Here we are, the final chapter! Thank you so much for sticking around for this project, and I hope you enjoyed the ride. Greatest thanks to Ameart for helping me come up with the idea, Cici for designing the costumes and adding in other concepts, Elera for fantastic emotional support, and as always, Lies for being the best editor a girl could ever ask. It's time for a break on my end, but we'll be sure to bring you another project later on! Happy summer, folks!
The fire from the Rodawn theater didn't take long to touch upon adjacent buildings, sending the city into fear. The wealthy were forced to pick what possessions they valued most before fleeing their homes, while those without possessions to pick were able to help others evacuate friends faster. Water tanks on wheels and firefighters on crotchety small engines arrived as fast as they could, shouting for volunteers to aid them, unable to catch up with the speed of the flames on their own. There was no time to cry over lost valuables when every hand was needed.
One of the few places the fire had yet to reach was the remains of the school where Ludwig and Gyro had faked their deaths. The final players of Fantome's play had been gathered here, even though the injured Mortimer and chained Fou were not there willingly. The group was gathered in the destroyed ruins of a classroom, with Fantome keeping his black blade to Minnie's neck in order to secure the Scarlet's obedience. The Scarlet had lost communication with his friends again, and now there wasn't even static buzzing in his ears. It would have to be a problem saved for later, as he kept his eyes entirely on Minnie, who was doing her best to keep still lest she be nicked by the blade.
No actions were taken until the arrival of the last villain, Shyster, hobbling through rocks and ruined bricks. He tried not to touch any of the remaining walls, knowing that the wrong move would send them into deadly collapse. "I, uh, brought what you asked for, sir…" He couldn't believe what he had been asked to do given how ridiculous it was, but after seeing Fantome's calm expression showing signs of cracking, he wasn't about to ask. To the incredulity of the others, Shyster was holding a tea kettle and tea cup in his hands, and he steadily poured a fresh batch for his ruler.
"Thank goodness." Fantome sighed, taking the cup. "This is exactly what I needed. Chamomile." He took his time to swallow the cup, exhaled wistfully, and then threw the cup to the ground, shattering it. "I needed that to calm my nerves… they've been rather… rattled lately." The muscles in his face twitched, proving that he wasn't as calm as he claimed the tea made him. "I've been doing everything in my power to bring about the next Bloody Sunday, but, somehow, you've always been one step ahead, Scarlet. I've had to make sloppy moves, and I detest being sloppy."
"If it's revenge you want," Only now did the Scarlet move his eyes away from his beloved. "Then you can have me, but release the Duchess!"
"As if you have any idea what I want." Fantome sneered, the twitching muscles beginning to spread throughout his body. "What I want is the Bloody Sunday, and I will have it! I will not let everything I've worked on, all the money I've spent, all the time I've wasted with absolute morons, all of it be for nothing!" With his free hand, he gestured wildly to those around him, almost hitting them in the face. "Creating the bank, and then letting this incompetent fool and his disgusting daughter lose all effect it had on the city! Getting that lard of a Chief to release these petty criminals who couldn't do their job the first time! Imprisoning this old cretin who should have met the reaper ages ago, and while he can find those damn cameras, he can't tell me where you've been getting help! I did so much, I deserve to get what I want! I deserve it!" He breathed hard, and pulled a pained hand down his face, failing to fully collect his composure. "… Oh, did I get carried away again…"
If the Scarlet wasn't going to reason his way out of this, he'd need to stall. Unable to fight, given the goons surrounding him, he addressed Fou, who still had chains on his wrists and ankles. "So, you were alive this entire time. You're the one who found my cameras?"
"It was that, or I'd be next to Gladstone in the hospital, if not in the morgue below him." Fou tugged on his chains, highlighting his imprisonment. "I don't know how you got the technology from my pupils, but I've always been smarter than those animals. I used my own cameras to find yours, and manipulated the electronic signals they've been getting. Maybe I could have done more, if I wasn't dragged out here like a dog on a leash!" He snarled at his captor, but Fantome paid him no heed.
"If the chit-chat is finished, I'd like us to get down to business. First… I want you to realize you're not winning this time." Fantome moved his side back, getting it closer to Minnie's shivering neck. "I have no qualms with ending her life. She has her uses dead or alive. You're the one who gets to decide that."
