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
''Sometimes, the person you'd take a bullet for ends up being the one behind the gun.''
•2Pac.
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:
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 of 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.
Warning:
There's a suicide scene, if you don't feel like reading it, it's marked with bold letters.
Chapter 10: friendly betrayal.
He feels awful, he smell awful.
Gladstone crept silently down the hallway from his room towards the bathroom, clutching his phone, with his social media open tight on his hand as he went. Despite he's wasted as hell, the lucky duck kept an ear out for his nephews, the girl or Duckworth, he's not in the mood to be judged right now.
According the conversation he overhead Beakley and Duckworth having, uncle Scrooge had gone out for some fresh air, with Beakley tagging along and the kids had all but locked themselves in the library.
Yawning, he made a quick stop on the middle of the hallway when he was about to reach the door. Wanting to make sure the cost was clear, he closed his eyes tiredly, listing to his surroundings.
Nothing, not even Duckworth.
Sighing in relief, he nudged the bathroom door ajar, not opening his eyes, deep in concentration and peered inside. Then suddenly he felt them, it was strange, his eyes snapped open and he gasps.
Deep in his gut, the same gut that always... Or almost always guide him towards the winners table was telling... No, screaming at him about the danger. Two strong presences, almost as stronger as the luck sucking demon.
Dread run through his veins as he identified the owners. Panchito and José, Donald's friends who always hated him.
The hallway was oddly dark and silent, and he knows they're not here, at least not yet. But he could just make out where are they, how they're closer to him, touching the front door. Gladstone let out a tense breath that almost turned into a sob, and cautiously pushed the bathroom door further open, planning to hide there.
"Gladstone... "
Gladstone jumped back, eyes wide and startled, dropping his phone as he spun around.
"Louie." the older duck said nervously, unable to plaster one of his trademark smiles on his face as he looked down at his nephew. "Um, what up, green bean."
"What are you doing here?" Louie coldly asked, his arms crossed and had an unusual stern mixed with disgust look on his face. "Are you trying to hide from them?"
"Well, I-I… what else should I do!? Gladstone sputtered angrily, not even questioning how Louie knew about his intentions. "It's not like I could go anywhere else! Besides, what are they doing here!?"
"Checking on Uncle Donald, maybe. " he shrugged, sparing a last glance at Gladstone. "Or maybe checking on us, something you should've done."
Said that, the duckling moved down the hallway, leaving Gladstone to his thoughts.
[•••••]
The breakfast/lunch finally ended, but to him all of the food tasted like ash. He was about to puke if he was honest, with all of the details explained they were free to leave. As always, Spetro made his leave with grace, and surprisedly, Glomgold made his in silence. Zan Owlson nervously running behind him, showering with questions, as for himself, he turned towards the still fuming Scrooge and Beakley. They were sitting on a table, shooting daggers at him as he fought the impulse of kicking his uncle face.
Paperinik let himself drop down on the seat next to his uncle, ignoring all protests and not really caring about being in character, he leaned into his shoulder. The action was so sudden that neither of them could properly react, Donald was tired, but at the same time he missed the warm of his surrogate father.
He let himself smell a little bit longer the essence of mint and tobacco so characteristic of his uncle. Then he reached for one of his uncle's hands.
"Here." He said calmly, more calmly than he felt, handing him the golden clip. "Try to not lose it again."
"How did you get that?" He asked, sounding worried.
"Is your sister's gift, isn't?" He stated nonchalantly. "Glomgold stole it years ago. And he tried to earn your money with this... Through that bet?"
Beakley didn't say anything, but was drinking every drop of information she could.
"I... I know that but why are you giving it back to me?" He sounded desperate now, scared that he's going to do some trick. "What's the catch!?"
"There's no catch" Paperik said, tilting his head, noticing that his uncle's eyes had started to fill up with tears. "Hey, old dude. What's wrong?"
"Why!? Avenger, why are you really doing this?" Scrooge's hands started to shake so bad that he accidentally dropped the clip.
Paperinik didn't say a word, but his hazel eyes burned with an inner fire. "Because, despite of your mistakes, I want to give a chance. For him, for the kids."
And with that, he took the bottle of whiskey his uncle and Beakley had been drinking and left.
[••••••]
Sylvia was as frantic as Max, her almost adult step son entered the apartment. She haven't had her period for a while, but at first she wasn't worried since sometimes her body decides to not bled that month and return extra bloody the next one. But something feel different in her body, and wanted to make sure what it was.
