Scrooge and Magica sat in his office at the Money Bin, him behind his desk and her perched on the corner of it.
She had been teaching him about magic since the Masked Mallard incident and when she expressed the interest; he had been happy to teach her about business.
He was surprised at how much she had already known, but her desire to be involved in every part of his life warmed his heart.
They had even found ways to mix magic and business; she started by offering to show him how to tweak things a little here and there to prevent any losses in investments or make difficult people easier to work with but he refused such tactics as they went against his moral code and he didn't want to tempt fate.
Instead he opted for simpler conveniences like enchanting his pens to write for him so he could avoid hand and finger cramps and a spell equivalent of Gyro's Time Teaser so he could get more work done and get it done faster.
"All right, just a handful of proposals and investment offers left to go over and then we're done for today." Scrooge, said, stretching his arms. "As fascinating as all this business stuff is, don't you think we should take a little break?" Magica's eyes glinted mischievously as she slid from the desk and sat on Scrooge's lap.
She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. His arms slid around her waist as he returned the affection. They sat like that for all of a minute before the intercom buzzed, startling them both to the point that Magica nearly fell off Scrooge's lap as they both flew up and straightened themselves out.
Scrooge pressed a button to answer the intercom. "What is it?" "Mr. McDuck, you have mail." Quackfaster's voice came through the intercom.
Scrooge pressed the button again to respond. "Send it up." "Yes, Mr. McDuck." A few minutes later a courier entered the office with an envelope for Scrooge and a small box addressed to Magica that had no return address.
"What do you suppose it could be? I didn't order anything…" Magica pondered, taking Scrooge's letter opener and opening the package.
Inside was a box of chocolates, a smaller box containing a bracelet and an envelope.
Magica opened the envelope and she and Scrooge read the letter.
It wasn't signed but was some sort of love letter implying some kind of affair between Magica and the sender.
It was just like several others they'd both been receiving for the last two months, all implying that the sender or senders were secret lovers of either Scrooge or Magica but they were all poorly written; riddled with grammatical and spelling errors and a consistent inability to spell their names correctly most of the time.
Due to the pitiful structure of the contents of the letters along with several claims of secret meetings that couldn't have possibly taken place they had just thrown the letters away and ignored them. They'd hoped that eventually the idiots responsible would get tired of their stupid game but it now seemed that they were getting bolder.
"This is just getting ridiculous." Scrooge said as he looked at the chocolates and bracelet. "These chocolates are so cheap they aren't even molded and they smell awful; the bracelet isn't much better either, just very cheap plastic." He scoffed, tossing the chocolates in the trash. "I think I'd like to know what yo-yo is behind this nonsense."
Magica laughed as she reread the poorly written letter. "Yes, and ask them what in the world the 'throes of phission' means!" He laughed with her. "I think it means whoever wrote this drivel needs to get a dictionary!"
Scrooge turned his attention to the envelope addressed to him,him; it was from the Explorers Society of Duckburg. He pulled out the letter, read it and tossed it aside.
"I don't know why they send me an invitation to this competition every year; I don't qualify for it." He sighed. "Of courseOf course, this year would have a particularly interesting prize too… The Silver Tongue of Bricriu."
Magica gave him a confused look. "What kind of exploration competition do you not qualify for?" "The couplescouples' kind. This competition is strictly for engaged or married explorers." He explained. She smirked. "Darling, I think you're forgetting again…" she chuckled, holding up her left hand.
He looked at the ring on her finger and face-palmed. "I did, didn't I?" he laughed. "I'm just so used to not accepting these invitations… so, do you want to compete love?" "Why not? It could be fun, but first, tell me what makes this treasure so interesting."
"Bricriu is a figure in Celtic mythology; he was a mischief maker said to have a silver tongue, any rumor or falsehood he spread was so believable that it made everybody afraid to deal with him at all." He explained.
She nodded. "Ah yes, I do remember reading about him when I was researching Celtic Magic a while back. So his tongue was more literal than metaphorical hm?" "Aye, it was apparently a talisman that granted him the ability to deceive. Couple that with his often cruel sense of humor and it's no wonder people feared him." Scrooge chuckled.
