Gosalyn slowly started to come to. She blinked hard and let out a yawn. The taste of the Possession gem lingered in her mouth. She started to remember everything. She breathed heavily and took in her surroundings. She was in a dark windowless van. The ground was hard and made Gosalyn bottom sore.

She tried to stand up but realized her hands were tied behind her back and her legs tied in front of her. She spotted Webby less than a yard away from her. Gosalyn kicked her. "Webby! Wake up!" she whisper shouted.

Starting to stir, Webby's eyes flittered open. "Huh, wha?" she mumbled. She looked around, and her eyes sprung open as realization hit her. "This doesn't look like the mansion," she said.

"Yeah, no duh!" Gosalyn said. They could here shouting from outside the van.

"I told you there were three girls! Why do I only see two in that van!" Webby bit her beak. That voice sounded familiar. Webby and Gosalyn exchanged a look.

"Uh, we couldn't find the hummingbird," someone said. There was an exasperated sigh.

"And this is why you're the eggheads and I'm an agent!" the other one said.

The door to the van slid open, causing Webby to fall on her back. Her view was flipped upside down, but she could still tell who was standing above her.

"Gandra!" she exclaimed upset.

Gosalyn glared at her with a smirk on her face. "I knew it!" Webby and Gosalyn shouted in unison. Gandra rolled her eyes and picked up Webby.

"Yeah, yeah, you're so smart," Gandra said sarcastically. "Too bad you didn't figure it out soon enough."

"Why did you kidnap us!" Webby demanded.

Gandra put a hand on her hip and lifted the pink girl to eye level. "You and Violet were figuring out a little too much for comfort. And with Gosalyn under the influence of the Possession gem, it turned out easier to stop you than expected," she explained.

"Possession gem?" Webby wondered to herself. Gosalyn frowned at her feet.

"I tried to get all three of you, but some people don't know how to do their jobs right!" Gandra added, glaring at two eggheads standing nearby.

"Violet will tell Boyd, and then we'll stop you!" Gosalyn said.

"Where's Huey?" Webby said. She glared at the raven haired girl.

Gandra handed Webby to an egghead and the other one grabbed Gosalyn. Gandra sighed. "Look, I don't actually hate you guys. It's just... A job's a job," she said.

Gosalyn and Webby glared at her. "If you've done anything to Huey, you're going to get it!" Gosalyn threatened.

The eggheads took them away, leaving Gandra by herself. She rubbed her arm. When she was younger, she didn't think kidnapping children would be what she was doing as an adult.

...

"...And that is why the Tell-Tale Heart is my favorite story," Katie smiled. Huey nodded as they went through the halls.

A voice caught his attention. "Get your hands off of me!" someone shouted angrily. Huey stopped.

"Is something wrong?" Katie asked. She put a hand on his shoulder. "Huey?"

He raised a finger to quiet her and listened. "I know several fighting styles, such as Karate, Taekwando, Jujitsu..." Huey's eyes widened. "That sounded like Webby!" he said and took off running.

Katie watched after him. "Wait! Who's Webby!" she said.

She went after him, speeding down the halls. When she caught up to him, Bradford was in their way. "What are you kids doing this fine evening?" he asked, ruffling Katie's feathers.

"I thought I heard..." Huey drifted off in thought. He tried to get around Bradford, but he wouldn't let him.

"It's getting late kids, why don't you head to bed," Bradford said. Huey continued trying to look past Bradford. By the head, Bradford spun him around. "Off to your rooms," he said.

Katie watched Huey's expression. She glanced between Huey and Bradford, her mouth open while she thought. Was her grandfather hiding something from them? What was Huey so worried about?

"But-" Huey began. "Kids, it's late," Bradford said sternly. Huey gave in. Katie stared at her grandfather, then went to her room.

...

Hooking up Boyd to a machine, Gyro took a step back. He pressed a few buttons on a keypad. Scrooge and Violet stood there and watched. When he was done, Gyro dusted off his hands. "Alright, Boyd. Let's see what happened." Violet watched as the monitor lit with a memory. The image was from Boyd's perspective.

They were in the woods. Next to them was a clear sparkling lake. A log was set where the grass met the wet sand. Trees surrounded them, letting just the right amount of light seep through. A few birds crowed in the distance. It was for the most part quiet.

"Huey!" Boyd said. Huey didn't look up at him. "Huey, your heart rate and blood pressure are up while your dopamine levels are low. Is something bothering you?" he asked.

Huey now glanced up at him. "I'm fine, alright," Huey said.

"It doesn't take a robot to know something is in fact bugging you," Boyd countered. Huey stood up and picked up a small stone from the beach. He skipped it across the lake. "After researching several sources, the best way to deal with your feelings is to talk about them," the robot said.

