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
"Infidelity, like death, admits of no degrees."
•Madame Delphine Gay de Girardin
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.
I got a cover image! All Thanks to Nobody's Silent, this chapter is for you!
Chapter 7: Burn: her excuse.
"Son of a bitch!-"
Goofy watched as Donald fell unconscious, not feeling sorry at all, even so, he will apologize when he wakes.
"Sorry, my friend. But you wouldn't let me help you."
Goofy laid Donald on the couch, adjusting his dead weight. Donald's face was a mess, a swallowed left cheek, a bruised right one, a purple nose and a nasty cut on his forehead, they were clean but looked terrible. Goofy groaned, and with that injuries Donald hoped to pass unnoticed?
He replaced the old bandages on Donald's wrists, they were swollen beyond reason. At 1:25 Goofy was done tending his friend, with a groan he collapsed into the chair resting at Donald's right side, obviously exhausted from playing the doctor. Slowly, the dog leaned closer to the sleeping duck, intending to carry him bridal style, the latter unconscious to the world.
Donald's body was tightly pressed against Goofy's, his head resting on his neck, feeling his soft breathing against it. Goofy took him to the guest room, to let him rest, after that he went to sleep himself.
[•••••]
José was eating on a small table, a cupcake, he was hearing Panchito take a shower on the private bathroom the room has. He must admit that, Mr mouse may not be loathed, but boy he's rich, the parrot's even impressed he still lives on the Mouse city's limits instead of the capital. He was relaxed, and longing for a warm bath, they'll be soon with Donald, and José will protect him.
José gulped down his cupcake, and when he was about to eat another one, a gasping sound stopped him. He turned, couldn't help but scream, he shuddered as he saw Donald on his knees, clutching his chest, with blood pouring from his eyes, nose and beak. José could still hear his brother's ragged breathing as he tried to stop the pain tearing him apart.
"Help me...!" Donald muttered, before bursting in flames.
.
.
.
José suddenly sat upright in bed, stifling a scream that quickly turned into a gasping, chocked breathing, but then he broke in tears. His hand automatically grabbed his shirt, right where his heart was pounding against his chest with a violence that frightened him, he almost thought he was having a heart attack. His whole body was shaking with violence, his magic was slightly out of control, the vases exploded and a window cracked.
He was so deep in his panic attack that he didn't noticed Panchito entering the room, and grabbed him around the chest and pulled him into a hug, making his sobs muffled in his chest. They sat there, with José still crying, but now he has Panchito.
Mickey and Minnie went to see what happened to José, worried about what could have caused that kind of scream. José was a crying mess, his green feathers seemed pale, his usually charging hazel eyes were staring blankly out the window, still broken.
Mickey opened his mouth, but close it quickly. He doesn't know what to say, he doesn't even know what kind of fear the parrot could have. Maybe he was suffering an episode of PTSD, after all he was in the navy with Donald, and heck, Donald suffers from that a lot. The last time he saw Donald have an episode was in his own wedding, an incident with the fireworks. The technician accidentally activated the pyrotechnic sooner, without any warning, making a stunning sound, causing the duck to fall in panic. He hadn't really noticed it at first; it certainly wasn't one of his biggest concerns at the moment, the horses they rented to entertain the children got spooked. Mickey tried to put a good face, he saw Donald sweating, and Goofy doing his best to keep him calm. Both Mickey and Minnie foolishly assumed it would pass, Minnie more focused on her little resentment, since her best friend, Daisy, married two weeks prior was already living in England, and not being able to be her maid of honor, like she was on hers. As the event progressed, Donald's tickle became worse and much harder to ignore, now Minnie was getting worried.
Donald's sucking in gasps of hot, stuffy air, teary eyes. Acid rises up in his throat, sour and burning, José came with a paper bag (where did he got that?) After done, Panchito passed him a glass of water, the rooster massaged his back.
His very breath was shaking, stuttering, looking so vulnerable. Donald kept clearing his throat, coughing quietly into the back of his hand when no one was looking, and downing water like a fish that had found itself on dry land. Donald cleared his throat again, a bit more irritably this time, loosened his tie a bit, but didn't helped at all.
In the end he collapsed, not able to catch a breathe, sweating like a river. When he came to his senses, it was Goofy who gave him a kind of inhaler, which the duck quickly used. After short seconds he was okay, but his gaze was lost.
Back to reality, Panchito was still hugging José, the rooster rested his hand in José's head, and José holding it. Minnie excused herself, and her husband assumed she went to the kitchen.
"Todo estará bien... mi amigo, solo respira." Whispered Panchito, then he hummed a kind of lullabye.
After an eternity Minnie finally came with tea.
"It's cinnamon and milk, I hope it helps you." She said.
Panchito didn't respond, only nodded, then helped José to drink. The Brazilian parrot could only have half of the cup, before refusing to drink more, then, without any shame of Minnie and Mickey, he tried to bury himself further into Panchito's neck. The Mexican rubbed his back, unsure of what he should do next.
"obrigado, irmão" said José, forgetting to speak English. 'Thanks, brother.'
Panchito could understand and speak Portuguese fluently, but his assent was more thick than Donald's, but apparently, José wanted to speak in his mother language.
"Você é bem-vindo, você quer falar sobre o seu sonho?" he asked hesitantly. 'You're welcome. Do you want to talk about your dream?'
