Uncle And Nephew [DA, Taurus, open!]

[The Masked Mallard]

The Masked Mallard swept down the hall, his cape billowing behind him as he headed towards the monitoring room.

“Where are the rest of those scamps?” He crankily thought, scanning the interior of the manor. The "scamps" he was referring to, his fellow Dream Leaguers, seemed not to have arrived yet. Granted, some of them had greatly impressed him with their abilities and devotion to fighting the good fight. But none of that would be any good if no one was here and a mission came up! If he was held over late in a business meeting or something, then Epcot City would need other heroes to pick up his slack.

The monitoring room was located in what would be the mansion's basement. Only instead of boxes of old junk, it contained a state-of-the-art supercomputer that could be used for any number of tasks, including tracking criminal activity or the like, and housed the security system that protected the mansion, among other things. Stepping inside the room, the old duck took a seat in a chair situated in front of the large computer to see if anything had come up.

“Maybe I’m being too hard on the lads and lasses,” The Scotsman mused. “They're still young, and have lives outside this business just like I do.” He knew full well how challenging it could be to juggle a secret identity and a normal one. Aside from Duckworth and Gyro Gearloose, so far, those within his personal circle, like his family and friends, had no idea that he was really the superhero Masked Mallard. And he preferred to keep it that way.

[The Master Control Program]

The supercomputer's artificial intelligence was the Master Control Program, or simply the MCP (pronounced Em-See-Pea). The artificial intelligence was programmed in the supercomputer to greatly assist the Dream League. Amazingly, the artificial intelligence was... well, intelligent. Even though it wasn't human, its voice resembled a man more than anything. Its voice was deep and had that stereotypical distortion normally associated with technological characters or robots from sci-fi movies, but it did not stammer awkwardly like Microsoft Sam. No, this artificial intelligence, could sense, react, and speak fluently, as if it were a living person. There was still a debate of whether or not it could feel, though.

The MCP sensed that the Masked Mallard entered the monitoring room, and waited until the Gentleman's Crimefighter sat on the chair before it addressed him. Coincidentally, it addressed him after he mused.

HELLO, MR. MALLARD, the Master Control Program said. IT IS NICE TO SEE YOU. Whenever it spoke, words appeared on a single monitor--text of exactly what it was saying. The monitor that displayed text was completely black, but the text was a simple, effective blue. IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN DO FOR YOU? I COULD CONTACT ONE OF THE DREAM LEAGUE, IF YOU WOULD PREFER NOT TO BE ALONE.

The voice was not confrontational, but... there was something eerie about it. Of course, maybe it was just the fact that most people didn't have the privilege of conversing with a state-of-the-art artificial intelligence such as the MCP. The Masked Mallard was fortunate to have an intelligent discussion with an artificial intelligence, and one with a voice modulator.

[The Masked Mallard]

The Masked Mallard nearly jumped as the MCP suddenly addressed him. Quickly realizing that it was just the computer's A.I., he calmed down. He didn’t really know how to feel about computers just yet, and especially one that talked just like a real person. Ironically, he had been the one to order the Master Control Program as well as the computer it was installed on from ENCOM.

He had seen the kids -- Huey, Dewey, and Louie, as well as wee Webbigail -- enthusiastically embrace the (more typical) computers he had purchased for them for school, but he was still rather weary of them himself. He still didn't have a personal one in his own office at McDuck Manor yet. They had the potential to do a lot of harm as much they could do a lot of good. Still, he understood that it was either keep with the times, or risk falling behind.

"Hello, MCP. I trust the evening finds you well?" The costumed crimefighter politely replied, his voice giving away no sign of the pensiveness or unease he presently felt. "You could do something for me, as a matter of fact. I’d like to see what’s going on in the city right now. Any thefts in progress, suspicious activities, what have you?”

Having MCP act as an extra set of eyes was pretty handy, he had to admit. The Masked Mallard thought for a moment. “And summon Duck Avenger, if you please.”

[The Master Control Program]

With surprising haste, the Master Control Program responded to the Masked Mallard.

OF COURSE. I JUST SENT A MESSAGE TO DUCK AVENGER, AND I ASSUME HE WILL ARRIVE AS SOON AS HE CAN.

There was a pause, but not long enough to be considered a lag, and in an instant a direct video feed of Epcot City was pulled up on the main monitor. A random, specific shot of a portion of the metropolis came into view in high definition.

MR. MALLARD. I'M SEEING SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY IN A JEWELRY SHOP.

The MCP invited himself to change the current feed to that of the shopping district, and in front of an ill-attended jewelry shop, a suspicious animal in concealing, multi-layered clothes could be seen for half of a second, before slipping into the said establishment. It was so fast that it would have been difficult to determine exactly what species the animal was.

IF I MAY BE BOLD, THAT MAN IS CONSPICUOUS.

[Duck Avenger]

Footsteps--webbed feet in boot footsteps to be precise--could be heard walking downstairs. Sure enough, Duck Avenger just entered the room, but not in time to hear the MCP's opinion.

