Some quick notes here before the chapter starts:
First of all, while I did enjoy the Ducktales reboot episode where Della finally gets home I just had my own little nit picks with it as I already had my own thoughts of how she would get back so this chapter was inspired by both my own thoughts and the episode.
And now a quick warning: I tried to design and build this chapter specifically to tear into the feels more than the episode, partly because I really felt that some apologies were in order cough*Della*cough and partly because WHY NOT! *Does Villain laugh* So just be aware that I take total responsibility if this chapter does it's intended job. *More villain cackling*
And finally, I addressed a couple of things in this chapter; first a brief mention of the triplets father going along with my theory based on the image of him on one version of Don Rosa's Duck family tree, he seems to be depicted with a military-style buzz cut so my assumption is that he was in the military.
Secondly, I address something that's really been bugging me... how in the heck can Della be friends with Selene, the goddess and personification of the moon and Selene doesn't just go "Oh hey, Della's on my moon." and bring her back? like seriously, how does that even work that somehow the personification of the moon doesn't know that her friend is stranded on the moon? Maybe Selene in ducktales just sucks horribly at being a goddess... Well, I addressed it here and I really hope they address it later when they go rescue Donald and deal with the Moonlanders in the show.
Enough babble; on with the story!
Magica stood in the doorway, remaining absolutely still and quiet while watching Scrooge. After having spent so many years watching him in one way or another she knew things about him no one else did and this was one of them.
She knew without explanation why he had this particular ritual and why he would never say anything about it to anyone. It was his way of dealing with the grief and guilt over what happened to Della.
Scrooge sat in the small, closet-sized room in the money bin tuning the radio and transmitting a message to Della. He let her know he still thought about her, that the boys were doing well and that they all missed her. He finished with the same plea he always did; "Della, if you can hear me… Please say something…"
After several moments of silence, he sighed and hung his head. Magica felt the same little tug at her heart she always felt when she watched this scene play out. It always reminded her of when Poe was trapped in raven form.
Only her sisters and Granny really knew the extent of the spell he was under; at first, he was still himself but over time, as the years passed, he slowly became less Poe and more raven. It was most evident in how he'd lost most of his ability to speak, the more time passed, the less he could form complete sentences without cawing in between. She had felt terrible that she couldn't help him and so understood Scrooge's guilt better than anyone else.
Scrooge was about to get up and walk away when the radio crackled to life and a voice could be heard through the static.
"Uncle… Scrooge… can you… read me? ... This is Della Duck…" Immediately Scrooge grabbed the mic and started responding. "Yes! Della I can hear you, are you okay? Where are you?" "Uncle Scrooge!... Thank goodness!" Her voice came through the hissing and crackling static. "I'm fine… on… moon… trying… home… help…" The static worsened and garbled up several words. Scrooge tried to tune the radio and finally slammed his fists on the darned thing when he couldn't hear her anymore.
"Shh… calm down. Smashing it won't help anything Scroogie." Magica soothed, gently putting her hands on his shoulders. "How long have you been here?" He asked, startled at her sudden presence. "Oh, just long enough to hear the whole thing." She grinned. "You really don't think I didn't know about this habit of yours, did you?" He gave a small smile. "I guess you would, wouldn't you? After all, I did marry my stalker." He joked.
"So, what are you going to do now?" She asked after a brief chuckle at his joke. "Go to moon and bring Della home of course." He said resolutely.
"Oh, really! Stupid piece of…" Della took a deep breath to calm herself before she lost her temper and attracted unwanted attention to herself. "Dumb alien radio, not working. Ugh!" She muttered under her breath. "The earther is in here! Capture her!" She heard from the other side of the door. "Ah, phooey." She muttered.
"Uncle Scrooge this is madness!" Donald protested the next day as Scrooge was making preparations for a moon rescue. "I tell you Donald it was Della and she needs help. I'm going and that's that." He responded firmly, for the umpteenth time as he sat at his desk and studied his list of necessary supplies.
"Argh! You talk some sense into him! Maybe he'll listen to you because he certainly won't listen to me!" Donald looked at Magica, a look of desperation beneath the anger. Magica just sighed and shook her head. "I heard it too Donald. And besides, we both know how stubborn he is. I doubt anyone could change his mind, but he isn't going alone." "What?" Scrooge now looked up to face them both. "You heard me. I'm going with you and that's final." She said firmly.
"But this could be extremely dangerous, I don't want any of you getting hurt." He said, standing and taking Magica's hands in his. "That's sweet of you, but that's exactly why I'm going with you. You can't do everything by yourself and quite frankly darling; if you're going to get yourself killed on a suicide mission, I'd rather go with you than be a widow." She smiled lovingly at him and looked deeply into his eyes. He returned the gaze and for a brief moment they forgot they weren't alone.
Donald, hearing and seeing the exchange, was really beginning to understand just what kind of bond these two really had… it was almost terrifying because of how much that one sentence she just spoke made it clear that their bond was truly bordering on obsession. He'd always known they were somewhat obsessed with each other but now it seemed that being married just exacerbated the obsession, gave it a justification that just strengthened it. And yet, there really was a deep and true love in the way they looked at each other. It was undeniable that they were a perfect match in the most beautiful and terrifying way.
"Ahem." Donald reminded them of his presence. "You're both crazy!" He barked. Scrooge looked him in the eye. "Donald, don't you want her back? There's a real chance I can bring her home… no matter how dangerous it is, I have to try… after all, it's my fault she's not here now… I owe it to her to try… I owe it to the boys." He said, trying to hold back his emotions but Donald could see it… he still beat himself up over it and desperately wanted to make things right.
"Donald; I know exactly what it's like to be without your twin and to feel the kind of guilt Scrooge has. It's exactly how I felt over Poe. That's why I'm going, because whether you believe me or not, I do understand." Magica hesitantly placed a hand on Donald's shoulder trying to reassure him.
Donald finally sighed in defeat. "Fine, fine, fine… Let's do this." "No, Donald you're not-" "Don't argue with me old man. I'm not letting you two nut cases go flying off into space by yourselves, you really will get yourselves killed if I leave you to your own devices." Donald chuckled with a half-smile.
