Finally got around to the next chapter of Fantomallard's story and The Duck Avenger's origin! For now, we're peeking in on the cousins as they deal with the troubles here at Villa Rosa. Then right up next, we'll get to see how Scrooge and his teatime meeting goes!

Though, not much is really happening yet. For now, enjoy this chapter!

Shared Originally: August 2, 2023

New Part Added Date: September 6, 2023

Date: February 5, 2024

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Chapter 4: Into A New Mystery

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Groan, his ears could barely register any sound. His head was pounding from being unceremoniously dropped down into who knows where. Regret was starting to creep in for even deciding to come to this abandoned Villa, if his luck was treating him this way.

He picks himself up from off the floor as the ringing in his ears quells and he starts hearing sounds again. There's a faint whirling noise and mechanical meshing of cogs coming somewhere from above him.

"Donald? D Money? Cuz? Where are you?" Gladstone yells out into the darkness, only to hear the same faint noises and the echoing of his own voice. This wasn't good, they were separated.

How had it happened again? The Gander for the life of him couldn't remember the events that transpired, only that he fell into a hole. Did his cousin's bad streak cause all this? Or did he do… "No Gladstone, do not go down those line of thoughts. You're not turned into him anymore. Just focus on your situation and find a way out." He told himself as he took a single breath in and calmly exhaled.

Now in a better headspace, it was time to assess his situation. There wasn't much to go on since he couldn't even see his own beak in front of his face. But then he remembered, "Oh right, my phone! It has a built in flashlight~!" He spoke this aloud gleefully, but the moment was short lived. Upon inspection of his suit pockets, he found them to be empty. Perhaps he dropped it? So, he knelt down to the ground and felt around him for his phone. But unfortunately, he also found nothing but the dirt and grooves of the stone floors brushing against his feathers.

Giving up the search, he decided it was time to look around. His eyes had now adjusted to the dark, poorly lit area he finds himself in. Where he landed was rather dusty, housing a brick and stone tunnel system, that again, looked like some sort of escape route from some castle. The walls were lined with fancy oil lamps that were firmly embedded into the walls every couple of meters. Even though the dust heavily coated the glass, he could tell the wicks inside were rather new, making him believe that this place use to be lit quite frequently. Unfortunately, there wasn't a single match to be found on his person. But luckily, as he took one step forward to observe the lamps, he just so happened to kick something small and light. Looking down, he found an old, sealed matchbox at his feet.

"Huzzah! Now I can see where I'll be going," Gladstone proudly proclaimed as he hastily picked up the box and struck the match. It worked, the lamp was aglow as it revealed the pathway was longer than he expected.

He believed that his luck was changing and went for the next lamp as he moved down the strange tunnel. But unbeknownst to the Gander, who failed to question how there was still oil to burn for those lamps, he didn't notice that the oils themselves were releasing some sweet smelling vapors into the air as he walked further down. He also didn't notice, just off to the corner on the bottom wall, was the imprint of where the matchbox had been originally sitting and a singular candlestick was sitting on the corner of the floor.

No, Gladstone decided to keep going straight ahead to find an escape route as well as to find Donald, who was definitely going to be upset when this was all over. And here he was, wanting to do something good for once with no strings attached. Well, top priorities were finding Donald, getting out, and hoping that his cuz won't be too mad at him, choosing to forgive him by accepting this gift anyway.

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-DUCKTALES 2017-

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Speaking of Donald, the poor Duck's head was throbbing in pain as he found himself in a rather odd place. Unlike Gladstone who was stuck in an underground tunnel, he found himself somewhere else in this Villa.

It was just moments after the vacuum ate him and then spat him out again did he see the place he ended up. It was a spacious room, one that reminded him of an old living room or a waiting room from those historical dramas. At the center, a low oblong tea table was situated in-between two intricately wood carved couches embellished with expensive silk cushions. Around the room there were mostly shelves of odd knickknacks, expensive paperweight rocks & gems, out of place broken machinery parts, and wires haphazardly arranged just about on every shelf. But one thing was clear to the duck, this room had nothing on the wall or ceilings. There were no windows, no signs of a door or knob, but the light somehow felt natural? Almost like the sun was pouring into the room? But no sign or evidence of a skylight above could be found.

