The final chapter is here! Will Mickey crash the wedding to help his friends? And what is the true value in memories, for you and for others?

See, I told you folks this was majorly rushed. So now that I've done a 'full' story without my usual editor, what are your thoughts - has my writing suffered without having an editor, or do you think I'm fine to pursue more stories solo?

Mickey had taken the coward's way out so many times before that surely adding one more to the list couldn't hurt. That was what he had tried to tell himself as he escaped the palace as the sun waited in the sky, but his heart still pained with every throb. He knew he could not be a witness to the wedding, but at least he could be with company. No one noticed him as he walked throughout the kingdom, as everyone was so devoted to what they would do for the wedding they did not dare to stop and allow their thoughts to rest. So he left the kingdom as easily as if he did not exist at all, and he retraced his steps to the time he first left Goofy's humble tilted shack.

They could wallow in their sadness together, neither of them able to gather up their courage to say what they felt in their hearts. It would be a grand pity party. He raised his hand to knock on the door –

And the door opened before he could touch it, smacking him in the face.

Mickey fell backwards, blinking up as Goofy, eyes slightly red and puffy, walked out, fishing rod strapped to his back. He noticed his friend sprawled out below, and he stooped down in surprise. "Hey there, Segreto! Whactha doin' out here? Yer gunna be late for the weddin' at this rate." He helped the mouse to his feet, and Pluto came out not too long after, looking rather pleased. "We were just on our way ourselves. Why don't we all go together?"

Mickey stared hard at both dogs. The blow to his face must have knocked his hearing out of whack. Slowly, he gestured back to the kingdom, to clarify what he had just heard. Goofy smiled, nodding that it was correct. "I figure with the walk, by the time we get there, the ceremony will have already started. But, well, better late than never!" Satisfied with that, he started to walk, his usual stagger and clumsy ankles swaying this way and that.

Mickey stood in place for a moment, trying to process what was going on. He shook his head hard, and then ran back to Goofy, trying to stand in front of him. Goofy was banned from the wedding! Didn't he remember? If he showed up, terrible things would happen to him! Mickey began to mime them all out one by one – guards beating him up, being trapped n the dungeon, or even worse, execution! Goofy patiently waited the show out, but then smiled again, in that same way that boggled Mickey's mind. "Sure, I know it ain't gunna be sunshine and roses when I stick mah big nose in. But… I just gotta tell Millicent how I feel. If I don't, I'm gunna regret it fer the rest of mah life." He walked around Mickey, but the mouse refused to let his friend sacrifice himself. It wasn't about feelings, Millicent was brainwashed! No sappy love story was going to fix magic! He threw himself as Goofy's leg, trying to keep him down.

Goofy easily kept walking, dragging Mickey along like a wad of tissue paper stuck to his shoe. It was a tiny bit damaging to Mickey's ego, but Goofy spoke up again. "I appreciate ya bein' worried fer me, Segreto. But I already made up mah mind. Even if she doesn't remember that silly fisherman that came by ta admire her roses, I'd be okay. Long as I did mah best and said mah piece… then I'm happy with what I did in mah life. When it comes ta someone ya care about…ya find yerself willing ta risk more than ya ever thought ya could."

Mickey looked up as dirt and mud slid onto his clothing. Goofy was okay with being forgotten? He let go, and sat on his knees. How could Goofy stand it? What made him so strong? He stood up, and Goofy looked back at him, offering his hand. "Shucks, it's okay ta be selfish every once in a while. I ain't gunna say it's all about her… ain't no one in this kingdom that don't think about themselves every now and then. Just gotta find a good balance in lovin' others and lovin' yerself. If yer not gunna fight fer yerself, then can ya wait long enough fer someone else ta do it?"

Mickey's entire body went cold. It was an idea that had never occurred to him before – did he love himself? Did he actually find value in his own existence? Or had he been so absorbed in the idea of being remembered that he never tried to find out why it was important at all? What was the value of memories if none of them were good? What was the value of remembering Mickey if he could only think himself as a selfish coward? Even if Goofy forgot, if Minnie forgot him, Daisy and Donald and the Queen, even if Marlin and Neo and Dory forgot him – would Mickey love himself, and be proud of the actions he took? Could he live with himself, if he allowed Macchia to continue his plans?

