Author's Note: Sorry this took a long while to update. I was busy with another story that I had to update weekly and there was the Thanksgiving holiday and I needed to get back into the Ducktales mood. Anyway, thanks for being so patient. And now, back by popular demand, here's some more of Howard's Ducktales.
Any and all comments are welcome.
It was just another day on the moon ever since Della and Howard met the Moonlanders in the hidden city of Tranquility. Della was collecting gold scraps from the gilded city and using them to repair her ship. Howard, on the other hand, lounged about in the city laying his head back to relax.
Della hopped with the moon's low gravity and passed by Howard, who was laying back on a solid-gold lawn chair. She stopped to turn to him.
"Hey, Howard. Is that even comfortable?"
"Not in the slightest." Howard answered. "But it keeps me busy."
"How does that keep you busy?" Della asked. "You could, you know, help me repair the Spear of Selene. You know, so we can go to Earth together and I can introduce you to my family."
"Oh, gee, Della, I would, really." Howard shrugged. "But like I told you, I'm not a rocket engineer. If I tried to help, I might actually end up damaging the rocket instead of repairing it. But hey, if you want me to delay your long-awaited reunion, I guess I could…"
"No, no. I got this." Della said. She turned away sighing. "Lazy bum. Hard to believe that guy's a space explorer."
As Della hopped away, Howard couldn't help but chuckle with himself. Suddenly, something landed beside him startling him. It was Lieutenant Penumbra, and she meant business.
"WAAH!" Howard cried out falling out of his chair. "Don't ever do that again. What do you want?"
"I want answers." Penumbra demanded. "What do you know of Della and what she's planning?"
Howard sighed in annoyance. "For the last time, she's just a naïve girl who crash landed on the moon and is trying to return to Earth to be with her family."
"Lieutenant!" General Lunaris called out as he showed up behind Penumbra. He walked past her to help Howard back up to his feet. "Sorry about Penumbra. She's been a bit anxious for battle ever since you and Della helped us with the mite problem."
"Anxious is one thing, general." Howard said. "That girl's straight up paranoid."
"I am not paranoid. I'm just not gullible." Penumbra said. "She's trying to convince everyone she's our friend to distract us from some devious attack."
"And what does that make me?" Howard asked.
"A hostage we have at arm's length when your girlfriend turns on us."
"For the last time, she's not my girlfriend!" Howard cried out.
"Penumbra, you need a better hold on yourself." Lunaris said. He turned his attention to the planet Earth above. "See that rock? My father, General Meridian, was terrified of it. Claimed to have seen mysterious objects launched off it. He was so afraid that he drove us into hiding underground, which allowed the mites to become a problem in the first place. Do Della and Howard look like threats to you?"
"No. They are squishy and easily defeatable." Penumbra answered.
"You forgot cuddly." Howard commented.
Lunaris chuckled. "My point is, I will not spend my life in fear of them, Penumbra. Our people will see that in time. So will you."
"I'm telling you, Della will not rest until she wreaks havoc on our planet." Penumbra said. "And Howard, I'm telling you. He's hiding something. My warrior bone is certain of that."
"Your warrior bone?" Lunaris asked.
"Yes. When has my bone ever been wrong before?" Penumbra asked.
"What's this about a bone?" Howard asked.
"If you must know, space duck," Penumbra said, "Whenever something isn't right with someone, I get an instinct deep inside that I call the warrior bone. And so far, everything you have said so far has been driving it crazy."
"Well, you can tell your bone or whatever that I don't want any trouble." Howard said. "I'm just a passerby trying get off of this rock as soon as possible. I don't want to be here any more than you want me to be here, and the sooner Della fixes up that rocket, the better."
"Well, one thing's for sure," Lunaris said, "Della is going to need a proper place to rest. She can't spend her remaining time in the wastes. So Lieutenant, she's staying with you."
"What?!" Penumbra asked in shock.
"That's an order." Lunaris said.
"Looks like a ton of hijinks in the future." Howard said.
