Chapter 5

Oswald followed behind Horace as the two made their way to the stage, Oswald gripping his rifle tight. They walked on stage and found Donald, Goofy, and Mickey, free of their gags but still tied by rope, with a convict guarding each of them from behind. Horace took his spot next to Mickey, Oswald standing beside Robbie as they looked up to see five ropes hanging from the cat walk above.

"Har har!" Putrid Pete's laugh called out, drawing all eyes to the large bear walking up through the tables and chairs. "Once we get rid of these four, that rabbit will be as good as dead himself."

"What'd I say about celebrating before it's done, Pete," Julius said as he walked onto the stage. He walked behind Oswald, following behind the other three in prison clothes before stopping beside Donald.

"You take all the fun out of it," Pete mumbled, leaning against one of the closer tables.

"The girls have escaped!" Sherman exclaimed as he ran on stage from the side.

"I knew this was too good," Julius mumbled, walking back across the stage. He looked up at the bear and asked, "Did you check on them when you took over watching the doors?"

"No, I didn't think that'd be a good idea," Sherman admitted, worry on his face as he took a cautious step back.

"Boss! They're free!" a voice called out as a mouse ran into the theater. He froze, staring at those on stage as he threw a thumb over his shoulder in confusion. "But… I could've…"

"Don't question what you see!" Mickey's voice called out as five bodies slid down the ropes. Donald let out a scream as his rope broke, dropping him to the floor in front of his counterpart.

"Blast it all! They have copies!?" Putrid Pete exclaimed as he watched Goofy get his foot stuck in the noose.

'38 Mickey, '16 Minnie, and Ortensia landed on their feet as Oswald gave a look at Robbie beside him. "Now!" he ordered. He pulled out the pocket knife he still had and leaned towards '16 Mickey, slicing off the rope as Horace broke free of his own lose bonds.

"Grab Devon!" Phil ordered, pointing to the mouse.

"We will not be kidnappers or murders!" Sherman exclaimed, taking his rifle and swinging the butt around. Swiftly he knocked the lanky mouse on the head, sending the mouse sprawling to the floor.

"Don't let them get away!" Robbie exclaimed, pointing at Pete's form slowly slinking towards the lobby. Once pointed out, he turned on his peg leg and ran towards the doorway only to skid on his heel as he stopped.

"Get back in there, Pete," Daisy ordered as she and '38 Minnie stepped through the doorway, the mouse holding a revolver in both hands aimed at the bear.

"How are there so many of you!?" Putrid Pete asked, slowly backing back through the dining area. "And where's that dang rabbit?!"

"Right here, you stupid bear!" Oswald called out as he pulled the hair tie out of his ears and let his nose settle. He quickly cut lose Goofy and Donald, handing the rope to the dog and cat. "If you don't want kidnapping added to your charges, tie up Pete and Julius!"

"Where'd Julius go?" Joe asked, noticing the cat in question had vanished.

"Sorry Julius, but Sherman's right," the young voice belonging to Hudson said as between the pig and Phil they held Julius by the arms so his feet no longer touched the ground. "I don't want kidnapping to my list."

"Yeah, we agreed to break out of prison with you, not kill people," Phil said. The two brought the cat up on stage where Robbie and Milt had collected the ropes. Milt handed some to Joe before helping Robbie tie up Julius.

"You know, you all should turn yourselves in," Daisy said as Joe dropped from the stage. He handed some rope to Sherman as the two looked at the duck. "What? I'm just saying," she defended with a shrug.

"She does make a point though," Robbie said, pulling tight on Julius' ropes.

"Hey! I've still gotta breath," Julius complained.

"No, you don't," Milt said curtly. He turned to Robbie and asked, "Are you crazy? What happened to wanting to see your kid growing up?"

"Yes, but think about it," Robbie said, letting go of the ropes that held Julius, the cat falling to the ground. "If we disappear, they'll blame us for the kidnapping anyway. If J- uh, Oswald," the pelican gave Oswald a look before continuing, "if Oswald's right and-"

"I can see what they'll do to shorten any sentences," '16 Mickey offered, standing beside Oswald. "I've got some pull in the police force."

A sound rang out like thunder, drawing all eyes to the magic mirror floating on the stage. "I fear your time is end, I pray you were able to help mend?"

"I'll say they did," '16 Mickey offered, throwing a smile at the four from 1938.

"Hey, what about me?" Oswald asked.

'38 Mickey let out a laugh, giving the rabbit a pat on his shoulder. "We wouldn't've been able to do it without you. Can't wait for the day we properly meet."

"Come on, Mickey," '38 Minnie called out as their Donald and Goofy step through the portal.

'38 Mickey gave a wave as he ran off to his Minnie. He took her hand and the two disappeared through the portal, taking the Slave of the magic mirror with them.

A moment passed before Oswald took his eyes away from the empty spot and found the beat up and bruised Mickey that belonged in 2016. "Why on Earth did you call them for help?" he asked.

"I promise, no more time traveling problems!" Mickey said with a laugh.

-.-.-.-

Minnie's dressing room door cracked open, a gloved hand barely visible. A cow's head poked through, stealing a look around the hallway before she stepped out of the room. Clarabelle held tight to the rope that had tied her up as she slunk towards the stage, ready to attack those who had taken her friend's theater.

The End