If he wanted Minnie to love him, and he did, then he should be a man worthy of that love. If he wanted to be remembered, then he should fight to make those memories worthy ones. If he wanted to live, then he should do with his head held high. He was Prince Mickey, the 76th son of King Marino, and there was nothing to be ashamed of.

He grabbed Goofy's hand, and then started to run back towards the kingdom. Goofy stumbled, but managed to catch up, and Pluto barked at their heels, keeping up with them as best he could.

The throne room was filled with more people than it was designed to fit. Still, no one voiced a complaint as they sat there, with nervous musicians tuning up their instruments in the corner. Macchia was waiting patiently in front of the throne, tweaking his mustache with a hand mirror held up to his face. The doors began to open, and a hush fell over the crowd. The musicians began to stroke up their strings as the bride walked into the room. Millicent only had small differences in her usual attire, with jewelry hanging down from her neck, and beautiful seashells dangling around her veil. A hastily made bouquet was in one hand, while the other hand held onto her staff.

As she passed by the rows of people, all bowed their heads in reverence to their majesty. Millicent walked forward, nodding her thanks to every person she passed. Macchia was too busy going over his own good looks to pay attention to his approaching bride, but when he noticed the music coming to an abrupt halt, he grumbled and looked over at the interruption. In the pews and chairs, people had turned their heads to look at the maid of honor who stayed in front of the doors, but had not moved to join her queen. Millicent began to notice the disturbance, and turned around to look at her. "Minnie?"

Minnie stood in place, her fixed locket sitting atop her chest, giving her the will to speak. "My apologies, your majesty. You know I love you with all my heart… you are my second mother. When I lost my parents, you were all I had. You raised me as one of your own, and gave me a chance for a new life when I tried to throw mine away. For this, I owe you everything. And it's because of this… that I cannot be your maid of honor, and I cannot accept this marriage!"

Gasps popped up all over the throne room, allowing people not to notice Macchia rolling his eyes. Millicent was so surprised she dropped her bouquet, petals spilling on the floor around her. "What are you saying? Why are you against this…?"

"Because…" Minnie swallowed once, trying to keep her nerves collected. "… Because there are no guardian angels, or fairy tales, and love doesn't happen in an instant! If you love someone based on one meeting, then all you love is an illusion! True love takes time and patience, it takes knowledge and learning! Every experience should be a lesson in what the person is like! If you two can take the time to get to know each other, then I would celebrate your love like a daughter should. But as it is right now… I cannot, I will not believe that man is in love with you!"

Silence hung as tightly as the breaths held in the townspeople's lungs. Chairs creaked as people uncomfortably shifted about, but then another voice chimed in. "Well… she's got a point."

Daisy had gotten the most elaborate dress she could afford, and had her hair done up to look more regal than a princess, so she was impossible to ignore as she walked out of her chair, coming to stand by Minnie's side. "Come on, we're all thinking it. But no one wants to say anything because she's the Queen. Leave it to Minnie to be the one with any brains around here… after I bought this, and there was no return policy." She sighed, shaking her head. "Would it really kill you to wait it out, your highness? I mean, he's a good singer, and he helped Horace out. That's two things. Can you marry anyone based on two things? I know I'm always going on about needing to marry someone rich, but if that's all I ever got out of someone, I'd be so bored. So I'm not going to support this either." She took Minnie's hand, giving her a squeeze of support.

Instead of silence as an answer, the people began to mumble and whisper to each out, agreeing without speaking out directly. Millicent looked all over, stunned that so many people thought the same thing about her wedding. "You all did? … Why didn't anyone say anything before?"

"Then how about I say something?" Macchia stepped down from the throne, ditching his hand mirror into a pocket. "In fact, why not two things, as the little lady mentioned? The first is that I do so hate disruptions to my plans. Everything has its place in the big scheme of things, and I hate it… I truly, truly hate it… when something doesn't work out. A pet peeve, if you will. So rest assured, once we're done here, you both can have a cozy stay in the dungeons. And second…"

He widened opened his mouth, ready to sing once more, and end this foolishness.