With Della moving in with Penumbra, she arranged for the unfinished Spear of Selene to be brought with her to be rebuilt in the city square. With a glass of water, Howard passed by to observe her work. He was careful not to accidentally wash down the wad of oxychew gum he had that was keeping him alive.
"Hmm. She's stronger than she looks." Howard commented.
"Um, excuse me."
Howard turned his head to be approached two other Moonlanders, a man and a woman. "Are you one of the strangers that saved us with your Earth ways?"
"Technically, I'm not from Earth and that was Della mainly," Howard said, "But I helped."
"Oh, how delightful." The female Moonlander said. "I'm Zenith, and this is my husband Gibbous. I didn't think we'd ever be saved by strangers not from our planet."
"The moon's not a planet." Howard thought to himself rolling his eyes. He finally spoke up. "Glad to be of service."
"We both are." Della said.
"I heard you beat the mite with… compassion." Gibbous said. "Is that some fancy Earth fighting technique?"
"Oy." Howard rolled his eyes again. "No. It's just a general term for doing something good for someone else. Like a charity. All Della did was give the mite a bit of gold to help feed its baby and it fled away."
"That sounds unreal, yet sweet." Zenith said. "Tell me, Howard, you're from far out into space. Do you practice this 'charity' a lot?"
"Not a whole lot. I'm just a… mapmaker." Howard lied on the last part. "But I tell you, I've seen some pretty sweet things. Like the time I traveled to the Sovereign homeworld. Those may have been some stuffy people, but they had the brightest sights. And the planet known as Halfworld, full of the cutest little critters I've ever seen."
"How delightful." Gibbous chuckled. "And you, Della Duck?"
"Me? I'm just a mom trying to go home to see her kids." Della said.
"You gave us so much." Gibbous said.
"We would be honored to help you in any way." Zenith said.
"Really? Thanks. You could start by helping lift this cone to the top of the rocket." Della said.
Gladly, Gibbous and Zenith helped Della lift the tip of the spear with a pulley system. Howard was baffled by what he was seeing.
"You're… helping? But you don't even know us." Howard asked.
"We're forever grateful." Gibbous said.
"Besides, this 'compassion' sounds pretty good." Zenith said.
"I'll be quacked." Howard said.
"So I tied up the Beagle Boys and strung them down from the bank rafters like a yo-yo." Della narrated to Howard and a large gathering of Moonlanders who came to watch her rebuild the rocket.
"That is amazing." Gibbous said. "What is a yo-yo?"
"You do… tricks with it." Della said. "Like 'around the world' or 'walk the dog'."
"That is amazing. What is a dog?"
"It's a little critter that some people keep as a pet." Howard said.
"Oh, do they have dogs on your planet, Howard?" Della asked.
"No, but this one guy I know has a dog. Strangely enough, it's a telepathic one."
"That's cool." Della said. "I bet you have a ton of stories to tell my sons when we get to Earth. Oh, and look who's coming around? Hi, Penny."
Penumbra growled as she stepped up to the crowd. She gritted her teeth trying to play nice. "Greetings… roomie."
"Do I see a shenanigan in our future?" Della asked as she playfully floated down and hugged Penumbra much to her chagrin.
"Yes. Shenanigans." Penumbra restrained herself. "Another reason Planet Moon is more fun than your lame Earth."
"Aw, we can both be great, right?" Della asked. "The Earth. The moon which orbits around the Earth."
Penumbra couldn't contain herself. She pulled out a pistol and fired a lightning blast from it. Luckily for Della, it missed and bounced off hitting the area behind Penumbra. She brushed it off as a shenanigan with a nervous chuckle.
"Anyway, the Moon is safe and beautiful and has everything you could possibly want." Penumbra said. "Isn't that right, guys?"
"I thought so," Zenith said, "Until I learned of the wondrous 'dogs' and 'yo-yos'. Tell us more about why you love it so, Della?"
