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 accent.
Post shadows war
" Fear leads to anger.
Anger leads to hate.
Hate leads to suffering. "
• Yoda, Star Wars.
Disclaimer: I do not own Ducktales
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.
Notes: Guess Kay J won.
Now, there's something you must know and it will be mentioned in the story in the future.
Every magi is classified in a group, and it depends on what kind of magic they use: White, Black and Grey.
Black magic users: Not all of them are evil, and not all of them are as powerful as others. Most of them are powerful, and their magic is corruptive, letting a small trademark on its user. They're all silver tongues and manipulative, experts on mind control spells. And they're incapable of healing spells.
You must be born with dark magic, since anyone who tried to learn dark while being a White user went mad with power.
Famous users: Magica (her trademark, her green feathers and yellow eyes) José (his trademark, his hands are slightly burned, so he wears gloves to hide them)
Grey magic: They are very unusual users, and it's more like a condition than anything else. A grey user is born when a white user is possessed or cursed. So they are capable of doing black magic, and still being able to do healing magic, they're in the middle of both benefits, but are caught in the middle f the problems too, since the black magic cost them a lot of energy. They must have a lot of training, so they don't go bad, their eyes also change, when they use White magic their eyes glow blue, when they use black their eyes glow purple.
Famous users: Donald, after *spoiler*
White magic: most of the magic users are white users, they can be as powerful as the black and grey ones. They can use healing magic, and protective magic. Their eyes glow White or blue.
Famous users: Panchito.
Chapter 9: what once was mine.
Donald was withering in agony on the floor, his throat has gone raw from his screaming. Beakley was unconscious on the floor, a mercy compared with the agony Donald's going through.
He spat a small amount of blood before getting back on his feet. Donald then rushed to Beakley's side, completely forgetting about his own exhaustion. He needed to worry about her now.
Exhausted and panting, the vigilante gathered around the unconscious agent.
"Old cape..." Uno said through his earpiece, surprised. "What did you just do?"
Wiping his sweaty forehead, Donald looked up, the rain refreshing him a bit. What's with the weather? Rain and snow, he need to find the problem quickly, and with enough luck, solve it.
"What I have to." he said, barely glancing at the fallen agent, then he breathed out a sigh of relief, and slumped against the wall. But his relief was short lived, he couldn't leave Beakley here, and obviously he can't carry her all the way towards the mansion.
Then he remembered that girl, Anne, she said she could help him any time, and well, all he needs right now it's a ride. He can convince Beakley that he just found her here, then play stupid with her. Nodding he ordered Uno to call Anne.
After a few beebs, the sweet voice of the girl answered, and it sounded fully awake. Good.
"Hello?"
"Anne, it's me."
"Sir, What do you need?" She said. " are you hurt?"
"No. Look, Anne, I'm going to the point." He said, harshly. "I need your help. By any chance you have a car?"
Anne remained silent for a few seconds, and Donald fears that the girl doesn't have a vehicle, after all she's pretty young.
"Yes, yes I have." She said quickly, nervous. "Do you need to hide a body? Must I bring you a new uniform and have a alibi for you?"
Donald blushed, how did she knows it's a mistery to him. "Kind of... Look, just come here, and yes, bring the uniform, and think a little lie about me being with you at work."
"Where to?" She asked.
"I'll send you the directions, thanks for your help."
"No. Thank you" she muttered before hanging up.
Now, he needed to tell Goofy that he won't be going back to sleep tonight, at least not to his apartment. He closed his eyes, concentrating in his magic.
"Expecto Patronum." He whispers.
Even now, after everything he went through these days, and why not, years. He's astonished at how easy it is for him to conjure a Patronus, maybe because his most happy memory it's unusual.
The air around him formed a silvery fog, taking a form, a serpentine form, before him, his patronus, a big serpent bowed to him.
"Goofy, I need to do something tonight, I will tell you tomorrow. I will sleep out tonight"
And with that, his patronus flew out of sight. Sighing, he turned his attention to the unconscious Beakley, this is going to be a long night.
"Ancestors, have mercy on me..."
[••••••]
Sylvia was resting peacefully on Goofy's chest, and he was greedily losing himself on her Sweet essence. Finally, after years of mourning he could move on. But even so, he won't forget his first wife, Penelope.