José quickly shook his head against Panchito's neck, being the sensitive Panchito is, he nodded against José, caressing his back.
An awkward feeling fell upon the married couple, not understanding a word of Portuguese. That's for sure one of the few things Donald does better than Mickey, the duck not only speaks his native English, but also Spanish and Portuguese, very fluently. Also, the funny thing about that is, Donald is more understandable when he speaks those two languages.
José didn't move for another couple of minutes, he's just sat with his arms in his lap and his head against Panchito's shoulder.
"Estou com medo, Panchito. " cried José. I'm scared, Panchito'
Panchito stroked and kissed José's feathery head. "Eu sei, estou com medo também. mas devemos ser corajosos" 'I know, I'm scared too. But, we must be brave'
"Às vezes eu não acho que posso fazer isso." José admitted defeated. 'sometimes, I doubt I can do this'
José's voice was becoming louder and more urgent and pleading. Panchito and Minnie felt their heart break, Mickey too felt bad, and after taking the hint, he and Minnie were gone. Without a moment of hesitation, Panchito climbed into José's bed and held him close to him, so his chest was pressed against the parrot's back.
"Sim, eu também, mas agora é melhor dormir." He whispered. ' yeah, I know, but right now, the best thing to do is sleep.'
José still cried a little bit, but moments later, his muscles relaxed and there was silence. Within a few minutes, José was still and his breathing was even which indicated that he finally fell asleep and he was at peace in his sleep. Panchito sighed in relief, and it was not long before he felt his eyes began to become heavy and he fell asleep by his friend's side.
[••••]
It was early in the morning, Scrooge didn't sleep at all, still in his room, glaring the remains of the burned photos. The kids were avoiding him, but somehow he was glad, he wasn't in the mood to respond to anyone. He heard footsteps coming to his way, too softly to be the kids, but too heavy to be Beakley.
The door opened, but he didn't turn, the foul smell of alcohol and cigarettes burned his nostrils.
"Uncle..."
Sighing, Scrooge turned, trying to not show emotion at the sight of his lucky nephew. The usually good looking hybrid was unrecognizable, misaligned, his clothing dirty and torn, and he has a black eye.
"I see you met George out there." He said.
Gladstone, noticing the still red mark on his uncle's cheek smirked. "I can say the same to you."
Scrooge growled, but said nothing. Gladstone then continued.
"So, I assumed the scheduled adventure for today is cancelled."
"I'm not in the mood, Gladstone!" He hissed.
Gladstone crossed his arms. "You think I am!? I've been mocked all the way here, I was lucky that someone took pity of me and let me stay at her closet while she worked!"
"You got drunk."
"Of course I got drunk!" Gladstone snapped "MY LIFE IS RUINED"
Scrooge didn't know how he moved so fast, but when he less expected he was already at Gladstone's side, giving him a heck of slap.
In that moment, Gladstone morphed from an enraged adult to a frightened child, holding his cheek in pain and his eyes with tears. "Why!?"
"You only think of yourself!?" The older duck took him by the shoulders. "You ruined his marriage!"
Gladstone hiccups constantly, his tears clouding his eyes. "I didn't mean that!"
Scrooge shook him, a little bit harder than he meant to. " Then what, Gladstone!? Then what!?"
"I don't know!" He cries, his tears falling down his dirty cheeks. " I don't know, uncle. It was working... she just agreed to be with me when she and Donald were having trouble."
"How could you, Gladstone" Scrooge snarled. "How could you do that to your cousin."
"I don't know, uncle... I loved her." He lamely said.
"More than your own cousin!?" Scrooge rubbed exasperated his face.
"I know a have no excuse, but maybe, I can fix this." Gladstone said. "You think he's going to forgive us?"
Scrooge let go of Gladstone's shoulders, his hands sweaty and tense. "I don't know, last time we argued he didn't talk to me for ten years."
Gladstone was shocked, he too remember a discussion he and Donald had a few months after Della's incident. He had said things he couldn't take back, and as a consequence he didn't knew nothing of Donald for five years.
"let's give him time." Gladstone said.
Scrooge didn't have another option but to agreed. "Aye, let's rest a little bit, Beakley will make breakfast later."
Gladstone smelled himself, frowning at his odour. "I'll take a shower."
"yes, please do that."
[••••]
The alarm clock awoke Donald, at his normal hour, as his eyes and brain awakened, he began to recall what had happened the previous night.
"Goofy, I'm going to kill you..."
With a groan he got out the bed, his wrists feeling better, and his bruises not hurting anymore. He dressed in his work uniform, and went downstairs to pick something small to eat. When he reached the kitchen he found Sylvia and Max eating, Goofy cooking.
"Good morning, old pal!" Goofy said loudly.
Donald, without regarding Sylvia and Max, gave his friend the middle finger. And to Sylvia and Max's surprise, Goofy also gave him the finger.
"Good morning Mrs Marpole." Said Donald, giving her a small bow.
Sylvia, despite herself, smiled. " Sylvia is okay."
Donald nodded, then turned to Max. "Max, nice to see you again."
"Same to you, Mr Duck." He responded, standing up and giving him a hug.
"So, you're going to work, my friend? " Goofy asked, flipping hotcakes, and served a glass of juice. "Here you go!"
Donald was glad that he got breakfast, he really missed Goofy's cooking. "Yeah, you know, I gotta save money for the boys' college!"
