Mean Street, Present Day
Mickey waited at the projector while Gus fluttered at his side. Ortensia searched the crowd for having lost Oswald on the way. Mickey let out a sigh. "It's sad leaving this place again."
"These people love you Mickey, but you have more friends and fans in the Toon world," Gus said placing a gloved hand on Mickey's shoulder.
"If only you could come with me." Mickey placed his hand over his heart. He felt a strong beat.
"You know we can't do that," Gus said. Ortensia made her way back to the front of the crowd.
"Not a sign of him. Where could he have gotten to? He's missing his best friend's goodbye." She paced in front of Gus and Mickey.
Dark Beauty Castle, Present Day
Oswald stared at Minnie. "How did you get here?" he asked.
"I... I don't know. There were a mirror and a wand." she said. Oswald itched his head. A wand?
"Did this wand look like a white stick?" Minnie nodded. Oswald reached into his pocket and pulled out the wand.
"Here you go. I guess this is yours," he said handing it to Minnie.
"Actually, it is Mickey's." she said.
"Mickey! Oh my gosh, we have to get to Mean Street before he leaves." Oswald said. He took Minnie by the hand and raced down the corridors of the castle.
Mean Street
Mickey looked at the clock on the train station. It was getting late. He needed to go home. But where was Oswald? Ortensia was still pacing and Gus was talking to Jamface on how to install clocks everywhere so no one was late. Mickey was debating whether to go without saying goodbye to Oswald. He looked up at the train station clock. Minnie would be making dinner by now. If time in Wasteland was the same in the Toon world.
Soon everyone was sitting down now tired of standing. Even Ortensia stopped her pacing. Mickey's heart sank. He had to leave even if it meant not saying goodbye to his best friend, and brother. Mickey stood and so did everyone else. "Well, I know that Oswald is not here but I'm afraid that it is time for me to leave." he looked out into the crowd. Smiling faces of horsemen and cow women looked up at him. He looked pass the crowd and at Dark Beauty Castle. A goodbye array of fireworks danced through the sky and lit up the castle.
A jumble in the crowd snapped Mickey out of his peace. "Don't let him leave!" someone yelled from the crowd. Mickey looked to see where the commotion was. Gremlins flew over to pick up the person. Gus came back out of breath. "It is Oswald, and he's brought a friend." Mickey watched the gremlins fly back to him and the others carrying Oswald and Minnie. Minnie! What was Minnie doing in Wasteland? Gremlin Sparks gently set her down. Mickey ran to her.
"Mickey!" Minnie said as they embraced. Mickey felt her tears roll down his back.
"Minnie what are you doing here?" He asked worriedly.
"I came to find you. Well, I didn't mean to come here," she said. Mickey held his hand over her heart, just in case. There was still a beat. Mickey let out a sigh. She wasn't stuck here.
"How did you get here?" Mickey asked.
"I was missing you and I went through your mirror," she said.
"That tricky mirror" Mickey let out a laugh. Minnie gave a small giggle. They were so cute together. Ortensia grabbed Oswald and kissed him on the cheek. Oswald smiled. Mickey and Minnie watched the sunset over Mean Street.
Oswald and Mickey got up to say goodbye while Ortensia and Minnie talked. They would be good friends.
"So this is goodbye," Oswald said. Mickey nodded.
"But it's not for forever. I'll come back, promise." Mickey said. They embraced. So did Minnie and Ortensia.
Minnie and Mickey stood in front of the projector. Oswald, Ortensia, and Gus stood near ready to wave goodbye. Mickey looked at them. Three of his best friends. He smiled at each of them. They each smiled back. He smiled at Oswald the longest. Oswald gave a big smile back. But it slowly faded. His vision went blurry again and he fell to the ground. Mickey rushed to him.
Oswald woke up looking at Mickey and Ortensia. "Hey, what's the hold-up? You're still here Mickey." "
"You fainted; I'm not leaving without making sure that you are okay," Mickey said. Oswald felt fine, even better than fine.
"I'm fine Mic, you don't need to worry. And I'm the oldest I should worry about you." Oswald said. Mickey let out a sigh.
"This is the second time he's done this today," Ortensia said. Mickey looked to Gus. Gus shrugged. He had no idea what was happening to Oswald. "Mic, you don't need to stay. I'm fine and so is Wasteland."
"I'm not leaving until we find out what is happening to you," Mickey said. Minnie put her hand on his shoulder. "But Minnie, you need to go home. it can be very dangerous here in Wasteland."
"I'm not leaving without you. If this is where you are going to stay I am too." Mickey let out another sigh.
"Fine, but stay close to Ortensia. She will help." Mickey said. Oswald sadly looked at the ground. He was keeping Mickey and Minnie here. "We need to find out what is happening to Oswald. How do you think we do that?" Mickey asked.
"What about other gremlins," Gus suggested. There were gremlins that excelled in other works besides fixing things.
"Okay. That's a start. We'll go to the Gremlin Village." Mickey said. He grabbed Minnie by her hand and lead the group to the projector. Oswald and Ortensia went first followed by Gus. Mickey held Minnie's hand as they jumped through.
Gremlin Village
"Gus, what is happening?" Oswald asked. The village was in a panic. Gremlins were fluttering all over the place. Horsemen with bright green eyes chased them around.
"I have no idea," Gus said.