Just then the phone rang. Scrooge answered it. "McDuck speaking." "Mr. McDuck, Ms. MacBridge is on the line for you." Quackfaster's voice replied from the other end. "Put her through."
Scrooge hadn't heard from Brigitta in a while so he was curious as what she was calling about.
"Scrooge?" Brigitta's voice chirped through the phone. "Hello Brigitta, how are you?" Scrooge asked cheerfully. "Wonderful, just wonderful! I called because Rosolio and I wanted to invite you and Magica for lunch!" "Just a moment, let me ask her…"
Scrooge put a hand over the receiver as he looked at Magica. "Brigitta and Rosolio want to have lunch with us, what do you think?" "I could go for lunch. Let's do it." Magica smiled. She was actually rather curious to know how Brigitta and Rosolio were doing anyway.
Scrooge put the receiver back to his ear. "We'd love to… uh-huh… sounds good. We'll be there." And with that he hung up the phone.
"We'll get back to work after lunch. Let's go darling." He stood and held out his arm for Magica. She linked arms with him and they headed out to the limo.
At the restaurant they quickly spotted Brigitta and Rosolio at a nice table and joined them.
"Well, it's been a while; what are you two up to these days?" Magica asked when she sat down. "Yes, how are you?" Scrooge asked, taking his seat beside Magica.
They both blushed. "Mostly busy with work…" Brigitta started. "But lately we've been busy with planning…" She showed off her left hand and the dainty golden band that adorned her ring finger.
"You two are engaged! Well congratulations!" Scrooge was so happy for his friend, she deserved happiness and she found that with Rosolio.
"Wow! Congratulations Rosolio; I'm happy for you, really I am." Magica was surprised but honestly happy for Rosolio.
"We invited you two to lunch because we wanted to give you this." Brigitta said, still blushing as she held out an envelope to Scrooge.
He took the envelope, opened it and pulled out the beautiful gold embossed invitation inside. After reading it he handed it to Magica so she could read it as well.
"Of courseOf course, we'll attend the wedding!" Magica said happily. "Aye, wouldn't miss it." Scrooge added with a smile.
The two couples then chatted about the wedding and various other topics for a while as they ate. Then Magica started to feel the eyes on them.
She glanced up and around for a moment and saw others in the restaurant looking at them and whispering amongst t themselves.
"Scrooge, people still seem to think we're a spectacle…" she whispered to Scrooge. He glanced around for a second and nodded. "It seems so dearest; perhaps we should give them something to stare at then." He grinned slyly before he pulled Magica close and gave her a deep, passionate kiss.
Brigitta and Rosolio both looked away, faces reddening all over again at prominent display of affection.
Scrooge and Magica both smirked at the sound of hushed whispers throughout the restaurant when they parted.
"You two certainly know how to… uh… put on a show." Rosolio said, realizing for the first time how fiery Magica could be when it came to these things.
Brigitta too, now realized that same thing about Scrooge, although she also could see that hint of smugness in his eyes, that kind of smugness that he used to display years ago when he first came to DuckbergDuckburg and was little more than a selfish miser.
It seemed to both Brigitta and Rosolio that while Magica had become calmer and her better nature more prominent since their marriage, Scrooge's darker side had been resurfacing a bit. He calmed the villain in her and she brought it out in him.
"What? We are married and I don't care what those snobs think." Scrooge said casually, returning to his lunch. "I don't really care either." Magica added, taking Scrooge's hand.
He gave her hand a gentle squeeze before raising it to his beak and kissing her knuckles.
"Well, I wouldn't worry about the snobbery either; but you two just seem so comfortable being so… brazenly affectionate in public…" Rosolio started, then Brigitta finished. "We're not comfortable doing more than holding hands and maybe giving a peck on the cheek, but you two are so… passionate in front of others…"
Scrooge and Magica just giggled at the still red faces of their friends. "We just said it; we don't care what other people think." Magica answered first. "Like I said, we're married so we aren't doing anything wrong, just a very in love couple sharing a kiss." Scrooge added.