"Aw, c'mon, fellas!" Goofy begged the guards in front of the castle. "I gotta do this, I just gotta! Shucks, I bet it won't even take that long!"

The heavily armed and armored men shook their heads, continuing to deny access to the inside of the castle. Though they appeared reluctant, they refused to budge from their spots. Goofy kept pleading, ready to get on his knees to get access. "Ain't there anythin' I can do to change yer minds?"

The first guard sighed, sympathizing with Goofy. "Sorry, but nothing less than wild horses dragging us away would pull us away from here. They're Sir Nera's orders."

Goofy was about to get on all fours for his next pleading tactic when loud whinnying broke through the air. All of their heads swiveled to see wild horses galloping from the side of the palace, escaping from the stables. "Those belong to the royal carriage!" One of the guards yelped. "Get back here!" The two men in metal ran off after the horses, starting off a chase that left the dogs and mouse blinking in wonder.

"Ain't that a co-inky-dink." Goofy said after a moment.

"No, it ain't." Donald poked his head around the corner, grinning at his victory. "Look, that's only going to distract them for so long. Let's go!" He ran up to his friends, throwing open the doors and leading them all down the middle hallway in a frantic run.

"How'd ya know we were comin'?" Goofy asked, evenly keeping up the pace.

"Like you would miss the chance to do the number one cliché in the book!" Donald laughed, shaking his head. "Remind me to teach you what that means, Segreto!"

Mickey would have appreciated the humor later. Up ahead, he could hear the faint sound of an unnatural music. If they heard that voice up close, then the battle was already lost. Thinking quickly, he eyed Goofy's back and the bobbing fishing pole he was wearing.

Macchia clapped once, satisfied at the brainwashed faces everyone was wearing. "Good, good. For a moment there, I almost lost my composure, and that wouldn't have been pretty. Now then." He grabbed Millicent by the arm, and began to drag her to the throne room. "Let's get this done without any further distractions." He pulled out his hand mirror, making sure his latest singing bout hadn't caused him to sweat or create a wrinkle. "I'll even start us off. I, Macchia Nera, take this woman to be my lawfully wedded… pain in the rear end!"

As one could guess, that wasn't part of the traditional vows, and it was instead about the doors that slammed open. All of the previously hypnotized victims looked at the intruders, already starting to wake up. Mickey had already taken Goofy's fishing rod, but Goofy was only focused on Millicent, who was staring right back at him. "… I'm real sorry about this, but I can't let ya do this without tellin' ya how I feel! Just let me say mah piece, and I promise I'll go."

"Oh, no you don't." Macchia's lip began to twitch, storming up to the small group. "I'm not going to have any more interruptions. I waited a hundred years for this plan to come into fruition, and I'm not going to have another detail changed!" he took a breath, ready to sing their minds into oblivion.

Mickey whipped the fishing rod back, and then, with a flick of his wrist, launched it forward – the wire whipped around Macchia's neck, gagging him as it snagged tightly into his neck. Mickey tugged hard on the rod, nodding to Goofy that if he was going to say something, he'd better do it now!

Goofy ran up to Millicent and grasped her hand. "Every time I came here ta see ya, it's been makin' me happier than I ever thought I could be. It ain't like I'm talkin' ta someone better than me… it's like I made a new friend, but so much better! And I ain't ever felt like this about anyone else before, and I don't wanna feel like it ta anyone else! Yer the only one fer me! And… and I just love ya a whole lot, Millicent! I'd do anythin' fer ya! Even if it means seein' ya be happy with someone else… that'd be okay, cause… cause yer happiness means more ta me than all the fish in the sea. Yer the best catch of 'em all!"