Goofy hummed in acknowledge. "Ohhh, yeah. I started saving money for Maxie's college since he started kindergarten."
Max rolled his eyes, letting his father call him 'Maxie'
"They grown up so fast!" Said Donald, remembering when the boys were babies.
They talked about kids, and college, and even life itself.
"Ohhh, by the way, I'm sorry for not going to your graduation." Donald said sadly. "The kids were sick and I have to take care of them."
Goofy just smiled. "Don't worry, Don"
"I'm glad you met someone to love." Donald take a look of Sylvia. "She's beautiful."
Sylvia blushed, giggling a little. "Ohhh you're sweet."
"Oh! Right! Now that I remember..." Goofy snapped his fingers." You see, Donald. I want to ask you something..."
"Yeah?" Donald raised an eyebrow, he bit his toast.
"You see... Sylvia and I are going to get married, and since you are my best friend, I want you to be one of my best man."
Donald gulped hard, not knowing what to say, yeah he knows he's best friend with Goofy, and he had been Mickey's best man, but he was truly surprised that, even after all this time, Goofy still calls him his best friend.
"I...I... Goofy, are you sure?" He asks.
Goofy took Donald's hands, a determined look on his face. "Of course! Gorsh Donald, I want you to share my happiness with you and Mickey."
Donald smiled, taking a sip from his juice. "So, I take old Pete is one of the best man!"
Goofy nodded, and patted Donald's shoulder. "Yeah, and, he told me to say hi and that, he's on your side."
Donald felt better, Pete had changed, he's still not the father of the year but at least PJ has a real dad now. "Good."
"So, Don, what do you say?"
"Of course, my friend. I'll be your best man."
Donald was enjoying his breakfast, hearing Max, his college life, PJ's girlfriend and more. Suddenly, his gaze focused on Sylvia, his magic sensing a presence within her. Now, picking with curiosity, he focused his magic on her, trying to not get their attention.
Then he felt it, there it was small, tiny energy signature. It was a life, yeah a life, there was a life growing within Sylvia's body, it took a little bit of more concentration to know the gender.
Male.
It was totally a boy, Goofy's second son, and now he's wondering if his friend is aware of this, possibly not, maybe neither Sylvia knows about it. Happily, he remembers when José, Panchito and him used his powers to know the triplets gender, and even making bets about it, he recalls how Della, Scrooge, Daisy, Mickey and Minnie told put their money on the pink balloon and he, his fellow caballeros, grandma Elvira, Goofy and Fethry on the blue.
Then the result of the exam came out, boys, all boys. Donald truly thought his uncle was having a fit, since he lost a lot of money.
Finished his breakfast he decided to speak with Goofy after work, after all he needs to know.
[••••]
Tempest started her shift earlier, and threatened everyone on the mall staff to not utter a word of the McDuck pamphlet. She appreciate Donald a lot, he listens to her, and he's good at keeping secrets. Fitzroy is keeping his distance, and Tempest has to give him credit, he's smart to know about consequences.
Commander Bloom forced her to take an extra hour to rest, which she occupied to smoke a cigarette, took a deep breath, then blew the smoke. Donald's shift will start in an hour, and she hopes no one mess with him.
"Tempest" The young woman turned, giving her boss a military salute.
"I need you to do me a favor." He said.
Tempest nodded, giving a deep inhale before dropping her cigarette, and stepped on it. "Anything for you, sir"
The old dog smiled. "There's a new girl in work, I need you to help her, show her around, and introduce her."
Tempest internally groaned, if there's a person more social awkward than Donald it's her. But put a good face.
"Yes, sir."
Maybe things are going to get interesting, when Donald came they did.
[••••]
It was noon, he could know it form just having a look at the window, but he felt so refreshed. When he had fully awakened, he realised that his back was feeling hotter than the rest of his body and that there was an extra weight on that side of the bed.
As he focused, he saw a ringed hand near his face, a soft snores behind. He half turned slowly and saw an arm draped around him, Panchito's arms holding him close. Surprised, he turned around completely, being careful to not wake the rooster, and saw him sleeping peacefully by his side.
"hehehe..." he chucked, giving Panchito a small caress. "It had been a long time since we slept like that."
Truth to be told, the three of them enjoy sleeping like this with each other. During their time in the navy or just when they stayed at. Each other place they would cuddle together often, not always, but often enough. Their families questioned about their sexuality, especially Donald's, but the answer was always the same, just brothers. No, they have nothing against the gays, but they aren't, and sometimes it get old quickly to get questioned frequently about it. Actually, the three of them have been in love with women, Donald and himself a Casanova. But they are so secure about their sexuality that they can do this and much more without any problem, not caring about everyone else's opinion. However, he had always noticed how Mickey reacts about these kind of affection between males, according to Donald, Mickey's father was strictly conservative. Donald always saying that Walter never liked him, since forever, and it got worse when they started sleeping together.
Donald...
José sat up, hiding his face in his hands and trembled. Every single night he had almost the same dream, Donald losing some kind of fight, or just dying, and every night it got worse. Sighing, José shook himself, trying to get rid of the effects of the dream. Nothing can get to them, even apart they have magic, each can defend himself against almost everything, exempt Felldrake. But Felldrake is gone and not coming back. He wanted so bad to believe his own words, tirelessly he pulled the covers off and got out of bed. It was 12:30 half of the day lost, Mickey and Minnie must be working already, it was the right time to hit the road, but first he decided to take a look around the house.