She wanted to go out and buy the test herself, but a dizzy spell said otherwise. Sylvia was lucky that only Max saw her moment of weakness and didn't say anything until they were alone, Goofy leaving to do some errands. She commented her suspicions and asked the boy to go and buy the test for her, he gladly accepted.
It took him more than twenty five minutes, he ran, she noticed and she was grateful. Max leaned down to where she was sitting on the toilet, and pulled out a pregnancy test box from the black plastic bag. Sylvia with her shaking hands took it from him and examined its contents.
"I'll wait outside" Max said.
"I'll let you know when I'm done." She said, trying to sound calm which she wasn't.
Max didn't say anything else, just closed the door behind him and slid down the said door onto the floor. Anxiously his legs shook as he waited for her to let him back in, and somehow it felt wrong, it should be his father here instead of him, but... Maybe there's a reason why she asked him help. He doesn't Even know what to hope, for a positive? A negative? No, he's confused on that but in the end, does he have the right to voice his opinion, after all, he practically yelled at his father to get his own life a year ago. It was weird, but in the back of his mind he wanted it to be positive, he liked the idea of having a sibling and that way his father would have another child to cherish. Sylvia and his father might not be in the best place to have a baby, but there's never really a perfect time to have one. Max felt movement so he stood, turned his head to the side when he saw the door open and knew that it was his sign to go in.
He walked towards Sylvia sitting down next to her on the bathtub. After a brief silence he asked. "How long do we have to wait until we get the answer?"
"The instructions says three minutes." She answered shyly, never taking her eyes off the stick. After a while, the stick started to turn blue, that quickly noticed by Max.
"It's changing." He commented nervously, since this was his first experience with a pregnancy test, and not even with his girlfriend but his stepmother of all the people.
"Yes, it is." She tried to hide the amazement and confusion in her voice as she remembered she was with her stepson, and they're not that close for her to let her emotions flow freely. "What does that mean?"
He picked up the instructions from the floor, read and then froze "you're pregnant"
He said like that, direct, without any emotion on his voice. But inside Max was over the Moon. Sylvia on the other hand had a conflict inside, she was happy, but feared for Max, she didn't want to caused any negative reaction on the boy, after all he was an only son for seventeen years. Tears instantly came to her eyes at her insecurities and she shot up from the toilet.
"Max, are you sure? Omg, this is a bad timing, with Donald and then you." She mumbled as she paced back and forth. "I'm not ready for this. This can't be happening, Max believe me I don't want you to feel bad at this, There's no way that I'm... I'm stealing your father or wanting attention or..."
Max gasped at her reaction, he thought he always was civil with her, but seeing how she was reacting he knew that he had to improve his relationship with her.
"Sylvia, ummm... you need to calm down." He stood up and pulled her into his arms. "I know you mean well, and that this pregnancy is a surprise to everyone. But I know my dad and uncle Donald will react well."
"You think so...? but..." She whispered
"No buts allowed, Sylvia. We have time to think how are we going to break the news. Sylvia you gotta trust me, this baby is a good thing."
Her only response was to nuzzle her head in closer to his chest. He continued to hold her in silence letting the shock of the news settle.
"You're right, thank you Max." She sniffed. "You're such a good boy."
Max just smiled, and waited for her to move.
[••••••]
"UNCLE Donald! WE MISSED YOU SO MUCH!" A set of high pitched voices squealed out and surged in between his best friends' legs to clutch at his. A large, sincere smile broke across Donald's face, his children were the only thing that could truly Cheer him up. Slowly, Donald squatted down to hug the four little kids clinging to his legs.
"Hey boys, I missed you guys too" He said happily. "And of course, you too, Webby."
"Hey, uncle, are you going back to the mansion?" Louie asked.
"No, my love" Donald replied softly. "Not yet."
"Are you doing better?" Huey asked.
"Yeah, is uncle's Goofy fiancée treating you well?" Dewey said, speaking for the first time.
Donald frowned, taking offense in Sylvia's stance.
"Yes, Dewey, she is. She's an honorable, kind woman and wont hurt anyone. Plus she's a Librarian, and soon a mother... A good one, (unlike Della) and she protects not only Goofy but also Max" Donald replied, a little bit harsh. He's tired, and wants to stop talking about himself. Both, Huey and Panchito felt his rush of adrenaline, and annoyance, so Panchito spoke next.
"Vamos, niños. There's a pizza place near here, and I heard it's very Buena"
"Sim, tenho certeza que você vai gostar" José said calmly.
