Mr McDuck is, he doesn't appreciate vigilantes, and Donald wouldn't do that to his uncle. Even though he deserved it."
Angus chuckled. "You're pretty found of him."
"Yeah, he's my friend." He says.
"So tell ME, Avenger." He pressed. "What do you have to say about your friend's disastrous amorous life? Are you going to have a try with her?"
The journalist snarled, tasting victory when he saw the fury built in his enemy's eyes.
Paperinik was visibly taken back, his anger boiling to a breaking point, he wasn't in control anymore, he can't have that piece of Shit laugh at how vulnerable and broken he is. His instincts automatically set in as Angus approaches him, and before the reporter has a chance to move his filthy tongue, his hand lock around his wrist, breaking it easily.
Angus howled in pain, tears peaking the corner of his eyes. Paperinik then gave his final declaration.
"Suck my dick"
And with that he ran off, Gizmoduck running after him, muttering a few "SORRY"
"That was brutal!" Said Dewey in awe.
"No wonder why uncle Scrooge doesn't like him." Commented Huey, a little bit disturbed, and worried about Fenton.
"At least we can see he really cares about uncle Donald." Says Louie, going to his bed.
"I wonder if uncle Donald talked to him recently." Wondered our loud Webby.
They stayed up for another hour before going to sleep, and before Louie started to have another nightmare.
[••••]
It was past midnight when Fenton and Donald walked home, but instead of going to the McDuck manor, Donald went to Sylvia's cousin's place where they were staying, since her relatives are on holiday in El Salvador and let her a spare key.
The window swung open to reveal the warm, welcoming living room, it was so sophisticated. Carefully, Donald stepped in, and he closed the window behind him. He silently made his way across the large room, towards the steps which led up to the guest's room, wanting to just fall sleep, but a shy voice stopped him.
"Donnie"
He cursed, he knows this voice, Goofy. He turned, to see George "Goofy" Groof, one of his best friends and fellow superheroes colleagues, that before he erased his memory. There, sitting casually on the couch in front of the fireplace, a couple of tea cups, and some biscuits.
"Goofy" he simply said.
"Come here, Donnie. I just want to talk to you." Goofy added gently, gesturing for Donald to sit down. Donald walked over his friend, but hesitated to sit, that not going unnoticed by the dog. Donald didn't know why, but something didn't feel right, something felt kind of off.
It wasn't just his secret he was worried about, but also Goofy's.
"W-what about?" he asked, cursing his voice for breaking.
"Well, Donnie" Goofy said, his voice uncharacteristically harsh, calling him Donnie over and over again, increasing his uneasiness.
"I've been doing a little research on my financial accounts and my background..." he started, pausing to take a sip of his tea. "How was tonight patrol, by the way?"
Donald stiffened, his breath caught.
Had he seen through his lies? Through his magic?
Carefully, he played a silence charm, so Max and Sylvia won't wake. Donald tried in vain to be calm, but his mind betrayed him dearly.
Did he know his secret? No, he assured himself, it wasn't possible. And if it was, then he MUST erase his memory again.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Oh, I see..." Goofy went on. "well, I apologize, Donnie."
Donald violently flinched, he hated being called "Donnie", though he lets his friends call him that. Why had Goofy used his pet name, he only calls him that when he's angry or sad.
"George... I"
"My dear, Donnie. I know your secret." Goofy said, leaning towards Donald. "You're Paperinik."
A long, defeated sigh escaped Donald's beak. "George..."
Goofy leaned closer, putting his finger on Donald's lips. "Don't try to deny it, just look at you, your injuries."
"What more do you know?" Donald asks
Goofy shrugs. "I don't know, my head is kind of fuzzy."
Donald remains silent.
"You know something, don't you. You did something." Goofy said, like he was in a trance. " You're such a mystery, Donald. Are you the same duck I've come to know after all these years?"
Donald hugs himself as much as his injuries let him, he's surprised that Goofy had gotten so inquisitive, surely, his memory charm is weakening. Another sign of his death, maybe.
But, he can't know the secret about his past job on The Agency, it would destroy him.
As if he could read his mind, Goofy's eyes lit up, an angry, very unusual expression gets hold of Goofy.
"Stop taking me for weak! I can handle the truth, Donald!" He snapped, giving a temper tantrum equal to one of his own. "I CAN, DONNIE. IF I COULD HANDLE MY SON'S HATE I CAN HANDLE ANYTHING YOU HAVE TO SAY!"
Donald sighed, unfazed. Goofy calmed down, and started crying.
"I don't know what's wrong with me, Donald." He sobbed. "I came here to help you, but... tonight I 've started having visions, NO, memories. It's overwhelming."
Donald took his hands on his own, his eyes watering. "My dear friend, of this you must stay very clear. you'll find the answers, but can you really take the truth?"
Goofy didn't hesitated. "Of course."
Donald closed his eyes, concentrating his magic, he cupped his hands in front of his chest. With a determined voice he said.
