#its true though we do watch donald duck every christmas

[nebulaedaniel]

oh my god also? why have dan and phil been talking so much about sweden lately, it completely went over my head in yesterday’s video but phil DID mention sweden again

[crunchy-multi-fan-one-9]

Christmas Camping chapter 3.

Chapter 3.

The two young ducks continued walking, enjoying each other's company. Zack didn't feel so scared now. As for Della, while she was still upset about Donald, she was glad Zack was here.

She smiled sweetly at him "Zacky's the sweetest guy I know."

"Delly Del?" He spoke up.

"Yeah? Whats up?"

"I just wanted to say." Zack started, smiling gently "That I love that we know each other."

Della blushed, smiling "Aww thanks Zacky... I kinda feel the same way."

"Really? Thats so wonderful." he hugged Della.

She loved how this felt, Della hugged her companion back. His hugs were always great. He was such a sweet person.

Soon, they broke apart to find the wood. They kept on walking hand-in-hand. Both were feeling in excellent spirits.

"Hey Zacky? Why'd ya bring that stuff up anyway?" Della asked, feeling curious.

"I dunno, I guess I just wanted to." he replied "Its a nice night and I get to spend it with you."

Della smiled at this, she gave Zack a kiss on the cheek. The boy froze, a smile appearing on his face. He blushed, then without thinking, he kissed her cheek.

The two ducks are blushing but also smiling. They decided to continue on their path. There was silence between the two.

Zack and Della didn't know what to say, their hands weren't touching, but they were still next to each other. Della couldn't take the silence.

"That was pretty nice Zacky." she smiled.

"Thank you.. Yours too.."

She smiled sweetly at him "Thanks.. I saw it as a thank you."

"For what?" he asked her.

"For keeping me company... I still wish Donald was here." she pouted at the last part.

"Hey, who knows, maybe Donald will have a change of heart.." Zack suggested.

Della sighed, looking down "I doubt it, he's a stubborn one. I'll give him that..."

"Yeah... That's true..." he agreed "But its good to hope... After all its Christmas eve.."

She smiled at him "You're right, this is the best time to believe."

Zack nodded in agreement. The two continued, not knowing that they were being watched by someone or something. The creature was moving alongside them, blending in through the darkness.

The creature seemed to be baring fangs. The creature then stepped on a pile of twigs snapping them. This startled the two youths.

"What was that?" Della looked towards where the noise was.

"Wait here Zacky, I'll go investigate." she ran off.

"Delly?" Zack sounded nervous "Delly Del?"

He was now alone, he heard breathing noises. The boy was getting more nervous by the second. Low growls were heard.

Meanwhile, Della went to where the snapped twigs were. She then noticed footprints, she was curious as to who made them. After following them for a bit, she decided to pick up the twigs and go back to Zack.

Zack kept on hearing noises, that made him feel frightened. He looked around, his heart racing. He saw what looked like swiftly moving shadows.

"Whose there..?" Zack sounded scared.

"Zachary..." a voice spoke back.

It sounded like a creepy whisper. The tone was quiet yet dark, shivers were sent up Zack's spine. He looked around, seeing no one.

"I said... whose there?" Zack gulped, voice trembling.

There wasn't a sound now. He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. He wondered if he was simply hearing things.

"That must be it, that voice wasn't real..." he reasoned with himself "The snap was probably made by some animal."

"Zachary~..." the whisper sounded right behind him.

The duck turned on the spot, once again seeing nothing. He then heard his name being called more. He tried to ignore it.

"Zachary... Zachary Webbendack...!" the voice was louder, harsher.

"Please... stop..." Zack trembled further, tears of fear welling up.

He started walking ahead, hoping Della would catch up to him soon. It didn't feel safe to be in that spot right now. However, the source of the voice seemed to be following him. Slight swishing sounds were heard, shadows were moving.

Zack decided to start running, though this thing was still nearby.

"You can run, but you can't hide..!" the voice said.

Zack closed his eyes, trying to cover ears as well. He stood where he was, feeling terrified. He sat down.

"Its not real, its only in my mind..." he tried to calm down "Its only in my mind, its not real its only..."

The wind blew harder, Zack opened his eyes. He looked at a tree blowing in the wind. It looked like a monster trying to grab him.

"AAAGH!" Zack screamed in terror.

He ran off, not seeing that the tree was normal. He kept hearing the voice. He saw shadows all around him.

Zack's scream had echoed far and wide, Della heard it. Her heart sank, she knew it was Zack. What if something happened to him.

"Oh no..." there fear in her voice.

She ran off to try and find him, starting to fear the worst. She didn't what she'd do if something bad happened. She had to find him.

"Zachary Webbendack! Murderer!" the voice echoed, Zack couldn't stop hearing it "Zachary...! Zachary!"

"You're mine...! Zachary...!" the voice had a harshness to it.

Zack began to cry, he was so scared now. He stopped looking around, he didn't know where he was.

"You and all the ones you love will die...! Just like before!" The voice spoke.

"No! They won't!" Zack shouted "They won't!"

The fear was evident in his voice, as was sadness. He started to tear up, feeling so frightened. He didn't even know where Della was. He felt so lost.

The voice said, in a sinister tone "You will suffer brat.."

Soon, Zack saw what looked like a tall shadow appear. He felt his insides freeze. The duck slowly looked back, to see who was there. He fully turned around.

"Huh?"

He turned back around, noticing that the shadow was gone. The voice also had stopped. Zack wondered if he just imagined it.

He breathed in and out. Just then, he felt a chill as if he was being watched. He saw a shadow again. He turned around, then let out a loud scream of fear.

He saw a shadowy figure of a man or creature. The figure wore what looked like a massive black robe and mask. The only features on his face were glaring yellow eyes.

"Hello Zachary." The figure replied, his tone was falsely kind.

The boy was speechless. He remembered this man, the horrid memories were flooding back. Zack was paralyzed with fear.

"I remember you..." the duck squeaked out.