"Although, on a semi-related note I'm wondering if you would be willing to help us with a wee problem we've been having…" Scrooge and Magica's expressions became serious and their voices lower as they told their friends about the illiterate weirdo sending 'love letters' and gifts.
"Why, that's just terrible!" Brigitta said. "Si! Who do you suppose would do something so… so mean!" Rosolio pondered. Scrooge just shrugged. "I've absolutely no idea; but I do have an idea to smoke the idiot out." Brigitta and Rosolio nodded. "What do we do to help?" she asked. "Just play along…" Scrooge replied then looked at Magica, who already knew what he was thinking, and winked.
"What do you mean you have no idea who's been sending you those repulsive love letters and gifts?" He suddenly demanded, raising voice so as to be heard by others in the restaurant.
"Just that! I have no idea what nonsense you're spewing!" Magica retorted, also raising her voice. "But I would like to know why you've been getting love letters!" "What makes you think something so ridiculous? Don't even try to turn this around on me, I saw the letter you received today!" "I told you, I have no idea who sent it or why!" "Oh yeah, and I suppose you don't know what the 'throes of passion' means either hm?"
By this point they were practically yelling at each other and trying not to die laughing at Scrooge's reference to her earlier joke.
"Please, stop fighting! You two are too good together to let some little misunderstanding come between you!" Brigitta jumped in. "Yes, it isn't worth losing your relationship!" Rosolio added, the two going along with the little scene as the couple continued their act.
A quick glance, a subtle nod, that was all that needed to be said when the time came to close the act. "Fine! If that's what you think of me, I'm leaving!" Magica snapped, slapping Scrooge across the beak. "Fine!" He yelled back as she cast a spell and vanished in a plume of purple smoke.
Scrooge plopped back down into his seat, rubbing his cheek while Brigitta and Rosolio pretended to console him for a couple minutes until he called the waiter over and paid the check so they could leave.
The murmurs in the restaurant grew even louder as they left.
Outside he continued to rub his face while sniggering. "Well, that got some attention; now to see if the culprit takes the bait. Thanks for playing along, you were great."
Rosolio smiled. "You're welcome but, are you alright mio amicoAmico? She really slapped you!"
"Yes, I'm fine. No need to worry."
Scrooge gave his friend a smile and couldn't help thinking how at one point he couldn't have imagined being friends with the rotund goose, who had called him a home wrecker, but life is never predictable.
"Would you two like a ride?" Scrooge asked as he texted Duckworth to bring the limo around.
"Sure, we would greatly appreciate it." Rosolio answered and Brigitta nodded her agreement. "That would be nice."
"So, are you competing in the couples treasure hunt this year?" Brigitta asked Scrooge as Duckworth drove to Brigitta's apartment.
"Actually yes, Magica and I plan on competing. Especially since the treasure is a Celtic artifact. That strikes close to home for me you know." Scrooge grinned.
Brigitta squealedBrigitta squealed in delight. "Well that's wonderful! We'll all be competing together!" "It will be fun mio amicoAmico!" Rosolio agreed.
"You're competing too?" Scrooge asked in surprise.
"Yes, but just for the fun of it." Rosolio explained. Brigitta nodded. "We never held any notions about winning, especially since we figured you and Magica might compete, but we thought it would make for a grand way to celebrate our engagement!"
They chattered a bit more about the competition and exchanged theories about who was trying break up Scrooge and Magica until they arrived at the apartment building Brigitta lived in.
"Would you like to come up and have a drink Scrooge?" Brigitta asked as Rosolio helped her out of the limo.
"Sure, why not?" Scrooge shrugged and exited his limo behind the pair. "I won't be long Duckworth."
Duckworth nodded. "I'll just drive around the block a time or two." "No you won't; I won't have drive out all the gas!" Scrooge said sternly. "There's a little diner on the corner; just go there have a snack while you wait." He gave his butler a small grin as he turned and followed Brigitta and Rosolio.
