Chapter Text
The feeling of being left behind was one he unfortunately has become used to. Not by choice of course. Donald fought tooth and nail to make it here; Flew like a bat outta hell. Just to be here. He once again defied death to protect his loved ones.
Only to discover their ignorance about his entire situation. To discover their indifference to his disappearance. To know...that they didn't even need him. They moved on without him. Della REPLACED him. Just like the old days. And they were, happy....without him. Safe...without him. As if he didn't sacrifice a decade of his life loving and caring for the boys. An entire decade of making those boys his LIFE.
Donald stared through the front windows of the manor on Killmotor hill. A familiar numbness settled over him as he watched his family. The boys were hopping around their mother excitedly while Scrooge went over what was undoubtedly a map to whatever new adventure they were gearing up for. All wonderfully oblivious to his pain and everything that went down on the moon.
His message must've gotten lost. They had no idea about the impending invasion he had thwarted. They probably thought he was still on his cruise. Never mind that, according to the date, that had ended last week and if he had made it aboard he would've been home by now.
Who get's stuck with all the bad luck? No one, but Donald duck...
He was sick of it.Tired, beaten, broken and constantly relied on to fix the world's problems while the world gave him problems of his own. Even the Greek god Atlas had not wanted to be him and told him so. It was time for a break.
Slowly he turned around and headed to where he left his run down station wagon. He opened the door, pulled his keys from the visor and stuck them into the ignition.
"So that's it?" Donald turned at the sound of the Lieutenant. "You're not even going to go inside? After everything you're just going to...give up!?!?"
Donald briefly wondered why he allowed the alien to come with him back home, and then remembered his promise. He released a heavy sigh before letting his head fall with a THUNK onto the steering wheel. Apparently the horn's silence was deemed unlucky.
"It's not that simple Lieutenant." It had taken awhile for Penumbra to puzzle out what he said. But she had gotten good at it over the last month.
"Then explain it to me like you usually do, sir."
He raised his head slowly and carefully started the engine. "Get in."
With a small salute she dutifully marched to the other side of the car and slid in. A moment later and they were pulling away from Killmotor and through downtown Duckburg. Silence reined as Penumbra squirmed in anticipation. Her excitement only grew when Donald pulled up to a rather large and strange looking house.
"First things first." He cut the engine and turned toward her. "This house is only technically mine, so don't snoop and definitely don't break anything." She nodded in agreement. "Second of all, I'm tired and hungry. So I'm going to get something to eat. Then I'll explain."
"Of course, sir."
Donald sighed again before popping his door open and slowly heading up the white stairs. The Lieutenant following him closely. He was surprised to find the door already unlocked. In the span of half a second his fried nerves were back on high alert.
He fell into a crouch and motioned for Penumbra to do the same. With a nod of his head they both crept forward and into the house cautiously. They continued down the main hall, checking every door way and sweeping through rooms defensively. Passively the duck noted how well the Moonlander implemented her basic training. He found himself feeling a small swell of pride building in his chest and he couldn't help but think...I taught her that...
Refocusing on their current task he motioned for the alien to stop. He swore he heard movement coming from the next room. They were pretty far into the house now. In fact, this hall was the furthest back into the house you could get. That's why he put the girls' rooms back here... Straightening slowly he motioned for the Lieutenant to stay back. She frowned at him, but followed orders.
Maybe I'm overreacting...it wouldn't be the first time...
Placing his palm against the door, he sucked in a quiet breath before firmly pushing it open. He barely dodged the first fist that flew at his face, his body reacting on instinct to dodge, and he caught the second. Jerking the appendage forward he spun the assailant around before putting them in a light choke hold. He held them firmly his only concern to keep them contained.
Once the thrashing settled down he pushed them away from himself. The young duck, now that he could see her, spun on her heel breathing heavily.
"Uncle Donald!? What are you doing here?" Donald blinked and took the girl's appearance in.
"May?" It was her, had to be. But..."Aren't you supposed to be at Camp Pendleton?" May's face reddened slightly and her gaze sunk to the floor. Bad topic then. "Nevermind that, are your sisters here?"
May mumbled something he couldn't quite make out. Bad situation then. He approached her slowly, hand out. He stroked the feathers on her cheek before gently pulling her into a hug. She gripped him back fiercely and buried her beak into his shoulder. There were no tears, she' didn't become a marine for nothing, but there was plenty of emotion.
"What's wrong kiddo?"
Penumbra watched on from behind them awkwardly. She tried to press herself into the wall and make herself invisible. Normally she would have just left...but she was under orders.
"Who are you?" The voice had her jumping in surprise. When she turned she berated herself heavily at forgetting to keep her guard up. There were two new arrivals whose appearances were near identical to the first girl who had called the Admiral 'Uncle'. She assumed this also meant they were not a threat, but she didn't want to take that chance.
Before she could get to her weapon the Admiral cut her off. "It's alright, she's with me."
"Uncle Donald!" With the exclamation the other two leapt at him and joined the strange embrace.
"It's good to see you girls again." He stroked each of their cheeks and hugged them close. He even gave them a peck on the forehead. "Now, does someone want to tell me what the heck is going on?"
The girls just smiled and laughed lightly. "We could ask you the same thing."