Chapter Text
Scrooge felt like he’d been dunked into an icy bath when Donald leapt between him and Glumgold. A look of total disgust on his face. Behind him Glumgold gave Scrooge an unpleasantly gleeful smile.
Fighting Donald was the last thing Scrooge wanted to do, but he knew better than to let down his guard.
“Donald,” Scrooge said weakly.
“You stay away from my uncle, McDuck,” Donald growled at him brandishing a staff. Scrooge managed to block the attack with his cane.
“Donald,” Scrooge repeated urgently, “you need to listen to me!” He pushed Donald back and swung a counterattack. Donald blocked it effortlessly.
“Why should I listen to anything you have to say?” Donald snarled, knocking back Scrooge’s cane and moving to strike again. Scrooge just barely caught the attack.
“Because Glumgold is lying to you,” Scrooge said desperately. He threw Donald off, but the younger duck recovered quickly and readied his next attack.
“Why would Uncle Flint lie to me?” Donald asked angrily as Scrooge parried his attacks.
“He’s not your uncle,” Scrooge said with a strained voice, holding off Donald, “I AM!”
A shocked look flashed across Donald’s face and Scrooge threw him off balance.
There was a pause as Scrooge tried to catch his breath and Donald collected himself. He looked up at Scrooge with a downright murderous look on his face.
“How. Dare. You.” Donald growled and launched a barrage attack.
“Donald, please,” Scrooge pleaded as he fended off his nephew’s attacks, “You have to believe me.”
He panted, struggling to keep up with the younger duck. Donald only growled in response and kept the attacks coming.
Scrooge didn’t know how much longer he would be able to hold out. Donald was a force to be reckoned with when he was truly enraged. He caught a particularly vicious strike and for a moment their faces where just inches apart.
“Please, mo bhalcáno,” Scrooge whispered staring into his nephew’s enraged eyes.
The change was almost instantaneous. The anger drained away from Donald’s face and in its place was a look of confusion and recognition. He stumbled backwards and rose a hand to his temple, blinking furiously and almost doubling over. Scrooge hesitantly reached out to him.
“Donald,” he called softly, taking a tentative step forward.
“Donald!” Glumgold barked, making both Scrooge and Donald jump. He grabbed Donald by his shirt collar and pulled him away from Scrooge.
Scrooge snarled and bolted forward. Glumgold was ready for him though and knocked off his feet. Before Scrooge could collect himself Glumgold had pulled Donald away towards the tunnel they’d come from. He shot Scrooge one last smug grin before he disappeared down the dark tunnel with Donald in tow.
Scrooge watched them go with a feeling of dread in the pit of his stomach.