"So, what's going on?" The three of them turned around to see Huey, Dewey, Louie and Webby standing behind them. "Are we going on another adventure?" Dewey asked. "Uh, well, not exactly…" Scrooge trailed off, trying to figure out how to explain it to the kids. "Come on, you know we'll figure it out anyway." Louie pleaded. Donald sighed. "We're going to look for your mom." "WHAT? Our mom? She's alive!" The triplets exclaimed in unison. "I think so, yes. I received a radio transmission from her so we're going on a rescue mission." Scrooge explained. The kids began to cheer until Scrooge cut them off. "You kids are going to stay here with Mrs. Beakley and Launchpad."
"No way!" "Uh-uh!" "We're going too!" The boys argued. "But it could be really dangerous; that's why I was going to go alone." Scrooge looked over his shoulder at Magica and Donald. "All the more reason we should go together." Huey said. "Yeah, we're stronger when we work together." Dewey added. "Besides, she's our mom; we want to help rescue her." Louie gave Scrooge, Magica and Donald a serious look.
After some deliberation and arguing it was decided the boys would go but Webby said she would stay behind with her granny and Launchpad. Magica called Poe who came over with Lena and Scrooge got in touch with Gyro to go over plans for a new spaceship.
Several weeks later the ship was ready and despite Scrooge's investors advising against it he moved ahead with the mission and Gyro, Poe, Beakley, Launchpad Webby and Lena all remained behind in mission control whilst the others boarded and prepared for launch.
They all sat, fully decked out in their space suits, equipped with space phones from Gyro for communicating with each other and mission control once on the moon and strapped themselves in their seats onboard Scrooge's new spaceship as he prepared for launch.
"Anyone having any second thoughts? If anyone wants to stay behind… it's all right but now's your last chance." "Not a chance Scroogie." Magica took his hand in hers and squeezed it, her smiling face filled with confidence and determination. "I don't really think this is a good idea but somebody's gotta be the sane one around here." Donald said, trying keep his hopes in check. "We're gonna bring our mom home!" The boys cheered. Scrooge looked at his family and beamed proudly. "All right then; everybody strap-in and I'll begin the launch sequence!"
Scrooge flipped switches and checked all the gauges and meters on the control panel and Gyro began the countdown. The rockets flared to life and the ship vibrated as the it readied for lift-off and then, the countdown finished and they all braced themselves. Then, blast off.
"Please come home safe." Mrs. Beakley silently prayed; watching with Poe, Gyro and the girls as the ship left the earth.
The journey was quiet and tense for the most part, the tension subsiding every now and again when the boys excitedly remarked about the view of the earth or seeing a shooting star up close. Eventually they arrived at the moon.
"Wow, look at it!" Dewey gasped in excitement. "It really isn't made of cheese!" Louie laughed. "It looks so… barren…" Huey swallowed, a nervous feeling growing in his gut.
"Well, now what?" Donald asked, wondering just how Scrooge intended to find Della. "I put us in orbit while I use radar Gyro installed to scan the surface for signs of life." He explained as his fingers danced over the control panel and the waiting game began.
A few hours later something began to beep and Scrooge, the only one who hadn't fallen asleep, immediately looked at the radar display, showing the remains of the Spear of Selene on the moon's surface. "I found it!" He shouted as he marked the coordinates and began landing procedure. The others were awoken by his outburst and watched with apprehension as the moon's surface loomed ever closer.
"I thought you had the moon searched already Uncle Scrooge; how did you miss this!?" Donald asked as the remains of Della's ship came into view. "I don't know… I just don't know. I should have just come up here myself ages ago…" Magica took Scrooge's hand, gently squeezing it and when he looked at her, she just gave him a reassuring smile as if to say 'It's all right, you're here now.' He smiled back for a moment before returning his full attention to landing their ship.
Once safely and securely on the moon's surface they disembarked; First Scrooge, then Magica and Donald, finally the boys once the grownups had made sure it was safe.
"We are on the moon! How cool is this!" Dewey jumped up and pretended to swim as he floated for a few moments before returning to the ground. "No goofing around lads, we're here to find your mother." Scrooge reminded them and they all approached the Spear of Selene.
Scrooge couldn't help cringing at the sight of the wreck. 'My poor Della…' his mind repeated over and over as he carefully examined the crash site. "Uh… Uncle Scrooge… this doesn't look like crash damage…" Huey pointed to a large piece of the Spear that had clearly had a big bite taken out of it. "Oh no! Della!" Donald lamented while Scrooge just gasped in silent horror, kicking himself even more.
Magica took a deep breath to steady her own nerves and put her hand on Scrooge's back, soothingly rubbing it in an attempt to comfort him. "It doesn't appear that whatever did this is still around but never the less, let's proceed with caution." She said. Scrooge just nodded and the forced himself to look away from the half-eaten debris and continue on towards the wreck.
"Della! Della, where are you?" Donald called as they searched the wreckage. Then Louie found the hatch leading to the inside of the ship. "Over here! It looks like this part of the ship is still intact, maybe she's inside!" He called. "Good work lad." Scrooge said as he and Donald opened the hatch and they all climbed in.
"Della! Are ya in here?" Scrooge called. The only response was the echo of his own voice in the empty space. They looked around and it was obvious that Della had been living in the hull of the spear. A makeshift bed had been set up and there were gum wrappers everywhere. Huey picked one up. "Gyro's Oxy-Chew; provides oxygen, water and vital nutrients for exploring space, black licorice flavor. Huh." Scrooge sighed with some relief. "Good, she at least had a good supply of oxy-chew."
"But WHERE is she!" Donald snapped. "I don't know, let's just keep looking. Maybe she's just out and will be back shortly." Scrooge suggested hopefully. "Where to? The moon corner grocery?" Donald asked sarcastically. "Relax Uncle Donald. Maybe she's trying to set up some kind of S.O.S somewhere." Huey tried to calm and reassure his uncle. Donald just sighed and have Huey a little smile. "Sure. You're probably right."
Donald desperately wanted to believe his sister was still alive but after ten years and the obvious signs that some amount of that time had been spent fighting some monster all alone… he was slowly becoming more certain that she was gone and never coming back. He tried to console himself that at least they would know how she died and then have a proper memorial when they got home.
"So, what exactly are we looking for?" Louie asked after a few more minutes of searching. "Any clue to where she went." Scrooge said. "Hey, I wonder if any of this stuff still works?" Dewey pushed some buttons and a monitor powered on.
