New York Radical

By: PrinceOfNewYork

Chapter 1: Runt of a Leader

Summary: As life goes on in the sweatshops and the child labor continues in New York City, many people start to forget about friends, love, and family. However, as friends become family, love blossoms, and family becomes uncertain, remembering becomes difficult.

Disclaimer: Most of these guys are all mine! However there are a few, that are not, and they are the property of Disney. Also, some are properties of close friends of mine. These friends have accounts on this site under the names of AmbrLupin, and Oberon O'Neil. Beyond that, they are mine. If you need or would like to know which character belongs to whom, don't be afraid to ask.

A/N: The third (and final) installment of the NYR trilogy. So, I hope you enjoy it, don't be afraid to review, and ask as many questions as necessary. Thank you all, and enjoy!

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"And please bless the newsies. Amen."

Her mother opened her eyes and sighed looking at her daughter with a look of dismay. "You know we don't talk about those children at home, it upsets your father."

"It only upsets him because he doesn't like them… why doesn't papa like the news boys?"

"Well… because their young versions of thieves. Crooks, and criminals even murderers are the careers those boys are destined for. This is why your father puts them in the refuge, in the hope that they may yet guide them to a useful and productive life.

To the young Princess, whenever her mother described the refuge to her, it seemed like a prison. She never did fancy the idea of sending those boys to prison. They were children, like her, just with less money, weren't they?

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"Papa! Stop it!"

"Be quiet!" Mr. Snyder shouted at his daughter. Suddenly the side of the Princess' face was met with a forceful blow as she flew to one side, and she was knocked off balance. She gazed at her father in disbelief, and Amanda did the same. Mr. Snyder's face was unreadable. He was almost shocked himself, but the oddity was, there was no regret in his eyes.

"How dare you strike her?" Mrs. Snyder got down onto her knees beside her daughter. "Princess, you go up into your room." The Princess didn't look at her mother. "Did you hear me?" The Princess nodded tears pushing hard at her eyes. "Look at me," Amanda said taking her daughter's face in her hands.

"No!" the Princess screamed, and broke free from her mother's grasp. She ran at the stairs away from the yelling and fighting parents.

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There sat a hand written letter on the table. She picked up and read it.

Nigel,

I feel as though you are leaving me, and I will not allow that to happen. I apologize, but I can not live with you lying to me. I'm leaving for good, and I'm sorry that I didn't take the time to come and say good bye to you. I wish you the best in all you do. Good bye.

Amanda.

She read the letter over and over. Her mother was gone? It couldn't be. She looked all over the front, and all over the back, but there was no more explanation. "Mama!" she called as she ran towards her mother and father's room. She threw open the drawers, only to find most of her mother's clothes were gone. She ran then to the front closet, and threw it open as well. Her coat was gone too, as was her hand bag. She ran up stairs and looked in the library; some of her mother's books were gone as was most of her piano music.

Her mother was gone.

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The door opened slowly, and a girl only two years older than Miss Snyder herself stood in the door. "Princess, this is Millie O'Connor. She's fourteen years old, and she has come to spend time with you."

Miss Snyder set her book down and examined the girl wary of making new connections, but the girl only smiled. She had red curls that fell down her back, most defiantly Irish. She seemed nice enough, so Miss Snyder stood up. "My name is Mary Ann," she said without smiling.

"But you'll call her Miss Snyder," Nigel said, and Millie nodded. Miss Snyder glared at her father with hatred still. It was not his decision what she wanted to be called.

"I'll leave you two be for now," he said bowing out gracefully, and closing the door behind him.

The two girls became fast friends after that. Millie taught Miss Snyder everything. She taught her to sew, to play some songs on the piano. She taught her a lot about Ireland. She shared some of some stories from where she came from, which got Miss Snyder interested in writing stories of her own. She even taught her a few phrases in Gaelic. In return Miss Snyder would teach her English, and play her songs her songs that she remembered her mother playing.

It was a week into the New Year when Millie found Miss Snyder with a small bag, packing things in her room. "Miss Snyder? What 're ye doin'?"

"I'm… leaving," she said.

"Leavin'? But why?"

"Because I can't stand it anymore Millie. My father not being home, my mother hasn't come home, and I don't think she ever will. I cannot stand living here anymore."

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"I'm Mary… Mary Ann."

"And might I ask what a Mary Ann is doin' out in dis neighborhood in da middle of da snowfall, at dis time of night?"

"She's freezing, half starved, and looking for someone," she answered curtly.

"And who's she lookin' for?"

"Avalanche."

"Oh? I know a guy named Avalanche."

Mary looked at him then. "You do?" she asked.