Millicent's shoulders began to ease down, and her gloved fingers began to slide along his, fitting in perfectly with the shape of his hand. "… Sir Goofy, I… I…"

Alas, fishing wire is not as strong as Mickey would have guessed it was. Macchia snapped it off with his fingers, his eyes now burning hot with hatred. "Enough! I'm not playing around anymore! I have waited day after day, planning out detail after detail, all for some hicks in hats to barge their way in! Do you have any idea how long a good plan takes to work out?!" His beauty began to diminish as his mustache curled up into itself, and his fancy shoes stomped into the ground like a petulant child throwing a temper tantrum. "None of you understand artistry! Finesse! Dedication! We were supposed to get married, then I reveal my true self, break her heart, make her cry, I talk about my master plan, and you all cower in submission! It was beautiful! But no, you can't just be good cowards and stay out of things! Well, fine! FINE! FINE! I AM DONE!"

He violently grabbed the staff out of Millicent's hand, shoving her hard into Goofy's arms. "You prefer ugliness over beauty? Then I'll show you something hideous beyond measure!" He raised the staff high, and the strange red dot that held the entire clock face began to glow. "The Day of Wrath will be nothing compared to my Day of Art!" A howling wind screamed through the air, and to everyone's joined horror, the ocean view behind the gigantic windows began to rise, forming a tidal wave that slammed into the castle. The windows shattered into infinity, water forcing its way into the room. Men and women were stricken against the walls, and when the water settled it was knee length, with bits of glass floating around and threatening to stab anyone who made a wrong move. Now human screams joined the wind, people scrambling to escape the castle by any means necessary.

Millicent was held safely in Goofy's arm, but she understood better than anyone what was going on. "It can't be… you're the one… the one from the legends! The one who tried to take over land and sea and was only stopped when his heart was ripped apart!"

"And I haven't even used it yet!" Macchia sneered, waving the staff around like a baton. "But since you all ruined my fun, why not prolong the finale a little while? We can make some real beauty in your suffering faces!" With a wave of his hand, another hard wave hit, water flooding into other rooms of the castle. The men held onto their women, with Pluto wrapped around Goofy's leg for extra measure. Water choked out of their lungs as the level went back to their knees, and no one was sure how many more hits they could take.

Mickey could see Macchia preparing a third one, so if he was going to act, now was the time. He grabbed Minnie and pushed her towards Goofy, despite her shrieking. He scooped up a shard of glass and, ignoring the pain in his hand, embraced the next hard wave as it attacked them all. But the moment it smacked into them, Mickey dove headfirst into the wave to swim through it. He swam right for Macchia, intending to stab him in the chest, perhaps as Millicent's ancestor did so long ago. But land legs were not faster than a fish tail, and this slowness allowed Macchia to grab him by the shirt collar just as the wave finished its assault. He sneered as he dangled Mickey helplessly in the air. "And you… you couldn't be a simple little pawn, could you? I gave you what you wanted, and this is how you repay me."

He tightened his grip on Mickey's throat, the scar beginning to glow violet. "Let's see how far your friends will go for you when they see what you really are! Consider our contract broken!" Macchia opened his mouth, and a trail of purple smoke ran out of his throat, and then started to swirl around Mickey's body. A miniature storm was created around Mickey's body, and his friends could do nothing but watch Mickey's shape begin to twist and mutate. His legs slipped into one form, and fins began to jut out of his spine. Mickey clawed at Macchia's hand in pain, his soli fingers becoming webbed once more, his clothing evaporating into dust.

When the transformation was complete, the smoke glittered into nothing, and Macchia tossed him into the floor with a splash. "Who wants to kiss the calamari?" Macchia cackled, enjoying the sight of Mickey writhing in pain, trying to move his tail around. Mickey struggled to stand, could no longer do so, and so he fell down with another splash. "I've given you everything but your voice. After all, why play fair now?" He stabbed the end of Mickey's fish tail with the staff, taking mirth in his misery. "So what will it be, young prince? Will I erase their memories with my voice, or would you rather them know you as the monster from the deep?"

Mickey pushed himself up with his hands, glaring up at the wizard. Yes, those were two options he could face. But he wasn't going to wallow in self pity and selfish desires anymore. There was a third option – biting Macchia right on the ankle.