"What!?" Exclaimed Dewey, not understanding the parrot.
"I'm sure you'll enjoy it!" Webby translated. "That's what he said."
"você fala português? Quão bem!" José exclaimed, he's always happy to meet someone who speak his mother tongue.
"Webby é uma garota inteligente, sempre ansiosa para aprender, assim como Huey." Donald said, and his nephews were impressed of how understandable their uncle sounded. But joke's on them, neither speak Portuguese.
Webby was over the moon, blushing badly as she shyly added. "mas, meu português está enferrujado, e tenho certeza de que, se Huey aprender, ele se sairá melhor que eu."
"Não se venda assim, donald não era tão bom quando começou a aprender português e espanhol." Panchito chimed this time, elbowing Donald on the side. " E agora olhe para ele, ele até sabe italiano"
"oh, sei così cara. now give us a kiss." After saying this Donald went further and puckered his lips as far as they could go, looking absolutely ridiculous as he tried to pull Panchito towards him to carry out his intent.
José hid his beak behind his hand, muffling his laughs. Webby and the rest of the kids sweat drop as they watch the adults play.
Panchito let out a small girly squawk and then laughed out loud, putting up a mock struggle and chuckling as Donald kept his lips puckered, and not only that but also crossed his eyes and looked even more garishly ludicrous.
"Come on, Hermano! Stop this, what are going to think the children!" He said pretty exaggerate.
The three laughed out loud again, before saying. "No homo"
It was just a small joke they always do when happy, when they're with intimates, no one to judge.
Panchito took them to the restaurant, and thankfully, they were seated pretty quick, a bright side of being the fun of everyone at the moment. Today was going to be the absolute best day of the week, hands down, that's what Donald is making sure, to make it up to his kids for everything. They would not only have pizza, but also they'll take them to the movies, to eat popcorn, chocolate, sodas, anything. It will cost a fortune, but he doesn't give a heck, after all he'll pay with his share of the Caballero's treasure.
The food arrived and the kids attacked as if haven't eaten in years. Even making a small food war as they teased each others. And Donald understood how bad the kids were having it at home, it tore his heart to accept he was part of their problems. And it's just unfair to know that soon, he possible would have to go, and never seeing them grow into the awesome adults he's sure they're going to be.
But, he pushed his thoughts aside, carefully glaring at Panchito, since his empathic power are very sensitive. Being completely oblivious to another red capped duckling with empathy. Huey, for the first time in his life, took the time to study his uncle's body language, and... He felt conned. His uncle was always lying, every time he looks at them his eyes were dull, except when they archived something they wanted, but normally, his eyes were always dull, and now, looking at his smiles, the smiles he gives to his "brothers" he noticed how warn and sincere are in comparison with the ones he gives uncle Scrooge... Or even them.
It's now that it finally hit Huey, how much did they cost to him. According to what Louie told him, uncle Donald was a normal kid, a kid that happened to be Scrooge McDuck's nephew and have adventure as a hobby and not his sole purpose on life, just like his youngest brother. Adventuring was something he did just to please his father figure, and now he does just for their sake. As far as he can see, his uncle just wanted to settle down, have kids, and why not, being in a band with his brothers in all but blood. But thanks to his mother and uncle's decisions, he had to face with the sacrifice of all of his dreams to be a father to them, and yeah, one can say he could just dropped them with Scrooge, or try to make the paces earlier. But, now that he knows how awful his uncle felt at his own home he can't blame him.
"Hey, guys! I almost forgot to tell you I got us a job" Donald said, snapping Huey of his thoughts.
"Trabajo? Cual trabajo?" Asked Panchito between bites.
"Sim, tell us, brother!" Added José, eating like the gentleman he is.
The kids, except Huey were minding their own business, maybe even planning some shenanigans to force Donald and scrooge together, so Donald felt free to talk.
"Apparently Glomgold us hosting a party, to try to convince more people to be his ally."
Panchito's head tilted to his side, not getting the idea. José, in the other hand was interested, since he enjoys parties in general.
"So..." José started "where do we feature?"
"Just listen to teacher!" Donald smiled as he explained the details.
Panchito was over the moon, to think that a businessman wanted them to perform at his party exalted him. "Sooooooo, when do we start?"
