Archive of Our Own

After the purple atmosphere had dispelled, Huey inspected his surrounding: No more props, lightings, cameras or weird anthropomorphic primates.

Just one more thing to confirm.

"Say something funny, Dewey." Huey asked his younger brother.

"Something funny, Dewey." Who replied with a silly joke, before waiting for a canned laughter from nowhere, like his friends and family were doing.

Silence.

Great.

"Ah-ha! The sound of nobody laughing never sounded so good!" Huey cheered in ecstasy. Everything was really back to normal.

Huey heard an unintelligible whisper from behind him, before the eccentric genie caught his attention.

"Best episode ever!" Gene zoomed into the sky in a trail of purple smoke, lying on his back on a purple cloud.

Everyone lifted their heads to look at the laughing genie, still surprised that they accidentally found the lost lamp of Collie Baba. That was, before yet another voice diverted their attention away.

"Gosh, that's sweet." An unfamiliar voice made everyone turn around, only to see a touched Goofy actually standing on the side of the sinkhole.

"Wait, Goofy was really here this whole time?" Della questioned, perplexed; while Launchpad gave Goofy a little wave. The kids were just as confused, but it was mostly due to the fact that they didn't know who that person was. Only the adults seemed to know him.

Although, Della was even more confused as to how the seemingly clumsy and lanky father from Spoonerville could navigate to the depth of the ruins alone and unscathed.

"Of course! Magic's got nothing over the power of a big-name guest star!" Gene flew towards Goofy in the blink of an eye, his legs now a ghostly wisp of ectoplasm, as one would expect from a genie. He seemed to want to put a hand over his guest's shoulder, but he ended up wrapping his overly stretched arm literally around Goofy's body. When Gene suddenly released, the quick motion caused Goofy to spin around rapidly, disorienting the poor dog.

Unknown to everyone, Donald had been watching everything from the side. He held the golden lamp in his hand, his heart full of doubts and conflicts. He just wished for something he had always wanted to come true, and then immediately made to undo that wish. Granted, even if his family wasn't asking him to do so, Donald would still nullify that wish. He only wished for his family's happiness, and nothing more. Even if that wish was an accident, that happy, normal family photoshoot was something Donald had been dying for. However, seeing them disappointed or even being attacked was enough to make Donald regret his decision.

Although, that meant danger would once again find its way to harm his family, like it always did. He would have to protect his family with his own hands, like he always did.

And the fact that Goofy was here was not a good omen. Hopefully no one noticed his frown when he saw Goofy, or would question Donald why he was so sad to see his old friend.

When Donald was still worrying, that overly excited genie teleported to his side, oblivious to the uncle's heavy heart.

"You know...you have one more wish. You could have anything..." Gene held his arm over Donald's shoulder, his other hand rubbing his fingers as magical sparkles glittered. He pated Donald on his chest, before extending his hand to the air and drawing out an arc, as if showing Donald all the possibilities he could achieve with his last wish.

Everyone in the family thought he was pondering for his final wish when Donald averted his eyes, but only he knew he was thinking about something much, much deeper.

He didn't have time to think about petty wishes, to be honest. Not before knowing what bad news had brought Goofy here.

"I...need some time...alone." Donald said, much to the disappointment of other family members.

"Aww, come on, Don! Don't tell me you still believe in birthday wish rule?" Della complained.

"Curse me kilts! Time is money, lad. And money doesn't grow on trees, y'know?" Followed by Uncle Scrooge. Dewey was about to rebut with the money tree in the Doomsday Vault, before being shut up by Huey.

Meanwhile, Donald tried to formulate a lighthearted reply. They didn't have to know what was going on in his mind.

"My wish, my rules." Donald feigned a childish pout, before starting to move away from the group to somewhere more secluded. He held the magic lamp in his hands, thus the cheery genie followed.

"Goofy, you come too." Donald turned his head to look at his old friend, who, after a daze, quickly nodded in reply and followed as well. The invitation aroused some complaints from others about how Goofy was allowed to know his wish, but Donald couldn't care anymore.

Once the three people were in a nearby cave, somewhat deep within the stone wall, Gene started asking his "master" about what his wish might be, while Goofy began to ask his friend about what he had wanted to say. The recipient of both questions however kept silent, merely looking down on the golden lamp and the ground below. When both adults stopped their questionings due to a lack of response, they could notice that Donald was actually tilting his head, seemingly listening for something or someone.

After ten more seconds of absolute silence, Donald suddenly spoke up.

"Dewey, I am serious. Please leave us alone."

Upon hearing his uncle's words, Dewey revealed himself from his hiding place with a sheepish smile. Apparently the middle child had also followed along to eavesdrop on what his uncle's last wish might be. Dewey would have complained and stayed or hide again later, but the sudden lack of emotions in Donald's words let even the most playful triplet know he should leave and never come back.