"If anyone receives this transmission I'm stranded on the moon." Dewey's eyes went wide as the others crowded around. "Is that…?" "Della…" Scrooge whispered as they watched the recordings of transmissions she had tried to send. "Hi kids! I'm your mom…"
They watched her documented attempts to escape and her promises to return home to her boys. After the last transmission Donald glared at Scrooge. "See? She's not here! What you heard was one of these recordings!" "No! I'm telling you it was really her!" Scrooge argued back.
They squabbled for a moment before Magica stepped in. "All right that's enough! Fighting about it won't solve anything." She barked. Donald scoffed. "Fine one you are to talk about fighting not working." "Now is not the time Donald!" They glared at each other until everyone's attention was drawn by a voice at the hatch.
"Halt earthers!" They all turned and saw a pair of aliens with pale, blue-green skin wearing golden clothes and armor pointing golden guns at them. "You're all prisoners of the moon!" They all stood in momentary shock and raised their hands as the aliens approached them. "We come in peace?" Scrooge said, unsure of what else he could possibly say. "Sure, that's what all alien invaders say before they attack." One said skeptically. "We will not be fooled by your earthy ways! Now Move!" the other ordered.
Scrooge nodded to everyone to do as they were told for the time being and they all followed their captors.
As they walked, they all wondered where the aliens would take them and were astonished when the two aliens used a small device to reveal a hidden city beneath the moon's surface.
"Bless me bagpipes…" "By Circe…" Scrooge, Magica, Donald and the boys marveled at the sight before them… a vast city of gold… on the moon of all places!
"Lunaris should be pleased that we captured these earthers." The first alien said proudly. "Lunaris will be more concerned that more of them have shown up. There is an invasion on the horizon." The second replied. "Well that fact that we captured these earthers shows we're ready for an invasion!" "Are you stupid? These are probably just scouts; the real threat hasn't made itself known yet…"
The two aliens began to squabble but Scrooge just focused on one word, 'more'. They said they had captured 'more' earthers which meant they may already have Della.
"On my mark, split up." Scrooge whispered, watching the bickering aliens closely. "Why?" Donald whispered back harshly. "Didn't you hear them? We're not their first captives, your sister may be here somewhere." Magica explained. That turned out to be a bad idea. "WHAT! You got her kidnapped by aliens!" Donald shrieked at Scrooge upon realizing his sister may been abducted by moon people.
"Silence prison-" "Where's my sister you no good…" Donald cut off the alien and proceeded to start ranting and raving, picking a fight with him.
"Oh, for Circe's sake…" Magica sighed. Then Donald grabbed the alien's arm just as he was about to fire his weapon, causing the alien to start shooting laser beams in all directions uncontrollably. They all scattered, running in different directions, looking for cover from the laser fire.
Once she was sure it was clear, Magica carefully left her hiding place in what looked like a large, golden dumpster, and began to think of what to do next. She cautiously made her way down a nearby alley and listened carefully for anything and everything.
Magica halted and pressed herself against a wall when she neared a corner and saw a shadow, an indication that someone was coming around the corner. With nowhere to hide she soon found herself face to face with the owner of the shadow.
"Magica DeSpell! What are you doing on the moon?" Della demanded, instantly taking a combat stance. Magica just smirked. "Actually, it's McDuck now. It's kind of a long story and it can wait until we're all off this rock." Della slowly relaxed and her expression slowly shifted from guarded to confusion and then understanding.
"Okay." She shrugged. "If you're gonna help me get home to my boys I'm not gonna argue." "Actually, they're here. When Scrooge insisted on coming to rescue you, they insisted on coming along." "What? Uncle Scrooge is here, and he brought my boys…? And Donald?" "Yes, he's here too. We all came because none of us would let Scrooge answer your distress call alone."
Della's eyes started to water for a moment then the annoyance took over. "Distress call? I was trying to tell him not to come for me because these aliens are a little crazy." she sighed, shaking her head. "Well we're all here now so let's concentrate on getting back home." Magica said, looking back around the corner. "You're totally right. Let's find the boys and get outta here." Della nodded and the two began to make their way cautiously down the alley.
"Oh, where are they? I want to see my boys!" Della tried her best keep quiet as she expressed both frustration and excitement. "If you don't stay quiet, you'll get us both caught so, shush!" Magica whispered back as they tried to avoid detection and find Scrooge, Donald and the boys. "I'm sorry, I'm just so antsy; I mean, I haven't even seen my boys, ever, and they're just so close now…" "I understand that but-" Thwack! A large, buff alien hit Magica and she collapsed. "Hey! You, big palooka! Leave us alone!" Della barked, charging the alien only to get caught when the two others with him stopped her from fighting him. "We found two of the earthers; we're taking them to the cells now." One said as hoisted Magica over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes.
Scrooge lay on the ground, motionless, eyes blank and glassy. Magica knelt beside him, unable to feel anything; she just couldn't process any emotion as she looked at Scrooge. Haguk had vanished after the horrible attack and Magica just ran to Scrooge once she could move again. She cradled his head in her lap and her tears fell on his cheek. Then she heard the voices. "You killed him…" "Awful witch!" "He never should have had anything to do with you!" Mrs. Beakley, Launchpad and Donald cried; their eyes like stone and voices like ice. "But I didn't…" she tried to say but she just couldn't get the words to form properly. Then Scrooge's parents, Fergus and Downey appeared. "She must pay for her crime!" Downey wailed; looking, brokenhearted, at Scrooge. "Burn the witch!" Fergus demanded and Magica found herself running for her life from Scrooge's torch-wielding family and friends, the heat of the fire drawing ever closer until she was choking on the smoke.
Magica started screaming, flailing on the ground and Della quickly came to her side.
"Hey! Easy, easy!" she tried to calm Magica but in her state of panic she hit her head and caused the crack in her spacesuit helmet, made by the large alien who knocked her out, to deepen and break completely through, robbing her of her air supply.
Magica began choking while flailing and Della quickly pulled some of her remaining pieces of Oxy-chew from her pocket and popped one into Magica's mouth. "Here, calm down and chew this." She soothed. Magica chewed and once she could breathe again, she started to relax.
"Thank you…" Magica got out between residual coughs as she removed her now useless helmet. She then focused on Della, who wore a look of concern. "What was that, are you okay? In all the years Uncle Scrooge has fought with you, I've never seen you look so utterly terrified."