As expected the house was empty, smiling José decided to return the favor to them. With a flick of his wrist the house was shining clean, satisfied with his work José went to wake his friend up. Surprisingly, Panchito was already up and dressed, ready to go.
"Did I wake you?" Panchito shook his head.
"No. I just wake a few minutes later than you." Replied with a smile, then added. "Ready to go?"
"Ready when you are"
"Then let's go!"
José helped Panchito to collect their things, and practicality forced Panchito to let him drive. Begrudgingly Panchito let him, but ad soon as his head touched the seat he was fast asleep, and he didn't even started the car.
José gave a small shake of the head, chuckling as shifting the car into reverse, José pulled out of the Mouse's driveway and drove through the neighborhood their house was in, onto the highway to Duckburg. It took awhile to get to the right road, he doesn't know the streets so well, after all, it was always Donald driving or Panchito.
José was staring out the window silently, focused on the road, with Panchito asleep he felt bored rather fast. José's thoughts were on Donald, and his fate, his grandmother always taught him that sometimes visions are just warnings, and a Warlock like himself has to learn when to interfere. But the parrot felt like he should at least try to protect him, to lock him until he knows it's safe to leave, but he didn't want to be too pushy or make him feel paranoid. Even though Panchito was with him he felt lonely, he didn't want to turn the radio on since Panchito is sleeping, and he needs his sleep. His solution was simply, he started to hum quietly to himself as he drove. José hummed their favorite song, Panchito reacted a little when he got a few notes into the tune, but further than that he didn't wake.
Unknown to José, Panchito was very aware, it's a spell that he learned from Donald. "Nictapetri" a spell you can perform on yourself or others, and make the objective of it fall asleep, a deep sleep but awfully aware. The spell let you have the benefits of sleep, but your mind it's awake, and depending on the victim of the spell, the awareness it's greater. In non magical folks the experience is something like the sleep paralysis, in magical amateurs they only can hear, but not see, and in some cases it's only the sight, but not hearing. Magical with some training have both, but when they wake, all the experience lived during the journey is forgotten. But sorcerers trained like them have them both, and when they wake still have their memories. Donald told him how he got this spell, during his childhood, in one of his uncle's shenanigans of his, he let Donald behind, and the evil wizard caught him. Locked him in his personal library, not knowing of Donald being a Magi, the magic in Donald's blood calling. With rare luck, he found a book, and that spell, he ripped the page off. In that moment, he didn't knew why, but after learning about his destiny he practiced that spell.
Donald told him how helpful the spell was for a spying, since he's always the bait in his uncle's shenanigans, he at least can be useful and get information by faking unconsciousness. Panchito of course, due his family business this spell was extremely useful, just like right now.
He bewitched himself right now, for José's sake. If he doesn't sleep, he'll worry, but Panchito NEED to keep an eye on him, since he's taking too much stress. If Panchito refuse to sleep, like he want to, José would know he's having nightmares as well, not as strong as José's, but still horrible, and that will only cause worry. And that's what José doesn't need, the parrot always put too much pressure on his own shoulders, since he's the only Warlock among them.
But if José thinks Panchito id sleeping peacefully, and that he can stay aware without his knowledge, so he can take care of him, they both win.
Simple.
The car have been climbing steadily for some time now, and the Mexican noticed that José was driving the road far more slowly than he usually would, the parrot known as a dare devil behind the wheel. Internally, he smiled, touched by such act, he doesn't want to wake him. José glances over at him, making sure he's comfy, even conjured a blanket for him.
Then, José turns his full attention to the road, guiding the car through another curve, tapping his fingers on the wheel and continues his humming. Despite Panchito being the older of the three and José the youngest, it's him who is always being guarded by Donald and José. Sometimes it felt great, having two brother who protect you no matter what. Unlike his two blood older brothers and sister, whose everything is a competition. And his younger brother, who's always on his own. With Donald and José, he finally got brothers, and as same as they watched over hi, Panchito will give everything for them.
Even being the weakest magician, even when he's too naive, and even when he's always the helpless one, he will fight with everything he got.
After all... he has been training with his uncle in the desert, the only magician on the family apart from himself.
[•••••]
It was lunch time, and Donald is wondering where Tempest is, he haven't seen her since his shift started. Eating the lunch that Goofy's soon to be wife, Sylvia packed him, the duck was preparing himself for tonight's plan, he plans to leave some Daisy's photos and stuff to her sister house. Along with the engagement ring, maybe Donna can sell it and buy the girls something good. Finishing his cake he stood, and walked towards the bathrooms, to do his business.
Donald entered, and just as he was about to take out his jacket he saw a girl looking at the mirror, confused he stopped in his tracks. He even considered he had made a mistake, and checked if he did, after confirming that, he was indeed in the men's bathroom, he looked at the girl.
It was a petite dog girl, short as she can be, with fiery red hair, short, cut to the nape of her neck. Embarrassed he faked a cough, to politely tell her about her mistake, she turned and now Donald could see her better.
Her short hair was perfectly brushed down, a lone bang fell towards her right side of her face, a small hairpin on his left. Her Brown eyes were like mirrors, telling him a story, under the left one was a mole. Her lip, softly shaped, like hiding a kiss, only making her look more innocent.
