THESE TEARS I CRY
AUTHOR'S NOTES: This is an alternate version of my songfic "Return To Innocence". Since I had to pull that story off because of their stupid "no-songfics" rule, I decided to write an alternate version of the story so people can still enjoy it...in a less musical way, unfortunately.
Ratigan, Basil, Fidget, & the thugs belong to Disney. I don't own them (save for a few of the minions).
Enjoy the story!
My heart froze in my chest when I heard the chiming of Big Ben. I knew it was only a matter of time before I would be shaken off the clock's big hand...
As I fell down, I let out a scream of rage. I would not let Basil defeat me! Not this time!
I grabbed that measly detective's cape, but because of my larger weight, it ripped to shreds, & soon, we were both falling through the sky.
Just then, I let out a gasp as I saw Basil grabbing the pedaling seat of the dirigible...then climbing onto it, & flying to safety.
I couldn't believe it. My enemy had defeated me once again! Just when I thought I was going to win the day...
Suddenly, my thoughts were interrupted by the sound of rushing air as I fell toward the Thames River.
My heart sank as I saw the deep blue stream coming closer & closer. I knew I was going to die...
Now, back then, I wasn't a very religious person, but I didn't really care anymore—I prayed to God to help me survive the danger I faced now...
Then I plunged into the river. Everything went black for a few moments, but then I opened my eyes. I knew I had to swim for shore!
I circled my arms against the current, trying desperately to make it to the surface of the water, fighting to live...
It wasn't long before I finally came back up.
Choking & coughing out water, I collapsed against the cobblestone sidewalk, before dragging my way along the West Bank of the river.
Finally stopping by an old washrag, I shuddered with cold as I drew the rag around myself like a blanket, & vainly rubbed my body to keep warm.
I looked at myself. I had received quite a few injuries—plenty of cuts & scrapes, as well as a stinging sensation in my body from when I hit the water. But nonetheless, I had survived the fall...
Just then, I heard raspy panting as a little silhouette came to the bank, swimming on a small plank of wood.
I turned my head weakly, & saw through my pained, water-filled eyes that it was Fidget. He, too, had managed to save himself.
Clutching my chest in pain as my lungs agonizingly gasped for air, I moaned weakly, "Fidget..."
The little bat heard me call his name, & went up to my shivering, bleeding body. Fidget extended a wing, & touched a cut on my arm, causing me to wince.
"Sorry, Boss," Fidget said shamefully as he took his scarf & wrapped it around my arm.
As I recovered from the pain, I whispered in a broken voice, "Fidget...don't call me...'Boss'."
"What do you want me to call you?" Fidget asked innocently.
I tried to smile, despite the tears that fell down my face.
"Friend."
Something inside me had changed that night. It became more obvious as Fidget carried me home, dragging my body that lay on the old rag I had used earlier.
As I braced myself with each bump from the street stones, I realized I didn't want to be bad anymore...& that was what had changed. I was too crushed by my defeat to want to commit anymore crimes. I wanted...to reform.
It took about a few weeks for me to heal...strike that. About two months.
As Snakes & Bill took care of me & patched up my wounds, I had heard reports from the other thugs that Mouse London was changing. All kinds of new things were being built, stuff as amazing as talking boxes with moving pictures...& as ridiculous as shiny metal records.
I was interested in this new technology everyone was using these days. I asked the thugs to buy some of the new stuff, & with each thing they showed me, I became more fascinated.
And one day, I made a decision: when I reformed, I would use this fancy technology. Who knew? Maybe it would change my life, too...
At the end of the month, all my thugs (well, save for the Goodie Gang) gathered in the throne room to hear the big speech I had been planning. It was a much grander speech than the one I had planned the other night...& it was only three words:
"You're all dismissed."
The thugs immediately became shocked. They had no idea what was going on. (Then again, I never told them of my plan to reform. I didn't even tell Fidget yet!)
"What do you mean, 'we're dismissed'?" asked Gunsmoke Gary with a raised eyebrow as he placed his hands on his hips.
"Just that," I said as I looked at my now-former minions from my throne.
"Th-th-th-that means...no more crimes!" Jaywalk James stuttered.
"No more singing those songs you wrote about yourself!" moaned a disappointed Walker.
"And no more Felicia!" ejaculated Eunice ecstatically.
"But that means we'll never see you again," sniffled Peewee Pete.
"It's for the best," I said sadly.
The thugs cried & moaned in sadness, then all trudged out of the throne room & through the sewer grate. I never saw them again...at least not for another year.
The next day was bright & sunny. A very appropriate climate for what I was feeling as I took Fidget by the hand & led him to Baker Street to begin my new life...
But then again, that's another story.
FINI
