Neb: I do not own Ducktales. So Vincent is actively changing things in history. He has no idea he is doing this, but the Enforcers of Order are working to fix this problem by removing all traces of Vincent. The Duck family are unaware of these foes. To add to that, Mr. Elite is interested in the Fountain of Youth, so the Shadow Syndicate will make their move pretty soon as well. I hope you all enjoy the fanfic.
Vincent was hiding in the living room of McDuck manor. This was his quickest most dangerous foe yet. A well trained veteran when it came to the art of stealth, someone who could beat even Britt in hand to hand combat. Vincent wiped sweat off of his forehead as he grabbed his gun. The foe had already taken out Huey, Dewey, and Louie like they were nothing. "I'm not afraid," Vincent yelled, giving away his position. His foe already knew where he was anyways, they were biding their time, waiting for the moment Vincent was most vulnerable.
"An unwise mistake," Vincent foe spoke up as she camouflaged from the couch.
"W-what?", Vincent responded before ducking away from a few darts. He fired back at her, but she only flipped away and hid once more.
"You should just give up," Huey sighed as he headed towards the kitchen. "She's too good at this game."
"Yeah, but that's what makes it challenging," Vincent laughed. "Besides, I have to avenge my fallen comrades. Don't worry Huey, your death won't be in vein!" Vincent tried to sound as dramatic as possible, getting an eye roll from Huey. Then Vincent ducked away from a few more darts.
"Seriously, how are you keeping track of her?", Huey wondered.
"Years of training as a mercenary," Vincent bragged, when actually he was watching Webby through a nearby mirror. Though something seemed off now that he got a good look at her position. She wasn't moving. "Wait a minute, does she have life size dummies of herself?"
Vincent was tackled from behind as Webby landed on top of him from the ceiling. Vincent groaned from that blow, as Webby aimed her own gun at him.
"Any last words before I send you to your comrades?", Webby grinned.
"Go ahead," Vincent smirked back. "But you'll never see Private Jefferson again."
"W-what? I lost him at the jungle of Brazil?"
"I only made you think that you lost him during the explosion," Vincent played into her fantasy. "He was right here on home soil the whole time."
"Where is he? I have ways of making you talk!"
"Seriously Vincent," Louie called out. "Tap out."
"You don't want to upset her when she's in character," Dewey agreed.
Vincent realized they might have had a point when he saw her go for a coat hanger and some ducktape. "W-what are those for? What's she going to do with a coat hanger?"
"Oh boy," Louie facepalmed.
"Can I take my blindfold off yet?", Webby wondered as she was excitedly led towards the docks.
"Not yet," Vincent laughed. "Besides, you made me where one all mourning."
"You refused to tell me where Private Jefferson was," Webby shrugged.
"It was a game... nevermind," Vincent sighed. "You can take off your blindfold now."
When Webby regained her vision she saw a small wooden ship with sails floating on the water. Though small was subjective comparing it to the boats that Scrooge had. It was smaller then Fisher and Mann's boat, but it was bigger than the one Huey, Dewey, and Louie had. "It's so cool," Webby gawked.
It had taken many long months, but Vincent had finally made enough where he could buy his own ship. Sure it was a small sail boat, close to that of a sloop, but it was big enough if all the duck kids wanted to sail on it together and still have enough storage space for food and tackle boxes. Of course, Vincent was taking it on it's first adventure with just Webby. They've never done an adventure where it was just the two of them, at least not since they first met. Next time, Vincent was sure he'd allow others to travel with them.
"This is amazing," Webby squealed as she looked out towards the water. "I can't believe we're finally going on an adventure together."
"Took the words out of my mouth," Vincent smiled. "We shouldn't be going too far though, I kinda wanted to explore some nearby caves."
"Aren't you worried the Shadow Syndicate might be in them?", Webby wondered. "Or worse, Rosina!" Webby said Rosina with way more malice then Shadow Syndicate.
"Have you even met Rosina?", Vincent wondered.
"I don't need to, to know she's my sworn enemy," Webby growled. "She declared war on Lena and she wants to use you as a weapon. She better hope she never meets me."
"That's for sure," Vincent grinned. "I don't think those guys will be giving us trouble. Like us they hunt artifacts, and again, there shouldn't be any historical items in these caves. This is just supposed to be a fun adventure where we can spend some time together."
"I'm glad," Webby sighed in relief. "Earlier today I was supposed to be just having a fun time at Funzo's with with Dewey, Launchpad, and Scrooge. But Scrooge got way too into skeeball."
"Scrooge play's games?", Vincent questioned.
"No, not really," Webby shook her head. "So you really think this will just be a normal day? With our family?"
"Normal is subjective," Vincent admitted. "But we aren't traveling to another country or anything, we're just exploring some caves off the coast of Duckburg."
"Yeah but the Herbs of Glaucus weren't too far away either," Webby pointed out. "Neither was the Shadow Syndicate's hidden layer."
"Neither of which we found any artifacts," Vincent assured. "Trust me, if there was anything magic in this area, Madame Aurora or Scrooge would have found it long before I started living in the mansion."
