A Word From His Right Hand
Fenton doesn’t know how to deal with Scrooge’s passing. He’d never been privy to know someone who had passed away. He’d never even been to a funeral.
Even when he helped his boss draft the document and allocate the funds, deeds and what not to certain parties, the idea that Mr. McDuck, someone who had given him the chance for a new life, a new way, someone he viewed as a father may eventually pass away, it was something that never fully hit him. Scrooge was an old duck and sometimes this would show in their time together as his right hand and body guard. He’d always push the very idea away, bury it down. Scrooge was the strongest person he knew, a practical immortal in his eyes, living well past a standard hundred years. The idea that this person, this being who conquered numerous, impossible feats, could die? Inconceivable.
Then came the inconceivable.
Scrooge taught Fenton a lot of things, but he never taught him how to say goodbye.
He tried to be strong for the family in Scrooge’s stead.
Even as he held the official execution of the will, Fenton’s hands shook tremendously and the threat of collapsing into a mess of tears was becoming a larger possibility with every second past.
When he began to read however, there was a calm in his system, as if he, himself, wasn’t the one speaking to each family member, but Scrooge.
He swore in that moment, he felt the duck standing beside him, looking over his shoulder, one last time.
When he reached his own section, which he hadn’t even known was included, he had to take a brief moment to breathe.
Scrooge had thought of him as family, as a son.
In his reading, he left out the mention of his heroics, of the suit, he’d- he’d deal with that later on.
‘Be strong, be careful, please protect my family. I’m so proud of you.’
He swallowed hard. A couple of straggling tears falling from his eyes and down his beak.
When he thought he was about to break, he found himself smiling, and somehow regaining his strength to pull through to the end.
His last official order from Mister McDuck was to be strong, be careful, to protect the family, and that was exactly Fenton would do.
Mister McDuck was the boss after all, he was always right and Fenton would honor his wishes to his dying day.
He’d teach the family how to say goodbye to Scrooge’s presence by filling the void with himself.
He’d help Donald settle into the manor, handle all of the paperwork and legal work that came with it.
He’d help Huey organize the library, giving him as much information Fenton knew or could find on Scrooge and the rest of the family.
If needed, he’d provide protection to Dewey and go on any adventure, at any point, at any time.
He was Scrooge’s head accountant for years, now, he was Louie’s. He knew the in and outs of how the money in the money bin was spent, gained, and should be used. He’d teach Louie everything Scrooge taught him, and follow his new Boss’s lead in whatever direction it lead.
Like Dewey, Fenton would go with and protect Webby on any adventure, anywhere, to finish the things his Father didn’t.
Fenton would keep in regular contact with Launchpad and the Mallard family, keeping an eye on the business, making sure they stayed safe, and secured.
Fenton would hand over the deed and keys to the long passed Ludwig Von Drake’s Laboratory to Gyro in Scrooge’s stead.
And Della? Fenton would offer her his friendship if she ever returned.
Fenton would divvy up Scrooge’s last inheritance, giving himself the smallest piece of the pie.
It was a small, tasteful funeral. Fenton had been a pallbearer and speaker, and would visit the grave often, recounting to his boss the latest adventures or stories he had with the family.
Now for his final part, for everything to come together as he planned, he had to unveil his biggest secret.
He takes a breath, loosens his collar and speaks.
“Before you all go, I have one last thing to say, and I implore you all to keep this a family secret. No one outside of family can know. As you all know, Mister McDuck trusted me with a lot of things. His money, his business, his secrets, I was his head accountant and right hand for years but I also filled a second role for him as well, which, in the events of his passing, I would extend to all of you.”
Deep breath, Fenton ol’ boy. You can do it.
“I’m sure you’ve all noticed at some point in time, that since the passing of Scrooge McDuck, his bodyguard and the hero known as Gizmoduck has also mysteriously vanished and that is because....despite all appearances and what you all might think-”
He changes his voice, to that octave, to the one known to the public.
“- I, Fenton Quincy Crackshell, am Gizmoduck. This was the largest secret Mister McDuck and I shared. It was difficult to keep this from all of you for so long, but it’s time. And I want you all to know that you may call on me anytime you may need me. If be it for protection, guidance, or just as a friend to talk to. I will be continuing my duties as the guard and protector of the Money bin, Manor, The City Of Duckberg and the McDuck family. If anyone has any further questions, or concerns regarding this matter, please don’t hesitate to come to me. I am always here for you. Thank you.”