Woo! Another chapter is here for you all! This time, we are simply focusing on where we left off, with Donald and the mysterious mechanical Duck! Now who in the world is this strange duck with the yellow eyes? Why is this mechanical marvel in this rather small and cramped little space? What will Donald discover about this little piece of history? Well, I won't keep rambling any further. Here you go, enjoy!

Shared Originally: November 8, 2023

Fixed Up Chapter Dates: November 21, 2023

Date: February 12, 2024

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Chapter 6: That Yearn For The Days Of Yore

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"M-master Qua-Quackett?"

"What?" Donald was shocked. This mechanical doll, robot, android thing knew the Quacketts and called him master?

The android blinked, refocusing those strangely realistic yellow eyes, "No, you're not him. Aside from the black spiderwebs that make your head feathers seem like his and your similar build, it is clear to see you are not him."

Donald was confused for a second, then cleaned off his head to find the blackened webs as the machine duck had said. They must have gotten on him when he walked into this small room or maybe when he found that one key in a hidden area underneath the floorboard. He shook them off and his head feathers and hat were now a lot cleaner.

"I'm sorry, but I'm not him, uh, Master Quackett, I mean."

"Hmm, I surmised as much. The fact that you have the deed and its envelope holds another name can only lead me to the conclusion that the house had been either sold or given in some way. Judging by your lack of knowledge of my master's appearance, that can only mean he wasn't the one to do this."

Donald only nodded at his words as the strange duck sighs in response. He really wanted to know what was up with this self aware machine, so he asked, "So, can you tell me what and who you are?"

"Oh, forgive me. Of course. Hello, my name is Zero, I am an artificial intelligence given physical form, androids I believe our kind are called. I have resided within the halls of the Quacketts's villa since they were in their late 20s and have been in service to them ever since."

"Wow! I didn't think robots were around back then."

The android was appalled at this, "Robot!? Did I not just clarify myself not even a moment ago? I'll have you know, I'm more than just a, "robot." I am an ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE and ANDROID of the highest caliber!"

Donald apologetically lifts his arms in surrender, "Wak! Sorry!"

"Now, if I may ask in kind. May I know who you are and how you came to obtain the deed to Villa Rosa, Sir Gladstone Gander."

"Woah, wait!" Donald waved his arms panicking, "I'm not Gladstone, he's my cousin! My name's Donald Duck. I'm out here because he wanted to gift me this property, but I wanted to look around before agreeing. Then, we got separated. He fell into a pit and I was sucked up by a vacuum that appeared out of nowhere from the ceiling. Wait… how did you know his name?"

"Ah, I see. First as again I mentioned not a moment ago, I knew of your cousin's name because I had quickly scanned the envelope where the deed is clipped on. As for the whereabouts of your cousin, judging by what you've stated, he has fallen into the tunnels below and has most likely found his way to the storage cellar. If he used the expected method, then he has possibly fallen asleep."

"Asleep?"

"Indeed. A countermeasure against theft, should anyone light any of the oil lamps instead of using a candlestick, a torch light, or another form of a light source to navigate their way through the pitch black tunnels, a series of fumes will begin to release causing those underground to fall asleep." Donald was quiet, that wasn't going to go well. Gladstone has already been on edge ever since coming in here. The android, seeing his distress confirmed, "Fret not, should he be down there and fallen asleep, there is a system in place that will magically teleport him back to the front door. He will most likely not remember the tunnel, a small side effect caused by teleportation."

Donald was now at least assured that Gladstone was well, "But what about what happened with me?"

"Why that's simple, you simply triggered a different trap. The one you set off brought you into one of our several escape rooms. This is also another countermeasure against those who try to break in, giving us just enough time to call the authorities. You just happened to end up in our twin tea rooms that, on regular occasions, are used for hosting guests. Although, I have to admit, I am impressed that you were able to enter my secret hideaway. Only the masters know of the secret to magically remove the walls between both rooms, as well as the method to reveal the hidden door to my own."

"Wait… magic? There's that here too?" Donald immediately facepalmed, of course there was magic. How else would the wall have disappeared like that? But it seems Zero didn't notice his obvious slip-up, or he simply ignored it.

"Why of course! Technology is not quite up to par with one such as myself. So, to keep this house and my systems maintained, the house, magical artifacts, and machinery are weaved together in order to function. The combination of this method has kept me active for all their years and maintained the Villa, traps, illusions, and much more. But as you may have surmised, there are consequences to such a blend, along with its drawbacks and side effects. A prime example of such is what I explained mere moments ago with teleportation. The effect on your cousin is the erasure of memories of finding the tunnels and possibly a portion of your experience here at Villa Rosa."