"So, what do you have in mind going forward with your plan? What happens next?" Brigitta asked as she unlocked the door to her apartment.
"Well, we'll keep up the act for now and I'm planning to have someone stake out the post office. Hopefully the culprit will slip up soon." Scrooge explained.
"I see-Oh!" Brigitta gasped and nearly dropped her keys when she opened the door.
"Sorry, I hope you don't mind, I heard you say you were coming here so I figured I'd meet you." Magica stood from her seat on the couch and apologized for scaring Brigitta.
"It's alright, just maybe give me a warning next time!" Brigitta laughed as she and the men entered the apartment.
"Did you see anyone or anything suspicious before we left?" Scrooge asked as he embraced Magica. "I did see someone leaving right after I arrived outside; some teenage kid wearing a plaid cap." She explained.
"So, wait, you were outside the restaurant?" Rosolio asked, confused. "Yes, I just turned myself invisible, walked out and waited for all of you. I only used transportation magic when you left." She explained.
She then looked to Scrooge. "Are you okay? I slapped you pretty hard, but it was just for the act…" She gently caressed the cheek she'd hit. Scrooge just smiled. "I'm just fine love, you played your part perfectly."
They parted after a quick kiss. "We should head back now, and submit our RSVP for the competition." Scrooge said. Magica nodded. "I'll meet you at home darling." She then gave him one more peck before using a transportation spell to return to the mansion.
A few days later, Scrooge and Magica arrived at the meeting hall for the Explorer's Society for the competition briefing.
As they enteredentered, they kept up their façade of tension between them; which was naturally latched onto by gossip rags and society columnists since the events at the restaurant.
"Ah, Mr. And Mrs. McDuck; now that you've arrived everyone is here. Now we can begin briefing everyone." Charleston Houndsworth, a tall and distinguished looking elder dogface and the head of the DuckbergDuckburg Explorer's Society greeted them when they entered the meeting hall, which was actually his own study in his manor.
"Welcome one and all to this year's Couples Treasure Hunt Competition." Houndsworth greeted everyone. "There are some new faces here this year so allow me to introduce everyone…" he began motioning to the various couples in the room.
"Professor Minnesota Jones and his wife Marianne," he gestured to a dogface gentleman with salt and pepper hair in a brown leather bomber jacket and a dogface woman with graying brown hair wearing a matching jacket.
"Jonathan and Hennifer Hartzell," a handsome chicken couple, a brunette and a redhead, both fashionably dressed in blazers and slacks.
"Bradley Uppercrust II and his wife Pooki." An older dogface gentleman with graying hair wearing a sweater vest over a polo shirt and his wife, a younger blonde dogface in a tight blue sheath dress that showed off her cleavage.
"Brigitta MacBridge and her fiancé Rosolio Rhododendron." Houndsworth motioned to Brigitta and Rosolio who sat together on a loveseat holding hands.
"Scrooge and Magica McDuck." He motioned to Scrooge and Magica who stood together, his arm around her waist and hers around his shoulders.
"And finally…" Houndsworth began as the last couple turned around to face the crowd. "Flintheart Glomgold and his fiancée Goldie O'Gilt."
"Since when are they a thing?" a stunned Magica whispered to a shocked Scrooge. "I have no idea, but it seems pretty fishy to me… Goldie hates Flinty, there's no way she'd agree to marry him." He whispered back. "Are you sure about that, are you sure you're not jealous?" she teased. "Why on earth would I be jealous when I have the strongest, most beautiful woman in the world already on my arm?" Magica smirked. "That's what I like to hear."
"Everything alright, Mr. McDuck?" Houndsworth asked, eying the whispering couple. "Word is there may be some trouble in paradise, as it were."
"Everything is just fine Mr. Houndsworth, I was reminding my wit-ah, wife, to behave herself." Scrooge answered, again putting on the act of a rocky marriage to see how everyone reacted.
Most everyone reacted with some eye rolls and whispers, as though the idea that their marriage wouldn't last was no surprise at all.