"Tomorrow night, at 9" Donald replied, sipping his soda. "He Even gave us the liberty to choose what are we going to play"
"Good." Panchito mumbles "No queria tocar Nada weirdo"
With that, Donald stopped talking about the job, and went on and on with the kids about their problems. Each taking turns to vent what were bothering. Webby and Dewey talking about how much they miss him, and how much they want to have him back at the mansion. Even offered to prank Gladstone, and though temping, he had to make them promise to leave the hybrid alone.
Louie told Donald to think about going back to the marina, he just wanted to have his uncle back, not caring about leaving the mansion. Huey was the most quiet, he only told him to take his time, and that whatever his decision is, they will be at his side.
Donald broke down in tears. "You shouldn't have to worry about this, my children. This is an adult matter... But, for you, I'll do my best to forgive your uncles"
And for a moment, Huey brought that sweet lie. For Louie, it was like a goodbye.
[•••••••]
Regrets.
What's a regret?
The only thing that Pete knew was that regrets are tied to mistakes. And he had done a lot of them. PJ one of them, Pete loves his son, and regrets profoundly how awful his childhood was, and that the one who was meant to protect him was the cause of it.
Can he blame anyone of his parenting towards PJ? No. His parents were perfect, they gave anything he needed and wanted, at the cost of being absent. And when they were around, they were very strict, but never abusers. His mother was more affective than his father, but that never was a problem, he was loved. Then why he couldn't love PJ like that all those years ago.
Maybe because he wasn't ready to be a father. PJ birth was an accident, he still remembers when he and Peg had to tell their parents, and both couples agreed to force the marriage.
"It was just a little mistake"
Peg didn't want to marry him, and to be honest, he didn't even loved her. He knew, they both knew they didn't meant anything to each other. They were the second table plates, him being in love with Penelope Pooch and Peg with Goofy. And for the first time, he "bad boy" Pete couldn't bring himself to try something with the red haired beauty. Because it was evident Goofy and Penny were made for each other, and that's why he distanced himself from his friend and started hanging out with Mortimer and Donald.
Both suddenly outsiders of their friends. Goofy never took it personal that two of his friends didn't spent a lot of time with him anymore, but that didn't mean he approved what they did for fun.
Nor did Mickey Mouse, they little prefect of the class, the perfect student and son. He was very possessive of his friends, as if he owned them, even if he neglected Donald, Mickey still acted as his owner, and hated when the duck spent time with them.
He recalls that time... When they were teenagers.
Donald outdone himself this time, he stole his uncle's finest cigars, with each inhale they could taste how expensive they were. They were at the back of the school gym, It was one twenty-seven PM. And all of the student were eating, that before the big event, the reason why the brought Bibles that day. The unusual trio really needed to smoke that day to cope. Even though their student councilor always refered to the act as harmful self neglected, those "cancer sticks," being only a death warrant. But hell, Pete thought, today they deserved one. Scratch that, everyone in their place would've needed one after Witnessed/being involved in the fucking problem, Sam's problem. After all, didn't the bullied boy, who killed himself in the school's gym bathrooms, said that everyone grieves in their own way? The boy, couldn't take the bullying anymore, and decided to end his existence in there, were his bully, a senior student whose in the school's football team takes a bath after training would find him. Bad luck that the ones who found the hanging body were a bunch of idiots who wanted a smoke. It was class time, history class, they skipped that class just because they can, and just as they entered the almost empty bathroom, they wished they have went to class.
Mortimer, the sarcastic of the trio almost fainted at the sight, his knees buckled, and he moved to his side to puke his lunch.
"Wha–!? I-..." He tried to say something, but he couldn't stop his puking.
Pete turned towards Donald, the duck ever since he started highschool his "emo" phase got worse, a fringe covering his left eye, dark circles under his eyes, and always wore a emotionless mask, that made his blue eyes look intimidating. But, in this moment the mask shattered and fell, Donald's face morphed from indifference into utter terror, he raised a trembling hand to his throat, possibly feeling a phantom pain.
"He's dead..." He whispered the obvious, but his voice was so broken that any intention Pete had to snap a 'No shit, Sherlock' at him died within a second.
As for himself, Pete felt his mouth dry, his mind almost blank. The world around him muted, hearing only Mortimer's retching and Donald's laboured breathing.
"Donald... Your inhaler, do you have it with you?" He asked, but received no answer. "Goddammit Duck! Do you have it or not!?"
Finally Donald moved, he simply nodded, and pulled it out to use it. Satisfied with his action, Pete moved towards Mortimer, grabbed his forearm harshly, and pulled him to his feet.