"I got your message, MasterC, but I was already on my way," the Avenger said as he approached behind the top-hatted hero. Secretly, Duck Avenger was suspicious of the Masked Mallard's identity. Could it have been... nah! There's no way his miserly uncle could be the Gentleman Crimefighter. Or could it? Whatever, there are more important matters to attend to.

The Duck Avenger plopped on a chair behind the Masked Mallard, and rested his crossed feet on the table in front of him. Even superheroes should have privileges, such as resting their feet on a table! He cocked his head and spoke to both the unseen program, and the older crimefighter.

"What's going on? I miss anything important?" His fingers were locked behind the back of his head, using his palms to rest his head.

[The Masked Mallard]

Thanking MCP, the Masked Mallard observed the footage that had been bought up on the monitor. He approved of how quick and efficient the computer was.

"So I noticed," He slowly nodded in agreement with MCP's assessment the strange jewelry store patron. "Not a great many customers walk around dressed in such a manner. Not unless they're up to something."

Duck Avenger then arrived. "Good evening, my boy." The Masked Mallard turned to amiably greet him. His solid white eyes narrowed in disapproval at how the Waterfowl Warrior was sitting with his big feet propped up on the table, deeming it ill-mannered, though he managed to quash the sharp rebuke he was about to unleash on the other duck. The Masked Mallard was supposed to to be a debonair, calm figure.

He had an alternate motive for summoning Duck Avenger. There was something about the tough young avian that seemed strangely familiar to him. Sometimes he actually reminded him of his hapless nephew Donald. But Duck Avenger had a deeper voice, and actually seemed... well, competent, as well fairly cool-headed, though that didn't necessarily mean that he wasn't disguising his voice like the Masked Mallard did his own. Of course, he had no proof of this, and kept his thoughts to himself. He wasn't about to speak with the other Dream Leaguers about the matter. Best to keep everything between him and the others purely professional, and talking about family was not professional.

"There's some suspicious activity in the shopping district." He indicated the monitor screen before turning back to it to see what the mysterious shopper was up to now.

[Duck Avenger]

Duck Avenger looked from the Masked Mallard to the important monitor. He did not sit on the chair for long; the Avenger jumped on his booted feet and stepped to beside the Masked Mallard to get a better look of the activity on the monitor. Of course, he didn't need to examine the video feed for long! He folded his arms on his chest and leered to the Masked Mallard.

"We could take him! Whadya say?"

His bill wore a ready, self-confident smile, which was commonly seen on Duck Avenger.

[The Masked Mallard]

Looking over at his fellow hero at the same time he had glanced his way, The Masked Mallard give a single nod. "I too say we sally forth, but exercise caution. We don't know who we're dealing with yet."

It was the old timer's way. He wasn't a coward by any means, but age had taught him that rushing headlong into things could be dangerous. Grabbing his cane, he started out, his intended destination being the garage where the Dream League's vehicles were kept when not in use before stopping as though recalling something. "Oh, MCP, if the others ask, tell them that Duck Avengers and I are out on a case."

[The Master Control Program]

The Master Control Program acknowledged the masked Mallard's polite request. UNDERSTOOD, MR. MALLARD. After a short pause, the Master Control Program said his most recurring phrase: END OF LINE.

Whenever the MCP said "end of line," the Dream League knew that the MCP had nothing further to say, and was no longer utilizing a voice modulator function. Presumably, the artificial intelligence was back deep in the computer, and would only emerge on the monitor and speak again if summoned.

[Duck Avenger]

Duck Avenger still appeared confident and without a trace of worry, but he nevertheless nodded in agreement with the Masked Mallard. When the older duck began to walk, the Avenger followed, but stopped suddenly when the Mallard spoke back to the MCP. The Avenger looked back to the monitor in time to see the MCP sign off, then continued following the Gentleman's Crimefighter.

"I sure hope Gyro finishes that Star Wisher aircraft soon! That tiny boat out dock can't fit all of us!"

---

As fast as they could, our feathered heroes just nearly reached the jewelry shop, one of many gratuitously ritzy establishments in the shopping district. Epcot City was known for many things, including commercialism.

"Come Christmastime, this place is gonna be World War III," muttered Duck Avenger as he, by the Masked Mallard's side, neared their destination. His cape gracefully danced in the air as he ran.

[The Masked Mallard]

Scrooge would've replied that if Gyro still wanted to work for the Dream League he'd better have the Star Wisher ready in two months and no less, but the Masked Mallard merely replied, "Gyro is rather daft, true, but I trust him to be finished with the Star Wisher in due time."

****

The Masked Mallard would have agreed with Duck Avenger's sentiments, not being a fan of going out into the chaotic maelstrom that was holiday shopping, but right now he was more focused on the case at hand. With the busyness of the holiday season upon them, the opportunity for criminals to come out and turn the shopping district into their own personal hunting grounds was an excellent one, but why would one dress in such a way that made him stick out? He only offered his fellow superhero a halfhearted "aye" as they raced toward the jewelery store.