Macchia yelled in pain, shaking his leg around. "No! No! Stop deviating from the plan! You're supposed to cry in agony over your choices while your friends ask you stupid questions! You lost, so give up and start whining!" He stomped his foot down, trying to shake Mickey off. "Do as I say! Give up! Give up! Give up!"

"YOU LEAVE HIM ALONE!" Option four, that even Mickey did not see coming, was Minnie picking up Goofy's fishing rod and using it as a battering ram, charging forward to jab it into Macchia's stomach. The wizard tumbled backwards, now looking up as Minnie held up the rod as an almighty sword, ready to strike him down again. "I don't care what he is! He's part of my family, and I'm not letting anyone or anything take my family from me again!" She smacked the rod down in Macchia's face, breaking his nose and causing it to twist to a side. Macchia lost the last shreds of patience as he felt Mickey's teeth and Minnie's rod injure him over, and over, and over, working together to release two untapped sources of sheer determination to protect the other.

Macchia yelled at the top of his lungs, wordlessly condemning them both as he kicked them aside with all of his strength. Mickey rolled around, but straightened himself up in front of Minnie, ready to defend her, while Minnie sat up, threatening to charge again if the opportunity arose. Macchia, bloody, sweaty, and completely ugly inside and out, snarled as he held the staff in both hands. "Drown together, you miserable rats!" He punched through the staff's glass sphere, snatching the piece of his heart, the red circle, out in a messy show of glass and blood. He held the piece up high, dropping the staff to the ground. "I'll hit you with wave after wave until there's nothing left but your soaked bones!"

True to his word, yet another powerful wave was summoned from the ocean, leaving the small group of companions no choice but to stick close to each other, bracing through the painful attack. Minnie coughed as water escaped her lungs, and she fell to her knees. Yet she held steadfast onto the fishing rod, refusing to leave Mickey's side. He stayed with her, his tail around her as best he could make it to keep her close. They would not budge, they would not yield, they would not surrender, and their strong unity only made Macchia angrier.

"Do you plan to stay there forever?" He mocked, breathing hard. "I can do this for eternity! All you can do is stand there with those pathetic looks on your faces! As long as I have my heart back, I an invincible! You've run out of miracles!" He held out the piece of his heart, displaying it at his side, reveling in his glory despite his frustration.

To his macabre delight, Minnie began to shriek. She even started to back up, but Mickey stayed in place. Mickey wasn't sharing her fear. No, he was blinking in surprise. Macchia was about to revel in Minnie's scream, until he noticed she wasn't looking at him. In fact, everyone that had remained in the throne room was looking towards Macchia's side, as he had accidentally dragged something else in with the ocean waters.

He looked down at his arm to find Bruce the shark smiling at him.

"… Oh, no."

Bruce chomped down on Macchia's hand, making the wizard scream louder than Minnie ever could. He kicked and punched Bruce who hung onto him with ease, not even bothering to tug or thrash about. "Let go, damn you! I need my heart! I need it! Don't you dare swallow! Don't you dare-"

Bruce gulped, and the heart piece went down the hatch. There was no magic that could beat a good digestive system, as Macchia began to shake in true horror. Acidic black bubbles began to spew from his chest, dripping over his body. "NO! This wasn't part of the plan! This is too ugly! It's all so UGLY!" Bruce let him go, flopping into the water as Macchia clawed at his chest, but found his hands start to dissolve as well. "My plan! My beautiful plan! My beautiful…" His clothes bubbled up, his legs and his chest, and within seconds there was nothing to remain of him but sea foam that floated along the top of the water.

Minnie sat in the water, not sure if she should believe what she just saw. She would have been content with silence to think this over, but Segreto had slid away from her, happily swimming over to Bruce. The two appeared to recognize each other, bumping noses and hugging each other, rolling around like old friends in a wrestling match. Daisy suddenly yelped, jumping into Donald's arms. "S-Something just brushed past my legs!"

