This chapter wasn't originally intended in the outline, but I love this girl (I swear she's a real character, she's from the Aladdin cartoon series!) and I felt it would be a good obstacle. Also, the song was too good to pass up. I also enjoyed writing Daisy's fantasy, I'd love to do something like that again XD If you're getting bored, the next chapter is when they finally arrive at Camelot! Yay!

All characters belong to Disney. What's new, pussycat?

Six days later...

"A pit stop? That's the last thing we need!" Donald snapped to Pete, as the heroes continued on the path once more. They were again in a forest, with only a small patch of clean dirt to tread upon. The trees were evenly spaced out, so the smaller scenery was much easier to see. Spakrling rivers ran here and then, like shining snakes slithering through the woods with plenty of squishy weeds. "If we keep making so many stops, we'll never get to Camelot before the full moon!"

On his exhausted steed, the prince glared at the stable boy, holding back a growl. "You seem to forget who yer talkin' too! If I say we make a stop, then we make a stop! We've been traveling for almost a straight week without a decent inn!"

"I don't know, your highness." Mickey frowned, gently petting his own tired horse. "The more stops we make, the closer the Covenant gets to us." Although, now that he really thought about it, it was more like the Covenant knew ahead of time were they would head. This had been discussed among the group, with Pete blaming Daisy and her former connections. Daisy had protested, saying she had cut all ties with them, and never once made contact. 'Then who', Donald had asked, 'is telling them where we are?'

Suddenly, Goofy poked his head out of the carriage, his tipsy hat nearly falling off. "Hey, fellas!" He called out. "Can ya'll stop for a moment?"

Curious, the horses began to slow down. "I told you we should stop." Pete pointed out, with a smirk.

"Nah." Goofy waved a dismissive hand. "Just didn't want you to collide with her."

A pause among the men, before Mickey finally asked. "...Collide with who?"

A high pitched screamed answered that question. A frantic figure ran past the group...cloaked in a tanned robe, with a hood covering the head, the screamer zoomed past the stunned group, ignoring them completely. Only seconds later did her assailants appear...a group of angry females, ranging in age but all alike in their fury. Wielding rolling pins and big wooden sticks, they chased after her in a frenzy, going as fast as they'd come.

After an unsteady hesitation, Donald looked down to Goofy. "You saw that in a vision, didn't you."

"Uh-hyuck."

"We can't just let that happen!" Mickey interrupted, gripping onto his reigns. "They've got no right to gang up on someone...let's go, Pluto, Pegasus!" With a snap of the reigns, the steed seemed to gain a new energy in its mission, and galloped after the group. Pluto began to run ahead, trying to get to the victim.

Watching the trio run off, Pete slowly looked to Donald, and then mimicked in a squawking voice. "Ooooh, we can't make any more pit stops!"

"Oh, he'll be back." Goofy chirped, chipper as ever, and then went back into the carriage. He looked to the surprised females, who were still shocked by the entire ordeal. Quite calmly, he talked to them. "So, do either of you like cats?"

She was completely worn out, and grabbed onto a tree, trying to catch her breath. She heard the crowd, however, and gasped, turning to face them. "No!"

"This is the end, you...you thief!" The leader of the group, announced, aiming a rolling pin at her. Her curly red braid bounced as she talked, spitting out southern drawls. "We're gunna hog tie you down, and wish ya'll never set foot in our town!"

"You tell her, Jessie!" The other women rallied loudly in agreement, shouting their own ideas of torture.

Pluto, however, managed to halt the merriment, nearly knocking the females down as he ran into the scene. He slid to a stop in front of the victim, and then turned to face the fierce femme. He snarled, baring his teeth in a warning. The women seemed to be affected, backing up just a little, but still holding their weapons high. "Out of the way, doggie!"

Fortunately, Pluto was quickly joined by his master, as loud horse steps echoed throughout the forest. With a bit of disgust to his face, Mickey trotted up next to the group, frowning down at them all. "What in the world are all of you doing?"