Huey skipped another stone. "Well, maybe I don't want to talk about them," he said.

"Why not?" Boyd asked curiously.

Violet stared with her mouth open, deep in thought. This must have been when he left at the woodchuck meeting. She had already heard all this. "Can you skip ahead?" she asked Gyro. He nodded and pushed a few more buttons. The recording moved forward quickly.

"Huey, you are enough. Is this because Violet won the senior woo-"

"Will everyone just shut up about that!" Huey shouted.

Violet gasped.

"Look! My family doesn't love me!" Huey burst into tears.

Scrooge bit his beak.

"Huey, how can you say that? They love you more than Akita, or Mark Beaks, or even the Drakes love me," he said.

"They don't! They put up with me. There's a difference," Huey cried.

The hummingbird looked over at Scrooge. His eyes were watering and his mouth was gaping open. Violet took his hand and he glanced down at her. Then he looked back to the video.

Huey went silent. He sat back down on the log. He sighed exasperated. Sadly, he pulled a card out of his pocket. Boyd took a seat next to him. "What's that?" he asked.

When they saw the card read FOWL, Violet and Scrooge shared a look. Scrooge squinted at the image in thought.

"I was offered a job," Huey said simply. Huey turned to the robot boy. "Hey, you got something in your hair," he said. He stood up and walked behind Boyd. "I'll get it for you." Huey messed around with Boyd's hair.

"Huey, I don't think that's-" Boyd went quiet. The recording ended.

Violet frowned. Huey was the one who had erased Boyd's memory? She bit her beak.

"Thank ye kids for bringing this to my attention," Scrooge said, trying to hide the fact he was crying. Boyd was unplugged from the machine.

Violet rubbed her arm uneasily. "What are we going to do? Do you think he- that he joined FOWL?" she wondered.

Scrooge forced a comforting smile and knelt down to her level. "We're going to find him. I just hope we're not too late."

"Huey's not the only one missing," Boyd informed.

Scrooge looked up. "What?" he questioned.

Violet nodded. "We can't find Webigail or Gosalyn either," she said.

Scrooge jumped to his feet angrily. "That's it, FOWL! Ye messed with the wrong family, you pugnacious prowlers!" he shouted.

...

Closing his eyes, Huey tried to sleep. But he just couldn't. He couldn't help but feel like he had made a mistake joining FOWL. It had been a long day for him, but now he couldn't help but think about his family. He had been so certain he heard Webby's voice. He dismissed the thought. It couldn't have been Webby. Right?

Memories rang in Huey's head.

(Escape to/from Atlantis) "I've got snacks, a traditional list of sea shanties, matching family road trip shirts!" "I appreciate the enthusiasm, but there's no time." "But according to the travel itinerary-" "Booooo!"

(Terror of the Terrafirmians) "Help me with this rock. I need it for my geology badge." "Why don't you ask your best friend, the guidebook, to help you? Oh, right! You can't! It's a book!"

(The Infernal Internship of Mark Beaks) "Yes! Faked it, maked it! I didn't even know this was my life dream until today!" "But- but- How did I win and still lose?" "Oh no, Huey's broken."

(McMystery at McDuck McManor) "Come on, boys! The party game is afoot!" "Ooh, I hate this already." "Oh yeah!" "Couldn't get that helmet off, could you?" "Oh, no!"

(Who is Gizmo Duck) "Mr. Gizmo Duck! I've been going over your suit's design, and I think you could be doing so much more!" "Yup, yup, I agree. Off to save Duckberg, bye!"

(The Depths of Cousin Feathry) "Wow, this guy sounds a lot like you." "Genius? Visionary? In charge of a mass research facility?" "Weird. You're both really into weird stuff."

(The 87 Cent Solution) "How can you be sure they're even gone? You'd have to count every coin in the bin to prove it, and that would be crazy." Moments later. "Ugh! Huey and his stupid nerd brain!"

(Timephoon) "Maybe, and, and hear me out here, your research is wrong? Don't hurt me!"

(Challenge of the Senior Junior Woodchucks) "Hubert, who is in second place and holding this letter? You are. Best wishes, Violet!?" "Was that good smack? Do you feel appropriately razzed?"

(Quack Pack) "Something weird is going on here, but I can't put my finger on it!" "You seem stressed. Did I put too much pressure on you about this photo shoot?" "No! I'm stressed because the veil of reality is disintegrating! And no one else seems to notice!"

(Astro Boyd) "Bleep blop! I make food for robotic consumption." "Careful! Those roasting sticks have been cut according to specific junior woodchuck guidelines!" "Hue-bot engaged! Uh oh, needs oil can!" "Not even a modern robot..."