Looking all around, the room seemed like nothing more than an illuminated box with no escape. But if his years adventuring with Uncle Scrooge and Della have taught him anything, it's that if there's no escape, then there's a trick or puzzle to be solved. So, basically, he's now gotten himself into an "Escape Room" situation. Oddly though, if anyone were to ask, he was much better at solving those than actual ones from the temples or mazes that his family end up frequenting on their escapades. Perhaps the reason is that the unpredictable became so predictable in these kinds of rooms. Or maybe it was the lack of a doom cloud hanging over his head because the chance of great peril or perishing all together was removed.

Or…

"Yikes!"

Donald trips on a stray coil that is lying about on the hardwood floor, which causes him to hit a wall. But only, it wasn't a wall that he hit. It felt cool to the touch, his fingers brush against the sides of what he can feel is a frame. But that's strange… There isn't anything on this wall, or on any wall for that matter. Once he removes himself from whatever it is, he gently places a hand back on the spot and brushes the wall. To his surprise, there are more frames that can only be felt and not seen. So that means, if he kept brushing his hand along the way, he could find a way out of here and that means a door!

So, Donald got to it, feeling the wall hoping for an answer.

"No. No. No… Ah ha!"

Success! He's found a crack and with a little more effort, found a notch in the wood which would suggest a sliding door. Excitedly, he slides it open and soon a doorway is finally visible. He notices too that the walls are now no longer empty. Those frames he could only feel appeared instantly and now can be perceived. Decorating the room appeared to be several paintings, photos, and degrees. The ceiling too revealed a skylight, a series of wires, and what looked like the kinds of magical artifacts he'd expect to find in Scrooge's bins. Though, he didn't feel the need to inspect the room in-depth, finding Gladstone and getting out of the villa took top priority.

But had Donald stopped to look closer at the portraits for even a second, he would have noticed few things. The first, a little Polaroid picture of someone he knew very well, and the next a portrait of a another duck with an uncanny build and resemblance to…

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-DUCKTALES 2017-

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"Well what have I just walked into?"

Scrooge thought as he entered the meeting place addressed on the invitation. After really examining the calling card the thieves left that night, which was actually a cleverly disguised crafty version of a flat puzzle box, it revealed an invitation to a rather out of the way tea time establishment that rests just on the outskirts of Duckburg. So, with his mind made up, he decided to attend to hear the duo out. Well, he was always going to attend, given that these thieves had a lot of explaining to do with their undetected entrance into the Money Bin as well as the ominous words about his business. Sure, he's dealt with shady dealings, made many mistakes with the wrong people, but as his favorite quote he made all on his own went, "I am smarter than the smarties, tougher than the toughies, and I made it square." He had proven that he could overcome, but why would the words of two thieves make it seem like his business wasn't so square after whatever happens, happens? What was he missing?

Scrooge took a moment to look around at the establishment he just entered. Here it felt rather reminiscent of a tea house in the UK, from the old school architecture to the furniture, to even the aroma of tea and treats wafting through the air. As he took in a breath, some of the smells oddly reminded him of home.

A rather buff-looking duck with a sensibly styled suit approached Scrooge while lost in the fragrances of nostalgia. "Welcome to the "All I Savor" Tea House, where all that is savored is tea and the time well spent. Sir, have you an invitation?"

Scrooge blinked, surprised by the man's rather kind voice, which opposed his odd build and intense facial features. "Oh yes, 3 P.M. teatime. Here as scheduled." He handed the buff duck with a sensible suit his invitation.

"Oh, so you're our special guest! It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Scrooge McDuck!"

My what enthusiasm, such a stark contrast to his looks. Scrooge smiled, humoring the man, "Aye, a pleasure… umm?"

Oh I am, Zuh-uh… I apologize, I am on duty at the moment. I shall be simply known as your host and server. For now, right this way, we have the room set up for you."

Scrooge looked at the man who looked sorely disappointed at not being able to introduce himself, "Cannae even introduce yerself?"

He shook his head, "Not unless I'm off duty and in idle mode, otherwise, I must follow my set directives. I abide by certain rules while here and must not to break them. Otherwise, how could I be able to call myself reliable?"

"Ah, a fellow after my own work ethic. What good will it do if you cheat yourself out of honest work? Nothing, I'll tell ye."

The buff duck's eyes seemed to be stunned, "Thank you Mr. Scrooge, I shall store this in my memory as a reminder to stick with it."

Scrooge nodded, chuckling. What an odd fellow who was a mix bag of personality and speech that contradicted his looks, but hey, you can never judge a book by its cover. He learned that the hard way so many times in his life, with who to trust and who to avoid when its matters of business.

