In a musty old airplane, we see a group of unruly goons huddled together while circling their victims like hyenas, ready to devour.

Launchpad McQuack, Webby, and Scrooge McDuck are bound next to each other alongside Louie, Louie, and Scrooge McDuck. They feel threatened, frowning at the sight of being dominated and powerless.

"You'll never get away with my treasure!" Scrooge yelled.

Don Karnage, the Sky Pirate captain, steps into the spotlight. It was placed by a stage crew, all paid, of course. He laughs confidently.

"But I will, Scrooge!" Karnage said boastfully.

"Since we acquired all your gold and treasure, we must say farewell and take our plunder!"

"Yeah, what he said!" A Sky Pirate yelled out.

"And even more so, I will finally get what I wanted this entire time! Dewey Duck!" Karnage yelled.

He stepped away, and his crew did the same. From what the captured can see, a shining spotlight…

It's Dewey! He's all tied up, too… which would usually cause him to be scared and nervous about everything. For some odd reason, the blue-shirt duck is more… sympathetic. I'm worried for sure, just that his demeanor isn't anti-friendly, to say the least.

"Uh… hi," Dewey said.

"We'll take the blue runt with us! He has nowhere to go! For I, Don Karange, will be finally to vanquish my greatest foe once and for all"

"Wait, 'greatest foe'? Like, are you actively trying to kill me?"

Everyone gets thrown off, Don included. He stuttered a little bit.

"Uh, yeah. I am trying to kill him. He stole my crew and spotlight! Like, actively made my crew go mutiny on me, dude!" Karnage answered.

"Okay…ay? Do you want to kill Dewey?" Louie stated.

"I mean, yeah. With my sword… I guess." Karnage answered.

"What do you mean, 'I guess'?"

"I don't know. It's not that serious, bruh!"

"Why the switch in formality?" Webby asked.

"Where are these questions coming from, bruh? I'm trying to prove my point! Let us leave!" Karnage exclaimed.

"Actually," Peg Leg Meg said. "We would like to know too. You have been obsessed with Dewey for a long time. I speak for all of us when I say treasure is one thing. It's what we do."

"It's what we do!" Another Sky Pirate yelled from afar.

"Seriously, it's about time we impromptu intervene here. We need to talk."

"You're not in love with him? Are you?" Launchpad blurts.

Everyone burst out in shock, immediately filled with disgust. Loud talking arises. Some chatter among themselves, others start yelling at Karnage. Dewey becomes increasingly worried for his safety. Ugly Mug scooches before him, ready to protect him at all costs.

"What? NO! I'm NOT THAT KIND OF PERSON! NO DIDDY BRUH! THAT'S DISGUSTING, BRUH! WHY ARE YOU LIKE THIS LAUNCHPAD?" Kanarge said quietly.

"Hey man," Launchpad stated. "We're on a fanfic website with some chronically online people. Things can happen."

"Yeah, I hope it's not that," Dewey said to Ugly Mug.

"All of what we talked about is why I've been worried. For him! I talked to my family about this too! I feel like something's up with him… like self-projecting. At me. Louie said it could be something with his personal life."

Suddenly, a thought came to Ugly Mug. Could it be that…? It wouldn't hurt to ask since he and Karnage have been getting closer lately. They've been having longer talks about their personal lives. You might as well, then.

"Karnage," Ugly Mug shouted. "You think it's your mother by any means?"

Everyone stops shouting. Karnage included, who stopped trying to defend himself. Especially when Chris Hansen suddenly appeared out of thin air, asking him questions.

"How long have we known each other?" Ugly Mug asked.

Karnage shrugs. "About five years now. Why?"

"You don't think… it has to do with your mother, right?"

"I'm sorry?"

"Like, think about it! I have a family of my own! I'm blessed to have two kids! And a wife, who unfortunately passed away years ago. I've worked my ass off to provide for my kids. Those kids know it. I want them to live well. You know that, right?"

Karnage pauses. The room is silent, with everybody listening.

"Yeah," Karnage replied. "Go ahead."

"You see," Ugly Mug continued. "Your mom's a sweetheart. She provided a lot for you. Your mother sacrificed a lot and overcame every obstacle to live in a decent apartment and get a good education.

"You developed a knack for acting and theater. It's clearly your greatest passion in life. You love putting yourself in the center of attention. Not even in a narcissistic kind of way even. It's a God-given gift.

"Karnage, you are grateful, son of a bitch. You want to provide for your mother in your way. So what do you do? Continue your studies in high school while getting a part-time job to provide financial gain for you and your mother. You continued to community college to avoid some student loans and get an Associate's in arts. Hell, the university could've done wonders in getting your Bachelor's!

"But when times got rough with your mother diagnosed with cancer? You had to drop out! Be the head of the household! Unfortunately, during the pandemic, you got laid off. It got rough! You had no choice but to be a Sky Pirate and steal! But the more I talk to you, the more you regret resorting to that villainous life!

"But your mother understood, knowing that desperate times call for desperate measures! I won't go deeper into your "canon story" or your Gen Z kids' words.

"But until Dewey came along and stole your thunder, you let the worst get the best of you. All your insecurities and the idea of failing your now-deceased mother crept into your mind. It's clear you want to 'kill' him… but not really! Your good side is still with you! You're stuck! No one had to tell you to leave that mindset you've been stuck in for a long time! Until now!

"Now, how does that sound? Hit the nail on the head?"

The entire room is dead silent. Not even a peep whatsoever.

A sound of thud came to the ground. Everyone looks.

Karnage burst into some intense sobbing, down on his knees. He bends over, placing his forearm on his face.

Underneath all the sobbing are small statements of "I'm sorry."

Ugly Mug walked over to Karange, kneeling beside him. He comfortingly places his hand on his back.

"It's okay," He said warmly. "Let it all out."

Some of those watching started showing some sympathy for him, even teary-eyed. Others watched awkwardly, staring at the unexpected.

"You know, I get it," Dewey stated.

Karnage looks up-

Dewey stands far from Karnage, unbounded, arms folded. It looked like someone untied him in the meantime. His face seemed to express more frustration… but Webby knew it was not mainly at Karnage.

Webby could tell Dewey had some emotional baggage to let out himself.

"I uh… Well…

"I am sorry you feel that way and how I put my own myself above your own. I have issues with myself that are just layered with insecurities. I'll admit family and my talents play a considerable part.

"I forgive you. I can't help but feel that way. If I don't, then… I'll be a hypocrite. honestly, not too, I feel like."

Karnage hugs him, to his surprise. He didn't know all of this would unfold. Still, would he hug the animal who tried to kill him before?

Sure, why not? He hugs back.

"So uh," Scrooge interrupted. "Do I get my gold back?"