Penelope Pooch, a long red haired girl who made him act even more goofy near her. She was his first love, his first time, his wife, and the one who gave him Max. She was friend of Minnie and Daisy, and it all started as a triple date. And they ended up pretty well, like yeah due Mickey and Donald's awkwardness they didn't start a relationship with their date right away. Unlike them, when he went to drop Penelope to her house, he got the balls to ask her out again, but now as a pairing.
And she said yes!
Eventually, they got to the next level, resulting on Max and him dropping college along with Donald. On the day they married, Donald got him a fabulous vacation on Mexico as a honeymoon, thanks to his Navy friend, Francisco. But not only that, he got his wife a very rare gift, a silver locket. A slightly heavy locket, medium sized, circle shaped, with a glittering dark purple stone inlay on the front. And when you opened it a little melanic song would play.
It looked expensive.
Of course they tried to politely reject the gift, but then Donald said.
"Then, instead of giving it to you completely, I'll just let you borrow it."
And they accepted, as the years went by, his wife suddenly fell ill, and eventually passed. But before she did, on her death bed, she asked him to return the locket back to Donald. She directly confessed that she was going to write that on her will, so no one of her family can get it.
She trusted him with that task, and he failed. He couldn't give that locket back, it was all he has left from her, besides Max. So, instead he hided that locket for years, and never told Donald about. But to his immense pain, the locket stopped working, when open it no longer played that song.
But now, after years of self hate, he can finally let her go, and by that, he can finally return the locket back. Sighing, he looked to his right, where the clock was.
2:30 A.M
Worried, Goofy was going to call him, but stopped on his tracks when he noticed a large transparent serpent on the floor. And for some reason, he wasn't scare.
Then, the serpent spoke.
"Goofy, I need to do something tonight, I will tell you tomorrow. I will sleep out tonight"
Then, it disappeared. A tired sigh left his lips as he laid down, more worried than ever.
"Donald...I hope you know what you're doing."
[••••••]
Anne was making sure Beakley was still breathing as he changed his bloody uniform.
"Thanks for helping me!" He said as hr finished changing.
"No problem, avenger." She said. "After all, I own you one."
Donald raised an an eyebrow. "Huh? What do you mean?"
She faced him, her eyes shinning with tears. "All I'm going to say it's that you killed the ones who destroyed my life."
Donald frowned, but nodded afterwards. "I need to wake her up"
"Do as you must." She quickly said. "Nothing I see here will leave my lips."
"Enervate!" Donald yelled, causing the form on the ground let out a high-pitched gasp, Donald then put his "worried friend" mask on
"Oh thanks God, Beakley." Hr whispered with a shaky voice, impressing Anne. "You're okay! Feeling any better?"
Beakley could barely keep her eyes open, she wanted to ask what happened, but her tongue was heavy and her thoughts clouded. Donald noticed, and he quietly says:
"I found you here. What were you doing?"
Again, Beakley tried to say something, but her tongue wasn't obeying her command. Donald smiled sweetly at her, helping her to stand.
"It doesn't matter." He said, guiding her into a car, his work mate's car. "You don't have to answer right now. I'm taking you home."
Beakley felt something was wrong, her gut has telling her to run. But why should she? It's Donald, he would never harm her.
Right?
[•••••]
The moment Louie opened his eyes, he knew he was dreaming. That sensation he has grew used by now, but luckily for him this dream was different. He felt safe.
He was in the mansion, in one of the several halls, he wandered for a while until a room caught his attention. He opened the door slowly and stepped in, his eyebrow arching up in surprise of what he found there.
His uncle Donald with a baby.
Donald smiled sweetly as he sat down in the rocking chair, humming an old lullaby to the sleeping child nestled in his arms. Louie unexpectedly felt a pang of envy flow on his chest, before he shook his head. Louie keep looking at his uncle as he sat in a rocking chair, his foot pushing against the ground to make the chair move.
Louie got closer, standing next to his uncle and now glaring at the child closely. The boy, he assumed it was a boy due the blue blanket, was sleeping peacefully in his uncle's arms, exhausted from the sole fact of being in the world. His uncle's eyes shone with pride as he glanced at the boy.
"Uncle Donald?"
Donald turned to him, a serene smile gracing his features. "Isn't have gorgeous, Louie?"
Louie nods in agreement, he hated to admit it but, the little feathered ball it's cute.