The two ducks soon arrived by a room over on the top floor of the establishment, "Well Mr. Scrooge, I shall leave you to your guest." He was about to leave before he remembered something, "Oh, before I forget, our tea house operates on highly exclusive orders. Only a select few are members of our establishment and entry is by invite only. So when you leave, you must agree to sign papers of sworn and legal secrecy. Understand?"

There was that feeling of suspicion once more, that something was truly amiss with this strange property. But when he investigated the surrounding land, there didn't seem to be anything of significance on this place he would call, "a farmland lot." If anything, the only clue he got of its history were from papers from the supposedly previous owners, some immigrant couple who moved here a long time ago and settled here in the area to build a slice of paradise. He wondered how they would feel, seeing their beloved home turned into some sort of exclusive club. But then again, they could very well be the ones running this whole operation, possibly a way to privately gain funds and hobnob with the rich and selective members of the upper society. His research, unfortunately, showed nothing about their activity and most of the records were clean, apart from the occasional maintenance and yearly house inspections documented about the property. It just left an odd taste in his beak about such things, clean record and yet not much is known beyond that of it's current history and ownership. He would think about this later, for now, the mystery of the thieves took his top priority.

"Aye, I understand."

"Excellent, now your room is right here. I will be back momentarily with the bites and tea."

When he stepped inside the room, he had a mild expectation of what he would see, a fancy tea room and his hosts. But what he wasn't expecting to find were two rather kind and elderly looking Ducks sitting ever so gracefully in this ruby red tearoom on fanciful couches that were worthy of a royal waiting room. If he didn't know any better, they seemed like surprisingly realistic replicas of the ones that sit in the Queen's palace in London. The two kept quiet and simply gestured for the rich duck to sit down on the chair opposite them. He obliged.

As soon as he sat there, the server duck came back with the tea, treats, cups, plates, utensils, and a couple of covered dishes under silver cloches. The two nodded to the duck in thanks before making some sort of sideways stop gesture, which caused the server duck to leave.

"Now then, shall we get started." The elderly man asked the elderly woman. Their smiles becoming quite young and mischievous, before removing their well designed disguises and masks to reveal Dolly Paprika and Fantomallard in costume. There was the thief, still wearing his jumpsuit, but it was slightly altered with an attachable neck collar and cravat. The lady was still in her getup as well, but hers was altered more elegantly and instead of the legs, it was loose as a flowing evening dress. Simple jewelry somehow managed to compliment her attire, making her seem more appropriate for a tea time.

Finally having looked enough, Scrooge decides to get comfortable in his chair. He wasn't going to waste a free meal, even if this was technically a snack. The gentlemanly Fanomallard pours the tea, adding a droplet of milk and managed a light stirring to what he could tell by the fragrance is nutmeg tea. While the tea is served, Dolly Paprika reveals what was under the cloches. In them were apple short bread pies with a side of sea salt ice cream and a drizzle of caramel. She smiles sweetly as both take their seats once more and have their own tea and treats in front of them.

"It seems you've been studying up on me?"

Dolly smiled, "We aim to please, for one must always know their invited guest's preference in order to provide the absolute best experience."

"I see."

"Although," Dolly sighs, "Your ice cream preference was a rather difficult one to track. Fortunately, our dear friend Z—"

Fantomallard politely coughed as he interrupted, "I believe we should enjoy our treats for now while we discuss the heart of the matter, dear Dolly Paprika."

"Oh me, oh my, I almost got carried away." She giggled.

So, the trio dug into their little desserts and tea. Scrooge would admit that the taste was rather pleasing and pleasantly satisfied that nostalgic taste like home. Dolly Paprika and Fantomalllard smiled warmly as they too dug into their own treats. He watched as the two interacted with one another, as if this were just a casual day out in the gardens. They laughed at each others' jabs and teased him as well to get a reaction that made the atmosphere more relaxed. Though, he could not engage in what they desired, cause right now, he had his own concerns about how to handle this duo.

As the treats were closer to nothing more than crumbs, and the tea becoming room temperature, all focus shifted to one another as their eyes became serious.

"So," Scrooge started, "What is it you two wanted to tell me?"

After a few more bites and a couple of sips, Fantomallard spoke, "Before that, again, Sir Scrooge, we apologize for our rather uncouth behavior the previous night. Were this not a dire situation we find ourselves in, and were it not my dear Dolly Paprika an admirer of your business practices, we may have ultimately let you alone to clean up this mess, but we also have our own reputations to uphold."

