Despair filled Donald’s eyes as he tumbled toward the flame. Despite everything, Donald did what he could to save his uncle, even if it meant sacrificing his life. His eyes locked with Scrooge one final time. Both men lost themselves that day. Then, as the white light swallowed him whole, Donald was emptied of his mortal soul.

Such emptiness can swell the mind with abstraction. Some have said that such abstraction can come from dreamlessness; others, from reality's distortion. It is also argued that the farthest corners of the mind can conjure extravagant apparitions. Regardless, the void was boundless, abundant, and eroding.

Somewhere in the darkened nullity, a voice echoed, “Donald… Donald…”

The darkness eroded as a pair of eyes opened, allowing the corneas to settle and the pupils to widen.

“Wake up, my child. Wake up,” the voice would call out once more.

Donald reawakened. His consciousness snapped as fear and confusion flooded his brain. Donald’s eyes surveyed the land. Where his previous state left him in endless darkness, his current state presented him with an inescapable whiteness. The light was blinding, but Donald’s eyes would immediately adjust.

At first, Donald was nothing more than a pair of aimless eyes. They swivel in circles before landing on his beak. His face may be reconstructed, but he still felt aimless. All that he could see was an inescapable whiteness—a blinding, inescapable whiteness.

At first, Donald felt aimless. But as soon as he opened his beak, he felt the rest of his head and his body draw into place. Donald grumbled at how sketchy he appeared. He felt like a rough sketch that was never meant to be inked.

Like his previous form, Donald felt incomplete. But it was also this observance that led Donald to an embarrassing discovery. Through one look at his person, Donald discovered that he was naked, naked as the day he was born. Flustered, Donald tried to cover himself. But there was no way he could hide those rough edges.

But then, an echo boomed through the void. The echo called to Donald, rattling the sketch until his lines snapped. The echo called once more, this time with a voice that sounded more familiar as it grew closer. Its familiar tones were enough to make Donald return its call.

“Who-who-who’s there?” Donald stammered with the stretch of his neck.

“Come now, my boy. You know who I am,” the voice answered, “I am He.”

Left confused, Donald made a guess and asked, “W-… Walt Disney?”

“If that is how you see me,” He chuckled.

“Where are you? Wuh… why can’t I see you?”

“Lift the veil that hides your true eyes. That is how you will see Me.”

Reluctantly, Donald took a deep breath. All of his worries, his pain, and his temperament whisked away in a single exhale. When he opened his eyes, his vision remained blurred. Donald would faintly see a glint of the figure’s form. If he squinted, he would barely see more than a shadow.

“Do not strain yourself,” He ushered, “I am here.”

The one called “He” stood before Donald. They stood in front of one another, man and creation together at last. The revelation astounded Donald. Where others would falter, Donald was steadfast. He smiled as the duck fell before him. “He” took Donald by the hand and offered him a stroll through the void.

Hand in hand, Donald and “He” strolled through the endless plane. “He” waved his hand to reveal that the white void was a bridge between Heaven and Earth. Though it seemed emptier than Donald had imagined. In a way, it was akin to walking through purgatory.

Donald did not know what to say to “He”. While he was happy to converse with the One Above All, he could not say anything that wasn’t incoherent. But “He” took Donald’s babbles in stride. To make it easier for Donald, “He” converted his speech to match the sailor. His voice became scratchy, sounding less like a sermon and instead became more gruff. He added a bit more candor to his phrases, allowing Donald to laugh at how well he imitated his speech patterns. A curious Donald would ask Him about His powers, but Donald should know better than to ask Him that. They spoke to each other in ways that seemed insightful, even a bit Barksian. Like father, like son, one would suppose.

Their talks would bring comfort to Donald. He felt better knowing that he was in “He’s” good graces. But at the same time, “He” was quick to bring up Donald’s transgressions. Like a true father, he scolded Donald for his recent actions. For a moment, it seemed like Donald was not seen very favorably in the eyes of “He.” Just because he exhibits good behavior does not mean he can get off scot-free.

“I know you, son,” He explained, “I’ve seen it all. And I know you’ll go right back to your ways once you’re done.”

“Oh, I... uh... hehe...” Donald laughed sheepishly.

“But, between you and me, some of them colorful pranks were pretty funny,” He chuckled.

“What?!” Donald exclaimed.

“Hey, have faith now,” He laughed, “Even I can enjoy a good prank.”

“He” laughed, but that only made Donald frizzle. Donald crossed his arms and thought to himself, “If 'He’ was so aware of Donald’s incidents, then why did ‘He' not intervene?” As quick as he was to think such things, “He” was quicker in answering them.

“Of course, I intervene, my son,” He clarified, “Your punishments would not have been as harsh as they could have been had I not intervened.”

“Oh yeah?” Donald tested, “Then what about-…”

“Yes, even that time. And the one after that. And especially the one after that,” He answered sweetly.

“...Even the one with Mickey and the gun...?”

“Oh, that one’s my favorite.”