"Excuse me, you're on the men's bathroom." He started. "Don't worry, it's a common mistake... I did the same when I was new."
And talking about new, that girl must be new, because never, not even once since he started working on Duckburg mall had seen that girl. The girl in question, instead of answering was staring, and looking like he was debating something in her head. Gulping hard, she stiffed her body, and opened her mouth.
"The flower that grows on the dark side of the moon, is the most beautiful of all."
Donald gasped, his expression briefly showed surprise, but then fell into something more serious. Giving two steps backwards, he locked the bathroom, his magic telling him they were alone. That phrase, that single sentences are extremely secret, only graduated members, staff, person of interest and VIP allies know that phrase. It is a small protocol among them, to let any agent know that they have an ally near, or a person to protect. Normally, a mission starts with that phrase.
"Who are you?"
The girl, no more than eighteen, attempted to twirl her hair, but then realized it was too short for that, blushing deeply. Coughing, she faced Donald, trying and failing miserably at looking confident.
"I'm Anne Sirius... " she said, but quickly added. "But ...it's short for my actual name, and... well... if you want..."
Donald stopped her with a hand gesture, he can work with that, and besides, she looks like she's going to pass out. "So Anne, how come you know that phrase?"
Anne's expression turned somehow darker, she even looked like she aged. "My father is an agent, Fidel Sirius or better known as Rouge Menace"
Donald nodded in understanding, the famous agent RM, he retired after his daughter was born, a couple of months after Goofy. But he actually requested a minor role on The Agency, an option he had taken when the time was right (a.k.a. the triplets).
"So... why did you join?"
Anne looked away, her face sad. "When I graduated from high school my father got hurt, and... that happened at my home, I couldn't do anything, I was helpless."
Donald could relate with her, when Scrooge or Della were their imprudent selves. and Donald didn't knew anything about medicine.
"Luckily, an agent was near, but... after that experience I decided to join." She explained. "I'm not a great fighter though, I joined but to be a nurse."
Donald tilted his head. "A nurse?"
Anne smiled. "Yes, sir."
"Neat!"
Anne giggled, rubbing her left forearm. "Yeah, my shift starts at the night... we are a especial ambulance, only called when an agent is injured, while a team clean the scene."
"That's creepy..."
"I know and... I'm still a trainee, but they let me help." She said, making a cute face" I've attended a couple of agents and all!"
"I'm glad." He said dryly. "Don't get me wrong, Anne. But, why are you telling me this?"
Anne hugged herself as she said. "In case you need help."
Donald stifled, showing her his wrist. "Like this?"
She nodded."Yeah, just like that."
"ok..." He said, and proceed to unlock the door. "Now go before someone gets the wrong idea."
"Aye aye sir."
[•••••]
Huey watched Louie sleep, a cold rag on his forehead, he was suffering a little fever. Ever since the nightmares started Louie's health was affected. Dewey was easily fooled by Louie's lies, and went with Webby to play outside, but Huey knows better.
Maybe it was something about him being the older, or maybe something about turning thirteen the next year. But, recently he felt something within himself, he could feel that urge to be more empathetic towards other's emotions. And not only that, he started to be more self-conscious, a rare ability if he's honest. Out of the blue he could not only sense his own energy, but also could sense Louie's, and some other's, but his uncle Donald's, being the stronger one around. Timidly, Huey touched Louie's forehead, and immediately removed his hand because his brother's forehead was too hot. He was about to call uncle Donald, but remembered yesterday's events, and uncle Scrooge is out of the question.
The red loving duck frowned, he's angry with his great uncle, but unlike the spear of Selene's incident he can't stay too angry at him. The eldest of the Duck brothers could feel all the grief and pain the miser was feeling, it was overwhelming. And now, he knows how his brothers feel.
Dewey is conflicted, unsure of what to do, between his love to his surrogate father and his rich uncle, not fully understanding about Scrooge's sin. The only clear feeling about it was disgust, but not towards Scrooge or their uncle Donald, but towards uncle Gladstone.
Louie, on the other hand is the most loyal, totally on uncle Donald's side, and even hating someone he doesn't even know, hating that Daisy gal. And, almost as strong as his hate is his betrayal, he felt betrayed by Gladstone, and his bitterness so evident that he can even taste it.
Shaking his head he replaced the rag on Louie's forehead, his brother's hair was stuck to his forehead with sweat and he was much paler than normal, except for his cheeks, which were bright red, undoubtedly from the fever. Despite the blankets that were wrapped around Louie's fragile form, he shook and trembled violently muttering things he could not hear.
"I wish I could know what's wrong, brother." Huey whispered, putting his hand on his brother's temple, only to be blinded by a shining light.
Huey awoke to blackness. A weird, haunting noise in his ears that would have made him flinch in fear, only to realise that he couldn't move an inch. He looked around, and saw no one, not even Louie or their room for that matter. Around him, all he could perceive was that noise, and blackness.
Then, he heard a voice above him, a oddly familiar yet unknown voice that seemed to be uncle Donald's, but he couldn't be sure, it was slightly different. It might just have been just his imagination, creating different swirls of noise forming words that he could understand. Suddenly a flash of light soared passed him and made his vision spin, making him feel heavier. The blackness had vanished to be replaced by a dramatic blue sky and grass swaying gently in a warm spring breeze, it was almost perfect, but then... he saw them.
