Mickey braced his hands on the large circular table, biting his lip as his foot tapped with nervous energy. On either side of him was Oswald and Captain Dobermouse, the other Resistance leaders gathered around the table as well.

"Thankfully the roads haven't been crowded… though that's hardly much of a surprise," Dobermouse said, his face grave. "The guards with us are on duty in the guard tower and at the castle gates, and our other fighters are in place around the city, ready to move. As soon as the warning bell sounds, we all move for the castle."

"Donald sent word this morning," Oswald spoke up, his own face a picture of seriousness. "Our contacts there are ready too."

Taking a deep breath, Mickey straightened and lifted his eyes to scan the faces around the table.

"Everyone's worked real hard, an' thanks t' that, we've got a good chance of pullin' this off. But it's not a sure thing, so we gotta be ready if it fails."

Oswald nodded.

"As ya all know, th' Princess is in Anaheim with my wife and kids. If it goes bad, they're ready t' get outta the kingdom."

Captain Dobermouse looked between Oswald and Mickey with concern on his face.

"And you both would join them?"

Mickey felt a nervous twinge in his stomach but took a controlled breath and nodded.

"If we can, yeah."

What he left unspoken was the possibility that one or both may not be able to rejoin their family, should they get hurt… or worse. He could tell Oswald had the same thought on his mind, as well as the other fighters gathered in the room. Captain Dobermouse gave a somber nod, and with that, Mickey directed his gaze around the table.

"I know you're all ready for this, and our fighters too. So we gotta give this our all."

"And everyone needs to remember," Oswald spoke up. "We're going for minimal losses on both sides. And Her Highness specifically asked that we do ev'rything we can to keep th' King safe, unless someone else's at risk."

There was a slight note of disapproval in the rabbit's voice, but what objectivity he had managed impressed Mickey, nevertheless.

"Then it's 'bout time," he said. "We better get in position. Good luck, everyone… an' thanks."

All the other leaders nodded, many returning his sentiment in soft, respectful voices. With that all of them headed out of the makeshift conference room and up to the back of the tavern. The sound of quiet talk drifted from the common room; the owner had continued to conduct business as usual, as to avoid suspicion, but there would only be a few late-night patrons there this late.

Once out on the street, everyone pulled up their hoods and separated, each heading off to their own individual predetermined spots. Mickey kept his steps quick but took care not to go so fast as to look suspicious, Oswald keeping pace beside him. Both were silent for a while, but then Mickey heard Oswald's tense but emotional voice.

"Make sure ya take your own advice, Mick… ya hear me? I'm not ready t' lose my little bro too."

Mickey felt a sad smile form on his face as he turned his head to look at Oswald. The rabbit's face was mostly hidden by his hood, but he could see a glimpse of overbright eyes. Reaching out, he placed a hand on Oswald's shoulder.

"I'm gonna do my best t' make sure ya don't, Os," he said gently. "As long as you promise t' do that for me too, okay?"

His brother reached out as well to clasp his arm.

"Always," he murmured.

With that the two separated, heading down each street they were on as quickly as they could. Mickey felt a strong temptation to look back, get one more look at his brother, but he didn't dare. And somehow, he knew Oswald was resisting the same temptation.

It's not goodbye, he told himself, trying hard to believe it. Ya got this far okay… no way is that gonna change now. It won't. It can't.

The sound of a soft, rhythmic whistle pulled him out of his thoughts, and he immediately copied it. The door of a nearby tailor shop slid open a crack, just enough to let Mickey in, and he slipped inside. It was dark inside, the business being closed, a single candle illuminating the room just enough to reveal several grim but determined faces of the Resistance fighters filling it. Mickey scanned each one, ordering himself not to show the emotional turmoil he was feeling.

"Everything's set," he said quietly. "Th' signal ought a' be any minute now. Evr'yone remember th' objectives and be careful."

Each gave a nod or murmur of assent, and with that all eyes moved to the door, each fighter tensed to spring into action as soon as they heard the city's alarm bell. Mickey's hand moved to the hilt of his sheathed sword, taking a calming breath. The last thing he wanted was to hurt anyone, but what was best for the kingdom and its people took precedence over anything else, and it was his duty to do it.

Bong! Bong! Bong!

The sound seemed to shatter the tense silence, and Mickey felt his heart begin pounding. But with an ease born from years of experience, he gathered all his fear and shoved it deep down inside. He would deal with it later, whenever that came.

The door was flung open, the dim light from the streetlamps flooding the dark space. In tandem with the other fighters, Mickey gripped his sword hilt and charged out, hoping and praying that somehow, they could pull this off without anyone losing their lives… both on his side and the other. Now more than ever, he could feel his parents watching, and in the same way he could tell when they were still here, he knew they were proud.

I won't let ya down, he thought. I won't let anyone down.

He wasn't just thinking of his parents, though. He was thinking of his whole family: Oswald and Ortensia, his nieces and nephews… and Minnie.

If there was anything he was glad to come out of this danger he'd been living in for years, it was seeing her again. That would have made anything worth it.

This chapter is a little short, I know. I just realized how long it's been since I updated and I didn't want to go any longer without one. So apologies if this seems rushed… work makes writing a little harder, but I'm doing my best. Hope it's still enjoyable!