Magica inhaled deeply and exhaled slowly as she tried to steady her nerves. "It was a nightmare… more of a night terror honestly." She finally admitted. "For you to scream like a wailing banshee it must be terrifying." Della said, still looking concerned. "I've only ever talked to Scrooge and my brother Poe about it. Now you too." "So, what's it about?" Magica just chuckled slightly. "It's a really long story." Della chuckled back. "Well it looks like we have plenty of time." "Okay, fair enough. It all started when Brigitta MacBridge and my would-be fiancé Rosolio mistakenly believed that Scrooge and I were getting married-to each other!"
Magica gave an abridged account of events to Della, who listened in complete fascination to every detail until the story was over.
"Wow, I didn't know you had any other siblings besides Poe." Della said. Magica shrugged. "My sisters and I don't talk much. And I don't usually talk about them." "I can understand why. They sound like a headache. But that's what family does right?" Della chuckled. "So, you and Uncle Scrooge are married for real… it's about time!"
Magica was stunned at Della's reaction to her being married to Scrooge. She had honestly expected a reaction like Donald's but she seemed to have expected it! "What do you mean?" Della rolled her eyes. "Oh, come on! You'd have to be deaf, dumb and blind not to see that you two have had it bad for each other for years!" "Wait, what? You mean that he- never mind. We're married now so it doesn't matter how stupid we were before."
Magica stood up and began to look around the cell. "Right now, we have to find a way out of here." "I know that and I've been trying for the last two hours while you were out cold." "Two hours!" Magica was shocked and worried that she had been out that long, anything could have happed to the others by now. "Yes, two hours." Della repeated, a little glum but then suddenly she lit up again. "Hey, now that you're awake we might be able to get out of here though! Just use your magic to get us out of here!" She said cheerfully.
Magica looked around, tapping the solid walls between them, the other cells and the outside and tapped the bars that made up the barrier between them and inside hallway. "Hey, come on! Can you get us out of here or not? By boys are out there somewhere and need me!" Della snapped impatiently. "I could try a transportation spell but without knowing where I am going or how faraway we are from our ship I couldn't guarantee it would work." "Well, what about melting the bars with some magical fire?" "Out of the question. First of all, I don't know what kind of metal or alloy they're made of so I have no idea what the melting point would be and primarily we're on the moon, there's no oxygen in this atmosphere; no oxygen means no fire."
Della began to pout in frustration. "Man, I never knew magic was so complicated." Magica sighed. "Magic is not a fix-all for everything. I've already had to explain this to your uncle. Magic, believe it or not, does have its limitations." Della slumped onto the floor. "So how do you suggest we get out of here?" "Just let me think for a minute and I'm certain I can figure something out." "But we don't have any time for that! General Lunaris is preparing to attack the earth! If we don't get out of here and do something then it won't just be us in trouble!" Della snapped. "What…?" Magica gaped at Della. "And just when were you going to tell me that?" She snapped back. "Does it matter? We need to stop him!"
ZAP! They fell silent when they heard the sound of one of the alien lasers firing and looked over at the cell door. There, stood a female alien with pale purplish skin and the door now open, the lock having been melted away.
"Penny!" Della cried happily rushing to hug the alien. "Aah, don't do that!" The alien pushed Della away. "And be quiet! I can't help you if I get locked up too!" She whispered harshly. "Right; sorry." Della let go of the alien. "So, who's this?" The alien looked at Magica. "Oh, that's my Aunt Magica. My family came to rescue me!" Della whispered happily. Magica eyed the alien skeptically. "And who are you? Why should I trust you?" "I am Lieutenant Penumbra and I don't agree what General Lunaris has planned." Penumbra said matter-of-factly. "Okay then… my niece seems to find you trust worthy and you did get us out of the cell, so I'll trust you for now." Magica said cautiously. "But one false move, just one little hair out line, and you'll regret it."
They glared at each other for a moment then Penumbra looked at Della. "I like your Aunt; she seems to be very cunning and wise." "Yeah, she really is." Della agreed. "Alright, enough pleasantries, what's the quickest way to find the others?" Magica held back the warm fuzzies that Della's eager acceptance of her had brought on and focused on the situation at hand. "Follow me." Penumbra instructed and the two followed her.
Scrooge had regrouped with Donald and the boys but they hadn't found Magica or any sign of Della. "Well this is just great! Now we're all gonna be alien food or something!" Donald lamented. "Now Donald, we'll find them and get out of here, we just need a plan." Scrooge tried to calm his nephew. "Is it still clear?" He asked and Huey, who acting as a look-out and peering cautiously out the window of the vacant building they were hiding in nodded. "I still don't see anyone Uncle Scrooge." "Good." Scrooge said, then began pacing while trying to formulate a plan. Trying not to let on just how worried he was about Magica and how much that worry marred his focus.
"From up here we should be able to get a good view of the city and we can use the defense systems to look for your family." Penumbra explained as they stood outside the door to a control room in the top of a tower. "But first, we just need to incapacitate the guards." Magica grinned wickedly. "Not a problem." She crept closer to the door and whispered a quick incantation. The two guards operating the controls quickly passed out. "What did you do?" Penumbra asked in alarm. Magica just continued to grin. "Calm down, they're just taking a nice long nap. They'll wake up… tomorrow." "You are a strange and somewhat terrifying earther…" "Why, thank you."
Della ran in and took a seat at one of the control panels. "You guys seriously rock! Now, how does this thing work?" "Don't look at me… I've never used these controls; I don't have the proper training." Penumbra shrugged. "I think I have an idea…" Magica turned to Penumbra. "Watch the door and let us know if anyone tries to get in here while look the for the others." Penumbra nodded, having decided that Magic was someone she wasn't going fight with if it wasn't necessary and did as instructed, taking a place beside the door to keep watch.
"How are you going to figure this thing out? Oh! Do you have a spell that'll make it work?" Magica shook her head. "Not exactly." She then searched the pockets of her spacesuit until she found the space phone Gyro had given her before they left Earth. "I'm going to phone a few friends." She said, tapping what Gyro had told her to tap to contact him back on Earth.
Poe, Lena and Webby all sat in the main control room in Gyro's mission command center waiting to hear word from Scrooge and the others and growing more worried by the hour. They had been gone for a total of three days and they'd heard nothing since the landing. Not a single sound came through the communications systems.