"I would gladly go through heaven and hell for him, just like I did for you and your brothers. " Donald said. " I'll do anything to protect him, care for him, love him. He, along with all of you mean the whole world to me."
Louie felt again the spark of envy, but tried to hide it by stretching a finger to brush against the babe's cheek, but pulling away at the last moment.
Way to go.
"Would you like to hold him?" Donald suddenly asked, noticing his nephew's movement.
Louie blushed, and was truly surprised, he madly shook his head. "No. I can't! What if I drop him."
"Nonsense." Donald chuckled, leaning forward on his seat. "Just form a cradle with your arms, making sure you support his head firmly"
Almost immediately Donald leaned forward, gracefully transferring the baby from his arms to Louie's. The duckling looking down to the babe's face,and to Louie's surprise, the baby was awake. Louie looked into the child's eyes, they weren't the same shade of blue that his uncle's, were, they were greyish blue. The baby looked back at him and then smiled.
"His my little boy, my son... My little Galahad."
...
...
...
..
.
.
Louie's eyes snapped open, but not feeling scared, just tired. The name of the allegedly son of his uncle, Galahad, still fresh on his mind. He got up from his bunk, glad that he didn't woke his brothers up and intended to go to the kitchen for a Pep soda.
He walked through the empty halls of the mansion, making his way towards the kitchen, but he stopped as he heard the front doors being opera. He didn't know why, but he hide behind a curtain, peaking through it the best he could. He saw Beakley, visibly tired, being supported by his uncle, they spoke briefly between them before Beakley left.
His uncle looked at the direction Beakley went for a few moments, his body tense. Louie stood silent on his hiding spot, glad that his uncle didn't noticed him. His uncle walked, no... Limped towards his room, quietly, Louie waited for about a minute before going out, and now moving to his uncle's room.
As quietly as he could he opened the room, finding his uncle on his bed, Donald didn't even bothered to change his clothes, falling asleep with his uniform. The Green duckling entered Donald's room as slowly as he could, his steps so slow and short that it felt that he was barely moving. A small effort he decided to make just to not to disturb his surrogate father's sleep. He made up his mind, he wants to sleep with him, after all, he's never old enough for that.
Donald wasn't a stranger to have the boys into his bed after a nightmare, specially Louie. So when he felt a weight settle beside him, he wasn't startled, and he even knew who it was. Donald grunted under his breath when Louie decided to climb on top of him, just where Beakley kicked him. Humming, he took a brief moment to adjust for Louie's weight on his stomach, before lifting both of his arms slowly to cradle him into his arms, shifting into a sitting position. Louie resting his head on his uncle's chest, his little fist clenching his uniform shirt.
"Louie? What it is?"
"I had a dream..."
Donald caressed his head, softly through his head feathers. "Is that so? Did you have a bad dream?"
Louie shook his head. "I wouldn't call it a bad dream... Just a weird one."
Donald tiredly sighed. "Don't worry, Lou. Just come here, let's go to sleep"
Louie flinched, almost pushing Donald away. "No! I don't want to!"
"Are you scare?"
No reply, but Donald knew him better. "Do you want to know a secret song?"
"Secret song?"
"Yes, I along with some friends wrote this ages ago" he said. "We wrote it as a gift for our future children."
Louie gasped. " your... Children? "
"Yes, my boy." Donald said softly. "We used to dream differently to our families."
"Oh... You didn't agreed with uncle Scrooge's teachings?"
"We wanted different things, my sister was always a McDuck, but my heart always belongs to my Duck side."
"So... You wanted to have children."
"Me, along with my friends wanted to be a band, be singers and have families, children."
"But... What happened? It was because of us."
"No. Never think that way."
"What about that song..."
"Oh. It's called " everything stays" even though I never sing it to anyone, I know it by heart."
"But... I'm not your son, and you wrote it for your —"
"Louie! Don't talk like that, you and your brothers are everything to me!" Donald almost yelled.
"Then... You will sing to me?"
Donald silently nodded, clearing his throat he started:
"Let's go in the garden
You'll find something waiting
Right there where you left it lying upside down"
The soft tones leaving his uncle's lips, helped him to find peace, his voice is still squeaky as ever, but now it held a grace he never thought his uncle had.
"When you finally find it, you'll see how it's faded
The underside is lighter when you turn it around"
Now Donald hold Louie tightly against his chest, rocking him, trying to lull him into sleep.