Mickey looked over, and he could spot three familiar fish speedily making their way towards him. The constant tidal waves against the castle must have knocked their fish bowl over, allowing them to escape. He scooped them up in his hands, nuzzling them with great affection and love. Marlin jumped up, hitting Mickey in the throat. He stopped to touch his neck, and the scar that had haunted him for so long was no more. He ran his fingers over his neck over and over in wonder. Did this mean he could speak again? Oh, he had so much to tell! Now he could explain everything! He could say he really felt to everyone!

Everyone… He slowly lifted his head, looking over at his Land Walker friends. Now that they were no longer trying to survive, they were staring at him with wide eyes and open mouths. They had the power of speech but could not think of anything to say. Minnie herself kept looking back and forth between his face and his tail. The end of the room had Land Walkers, and here, near the edge with the broken window and shattered dreams, were all creatures that belonged in the ocean. He had saved their lives at the cost of being unable to stay with them.

And that… that was fine with him. All that mattered was that they were alive. Whether they remembered him or not, no matter where they found their happiness, he was happy to have sacrificed himself for them. Now it was time to make things right, and allow them to move on. He began to inch towards the edge, where the cliff overlooked the ocean. Bruce, getting the idea, swam alongside the prince, and their fish friends safely held close to Mickey's chest.

Fear seized Minnie's heart, and she dropped the fishing rod. "Segreto!" She picked up her dress, trying to make her way through the water. She could hear the splashes of the others trying to catch up, but none of them were going to make it. She reached out for him, only able to grab air. "Segreto, wait! Please, wait!"

With the last bits of strength he had left, Mickey jumped off the cliff, and returned to the ocean at last.

From sunset to sunrise, Mickey reveled in having his voice back. As if to make up for all the words he could not say for months, he told Bruce, Marlin, Nemo and Dory about his adventures on the land, floating on his back as he adjusted to swimming again. Nemo kept pestering for better details, but when Marlin suggested they wait until Mickey felt better, Mickey chuckled. "I dunno if I'm ever gunna 'feel better'… but I don't wanna forget what happened. Even though it hurts. Cause all the good that came with it is worth every single bit of pain, too."

Marlin smiled, coming to sit between Mickey's ears with Nemo. "When did you turn into an adult? At this rate, you're not going to need us around anymore."

"But is that really the end?" Dory frowned, swimming in circles. "I mean, you almost got the girl, the bad guy's defeated… isn't there supposed to be a happily ever somewhere? Did you skip over that part?"

Mickey sighed, allowing a few bubbles to pop out of his mouth. "They're just gunna have ta find their own happily ever afters without me. And I guess I can start payin' attention to my lessons… maybe I can slip in and pretend like nothin' ever happened."

"I think they're going to have a tougher time forgetting you, mate." Bruce quipped, nudging Mickey in the back. "Unless that's an army of octopi comin' our way."

Mickey righted himself up, now able to see spots of movement off in the deeper parts of the water. As they came closer into view, Mickey could make out the faces of his father and all of his brothers, though their expressions were all different. Nemo hid behind one of Mickey's ears, worried about what consequences were heading for them. "I guess a whole bunch of tidal waves is really hard to ignore or forget…"

"Hold on, we can clear this up!" Marlin swam out in front of Mickey, ready to defend his friend. "Now we've got every side of the story!"

"They ain't gunna land a hand on you!" Bruce agreed, baring his teeth as he floated alongside Marlin. "Leave it to us, we'll settle this!"

Mickey bit his lip, but then gently took Nemo away from his ear, setting him with Dory. "I think I've had more than enough of swimmin' away from my problems." He swam past Marlin and Bruce, heading for his vast array of family members. When he was close enough, King Marino came to a halt, holding a rolled up scroll of paper, but his brothers surrounded him in large, continuous circle. Marlin, Nemo, Dory and Bruce insisted on coming in anyway, keeping closer to Mickey while watching the king. Mickey bowed his head to his father, no longer angry at the old man.

The King held up his chin, blue eyes boring into Mickey. "… The presence of the terrible sea wizard, Macchia Nera, can no longer be felt. After inspecting the Lost Catacombs, we could see all that he has done, and all that you did with him. It has been determined that he is no longer a threat to both land and sea. However, he only became a threat again only because of your rash foolishness. You wandered into forbidden territory, aligned with the wizard, and nearly brought destruction to land and water."