"We need to go, nothing happened here"
Surprisedly, Mortimer struggled against him. "Wait!? Aren't we going to tell a teacher?"
"Are you mad!?" Snapped Pete. "In case you have forgotten we were about to smoke in class time. I don't know about you, but if I get detention one more time in this week, my father's going to smack my butt into tomorrow land."
"But–" Mortimer tried, just to have Pete yell at him again.
"You think just because we found a dead body the principal isn't going to punish us for skipping class again!? No. At much he's giving us detention instead of suspension, but we're not walking free of this one, we need to go, let anyone else find this dude."
Mortimer nodded, and walked on his own towards the exit, Pete helped Donald to walk, as they left the hanging body alone. They hid in the library until someone found the body, and used the commotion to sneak their way back to class. Next thing the trio knew was the announcement of the tragedy, and the service that will follow.
And that's what brought them here in the first place, to smoke. But today way special, since they were doing it to honor Sam. They, Mortimer, Pete and Donald, the boys who found him giving him their version of memorial.
"This is stupid." Donald said, given a long inhale. "He died here because no one cared enough, the teachers, the principal and prefects didn't care enough and his parents think it's a good idea doing the memorial here. Where his torturer roans free. What a joke."
"Look at the Bright side" commented Mortimer. "At least the teacher cancelled the exam for today, I didn't studied for that shit."
The trio continued to smoke in silent, but knew Donald was taking this in a more personal level. The duck even stole alcohol from his uncle, they took a sip from the bottle, but soon Donald took action. He dragged a small trashcan, and without a blink he emptied half of the bottle on it, and lit it on fire.
Mortimer snatched the bottle from Donald's grasp and grumbled. "What a waste of good vodka."
Next thing they saw was Donald throwing his Bible onto the fire, Pete was quick to follow. Mortimer glared at his friends in shock for a moment, before giggling and doing the same.
"You both are crazy."
The book was soon consumed by the fire by the time the bell rang, but neither of them moved. Mortimer almost drank the whole bottle, but Pete grabbed it and emptied in one swing, to Mortimer amusement, Donald smiled, a small one as he whistles in amazement at his friend.
"Wow, Pete." Said the clearly drunk duck. "And you still have to finish the cigar? Can you do it baby boy?"
Pete huffed, rolling his eyes. "Shut it and finish yours Donnie boy, we still have to clean ourselves to conceal the smell."
"Yeah, we don't want a another visit to the principal's office." Agreed Mortimer. "I'm sure not even our father's name are going to save us from underage drinking and smoking. That for sure will get us expelled."
The teenagers shuddered at the thought, unlike Donald whose uncle doesn't mind just changing schools or dropping school at all, Mortimer and Pete's parents were not. Since both have been spelled from several private schools and this one only accepted them under certain conditions, they didn't have the luxury to just be expelled.
In the middle of their fun, two figures making their way towards them until they heard.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?"
Donald, startled by the angered shout dropped his cigar, his eyes widening as he met the stern eyes of the class prefect, Mickey Mouse. Mortimer snarled at him, his shoulders tensing, all the friendly aura he had disappeared, leaving behind a young boy with fury and disgust burning in his eyes. As a last act of defiance, the taller mouse put out his cigar on the newly painted wall behind him, noticeably ruining it. Pete was special, he let his gaze wander behind the prefect, knowing the permanent guardian dog was there. Goofy, whose eyes are directly looking at him. The cat smirked, not loosing his cool at the situation, he even nodded at Goofy. Acknowledged, the dog nodded back.
Pete, feeling a bit daring, just like Mortimer, decided to look at the smaller mouse dead in the eye, and without a blink, he finished his cigar on a long, deep inhale. Which surprised Donald and Mortimer, but disgusted Mickey and Goofy in return, good, he got the reaction he wanted.
The prefect stepped closer to the trouble makers trio as the heavy atmosphere settled around them. The others in him held their breaths, no one wanting to miss the words to be spoken.
"I should report you all, and sent you to the principal's office." He said sharply, shaking in rage, but then, he sighed. "But I won't... Im Just gonna pretend I didn't see anything."
Pete, Donald and Mortimer did not miss the widening of Goofy kind eyes as Mickey spoke those words, almost not believing it. Something in that promise appeared to have struck Goofy to his core, which was startling in itself, for the Goody–Twoshoes student had never looked so shaken.
There's must be a catch, Pete thought. Mickey Mouse is known to be the most strict prefect, not showing mercy on anyone who breaks the rules. However, before they could question the suddenly merciful mouse, Mickey's voice rose again to bark an order.
