"A Light in the Shadows is a DuckTales (2017) Alternate Universe What If? Fan Fiction by Emily_RoseMarie
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An exploration of what could have been if Magica wasn't, you know, the worst.
This story can be found here.
"A Light in the Shadows" provides examples of:
- Adaptational Angst Upgrade
- In the original, Lena had already decided by the middle of the first season to leave her aunt and take the side of the McDuck family. She was stopped only by the direct threat of destruction. But in this version, since she has experienced love and kindness from both sides, it is much harder for Lena to choose between her aunt and her friend. In the end, she chose the first one, but it cost her a fight with triplets and Webby.
- Webby is like that too. In the original, she didn't have to worry about her friend's betrayal for long, as she quickly found out that Lena really considers her a friend. And soon Lena sacrificed herself for them, dispelling any doubts about this. But that didn't happen in this story. Lena remained on the side of Magica, and Webby has no reason to believe that their friendship was real for Lena. As a result, Webby considers herself betrayed, and in addition blames herself for trusting Lena, contributing to the release of the terrible enemy of the McDuck family. As a result, she almost gave up on adventures (which would have meant re-incarceration in the mansion for her). It's a good thing Scrooge didn't accept such a sacrifice from her.
- Adaptational Sympathy: Magica de Spell is like this because of her attitude towards Lena. The essence of fan fiction is that she loves niece as much as she loved only her brother in the original. Because of her ghostly form, she is not capable of much (gives advice, provides moral support, amuses her with her stories). Therefore, she gained additional motivation in the fight against Scrooge — ensuring Lena's comfortable future.
- Adaptational Villainy: Downplayed. Since Magica loves Lena in this version, Lena remains faithful to her and helps her of her own free will, not under duress. But she does not seek to take over the world. She only wants to free her aunt and end her life in poverty. In addition, she knows about Poe's fate, which is why she treats Scrooge with dislike. Her friendship with Webby and the boys is still sincere (although Lena perceives the triplets more critically), but this is not enough to make her disobey her aunt.
- In Spite of a Nail: Although Lena remained on her aunt's side, the Shadow War ended with Magica's defeat and Scrooge's release. However, some changes have occurred. Firstly, Lena remained unharmed. Secondly, she saved Magica's staff from destruction, so that she retained her power. Thirdly, by doing this, Lena for the first time discovered her own (that is, not related to the amulet) magical abilities. Whereas in the original it only happened in the third season.