"Everything stays right where you left it
Everything stays
But it still changes
Ever so slightly, daily and nightly
In little ways, when everything stays"
Louie couldn't see as Donald's lips began trembling as blissful of memories pierced his thoughts, flowing through his mind along with the melody he wrote with his brothers.
"Go down to the ocean
The crystal tide is rising
The waters' gotten higher as the shore washes out
Keep your eyes wide open, even when the sun is blazin'
The moon controls the tide, it can cause you to drown"
Louie weakly gripped his uncle's shirt, and suddenly all the doubt washed away and he was filled with love he knew his uncle had for him.
"Everything stays, right where you've left it
Everything stays, but it still changes
Ever so slightly, daily and nightly
In little ways..."
Louie's already being claimed by the sleep, above him, the humming, the sweet tune his uncle was gifting him. Now, his tired mind was wondering, if his dream would come true, and his uncle have a son... Would his uncle sing that old nursery rhyme that his uncle just sang to him. Before sleep claimed him, the last thing he heard was:
"When everything stays..."
[•••••]
Next day.
Flintheart Glomgold. Son of no one, the face of a company, and the mask of a soldier. He was exiled, persecuted by his own father, send away with no defense. He was just a kid when that happened, when his father harshly tossed him away, his mother didn't moved a finger to defend him, and his brother grinning all the time. Caleb Baloney, a name burned into his skin, a name he learned to hate, as much as his own, Duke Baloney.
He's on his room, his feathers wet from his bath, and now he's watching his reflection on his mirror. His face, his true face starring back at him. His actually young, more young than he pretends to be, but still having the same amount of hate than Flintheart Glomgold.
He hates to admit it, but he own what he have to Scrooge McDuck, he gave him the conviction he needed. With years of hard work he got a little fortune, and he always did what he needed to survive, not caring who stood on his way. That mixed with his astute plans The Agency got its interests on him. They trained him, gave him riches and a name.
His job was pretty simple, being a living smokescreen for the company. And how did he do it, by being the clown of the town, by losing every game he and McDuck have, by making everyone believe he's an incompetent fool, by throwing a new evil plot every week. That's his job, and he's well paid for that, and not only that, but he also keep watch on the avenger, Paperinik.
Today in particular he was going to meet with him by orders of Big Boss, since he needs to work with him for his next mission, and like always he willing to do everything necessary to keep his boss happy.
Now, after getting his mask ready, after burying Duke Baloney back he's ready to quote his small pray he does every morning before starting his mission.
"My name is Flintheart Glomgold and I have done horrible things..." He said to himself, glaring at the mirror. "I have sworn to serve and protect my boss"
"I have obeyed his every command and committed crimes in order to protect his name.
I have betrayed and attacked everyone who used to be my allies. One-by-one I have destroyed several of The Agency's enemies."
He's proud of that part, since everyone think him a fool, it's easy to fool his objectives. He along with Paperinik are the most dangerous rivals on The Agency.
"And if there's no one left to stop us, Paperinik and I will bring the entire Organization to its knees."
Yes, they will, but it's a pity that today must force him to work with him. But, it's not the first time he forces someone into work with him, nor will be the last time.
"My name is Flintheart Glomgold. I have done horrible things… and I have absolutely no regrets."
[•••••••]
Donald was probably the last one to fall asleep last night, but for sure he was the first one to rise. He made sure to not wake Louie as he Left, he Even was able to sneak pass Beakley.
He left the mansion's grounds without any problem before the first light of the morning reached the mansion. He walked through the streets, until he was in front of Goofy's apartment.
To his surprise, Goofy was already awake, with breakfast and medicine.
"You're late." His friend said, pushing a cup of tea onto his hands.
"It was a complicate night."
"Donald..." Goofy stuttered. "I need to speak with you."
Donald was nervous, he wanted to sleep so bad, but he couldn't say no to his friend. He kept a blank expression on his face, giving him a really creepy appearance.
"As you wish."
They went to the living room, Goofy closed the door softly, locking it. Donald noticed his friend had something clenched on his hands.
"What's the matter, George." He said, his voice more hard Than he intended. And he regretted it quickly when he saw his childhood friend flinch. He never uses his full name on him, or at least almost never.
"Donald" he came near to his friend. "I have something that belongs to you."