"Well, because my family is there. And because the Earth has wonders large and small. The Pyramids, the humpback whale, slap bracelets."
"Slap what?" Howard asked. Della took his hand and pulled out a slap bracelet, which she then attached around his wrist. "Huh. You know, it's… oddly endearing."
"I thought the exact same thing." Della said. "The Earth is beautiful. When I get back, I'm gonna show my boys every inch of it. It'll be like I never left. We'll conquer Mount Neverrest! Discover the Hidden Pyramid of Toth-Ra! I'm telling you, my family is fearless!"
The entire Moonlander crowd muttered excitedly, save for Penumbra. Howard was oddly entranced by Della's determination and followed her up to the loading deck.
"Your family must be lucky to have you." Howard said.
"Oh, any family would feel the same." Della said. "What about you? You must have a family too. What's your home planet like?"
Howard's eyes widened before he put on a frown. "I… don't go there anymore."
"What? Why?" Della asked.
"It's… a long story." Howard said sullenly. When he saw a wrench laying right next to his webbed foot, he sighed and picked it up. "Where can I start?"
"All right! I knew you'd come around!" Della said excitedly. "Here! Let me show you what you can do!"
"The Gargantuan Gilded Man tore through El Dorado!" Della continued her stories while she and Howard continued to build their ship. "It was annihilating everything in its path! But I looked the bionic behemoth square in its cold, unfeeling eyes, I climbed up his craggy armor, burst inside, and tore him apart from within, bringing his tyrannical, mechanical reign to an end!"
The Moonlanders cheered in excitement at the thrilling end to Della's epic tale. Howard stuck his head out to take note of everyone's applause before turning to Della.
"Is that all true?" Howard asked.
"Of course. I wouldn't lie about something like that, even when it involves my family." Della said.
"Nothing that exciting ever happens in Tranquility." Zenith said.
"That's why it's called Tranquility!" Penumbra protested. "Not Robot-Monster-Town!"
"Is there a Robot-Monster-Town on Earth?" a random Moonlander asked.
"Not once I'm done with it." Della answered.
"Okay, I think I got it all figured out." Howard said. "Warm up the engines, Della."
Della nodded and began the ignition inside the cockpit. Everyone watched as a few bursts of fire bursted slightly from its engines. Everyone watched like they were seeing a miracle happen until Della turned it off. She had a big smile on her face.
"It's working!" Della choked up. "Thanks, all of you! I'm finally getting back to my family on Earth!"
The Moonlanders cheered repeatedly chanting the Earth's name. Penumbra was very displeased, at her wit's end. She stood before them and angrily declared, "If you all think Earth is so great, why don't you just go already?!"
Penumbra didn't mean it, but her idea pleased the Moonlanders. "Can we please go with you?"
"We could get our very own dog." Gibbous said.
"And dress it in slap bracelets." Zenith said.
The crowd was happy, but Della was disappointed in herself for giving the bad news. "I wish I could take all of you, but the Spear is too small. There's no way you'd all fit."
Disappointment fell on everyone's faces, which Penumbra noticed and decided to take advantage of. "But the great heroes can do anything. Surely, they could do it if they wanted to."
"You seriously overestimate us." Howard said. "It's like fitting a hundred broods in one tiny escape pod."
"How can you possibly know unless you try?" Penumbra asked. "Though, I guess you don't care enough to try, do you?"
"Was it something I did?" Gibbous asked. "Was it something Zenith did?"
"Are you… embarrassed by our primitive Moon ways?" Zenith asked.
"I'm embarrassed by a lot of things, but that's not the point." Howard commented under his breath.
"Guys, I really wish I could take you," Della said, "But it's just not possible."
"I thought nothing could stop the amazing Della Duck and the venturous Howard the Duck." Penumbra said. "Too bad."
"You're the salt of the universe, Penumbra." Howard said.
Della thought hard to herself and looked determined. "Or maybe it is possible."
"What?" Howard asked.