He nodded. "Yeah, he's a real good friend of mine. But if ya wanna meet him youse gotta agree ta two things." She was a bit wary of what he was going to suggest. "One, ya come with me so youse can warm up. And two, ya gotta eat somethin' when we get there."

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"Mark Andrew Sanders," Dash said trying it out. "Sounds good to me," and the rest of the boys nodded in agreement.

"Alright, Mark, now we need a real name for you."

"But, I already have a real name," Mary Ann or Mark said.

"No… a different kind of real name." She looked at him rather confused. The room went silent, and no one said anything for a long time.

That was until Two-step laughed. "What do you suggest then?" Avalanche said.

"Call her King!"

He shook his head, and Mark did too, she didn't like the sound of that. "No… a bit too royal… and it sounds like she's tryin' ta take over… how's about Prince?"

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"Prince… Priiiinnnnnnce? Prince! Hey Prince!"

Prince moaned as she rolled over in her bed, waking up from a rather annoying yet reoccurring dream. "Go away Keys…" she said shoving his face which caused him to stand up straight from leaning over Prince's bed. Keys was actually about 3 months older than Prince, but you wouldn't know it by his height and the way he acted.

"But you're late! You're usually the one wakin' us up!"

"Keys, the strike just got over… and I didn't go sellin' yesterday… ya think I'm on the right sleep schedule for this?"

Keys contemplated this for a moment and then, without a second thought, said, "Yes!"

Prince groaned and sat up on her bed with a sigh as she stretched her arms up towards the low ceiling. She rubbed her eyes and looked around at everyone still asleep. Keys was the only one awake and dressed.

Prince sighed. Time to be leader. She took a deep breath, and then louder than any alarm clock, "ALRIGHT YOU LAZY BUMS UP AND AT 'EM! AT THIS RATE WE'LL ALL BE LATE TO DISTRUBITION! ALRIGHT C'MON EVERYONE UP, UP, UP!"

The boys jumped in their beds some hitting their heads on the headboards, some moaning at the sudden loud noises, others covering their ears first thing. Prince smiled a little as she stepped out of her bed. She looked at Keys. "Almost as loud as Avalanche, don't cha think?"

Keys looked at her skeptically and shortly answered, "No…" and then walked away towards the stairs.

Prince rolled her eyes and dejectedly looked around. "C'mon youse! Wit, let's go," she said shoving the boy in the bed beside hers.

"Morning already?" he said groaning.

She laughed. "First thing you do… ask a question," she left him and ran over to the new boy and nudged him. "Hey… Ry guy? You awake yet?

Rylet sighed and rolled over. He opened his clear blue eyes and looked up at Prince. "Morning leader," he said properly. "Beautiful day isn't it?"

She chuckled. "Couldn't tell ya… just got up m'self. C'mon! Ya gonna be late!" she left him and dashed back towards her trunk, threw some clothes on, and tucked her hair up in her hat. Prince's hair was easily 2 feet long, and had been for some time. She had never cut it, however, she often played the part of a boy while walking around New York. She claimed she got more respect, and she'd be right. She had mastered the art of masculinity long ago, thanks to her former leader, Avalanche.

Avalanche, or Alex, had just left yesterday morning for the southern states. He was getting stir crazy in New York. Besides, he had long since been the oldest leader, and it was high time that he move on in with life. He wasn't selling very well anymore. Avalanche had been named for his loud voice that no one in New York had ever been able to beat, Prince included, despite her efforts.

Prince cleared her throat, tied her shoes and headed for the stairs. She galloped down them towards the kitchen, where the owner of the Queens lodging house, Will, had a simple breakfast waiting for them. He did every day. Shark and Dice were fighting over a biscuit that they both claimed they touched first, even though there were plenty more. Prince intervened quickly by walking over and plucking it from the elder's hand. "Thanks Shark!" she said as she dashed towards the door.

The big buff blonde glared at Prince as she ran away. "You sure are lucky you're so fast you runt of a leader!" he called after her. She laughed, and waved a hand as she ran out into the New York street.

What a wonder to be a Queens Newsie in 1889…

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A/N: Welcome to the third and final installment of the NYR trilogy! Yes, I realize that this story took me ages to finish, but for those who you who are/were patient, I do hope that your patience has and will pay off. Also, yes, I realize that the title has changed, but trust me, this one fits better. I would personally like to thank a few motivators of mine. So special thanks to my friends, specifically Drifter, Sarah, and Dani. This story wouldn't be here if it weren't for you. Thank you all again, please drop me a review to let me know you're reading! This story will be updated every Monday and Thursday until it's over, though I can't promise a consistent time. So stay tuned, and I'm sure you won't be disappointed. Enjoy the ride, and we'll see you Thursday for chapter two!