"Donald, let's go before I change my mind!"
The duck didn't need to be told twice, he clumsily obeyed his friend, sparing a quick glance to his other friends and left.
That memory's still present on him, just as he's sure it's present on Donald and Mortimer. The three of them even in their college years pretended to not remember that suicide, but he knows it's marked with blood within them, after all, Donald himself tried to kill himself shortly after his stupid sister vanished.
And even Mortimer confessed he went to therapy in his adulthood, trying to erase that image from his mind. As for himself, that event caused him to be antipatic towards depressed people, or suicide victims, always saying. 'If they don't care about their own life, why should I!? '
With Donald he barely talked with him after the incident, but now he understand better. But, it wasn't until PJ's attempt that he finally opened his eyes.
For years, after PJ's disastrous birth, he and Peg tried their best to love him and to pretend to love each other. But with Pete trauma, and lack of empathy, he felt it was for the best to raise his son to be just like him, antipatic and selfish, so he wouldn't be harm by other brats. Joke's on him, PJ was too sweet, too gentle, so he tried harder, never showing too much affection.
It never worked.
Then, for pressure, they had another child, A daughter, Pistol. She was everything he ever wanted for PJ to be, a trickster, unappealing brat who always got away for her misbehavior. He admits he liked the girl a little bit more than PJ, but only because she was just as rotten as him. His wife loved her just because she always wanted a daughter, and she made the blind eye on the child as well.
But, one day, they left Pistol under PJ and Max care, children supervising children. A idea doomed from the beginning. Pistol tried to prank them, escaping from their table of that fast food restaurant. What was she thinking, nobody knows, the only thing everyone knows is that she ran across the street. A green light, a family that just wanted to go home, a father who got distracted just for a second.
It was quick, she was gone before her body hit the ground, and marked the life of that family as well. It was accidental, the father barely saved from going to jail for a very determined lawyer, and with Pistol's death their marriage died with her. Peg didn't wanted much, just her things, and a bit of money, next thing in the morning she was gone.
She didn't wanted PJ, since it was a reminder, she only left a note. Pistol's belongings got donated soon after she was buried, her room walled, sealed away as if she never exited. Donald helped, never questioned him like Goofy, and Mortimer took care of all the legal stuff.
Sam's suicide made him antipatic.
He didn't cried for his daughter's death.
He didn't cried for his parents' death years after.
He didn't cried for his friend's failed suicide attempt.
He didn't felt anything for his friend's suffering because of his ungrateful son.
He didn't cried for his son going to college.
He didn't said anything to comfort his son for his girlfriend going away.
But he did cry when he found PJ in the bathtub filled with pink water.
Finally, that single event snapped him into reason, and then, he cried. He begged, for any god to safe his son. That day, all the love he forced himself to bury deep inside, got finally free. He thanked his military training, he could focus on stopping the bleeding, he could call an ambulance, and his son could live. Despite that, Pete still felt empty.
The wasted years. Him, being a good father, raising PJ and Pistol correctly. Having his son loving him, instead of fearing him.
The wasted youth. All the wasted protects he could've spent time, healing, and being healed.
The pretty lies. Being the best at everything, being satisfied with his life, not regretting anything.
The ugly truth. Regretting everything, wanting to turn back time to raise PJ like he deserved. Tried to be happy just like Peg tried.
But now, he must tried to amend his mistakes, and facing the possible reality that PJ would cut ties with him, even though he tried to amend their relationship. But, if in the end, PJ is happy, then Pete could finally find some peace. The peace he could've found since the beginning if he had accepted help, and maybe, just maybe, everything could've gone better.
[•••••]
Mickey Mouse considered himself a happy man, he got almost everything anyone would want. A home, a good paying job, him as general manager in a marketing company. He has a car, he married the love of his life, he has amazing friends.
But he can't help but be a bit possessive of the people around him, something he had learned to hide. He knows he's by far not a perfect person, he's a condescend fool, too blind by his own happiness to see others' pain. Something he got from his father, Walter Mouse. His father always wanted perfection, and looked forward to get it, even from his children. He was a business man, a very intelligent one, but even through to others he was just a cold hearted jerk, to Mickey he was his model, everything he aspired to be.
Walt, as his wife used to call him, was a controversial father and husband, he wanted to be in charge all the time. Something his first wife, Charlotte Mintz, didn't like, and that ended up in a divorce. Taking the only child result of the marriage, Oswald. Leaving her as a single mother to a three year old boy, a difficult task in and of itself. But she was smart, working the daylights out in a company called Universal, which is now one of the greatest movie theaters company.