"REVELIO"
Donald's eyes snapped open, glowing blue, his chest producing a blinding light. But then, from his chest emerged a small ball, from what Goofy could see it was made of glass.
Finally, the charm was done, the small glass ball on Donald's hands.
"What is that?" Asked Goofy.
"Your answers" replied Donald. "Long ago, when we were younger we used to be partners"
"Partners?"
"Long story short, we were part of an organization, like cops. You were part of an program, the hounds of hunt, that program gave you super powers." Explained Donald, Goofy didn't said anything, but he kept his face straight. "You were known as SuperHound, my partner for a few years until you retired."
"Why did I retired?"
Donald just look at him like saying 'really?'
"Because, your son was born."
"Maxie" Donald nodded.
"When Penelope found out she was pregnant, she told you in tears, both were young, neither had finished college." Donald told him, his tone sad. "You decided you were going to dedicate everything to your child. The Agency has clear rules about abandoning the job."
"T-they deleted my memories?" He asked, terrorised. "Gosh..."
"Actually, the answer is yes and no."
Goofy now looks at him confused. "Care to explain?"
"The bad thing about the traditional process is that there's always a risk," Donald revealed, taking the cup of tea, playing with it. "Subjects like yourself, with special abilities are vulnerable to side effects."
Goofy's hands tightened around his own cup.
"your powers are linked to your emotions, you were trained to control that, so you can't cause any accident." Donald set his cup down, still not drinking. "But, without your memories of your training, you would've been like a newborn, needing to be supervised almost any time of you life."
"I wouldn't want that." Goofy sighed, taking a sip of tea.
"No, no, you didn't." Confirmed, then held up the glass ball. "You knew I was a sorcerer, and that I knew a sealing memory charm. That charm in particular is very difficult, and rather painful for both parts I may add."
Unconsciously Goofy flinched, taking a long sip of tea, Donald gulping nervously, recalling that day.
"The advantage of the Clauditis charm is that not only takes the memories but also locks the power without causing any hard." He declared, with a small frown. "And the best of all it's totally reversible."
As he said that, he showed the small ball. "The locked memories are channeled in this ball, and once it's broken, they return to you. But..."
"But?..."
"The bad thing about this is that the retrieval of the memories depends on the ball. If someone else takes the ball, he or she can absorb them, and use them. That's why I decided to hide them within myself, so I will always guard them."
Goofy places a hand on him. "Does it hurt?"
Donald shook his head." The only way for you to have this back is breaking it, and if you don't want them back then I'll have to put them back into me."
Goofy grimaced. "What would happen to you if you keep them more time?"
"Your memories will remain within me until my heart stop beating, if you're still alive by then... well they will return to you, but by force and unexpected."
Goofy's stomach dropped, he gulped. "Sounds unpleasant."
Donald gave no response. After a few moments Donald cleared his throat as Goofy ended his tea.
"So..." muttered Donald. "You want your memories back?"
Goofy looked at him, letting the information sink, considering his options, the good and the bad. Donald was patient, he let his childhood friend think, and deep inside him he hoped Goofy would say yes, so his children would have another protector.
"No. I don't think I'm ready." He said, quietly, almost not believing in his own answer.
Donald forced a smile. "I understand."
With a flick of his hands, the ball disappeared. "I'll go to sleep."
Goofy grabbed him by his wrist, unaware of his injuries, Donald hissed, and Goofy immediately let go.
"You need to let me see that injuries, Donnie." He said, in a very uncharacteristic tone.
Donald just shook his head." The less you know, the better."
Goofy didn't push it more, he just took the untouched tea cup and handed it to Donald. "At least drink this before you go, for me."
Carefully Goofy put the cup on Donald's hands, which the duck happily accepted, downing it in one go, just to avoid the taste, given that the tea is cold. And shortly realising afterwards that, his gullible friend had given him a sleeping pill, He had been just drugged.
He could feel already the effects, he with all of his might muttered a single curse.
"Son of a Bitch!-"
End of chapter six.
Goofy same as Donald has an superhero persona, it's called Super Goofy, but since I want to keep his secret identity I change it to SuperHound.
The Agency is where Donald works as Double Duck, in this story he goes for both alter egos.
As many know, Kay Jay betrayed Donald, I haven't read that chapter correctly, just saw images, I don't know her motives in Canon, but for this story's sake we will use the old, I need to live by my rules.
Beakley has zero tolerance for Paperinik, she had actually shut him on the night her partner died, a newcomer girl who remind her of Webby.
José can't have a break from his nightmares.
Panchito fell in love with Daisy at first sight, but he loved Donald as a brother even more.
Minnie sometimes can be too much unconditional, even when she knows that person was wrong.
Mickey can be a little possessive of his friends, his whole life he was the center of all the attention. That's why he's jealous of his friends' friends, specially with José and Panchito.
Pete is doing better, after his divorce, and spoilers! He actually changed into a decent person, reason why Mickey is jealous of him too.