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Growing up, the Duck triplets had been quite close to each other. They fought, but they also had each others' backs. They argued, but they would do anything for the others.
They used to think that nothing could get between them...
The three were fifteen when their lives would change forever. Scrooge decided that they were ready for a mission without any adults, while it did take a lot of convincing, Donald and Della agreed to it.
Webby said she would've gone, but her and Mrs. Beakley were going on a grandma/granddaughter, week-long trip. So, it was just the three boys.
Donald hugged the three, giving Huey the longest hug. Deep down, Donald knew something bad was going to happen and he didn't want to let go of his oldest nephew. Huey chuckled and patted Donald's head.
"Uncle Donald, we've got to go. I promise we'll be quick."
"Huey! Let's go!" Dewey shouted excitedly.
Donald let go of the teen in red. He stepped to stand next to his sister, gripping tightly onto his sailor hat, and watched Huey get into the car that Scrooge had provided them. Huey was the one driving since Dewey didn't know how to drive and Louie was a little too lazy to drive, despite knowing how to.
"Let's go!"
~•~
The car rolled to a stop then the boys got out. Dewey frowned, looking around.
"Hue, you sure this is the right place? I'm not seeing a pyramid."
"Uncle Scrooge said it's an invisible one," Louie cut in. "He did say to be careful as it's never been charted before."
Huey got out his journal, flipping to a blank page. "I, for one, can't wait. According to legend, there's unforetold treasure inside. Which is why Scrooge sent us here. I'm hoping it's knowledge treasure instead of material treasure."
"Of course you are. Let's just go inside, get what we need, and leave. Uncle Scrooge sent us here for a map, not nerd stuff."
Dewey laughed. "Wow, Louie doesn't want to get gold? That's first."
Louie elbowed him. "Of course I want gold, but I'd rather just get the map over getting gold and Huey holding us back to study the stupid place."
The three started walking toward the invisible structure. They felt around and eventually found the entrance.
~•~
"Run!" Louie shouted, taking off as an arrow from the wall shot past his head.
The other two followed, both running as fast as they could. Huey's foot got stuck in a hole in the floor, so he stopped running. He was close to the other two, near the entrance of the hallway.
A scrapping sound could be heard as well as the whizzing of the arrows. Dewey and Louie gripped onto Huey's hands, tugging on him.
Huey winced as an arrow dug into his arm. He pulled his hand from Dewey's grip and took the map from his back pocket. "Dewey, take this."
"What? No." Dewey tried grabbing Huey's arm, but almost got shot himself.
"Scrooge needs this map." The walls started closing faster, and Huey held the map further from his body and closer to his brothers. "Please, take it."
Dewey frowned and took it. He put it into his pocket then resumed trying to get Huey freed from the hole. Several arrows had made their new home in Huey's side and arms, a couple deep in Louie's arm.
The two tugged as hard as they could as the walls neared Huey. Two arrows dug into the side of Huey's head. Louie let go of Huey with a scream.
"Don't let go of him!" Dewey shouted.
"Dewey?" Huey slurred out.
"Hold on, we're going to get you out then taken care of."
Huey's arm got out into the hallway as the walls crushed together. His hand went limp and Dewey stumbled back.
"Huey? Huey? Huey?!" Dewey screamed.
Louie covered his mouth, tears falling from his eyes. "Huey?"
"Why did you let go of him?!"
"If you didn't notice, my arm got shot with arrows and they went through his head! What do you want me to do?! And you let go of him to get the map!"
"He told me to!"
"It's your fault!" the two shouted at the same time.
The walls separated, Huey's body falling to the ground. Dewey roughly nudged Louie and grabbed under Huey's armpits. Louie gripped his bleeding arm and looked at the ground.
Dewey started dragging Huey out of the pyramid, Louie silently following.
This was supposed to be a simple mission.... It was supposed to be so simple, simple enough for the three to go alone.
~•~
Louie sat in the drivers seat, Dewey in the front with him and Huey's body strapped in the back. Neither of them had the heart to leave Huey behind.
They spent the entire way home arguing, both blaming the other for Huey's death. It hadn't been either of their faults, but they still were angry and grieving.
Louie got out of the car when they got the McDuck Manor and slammed the door shut. Dewey did the same.
Their loud sounds brought attention to everyone inside. Donald, Della, and Scrooge came running outside.
"Boys! You're back!" Scrooge said as he walked to the car.
The two didn't pay attention to him.
Dewey pointed at Louie. "I don't want anything to do with you!"
"That's just fine, cause I don't want anything to do with you!"
"Whoa, you two," Della cut in. "What's going on?"
"It's his fault!" Louie pointed to the back of the car then to Dewey. "I don't want anything to do with Dewey, ever again!"
"What's his fault?"
"It's not my fault! It's Louie's!"
"What happened? Where's Huey?"
The two tensed up and looked away from the car. Della and Donald shared a look. Donald gently moved Louie aside as Dewey stormed to Scrooge. He shoved the map into Scrooge's chest then went inside. Scrooge followed after him.
Donald looked into the car. Dewey and Louie had patched Huey's wounds up and wrapped him in gauze, so it just appeared like he was sleeping.
"Louie?"
"What?" he snapped.
"Is Huey alright?"
Louie didn't respond, crossing his arms. Della put her hand on his shoulder.
"Louie, what happened?"
"We got the map and it activated some traps. There were arrows," he held up his arm. "They got me. Huey's foot got stuck in a hole while we were running out of the room."
Della nodded. "Then?"
"We tried pulling him out," Louie stuttered, trying not to cry. "Huey gave Dewey the map. We... we couldn't get him out in time."
"What?"
"It's all Dewey's fault."
"How so?"
"Dewey let go of Huey's arm."
Della frowned and opened the back down. She unbuckled Huey and carefully pulled him out. She sank to her knees, gently stroking Huey's head.
Donald knelt next to her. He felt Huey's neck, searching for a pulse. He shook his head when he couldn't find one. "I'll go talk to Uncle Scrooge and Dewey."