"Heheheh... Well color me flattered." his tone was cold "Then again, why wouldn't you? I am the one who slaughtered your family... It was wonderful."

Zack twitched at the memory. The one that played continuously in his nightmares. What happened that night, when he was 6.

The shadowy person's eyes turned red, a grinning with sharp teeth formed. The boy gasped in horror, eyes widened. The man laughed, a cruel, cold, harsh laugh.

"You remember, I know you do... Zachary!" he shouted "When I killed your mother and father! And every other person in that room!"

The boy shivered, he found himself recalling that event. He remembered, it was a family event. At the home where he lived, for the first 6 years of his life.

It was a lively evening, his Great Great plus Grandfather Alomos sadly couldn't make it. There were Webbendacks far and wide. Everyone was having a great time greeting him, this all went through. Zack felt as though it was actually happening.

"Zacky, sweetie!" a woman called for him.

"Mama!" the six year old ran to the source.

It was an elegant looking lady duck, her hair was feather white and in a bun. Bangs were present. She wore an aqua dress and a white pearl necklace.

She knelt down as Zack ran into her arms, she hugged him. The boy hugged her back, eyes closed. He nuzzled into her.

She patted his head, giving him a smile. A male duck came over. His father, he wore a suit jacket, collared shirt and black tie. He smiled at Zack, eyes welling with pride.

Then, everything started to get bad. So quickly, the windows blew open. All the lights blew out. Everyone was shocked, soon shadows seemed to move together. A shadowy man was seen.

Zack's father stood in front of him and his mother. The man grew a mouth with fangs, his yellow eyes turned red. Zack was stunned, looking at this person. He looked so terrified.

It flashed to him making his move. His hand and forearm turned into a black axe, Zack's eyes widened. His father was cut down maliciously, The Phantom grinned with bloodlust, he laughed. He hacked some more. Zack's father screamed in pain as he was getting murdered.

The duck fell, he had been mutilated and torn. There was blood, everyone was horrified. Especially Zack who could barely mutter "Daddy..?"

He had seen his father's horrific murder. The Phantasm looked to Zack, grinning, making sounds of insatiable bloodlust. The boy felt so helpless.

In an instant, the creature turned his axe hand back to normal. Then he turned his fingers into sharp spear blades.

Zack's mother had set him down, then she turned and faced the creature. She was then impaled, she screamed in agony. She had coughed up blood after that. Zack was horrified, he saw the black points. They were through her back. He covered his mouth, tears in his eyes. He saw blood dripping.

"Mama... Mommy..." He said softly.

He looked there, then back to his father who was mutilated and dead. Zack screamed through his hands at both of his parents fates. The Phantom swiftly pulled his hand out of Zack's mother. Then he cut her across her a few times, across her midsection and neck she had been screaming. She fell to the ground, blood down her bill.

Zack screamed in horror and anguish. The Phantasm then looked at all of Zack's relatives, who were coming forward. He immediate continued onto the attack. He killed everyone else, one by one in an excessively brutal fashion. The poor boy looked horrified as he saw this.

All of this felt like it was occurring in a matter of hours, not moments. The furniture was also being damaged too. Zack felt so helpless as he watched all of this, he was near his parents. He looked so horrified. Soon, it was all over. The figure then looked at Zack, his eyes wide and a sadistic smile on his face.

He walks over to Zack, turning one of his hands into an axe. He raised his arm up, looking at the traumatized look in the boy's eyes. The 6 year old was shaking, he couldn't even speak.

"No." The creature simply said, turning his arm back to normal "I won't kill you... Yet."

"No I'll let you live... For awhile." He grinned, then he looked around.

He says to Zack "You will live with your guilt... Look at this, your pathetic family... Murdered and little bratty you... Could not save them... In a way its your fault... Especially as your parents died for you, as did the rest of these fools..."

Zack looked around, he saw all of the bodies. He couldn't take the sight, he screamed outward in agony. He was crying intensely, he saw the blood on his hands and screamed in anguish. He kept on screaming as he looked at his parents.

The shadowy figure laughed, it echoed throughout the empty dark room. He then vanished in a swirl of darkness out the window. The boy is left alone, in tears. He is absolutely terrified. Thinking about all of this being his fault.

"AAAHHHH!" Zack screamed at the present time.

He clutched his head screaming out loud, tears in his eyes. The Figure was laughing at him. Zack was on his knees, looking downward. He felt so much horror and guilt, his body was shaking.

"I'm also why Alomos was crushed by that drill too..." The figure smirked.

Zack thought back to that too, remembering it. Horror was in his eyes, he remembers it and screams once more. Seeing Alomos pushing him out of the way and getting crushed.

The Figure said "You know... Maybe I'll kill you now..."

Zack froze starting to back away from this... This... Creature.

"Before I slaughter you... I go by many names... You won't even believe the half of them." He spoke "However, you may call me, The Phantom of Shadows... Hehehe..."

He then leered at Zack, who turned around and ran screaming. The Phantom laughed as he vanished. He kept on taunting Zack, telling him that he can't run forever. And is a murderer.

"Its all your fault Zacky boy... You know it, you feel it in your bones..." His voice echoed into through the woods.

This night had become something of a nightmare for Zack now as he ran. All of those dark memories kept running on through his head. He cried out as he tried to run. He heard familiar screams in his head.

Such as ones of his mother, father and others. He tried to ignore the screams as he was crying.

That's the end of chapter 3.

[zukoromantic]

Late Secret Santa 2018

So I am technically a week too late with this, but better late than never... right??

MY SINCEREST APOLOGIES!!!

This is for the DuckTales secret santa thing and I got @im-sacred67 !! (They seem like a really cool person, I hope you have a merry christmas my friend uwu!) Along with a couple of other things they enhoy the Webby x Lena which is mY JAM so here we go.