"Penny's right." Della said. "I learned rocket science. I rebuilt my ship. I even got the cute, lazy Howard to help. Why can't I fit everyone into the Spear?"
"Need I repeat my comment about broods and a tiny escape pod?" Howard asked.
"THANK YOU!" all the Moonlanders cheered happily.
"You all helped me." Della said. "This is the least I can do. Pack your bags! We're all going to Earth!"
"Della." Howard said pulling her away from the crowd. "I don't want to spend another day on this uncomfortable rock."
"I don't want to either, but we can't just disappoint everyone. They're all counting on us." Della said.
Howard sighed. "Maybe we should talk to the general first. See what his opinion of all this is."
"An excellent idea!" Penumbra cried out. "Surely, even he must realize the folly in this mad plan!"
Howard, Della, and Penumbra met with General Lunaris in his war room telling him everything that has occurred recently. When they were done, Lunaris looked curiously.
"A mass exodus to Earth. That's quite unheard of."
"Because it's unbelievable." Penumbra said. "This is going to destroy Tranquility if we let this happen!"
"You know, we're standing right here." Howard said.
"Look, Penumbra, our people have to be free to make their own decisions. If they wish to move to Earth, so be it." Lunaris said. He then turned his attention to Howard and Della. "But I can also see how strenuous this must be for the two of you. Surely, Della, you wish to return to your sons as soon as possible."
"Of course, I do," Della said sadly, "But I can't just let your people down. You've done so much to help me, more than I've done for you. I… I just wish there was a way I could help you and return home at once."
Suddenly, an idea flashed in Lunaris' head. He rubbed his chin curiously with a smile forming on his face. "Maybe there is. Do you still have the plans for the Spear of Selene?"
"It's all in this book." Howard said holding up the rocket manual. "Why?"
"Here's my proposal." Lunaris said. "You two take your rocket now and return to Earth. You can spend a few days to readjust and bond with your family. Meanwhile, we Moonlanders will build our own fleet of ships, and once we are done, we will follow you."
"Really?" Della asked excitedly. "You mean it?"
"I swear on my father's name, we will catch up to you as soon as we are ready." Lunaris said.
"Great. Problem solved." Howard said handing Lunaris the manual.
Penumbra groaned with inner frustration.
Later that night, with no one else around, Howard and Della packed the rest of their bags into the rocket's cockpit.
"And you're sure it's okay to leave now?" Della asked. "I'm sure everyone would like to know why we're leaving."
"No need to worry. I'll tell them everything." Lunaris said. "You two just enjoy your return to Earth."
"Technically, it's my first time on Earth, but I think we're past correcting that mistake." Howard said as he fully entered the cockpit. "By the way, I call shotgun."
Della turned her attention to Penumbra, who she then embraced with a big hug. "Thanks for giving me a roof, Penny. I know I wasn't the best roommate, but I'm glad that I met you."
It was at that moment that Penumbra's opinion of Della changed. Where she once saw a lying danger, she now saw an innocent mother who meant no harm. Incidentally, she hugged back.
Once the hug was over, Della joined Howard in the cockpit. She turned to Lunaris one more time. "Don't worry. We'll tell everyone about you so they don't have to be scared. Kids, momma's coming home." The cockpit closed and they activated the launch sequence.
A minute later, the rockets fired and the Spear of Selene shot right into the Earth's direction. From then on, it was smooth flying for Della Duck and Howard the Duck. Back at the Moon, Penumbra smiled actually happy that her new friend was heading home. It all looked bright from here on out…
…That is, until a quick flash of light caught Penumbra's attention. She turned and gasped when she saw that her general shot himself in the arm with his own pistol. He gritted his teeth for a moment from the pain, but he then revealed an evil smile as he put his pistol back in its holster.
"Sir, what are you doing?" Penumbra asked. Before she could get an answer, however, she noticed every Moonlander in Tranquility gather up. They looked confused when they saw that the rocket they helped build wasn't there anymore.
"What's going on?"
"The Spear! It's gone!"