Donald tilted his head, though his blank expression remained. "Is that so?"
Goofy nodded, pulling out a very familiar locket, finally getting an expression from Donald. A surprised one.
"Is that...?"
"Yes, it is"
Donald took the locket from his friend's offering hand. Without a second thought he opened it, Goofy gasped when he heard a familiar tune and saw Donald playing his once broken locket.
"How..."
Donald looked at him and closed it. "It's complicated."
Goofy wanted to ask, but feared for the answer. "Okay."
Donald quickly put it around his neck, now feeling the magic on his body.
"Thanks, Goofy. For giving it back."
"You're welcome."
Goofy smiled, daring to pat Donald in the head. "Come... I'll help you get ready. I know you have a long day ahead."
Donald clenched his hands, wondering if Goofy can read minds.
He hopes not.
[•••••••]
Gladstone's giving him a headache, since his lucky nephew is hiding in his assigned room in the mansion. His life had been a complete mess this few days, with the affair, his grandnephews' indifference, his reputation destroyed and most important his nephew's anger. And to top that, now he has to endure the humiliation of not being invited to a meeting with people he dislikes more.
Flintheart Glomgold. His usual rival.
Spettro Ducklair. Son of his most strongest rival in Europe.
And the infamous Duck Avenger.
Why!? Why the most richest duck in the world isn't invited to that meeting. He, who is more worthy than that fool of a duck that is Flint. And surely more worthy than that criminal, The Duck Avenger.
He's letting away a great shot to win that bet, and now, Flintheart is getting that chance. Now, fuming his frustration he's at the same hotel where the meeting will take place.
At the fancy restaurant on the hotel's rooftop, waiting for them. His mind a storm, his hands shaking.
"Mr McDuck!" A familiar voice, he turned and saw Zan Owlson, next to her Glomgold, awfully quiet.
"Mrs Owlson" he greets. "Glomgold"
To his surprise, the younger duck didn't said anything, being a nod the only answer he got.
"So, Miss Owlson. Are you going to the meeting with Flinty?" He asked in a mocking tone, not for her, but to Flint.
Before she could answer, he spoke first. "No. She's not."
Zan turned her head towards him, exasperated. "But, Mr G–"
"Enough!" Barks the false Scotchman. "Know your place!"
Both, Owlson and Scrooge stood there, stunned.
"U- understood, sir"
Scrooge opened his beak to speak, but was interrupted by a new voice.
"Good morning, gentlemen."
All turned to greet the newcomer, Spettro Ducklair. Spettro stepped out through the elevator's door, a strange little smile tugging on the corners of his mouth. Scrooge knew the little fame the Ducklair's only son have, a boy who barely smiles or makes any public appearances, seeing him here, smiling in a very popular location was rare.
And Glomgold bowing at him was another big surprise "Mr Ducklair."
Spettro nodded in response, briefly glaring at Scrooge and Olwson, and for a moment Scrooge saw his eyes turn hostile when were on him. "Let's begin, our last guest is about to arrive."
"As you wish"
With that they left both behind, Scrooge openly fuming and Owlson nervously chewing her fingers.
"Ohh... Please don't screw this."
She prays.
[••••]
Meanwhile, in the first floor of the hotel.
Beakley absently pushed the elevator bottom, she patiently waited for the doors to open. But when they did, she recoiled as soon as she saw the other occupant of the lift.
Paperinik.
She growled, her pride hurt, she even considered wait another lift or using the stairs, but knowing Scrooge as well as she does, she knew it was a matter of time for him to lose his temper and cause trouble. So, she huffed and stepped in, moving to the opposite corner.
The doors closed.
She tried with all her might to ignore him, to pretend he's not here, but his presence is so strong. So she kept doing what she does best, she glared daggers at him.
"If you keep doing that, you'll eventually get your granddaughter killed"
"WHAT!?" she yells, her face turning red. "What are saying?"
"I'm just saying that if you keep doing a poorly job in protecting your secret identity, and jumping face first into trouble will kill your loved ones someday." He said flatly, without turning to face her.
Beakley clenched her fists, her nails piercing her palms. "Are you threatening me?"
She was about to snap, she knew he could easily apprehen her, but she didn't care, she just want to punch him. Hard.
"No. Of course no." He said so sweetly that he almost sounded fake. "It's just a warning, I could've killed you, but I didn't. Not every opponent you face is me, one day, one of them will target your family."