So at this point Webby and ONLY Webby knows that Lena is her shadow. I went for that as I didn't want to fill this thing with my angsty headcanons, I figured that wouldn't make for a nice tone as a gift. SO HERE WE GO I GUESS??I hope you somehow enjoy this, whoops

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"Webby, that's... still not actually how you're supposed to do it, I told you." Huey cringed at the sight of Webby landing safely in front of him after decorating the giant Christmas tree in a way that others would have considered 'dangerous'.

Dewey who had been hanging some candy canes on the lower branches of the tree took a few steps back until he was standing next to his brother. He took a look at their work. "I think it looks awesome", was all he commented.

One look at Huey made Webby be able to tell he was more than ready to contradict that statement. Before even being able to open his bill however, Donald approached from behind and wrapped his arms around the two of the trio.

"Ooh", he started, "we're not gonna fight on Christmas day. I think the tree looks-", he paused for a second. "Um, very pretty!"

Webby had to supress a grin at Huey rolling his eyes.

"Don't be so down, Hubert. There is no wrong way to get Christmas spirit into the house. Or - the mansion I guess."

In that moment the door was being opened in a loud manner.

"Hey everyone!"

"Hey Launchpad!", Dewey greeted him back.

"The tree's looking great once again!", the pilot said.

Webby watched as everyone started talking and chatting about this special gathering. She decided this was the perfect time to withdraw from the group. "I'm, uh, gonna go", she said, knowing nobody noticed anyway during the mess that their talking seemed like.

Without anyone following her she went upstairs to her room. Once she had entered she locked the door and breathed out in relief.

As she took a few steps forward she made sure to keep an eye on her shadow until the light was behind her in a way that made it appear on the wall in front of her.

"Lena?"

No response.

"Lena", Webby said now with more certainty. "I know you can hear me."

She watched as her own shadow started to change its figure and turned into the silhouette of her best friend. It wasn't an unfamiliar sight by now yet it still never failed to amaze her.

Even when she started to speak it gave Webby a weird feeling. "What is it?", she asked, slight anger in het voice.

"Lena, do you really not want to celebrate Christmas with us? It's gonna be so much fun, I promise!"

Lena sighed. "Webby, I really don't. You know I never celebrated Christmas before and I don't want to make everything awkward. Besides, do you think now is the right time to tell everyone that the shadow of your uncle's greatest enemy is still around? In... in a way at least..."

A frown formed upon Webby's face. So far Lena had not wanted to tell anyone that she was still present. She had said that she didn't want to upset anyone. At least not yet. Webby knew that was stupid and still she had to respect her best friend's decision. However that did not mean she couldn't try and talk her into reason.

"But it's so magical!", she insisted. The Duck family had seen more questionable things during their adventures, an old friend returning would not spoil the mood, she was convinced. Celebrating without the whole family present - or at least as present as could be - did not feel right. Lena was a part of the family, despite what she thought.

"I believe you... I just don't feel like it, okay?"

Even by the few features that her friend had been left with Webby could see the sadness on her face. She sighed in defeat. What was the point? She wasn't going to convince Lena any time soon. And even if she could she didn't want to force her friend into doing something that she didn't feel well about. She sat down onto the red carpet of her room and just stared at the ground. "I guess I just really want you to have fun again. You know, like back before the whole Magica-taking-over-thing."

"What?", Lena asked, judging by her voice a bit shocked. "No, no, I am having fun, believe me! Don't worry about me!"

Webby raised an eyebrow. "Oh yeah? Because being trapped in the two-dimensional world of shadows without interacting with anyone is so much fun?"

"I am interacting. With you. Remember? Besides, do you have any idea how terrible it was to constantly have aunt Magica - I mean, Magica at your throat? I wasn't free either back then, I constantly had the pressure of listening to every single stupid word she said. Now I can hang out with you and don't have to worry about her anymore in any way. It's like a vacation to be honest."

Though even the motivating look on Lena's face couldn't quite bring Webby to smile. "But - wouldn't you rather spend your time with your family? And I'm not talking about Magica. I mean the family you actually belong to. You know, us."

"You know, you keep saying I'm a part of the family. What makes you even say that? What do I even have to do with all of you in your eyes? I mean, yes the triplets are nice and I did talk to Scrooge and your grandma a bit, but - the only person I'm actually, you know, close to, is..." Lena didn't finish her sentence. She looked away. Webby wasn't sure if shadows could cry. But if they could, she was pretty sure Lena was close to it. The sadness, almost fear, in her eyes made Webby feel a stabbing pain in her chest. Lena really thought she did not fit into this family. This huge crazy family. With nephews, housekeepers and butlers. With pilots slash drivers and granddaughters of employees. Why wouldn't someone who saved all of them from certain doom and - more importantly - a close friend who meant a lot to them not have a place in this? Why couldn't Lena see that? Why didn't she see how amazing and special she really was?

"You know what?", Webby asked. "If you don't want to celebrate Christmas with a big family, then let's just spend a little more time together now. Just the two of us. You are supposed to celebrate Christmas with the people you love the most after all." As soon as those last words left Webby's bill she felt her cheeks blushing a little. She wasn't even exactly sure why.

"But isn't everyone going to wonder where you are?", Lena asled with an undertone of slight disbelief.

"Don't worry, I'm sure we still have some time. They're quite the crowd so I don't think they'll realize I'm gone too soon. Besides we were only planning to eat dinner in, like, 45 minutes."

Lena gave it a short chuckle. A sound that made Webby's heart jump. "What's so funny?", she wanted to know, grinning already.

"Oh, nothing special. This only reminded me of our first meeting. When we ruined Ma Beagle's birthday and the triplets came looking for you because you weren't at the beach anymore. They were totally freaking out at the playground."

Webby couldn't help but laugh too. "Pfft, yeah, that was fun."

As quickly as the joy had found its way into Lena's eyes however, it left them again already. "We were always having fun. Before I met you, I didn't even know what 'having fun' actually meant." She chuckled again. "Sorry, I'm being super cheesy right now."

Webby looked into her eyes. "It's okay", she said, moving a bit closer to the wall that the silhouette of her friend could be seen on.