They lived off a combination of her salary and the alimony his father used to pay monthly, but not always on time. Something he learned that one time when he was six and answered the phone before his father could, receiving an angry cry for the lateness of the money. That angered his father, and it ended with a shouting match. She never called to his home phone again, and his father became more responsible with his first son.
But that didn't mean he was a lovely father to Oswald, his half brother. But even so, the thing is despite for all his faults, Daddy Walter was never intentionally cruel or at least that is what Mickey wants to believe. Oswald and his older sister, Felicity Mouse, now Fieldmouse could be cruel to each other. And as always, he stayed on the sidelines, not stopping neither of them when things went too far. Despite that, he loved Oswald, and was sad when his father forbid him to call him brother. Felicity was okay with that, as she was immature and over jealous with their father's love, now as a mother she knows better.
Oswald was a little petulant, but usually quiet boy. He hated their mother, always rubbing at her face how hard they have it.
"It's tough and she goes to bed almost as dead tired as when she spent her days fighting with him." He said one day, glaring through the window. "But her life is fulfilling in a way it never was before."
And after that, he never went to their home again. It was, after that event, that his father decided to train him. Since he was going to be his legacy, and with that he became the favorite child.
And that's what brought him here, he always did what his father told him to do, he always tried his best to impress him, he always pleased him. Meaning that, sometimes, he had to play blind, deaf and mute. He loves his father, he was the best, but sometimes he wish he wasn't such a narcissist. Now with the McDuck pamphlet fiasco, he will be a better man, and a better friend.
"Well, hello, Michael." Said an arrogant voice, causing the mouse to groan.
"Just who I needed to see, Mortimer." Said mouse's grew wider, but quickly morphed into a thin line.
"Don't be like that, Mickey." He said, and Mickey hissed at him.
"You don't get to call me that!"
Mortimer rolled his eyes. "Whatever, Mickey. I'm here to be nice and you're an asshole? What kind of education Walter gave you."
The reaction was instantly, Mickey stood up from his chair, almost dropping it. "Don't you dare!"
Mortimer crossed his arms over his shoulder. "Listen, I got you an early permission to leave, so you can go and watch over Donald."
Mickey's eyebrows raised, his eyes widening. "Why would I believe that? We're not friends"
Mortimer flashed a smile. "No. We're no, but let me tell you something. I like Donald, out of the three of you, he was the most decent."
Mickey said nothing, Mortimer almost laughed. Finally the mouse sighed, and gestured at the older mouse to sit down.
"So..." Mickey started as Mortimer sat down. "How are you going to help me?
" The reason why you can't leave is because of your boss, right? "
"Yes, my boss, O'Hara. He couldn't find someone capable enough who can replace me while I'm gone." Mickey said. "And he said he's still searching, but told me that if he doesn't find someone, I can go in a week, for a few days."
"Well then! Good news for you, Mickey!" Mortimer exclaimed, clapping his hands together. "I found the right person to replace you for a while, and look! They are even going to pay you."
Mickey tilted his head, not truly believing it."WHO!? "
"Me" answered a new voice, a familiar one.
The words struck in his throat, Mickey could only stare at the newcomer, his mouth hanging open.
Chucking to his half brother's reaction, Oswald came closer to him. "Hi, Michael."
[•••••]
José was about to have a vision, he can already feel that underwater sensation before one started. He cursed his gift as he was forced to practically fled the movie he was watching with the kids.
The avenger vs SuperHound. It was okay, and he left in the moment of Truth, something about a Martha. He ran to the theater's cinemas bathrooms, he grasped the sink to steady himself as he was almost gone. He glanced himself at the mirror, grimaced at how pale, and wet in sweat he is. He closed his eyes, trying to hold it together, but when he opened them he gasped.
He wasn't in the cinema anyone, he was in a office of some kind. In front of him was a warrior, wearing dome kind of jumpsuit and cape. The one in the jumpsuit was a duck, hazel eyes, his face covered with a black bandana veiling his face. The duck had a sword, but it looked like a ornamental one, so as well as useless.
There were another two persons in the room, a hooded figure, very menacing with purple eyes. And the other, a woman, a female duck with dark short hair and grey eyes, but her eyes looked dull, devoid of life.