A group of people, two of them wearing an armor, which helmets covered their faces. And the third, he almost passed out when he saw him, a duck, but not any duck, it was THAT duck Louie showed them on the library. He gulped, bile raising on his throat, the duck looks just like his uncle.
With terror he realizes what's going on, the duck, the one wearing regular Victorian clothing was dying, a large wound on his chest. He turns, and see that his partners are trying to save him, but... there's too much blood. One of them, the red armored warrior was desperately putting pressure on the would, but, by the sound of his sobbing, he knew it was useless. There was so much blood that the color of the fabric of the uncle Donald's look alike clothing was impossible to discern.
"Vas a estar bien, …-go" The red one, soothed. ' you're going to be okay.'
Huey couldn't understand a word, and then he couldn't hear anymore, the conversation between the strangers went on, but he couldn't hear. He can't take it any longer, the man dying was so much like uncle Donald that it hurt his heart to look at him.
''It's beautiful, isn't it?'' The voice from before, now more clear snapped him out of trance.
Huey looked around to saw that he was not longer alone, and that the scene before him changed. Now he was in a lake, and it was sunset, the duck from before, the one who was dying had appeared from Selene knows where, and his face glistened with a happy smile.
He almost cried, he had never seen uncle Donald smile like that, and seeing that on that duck caused him sadness.
''Yes, it is.'' he quietly answered, and together they watched the last of the sun's lights merge in the sky.
The man before him smiled sweetly at him again, and that followed a small caress. Then slowly returned his gaze to the lake, and for the first time, Huey could see the duck properly. He indeed confirmed he looked like his uncle, and that unnerved him beyond reason.
Don Dugo, he recalls. The duck with emerald eyes that looked that he was about to cry, just like his uncle's ones, and his long hair that reached down his shoulders, waving gracefully in the wind.
"Dark times are coming." He says, his voice ghostly numb.
"W-what!?" Huey stutter, suddenly feeling tired.
But Don Dugo didn't say anything else, he just walked towards the lake, stepping on the water. Huey feared he was going to fall into deep waters and drown, he moved to stop him but, to his total astonishment he was walking above the surface like it was nothing.
"But, there's still hope..." He continues. "Yes, hope. Growing."
Huey's vision changed. And then, he saw him.
Paperinik.
He was standing on the rooftop of a skyscraper, one Glomgold owned, below him a large crowd at his feet, a kind of shield attached to his right hand as the cheer of this people echoed in his ears. A hat on his hair, a mask tied to his face, such sharp eyes that showed to the world that he was born with the purpose of defending the world.
Paperinik turned, his brown eyes burned with determination, and gave Huey a small bow.
"Those who do not know the danger of wielding power will, before long, be ruled by it."
That words stroke hard into him, he forced his eyes close, and when he opened them, the avenger was still there, but glowing with power, but his eyes were completely black, corrupted. The hero charged an attack, smiling wickedly at him.
He saw the grassy ground and closed his eyes in fear, waiting for the end, but it never came. Carefully opening he searched for the avenger, but, the duck had disappeared.
"Never forget that…" Huey gasped, it was his uncle's voice. He turned, but, like the avenger, he was glowing, with black eyes.
Bloodied and sweaty, he stood before him. His eyes, overtaken by the same influence as the avenger, turning his corrupted expressionless face, clearly showed the puppet he had become. And like any puppeteer would do, the dark influence pulled his strings and made him raise a dagger.
The boy, tormented by his uncle's situation, could not move as his dagger flash upwards.
"Hidalgo!"
With a terrified shriek, he and his little brother awoke.
[•••••]
Later, late afternoon.
Donna and her girls were having a pre-dinner snack, tea and cookies. The elder of the sisters wondering about the future, and even considered moving out the town, just for a while. The girls, now in resting from their studies, well, at least April and May, since June spent this year in the military school, aspiring to join the navy. Donna mused about it, June, the younger and the most naive of the three decided to follow Donald's steps.
She remembers the time when her sister and the girls stayed a while in The new Quakmore institute, and how Donald inspired her daughters so much, how close they got, sometimes she even started to believe that they saw Donald like the father they never had. She even gave a laugh at that, she and Donald went out during a few years in high school, but broke up with him for popularity and, well... now she's ashamed, but him not having money to give her constantly big gifts was a reason. And Donna knows it was for the same reason her sister had, both of them too immature. But, in the end they didn't knew better, her mother, a strong woman, but heartbroken by her husband's sudden death. Left alone with three children to raise, her older brother, Darren, having to work between classes to get his own things and help a little.
But, when it comes to the girls, her mother had another type of advice.
"The world it's a cruel place for women, specially not married"
"Why mama?"
"Because life's unfair, that's why you both girls have to learn"
"Learn?"
"To fight it. Life's harder for us women, so you must learn to fight for what you want, not caring about who's on the way."
"Even friends? Or my sister?
"Sometimes, the hardest decisions are meant only for the bravest."
"Then what I have to do mama?"
"You must use everything you got. "
"How?"
"By being smarter than the smartest.
More daring than the devil.
More dashing than the stars.
If you got got one, you'll manage, but if you got it all, then the world is yours."