"Stay out of this, partner!" The leader shouted, waving her rolling pin at him. "This here's our business, so keep your little nose out of it!"

"Doesn't the phrase go 'big nose'?"

"I aint no liar." She pointed to the tiny snout.

With a roll of his eyes, Mickey got to the point again. "What could she have done that's caused you to be so upset?"

"She's done plenty!" One woman cried.

"She's a thief!" Said another.

"She's no good!"

"She brings shame to all women!"

"She's made us all miserable!"

As the complaints rang back and forth, the mouse sighed heavily, and then put two fingers in his mouth, allowing him to make a piercing whistle. The group seemed to freeze, and the squire tried once more. "Okay...I see that you're a little mad...but, what is it EXACTLY that she did?"

"She..." Jessie swallowed, trying to keep her emotions intact. "She..."

"Yes, yes? Stole some gold? Beat someone? Kicked your puppy? What is it?"

"She..." And then, as loud as she could, exclaimed. "SHE STOLE MY MAN!"

"...What?" Mickey asked, dumbfounded. Even the horse and dog had to blink at this.

"She took mine too!"

"She's all my boyfriend ever talks about!"

"My husband's been reconsidering our wedding vows!"

The mouse slapped a hand to his face, and slowly dragged it down. "...Don't you think hurting her is a bit extreme for some...flirting?"

"IT'S WHAT THE GAL DESERVES!" Jessie roared, stomping her feet. "You have any idea how HARD it is to get a man these days? And then she comes along, snatching him away!"

"I..." The cloaked one finally spoke. "...did no such thing."

Mickey raised his eyebrows, surprised the woman had finally talked. Jessie, however, would have none of it. "Horse feathers, you lying tramp! The way you walk, the way you talk, you wanted to steal our men!"

"I cannot help the way I am." She said softly, lowering her hooded head a tad. "Can you not blame your own males, for being weak?"

Enraged, Jessie lifted her rolling pin once more. "Why you little - "

Mickey snapped his reigns, and he rode until he was in front of Jessie, and then snatched the pin away. "I'm not going to let you beat her for being pretty! This is petty!" He tossed the pin away to a side. "Would your men love you for ganging up on her? Not all matters can be settled with violence! Now...go back to where you came, and instead of finding blame, try to strengthen your relationships!"

The women grumbled at the loss of their prey, but began to waver away. One by one, they waked away, until the entire crowd had dispersed. Mickey sighed in relief, and then turned to look at the cloaked one. "Are you all right?"

"I am now." She brought down her hood. A feline this was, with enchanting green eyes. Her dark hair was hung together tightly with gold, and her fur was as dark as wet sand. A beauty that was truly unmatched, she flicked a hair away from her face, and cast her haunting eyes to her savior. "I can not imagine how I'd repay you."

Indifferent to her appearance, Mickey offered her a hand. "Here, let me get you back home."

She gripped his hand, perhaps a little longer than necessary. She crawled onto Pegasus, and sat behind the mouse. She was quite taller than him, but then, who wasn't? Mickey gently clicked his tongue, and the white horse began to trot, the little dog following at once. To ensure she wouldn't fall off, the cat laced her arms around Mickey's neck. He blinked at this, but decided it was nothing to worry over. "I don't know what would have happened if you hadn't come along." She added. "You'd think they could ignore a little wink or flirt here and there."

"Yeah, really, it's no..." Mickey trailed off, and then looked behind him. "Wait. So you really WERE flirting with all their men?"

"Sure." She said quite casually. "If people have talent, they should use it to their advantage. Mine just happens to be beauty. You couldn't count all the free meals its gotten me."

"..." He quickly looked ahead once more, wondering what kind of trouble he'd gotten himself into.

Back with the others, they were all standing outside on their feet, looking over a map. Pete still wanted to make a stop, and so they were looking for a nearby town. Of course, once was extremely close, which would explain the fervor of women earlier. As they heard hooves trotting, they all looked up to see the squire's return. Pete crossed his arms, ready to whine. "Well it's about time you..."