Brigitta and Rosolio of course, seemed saddened by the display but Glomgold and Goldie on the other hand…
Flintheart seemed rather pleased and Goldie looked to be trying hard to keep from slapping her supposed fiancé.
"I think we have our culprits Scroogie." Magica whispered as they watched the odd couple. "Yes, but why?" He asked. "The competition obviously; if we divorced or something beforehand we couldn't compete." "I don't know, it seems a reasonable theory but something still feels fishy." They then just shrugged and returned their attention to Houndsworth.
"This year's competition will play out a little differently. An associate of mine recently located the Silver Tongue of Bricriu and offered it as this year's prize." He explained and everyone looked at him questioningly.
"But, doesn't that defeat the purpose?" Bradly Uppercrust II asked.
"Yes, this is supposed to be a treasure hunt so shouldn't we be hunting for the prize?" Professor Jones asked.
Glomgold just laughed. "Maybe this year the prize just goes to the most in love couple and I think we all know who that is, right my little Gold Nugget?" He winked at Goldie who just sighed and kept her balled fists down at her sides, trying desperately to restrain herself.
"Oh, shut up Flinty; you make me blush." Goldie replied through grit teeth.
Houndsworth shushed the crowd. "Let me finish explaining, then you'll all understand."
Everyone nodded and quieted down.
Houndsworth resumed his explanation. "Now then, as I was saying; my associate has hidden the Silver Tongue somewhere in a remote corner of the world. You will each be given a hot air balloon and provisions, including special passports, to travel the world in search of the Tongue."
"What's the deal with the special passports?" Hennifer asked.
"You will need to present them at eight special checkpoints. Several of our associates from around the world have agreed to man these check points and only the couple who returns with the Tongue and both fully stamped passports can be declared the winners." He answered and expecting the next question, quickly continued.
"I will give you the first clue to the Tongue's location before you leave here and each checkpoint will provide further clues."
He gave everyone a moment to chatter about the rules before finishing.
"The passport and checkpoint system are to help prevent cheating; we don't want any repeats of last year…" He shot Uppercrust a look.
"What? I only wanted to uphold our family tradition of winning." He defended himself.
"Like your son?" Jonathan quipped.
Pooki took her husband's arm and sighed. "We don't really like to talk about Bradley Jr. junior and his college failures."
"Back to the current topic." Houndsworth reclaimed the conversation. "If both passports are not presented at a check point or one half of a team shows up to a check point alone, the team is disqualified. Both team members and both passports are required to proceed and finish. Everyone clear on these rules?" He asked.
Everyone nodded. "Excellent, your balloons are ready and stocked so if you will all follow me…"
Houndsworth turned and opened the door, leading everyone to his spacious back yard where six hot-air balloons were waiting.
The balloons were attached to baskets large enough for the occupants to rest comfortably inside with the coolers and boxes of supplies inside. Each balloon was also equipped with an extra fuel tank.
"Nice setup, but will this be enough fuel?" Jonathan asked, looking over the balloons with Hennifer.
"It should be plenty to reach your first check point and don't worry, each check point is properly stocked to provide each of you with more fuel and provisions." Houndsworth explained. "Go ahead and choose your balloons everyone."
Each couple chose their balloon, the Uppercrusts chose the royal blue balloon, the Hartzells the forest green balloon, The Joneses took the brown balloon, Rosolio and Brigitta took the light blue balloon and Flintheart dragged Goldie into the gold balloon leaving the ruby red balloon for Scrooge and Magica.
"Now, I will give you all your first clue: Once a part of a Great Empire, now home to an unsteady tower, could your treasure lie with Jupiter?"
Everyone took note of the clue and Houndsworth waved them off. "Good luck and I will see you all at the end. May the best couple win!"
Once they were in the air Scrooge and Magica discussed the clue. "It sounds like we should head to Italy, the Leaning Tower of Pisa specifically." Scrooge said. Magica shook her head and chuckled. "Not quite Scroogie; Italy yes, but we should go to the Temple of Jupiter. Remember, he asked if the treasure lies with Jupiter." "Ah, of course! Well then let's set our course for Italy!"