"You wouldn't dare!" The Scarlet moved forward, but several of Karnage's man grabbed his arms, holding him back.
Fantome smoothed out his mustache, though it still limped from his frustration. "You invest too much good faith in me, Scarlet." To prove his point, he whirled around in place, stabbing Fou in his side. The human cried out, and fell forward, trying to hold his stomach as red spilled onto the dirt. He wasn't dead, but if he wasn't tended to, it wouldn't be long until he was gone. "Never did care for humans…" Fantome turned his wet blade back to Minnie's presence, who had been unable to look at the bloody attack through shut eyes. "Now, are you going to take me seriously, or will the Duchess stain her pretty nightgown?"
The hero lowered his fists, for once unable to think of how to turn the situation around without causing more bloodshed. Fantome clapped by slapping one hand to the one clenched around his sword, now that things were properly going his way again. "Of course, of course. But, some of us still have some things we need to vent about so… why don't you boys have some fun, while the Duchess and I reach a deal?"
"Don Karnage calls the face!" Karnage got the first punch in, decking the Scarlet in his cheek and forcing him down to the ground. His subordinates eagerly joined in, kicking and punching at the submitting hero. Mortimer and Shyster got in their own vengeances, though it soon became a contest between all the various thugs. "Hey, hey, Don Karnage already called the face, Rodawn! Go pick another body part!" They stripped him of his weapons, throwing them away and went in on him without mercy. They picked him up only to send him down again, and not once did he make any attempt to defend himself. If this was what it took to save Minnie's life, then every bruise would be worth it.
"Stop it!" Minnie screamed, futilely reaching out towards the massacre, but Fantome stuck a hand into her long locks and yanked her back. She pulled her head, but could not get away from his fingers. "Please, stop it! You're going to kill him!"
"That's very possible." Fantome nodded casually, yet was still unable to stop the nervous twitches now pulsing in each arm. "But now it's your turn to get to decide who lives and dies. Swear your loyalty to me, marry Mortimer, and from now on, you never speak another word about helping the street urchins. Your life is mine and mine alone from this day forward."
"You're sick!" Minnie was stating the obvious, but why lie to a madman?
"I have no time for your smart mouth, Duchess!" Fantome wrestled his hand free from her hair, almost smacking her in the process. "I summoned Queen Noelle hours ago, and she will see this city lost! Now swear to me, or I will kill him! I know your weakness, you will not let the man you love die!"
The Duchess was so caught up in fear and anguish that she couldn't decide which was the right thing to say, and so continued to stick only with honesty. "You're wrong, I don't love him!"
"Don't play dumb with me!" Fantome's calm smile was evaporating second by second, revealing his true nature as his patience dwindled. "Rodawn told me all about it! The Scarlet is in love with you!"
"But he's not the one I'm in love with!" She pushed Fantome back, foolish as it was, and though this was hardly the time and place for it, she found she couldn't stop talking. "I don't know about his feelings for me, or his weakness, or anything about him! But I already have someone I love! I've already given my heart away to another long ago, since I first met him!"
The Scarlet was hoping that the next kick to his skull would dull his hearing. Bad enough to meet his end this way, but he'd die knowing the Duchess didn't love him at all? He closed his eyes, the last ounce of fight in him gone. Karnage and Mortimer had settled their differences, raising their feet to stomp upon his head –
"The one I love is Mickey Mouse!"
- Until they found their feet suddenly stopped in place by a very wide awake and very interested Mickey, staring at the scene before him with open eyes as his raised arms kept both men from moving their legs. The bullying gang froze upon seeing this new development. "… Don Karnage has a bad feeling about this."