She remembers that conversation, his brother never agreed with that kind of philosophy, but her mother planted that seed into their heads anyways. And Donna must admit that, at first it worked, sadly to her, she wasn't as smart as her siblings, but being always more popular than her sister ever was, flying even higher each time, until.
Until.
Until she got too close to the sun.
She was always a player, it's how she got to the top. But as years went by, she was getting sick of it, maybe some of Donald's influence, maybe the dirty looks she got, but in the end, she wanted something different.
Something more, be part of something bigger. A family, and then he met him, her girls' father. She always thought he was the one, he was the reason she left Donald, a boy in her eyes, few years young and she was the reason he left his girlfriend, too mature for his taste. They dated for years, and she totally fell for him, and like her sister's relationship, it was a toxic one, with on and offs, with him taking the lead. And when she finally thought he was going to marry her, he told her he was going to marry someone else and move overseas.
She raged, she cried, even begged, and told him about her pregnancy. The answer to that still haunts her.
"Get rid of it"
She couldn't, nor wanted. She returned home, defeated and ashamed, but she doesn't regret her decision. She can't regret her girls, they're the reason she got up every morning after that.
She will never regret to have:
April, the leader, and a young successful writer of fiction, with only one book and the sequel coming, several editorials have put their faith on her.
May, her sassy spitfire, giving motivational speeches once per month, and being an scholar counselor.
June, the sweet one, with big ideas, and always wanting to help, now enlisted in the navy, her bravery inspired by Donald and some friends of him.
She's glad that they got a good influence from them, knowing her sister tried to teach the girls her ways.
"Dinner's ready!" Announced cheerfully June, snapping Donna of her thoughts.
"Thank you dear." She smiled. "Maybe you should call your auntie, so she could join."
Despite her smile being brighter than ever, Donna noticed the flash of denial before June nodded.
Donna can't blame her "I'll set the table. Call your sisters."
June ran off, and with a sigh she started her task, but suddenly interrupted. The door, who could it be?
"Coming!" She yelled, walking to the small windows next the door.
Slowly, she inched the curtains back and immediately let them drop, so quickly that she prays he haven't noticed.
What was Donald doing here?
Donna stopped for a few seconds as she tried to think of what she should do next, the reason of Donald's visit eluded her. There wasn't much reason for the duck to come and talk to her, specially after that kind of humiliation, unless it was something important. But, Daisy was here, so are the girls, and the last thing she wanted was an scandal.
"Donna, please. I can literally see you pacing like a terrified rabbit." Donald softly called out from the other side of the door, his voice just as hoarse as she remembered.
She breathed deeply and played with the her long hair for just a moment, her hand hesitated on the way up to the doorknob, but after a moment she put her hand on it and opened the door.
Donald, maybe unintentional, put on the most awkwardly smile he could, and she could feel her own face doing the same.
"Good evening, Donna." He greets, and she does the same.
"What brings you here?" She asked, more harshly than she needed but can't say something else.
Donald blushed, and struggled to say something, clumsily he raised the box he was holding. A few more tedious moments passed by and now Donna had started to feel the suspense about that box, then Donald finally answered.
"I just came to return this" he said, placing the box into her hands.
"What is this?"
"Some stuff that belongs to your sister."
Donna was about to protest, but she was passed by, and saw Donald being tacked by an yellow, orange and purple blurs.
"Uncle Donald!"
Donna watched as her girls hugged and kissed Donald, the male duck returned their affections.
"ohh, girls!" He explained with joy. "You're so big, so sweet."
"Uncle, I'm going to be a marine just like you!" June announced proudly.
Donald beamed, his expression gracing his face, making look so young. "I'm so proud of you, my girl!"
He kissed each girl on the forehead. "I'm proud of each of you."
Before anyone could continue the conversation, a voice caught their attention, someone who they completely forgot was there.
"Donald..."
Soon Daisy Duck descended the stairs, entering her sister's living room, feeling extremely guilty and embarrassed that Donald has to find out about the affair this way. And now, she have to face him, right here, right now.
Donna watches her sister and ex stood in silence, for what feels likes forever, until Donald coldly turn his back on Daisy.
"Girls, let's go, we're going to Wendy's"
"But-!" All protected, but Donna pushed them, opened the door and left. But not before leaving the box behind.
"Donald..."
Without glaring at her he went to the chimney, Daisy opened the box, gasping picked one of the letters. She noticed how much he treasures those letters, dearly to his heart.
His tears shining with the fire, neither could say something, and that was getting to her nerves.
"You saved every letter I wrote you" she says softly, reading the letter, remembering when she wrote this. "From the moment you read them, you knew you were mine, You said you were mine, I thought I was yours."
Donald didn't say anything, and now Daisy dares to walk closer. Holding the letter, nothing how cheesy they were. During their early years of being a young couple, Donald and herself would write a considerable amount of love letters to each other, earning annoyed glares from their families. Then, from the box takes a photo, it was the wedding rehearsal, in showed her, Donald, José and Panchito.
"Yes, I know what Francisco said, when they saw my first letter arrive." Francisco was only being older a brother to Donald, back in those old days of the navy. " he said, "Be careful with that one, bro, she will do what it takes to survive."
The Mexican rooster warns his brother to be careful, as Donna and her had fame of a player back then, a problem. Though she knows that Donald brushes it off, since he assumes Francisco is just overreacting, since the three of them were overprotective of each other.