A few seconds they just sat there, looking into each other's eyes. Webby fully took the moment in.

"Lena?", she broke the silence.

"Yeah?"

"I miss you. I miss you a lot." Webby felt like she was close to tearing up. It was true. She missed her friend so much it hurt. She missed her everyday. Every time she saw the triplets having a good time, every time she was having a good time herself. It always reminded her of how Lena couldn't be having such a good time along side her. It just didn't feel right. If they were supposed to be a team how could she be having fun while Lena was trapped on walls and floors, only catching a glimpse of this world's beauty and colors. It wasn't fair. She wished she could just tell uncle Scrooge and they would all find a solution together. After all, as one of the most famous adventurers of all time - and probably the oldest duck in the world - he had to be able to figure something out. If only Lena would let them.

"You don't have to miss me. I'm right here, remember? Actually, as your shadow, we're now closer than ever. No reason to be down", Lena was trying to cheer her up.

"I know. But you're not really... You know, actually here." Webby placed her right hand on the wall next to the image of her friend. A compassionate look on her face, Lena slowly put her own hand in that spot. It might have been her imagination but Webby was sure she could feel the hand touching her own.

"Trust me, I am here. And I mean - I'm more than honored to be your shadow."

Webby was going to smile at the comment, but she just couldn't. Not the loving words could fill the slight feeling of emptiness inside her chest. She knew it was ridiculous. Lena was right after all. She was around. Webby didn't actually need to miss her. Yet she just couldn't help but feel sad. "I do believe you", she said. "I just wish you could be here. You know. Like for a hug."

Lena startled back at that last sentence and what had felt like her hand before was now nothing more than the cold wall. As a slight wave of disappointment overcame her, Webby removed her hand from the spot as well.

"I guess", Lena said and Webby wasn't sure but she felt like what she saw in her eyes now was guilt. Guilt? Because of what? Because of Webby? Did she feel bad for her now? That wasn't how things were supposed to be. Lena was the one who needed her life back, not her. After a split second however her expression changed into a slightly more positive look. "You know... I suppose tomorrow or whenever this whole Christmas thing is wrapped up, we could, I don't know, tell Scrooge about - this whole thing. If you want to that is."

Webby gasped in excitement. Though she was suspicious as to whether Lena was just saying this out of guilt or not. "You mean it?"

"Well, you probably do have a point, don't you? I mean maybe the old man can do something after all." She began to smile while she was speaking these words. But it wasn't a forced smile that was only trying to reassure Webby. Ahe knew that smile well. This was a true smile, she could tell. And it was this moment that made her be certain that Lena was not saying this simply out of guilt. She wasn't entirely sure what that look in her friend's eyes was however. If she had to choose she would have said it was hope. Hope that perhaps she would be able to actually be around again. Not just as a shadow but as a whole being. As herself.

Webby was overcome with such a sudden wave of joy, she would have hugged Lena if it had not been for the circumstances making it quite difficult.

"You won't regret it, I promise!"

"Let's hope so." And there she was again. There was the Lena that Webby knew. Not as sad, not as scared, not as sorry. Just Lena. The sassy girl who always managed to be cool and would always be able to think of a clever come-back to anything under any circumstances. Webby could not supress a grin. That was the Lena she wanted to see again, the Lena that she hoped she was going to see more often from now on. Once she regained her physical form everything would be fine like it used to be, except better. They could go back to going on their little adventures together and Lena would finally have a family. One that actually cared about her. One that made her feel home. With all those thoughts, Webby was almost sure she cared about Lena more than she herself did. Well somebody had to.

"So, I believe you should be heading back to the others then. We don't want them worrying too much again, do we?"

"You're probably right..."

It was hard for Webby to loose her gaze from her friend, but eventually she managed to step towards the door. Before unlocking it she gave Lena one last look. She smiled.

"Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas to you too."

After she had opened the door and exited her room she checked if her friend was still there. But as she looked she had to realize that her shadow had gone back to its usual shape. There was no Lena. Just the result of the light not being able to enlighten the space behind her. It was funny to think about, considering she knew how much more to her shadow there really was. At least for now. If she was right, uncle Scrooge would know - or somehow find - a way to get Lena back her physical form. And if there was anything she was certain about as of this moment, it was that things would somehow work out. They would find a way. As family. After all, that's what they always did. That was just a fact.

Merry Christmas!!

[shewhowantsmouseears]

The Nutcracker Prince, 7

Notes: The final chapter! This wasn't an easy story for me to write, due to my issues with the holidays, and that for once I focused on a family aspect instead of romance. But I'm still fairly pleased with how it came about, and since others seemed to enjoy it as well, I call this a success. I hope you all had the happiest of holidays!

Thanks for all my fans who left comments, they're the ones that keep me going! A big thanks to the TransSiberian Orchestra, whose music inspired part of this story. And of course a big thank you to Twisted-Wind, whose artwork planted the idea in my mind in the first place.

Finally, the biggest and most heartfelt thanks to my editors, Drucilla and BlueShifted, who are the sweetest people you could ever know. They not only make my rambling nonsense into something coherent, but they're wonderfully supportive and always try to lift my spirits.

I do hope you enjoy this little story, and that you love the next story just as much!

Summary: In the final battle for control of the kingdom, will the siblings be able to reunite? Is happily ever after in their grasp, or will this fairy tale end in a nightmare?

Goofy wasn't one of the guards who had been given the strange order to let any intruders in, but it was probably for the best. If he'd thought about it too hard, he might have gotten a headache. He was in the midst of taking yet another nap at his post when he heard hoofbeats, and when he woke up he saw exactly what he was expecting – horses. Though he certainly hadn't been expecting the riders – hadn't those people escaped before? What in the world were they doing coming back?

He stood up straight, holding the empty shotgun and mulling over his options. He'd been trying to prevent people from entering the kingdom so they could avoid Mortimer, but with the destruction of the doors, there was honestly very little he could do about it. He was tempted to simply take another nap, but curiosity overwhelmed him, and he shouted towards the oncoming stampede, “What do you think you're doin'!”