Minnie had yet to notice what had happened, unable to stop now that she had at last spoken her heart's true desires. "I loved that boy since I first met him! He's been my friend and never minded what differences we had!" Why did it take this life threatening situation for her to finally say it? It felt so good, and tears that had been held back for over a decade rained down on her face. "He's always been there for me! He's been the family I've wanted since I was born! He makes me laugh, he makes me feel good about myself, and he's absolutely perfect in every single way! His is the life that means more to me than my own, so don't you dare tell me who you think I love! I know who it's been this entire time!" She pressed her hands to her chest, feeling as if her entire soul could pour out from this confession, for every part of her was in it. Even if the Scarlet had made her heart flutter, it had only been because he had contained those few things Mickey lacked – confidence in himself. She had kept herself back, worried about what their friendship could dissolve into, worried that he would reject her or assume she was merely taking pity on him. Now it all seemed so pointless, and even if the one she cherished wasn't there to hear it, the world must know it. "I love Mickey Mouse!"
Fantome's patience was reaching its breaking point, and he spoke through clenched teeth. "Enough of your flowery speeches, and swear to me your-" The Duke had rarely been interrupted in his life, and even rarer had been interrupted by having a whole person thrown at him, knocking him flat on his back. The thrown one groaned. "Don Karnage was right."
Indeed he was, as now the Scarlet was on his feet, looking deliriously happy at this turn of events. No one had the right mind to stop him as he sped to the Duchess, grabbing her by the arms and asking a very odd but important question. "Excusez-moi, most precious, but could you say that last thing again?"
Minnie was equally confused as everyone else in the not-quite-room. "… I…" She cleared her mind for the moment, lowering her head so she wouldn't have to look at her hero as she disappointed him. "I'm very sorry, Scarlet. I do appreciate everything you've done for me, but my heart has always belonged to my Mickey. Please, try to understand that-" But when she lifted her head in an effort to be brave, he wasn't standing in front of her anymore.
Now he was dancing and jumping all over the place, even twirling around some of the men who had been beating him previously. "Did you hear that? She doesn't love the Scarlet! She loves Mickey! She loves Mickey Mouse!" He was hooting and hollering, doing cartwheels and summersaults, having gone from being on the brink of death to being the happiest and healthiest he had felt in years. "Who does she love? It's not me! It's M-I-C! K-E-Y! M-O-U-S-E!"
While Minnie was wondering if she should feel insulted, Fantome had reached his last straw. With a beastly roar, he threw Karnage off of him, face pumped full of rage and any traces of the calm persona he was always seen with gone forever. "KILL HIM! KILL HIM! SOMEONE KILL HIM ALREADY!"
None of them were sure they even wanted to touch the dancing loon, but Shyster was the first to see an opportunity. He came up behind the Scarlet, and using the tea kettle has a weapon, smacked the hero hard enough to send him flying into one of the decaying brick walls. The bricks fell instantly at his touch, covering the young man in a pile of stained red and brown. Minnie gasped in dread, but there was no need – he was already pushing the rubble off, standing wobbly on his legs in his destroyed uniform. "Nope, not me! She doesn't love the Scarlet at all, not one bit!" He laughed merrily, not realizing that this latest blow had done the worst damage to his disguise. The beating had already removed his hat and goggles, but when the body throw occurred, he had lost one contact, and the chip in his mouth had cracked, no longer giving him a false voice. "It ain't me at all, ha ha! It's- "
"Mickey?" Minnie finished for him, knowing those dark blue eyes and hick voice from anywhere. That's abruptly when Mickey stopped laughing. "Y-You… you're…"
"The paperboy?" Mortimer threw his hands up at the sheer ridiculousness of a revelation. "You've got to be kidding me!" He pointed at the shell-shocked hero, explaining it quickly to the mooks around him. "He's just a street urchin! He sells papers! All this time we've gotten beat by a kid who can't even afford to sow his overalls!"
As humiliating as Mortimer found this, his embarrassment was a drop in the ocean compared to what Fantome was going through. "A… paper… boy…" He breath had gone from labored to wheezy, his body lumbering as he gained his footing. "A… paper… boy…" His pose and posture was broken, his shoulders hitched and his handsome features became gruesomely twisted. "A… paper… boy…?" The once grand and elegant Duke was now a gargoyle, spittle slimly dripping from his lips as his mind comprehended what the reveal meant. "All of my plans… all of my work… they were stopped… by… a… paper… boy?" No one answered him, and he threw out his back as he let out a ferocious roar, becoming more beast than man as his outrage overcame him. He then began swinging his sword around, frothing at the mouth, stabbing at anything or anyone nearby and even smacked his blade on the ground, using everything around him as a target for his maddened loss.