When they finally arrived in Italy they landed the Balloon in the arranged landing area and made their way to the temple, picking up provisions and a few souvenirs along the way.
"Are enjoying being back in your homeland love?" Scrooge asked, already knowing the answer from the happiness in her eyes as they walked arm in arm toward the temple.
"I haven't been back here in so long… Scroogie darling we should come back sometime for a vacation and bring the kids. I'll give you all a real tour of Italy!" she smiled and gave Scrooge a quick kiss.
"Ah, hello! Isn't it nice to be back in our native Italy?"
They turned and saw Rosolio and Brigitta's cheery faces. "Of course, you figured out the clue just as quickly as I did." Magica chuckled. "Since we're all here, let's go to the temple together." Scrooge suggested.
Brigitta gave Scrooge a quizzical look. "Are alright Scrooge? What happened to your competitive streak?" he just laughed. "I'm just being a good sport… for now." He and Magica both chuckled at their friends' expressions.
"So, you're really just being cocky huh?" Rosolio laughed.
The two couples made their way to the temple and left with their clues and stamps just as the others arrived.
It was the same for the next three checkpoints over the following days. Scrooge and Magica figured out the clues quickly and easily and between his adventuring experience and flying experience they piloted their balloon effortlessly.
Rosolio and Brigitta were always right on Scrooge and Magica's heels, impressing them both and making Magica realize that Rosolio had more brains than she'd ever given him credit for and providing a really fun challenge for both couples.
Glomgold and Goldie were consistently behind everyone for their inability to work together, always arguing about the clues, the directions and who should be piloting the balloon.
Before anyone could reach the fifth checkpoint however, a severe storm warning for the area was issued so Houndsworth arranged for a mid-competition rest stop with one of the other members of the association who was in Germany so everyone landed their balloons on the estate of Dr. Albert Steinburger.
Dr. Steinburger was a kind older gentleman duck and owner of a successful German toy company.
He welcomed everyone, having prepared places to sleep and meals for them all.
However, while everyone dined and waited for further instructions Glomgold saw his opportunity to tilt the odds in his favor.
He snuck out and sabotaged the other balloons; he punctured Professor Jones's Balloon just enough that it would spring a leak later on. Then he tampered with the Hartzells fuel so the valves would jam. Finally he just opened the valve of the Uppercrusts fuel so it would all leak out and they wouldn't get off the ground again at all.
He couldn't tamper with Scrooge and Magica's or Brigitta and Rosolio's balloons however because both Magica and Rosolio expected something like that, so they had placed magical protections on their balloons which basically zapped Glomgold as though he was a mosquito on a bug zapper.
The next day Houndsworth notified everyone that the checkpoint location was changed and gave them a new clue to follow so after thanking Dr. Steinburger for his hospitality and he promised to get in touch with Scrooge after the competition to further discuss the deal they made.
Everyone piled into their respective balloons and while the others lifted off without a hitch the Uppercrusts remained on the ground.
"Bradley, what's the matter, why aren't we lifting off?" Pooki whined. "There's no fuel! Pooki, did you remember to close the fuel valves yesterday?" Her husband asked accusingly. "Hey, just because I married you for the easy life doesn't mean I'm stupid! I would have closed the valve if I had been the one manning it!"
They continued to argue about who left the valve open until the others were well on their way.
A few hours later the Hartzells began having trouble with their balloon.
"Jonathan, the valve is stuck, I can't close it." Hennifer struggled with the jammed fuel valve and her husband tried to help her. "You're right, it's really stuck and we're going higher!" Jonathan struggled and fought with the valve but it was jammed tight and balloon just kept floating higher and higher.
"First the Uppercrusts, now the Hartzells; something's fisheyfishy here." Scrooge said as he and Magica watched the other balloons. "Yes, someone tampered with the balloons." Magica agreed.