The sword on the male duck swung wildly in his hold, steel looking to cut down anything that stood in its path. But even so, the attack was aimed to the cloaked figure that was there but it was untouchable. The figure, the familiar figure danced out of reach with each move, a mocking laugh ringing throughout the vast expanse of shadows.
"Attack her! Attack her!" Cried a voice tainted with statics
The warrior kept dodging the woman's attacks and tried to reason with her with no avail. Finally, one strike landed right through its chest, the sword melded with the hooded figure, but the creature only let loose a deep cackle before disappearing in a cloud of smoke.
Suddenly, the woman grabbed the warrior from behind, that caused the warrior to flinch, his confidence mask shattered.
"You'll have to be better than that if you want to defeat me," Her cold voice purred in the warrior's left ear. "My love..."
She gave a cry echoing a mix hate and anguish, before the warrior could spun and break free from her hold she thrust a dagger into the gut of the warrior.
Both, the warrior and José screamed, a hot pain exploding on his side, and now running through his veins. The parrot felt tears running down his cheeks, his blood was pounding in his ears, breaths ragged with exertion.
He hated this vision, he doesn't known any of this people, and yet, he can feel the warriors pain, his exhaustion. But, that's impossible, not even when he had a vision about his father's accident years ago felt his pain, the only way to have that kind of connection is by blood vow.
José looked up again, and his heart stopped, for a few seconds standing before him, jewelry dagger still lodged into his abdomen and blood rapidly darkening his suit, was his brother.
Was Donald.
But then, José blinked and the man before wasn't Donald anymore, but the masked warrior. The warrior's eyes were wide with shock, pain, mildly annoyance and betrayal at the woman. Then, as if a switch was turned off, the woman blinked, her eyes clearing and her mouth gaped, tongue moving in an attempt to speak, but no words escaped, only tears.
José was frozen, mind numb with disbelief and absolute horror, not fully understanding what had just happened. He was already hysterical, and the howls of agony from that woman didn't helped at all.
Just as he could process the sight assaulting his brain, the warrior gave a pained gasp as he ripped the dagger out, almost falling to the ground, his blood pooling at his feet.
With his heart out of control on his chest, José closed his eyes, begging himself to just pass out and As if attached through an immense weight, José allowed himself to fall to the ground like a puppet cut off its strings, knees colliding harshly with the floor. Tears cascading down his cheeks, he opened his eyes and he found himself in the cinema bathroom. To his utter surprise, Donald is beside him, holding him and whispering soft things to him in Portuguese.
Finally, after ten minutes of crying, José finally pulled out, looking Donald dead in the eye.
"You're Paperinik, aren't you"
It was not a question, there wasn't a way for Donald to lie himself out of this. José noticed how his friends behavior shifted, his once warn blue eyes turning into a firm menacing ones.
Soon, his shock for the sudden truth wear off, replaced by anger and betrayal. "You— you lied to me! You lied to us!"
"I did"
"Why!?" José shouted, his voice cracking. "You promised! You said you weren't doing any funny business without us!"
"Yeah, I lied." Donald said, painfully courtly.
José lost it at his indifference, and in a moment of pure anger, the parrot swung his fist around with full intent to punch his friend, his brother. A stupid move, he realizes as he forgot that Donald was the better fighter of them, the most agile in combat. His Snow-white feathered fingers wrapped easily around his wrist before it made contact. José's eyes widened in surprise while his friend's own eyes narrowed.
"I'm sorry, Joe. But I must do this to you." Donald's voice was tainted with honey, so sickeningly and falsely sweet that it rang sour in José's ears "Soon you won't remember this, and it would be better for all of us."
José was suddenly paralyzed with fear as his friend's eyes glowed purple. The cold tips of Donald's fingers pricked his skin, dancing along his spine and digging into his scalp.
They were in a very intimate position, and before José could react, Donald muttered his spell.
"Clauditis"
End of chapter 10
Notes.
"No homo" a frequent joke on the DBZ abridged series.
Now, I put more background on Mickey and his family, since they are going to be a great train of thoughts on the poor mouse's head. I don't think his fathet was bad, but neither was good, he was more like a grey morality person.
Donald is in deep shit, and as usual, he wants to sink alone.
And to answer to Electric jaylee, yes, it was for the locket but also the song.
Pete here is a descent person, and wants to repair all the damage he had done, Even though he's aware he doesn't deserve it.
About Pistol and Peg, I added that background to explain why in the movies, Pete and PJ are on their own, and why Pete was so nasty when in the goof patrol was a normal parent.