"You're family doesn't love you. They put up with you. There's a difference."

Maybe he was right to leave. Here at FOWL, Huey had a family that made him feel welcome. But then again... Huey shook himself of his thoughts. He just wanted to sleep. But his mind kept him awake.

...

"You said you wanted to see us, uncle Scrooge?" Della said, running into his office. Her eyes were red a puffy. In fact, everyone, Dewey, Donald, Della, and Louie, looked really tired and worn out. Beakly came in shortly after. Then, even later, came Launchpad. When he had all his family gathered in one room, he leaned back in his chair. Boyd and Violet sat on a few chairs at the back of the office.

"It seems that FOWL is trying to take a stab at our family again," he said. There was a hushed gasp among everyone who knew what FOWL was.

Dewey stepped up. "What's FOWL?"

"It's the Fiendish Organization of World Larceny," Beakly growled. Scrooge nodded.

"I believe they're the ones who got Huey. And not only that, but they've gotten Webbigail and Gosalyn too," he added sadly. Beakly was taken back. The whole family was speechless. Donald held Della, who was crying into his shirt. Dewey and Louie held onto each other. Boyd just watched sadly as Violet leaned against him. She had something on her mind.

Beakly took a seat at a chair, unable to stand anymore. She couldn't believe that Webby had been taken by the one person she had tried so hard to protect her from.

"What are we going to do?" Donald asked.

Scrooge sighed. "I- I don't know."

"I told you he wouldn't run away!" Dewey cried at Louie. Scrooge looked down at his nephew with sad eyes. He questioned whether or not to show them the footage from Boyd. He shook his head to himself. Right now, the family didn't need to know. They needed to focus on finding the kids, not on their emotions.

...

Smiling to himself, Bradford walked into his office. Everything was going according to plan. He had convinced Huey to work for him, and from what he had heard from Gandra, the McDuck family was losing their heads over it. FOWL had caught two brats who were on to them, but now it seemed the cat was out of the bag.

Bradford ran a hand through his hair. Now to set the trap. He pressed a few buttons on his desk. Turning to a pair of eggheads, he asked, "What's the footage from Scrooge's office?"

The monitor behind his desk changed to show the family. They were all upset, a few of them crying. Bradford assumed Scrooge had told them about FOWL. It was funny really, how well he was playing into Bradford's plan.

Watching the family, Bradford thought they looked desperate. Desperate for any way to bring back their duckling in red. And desperate was just how he wanted them.

"Alright, are you ready to broadcast?" Bradford questioned, taking a seat at his desk. The eggheads nodded. He had hacked the large tv screen in Scrooge's office and was preparing to send them a message. An egghead gave him a thumbs up.

"Greetings clan McDuck," he said.

Scrooge spun around startled to see him. "Bradford! What do ye want? I thought I already apologized for missing that meeting," he said.

Bradford shook his head. "Oh, Mr. McDuck, you have it all wrong. You see, I'm more than just merely your boss. I'm also the head chairman of a little organization you might have heard of." He paused for effect.

"FOWL."

The family's eyes widened and they gasped. "Ye cast cannibal! You're working for FOWL!?" Scrooge said astonished.

Bradford smirked. "Not working for. I'm the leader."

Scrooge's housekeeper jumped out of her seat, and looked just as mad as Scrooge. His niece didn't look very happy either. Exactly what Bradford wanted.

"Where's my son, you- you- There are children present and I can't think of an insult!" she grumbled.

"And Webigail and Gosalyn!" a purple hummingbird in the back added.

Bradford held up a hand to silence them. "Alright, I'll give you your kids. On one condition," he said.

Scrooge raised an eyebrow. "One condition?"

Bradford smirked. "I will give you back your kids, if you meet me at this location with the number one dime," he said. He sent them coordinates through text.

"My number one dime!?" Scrooge yelped.

Bradford raised an eyebrow. "It's either that or the kids," he said.

Scrooge crossed his arms, upset. Bradford could see all the cogs turning in his head. He leaned back in his chair. "You have one week to decide. But I wouldn't try anything funny. Or else." Bradford pressed a button on his desk. The monitor turned off. He heard slow clapping behind him.

Spinning around, he saw Gandra standing there. "Great job. You got the kid only to give him back," she said sarcastically.

Bradford glared at her. "You really think I would do something as stupid as that? Of course I won't give them back their kids!" he said.

"Well then what are you going to do? I know you don't care for that coin," she wondered.

Bradford sighed. "I don't want anything from them. I just want them at those coordinates. But I couldn't just tell them to meet me there. That would be suspicious," he explained.

Gandra nodded, seeing his plan. "So why do you want them there?" she questioned.

"I'm going to exterminate them."