"Yer sorta repeating yerself, but what mess are ye referring to exactly?"

The thief offers a paper, it looks like a tabloid, but one he's all too familiar with. This is an exclusive one that is offered in the millions and billionaire's club and is made for their eyes only. The paper itself never truly interested him, always about the boring gossip of the society of the rich, which he only ever took with a grain of salt. Sometimes there was good news to glean from it, but most days, it was slanderous hate against fellow club members, some of those he respected for their business practices. The paper was open to a specific column, one that seemed to share both his name and the thieves' names.

"Scrooge McDuck, known as the Richest Duck In The World, narrowly misses every attack of the famous Phantom duo, Fantomallard and Dolly Paprika. For as much as the loathsome thief have stolen from just about every member of our society, Scrooge reports nothing. Members questioned whether or not the two are somehow in cahoots, plotting and scheming some grand show of fame and fortune; and if so, then what fowl business practices are really going on for Scrooge to remain number one? The man himself is rich, but is known in his reputation to be rather miserly, pinchbeck. Or perhaps, the thieves knows that Scrooge is such, and that's why both he and his partner don't even bother targeting him, to show they deal with no shams of riches. Either way, the thief's lack of interaction should have us all thinking about Scrooge more objectively, especially of his member status in our club."

There were other words and more paragraphs with some rather unsightly views and language that would make an innocent grandmother faint, as well as comments from others inside and outside the club. Some were probably misquoted or their words used out of context. There was especially one from newly rising billionaire, Flintheart Glomgold, about how awful Scrooge is and how he's got bad business practices and such. But other than that, the duck had enough and saw all he really needed to see.

"Bah, no more than mere words. They can search all they want and find my work ethic clean. So, why exactly are ye showing this to me?"

"To propose we answer the call. This article is a clear message to both of us, that our integrity is being tested and tried. So we propose this to you," Scrooge waited with baited breath as the duck pulled out another paper with such detailed writing. The mallard continued, "we stage a heist at your Money Bin."

"I'm sorry, what?!"

Scrooge McDuck was not one to be shaken out of his spats, but this proposal definitely threw him way out of left field. The thief wants to work together with him? Of all people, him?

"I'm sorry, what?!" Scrooge repeated himself.

The look on his face must have been priceless because Dolly seemed genuinely enthused by his expression of astonishment. She even took out a Polaroid from who knows where and snapped a picture of him. "Well, that's another one for the wall. I just love when their expressions are so gobsmacked."

"Indeed Sir Scrooge," Fantomallard continued as he ignored his partner's comment, "This is not something we normally propose. But given you are one of the few of those in the upper crust of society who has not done anything to induce my playful vengeance, it seemed like such a unique opportunity to play those members for fools."

"I don't usually condone deception, but…," Their comment seemed to pique his interest. Although he'd rather be on good terms with the fellow club members, there were some he felt rubbed him the wrong way. The option to cause everyone to be in such a tizzy while knowing full well he had a level of control over a situation, was this something he would willing pass up?

He paused, taking a breath and narrowing his eyes, "What exactly do you two have in mind?"

The thieves glanced at each other, a knowing smile grew upon their faces, as if he were a fish who had just taken the bait on the hook.

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Original Notes:

Wow, that was something, wasn't it? First off, Donald and Gladstone! They've both been separated from each other because of Gladstone's odd streak of clumsiness since entering the house. There's something strange going on at Villa Rosa, so those two are in for a ride.

Gladstone has found himself in some "Secret Tunnels~, Secret Tunnels~," who knows how far below the mansion. Just how far do they stretch and where do they go? Will we get to know?

Meanwhile, Donald found himself in a somewhat escape room like situation. Is that the only one though, or is there more? Will he puzzle himself out of the Villa, or stumble upon something unexpected?

Then again, if you know the story of the Duck Avenger's origins, then you may already have some idea of what's going to happen soon.

Update September 6, 2023: Well, I finally did it, I got Scrooge's part out! A fun little thing for you to try, I threw in a few little puzzles to solve in here. I wonder if you can solve them? Scrooge has entered a very familiar establishment and had a couple of interesting meetings, as well as a nice teatime. Just what kind of heist are they trying to plan? Will Scrooge so readily agree to what they are doing? Still unsure about the amount of chapters it will take, but it's coming along slowly. Just gotta wait and see!

So, this is all I have for now! If you've got questions or just want to know something, feel free to drop a comment below. Thank you so much for reading! :D