“Saving Mausekönig!” Donald yelled right back, with Daisy cheering behind him.

“Or die trying!” Ludwig added as they galloped on past.

“Nice to see you, Goofy!” Mickey was the last of the group, but he was running as fast as his body could go while offering a friendly wave to the befuddled guard.

“Huh. All right, then.” Goofy nodded once and was going to continue his nap – but if they were going to save Mausekönig, then that meant they were going to confront Mortimer, and Mortimer would get mad, and then – and then EVERYONE would be in trouble. “No, that's not all right!” He chased after them, swinging his shotgun in the air. “You can't do this! You're gunna get us all transformed!”

Those that were out in the dirty streets had to stop and look at the world's most bizarre parade – ducks on horses, a running nutcracker, and a disheveled dog wielding a useless weapon. All it needed was a partridge in a pear tree and it could've been Christmas.

But as the band of heroes, plus one frazzled guard, raced toward the castle, they were forced to halt before a line of disfigured guardsmen. Horace was at the forefront, holding his hand out – which now held five extra fingers. “Oh no you don't! That rat king might want you in there, but you've caused enough damage!”

Donald held out his toy sword, but he didn't will for it to be of any use yet. He'd have to save that. “Out of the way! I've got the only thing that can stop Mortimer and save everyone here!”

“Save us!” an indignant woman from the village shouted, and others began to angrily join her. “You've got Ludwig with you! It's thanks to those rotten Drosselmeyers we're in this mess!”

“Yeah, we don't want your help!”

“I don't wanna be turned into...into...anything!”

“If you keep this up, we'll all be suffering!”

Mickey stepped out of the shadows, his wooden fists clenched. “Aren't you already suffering?!” It was difficult to tell what ultimately silenced the mob – that point of fact or seeing their prince as a gigantic talking nutcracker. He took advantage of the confusion to march forward, though inside he was shaking like a leaf. “This isn't the Drosslemeyers' fault! They've done nothing but try to help this kingdom since it was first founded! And...And maybe it didn't work out exactly as they planned...but doesn't effort count for anything?” He glanced at Donald for additional support, but Donald merely crossed his arms and lifted an eyebrow. No, this time Mickey was on his own.

The prince wanted to keep his eyes down and avoid the same of looking at the people he'd hurt, but instead he gazed straight ahead. “Maybe...Maybe the first Drosselmeyer did exactly what I did – try to avoid the real work it takes to build and lead a kingdom. I-I was the one who gave Mortimer access to the crown, because I wanted the crown before I was ready.” In turn, Mickey got exactly what he expected – furious shouting, cries of how he had doomed them all, demanding he leave at once, and he could have sworn he saw one large cat grabbing a stone to hurl towards him. Mickey embraced each stinging word, and didn't budge from his spot.

“AW, SHADDAP!” Donald roared from atop his horse, wildly swinging his sword around. Even his horse appeared to be affected, kicking its front legs about to keep the crowd away from his masters. “Like none of you have ever done one wrong thing in your rotten stinkin' lives! Let him finish, jerks!”

Daisy happily laid her head on Donald's shoulder. “I really like this side of you, y'know.”

“Daisy. Time. Place. This is neither.”

But the villagers weren't the only ones affected by Donald's bravery in the face of so much opposition. Ludwig had taken his time to dismount from his horse, and he joined Mickey at his side, touching the young man's shoulder. “My boy is right. None of us are without fault. And I've got more than enough faults for one lifetime. I was too afraid to look after my own blood and I tried to make up for it by redeeming a man who never showed any signs he wanted to change. I've been running away for a long time. I won't beg for forgiveness from anyone.” To this he locked eyes with Donald, who turned away uncomfortably. “But I'll apologize all the same. To my dear nephew, my sweet niece, to the true prince of Mausekönig, and to all of you...I'm sorry for all the pain I have caused.”

Mickey didn't kneel down as Donald had ordered him to do – he doubted his body could – but he took one large step after another, though the guardsmen wouldn't budge. “Please let us through. Please let us fix this once and for all. We have to put an end to this, and I have to make up for what I did to each and every single one of you. Even-” How could a wooden nutcracker feel pain? It didn't make sense, but it burnt his insides to speak it. “Even if it means you don't want me as prince anymore, I have to do this. I'm sorry too, but my words will never be enough. I have to do this. We have to do this. I'm not ordering you as the real prince of Mausekönig. I'm...I'm just Mickey Mouse, asking you to let me right these wrongs.”

Of course the entire kingdom didn't collectively forgive the two sinners instantaneously. But the need for revenge and blood had begun to cool, as each man and woman exchanged looks from one to another, quiet murmurs debating about the future of their lives. Those with raised fists began to lower them, and quite a few took steps back to clear the way. Even a number of the guardsman began to shuffle away, but Horace stood his ground, a large lump in his throat. “Look, what you guys said is nice and all, but what happens if you lose? Mortimer's gunna change us all into whatever he wants!”

Daisy poked her head out from behind Donald. “Doesn't he do that...kind of already? If we lose, how much are things going to change around here, really?”

The horse needed to pause and process this. His eyes bounced around, trying to find a counterargument, and none came. “Might be one of those 'stuck between a rock and a hard place' kinda situations, I suppose.”

Donald finally climbed down from his horse and helped Daisy do the same, allowing her to keep holding his hand for the time being. “Rock nothing! What can he do to YOU? Unless you were born with those extra digits, he can't do squat. Now move!”

Daisy triumphantly waved her hand in the air. “Exactly! We're unstoppable! In fact, so are most of you, if you bothered to think about it! Tell them, Ludwig!”

Ludwig moved his head around, and began counting out loud all of the already transformed people around him. Not everyone who had been struck had to stay in the castle, and as he added the guardsmen, he ran out of fingers to count. “Meine Güte! She's right! If we took everyone who's already been hexed by that heretic, we'd have our own small army! It actually works out for us if we got more people transformed!”