Mickey didn't deny any of it. What would be the point? He bowed his head again, acknowledging the sins he had committed. "I know it might not mean much, but I really am sorry for what I did… kind of."

Marino paused, raising an eyebrow. "Kind of?"

Mickey faced his father, smiling in a strange but honest way. "I am sorry about the trouble I caused… but I think it's better ta make a few small problems ta get rid of the bigger one, then just pretend nothing's wrong at all. If it wasn't gunna be me, then he was gunna use someone some day. And thanks ta him… I'm not afraid of the same things anymore. I made some really great friends, and I'll remember them forever. And I think my life's way better for havin' known 'em. They're better off too… they've got each other, and their homes are safe. And even if some day I do forget 'em… I'm still gunna be proud of where I am and how I got here. They liked me for who I was, and now, I do too."

Dory was audibly sniffling at the sentiment, and Bruce was pretending there was plankton in his eye, that's all. Marino searched Mickey carefully, but then pulled back, straitening his back out. "Regardless of what you have learned, you must still be punished for your transgressions. Maybe if you had paid attention in what I taught you, you would prepared for this better." He unrolled the scroll, and Mickey squinted – it looked very familiar. No, it wasn't the scrolls from his lessons. It looked more like the ones that hung up in Macchia's lair.

Nemo raised his fin, despite clearly shaking. "He's going to get banished? Like that mermaid who spoke to a Land Walker?"

Marino nodded solemnly, tracing the letters over the scroll. "Yes, young one. Like her long ago, the prince will be banished… to the world of the Land Walkers."

Mickey jerked his head up, eyes almost popping out of his skull. "Ta… the world of Land Walkers?! Ya mean it?!" He looked from brother to brother, but there was no sign of any joking or mockery. A handful of them were smiling, while others remained stoic or pained. "How… how can ya even…?"

"Macchia was originally one of us." Marino reminded Mickey, signaling with his hand for the brothers to come closer. "And the ability that allows us to enchant another's mind is magic. He abused his powers so that only way to change you was to steal from you. But if all of us use an ounce of the magic from our voices… you will be sent to the world of the Land Walkers, never to return here."

If Mickey had his legs, he would have danced, he would have kicked, he would hopped and skipped and jumped. His original body now seemed so dull and mundane, as all he could do was spin around in his glee, laughing wildly at the top of his lungs. "Whoo-hoo! I don't believe this! This is the best!" He bounced from brother to brother, giving them surprise hugs before headbutting a laughing Bruce and juggling the smaller fish. Be as he celebrated with his friends, it began to dawn on him he was given a chance that Macchia never offered – the chance to say goodbye.

He looked down at Nemo, Dory and Marlin, with Bruce smiling sadly as he came up around the front. Mickey ran his hands along their fins, trying to keep his eyes dry. "… I'm gunna miss all of ya."

"We're going to miss you too, Mickey." Nemo hugged Mickey's finger. "You'll come by the ocean every now and then, won't you?"

"Just try and stop me." Mickey chuckled. "I gotta see how big and strong ya become when yer all grown-up!"

"See? I told you." Dory grinned, giving another hug after Nemo was finished. "You're getting your happily ever after! When have I ever been wrong?"

"Never, not in a million years." Mickey kissed her cheek. "So keep provin' everyone else wrong for me, okay? Someone's gotta keep 'em in line."

Bruce slapped Mickey on the shoulder hard enough to make him wince. "That's what I want to hear! You show those Land Walkers how to have a good time! Or else I'll make them!"

"Aw, yer gunna be too busy down here, Bruce." Mickey gave him a small rub on the top of his head. "After all, you saved us all! Yer name's gunna go down in the history books!"

Bruce blushed, clearly enjoying the idea, but he moved aside for Marlin to step aside. He fumbled with his mouth, unsure of how or what to say. "… I don't know, Mickey. I wish I had something all… heartfelt and sappy to say, but… I'm proud of you. I really am. And you know I'll never forget you."