"Well alright then," Webby nodded. "So any commands captain?"
"I'll let you steer, while I navigate," Vincent grinned as he grabbed a telescope. "This is going to be our greatest adventure yet!"
Vincent and Webby had sailed for a couple hours until they had come across the caves Vincent had mentioned. The two of them pulled out flashlights as they got off the ship to explore. The cave was darker the further you'd get in, it smelled of salt, and felt rather humid. But it was impressive, the cave walls were a colorful sediment that made the place look almost mystical.
"Wow," Webby spoke up. "This place is huge."
"It is impressive," Vincent admitted. "I don't think I really got a good look at the other caves I've been in. I've always been under threat the moment I enter one of these places. Well accept for the one where I waited for Huey and Violet to complete their challenge."
"Oh same," Webby nodded. "Have you been to Mount Nerverrest? Nothing but Portals making adventurers go around in circles."
"Well yeah," Vincent nodded. "It's in the name. Never Rest. I've never been, but I've heard stories back at Artifact from fellow mages who had given up trying to hike that thing. Even magic users found that place impossible to climb."
"Ohhh," Webby realized. "That's why it's called that." Webby saw Vincent moving on ahead and then trailed behind him. "So what made you want to come out here? Was it really just to hang out?"
"It really was just to hang out," Vincent confirmed. "Not everything has to have a conflict."
"You sound like Donald," Webby joked. "Oh, sorry."
"It's fine," Vincent shrugged. "I've felt like I've related to each of you in a certain way. You know, if it wasn't Donald who made that wish, I probably would have."
"Why? Adventuring is who we are?", Webby pointed out.
"It is who I am," Vincent agreed. "It's all I ever wanted to be back when I was just learning magic. An escape from the reality my childhood had brought me. Not every kid can say a Magic shop appeared when they needed it most."
"We've talked about this before," Webby remembered. "After we tried to bring Lena back from the Shadow Realm. You were feeling down on yourself."
"That was the straw that broke the camels back," Vincent admitted. "I was getting tired of every spell I attempt blowing up in my face. But now I can do a few new tricks here and there. I'm not content with where my powers are, but I don't hate them anymore at least. At the very least I can prevent explosions now."
"Yeah you've learned so much since then," Webby smiled. "Your even able to keep up with me in dart guns. None of the boys can keep up with me at that game."
"Keep up is subjective there," Vincent scratched his beak.
"The point is you've gotten better, more tactical," Webby continued. "You're one of the most adaptable people I know."
Vincent looked at the markings on his hands and then smiled at Webby. "What about you, you fought off a moon invasion with the rest of the family I'm pretty sure. If anyone has gotten impressive, it's you."
"Oh stop, it's no big deal," Webby blushed.
"I'm serious," Vincent explained. "You were always a good fighter, ever since I met you, but I have a feeling if you got another rematch against Ronny and Donny, you could take them."
"That's really nice of you to say," Webby smiled. "I always prided myself on getting stronger, and thanks to Granny's training I have."
"I guess we've reached the end of the cave," Vincent sighed as they found a dead end. "Whelp, we can always explore a few more, let's head back to the boat."
"Oh I don't think so," a voice called out to them.
Vincent and Webby turned around to see a familiar rabbit girl standing behind them. Three wolf men stood next to her as well.
"So much for no conflict, hey Britt," Vincent groaned. "And the Fang Bros, I thought Mr. Elite told you guys to stay away from me?"
"I'm not allowed to fight you in Duckburg anymore," Britt corrected. "But you aren't in Duckburg right now."
"So that's why you guys have been quiet," Vincent realized.
"Mr. Elite also has a message," one of the fang bros spoke up. "He says he's done waiting, and if you survive us he'll be coming for you next."
"I figured he'd get bored eventually," Vincent sighed. "I was hopping that meant he'd just leave me alone."
"So what's you guy's deal," Webby interrupted. "Are all of you immortal like him? Cause we've dropped several caves on you guys, and you seem to keep getting back up."
"Invulnerable," Britt corrected. "Not immortal. Though I will admit I have had come close to death many times because of you two. I wish I could say the same for my brother."
"I told him to leave me alone," Vincent groaned. "He was attacking me when the world was in danger."
"You don't need to explain to me," Britt shook her head. "We're assassins, it's part of the job. No, I only fight you out of selfish reasons."
"She really hated losing," that same fang bro pointed out. "She would not shut up about having a cave collapse on her twice."
"And then you almost did it again with a coffee shop," Britt growled.
"Excuse me for wanting to live," Vincent yelled.
"You are excused," Britt smiled as she pulled out her knife. "Now die please!" She charged at Vincent and the Fang Bros followed behind her.
Webby moved in to meet her head on and kicked Britt back.
Vincent fired a beam of energy sending all three of the Fang Bros flying backwards.
"What was that?", Britt yelled. "I thought you used crystals!"
"I learned this when fighting your brother," Vincent explained. "Fighting you two has forced me to evolve as a mage."
"No wonder he wanted you dead," Britt growled. "He took his Path of Order shtick very seriously."