"I hope they're okay." Webby said as she and Lena took turns playing a game on her phone. "I'm sure they're just fine Webbs." Lena comforted her friend and looked briefly to her dad who just nodded before returning his attention to the screen.
The ship's systems were still functioning and communicating with the systems in the control room so that was a good sign; but Poe still couldn't shake the feelings of worry and dread that filled his being. He knew though, that it was all just nerves and anticipation because if anything truly bad had happened he was absolutely certain that he would feel it. He and Magica had always had that supernatural connection that twins are reputed to have; whenever she was hurt or sick or scared, he could tell and the reverse was also true.
Suddenly there was a loud beeping and then; "Can anyone hear me?" Magica's voice came over the communication system. Poe was jolted from his thoughts at the sound of his sister's voice.
Gyro walked into the room at that very moment and was immediately at the control panel. "Mrs. McDuck! What's going on up there?" "Ah, Gearloose; just the person I wanted to talk to…" Magica sounded a little nervous. "Can you help us figure out an alien computer system? That seems more up your alley than mine." Gyro's eyes lit up and a wide grin spread across his face. "I'll see what I can do, but first you have to connect your space phone to the terminal."
"How am I supposed to do that?" "Simple, just look for port that matches the retractable data cable." Gyro sounded so calm and matter-of-fact but it could be that easy, could it? Magica sighed irritably and pulled the cable from the bottom of the device and scanned the consoles and panels in the room.
"Oh! How about this spot right here!" Della excitedly pointed to a small port that looked just like a USB port. "Who's that?" Gyro asked over the phone. "It's me, Della! Is that you Gyro?" Della took the phone while Magica tried to plug it in. "My word… Della! You're alive!" Gyro gasped in surprise. "Yeah, no thanks to you! By the way, black licorice is DISGUSTING!" She barked. "You REALLY couldn't have used ANY other flavor for the Oxy-chew?" "But I like black licorice…" he responded quietly.
"I think I got it." Magica said as the cable plug clicked into the port. "Excellent, now I'll just remotely access the phone from here and… I'm in! Ooh, this is absolutely fascinating…" Magica rolled her eyes. "Save the 'oohs' and 'ahhs' for later; We're kind of busy here."
Scrooge, Donald and the boys carefully and quietly crept around the city, searching for Della and Magica. "Where do we even look?" Louie questioned. "Everywhere." Scrooge responded as he kept looking around, making sure the coast was clear and watching for any sign of Della and Magica.
Clatter! Scrooge whipped around at the sound to see Donald had bumped into something resembling a trash can and was now fumbling with it.
"Donald! Can't you keep quiet!" Scrooge hissed. "I'm trying!" Donald spat back. However, the more he fumbled with the trash can the louder he got as he started to lose his temper.
"Uncle Donald, zip it!" Louie jumped up and grabbed Donald's beak, clamping it shut. "You're gonna get us-" "Here they are!" an alien cut Dewey off with his shouts and immediately others came and surrounded the small group. "Caught." Dewey glared at his uncle. "Aw phooey." Scrooge muttered.
The display came to life and showed the view from several security cameras around the city.
"Excellent, now we just need to find them…" Magica looked at the screen of her space phone to read the translations Gyro was sending for the controls. She then pressed the button to switch views until she saw Scrooge and the nephews on the display.
"My boys…" Della's eyes watered a bit as she looked at the display, then she returned focus to the situation at hand. "They're in trouble! We've gotta do something!" Magica nodded, a mischievous smile on her face. "I think I have just the idea."
She then started messing with the controls, going by Gyro's translations as best she could, aiming and firing some of the city's defensive weapons at the small army surrounding Scrooge, Donald and the boys.
"Let's see how they like having their defenses turned against them!" Magica snickered and Della giggled as she joined in using the controls. "I have an idea to really confuse them and let Uncle Scrooge and the boys know we're okay." She took Magica's space phone and proceeded to tap and swipe for a few seconds before music started playing through the city's PA system.
Scrooge and Donald stood back to back, trying to keep the boys between them for protection as they found themselves completely surrounded and outnumbered.
"Uncle Scrooge, what are we gonna do?" Donald asked nervously. "I'm thinking…" Scrooge responded as he looked around, trying to find any possible method of escape.
Being smarter than the smarties includes knowing when retreat is the best option and right now it would be if there was any way to do so. Unfortunately, it didn't look like there was any chance of escape.
Scrooge thought about surrendering so that maybe they could be taken to where Magica, and hopefully Della, were being held and all escape but without even the slightest idea of how escape from an alien prison would be possible that was simply too risky. Maybe if the boys and Donald had stayed behind like he wanted; but with them all there beside him he couldn't risk them getting hurt.
'Got myself a notion, and one I know that you'll understand, to set the world in motion by reaching out for each other's hand'
"What is that noise!" "Look out! The defense systems have gone crazy!"
The confused aliens proceeded to panic and look for cover as an old Powerline song began to play loudly over the PA system and city defense lasers began firing at them wildly.
Donald knew immediately that the music could only mean one thing. "It's Della!" he exclaimed happily. "I told you she was alive Donald!" Scrooge grinned proudly at the chaos his niece was causing.
"Look at them, like frightened insects scattering around." Magica grinned wickedly as they watched from the control room.
"THAT's what you get for attacking my family!" Della laughed while she pointed lasers, being careful not actually hit anyone though.
"You're both crazy!" Penumbra looked worriedly at the two of them. "It's okay Penny, I'm not going to hurt anyone if I can help it. I just want to get Lunaris' attention and protect my boys." Della smiled reassuringly at Penumbra.
"We know what we're doing and you're an accessory so just go with it." Magica was still sporting her wicked grin, now making Penumbra a little uneasy.
Suddenly there was laser fire in the room; Penumbra quickly slammed the door shut to block the incoming alien soldiers.
"They've figured out you're up here! Is this what you wanted?" Penumbra hissed. "Well, they were gonna figure it out sooner or later." Della looked to Magica. "So now what?"
"We've just been flying by the seat- that's it!" Magica started then cut herself off when she realized how they could escape.
She searched and found exactly what she was looking for; the broom closet.