This made Horace slowly lower his changed hand and blink three times in a row. “You mean I could've punched him extra hard this time, and he can't do nothin' else to me?”

Donald hadn't felt himself smile in what seemed like a century – but now a wide, deep, eager one graced his face. “Well then, what are we waiting for?”

Mickey had never felt his spirits rise so high, and he pumped a fist in the air before sprinting ahead, joined by more and more people with every passing second. “Down with the false prince! CHAAARGE!”

~*~

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner no longer had any real meaning to Mortimer since he could eat whenever he wanted. He had ordered the oppressed chefs to cook up a lavish meal for one of his most entertaining shows, and he chewed cheerfully through some chicken as he watched Minnie continued to pirouette in pain. “Hey, babe, I can't see your pretty face if you wilt like that! Don't you dames do this for fun?”

Minnie had to wonder if she'd ever want to dance again once this was all over. Her arms hung lifelessly at her side and her breathing was labored. It was probably because of her extreme weakness that she didn't hear the sudden repetitive thuds of footsteps further along in the castle. But Mortimer did hear, and he stopped mid-bite into a piece of ham to try and guess what it was. Last he checked, Donald had only two feet.

The doors to the throne room burst open, and even Minnie was stunned to see Donald joined by a horde of villagers and guardsmen, each one shouting cries of “Usurper, ursuper!”

“Uh-oh,” Mortimer's left and right faces whispered together, but Mortimer's middle remained defiant. “I don't know what that means, but it doesn't sound pleasant! You'd better learn some manners quick, before I start getting creative!”

“Give it your best short, Mortimer!” Mickey shouted, banging his fist to his chest. “You can barely touch any of us now! Don't you remember Ludwig's lessons about the crown's magic? Or were you really that lousy of an assistant?”

“Hey, I was a fantastic assistant!” Mortimer stood on his feet, hissing through his teeth. “Of course I remember! You can change objects as much as you want, but you can only change people...” He trailed off, making same counting motion Ludwig had done mere moments before. “...Once. Hm. This is...mildly unfortunate...” He dragged each word out as the mental counting got higher and higher.

As much as Donald wanted to start the beat-down, the second he saw his sister his priorities changed. “Minnie! Are you okay? I'm here to – to – will you stop moving for one second? I'm trying to say something here!”

“Enchanted feet!” Minnie shouted back, trying to get his attention returned to Mortimer.

As Mortimer heard her, for a fraction of a second he wondered if she planned this – no, impossible, no one was more clever than he was! She was just a good little girl, and probably without a single thought in her head. All she was good for was dancing... and that's when he recalled the instruments still playing in the corner, the silverware resting on the throne's arm rests, and the throne itself. His multiple faces sneered and he rubbed his hands together. “So, you've got yourself a little militia? I've got my own!” Before anyone could think to stop him, the rubies shot out red light toward the instruments, the silverware, and the throne. With horrendous creaking noises, they began to twist and turn until they faced the rebels – in an explosion of energy, all of them countercharged the onslaught of commoners.

The violin strings tried to tie up tangled fists, the forks and knives cut across skin and fabric, but the throne was made into a living battering ram – and as a former battering ram, Mickey was using all of his strength to hold it in place. There were many frightened cries from the unprepared band, though many refused to give up. Donald didn't care how many knuckles he bruised and bloodied as he knocked a towering tuba out of his way – he was going to get to his sister!

Mortimer's faces laughed in wicked amusement, his arms outstretched and ready to wield his magic once more. “Did you morons think you stood a chance against my power? I can have curtains strangle you, windows wham you, I could even make the entire carpet capture you! I'm the most amazing person who has ever lived!”

Minnie could feel her heartbeat in her big black ears. Mortimer was right, in his own twisted way. He was amazing in many ways – amazingly creative, amazingly cruel, and amazingly selfish. She'd already proven to herself that as long as he believed in himself, he was capable of anything – so it was time to make one last gamble. If she was wrong about this, she hoped this constant dancing would kill her. It'd be better than the alternative.

Though she could no longer will her feet to stop, she could lean towards a direction and they'd follow suit, dancing all the while. Gritting her teeth and fighting through the aches, she spun and jumped in Mortimer's direction, until she had somewhat gracefully landed in front of him. “Mortimer, I don't understand!” She arched her back, pushing her chest out. To heck with acting like she believed any of this, all he needed was words. “You of all people should be able to change people more than once!”

The right face furrowed its brows, fooled once again. “We should?”

Daisy, who was avoiding a shower of broken plates, tried to shout to Ludwig and others to gain their attention. “What is she saying!”

Minnie touched her cheeks, trying to get the point across as fast as Mortimer's brain cells could connect. “With all those faces of yours, you're almost three people! So you – you could – you could have the other parts of you change people, since it'll be their first time!” She had never wished so hard for someone to believe as much she did right now.

“We could?” The left face was liking the sound of this, and why shouldn't he? It was appealing to what he loved the most – himself.

“Minnie, what are you doing?!” Even Mickey was having trouble concentrating on pinning the throne down. “Don't give him any ideas!”

She heard each of their shouts of pleas and protests, but like the tragedy in the caves, she wouldn't budge. “You could do anything you wanted to, your highness! You could even make me fall in love with you!”

Was it the last stroke of luck in Mausekönig that Mortimer never thought of enchanting someone's mind and emotions before? The seed that had been planted bloomed in his mind, and his eyes widened with new possibilities. The idea of making people believe they wanted to love him, obey him, respect him – it was enough to make him drool. Turning Daisy into an obedient monster of a servant had been close, but this was on a whole new level of loyalty. “Yes...Yes I can! I'm the ruler of  Mausekönig! I can do anything I want! I CAN DO ANYTHING I WANT! I'M AMAZING!”