The unanimous thought for everyone else was to get out of there as swiftly as possible. Mickey scampered to Minnie, scooping her up in his arms and not looking back as he fled. The petty thieves took the same idea, going in different directions to get away from Fantome's insanity. Shyster managed to reluctantly drag the bleeding Fou onto his back, trying to get away with him. "It occurs to me," The banker grumbled as they made their escape. "That we're the only ones with any brains in this place. I hear America is lovely this time of year."
Fantome's deranged assault never stopped, not when he had been completely abandoned, until his sword came across a hollow sound as it hit the right spot in the ground. For the time being, it stopped him, and he stabbed the place again, hearing the same hollow noise. He knelt down into the dirt and began brushing it away. After several moments of digging, he came across a strange door lodged firmly in the ground. There was only one black handle, and when Fantome pulled it open, he peered into an empty, open tunnel underground.
Mickey didn't know if they were being chased, but he didn't want to risk being caught by slowing down to check. The school had been on the outskirts of the city, as Ludwig and Gyro didn't want anyone hurt by the explosion. Mickey found the beginnings of previous abandonment and worry, as buildings had been vacated by people to help with the fire, and one carriage had been completely flipped upside down in a crowd's rush. Figuring it would be a good hiding place, Mickey wretched the door open, climbed inside with his mistress, and closed it shut once they were in. They sat apart, and at last were able to catch their breath.
With danger far away, they could now look at each other and understand exactly what had been revealed to both of them. She was in love with him, and he was a vigilante who had been risking his life and essentially lied to her every time they met. Suffice to say, it was awkward. Seeing as he had kept the worst out of the two secrets, Mickey felt it was fair he should speak first, since he had plenty to apologize for. "I-I wanted ta tell ya! B-But, they, Gyro and Ludwig, they wouldn't let me! They're alive and they wanted me ta be a hero so I said yes but then it all got outta hand! And it was Ludwig's idea ta tell all them ladies I wanted 'em, I never did!" His articulated every hysterical point with his limbs, unaware of the curling smile Minnie's lips were forming. "I didn't wanna lie ta ya, but I had ta keep ya outta harm's way, it's what they said! I wasn't even gunna kiss ya, but then ya went and did it, and.. n-not that I didn't wanna, but then I got all worried who ya liked, and then I got jealous of myself, which I know doesn't make sense, but, well, I, i-it got all mixed up, and I didn't know who I was, b-but I still wanted ta help ya, so-"
"Mickey." Minnie placed one finger on his mouth, effectively silencing him. "Stop talking." More than enough had been said between them. Society dictated that a lady should allow the man to take the lead when it came to courting, and frankly, society needed to change along with everything else in the city. She grabbed Mickey by his vest, and jerked him closer so she could give him the biggest and most passionate kiss she could muster. It was very different from the kiss she had given the Scarlet, as then she had focused on what she should do, what was proper, what was enough, and what showed her thankfulness. This instead was an outlet of years of wanting, and hoping, and refusing to wait any longer to have him. This was showing how much she adored him and only him, and that if he wasn't going to make the first move then that was dandy because from now on she wasn't going to hold back.
It was a force more powerful than Minnie had known herself to be capable of. She managed to topple Mickey on his back, and never stopped for a moment, popping one of her feet up as she took complete and total control of his mouth. She had only started to gain affection for the Scarlet as he lacked the confidence Mickey didn't seem to have, but now Minnie was ready to give him all the confidence he needed. If one kiss wasn't enough to do it, then she'd give him another, and another, and a million more, a lifetime more, if that's what it took to make him love himself as much as she did. She would never allow him to doubt himself again, and never allow herself to hesitate in showing him how much he meant to her.
As for Mickey, once he'd managed to stop his brain from shutting down at the sheer shock of what was being done to him and by whom, he was quite pleased at this turn of events. He too knew that society dictated a man should take charge when it came to courting, but why on earth should he try to change what was already so wonderful? Real femininity wasn't being weak, nor was real masculinity weakened by allowing women to change their places. With no more obstacles in his path, no more secrets to hide and no more doubts laid before him, he returned her kisses. They communicated only through touch, finding power in being heard, in saying what they felt, and never held back again.