"Della and Howard betrayed you. They betrayed us all!" Lunaris proclaimed his lie for everyone to hear much to Penumbra's disbelief. "They lured us with sad stories and fabulous falsehoods about Earth so that we'd help them rebuild the Spear of Selene! Then, when the time was right, they attacked me!"
"But what about Della's family?" Zenith asked. "And all those stories?"
"An elaborate deception. All of it."
"Even Howard?" Gibbous asked.
"Especially Howard. I just learned that Howard is not the honest man he claimed to be. The truth is, he is an elaborate criminal wanted throughout most of the galaxy. The Sovereign homeworld, he stole their powerful batteries. And he was only on Halfworld to poach the animals there. He performs the most dishonest deeds for whoever pays him immensely. And now, it appears that Earth is his current client."
"Earth?" Gibbous asked. "I don't understand. If they're not our friends, who are they?"
"Della and Howard were just the first wave of a bigger attack. They lied to us so they could get back to tell the Earthers that we are weak! Soft! Primed for an invasion! But are we going to to hide down here and wait to be invaded?"
"NO!" shouted the angry Moonlanders.
"Or are we going to take these plans that I wrestled away from the traitors as they fled, and use them to build a fleet of ship and invade them first!"
"YES!"
"AND PROVE THAT THE MOON IS THE GREATEST PLANET IN THE UNIVERSE?! WE ARE THE MIGHTY! WE ARE THE MOON!"
Like before, the mob chanted, but instead of the Earth's name, they just cried out the Moon's name. While they did that, Penumbra kept watching not believing what she was seeing.
After getting his blasted arm bandaged, Lunaris was joined by Penumbra at his palace. "You wanted this all along. You brought her them and their ship here, got them on their side. Why?"
"Because the others are not warriors like you and I." Lunaris admitted. "They needed a reason to fight. So I gave them one: betrayal. And I got them to give me the rocket plans with a little good old 'Earth compassion'."
"But you're risking the lives of our people." Penumbra said. "Aren't you afraid that…"
"NO!" Lunaris shouted planting his foot down. "I will not spend my life in fear of the Earth like my father. The Earth will fear me."
"O… Okay." Penumbra said uncertain. "But what about Howard? You said he was an intergalactic criminal. How did you come up with that lie?"
Lunaris chuckled. "That's the funny thing. I didn't. It was actually the only honest thing I preached to our people."
"What?" Penumbra asked.
Lunaris walked over to his computer and turned on the screen. It showed a mug shot of Howard's face right next to several reported documents.
"Contrary to popular belief, we're not so cut off from the rest of the universe." Lunaris explained. "Though our communications are dismal, I'm still up to date on certain matters. When you told me how your warrior's bone was telling you that Howard was hiding something, I knew better than to doubt it. So I did a bit of research and found out just the kind of man that Howard the Duck is. I don't know why he's going to Earth, but nevertheless, his checkered past proves to be very valuable for our cause. Once our fleet is ready and our troops are properly trained, we'll show those pathetic Earthers the true might of Planet Moon."
"I… see. But there's still one thing I don't understand." Penumbra said. "Why did you pair her with me?"
"Honestly, it was the only way I could get her to move here. She actually liked you, Penumbra. Said you reminded her of her brother." With that, Lunaris walked away leaving Penumbra feeling more unsure than anything in her entire life.
After crashing onto the Earth's surface, Della wasted no time leaving and rushing into the forest that surrounded her. Howard wasn't as active instantly as her, but he followed her and caught up with her.
"So this is Earth, huh?" Howard asked looking at the area. "It's a lot more… grassy than I imagined."
"Wait until you see the rest of the planet." Della said. "But first…" She stopped when she came across a black gate with the letters "M" and "D" on it. She smiled with tearful eyes. "I'm home."
"That's your home?" Howard asked looking at the large mansion up the hill. "No wonder you wanted come back so badly."
"It's not the mansion. It's the people inside." Della said. "Come on, Howard. Time for you to meet my family."