Their suspect must still be inside the store. The Masked Mallard made his way over to the large window that offered the public a view of the goods inside and peered into the shop, searching for the disguised stranger.

[taurusbulbadl]

Inside, the conspicuous fellow in layers of black had the jewelry shop workers in a stick-up. He carried a gun, and upon closer inspection the suspicious person was a short, humanoid goat. At least, it appeared to be a goat because of the horns on his head. Although the entire jewelry shop was at his mercy and he could take anything he wanted, he seemed to be only interested in looking for one thing in particular. This was obvious because he searched meticulously about the room, attempting to find whatever he searched for.

[Duck Avenger]

Duck Avenger was beside the Masked Mallard as he peered through the window, into the shop.

"He's looking for something specific," muttered the Avenger. "That's good. He's distracted. How should we get in?"

Duck Avenger looked for any other entrances into the shop, and he noticed sunlight coming from a ceiling window near the room's center. There was also what appeared to be a back room, which maybe led to the alley behind. And, of course, there was the main entrance for patrons. There were numerous ways to enter, and Duck Avenger would trust the Masked Mallard's decision.

"Your choice, partner! I'll leave it up to you."

[The Masked Mallard]

Considering their options for a brief minute, the Masked Mallard didn't take his eyes off their suspect as he said, "I'll cover the back. Do you think you would be up for dropping in on our friend?" A slightly wry tone crept into his voice. The suspect wouldn't expect two Dream Leaguers to suddenly show from those entryways.

He prepared to leave in order to get inside the store through the back entrance, but not before throwing a glance to the other duck as though to ask if he was up to the challenge or had any further suggestions.

[Duck Avenger]

Duck Avenger grinned as smugly as a waterfowl could, maybe even more. He raised his right hand just to display his approval to the Masked Mallard's comment; the thumbs up gesture was always a display of enthusiasm and confidence.

"Roger that!" Duck Avenger nodded as the Masked Mallard obviously prepared for his entrance. Now it was time for the younger duck to prepare his. His trusty grapple gun reached for the roof and, with ease, he launched to the rooftop. He landed with bent knees and a cool pose of arrogance. It was too bad no one was there to witness such a nice landing...

Duck Avenger hurried to the window on the roof and leaned forward just two inches to get a proper look. Good, the would-be shoplifter didn't seem to suspect anything. The Avenger knelt before the window, and applied pressure to it in every way he could until the blasted thing opened. It creaked once, and Duck Avenger cringed and shot his head back, away from the glass. Fortunately, the shoplifter's angry, loud voice disallowed him to hear the creak.

Satisfied, Duck Avenger leaned forward an inch or two again, and waited for the right moment to jump down through the window, his fists clenching the sides of his cape, his feet heading straight down, ready to land.

[taurusbulbadl]

The humanoid goat in the pinstripe suit aimed his gun for the poor, defenseless shop workers. "Quit messin' around!" the whiny-voiced goat demanded as threateningly as he could. "Where is it?!"

That's when an intruder landed on the floor behind him. He spun to look and saw a duck in a silly costume, and a huge cape?! The goat was not amused. "Trick or treat with me, and you get the trick!" He scowled and aimed his firearm at Duck Avenger, ready to shoot.

[The Masked Mallard]

A satiny swathe of stygian-black material suddenly swiftly whipped out at the goat's gun arm. It was the cape of the Masked Mallard, who stood there behind the goat with his one arm outstretched, grasping the cape and using it as a third arm. Indeed, Gyro had specially engineered the cape with that purpose in mind, and it came in handy when the waterfowl couldn't quite reach something or get too close to a specific target. His intention was to entangle their foe's arm and jerk the hand holding the firearm up and away from the Duck Avenger.

The Masked Mallard had barged in through the back of the store only seconds before, much to the initial surprise of the employees there. "You have been quite naughty. No treats for you." He taunted the robber. His words belied the angry look on his face. No one threatened his teammates while he was around.

[Duck Avenger]

The goat yelped and was pulled to the Masked Mallard. Duck Avenger was ready to whip out his own firearm and use it, but the Mallard intervened. The Avenger smirked as he watched the goat fly. But after the villain tumbled before the Masked Mallard, he got on his feet, two a few giant steps back, lowered his antlers, and scraped the floor with his right hoof. He then charged right for the Masked Mallard.

Now it was Duck Avenger's turn to help out. He already pulled an invention from his utility belt: a rope... thing... with the two weights. Whatever they're called. Anyway, he threw it at the goat's feet just in time; the goat's feet got tangled in the rope. He yelped again and tumbled onto his face, before the Masked Mallard.

"Have a nice trip!" the Avenger taunted as the goat plummeted to the floor. He then looked back to the shopkeepers and gave them thumbs up. "The Dream League is here!"