Do you believe me? Yes. Will you always believe me? Always.
Je t'aime. I love you. Je vous adore. I adore you. Nous serons toujours ensemble. We will always be together.
The day was ending, but the passage of time was lost on the citizens of the city. Though the firemen and those aiding the brave men were working wonders by calming the flames, there was still much work to be done. Katarina and Pete could not revel in their pathetic misery if they wanted to survive, and so were fleeing down the streets, unsure of their destination but knowing for now they couldn't go back. Since Katarina was younger, thinner, and faster, she was running ahead of her uncle, and found that she was unconsciously heading back to the winery. Katarina skidded to a halt as she saw that the building was being devoured by fire, and for the first time in her life her dark heart beat in concern for the sake of someone else.
These beats came quicker as the front door was kicked down from the inside, revealing a sooty Peg wiping her face. She had gone back for only one thing – a photograph of her late father, held together in a shoddy frame that had seen better years. She walked out slowly, coughing a few times before noticing she was being watched. She stared at Katarina, and Katarina stared back – whereas Pete was startled to see that this young lady was quite appealing, even in old rags and ashes. Then Peg burst into a sprint, heading straight for the smaller feline, yelling "Move, stupide!" Neither of the villains had noticed that the adjacent building's roof had started to fall apart at the edges, and Katarina would have ended her life as a smatter on the street had not Peg scooped her up into her arms and gotten her out of the way.
The debris took its place on the street, and Peg exhaled deeply in relief that no one had gotten hurt. Katarina stared even harder now, amazed that she had been so close to death and even more amazed that she had been saved by it. "Y… You…" Katarina fumbled, not even sure if she was allowed to speak after witnessing such a heroic act. "W-why? Don't you know I'm the mole? The traitor? I'm the one who ratted out Daisy and Max to Duke Fantome!"
"I know. And believe me, I plan to spit in anything you drink from now on." Peg eased Katarina back on the ground, and then broke the frame of the photograph in order to take the image out. "But that doesn't change all the good times we had between us. If I let you die, I'm no better than Fantome." She shoved the photo down her dress in order to free her hands. "Now, come with me!" She grabbed Katarina by her wrist, and after a quick afterthought, did the same to Pete. "You too, big boy."
Pete found he didn't mind being ordered around so much in this case. "W-what for? We're we going?"
"To help everyone else out!" Peg began to drag the cats with her, not letting them escape any further. "My winery's gone, but buildings can always be rebuilt. People can't. Every life has value, even if you two aren't worth more than my old shoes. But even old shoes have uses! So, march! You're going to do exactly what I say, or so help me!" She left the threat dangling in the air, and her companions decided it was best not to hear what she would have done to them. They were left in her hands now, and as far as she was concerned, they were finally going to be put to good use.
As they ran from one street corner to the next, they passed by Horace who was making his way to the hospital. It too was suffering from the flames, and Horace was terrified of the fate of Clarabelle, who was still recovering from Fantome's assault. Her mind was probably as scarred as her body, and she wouldn't be able to remove herself from her bed. All of her fright and self doubt would keep her trapped, and it was up to Horace to save her, if fate would give him the chance. As he came closer to the hospital, however, the first person he saw at the scene was Clarabelle. She had broken down the doors and was now helping the injured and unhealthy patrons leave in safe numbers, and was even allowing Gladstone to lean on her, as his heavily bandaged state didn't allow for much movement. She was leading the movement, shouting orders, and though the red stains on her gauzed arms showed her stitches had reopened, she wasn't slowing down in the slightest.
Horace stood before her, mystified at her transformation, and when she caught sight of him, she smiled sincerely. "I knew you would get here, Horace." With her pride recollected and no longer under the shadow of false love, she was now ten times prettier than Horace had ever seen her. As ugliness could be apparent from those with evil intentions, she had become beautiful when she made her own decisions and lived for herself, not for the expectations of anyone else. "You've always been there for me." Fantome had not been there to save her when the flames started, and her dependence on him had vanished when she understood how close she was to death again. She had been forced into self-reliance, but now would not run away from it.