That caused Donald to pause and carefully look around the android's little hideaway room. He can see all the wires, cogs, gears, and artifacts. The style gave off a vibe similar to the steampunk era. But looking closer, he notes various oddities such as gems, dulled yet gleaming glass shards, and miscellaneous curiosities that seemed out of the realm of normality. These strange pieces of arts and artifacts came together to form one giant machine, which seemly branched out through the walls, and at the same time, connected to the strange mechanical duck.

"So, does that mean you're the one controlling this house?" That was the only conclusion Donald could come up with, after seeing the whole set up.

"Yes, and no. I can control my home, but the artifacts are connected in such a way that they have automatic responses to whomever may enter this house."

"So, it's basically a security system?"

"Precisely! The magical energy powers the home and deters any strangers from entering. This includes magically powerful intruders! We have a system in place to balance, suppress, and nullify their energies as much as possible. Most who enter won't notice a thing, but there have been a numbered few who had claimed to feel a cold chill run through their being as they entered our humble abode."

"So that's why Gladstone and I felt chilly earlier," Donald thought to himself. "It also probably explains why he was more clumsier than usual."

"Although," Zero gives slight pause, eyes rolling up as if scanning everything around, "My sensors indicate that many of them are nearly drained of their powers and are slowly giving out."

Donald notes how Zero's eyes close. A wistful smile graces the android's beak as he looks back at the sailor with longing in his eyes.

"Sir Donald, how long?"

Donald is silent, knowing what he means but also not. Zero was most likely searching for an answer to how much time has passed since he had last seen his masters of the Villa. If that was the case, he didn't exactly remember when the house was abandoned, so there was no definite answer he could give. Instead, he shook his head quietly, waiting for the android to clarify.

"How long Sir Donald? How many years has this place been unkempt? How far has the world moved on with its technology? What year is it now?"

"It's," he slowly replies, "the year 2020, we're in the 21st century."

"I- I see…" Zero breathes a sigh, one of contentment yet, a hint of despair, "It is amazing I made it to the new era, yet my masters had not followed. They would have been a century and a year had they lived to see today."

"I'm sorry, Zero." Donald goes up to the poor android and embraces him in a hug. He knew what it was like, to have his reality shattered and the rug pulled out from under his feet. To realize that he no longer was in comfort, that he's now in a home which is a desolate and a bittersweet reminder of those he cherished who are no longer with him, it was something the duck understands and is relatable. He had known this pain with his parents passing, when his sister had disappeared into the stars, and in the hurt that his Uncle Scrooge had inflicted. The loss of their company, love, and support, was gone. Oh his eyes, Donald could see those dry yellow irises and how much sadness they evoked. If Zero could cry right now, his tears would fall endless onto the dusty hardwood floor, staining them in grief and sorrow for the loss of his family.

He looks at the android whose eyes soften, "Thank you, Sir Donald. Your show of sympathy and affection mean the world to me. Had my masters, Sir Lord John Lamont Quackett, and his mistress, Lady Dolly Duck Quackett, been here, they would have embraced me in the same manner. Oh, how they are so dear to me."

"Would you, well, like to talk about them?"

"Yes, yes Sir Donald. I would like that very much."

So talk he did; about the kindness and aid of the duo, the cheek of his lady's words, the boisterous and lively nature of his master's actions, the eccentricities of their fellow professor friend and maintainer of his technologies, and the love that they expressed to each other as a family.

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Original Notes: (Some parts are edited.)

So now we know who this duck is, and that is, "Zero the A.I. and android of the highest caliber!"

To those who read and thought you knew who the mechanical duck was suppose to be, I bet you weren't expecting that answer, huh? This is a completely different name and story. Well, I didn't mention it here, but I may be including some things from "PKNA - Paperinik New Adventures" in this little story, but it may or may not be in the way you're probably thinking. You'll just have to keep on guessing there. I do remind that I am taking elements of the origin and making it feel both similar and unique for the DuckTales2017 cast. So be on the lookout for what is planned soon.

As for Scrooge and the faux-heist to mess with the Millions and Billions club members, that will be taking place in the next chapter. That probably won't be for a long while since I have yet to figure out how to create an actual heist... yet... But I'm sure to come up with something eventually!

But as of now, this is where Donald's story will temporarily end, unless I decide to come back and add more by fixing up and re-editing the chapter. If you've got questions or just want to know something, feel free to drop a comment below. :D

*New Notes: This is the latest chapter I have. The next time another is up, it probably won't be for a long time since I still haven't gotten around to creating a heist yet. Still, I do plan to finish this little story, eventually!

Also, to all of you who have stopped by, I just have to say thank you so so much! Thank you so much for reading and enjoying this story! See you next chapter! :D