The remaining four competitors continued on their journey, heading for the new fifth check point, flying over the ocean and enjoying the sea breeze until another balloon encountered problems.
The Joneses were doing fine until a large tear suddenly opened in the side of their balloon, causing them to lose altitude fast.
"Minnesota! The balloon ripped! What do we do?" Marianne gasped. "I'll see what I can do…" Professor Jones traded places with his wife so she could try to keep control while he climbed up on the edge of the basket to try to find the tear.
"It's too high up, I can't patch it from here and it's getting worse, we'll have to abandon ship sweetheart." Professor Jones handed his wife a parachute and put one on himself. "But, Minnesota we're over the ocean! What do we do when we land?" "Look down there, there's an island, we can get to it easily and we'll be fine." He pointed to a small island below.
Marianne nodded and the two jumped, pulling open their chutes as they fell, softly descending to the island below while their balloon crashed into the ocean and began to sink.
"Are you alright Marianne?" Professor Jones asked his wife when they untangled themselves from their parachutes. "Yes, I'm fine but, Minnesota do you have your phone?" he quickly checked his pockets and shook his head. "No, I think I left it in the balloon." "Well then both of our phones are sunk. Now what?" Marianne sighed.
"Don't worry Marianne, I'll find a way to get us off this island!" Professor Jones tried to comfort his wife who just groaned. "We're gonna be here for a while."
"Well, looks like only three teams left." Goldie glared at Glomgold who still didn't look too pleased.
"Aye, but McDuck is still in the running, I couldn't sabotage his balloon or MacBridge's since they both have magical partners." He grumbled.
Goldie snickered. "Yes, I think you'd have to knock them both out if you want to win." Flintheart shot her a look. "I thought you wanted to win too!" "Preferably but I don't think that's going to happen Flinty, in fact, from how things have gone I don't think you're getting anything you want this time."
Goldie grinned smugly and Glomgold turned back to watching the others angrily, then he remembered something… he had something he could use to fix the situation; he completely forgotten that his young intern, whom he had spying on Scrooge and Magica back in Duckburg, had snuck some extra 'supplies' into the balloon for him while they were in Germany.
Glomgold suddenly started looking around the basket and Goldie simply sat and watched, wondering what the idiot was up to. Then he found what he was looking for; a harpoon gun.
Goldie's expression turned to horror. "What are you doing with that!" Glomgold grinned evilly. "I taking McDuck out of the competition!" He exclaimed and laughed manically as he fired his weapon.
Brigitta and Rosolio were hovering nearby Scrooge and Magica when they all heard a loud noise.
Everyone looked over just in time to see the harpoon flying in their direction from Glomgold's balloon.
"What is that madman doing?" Rosolio gasped when he saw the harpoon flying their way and realized his and Brigitta's balloon was right in its path.
Then the harpoon hit the blue balloon, making a large rift in the material, causing all the hot air inside to be released quickly.
"Quickly, jump over here!" Scrooge called to his friends, knowing their balloons were close enough that they could make it to his and Magica's basket if they moved fast.
"You go first, Il mio amore." Rosolio helped Brigitta make her jump but then the balloon dropped suddenly and he fell backwards into the basket.
"Rosolio!" Brigitta cried as Scrooge and Magica pulled her into their basket and hers descended rapidly.
Poof! Suddenly there was a plume of magic smoke and Rosolio appeared, sitting on the floor of the basket huffing as he held his right arm.
"Rosikins! You're hurt!" Brigitta knelt beside him. "I'll be okay Brigi-poo, the cooler in our basket hit me but it isn't serious I promise." He wrapped his other arm around her in a comforting hug.
"Well, now with one more shot they should all be out of the competition." Glomgold snickered as he reloaded the harpoon gun.
"You're crazy! You could kill them all!" Goldie tried to take the harpoon gun away from him but he held tight and during the struggle the gun went off and hit Scrooge and Magica's basket.
"Jiminy Crickets!" Scrooge cursed as he Jumped back, avoiding the tip of the harpoon as it attached itself to the basket.
"I can't believe this!" Magica glared at Glomgold's balloon.