After Dewey ran away, Donald still waited and listened for an extra minute, before turning his attention to the other two.

Other one, actually. He really didn't have time for petty wishes.

"Gene. I'll get back to you later. I'll have to speak with Goofy first." Donald plainly stated his intention, much to the genie's dismay. "I brought you along only to not arouse suspicion from my family. I am already being lenient. I should be talking to Goofy alone. You can stay, but don't speak a word to anyone about what we are going to talk about. Especially to my family."

It was a command, not a request. Before Gene could complain about having his queue cut, Donald made his point clear with a serious stare. With that, Gene retreated to give some space to the two friends, keeping unusually quiet.

Once he was alone with Donald, Goofy too dropped his cheery demeanour. "Heh...I can't hide anything from you, eh Don?"

"You are telling me? You just traveled to the middle of nowhere, only to see me adventure? Come on." Donald drily chuckled. "You didn't even wait until I've got home. Or, even until I've got out of this ruins. You just had to venture through the temple alone. Don't be surprised if they later ask you if you really are a knight."

"Well, with all the mysterious stuff happening around you, I am surprised they haven't asked you if you really are a wizard already." Goofy rebutted.

"Well, then good." Donald huffed. As much as he wanted to talk with his old friend, he knew he could only stall for so long. "So what brings you here?"

Upon hearing Donald's question, Goofy's eyes dimmed. Although he was sure Donald could already guess half of it, telling him the entire news was very, very hard. He knew already how much Donald had on his plate, and he hated to add more. But Goofy was a terrible hider, and an even worse liar. And even if he didn't tell, Donald would definitely find out one way or another.

"The enemies...The Heartless...The Organisation...they are attacking the kingdom again..." Goofy whispered, his voice lowered involuntarily as he too struggled to deliver the bad news.

Donald frowned. As vague as Goofy put it, he understood the message completely. There was only one kingdom Goofy could be talking about, and only one group of enemies of the kingdom.

And even if that was all Goofy had said, the hidden request for help from the kingdom was clear as day.

The kingdom for which they had fought many years ago, before either one became a father or an uncle. When they were just a young knight and a young wizard, fighting against the forces of evil with their friend, the young king Mickey.

And now, the remnant of the past had come back to bite them.

Donald didn't reply, understandably so. Goofy felt his guilt intensifying.

"You...you don't have to join if you don't want to..." Goofy tried to take back what he had said earlier, or make Donald feel better. Or, at least lessen the crushing guilt in his heart. He shouldn't have told Donald about the reignited war, because...

"You know I will join, don't you?" Donald took a silent deep breath.

"...I know." Goofy sighed, putting a hand on Donald's shoulder. "You always will. For them..."

Goofy turned to look at the happy family at a distant. Donald's happy family.

"...you would do anything, wouldn't you?"

Goofy didn't need an answer from Donald. Everything he had been doing was for his loved ones. From the first day Donald became the court wizard, and stepped onto the battlefield, he only had one goal on his mind.

He was fighting for his family's safety and happiness. Fighting so that his family could live another day with a smile. Fighting to stop the fires of war from spreading to where his beloved ones were.

That was the reason why he had joined the war all those years ago, and that would be the same reason he was joining again today.

"I will be joining the kingdom. I have Max to protect." Goofy continued. "Pete will be there too. He's got an entire family."

Donald had guessed Goofy and Pete would be involved. They were both loving fathers after all, however obvious or subtle they might seem.

"Very well. I'll be joining t-"

"No. You won't be." Donald was about to give his reply, when Goofy suddenly cut him off, much to Donald's confusion.

"What on earth? You asked me for help and then refused my offer?" Donald was visibly annoyed, before hearing Goofy's words.

"No. You alone won't be going." Goofy was being unusually serious.

"Pal. My magic skills have not gone rusty. If anything, they are even stronger now."

"I mean, you need someone to come with you."

"Then what do you want me to do? Ask the kids to tag along?"

"You can't keep putting everything on yourself, Donald."

Goofy raised his voice. Even if it was only slightly, for a usually casual person, he had made his point clear. And Donald could feel that.

"You...Goofy, you know I can't ask any of my family for help. They don't even know I am-"

"Of course I know that."

Everyone who truly understood Donald would know that telling him to "come clean to his family" was never an option. It might work for other families, but not the Duck Family.

The kids were too young to understand. Della was too impulsive to understand. And Scrooge, the person who definitely could help, was too stubborn to understand.