Then all the attention shifted to the lovely lady with her arms around their friend. Goofy just waved, as he had seen this coming. The women gaped, and Pete and Donald looked quite interested. (Although the latter was smacked upside the head by Daisy.)

"...Heh heh..." Mickey laughed nervously, scratching the back of his head. "...Well...this is the woman who was being chased."

"The name's Mirage." She said simply, and slid off of the saddle. She brushed herself down a little, before surveying the group. "A pleasure."

"Sure is!" Pete said at once, grinning from ear to ear. "I had my squire go out and rescue you at once, you know...couldn't just let someone get hurt for no reason!" The big lummox was nearly drooling.

Donald looked up at his superior. "What about Minnie?" he asked, jabbing him a little with his elbow.

"Who's Minnie?" The starstruck prince asked, still staring at the feline wonder.

Mickey cleared his throat, trying to gain control of the situation. "Maybe we should just head to town, and see if we can get a place to sleep for the night. Can you lead the way, Mirage?"

Mirage looked to Mickey, and gave him a coy smile. "It would be a delight." She gently took hold of Pegasus's reigns, and began to lead him away, sashaying a little. Pete hopped on his horse, much to Alvio's woe. Donald climbed back on the carriage, and Goofy went inside of it. The men began to follow, while Daisy just put her hands on her hips.

"Oh, no she didn't." She sad haughtily. "She did NOT just try to be sweet with Mickey!"

Minnie blinked at this. "You don't really think..."

"I don't think, I KNOW!" Daisy barked, looking Minnie right in her petite face. "She's going to steal your man!"

"...Daisy, Mickey isn't 'my man'..."

"Are you going to give him up, without even a fight?!"

Minnie went to speak, but then stopped herself. She hesitated, and then began to walk. "Whatever makes him happy is nothing I can change."

Daisy watched her, and then began to follow. However, she was rubbing her hands together devilishly...a new scheme was brewing.

At the town, which was named 'Woody's Roundup', there was an uneasy tension in the air as the gang entered. Men would give intrigued looks, while women glared with utmost hatred. No inns would admit them, so they decided to shop around for supplies, while the horses and carriage were rested back in the woods.

Mirage tossed an apple up and down, murmuring a little. "Little expensive for a piece of fruit..."

"M-Mirage!" The shopkeeper gasped, and instantly began to sweat. "Oh, well, for YOU, it's free!"

She smiled sweetly at this. "You're too kind." She gave a bat of her eyelashes, and then sunk her sharp teeth into the apple. After swallowing, she licked her lips of the juice, which gathered the looks of every male within a five foot radius.

"Can you excuse my friend for a moment?" Mickey interrupted, and tugged Mirage away by her hand. "Mirage...don't you think flirting would get you back in trouble all over again?" He let her go, and looked up at her.

"I know, I know." She sighed, looking at the fruit. "I just can't help it. Bad habits are hard to break."

"Especially if you keep doing it." Minnie muttered, looking away from the diva. "I'll go pa for the apple." She left the group, looking a little disapointed.

"You've got at least try." Mickey offered, ignoring Minnie's rebuttal. "Everyone deserves a second chance. You've got to realize you're hurting the women when you do that."

Mirage paused for a moment, before slowly smiling at Mickey. "...Can I ask you something?"

He blinked. "Huh?...Oh. Well, sure."

"...You called me your friend...did you mean that?"

He paused, but then gave a genuine smile. "Well, sure! You've given me no reason to think otherwise...and I always help out my friends!"

She placed a hand to her heart, touched. "...I've rarely met a man so sweet."

"Aw, shucks." his cheeks tinted a little, and he laughed a little. "Listen, let's try the next shop, and we can buy something honestly." He took her hand, and began to walk away with her.

This left just Pete, Donald, Daisy, Goofy and Pluto. Donald looked to the only female remaining, looking a tad amused. "I'm surprised you hadn't ranted about how she's stealing Minnie's man."

"It's fine with me." Pete snorted, rubbing his nose a little. "This leaves Minnie-girl all mine!"