He paused, and she waited.
"What if a had other kind of morals, what if as a payback for your little temper tantrum... I decided to target Webby."
Beakley in a flash took him by the shoulders, and harshly turned him around, locking her eyes into his.
"You wouldn't dare!" She hissed.
"But what if I did? Would Webby stand a chance? Answer me? Would she?"
No. She wouldn't, Beakley knows that, and despite the extensive training she gave her, her granddaughter was young and naive.
"You're disgusting."
"I'm a warrior, and an agent, making effective threats is part of it." He said Coldly "You know that, you told Donald so."
"I can't believe Donald believes you his friend."
"I am. Because he know how to be a warrior, he was a soldier after all."
Beakley snarled. "He's not like you! He put his heart in the fight and would never bring third parts into the conflict."
Paperinik didn't say a word, but Beakley did.
"He's not a puppet like you."
"I Am not a puppet"
Beakley snorts, pointing a finger to him." Of course you are! I even bet that you would kill Donald if given the order."
"Of course."
SLAP
The impact of her hand against his cheek echoed loudly in the elevator, she was practically shaking. And the fact of not knowing if it was because of fear or rage made her angry.
As soon as she heard the 'ding' of the elevator, and the doors opened, she almost ran, taking a little bit of satisfaction when she noticed the hand shaped mark on the avenger's left cheek.
As for the avenger he casually stepped out of the elevator, ignoring the curious gaze of the people around. He walked towards the table where his friend and Glomgold were.
He sat down on the only available chair, and without hesitation he got to the point. "What do you want with our agency, Mr Glomgold."
Spettro groaned, slapping his forehead with his hand, and Glomgold merely raised an eyebrow before saying.
"The flower that grows on the dark side of the moon, is the most beautiful of all."
Paperinik's brown eyes widened in shock as Glomgold's fingers tapped on the table, his eyes blazing with an inner fire. To Paperinik, all chatter in the restaurant dropped into silence as all of his attention took in the sight of the usually stupid business man with the knowledge of The Agency.
"So... You're an agent." He finally spoke. "Then, please state your business with me."
"Donald... Can I tell you something first?"
It took all of his might to not flinch at His name, he could barely mutter a "sure"
Flintheart pulled a very familiar golden clip, a money clip, a clip gifted by his mother to his uncle. He could feel his temper rise, but he forced himself to keep his cool.
"Why do you have that." He hissed. "I know for a fact that it's not yours"
He remembers that story, it was one of the things His mother was always angry at Scrooge. His mother gifted him that clip, only for Scrooge to lose it.
"I got it from a very stupid friend." He said, mockingly playing with it. "But, I will give it back to you as a proof that you can trust me."
Then Glomgold tosses it without any care to Paperinik, and the masked duck catch it one handed, eyed it foundly, before putting it in his jumpsuit. "Thanks."
"Your uncle made a bet with me, you know. To try to get it back, and well, he's winning, but I don't want him to taste victory." He said, taking a sip of his coffee, the waiter next to him, an agent as well listening. "So... Let's play him a little ruse, we're going to pretend that you convinced me to cancel our game, and that you" points to Spettro. "Are going to make an alliance."
"For what?" Paperinik asks.
"To make a smoke screen." He replies. " for our next mission. "
"What!?" He yells.
"Play attention, old cape." Spettro says calmly, and Paperinik doesn't likes his attitude. It's like he already knew that Glomgold was an agent.
"You know the strange activity in that tower on the city's outskirts, right?" Glomgold started, liking his lips as the waiters placed a good looking soup in front of everyone.
"Yes, I know."
"Well, knowing you, the Big Boss knew you were going in there just you and another noob." He slurped a mouthful of soup. "Only with One as your geek, quite suicidal if you ask me."
The younger duck tsked, silently agreeing with with him. "And your point?"
"I'm joining your cause, Paperinik." He said. "As your diversion."
Spettro gave a smile, fake and all of them could tell, but none said anything. "What a generous offer, Mr Glomgold."
Paperinik didn't say a word, just stated blankly. Glomgold then continued his speech.
"This information is confidential, but I'll give to you. In two days, Friday's night to be specific, a reunion will take place." Paperinik nodded. "Everyone who's considered someone in the industry of ...well, you know... Being rich and evil will be there, just to get a chance to meet with the great Elias Fog."