That's why Donald never told and would never tell his family about his hidden duties: They could know, but they would never understand. Imagining letting his treasure-loving uncle know about an inter-dimensional world: That self-confident Scrooge McDuck would just recklessly rush into the danger - along with the kids, of course, whom he always thought he could protect - and Donald would always be the one to keep them safe from the shadows.

"I know you have someone who truly understands you. Who will support you no matter what. I want you ask them to fight with you." Goofy stressed his request, before sighing once again. "I believe in your ability, Donald. You are the best fighter in the entire kingdom. But you can't carry all the burdens yourself."

Of course Donald knew of such "someone". He didn't easily open his heart to someone, but those whom he had done so, they were good friends who would fight for him at a heartbeat. A certain parrot, rooster and aracuan bird appeared in the back of his mind.

And that's what made Donald so reluctant to ask for their help: They would fight for Donald. They would let themselves get hurt for Donald.

Although, deep in his heart, Donald would like someone to have his back, to share his burdens. He always told himself that he was strong enough to handle everything himself. That it was selfish to give someone else the task.

However, it would be a lie to say Donald was completely willing to sacrifice himself. Not even Donald could lie to himself that he was the selfless uncle, friend and hero others believed him to be.

Especially...perhaps, just perhaps...he might be giving up his life this time...

Whether that was his true feeling, or he was tired and just wanted to satisfy Goofy for now, Donald reluctantly replied.

"...alright. I will ask José, Panchito, and Ari. Can't make any promises for now. Don't tell others about them for the time being." Donald muttered.

Goofy let out a heavy breath. At least Donald had agreed.

"But I can't join you now. I..." Donald paused, looking at the direction to his family. "...I still have them to look after for now. After all this, however, I will definitely come."

Before Goofy could reply, a voice shouted from outside the cave.

"Hey Don! You done yet?! Take longer and your wish will have to be a ride back to Duckburg!" Della yelled, impatient.

Donald didn't reply. He didn't want to keep his family waiting as well, but he was in no state to hurry up.

The other two in the cave had heard Della's words as well. Goofy smiled sheepishly. "Right, Don. Don't you have a wish to make?"

While Gene strutted from the ledge he had been bored to death on, towards where Donald and Goofy were. He was about to make another cheeky remark, before seeing Donald's serious face and thus keeping all those jokes to himself.

Donald looked at the magic lamp in his hands. What wish could he still wish for? He just wished for a normal family, where it was safe and happy, and everyone hated that.

"You've been able to wish us out this whole time?"

"Come on, it's not so bad here, is it?"

"Silly problems, comforting music, and everything gets resolved nicely in the end, with no one getting hurt, or captured, or lost..."

That was the closest Donald had to confessing his true feelings to his family. Everyone seemed to understand, as well. They must understand. They had to. They had experienced those things themselves, after all.

"But it's not who we are. We go on adventures, travel the world, defy danger...That's what makes us, us."

Yet even after hearing his true voice, his family just brushed away his concern like nothing. Even Huey, his most sensible nephew.

No one questioned why Donald would make such a wish five times a day. No one asked why Donald would always tag along despite his obvious dislike for adventures. No one wondered how they could always end an adventure without anyone getting hurt, captured or lost.

"If I didn't do anything, everyone is going to be killed...

Everyone is going to die..."

Was what Donald thought when the family was trapped in the deathtrap, facing off countless ferocious arachnids. He hugged his legs close to himself, rocking back and fro as terrible memories of the war invaded his mind and paralysed his body.

"I wish we could just have normal family problems...

...is that...too much to ask for...?"

Donald wanted so badly to tell them everything he had seen in his days as a magician or a superhero. Dangers beyond their imaginations and abilities to handle. Tragedies that could unfold if Donald didn't do his best to prevent them from happening.

He wanted so badly to just blast away all the scorpions with a simple magic burst, and dispel all obstacles with his extraordinary magic talent.

But Donald kept silent. He couldn't tell them anything. He couldn't let them know. They wouldn't understand.

And if they got hurt, or worse, because of him...Donald would never forgive himself.

Staring into his melancholy reflection on the golden treasure, Donald's eyes dropped. Everything he wished for was for his family. The first two wishes were evidence for that. And his third wish would be as well.

"Gene." Donald held the lamp tightly in his hands. "You can grant any wish, right?"

Donald doubted even a wish-granting genie was able to magically solve all his problems and protect his family, but he was desperate to try anything.

"Y-yes...?" Hearing how serious Donald sounded was making Gene uneasy, and that reflected in his uncertain answer.

"Then I wish for the end of the war. The war between Light and Darkness."

Donald requested as a matter of fact.

Gene blinked his eyes, stepping back involuntarily.

"I...I don't know what you are talking about." Gene's feigned ignorance was betrayed by his clear nervousness.