While “He” complimented Donald for being an intelligent man, he reminded him of how every little thing bothered him, as well as everyone he bothered. “His” words made a river of memories rush out of Donald’s head. The memories spill all over the void for Donald to see, even the ones he vowed never to relive.

That kind of exposure would make any man guilty, and Donald was no exception. The duck bowed his head shamefully. “He” reminded Donald of his true nature. Just because he acted like a “good to his mother” duck didn’t mean he was saccharine.

But “He” did not see any harm in Donald’s shame. And as He pressed the duck against His side, He said, “You know... your little uncle has some burdens of his own—Among other things—Some very deep burdens I’d love to tackle one of these days.”

“Heh… why bother? He’s more deserving of your love than I am,” Donald sighed.”

“Donald. You are in My presence,” said He, “I made you to be loved, not judged.”

Donald smiled at His thankfulness. However, that smile lessened when “He” reciprocated with a stern tone of voice. “He” stared deep into Donald’s eyes and asked, “My child. Why are you here?” Donald was taken aback. He stammered. His hands shook with anxiety. Donald could only mumble, which displeased his creator.

“Donald,” echoed He.

“I-I-I was sent here!” Donald said louder, “I came all this way—I flew in a beam—I thought you called me!”

“Donald. I made no such calling,” He firmed, “And yet, you come to Me when it is not your time.”

B-but… Wha-…” Donald’s impediments got the better of him, “I-… I know... I realized it was all a trick. Now here I am, standing in nothingness like some kind of fool.”

“A man who falls into his temptations will become foolish. That man will reap all the detriments that he had sown,” He cautioned, “Even you of all creation should know that, Donald.”

“I know,” Donald admitted, “Now my family’s in danger and… OH NO! MY FAMILY! THEY’RE DOOMED! MAGICA IS GONNA KILL THEM, OH MY GO-O-O-O-O… OODNESS!”

The realization struck Donald like a bullet to the brain. Donald then threw himself to the ground. His agony was on full display as he threw a temper tantrum for all of “He” to see. Oh, the torture! Oh, the shame! It was the end of the world, and poor Donald was to blame!

Depression filled the young duck’s soul. However, The Almighty One would lay a hand on Donald. His gentle warmth eased the solemn spirit. “He” rubbed Donald and spoke softly. He told him to be still and let Him receive his pain.

“Evil will not win the day,” He declared.

But Donald did not listen.

“I can’t! I can’t! I killed them for sure!” cried the defiant one as he shouted at the edge of time.

“Be still, Fauntleroy. I am He. I do not falter. And harm shall not come to My anointed.”

“He” raised His hand and snapped His fingers. By His command, a door was drawn for the pair. “He” opened the door and allowed Donald to see inside. Through the door was a playback of the events that transpired prior to Donald’s arrival. Every sequence from the completion of the trials to Magica’s arrival, to even the moments that led Donald to the void was all on display.

But while it revealed everything he needed to see, the sequence was incomplete. The footage paused at the moment when Donald flew into the beam. It was like pausing a film right after the climax. The revelation made Donald shout. He threw himself upward and shouted, “T-the door! I can go back!” But while he was happy to have a second chance, a wriggling feeling still crossed his mind.

“I-… but, why?” asked Donald.

“Because you have done what I ask all of my children,” He answered, “You acknowledged Me.”

His answer made Donald’s eyes swell with tears. His words comforted the duck, reminding him that he still had much to give. “He” assured that Donald would do great things, telling him how grateful He is to be in his presence.

The love of “He” was felt throughout all of eternity. His words made Donald spring a leak. And before he knew it, his soul was overwhelmed with everlasting love. It almost made Donald wish he could stay in this void. But, as “He” had mentioned, it was not Donald’s time. It was, however, Donald’s time to go home.

“It is time to go, my son,” said He, “But before you go, hear this. If I ever need you, I will call upon you. And it will be done in ways that only you will understand.”

“But… does this mean I will never see you again?” Donald quivered.

“Oh, my son,” He laughed, “As long as you stay true to Me, we will never be apart. Now, go spread my faith through your joy.”

“For you?” Donald asked with a smile, “You bet!”

“That’s my boy.”

Donald slowly released from His grasp. He looked to Him and gave Him a sailor’s salute. Donald did not make a promise today. Today, he made a vow. And he vowed to spread His faith through his joy.

But before he could leave, his friend stopped to give him one final blessing. Donald watched as He knelt to his level. In an act He performed only once before, He allowed Donald to see His true face. Donald’s starry eyes widened upon this revelation. This was nothing like what the books ever taught him.

“Keep that between us,” He said with a wink. To which Donald nodded and swore to comply.

Finally, Donald turned to the portal. He gave his friend one last look before jumping in. The door would close, but not before giving Him one of Donald’s joyous cries.

“Oh boy!” Donald echoed, renewed, faithful, and free.

Eventually, the door closed, leaving the Almighty One to Himself. A smile grew as His child’s faith had been properly restored. He stood up, covering his face back in the light. Now it was time to watch his creation take action.

“No one but Donald Duck,” He said fondly. Then, with the snap of a finger, He sent Donald back to Earth to finish what he had started.