Paperinik, who was sipping his soup almost choked on it, and decided it was for the best spitting it, landing in his unfortunate partner, Uno.
"What!?"
"As you heard, Elias Fog is hosting a meeting." Glomgold said, unfazed by the avenger's outburst. "He, in his words is selling the solution to our problems."
Paperinik gulped, he knows that Elias Fog is bad news. "What kind of solution?"
"A weapon a powerful one, as far as I know, this weapon is a robot, a learning robot. He learns from its opponent."
Paperinik eyes widened. "Unbelievable... That's... Bad."
"Yes. And that's not all." Glomgold said. "But that's all I know. For now."
"What's the plan!?"
Now, spettro spoke. "We're going to use a linked coms, Glomgold will be there as our mask, he'll be in the reunion, gathering as much information he can, and with enough luck, helping us capture them all. I will be your eyes, from here and with the help of all three agents, I would be capable of giving all of you the information you need, like the blueprint of the building. Besides, it will be easy to hack there, so I'll get to work on that once I get to our lair. You, Paperinik will be in the front lines, saving a copy of the evidence and destroying the rest. And I was informed that you're allowed to kill if needed."
Paperinik nodded, he's face without emotion. "And Gizmoduck?"
"He'll be your back up, but he remain outside the building, knocking unconscious any guard. And... If things get worse, he'll aid you or Glomgold to scape, if both of you are dead, then he'll try to safe the information. You must know that his priority will be the information, not you."
Glomgold tsked, and Paperinik muttered a "understood"
Spettro cleared his throat. "Well, that's all. Let's finish this meal and get back to work."
The rest of the meal none spoke a word.
Until.
"Oh, by the way" Glomgold said. "I've got a job for you and your band tomorrow night."
[•••••]
Panchito and Jose entered the residence of their best friend's uncle, taking advantage that the mentioned wasn't at home. They knocked, and the doors opened, revealing a ghostly Butler.
"Good morning, Mister Carioca. Mister Gonzalez."
"Buenos dias, Duckworth." Said Panchito. "Are the boy's ready?"
The ghostly Butler raised an eyebrow. "Ready for what? If I may ask..."
José spoke, in a rushed tone. "Donaldo told us to take the kids out."
"Si... El lo pidio." The rooster fake coughed. "So, puedes llamarlos?"
The ghost's eyes narrowed, but he knew Donald. He knows that he would never put the boys in danger.
"I'll inform the young masters of your presence."
"It's not necessary, we already know." Said a indifferent voice, immediately the trio knew who it was.
The Butler raised his eyebrows in surprise. Louie's tone was even more monotone than his behavior up until that day, considering he was the one who didn't want to be bothered since the incident happened.
"Verde!" Panchito exclaimed, opening wide his arms for a hug. "Look how big you've gotten!"
"Uncle Panchito!" The duckling ran, and almost knocked down the rooster.
"What!? There isn't one for me!?" José dramatically gasped. "I'm so sad"
And the parrot was hugged l, but not by Louie, but by another two ducklings. And even Duckworth was impressed by the sneak attack.
"Uncles!" They shouted, Huey and Dewey. Nobody noticed the unusually quiet Webby, until Panchito gathered her into his arms.
"Look this little patita!" Panchito cooded "You must be Webby!"
Webby giggle, nodding. "I am!"
"Uncle Panchito, uncle José, not to be rude but why are you here?" Asks Huey.
Panchito ruffled Huey's hair feathers. "We're taking you to your uncle Donald, we're going to eat something."
Webby's face fell a little, but José quickly gathered her in his arms. "You're invited too, patita!"
"Really!?"
"Really" said Panchito. Jose then looked upstairs, his expression grim before he rushed the kids out.
To him it smelled like rat.
End of chapter 9
Wow I'm really sorry for that hiatus , but life got me real bad these past months.
Notes
I'm gonna be honest the bet resolution disappointed me a lot, like... Really? Glomgold is going to lose just because an alias, but it's perfectly fine for Louie, a minor to win. Sorry, but no, so I cancelled that arc on this fic.
Now, Glomgold is an agent, and why not, to be a secret agent you don't need the Best morals, just the intelligence, and in the comics (both life and times of Scrooge McDuck and Paperinik) Glomgold is in fact smart.