"Tsk, tsk." Daisy wagged a finger, clicking her tongue. "Are you all so blind? This works out perfectly for the mouse romance!"

"...I don't get it." Goofy cocked his head, looking confused.

"It's simple!" Daisy triumphantly pointed a finger in the air. "With Mirage and Mickey spending so much time together, Minnie will feel jealous! But she's such a sweet soul, she'd never try anything...instead...

'Mickey, I can't be in the way of your happiness any longer!' She'll cry, looking away with tears in her eyes. 'I will leave, forever, so that you may be forever happy with your beloved Mirage!'

Touched at this revelation, Mickey will take her hands and gaze at her lovely face. 'Don't speak such foolishness, my darling! Mirage could never take the place you have in my heart! You are the only one for me!'

'Oh, I have no chance!' Mirage will groan. 'Their love for each other is so powerful! I wish you only the best!'

Then Minnie will hold hands with her one and only, eyes glimmering with desire. 'Oh, my magnificent Mickey, I love you!'

And then, they will embrace, with Minnie admitting her love over and over! And we will all clap and praise for their bliss! Then Donald will say 'Oh wonderful Daisy, their true love has inspired me! Let us be wed at once!'

"HEY! KEEP ME OUT OF YOUR WEIRD FANTASIES!"

Pete was going to yell as well, but noticed Minnie returning, holding a new apple. "What took you so long?"

"Oh, nothing." She brushed at her dress a little, and then stepped aside, as a furious woman stormed out of the shop.

"Where is that Mirage?!" The woman hissed. "She made my husband give away free food! She's a dead woman!" At that moment, Mirage and Mickey and left the adjacent store, and so she charged after them, screaming and lamenting.

Pluto looked to Minnie, and sat on his hind legs, giving her a wary look. Goofy looked down at the little maiden as well. "Minnie, are you a tattletale?"

"Why, I don't know what you mean." She replied casually, and bit into her apple.

The argument came to a close, and Mirage and Mickey sadly returned to their friends, looking a little worse for the wear. "Not exactly the most forgiving people..." Mickey sighed, adjusting his hat.

"Well, I'm sure the other storekeeper is just as mad." Minnie huffed, taking another annoyed bite.

"But that's just it!" Mirage moaned, holding up a basket of bread. "I honestly paid at the second shop! But thanks to whoever told that woman, everyone's going to distrust me again..."

Many eyes went to Minne, who was a little pale with guilt. Mickey didn't seem to notice, and looked up at Mirage. "Well, if these people can't trust you, then who needs them? We're your friends...you can just stick with us!"

Mirage's eyes softened, and she managed to smile again. "Do you really mean that?"

"As sure as my ears are big!" he laughed, trying to cheer her up. "If we're not welcome here, we'll camp out in the forest."

"But I wanted an inn!" Pete complained, his body sagging. The others ignored him, as per the usual, and made way back to the forest. He grumbled, and tried to catch up with Minnie. "Well, Minnie, at least you have one guy you can count on!"

"I'm not jealous." She said rather quickly, pouting a little.

"...I didn't say you were." Pete frowned. So much for getting rid of the competition.

The gang decided to set up camp, with Goofy amazingly pulling out firewood, a black pot, a wooden spoon, and other cooking utensils from his small ratty bag. He began to make a stew, humming merrily to himself. The others had gone to the nearby streams to get a quick bath in, separated by genders of course. As the girls began to finish up and put their outfits back on, Mirage cast a glance towards Minnie. "You don't like me, do you."

Startled, it took Minnie a moment to answer. "I never said that."

"Well you haven't exactly made me feel welcome." She tapped her chin in thought. "...Is it over Mickey?"

Daisy was quiet for once, just watching the exchange as he did her feathers in a ponytail. Minnie bit her lip, trying to find the best response. "...I'm sorry. I may have been acting a little rude."

"Listen, if he's taken, I'll back off." Mirage replied, going through her hair with her long nails.