Gandra's eyes widened. "Like kill them? Don't you think Huey will be a little upset?" she asked.

Bradford leaned forward against his desk. "Huey won't need to know," he said.

Gandra crossed her arms. "He would figure it out sooner or later," she said.

Bradford folded his hands. "By that time, he'll be a loyal agent."

Rolling her eyes, Gandra turned to walk out of the room. Bradford stopped her.

"And if you say so much as a word to that boy, you know the consequences." She gave a two finger salute and left.

...

The monitor went black, leaving everyone either depressed or angry or some sort of mix between the two. Boyd sat in the back with Violet leaning against him. She hadn't said anything since they had gotten back from Gyro's lab. The robot boy glanced around the room. Everyone was at a loss for words.

"Uncle Scrooge, we have to get back Huey and our friends," Dewey said. Scrooge glanced down at him with sad eyes. He ruffled his feathers.

"I know. I'm trying," he said.

Louie had his hands balled into fists. "It's just ten stupid cents! You have to give it to him!" the duckling in green said.

Scrooge backed up, a little set off. "Now, lad, calm down," he said.

Della set a hand on Louie's shoulder. He pulled away. "No! Huey's somewhere probably scared or suffering who knows what and we're here debating whether or not we should give up a dime!" he shouted.

"No one is saying that he won't give up the dime. Right, uncle Scrooge?" Della questioned. He didn't say anything.

Donald jumped up, his face red with anger. "Uncle Scrooge!"

Scrooge held up his hands defensively while Donald shouted what no one could understand.

Beakly tried to split them up. "All this arguing won't help us save Webigail!" she said.

Della's turn to join the fight. "Your little girl can take care of herself! We have to save Huey!" The family went on arguing.

Boyd felt uncomfortable in the situation. This is what Bradford had wanted. He glanced down at Violet. She was breathing heavily and her face was red, but not with anger.

"Violet?" he questioned.

Her eyes shot up at him. "Yes?"

"Are you okay?" he asked.

Her voice got higher as she took another breath. "Yeah, yeah, I'm fine. I- I just need a breath of fresh air, that's all," she said, getting up. She walked out of the room.

Boyd looked from the arguing family back to the door where Violet had left. He bit his beak. Then he got up from his seat and went after Violet.

Boyd found Violet in the hallway, walking back and forth and talking to herself. She took in deep breaths.

"Violet," he began.

"Gah! You startled me!" she yelped.

"Sorry," he apologized.

She smiled at him. "It's alright," she said. She rubbed her arm nervously and stared at the ground.

"Violet, are you okay? Is something bugging you?" he wondered.

"It's all my fault, okay!" she let out suddenly. Boyd took a step back. She blushed at her outburst. "Sorry, I'm just not so good with handling emotions... I find it's easier to convey no emotion at all," she said.

Boyd put a hand on her shoulder. "What's your fault?" he asked.

She bit her beak. "Hubert and all this mess! I rubbed my victory over him all in his face! What kind of friend am I?" she cried. Her eyes glinted with tears.

Boyd smiled at her kindly. "Violet, you didn't shove it in his face, all those other woodchucks did. You follow the guidebook to a t! Junior Woodchuck rule 217," he said.

Violet raised an eyebrow. "Rub all documents with a pencil?" she questioned.

"Oh! Sorry, glitch!" he said. "I meant rule 3."

"No matter how hard things get, never give up on a fellow Woodchuck," she said. She frowned. "But I did. I insulted him and teased him. He deserved to win more than me," she said. "Boyd, I'm going to tell you something I've never told anyone. The reason I became a woodchuck."

Taking in a deep breath, she went on, "When I first met Hubert, he was smart and seemed just so perfect. Sure, I knew magic, but that's not really something that'll get you a job on a resume. He just knew so much about all sorts of things, and I wanted to be like that. So, I joined the woodchucks and memorized every rule in that book. I wanted to prove I was just as smart as him. So much so, that I was so determined to win that race after failing multiple times, I forgot that I needed to show common decency to Huey. I called him names and bragged, and he just put up with it. But really, he should have won that race."

The two of them were silent for a minute. Boyd tried to break the tension. "Violet, I think you're a great woodchuck and a great friend. I know you didn't mean to hurt him. I don't think all this is entirely your fault. It's Bradford's. You saw he had been trying to get at Huey for a while. Junior Woodchuck rule-"

"I don't want to be a stupid woodchuck anymore!" she shouted, chucking her guidebook across the floor. Boyd was taken back as tears streamed down her face. She spun around and ran off. Boyd called after her, but she was already out of sight. He looked down at his feet and frowned. Everything was just falling apart.

Thanks for reading and thanks for your support!