Donald remembers that conversation too, and shed a tear, now he's wishing he would've taken Panchito's warning more seriously. Tears continue to stream down his face, but he doesn't turn to face her, since he couldn't bear to look at Daisy right now. And she understands, after this cruel betrayal she has brought upon her relationship, how could he.
"Me and my charms flooded your senses, our sentences left us defenseless" she admits, her voice shaking. "I built you palaces out of paragraphs, you built cathedrals."
Back then, the young duck assuming that each word meant something to his heart. He thought Daisy loved him deeply with all her heart, and that he even hoped she was forced to marry that duck, but now he began doubting that as well. Did any of the letters mean something to Daisy? De couldn't have all the answers, since what was his world was slowly burning down.
"You were re-reading the letters I wrote you, searching and scanning for answers in every line, for some kind of sign" She was now crying, she walked even more closer. "And when you were mine, our world seemed to burn"
"Burn…?" He mutters.
Now, memories of their early life as friends, and some during their relationship are slowly burning by his raging fire. Donald remembers the letters in the pamphlet, some of Gladstone wrote to Eliza, love letters that seem to be endless between this duck and Daisy. After a while, Donald finally looked at Daisy, into her eyes, the female duck shrunk a little, seeing her ex-fiance's eyes filled with betrayal and rage.
"I published the letters he wrote me, I told the whole world about Gladstone taking your place in our bed." Daisy cried, taking his hand. "In smearing his name, I've ruined our lives."
She tried to put her hand on his face, but he shook her off. Making his way towards the box he brought, and started to search something. Shaking her head, and wiping her tears she continued to talk.
"Yes, I can imagine what José will say, when he reads what I've done?" Donald visually flinched, but didn't stop his search. "He'd say "You've almost married an Icarus, she's flown too close to the sun."
Icarus?
Icarus.
He's surrounded by them, almost everyone is an Icarus.
Uncle Scrooge.
Della.
His boys.
And even Daisy herself.
He's sick of it, sick of just being a pawn on their games, never a partner, never a respectable father figure, never a good husband.
He finally snapped.
He took a handful of the letters and photos, and threw them to the ground, and stepping on them. Daisy stepped forward reaching toward him, a muffled cry leaving her beak. He stood there, still as a rock, Donald turned to face her, but refusing to look at her. He held out his hand, in a clear stop gesture.
She did.
"You and your words obsessed with your legacy!" He spat, as he pulled a framed photo from the box at random, briefly examined it before throwing it to the side, cracking as it hits the ground and picking up another. "Your sentences border on senseless, and you are paranoid in every paragraph"
He threw the framed photo with such force that the crystal shattered, sending pieces of glass everywhere.
"How they perceive you!" Donald began ripping some random photos and letters in such pure anger that frightened Daisy, who froze. "You, YOU, YOU!"
Tears were streaming down of both ducks, while Donald was trying not to cry even harder, to keep what's left of his dignity. Donald couldn't bear with the emotional outburst anymore, he promptly dropped down his knees while the tears continue to pour down his face.
Soon, one letter caught the eyes for a moment. A single letter, one he threw, and that was near the fireplace, caught fire and it was slowly burning by the corner of the letter. Donald's sight followed the trail, and the flames in the fireplace soon met his tormented blue eyes, communicating an horrid idea. He smirked, he had already done this to Scrooge, so he can with Daisy, so not only her will be free, but also him.
Grabbing the sheet of paper that was slightly burning, before bringing it closer to the fire.
"I'm erasing myself from your narrative, Let future journalists wonder how Donald reacted when you broke his heart" He tossed the burning paper to the fireplace. "You have torn it all apart, I'm watching it burn"
In a daze, Donald gathered up a handful of letters, and without hesitation threw them into the fire. "Watching it burn"
Daisy stepped forward, eyes wide with shock. "The world has no right to my heart, the world has no place in our bed"
Letter by letter, photo by photo, he threw each one into the flames, watching as they caught fire and slowly blackened, crumbling to ash. "They don't get to know what I said, I'm burning the memories. Burning the letters that might have redeemed you!"
He turned towards his Ex-fiancee. "You forfeit all rights to my heart, you forfeit me my place in your bed, You'll sleep with my cousin instead"
"With only the memories of when you were mine" Then, from the box pulled out a small jewelry box, opened it, showing her the old ring. Her wedding ring, with a steady face he dropped it into the fire. "I hope that you burn..."
He turned and left, closing the door behind him, seeing Daisy silently crying, but he didn't care. Daisy turned back to the fireplace, just to see the last of the letters crumple to ash, and even with the risk of burning she grabbed the ring, hurting herself as she did.
"I am..."
End of chapter seven.
Nictapetri it's a charm I created, for the sake of the story. Nicta= night Petri= petrified.
The Agency, just as The Sea Ducks (Pk Canon.) Are very exclusive organizations, only elite could join. And to be more specific, The Agency, being as secretive as it is has especial requirements, YOU don't choose to be part of the Agency, The Agency CHOOSE you to be part of them. Having undercover agents where you less expect them.
A new member will appear next episode, a unexpected one, also another one, who passed, will also be mentioned. Can you guess who?
Della is a complicated theme on the Mouse marriage.
Daisy left Donald only one week before the wedding, and Daisy married the same day she was supposed to marry Donald.