Donald screamed for his sister, trying to reach for her through the binds of a resistant harp, but the crown was glowing, and the lights came, and no one could stop the frightening transformation taking place before them. Minnie found herself lifted an inch off the ground, and that wormy feeling of knives digging through her skin now plowed itself through every cell of her body. She opened her mouth but nothing came out, nothing could be done. The nightgown that had begun this adventure grew longer and darkened until it resembled a queenly gown that trailed on for ages. Her ballet shoes grew sharp dagger-like heels, with the strings looping around her body in a tightening imitation of a corset. When she floated back to the ground, her head was tilted to a side, listless and lifeless.

Mortimer bent down to inspect his work, licking his lips. “So, how's it feel to love someone as amazing as I am, Minnie Drosselmeyer?”

Only he could see the expression Minnie was making, and he was wholly convinced it was one of sweet devotion, a smile that could melt the coldest ice. “Amazing, of course,” she murmured with a genuine sunniness. She threw her arms around his neck, and he picked her up into his arms, laughing over and over, ignoring the fact that her feet were still moving this way and that. “All hail Prince Mortimer!”

Upon hearing that, several villagers raced for the door to avoid being struck next, but a grand piano was blocking them from any escapes. Daisy felt ready to cry, and Ludwig pulled out his hair, gasping for words that wouldn't come. Mickey dropped the throne in complete shock, and Donald was losing the strength in his legs. Had this all been for nothing? Were they really so powerless? Had the Drosselmeyers actually doomed them all?

Upon meeting less and less resistance, several of the utensils and instruments began to back up, awaiting more orders. Mortimer let go of Minnie and sat back down on his throne, trying to catch his breath after all his jubilation. “I've got to say, this has been fun. But you really should've thought twice before trying to take what I took. There's nothing this crown can't do, which means there's nothing I can't do. Now, maybe if you all formed a neat little line, I can start improving you one at a time. Let's start with the old man.” He raised a hand to adjust the crown so one of his faces could take over -

Except it wasn't there anymore.

“You're amazing, all right – an absolutely astounding amazing fool!” Minnie's dancing feet kicked Mortimer soundly in his big nose before jumping gracefully off of him. With the crown of Mausekönig in her hands, she raced toward her brother. The new outfit made it harder to move swiftly, but it was the only thing the crown could change about her as her body had already been enchanted. Mortimer had failed to change the most powerful aspect Minnie had – her faith. Faith in her family, faith in tomorrow, and now more than ever, faith in herself. She spun, she pirouetted, she twirled, closer and closer to her shocked sibling. “DONALD! NOW!”

For the briefest of moments, Donald felt guilty for doubting his brilliant, clever, wonderful sister. Was it really so surprising he'd done all he could to protect her throughout life? She didn't have his love merely because they happened to have the same blood – Minnie was Minnie, and Minnie was someone to be proud of. With this love pouring through his very soul, the sword in his hand ignited. Whatever came after this, they would always be brother and sister, Minnie and Donald Drosselmeyer. The name no longer brought shame. Donald was proud to be a Drosselmeyer, proud to have Minnie as his sister, and proud to be the one to save this imperfect kingdom.

“This is the end – of magic in Mausekönig!” He raised his arms high, and brought it down upon the cursed crown – when flames met rubies, they both erupted into a hot fury of volcanic proportions. The heat made Minnie and Donald drop their enchanted objects, watching in astonishment as the swirling flames rose up in the air, destroying each ruby one by one. Within the flames, they thought they saw – and it may have just been their imagination – an old, familiar soul smiling at them in gratitude. Yet this flicker didn't last, and spirals of flames began to fly off toward anyone who needed its touch.

Now this warmth felt welcome, like a mother's embrace to her tender child – Minnie's nightgown was its white pureness again, and her feet stopped their eternal tumbling. Ludwig's throat was engulfed in fire momentarily, freeing his voice to answer whatever it pleased. The servants, the guardsmen, the villagers – all were cured, with tears of joy streaming down their faces, followed by joyous dancing and jumping into the arms of loved ones. The flames vanished through the windows, removing the walls and the glass dome that had loomed over the kingdom. The buildings were restored to their natural hard-earned beauty, and even the castle itself was less pompous than it had been before. No perfection could be found in the kingdom naturally, but it now looked like a place one would be happy to live in.

Mortimer's extra faces howled in terror as they burnt off his cheeks, scrambling to undo what couldn't be undone. The final transformation was for the nutcracker prince himself – light obscured his entire body, and when people could open their eyes and see him for himself, he was flesh and blood, breathing and blinking, and a little shorter than they remembered. Mickey was overwhelmed by the return of his senses, and began to pinch every inch of skin he could find so he could remember what he felt like.

The almighty fire began to die out, whispering into smoke and ashes that littered into Donald's empty hands. The weariness deep within him was gone, and while he couldn't be sure if he had regained what had been lost, he decided to be an optimist for once. He held his hands up, and blew the ashes away.

Though Minnie longed to sit and rest, she found herself hugging her brother, flopping onto him as the last of her vigor left her worn out body. “I love you, bruder.”

“Yeah. I know.” But it was soothing to hear, and Donald ruffled her fur between her ears, unable to stop smiling. He wasn't sure if he could ever stop. “I love you too, schwester.”  He didn't want her to let go, but he knew she would have to. He'd have to let her go and make her own choices, as good or bad as they were.

Mortimer tried to take advantage of everyone's partying celebration by sneaking away, but Daisy put a stop to that via smashing a now lifeless trumpet to the back of his head. The “OW!” caught everyone's attention, reminding them there was one thing they needed to do before they could properly congratulate their heroes. He rubbed the large lump on the back of his head, sitting on his knees as everyone glared into him. “Uh...Oh! Would you believe me if I said the crown was evil, and it possessed me into doing those awful things?” Daisy smashed the trumpet into his head again. “OW! OW! I...wasn't hugged enough as a child?” Smash. “I have a split personality?” Smash. “Sleepwalking?” Smash.

Before Mortimer could suffer a concussion, Mickey calmly touched Daisy's shoulder to make her stop playing whack-a-rat. “Mortimer, for your crimes against the kingdom, I sentence you to the dungeon!”