She couldn't believe Goldie was actually helping Flintheart with this, actually helping him attack them; then again Magica knew all too well that supposed friends could turn on you without warning. Apparently Goldie O'Gilt was no exception.
"Now look what you made me do! Their balloon isn't popped and my harpoon is stuck!" Glomgold snapped at Goldie as she finally yanked the gun away from him.
She looked at the line connecting the gun to the basket and an idea came to her.
"Don't be so cranky Flinty, I know how to take advantage of this situation." She said, pressing the button to pull the line in.
"What are ya doing you crazy woman!" Glomgold snapped but Goldie just shoved him aside while she worked.
The balloon jerked, making Scrooge and the others aware they were being reeled in.
"Just what do they think they're doing?" Magica glared at the attackers.
"I don't know, but I guess we're gonna find out." Scrooge responded to his wife's rhetorical question.
"We should use our magic to get out of here before they do any further damage!" Rosolio said, now holding Brigitta protectively.
"I want to see just what that traitor has to say for herself." Magica moved to stand by Scrooge and they stood together, watching Glomgold's balloon get closer.
When the two balloons were side by side Goldie did her best to ignore the expressions on her friends faces and play her part. By now she was used to Scrooge looking at her with disappointment and a dirty look from the likes of Magica wasn't unusual but to see them both looking at her with a mixture of anger, betrayal and hurt was almost too much.
"What's the matter, not happy to see me Scroogie?" she teased.
"Not especially." He responded with a calmness that belied his anger.
"I honestly shouldn't be surprised by any of this." Magica said bitterly.
Rosolio and Brigitta just sat quietly behind Scrooge and Magica, but ready to defend themselves and their friends if necessary.
"Hey, I'm just going to unhook your basket and that's all. I promise." Goldie said soothingly, trying to handle the situation with care and not make any more trouble.
"What! But-" Goldie hit Glomgold to shut him up. "Just be quiet for once and let me handle your mess." She hissed at him.
Scrooge and Magica watched as she unhooked the harpoon and held it up with one hand to show them that was all she had done as she held the edge of their basket with the other to balance herself.
"See? Now you can go and carry on with the competition and we'll see you at the finish line." She gave a small smile but they still looked at her with suspicious eyes.
"Magica, love, can you and Rosolio use your magic to get us away from them?" Scrooge asked, never taking his gaze off of the pair of cheaters.
"Gladly." "Of course." They responded and quickly whipped up a wind to move their balloon away from Goldie and Glomgold's.
Once they were far enough away Goldie turned to Glomgold, who was again yelling at her, with a smug grin. "Oh, can it Flinty. They're out of the competition."
Glomgold went silent in confusion. Goldie just continued to smirk and produced two passports. "They can't finish without these."
Glomgold began to smirk as well. "Good work! Now we can finish the competition and go home to start planning our wedding!"
"But what about your other scheme? They seem to actually be just fine; I think they figured you out and their marriage is still going strong." Goldie continued to grin smugly.
Glomgold's face fell as he replayed things in his mind and realized she was right. That couldn't be allowed so he grabbed the harpoon gun again and aimed it once more at Scrooge and Magica's balloon.
"We'll fix that then, if they crash then that's that!" he cackled as he pulled the trigger.
"No!" Goldie tried to stop him but hadn't moved quickly enough, the harpoon was again flung and this time hit the balloon.
She had hoped taking their passports would be enough for Glomgold, but then she thoughtlessly pointed out that his scheme to break up Scrooge and Magica failed. Now their balloon was crashing to the ground and she felt responsible.
Phew! It took awhile but here's a new chapter! Sorry but I just had to do a cliffhanger, I just couldn't help it. This chapter is a bit a shorter than the last ones but that's because I've been busy with life, work other writing projects and the first chapter of a new Dimeshipping fic! There's still a few chapters of this one to go so it won't be up for a while.
I dropped several fun references in this chapter, can anyone name them all? TeeHee! One hint: There's a total of 7. Enjoy the chapter!