"Focus on me," Webby yelled as she kicked Britt again.
Britt flew back into a wall and then groaned. She grabbed a a few throwing knives and started throwing them at Webby.
Meanwhile the Fang Bros continued to rise to their feet as they charged at Vincent once more. "We fight as one," they all yelled.
Vincent created a shield of energy around himself keeping the wolf men back. He realized at close range, the Fang Bros had the advantage. Of course he's learned how to fight in close quarters from Webby, but that didn't mean he was ready to fight his fellow mercenaries all at once.
"He put up a barrier," one of the fang bros complained. "Bring in the weapon!"
Vincent and Webby were shocked to see the Pig Gentleman who also worked for the Shadow Syndicate were now headed into the cave with what appeared to be a golden cannon of some kind. "Wait a minute, that's?"
Britt and the Fang Bros jumped back behind the Pig Gentleman. "A gun from the moon invaders ship, fresh from the black market," Britt grinned. "Has all the fire power it needs, even without the ship itself."
"But those things ran on generators," Webby pointed out. "Where's the battery?"
Britt pulled out a familiar pouch from her belt.
"Wait a minute," Vincent groaned. "Those are my Mage Crystals!"
"Yeah, I've taken them from you several times," Britt laughed. "The first time you were captured, and when I fought you at the coffee shop. Though you've managed to ignite a lot of them, I still kept a few hidden away from you."
"You're crazy," Vincent grunted as he extended his shield around Webby as well.
"You're soon to be dead," Britt cackled. "With this whole cave on top you! It will be poetic justice, to lose to your own crystals!"
"Vincent," Webby spoke up. "You have more power in your body, then they do in those crystals."
"Do I though?", Vincent wondered. "I've never run a comparison between the blasts from my old abilities and my new ones. Not to mention, we don't know how strong that cannon is."
"Vincent, you have to believe in yourself," Webby shook her head. "Don't you trust me?"
"I... I do," Vincent decided as he lowered his shield.
"Ready," Britt called out. "Aim! Fire!"
Vincent attempted to draw from his emotions again as he create a blue beam of energy in his hands. "But there was something more than the Path of Order or his emotions charging him. His friendship bracelet begun to glow, just as Webby's did. "Take this," Vincent yelled as he released the blue energy through the markings on his hands.
Both of the beams collided as the cave shook from their sudden collision.
"Raise the level," Britt ordered.
"Going to maximum output," one of the Pig Gentlemen nodded as he moved a dial.
"I'm with you Vincent," Webby called out as she placed her hands on his back.
Vincent was struggling to keep up with the cannon, but he could feel his new strength coming from Webby. Vincent was sure Webby was no mage or sorceress, so why was she giving him power? It didn't matter, he knew that together they could overcome even this abomination of a weapon.
"Go further," Britt yelled.
"It won't raise any higher," the Pig Gentleman argued.
Britt grabbed another mage crystal and loaded it into cannon.
"Not while it's firing," the Pig Gentleman yelled as the gun begun to overheat.
Britt kicked the cannon at the two ducks before running the opposite direction.
"Get down," Vincent yelled as he tried to switch to his shield. But he was too late, the cannon blew up creating a shock wave that knocked everyone off of their feet. Vincent managed to absorb most of the blast with his sealing magic, but he couldn't contain the whole thing.
Britt was knocked out once more under some rubble, along with the other Shadow Syndicate members. The cave was falling apart once again.
"W-Webby," Vincent groaned as he got back to his feet. He felt more bruised than anything. He turned to see Webby was passed out on the floor next to him. "Webby? Webby!" Vincent went to check if she was ok, he could her breath was getting weaker. "No, no, No!" Vincent couldn't move her because that could make it worse and they were too far out to have help come in time. "I need my..." Vincent ran over to where Britt was buried and dug her up.
Britt groaned as she felt the pressure of the rubble get removed from her.
"No you can stay passed out," Vincent growled before grabbing his Mage Crystals. He headed back to Webby and dug through the bag until he found a rose quartz and an amethyst. Crystal healing had never worked for him before, but he was out of options. He begun controlling his breath as he held the crystals over Webby. "I draw upon your healing properties, please don't blow up." Vincent continued to breath calmly as the crystals begun to glow. He then heard coughing and looked down at Webby who was rolling on her side, trying to get back up. "Don't move Webby."
"It's just a bump, I'm fine," Webby assured. "Actually, I feel better then ever."
Vincent remembered that feeling when Lena used the crystals on him. It meant the healing spell worked, after all this time. "I... I healed you."
"And it didn't blow up," Webby responded excitedly. "Congrats big bro!"
The two of them hugged, before running past the Shadow Syndicate giggling like children. The mercenaries all groaned as they questioned their own life decisions.
One of the wolves was already back on his feet, but he let them past raising his arms in surrender.
"Good choice," Vincent grinned as he and Webby made it back to their boat.
"Friendship really is the greatest source of magic," Webby announced as she headed to the steering wheel.
"And so is family," Vincent nodded, as he got the sails ready. "Let's go home."