She pulled out two alien brooms with oddly shaped heads and handed one to Della then looked at Penumbra. "I'm sorry, these are all I could find." Penumbra just looked at her, confused. "Oh, right. I can fly on these. There's really no time for a better explanation than that."
Penumbra slowly nodded. "Okay… look you two just go and I'll hold the others back, maybe I can talk some sense into them." "Are you sure?" Della looked at her friend with concern. "Yes. Like your Aunt said, there's no time. Just get moving and go to your family!" Della wiped a tear from her eyes. "Thanks Penny." Penumbra's usually stern expression faltered briefly as she nodded then exited the room.
"So, how are we getting out of here now?" Della turned to Magica who was opening the largest window with a quick spell.
"We fly out this window on these alien brooms." She said. "Okay, how do I fly on this thing? I'm not a witch." "Just a quick spell to get the broom going is all you need." Magica cast the spell and brooms began to hover. "Get on and follow my lead. It's so easy you'll get the hang of it in no time." Magica grinned as she jumped on her broom and started for the window.
Della climbed on the broom nervously and was shaky going through the window, nearly falling off once or twice before she started to figure it out. Within minutes she starting getting comfortable with the broom.
"This is amazing! I've flown lots of things before, but this feels so free!" Della held out her arms as she flew on the broom. Magica just beamed proudly at how quickly her niece was catching on. "I told you it was easy."
The lasers stopped firing and the alien began to surround them again. Scrooge and Donald held their positions protecting the boys and eyed the aliens, readying themselves for a fight.
"Uncle Scrooge, Uncle Donald! Look!" Dewey pointed up and they looked where he was pointing to see two figures above them… on something that looked like brooms?
"It's Aunt Magica!" Louie cried excitedly as the figures landed beside them. "And a cyborg?" Dewey looked quizzically at the woman with Magica.
"Della…" Scrooge couldn't form a complete sentence, the emotions filling him at the sight of his niece were choking out the words.
"Look what I found." Magica smirked as Della jumped off the broom. "Uncle Scrooge, Donald!"
"You see? These earthers aren't our friends, they're to destroy and conquer our city and the planet moon!" a voice bellowed from behind the crowd.
Scrooge and the others all turned to see a tall, pale blue skinned alien with decorative armor and a cape approaching.
"Lunaris what the heck?" Della yelled, stomping over to Lunaris. "I thought you were my friend!" "Well you thought wrong. I know you're all just the first wave of invaders from earth and I won't cower in fear like my father! Seize the earthers!" as Lunaris spoke he pointed to Della and the others and his makeshift army closed in, trying to follow orders.
Della quickly jumped back when Lunaris tried to attack her himself and she, Scrooge, Magica and Donald surrounded the boys to protect them from Lunaris' would-be army.
"I won't let you hurt my boys!" Della snapped at the aliens. "What are we gonna do?" Dewey asked, looking between grownups. "Leave it to us." Scrooge grinned, looking at Magica who nodded with a matching grin, Donald and Della caught their Uncle and Aunt's expressions and nodded at them, signaling they understood and were ready.
"Magica, do you remember that time we fought in that ancient temple with the cursed terracotta warriors?" Magica nodded. "How could I forget." "Well I think the same tactic the kids and I used there will work here quite nicely." Magica chuckled and a big smile spread across Della's face. "Sounds good to me!"
With that they took their stances and once the aliens were in striking range they attacked.
Donald and Della worked together as though they had never been apart at all, predicting and complimenting each other's moves perfectly while Magica and Scrooge used his cane and her staff to ward off attacks and easily disarm opponents.
The four of them fought together effortlessly and the boys just marveled at the amazing fight scene they were witnessing.
"Heads up Donnie!" Della shouted as an alien tried to tackle Donald, giving him just enough warning to move in the nick of time while Della tackled the alien, knocking him face first into the ground. "Kiss moon dirt!" she laughed.
Then another alien tackled her and Donald saw red. "Hey you, big palooka! Pick on somebody your own size!" Donald launched himself at the alien, latching on to him and hitting him.
Scrooge and Magica were back to back, surrounded by several aliens but they both just grinned like Cheshire cats.
"Would you just look at them, they think they can beat us." Magica laughed. "They don't know what they're in for." Scrooge replied as he took her hand and spun her around.
It almost looked like they were going to start dancing but in reality, their quick movements allowed Magica to smack all the aliens in the face with her staff, knocking them over like dominos.
Eventually, the aliens all dropped their weapons and held up their hands in surrender.
"What are you all doing! Don't surrender!" Lunaris snapped, then he quickly found himself on the business end of Scrooge's cane and Magica's staff.
"Alright, I want to know exactly what's going on here! Why did you capture my niece and try to capture us!" Scrooge demanded.
"I used the plans for Della's ship to begin construction on our own fleet to attack and conquer earth." Lunaris said smugly.
"Heh, conquer earth. Your little army couldn't even handle us. You couldn't conquer anything." Magica scoffed.
"We will conquer earth! We will no longer hide away in fear of your pathetic attacks on our planet!" Lunaris snapped.
"What?" Scrooge asked, now confused. "All the probes and your attempted invasion during my father's time five decades ago, thwarted only by my father leading our people underground!" "Are you talking about the moon landing? That was no invasion attempt! No one on earth even knows you people exist!" Scrooge sighed.
"Nobody is trying to invade or attack the moon!" Magica shook her head, muttering one more word under her breath. "Moron."
"The moon landing was just us exploring, just looking around for fun and to learn about what's out here, not to hurt anybody!" Huey added.
Lunaris opened his mouth to speak but before he could utter a single word there was a loud and shrill growling noise.
Everyone looked over and saw a huge monster with six gleaming yellow eyes and six insect-like legs rushing toward them.
"That's a giant moon mite! It's easily twice as big as the momma!" Della exclaimed nervously. "That's a male moon mite!" Lunaris added, drawing his weapon. The mite lunged at Lunaris and knocked his sword from his hand, pinning him to the ground.
As Lunaris struggled against the giant mite he was almost started when it was abruptly knocked off of him. Della had kicked it with her robotic leg as hard as she could muster and it staggered backwards.
"Leave my friend alone!" She barked. Scrooge, Magica and Donald joined her in fighting the mite. Then suddenly there was a yell and laser fire as Penumbra arrived and joined the fight.