"Gene, if you can't do it, you must tell me." Donald advanced towards the genie. He didn't have any hopes in the first place, and he would hate to be left hanging like a fool.

"N-no...! I-I mean...I just have n-no idea what you are referring to-" Gene had never encountered a wish he could not grant.

"Gene!" Donald placed his hands on the genie's shoulders, causing the brown duck to jump.

"You know very well what I am talking about." Donald continued. "You constructed my first wish with my cognition and memories. Everything was tailored to me. You must have access to your client's mind."

"W-well...Like I s-said, I-I had been i-in the lamp s-since 1990...I o-only know everything b-before then...!" Gene still didn't want to disappoint Donald. He knew just how much Donald would like this wish to come true, even if Donald never had his hopes up that a genie could magically fix everything.

"1990 is late enough."

Goofy intercepted. Memories of the past war emerged in his heart.

"Back when Donald and I were still young, we had already been fighting in that never-ending war. It only reached a stalemate, not even an armistice. Well, until now, that is." Goofy leaned onto the stone wall, looking at the night sky through an opening of the cave.

"After the war paused, we went our separate ways. But we promised to return to the kingdom, when the fires of war burn again." The knight sighed. How the days had passed. "We have already been given too much resting time. We are lucky the war restarted only now."

"And as a price...The fire seems to be burning much, much brighter this time."

Donald looked at his old comrade in empathy, while Gene slumped his shoulders at Goofy's words.

"...Sorry. These are wishes, not miracles." The genie confessed in a whisper. "I can only grant things within the capacity of my magic. What you wish for, Donald...is not possible to be granted. I am sorry..."

Donald loosened his grip on the genie's shoulders. He should have expected that.

"Then how about the Evronians? Can you do anything about that?" Donald asked plainly. He wasn't even begging at this point. He just wanted any answer.

As expected, Gene shook his head.

"Then you can keep that wish."

Donald released his hands, picking up the lamp from the ground and returning it to Gene. He wasn't even mad or disappointed, much to Gene's relief and sorrow.

Seeing as Donald was about to depart, Gene swiftly caught up with the lamp in hand.

"You...you really don't want anything? We may not meet again after tonight..." Gene asked, hoping Donald would wish for something, so that he wouldn't have to bear the guilt in his heart for being unable to help Donald.

To which Donald shook his head, still facing the exit of the cave. Even without seeing the genie's expression, Donald could sense that Gene was feeling terribly guilty.

"Please, no hard feelings, Gene. Thank you for being honest with me." That was Donald's true feeling as well. The worst thing Gene could have done was giving him false hope.

Watching his friend return to his responsibilities without a reward, Goofy's heart went cold as well. Remembering how happy Donald had been in his wish just now, Goofy could only lament that it was all but a dream.

At least, however, he could give Donald a souvenir. A picture of what could have become reality.

Goofy grabbed Gene from behind, telling him his idea. He did take some pictures in that wish, and those photos persisted even after the wish was gone (because Goofy hadn't been affected by the wish in the first place).

Donald could hear the other two chattering indistinctly behind him, but he decided to ignore them. He knew Goofy was trying to do something to cheer him up, and that made him flash a bittersweet smile. He stood still, waiting for whatever his friend was planning to do.

A mere minute later, Gene tapped Donald on his back to gain his attention. When Donald turned around, he was presented with a photo frame.

With the big family photo in the middle.

It wasn't the formal one Donald had planned to take in his wish - and it had been taken in the middle of a skirmish - but it was a family photo nonetheless.

"Here. Something for you. No wish required." Gene smiled sadly. He knew he couldn't help Donald in any way, shape or form, but at least he could make him just a bit happier.

Donald stared at the photo Goofy had taken, a small, sorrowful smile forming on his face. His heart went a bit sour, but he knew he couldn't be emotional now.

"Thank you, Gene. Thank you." Donald hugged the genie duck, much to the latter's surprise.

"Y-you're welcome..." Gene stammered in response. No one had ever thanked him, not even for his wishes.

"And Goofy..." Donald moved to his old friend. Of course he had guessed that was Goofy's idea.

Seeing Donald's dejected state, Goofy gave him a warm embrace, patting his back a few times.

"You are doing great, Don. You are doing great." Goofy comforted, even though he knew those were just empty words.

"Same to you, Goof." Donald returned the hug. Goofy had gone through a lot too. If he could, Goofy would have asked for a family portrait of him, Max and his late wife as well.

After a deep breath, the two friends let go, and walked towards the exit of the cave together. Afterwards, they would depart from each other once more, but soon they would meet again, under very, very different circumstances.

For both were sailors trapped in the waves of life, their destiny controlled by the cruel hand of fate.

(26-2-2023 ~ 12-3-2023)