Mickey cupped Marlin into his hands, and nuzzled his cheek against the clownfish. "Yer the best friend I ever had… no matter where I am, yer always gunna be with me. Cause that's what a real memory is." They pressed their foreheads together for a long moment, and then, Marlin let him go. Mickey took one last, lengthy look at his real family, and then faced Marino. "… Thanks… father."

Marino nodded once, and with his beard floating around it was difficult to tell if he was smiling or upset. Despite however he was feeling, he released the scroll, and opened his mouth to start singing. One by one, all 99 of Mickey's brothers began to sing as well, creating a magical harmony that enveloped Mickey until he too found his voice. A soft wind began to float around him, creating a heavenly glow around his tail. The light began to shine brighter and brighter until it was blinding, casting a warm reflection over everyone in sight. Mickey felt no pain, and was embraced by a farewell from all living beings of the ocean.

"Can we take a break?" Donald groaned, ready to flop down on the sandy beach. Right now it was looking inviting as any bed. "We've been looking all night and all morning…"

"Do you see Segreto anywhere?" Daisy snapped, flicking her fingers to the back of Donald's head. "No, you don't! So we're going to keep looking until we find any sign of him!" She gave him another shove, and then marched ahead of him. "He has to come back, or else I'll never forgive him!"

Once again the birds, the dogs, and the lone mouse scoured the beach of the destroyed boardwalk, where the story felt it had first begun. Millicent was so unused to walking without her staff that she felt an awkward sense of balance whenever she moved around. As a result, Goofy offered to carry her as they searched the sandy seashore, and she happily took up his offer. Pluto kept his nose down, hoping to get some trace of his friend and whining when he still came up with nothing.

"He will come back." Minnie declared at the head of the group. "He would never leave me… us like that. I said I wasn't going to lose any more members of my family, and I meant it." She had not cried, she had not wept – because she felt she had not lost him. It was impossible to lose Segreto. He had become such an integral part of her life that he now belonged there permanently.

Donald didn't want to bring the group down, but there were dark facts to face. "How would he even know we're looking for him? He's in the ocean by now! He's… some kind of fish? I think? So he'll be in the water, he can't just walk up and say hello!"

Minnie walked slower until she stopped, quiet in thought. "… You may be right."

"Aw, that don't mean nothin'!" Goofy objected, somehow not tripping even once while he was carrying Millicent. "We're definitely gunna see him again, no matter what he is!"

Minnie nodded, fiddling with her locket. "And you're right too."

Daisy crossed her arms, losing her patience. "How can they both be right? Are you giving up or waiting for him?"

"Neither." Minnie took a breath, and then began to undo the chain of her locket. She looked down at the heart shaped gold in her hand, and then gave it a kiss. She faced the ocean, and then with all of her might, threw the locket into the ocean.

"Minnie!" Millicent gasped, forcing herself out of Goofy's arms to try and hug her daughter figure. "After all that, you're throwing it away? Didn't it mean the world to you?"

Minnie kept her eyes on the ocean, hands clenched together. "Segreto came here to give it back to me. So… he will definitely return it to me again." Her voice was filled with a calm wisdom she had learned from her Queen. The ocean was not something to fear, but a gift to her life, and now it would give her what she needed most of all. She felt the Queen tenderly stroking her ears while Daisy hugged her, both of them giving her support for her decision. The locket floated on the surface, gently riding back and forth…

… and then it was snatched up by a gloved hand.

Loud splashes echoed across the beach as the figure began to walk out of the ocean, holding the locket gently in his hand. A prince donned in armor of blue seashells and green coral made his way out of the water as easily as walking up the stairs, a smile donned underneath clear eyes. Water dripped off his black fur as he knelt in front of Minnie, offering her locket back. He did have something planned to say, but it was blocked by Minnie's lips as she violently tackled him down and kissed him right on the mouth. It was a bit familiar.

They both fell into the water, and his arms went around her, trying to pull her back so he could at least breathe. She giggled at him, allowing graceful tears to drip into the salty water. He looped the locket back around her neck, and then kissed her forehead, taking her scent of the land and the sea.

"… My name's Mickey. And I love you."

The End.