"Penny! What kept you?" Della chuckled. "Regrettably, I had to knock out some of the others when they wouldn't listen to reason." Penumbra responded between thrusts and swings of her spear.
"Back it safely away and I'll finish it!" Magica ordered. Della and Penumbra nodded and backed the mite away from everyone and when it was a good distance away Magica told them to get clear.
Once Della and Penumbra were away from the mite it started to charge at Magica, who just stood her ground and raised her staff.
"Quid est ergo magnum parva facti sunt!" The mite stopped in its tracks the moment Magica cast her spell and in a matter of seconds it was reduced from the size of a dump truck to the size of a chihuahua.
"Aww! It's all tiny and cute!" Della cooed, looking at the now miniature moon mite. The mite tried to screech but it sounded like a lion cub trying to roar; less intimidating and more adorable.
"Y-you saved me… after what I did…" Lunaris stuttered in surprise. Della just smiled. "Of course. You're not bad, you did insist I stay here when the mite ate my ship." She held a hand out to him and helped him up.
"You see, we're not your enemy. We're your friends." Scrooge said. Lunaris looked ashamed but held his head high nonetheless. "I am truly sorry. I misunderstood and misjudged you earthers." He turned to Della. "Can you ever forgive me?" She just smiled. "Of course."
"What should we do with this?" Magica asked, holding the tiny mite in her hand. "Oh, can I take him home Uncle Scrooge? He's SO cute!" Della looked at Scrooge with big, round puppy eyes. "Can you even house train a thing like that?" He asked. "I can certainly try!" Della said optimistically. "No. Absolutely not." Magica said firmly. Della turned her puppy-dog gaze to her. "Oh, come on Aunt Magica, pleeeease?" "No. First off, we don't even know if it would survive earth's atmosphere and secondly what does it even eat? Too many unknowns." Magica remained firm.
Della's face fell and realization dawned on her. "Oh, yeah. The mites eat gold. Probably not a good idea after all." Scrooge's eyes widened. "Oh, no! Your Aunt Magica is completely right! We don't need anything that eats gold anywhere on earth!"
Magica turned to Penumbra. "I think he'll be better off with you." She handed the mini mite to her. "Um, sure." Penumbra looked at the mite uncertainly.
"Well," Scrooge turned back to Lunaris. "I certainly hope we've come to an understanding now." Lunaris nodded. "Yes. I see now that we have nothing to fear and no reason to begin a war and I thank you for showing me these things." "Good. So, if it's quite alright, I think we should be going home now. Some of us have been gone way too long." Scrooge looked at his niece, eyes slightly moist. "Yes, of course. But could ask of you all a favor?"
"Sure, what kind of favor?" Della asked. "Please, do not speak of our existence when you return. I'm certain that not all earthers will be as welcome and friendly as you all are." "Of course. We'll keep it quiet until you're ready to make yourselves known." Della agreed. "Yes, and since I have a great many important connections on earth, I can help introduce you when you want to make contact." Scrooge grinned. Lunaris smiled. "Thank you, brave Della, noble Scrooge and family. I appreciate your friendship."
After saying goodbyes Scrooge and family headed back to their ship.
Once they reached the ship the boys stopped. "Okay, now that the crazy aliens aren't crazy anymore," Dewey started, looking at Della, eyes slightly moist. "You're really our mom?" Della's eyes moistened a little. "Yes, and I am SO happy to finally get to see you!" A huge smile spread across his face as tears of joy began to fall. "I always knew I was part robot!" He ran to hug Della who embraced him tightly. "Well, come here you two!" she held her arms out for Huey and Louie. They both hesitated at first but after a moment they ran into their mother's embrace.
"Mom… it's really you!" Louie sobbed. "I thought we'd never get to meet you!" Huey said, trying not to cry.
After few moments of teary hugging they parted and Della looked at Donald. "Donald, you did an amazing job with the boys, thank you so much." She hesitated and choked back some tears before continuing. "I'm so sorry I left if for you to do, I should have been there."
"Dumbella…" Donald glared at his sister. "You… you're alive! You're really alive!" he threw his arms around her and gave her a huge hug.
Once Donald let her go, Della turned to Scrooge. "Uncle Scrooge I…" He looked at Della and wiped his eyes before hugging her tightly. "I'm so sorry Della. I'm so sorry…" He repeated a few times before she pulled away and looked at him in teary-eyed confusion. "Why are you sorry?" "Because, I should have never built that stupid rocket! Donald was right all along!"
Magica felt her heart ache just a little, seeing Scrooge pour out the feelings of guilt he'd carried for so long as she watched the emotional family reunion finally taking place.
"Uncle Scrooge, you have nothing to be sorry about! It wasn't your fault… you just wanted to give me the chance to explore the stars… I was the one who got impatient and took the Spear before it was ready… I'm the one who should be apologizing to you…" She hugged him again and they just cried a little bit before ending the hug.
"It doesn't matter who's to blame… all that matters, is that we found you and we're taking you home!" Scrooge said as he removed his glasses and wiped his eyes. He then pulled out his space phone and called Gyro and Poe to let them know they were going start preparing for launch to make the return trip.
"No! Don't go Della!"
They turned toward the voice and saw Selene, goddess of the moon standing behind them, looking sadly at Della.
"Selene!... What the heck?" Della barked. "Where the heck have you been? Why didn't you show up before now, I could've really used your help ten years ago!" "But I did help you… Remember your last trip to Ithaquack, when you talked to me about your boys and your concerns about being a single mom?" Della nodded slowly. "Yeah… and I came back to find Donald trying to juggle the eggs!" She glared momentarily at Donald, then returned her focus to Selene.
"Exactly, you told me how your husband never came back from his deployment and how you'd have to raise your boys all by yourself and how scary that was… then you said it would be a long time before you could come visit me again." Selene's tone started to sound a little bit off at that point.
"Selene, you're a freaking goddess! A few years is like nothing to you, I don't understand-"
Selene interrupted her. "That's exactly the point Della! To me it would like a few days, but in that time, you could get too old to come back to Ithaquack or even die of old age! I-I didn't want to never see you again… We always had so much fun… And you talked about coming to see my moon and the stars so I thought…"
Della furrowed her brows as she looked at her friend in confusion with a growing fear of what she might say next. "What are you saying Selene…?" Selene just looked at Della in surprise for a moment before letting a small chuckle and smiling. "Come on, where do you think that cosmic storm came from? And of course, I had my sweet little moon mites keep you company so you wouldn't be lonely."