“Hold it!” Donald held up a flat hand, allowing his sister to lean on him while she caught some much needed rest. “Dungeon? What is this? Some kind of wacky fairy tale? This isn't a dictatorship, you can't send him to the dungeons!”

Mortimer wiped his forehead. “Phew. Thanks!”

“You send him to jail, like a normal person! Sheesh.”

The guardsmen had to shove each other aside for the prestigious honor of dragging the kicking and crying Mortimer off, but it was Horace who happily won the fight. He even began to hum as he grabbed Mortimer by the wrist and dragged him along. Not once did Mortimer ever apologize as he went to meet his just punishment, and the people of  Mausekönig doubted he ever would. However, they never needed to hear it. With the menace out of range, hugs and kisses were tossed about once more, with those in the village streets running up and down to see that their homes had been restored, that businesses were open and ready, and that Mausekönig was indeed Mausekönig once more.

As the merriment went on, Mickey timidly approached the siblings, a hand on his beating chest. “I can't ever thank you both enough for all you've done. This isn't about what your ancestors did, or even Ludwig. You both did what no one else could. How can I ever repay you?”

Donald looked down at his sister, afraid that she'd ask for Mickey's hand in marriage. Minnie herself appeared to be contemplating it, but she shook her head, smiling through a weary face. “I think I'd like to get you know you better, Mickey. I feel like we still don't know each other very well.” Instead of covering his face in kisses or offering him a tackle of a hug, she merely held out her hand. “Maybe when you get a chance, we can go on a date?”

Mickey could now blush naturally, and boy did he ever, with puffy pink cheeks. “S-Sure! I'd love to! I mean, that'd be great! That'd be...” He stopped himself, feeling Donald's narrowed eyes boring into him. But Donald rolled his eyes and waved a hand – Mickey chuckled quietly and kissed Minnie's cheek. She grinned, squeezing his hand and holding onto it longer than necessary.

“Well now!” Ludwig announced loudly, having popped up next to Donald and almost shattering his eardrums. “Now that I am free, I can finally answer your question!”

Minnie and Donald blinked, looked at each other, and then shrugged. Donald was the one to ask the obvious. “What question? I'm pretty sure we've asked you, like, a hundred of them.”

“Don't you remember, nephew? On your first day here, you asked me if ever really loved you.” He cupped Minnie's cheek in one hand, and Donald's in his other. “Of course I love you. I've always loved you both. Leaving you behind was the worst decision I ever made and I'll always regret it. You've turned into spectacular adults.” He nestled his head between theirs, a bit of mist in his eyes. “Can you ever forgive your uncle for how awful he's been to you?”

Donald breathed slowly, looking down at the withered old man. He was as human as anyone else, he supposed. The pain from Donald's childhood still lingered, but it was no longer an open wound. A scar would always be there to remind him of what had happened, but it wouldn't be as painful to look at. “No promises,” he muttered, and he saw a crack of a smile on Ludwig's beak.

Minnie didn't instantly forgive her uncle either, though she did kiss his sagging cheek fondly. She had warped her life to be the good girl she thought he wanted instead of being the kind of girl she wanted to be. But it wasn't too late to change things. For Minnie, things were never too late as long as you had faith and trust.

As much as everyone wanted to take in this adorable family moment, there was work to be done, as evidenced by Mickey taking the fallen throne and trying to prop it back up. “I might not be the prince anymore,” he huffed – this body was much weaker than one of wood, “But I think there's still some things we gotta fix.”

The throne became easier to push when a second pair of hands joined in. “Who says you're not the prince?” Daisy asked sincerely. “Anyone here got any objections?”

After a moment, more hands began to grab the throne. “We've gotta rewrite the laws Mortimer made up,” from Clarabelle Cow. “And I bet our economy's not that great right now.”

“Wouldn't hurt to have someone tellin' us how to do all that,” Goofy was the last shove needed to put the throne up right. “Long as you don't go rushin' things this time.”

“But this time,” Donald picked up his sister, guessing she wasn't going to stand for much longer, “You're getting a whole family of Drosselmeyers to keep your head on straight.” He walked forward, and plopped Minnie into Mickey's befuddled yet open arms.

Minnie tittered, snuggling up to her beloved. “No more magic to cheat! We're all going to work hard to make this the kind of kingdom I dreamed about!”

“More doing, less talking.” Donald shoved his empty hands into his pockets. Funny, he'd only held the sword for less than a day, but now his hands felt bare without it. Maybe in a silly fairy tale they'd spend the whole day and night hooting and hollering for their victory, but they wouldn't know what needed fixing without actually taking a good long look at everything. Christmas had probably passed in the time they spent here, but it would come by next year. Time would move on, and it wouldn't wait for anyone.

As he headed for the door, ready to make himself useful and find out what else Mortimer had done, Daisy skipped to his side, anxious to see what she could do. Mickey would join them, after putting Minnie to bed so her aching feet would know relief. Yet there was no doubt once she felt better, she'd work alongside them. Ludwig answered question after question, now unable to shut up even when people asked him to. All the while Donald found himself surrounded by people offering their thanks and their help. He didn't see his sister for quite some time – and found he could survive.

There was no happily ever after to be found. Life wasn't like a fairy tale, where every broken promise was healed by true love. There would still be people who didn't trust the prince or the Drosselmeyers, and it would take years for the ill rumors of the kingdom to die out in other lands. But with every setting sun, the villagers who were no longer transformed found less nightmares waiting for them in sleep. Donald never said out loud if he forgave his uncle. Minnie waited three months before marrying Mickey – well, all right, maybe that part was a bit like a fairy tale. You can't change a girl that much, to Donald's annoyance.

Not everyone was happy, the hot cocoa would end in empty cups, and magic was never used again. But nutcrackers would be built once more, standing like guardians before closed windows, and each one held a smile of love and pride.

It wasn't happily ever after, but it was close.