"...He's not." Minnie said quietly, looking at her reflection in the river. She took a large breath, and then looked at Mirage, with a forced smile. "You may do whatever you like."

"I'm glad to have your blessings." The cat replied with a hint of sarcasm. She stood up, finishing with everything. "I'll see you girls later." With a slight wave, she sashayed off once more.

Daisy looked to her friend, looking very concerned. "Minnie? Are you really not going to do anything?"

For a moment, she didn't reply. Instead, Minnie touched the water, and watched it ripple a while, before it showed her face once more. "...When will my reflection show who I am inside?" She asked softly, and was not surprised when no answer came.

Later on, lunch was served. Despite it's rather...unique look, it was rather delicious. Bits of chatter came around, and then at one point, Mirage paused in her eating. "It's a little cold." She frowned. "Would you mind if I went to get more firewood?"

"Aw, I'm sure I got some more!" Goofy said with a smile, and then dug into his bag, pulling various objects out. "Let's see...wooden chopsticks, wooden leg, wooden ship, wood a shoulda coulda, knock on wood - "

"I think it's better if we search for some." Mickey interrupted, standing up. "I'll go with Mirage, it'll be faster that way." With no further argument, he walked with Mirage into the woods. An awkward silence followed, no one sure how to address the issue.

"...Tastes warm to me." Donald finally said, giving a bit of a slurp.

"Oh, my plan is falling to pieces." Daisy sighed sadly, stirring her own bowl. "Minnie you can't honestly say this doesn't bother you! I KNOW you have feelings for him!"

Minnie didn't look up, still eating. Pluto whined a little, and then placed his head on her lap. She paused, but slowly pet him. "...Like I said, Daisy. Whatever makes him happy, I can't change."

Daisy went to eat a little, but stopped upon realization. For once, Minnie had not said she did not have feelings.

"I think this should be enough." Mickey grunted, putting the last of the collected sticks together in a large pile. He wiped a bit of sweat off of his forehead, and then sat down. "Heck, it should be enough for a year's worth of meals!"

Mirage put a tiny stick down, and then sat by him. "...Mickey...may I talk to you about something?"

"Oh, sure." He gave his casual smile.

"...I can see what's happening."

"...What?"

"And they don't have a clue."

"Who?"

"I'm in love, and here's the bottom line...I don't want a trio, I want us two."

"Oh...wait." Mickey's eyes nearly popped out of his head, and he stared up at the taller companion. "Can you repeat that first part?"

"The sweet caress of twilight..." She gently touched his reddening cheek. "There's magic everywhere...and with all this romantic atmosphere..." She put her other hand on his shoulder, and leaned in dangerously, their noses touching.

"Uh...M-Mirage..." Mickey stammered, his hands shaking a little. He had no idea where this was coming from! His heart was pounding, and he felt rather dizzy, with all this disaster in the air. Yet he couldn't just shove her off, as morals reminded him in his head. So what was he supposed to do?!

Undeterred, the feline closed her eyes, lips out...

The group was finishing up dinner, and plopping everything back in Goofy's amazing blue bag. The canine whistled, looking up at the sunny sky. "Sure is taking them a while. I hope they're okay."

"I bet they're just fine." Pete jeered, leaning back a little. "Heck, I bet Mickey's having the time of his life."

"Shut up, Pete!" Daisy snapped, and then touched her female friend's shoulder in comfort. "...Minnie...I'm sorry...maybe I've been pressing you too much..."

A bit reluctantly, Minnie looked up to her, distress all over her face. "...It's all right, Daisy. You meant well. It's better off this way...he would never be happy with me."

"What makes you say that?" The fowl inquired, trying to pull her into a hug.

"...Daisy...the truth is...I...I-I...I'm..."

ZOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!

In a flurry of dust, a figure shot right by them, and up into the nearest tree. In a drawn-out look up, the agape group saw the trembling squire clinging onto a tree branch as if it was life support. Before any of them could question, a screech echoed out, as cold as ice. "How DARE you reject me, you little rodent?!" In the scene stormed Mirage, looking absolutely furious. "I was about to give you the greatest pleasure of your insignificant life, AND YOU RUN AWAY?! GET DOWN HERE AND KISS ME!"