Della felt a mixture of hurt, betrayal and anger at Selene's words and tried her best to keep her cool as Selene continued. "Of course, I had no idea that Lunaris and the Moonlanders would be so uppity. I'm glad you all settled them down." "Selene… you kept me here for ten years! Made me crash on the moon and kept Uncle Scrooge from finding and rescuing me!" Della began to raise her voice and tears began to fall down her cheeks.
"But; you seemed so nice…" Dewey said quietly, also feeling a sense of betrayal as Selene herself had encouraged him to keep looking for his mother.
"I am nice! And I really am sorry I didn't come sooner, I just thought you needed a little time to accept and adjust to living on the moon, that's all." She kept smiling at Della. "So come on, surely you don't wanna give up this amazing view!" She gestured to the earth and to various stars. "Think of all fun things and amazing adventures we could have up here!"
"No. I want to go home. I want to be with my family again and be the mother my boys deserve. I wanna make it up to everyone for being gone for so long." Della wiped her face and gave Selene a stern look. Selene just kept smiling. "It's okay, I understand, they can stay too!" "WHAT! No! Selene, NO ONE is staying here! We're ALL going HOME!" Della finally lost it and started yelling at Selene.
Selene's almost robotic smile faded away into annoyance. "Oh girl, do you really think you can argue with me? You said it yourself, I am a goddess. I shared my moon and the stars with you and you want to throw back in my face? I thought we were best friends!"
"Friends don't trap friends on the moon!" Della barked. "You kept me away from my family, away from my boys… How could you be so selfish!"
"You're not leaving our little lunar slumber party. But your family can stay here with us and then you'll have everything you need, right?" "No, we're leaving, you can't keep us prisoners here!" Della argued and Selene finally dropped any pleasantness from her demeanor.
"You'll stay right here or…" She raised a hand towards Magica, the only one besides Della not wearing a helmet. Magica suddenly felt any and all oxygen being sucked away, like her head was caught in a vacuum that was sucking away all the air. "Something like this will happen." Selene said coldly.
As he saw Magica gasping for air, fighting to breathe, Scrooge lost it. "You leave her be this instant!" He swung his cane at Selene who just waived her other hand and the cane passed right through her. "Idiot, you can't hurt a goddess." She looked back at Della. "So? What will it be?"
Della hung her head in defeat. "Okay, you win. I'll stay, but only on one condition." She looked Selene in the eye. "Please, just let my family go home. "I'll stay with you here on the moon, forever, just like you want. Just please, let them go home."
Selene released Magica, who now had a brand-new appreciation for oxygen. "That was low…" She choked out. "Some friend you are… essentially kidnapping her, threatening her…" She continued to lecture Selene. "Shut up!" Selene yelled.
"She's completely right! This not how friends treat friends Selene!" Scrooge agreed. The boys nodded and Dewey spoke next. "How could you do this? I thought you were our friend too!"
"All of you just stop it!" Selene snapped, choking Magica again.
Then, suddenly another voice entered the conversation.
"Do you have even the slightest idea of how cruel you're being?"
In the midst of all of Selene's crazy, Scrooge had completely forgotten his space phone was still connected to mission control and on speaker so everyone was surprised to hear Poe's voice through the phone.
"Who are you and what the heck are you talking about, I'm trying to give Della exactly what she wanted!" Selene screeched. "No, you're not. You're trying to get what you want! If you really cared about Della, you'd listen to her!" Poe yelled through the phone. "You have no idea how it feels to be separated from your child, unable to hug them when they're sad or scared, unable to celebrate their milestones and birthdays… It's nothing less than cruel to take that from her!"
Selene released Magica again and stood trembling as she tried to find something to say to defend herself but Poe continued.
"At least I could still witness my daughter growing up and even talk to her, I can't even imagine how Della has felt, not even being able to see her boys at all until now… never knowing how they are, if they're happy or hurting… If you really care about Della then LET. HER. GO!"
Tears began to fall down Selene's cheeks as she listened to every angry and hurt word from the disembodied voice of Poe. "I… I didn't think about it like that…" "No. You didn't. And if you continue to hurt my sister, my family, I don't care if you're a goddess or not, I will find a way to make you pay." Poe's voice was cold but still carrying emotions from the days he spent as a raven and unable to care for Lena.
Selene hung her head. "Della… I'm SO sorry… I…" she wiped her face, trying not to start sobbing as she let the truth of Poe's harsh words sink in. Della approached and put a hand on her shoulder. "Selene… I understand how you feel but… just because we're apart doesn't mean we aren't friends. I always had every intention of coming to visit with boys just… once they could at least walk."
Della and Selene laughed a bit. "I'm really sorry I went a little crazy on you…" she turned to the others. "And on all of you too… I… have no excuse. That disembodied voice was right, I was being selfish and cruel… I was being kind of like Zeus!" She shuddered briefly. "What is wrong with me?" Della laughed again. "It's okay, just please… don't ever do this kind of crazy again, okay?" Selene looked at Della with wide, wet eyes. "Really? You're not going hold this against me?" "Oh, I'm sure Aunt Magica will and that's more than enough!" Della laughed as they glanced at Magica, who was glaring daggers at Selene.
"Well, if you're done forgiving everyone who's tried to kill you and us today, can we please go home now? I really need a soak in an herbal bath now." Magica questioned, still glaring at Selene. She nodded. "Yes, you should all go home now. And, I'm sorry for choking you… twice." Magica continued to glare. "Right… You're lucky you're a goddess…"
Once they were finally onboard the ship and heading back to earth it didn't take long for Donald and the boys to fall asleep. Scrooge sat at the controls, making sure their ship stayed on course and Magica sat on his right, slowly becoming sleepy while Della, on the left, was still full of excited energy, happy to be reunited with her family and going home.
"So, I guess I should explain about Magica now that there's time…" Scrooge started awkwardly. "What's to explain; I always figured you two would either end up together or killing each other. Obviously, I'm glad you ended up together instead of killing each other. She laughed. "By the way… don't tell Aunt Matilda but I have a new favorite Aunt!" Magica looked at Della in surprise. "Really?" "Duh, you're the coolest Aunt ever!"