"Don't wanna." Said rodent squeaked, trembling as he held onto the branch.

"Don't...DON'T WANNA?!" Mirage screamed, her eyes nearly on fire with rage. "You ungrateful abrasion! I should have just followed Maleficent's advice and killed you instantly!" Ignoring the alarmed looks of the others, she held out hands, and in an instant, her nails shot up with size! She then charged at the three, slicing it across with her new claws. The tree creaked, and then tipped over with a thunderous crash! The frightened squire quickly began to run away, with Mirage hot on his heels, slicing and dicing everything in her path.

The hush among the gathered lasted only a few seconds, before Goofy quipped. "Well now. She's a witch."

"We should probably follow him." Daisy added, looking to the torn tree.

"If not for the entertainment." Pete grinned, and off the group went, following the path of destruction.

Mirage had lost sight of her target, and if possible, her anger increased by the tenfold. She howled in vexation, until she came upon one of the many streams. In it floated his black hat, with the single feather. She leered, and knelt to the water. "What a fool...I may be a cat, but I have no trouble looking for you in the water!" She tossed the hat aside, and shoved her hands in the water, desperately clawing and searching.

"Then I hope you like to swim!" Came a voice from the trees. Before she had time to react, Mickey jumped from a branch. Mirage had only searched the ground, while he used his speed to dart from tree to tree, until he came with the water scheme. As he fell, he kicked Mirage right into the stream, leaving the flustered cat to flail about wildly. In the mess, Mickey managed to grab a hold of long weeds that stuck up around the stream, and wasted no time in tying them around Mirage's wrists. The giant nails shrunk back to normal size, as Mickey had remember an important line from Daisy... Plus, our magic can be stopped temporarily if our arms are bound.

Gargling, Mirage lifted her head slightly, clearly steamed. "What ARE you?! Any sane man would have fallen to my charms!"

The others began to catch up, but Mickey hadn't noticed, too focused on his opponent. "Not me, Mirage. My heart is already devoted!"

Upon hearing this, Minnie's face flushed red, and Daisy giggled, grinning at the mouse. Mickey continued, grabbing Mirage by the hair and holding her up. "Now, who is Maleficent? Is she the Queen of the Covenant?"

"Don't make me laugh!" The witch hissed, looking away. "Maleficent is a new ruler...we are tired of waiting for our Queen to do something about you meddlers! We are a new group of the Covenant...when we find the Queen, we will kill her, and take over! England will belong to us!"

Mickey frowned, and then let her go, stepping back onto the shore. "Hey, Goofy, can you drop her off back in town? I bet Jessie would love a reunion." Mirage paled, and yelled loudly as Goofy dragged her off, happy as always.

"I didn't think it was possible..." Donald grumbled, rubbing his bill in contemplation. "...but things have gotten from bad to worse. Now we've got TWO groups who want to rule England!"

"There could be a million, for all I care." Pete grunted, hiding his fear under pride. "None of them will be able to stop me from being King! Let's go back to the carriage, and head for Camelot!" With that settled, he began to storm away.

"What about pit stops?!" Donald shouted, and followed after him, ready to argue. "Make up your mind!"

Mickey and the girls began to go after them, but Daisy tugged on Mickey's arm, looking a little giddy. "Well now, Mickey...Just what exactly is your heart devoted to?"

He raised his eyebrows, surprised she hadn't known. "Why, England, of course. I devote myself entirely my country and its people, so we can all live in peace!"

The girls stared at him, before walking ahead of him in a bit of a huff. "Spoilsport!" Daisy called out, sticking her beak in the air.

Mickey watched them go, as confounded as ever. He shrugged, and picked up his wet hat. As he resumed walking, he felt himself a blush a little...It wasn't that he lied, exactly...

...It just wasn't all England.

End Of Chapter Nine.