Horace took her hand, and basked in the light of the new woman at his side. "Don't suppose I can be of any help?"
"Just keep me steady." Clarabelle held up one arm, the pain in her wounded arms throbbing. "We've still got more work to do." He held onto her firmly, and together they helped more patients escape the hospital. For every moment she felt weakness, he was there to keep her upright, for that is the true meaning of support. Not force or commanded as what is best for you, but wading through the darkness together and keeping a unified balance.
While they and so many others had found their source of peace and balance through the oncoming night's flames, there were others entering fear for different reasons entirely. Donald hadn't released Daisy's hand for a second, and at the rate things were spiraling, he thought may never let her out of his sight again. He too had encountered the microphone troubles that Mickey had heard, and had assumed the worst when he could no longer hear his uncle. "We have to get to the Arche!" Donald shouted as he kept Daisy with him, running as fast as he could.
"What for, Donald?" Daisy was struggling to keep up with him, and struggling harder to understand what he was trying to do. "It's just a monument, real people are in danger!"
"Real people might be in danger at the monument too! I can't explain everything right now, but we have to get there as soon as possible!" Only when he said it out loud did he suddenly come upon another horrific revelation. While he knew where the hideout was, only Mickey knew the way to actually get in. "… No! Oh, come on!" He finally stopped running, standing hopelessly beside a carriage that had been turned upside down. "… Even if we got there, we can't get in… we need the Scarlet, but with all the trouble going on, he could be anywhere!" How could they be expected to search the entire city for one mouse, especially in such an emergency? His hand balled up into a fist, and he slammed it into the carriage. "Merde!" Was he going to be useless again? He had found the family he was searching for, only to lose it –
Except when he had hit the carriage, the door had snapped open, and two interrupted mice flopped onto the ground. Mickey, underneath Minnie, blinked up at his friends, and waved a shy hello. "… Don't suppose ya guys could come back in a few minutes?"
"… I'm sorry, was I interrupting something?" Donald growled, hating that this was not the right time to give Mickey a sound kick to the head. Daisy politely looked away as Minnie hurriedly adjusted the neckline of her dress, but Donald wasn't as patient, reaching down to grab Mickey by the collar and give him a shake. "While you've been going through the tunnel of love, I haven't heard a word from Ludwig or Gyro! What happened to them?"
The names returned Mickey to the seriousness of the situation, and he pushed Donald off to turn around. "Gosh, that's right! Fou said he jammed their signals, and Fantome was left at the school ruins! We've got to get to the Arche! Follow me, everyone!" While the girls hadn't a clue as to what was happening, they followed their boys without question. The four raced to the Arche, but once the monument was in their sights, they were the witnesses to an explosion that took out a bottom corner of the Arche. Through the smoke, a figure jumped out, and continued to jump, taking leaps and bounds over fallen carriages and streetlamps. It almost seemed to fly within those bounds, and as it touched the first building it came across, they could see the figure easily sticking to a wall with familiar boots –
"Fantome!" Mickey was the first to declare it, and all four saw with growing horror that not only was it Fantome, but he was dressed in a fashion similar to the Scarlet! It had been ripped and mangled, as if grabbed out of tight hands, but it still allowed him the same powers as the original, allowing him to scale the walls while his maniacal laughter sounded a haunted requiem for his lost mind. Mickey took the lead as he headed for the Arche, and when the others came with, they climbed into the makeshift exist Fantome had created.
The headquarters had been thrashed irrationally, with all of the screens cracked, all of the tables flipped, and with every tilt of the head they could see signs that a monster had invaded the home of the heroes. Mickey had never thought hearing a moan of pain would be a thankful noise, but it told him where his friends were, and that they were still alive. Gyro was laying in heaps of glass next to the tubes where the extra Scarlet outfits had once been, while Ludwig was laying on the remains of their massive computer board. While Donald eased his uncle onto the floor, Mickey knelt by Gyro's side and began to help him sit up. "I-I'm so sorry, Gyro! What happened?"
Thankfully, neither genius had been knocked out, and Gyro was able to put on a brave face through his suffering, though he now had to squint given that his glasses were broken. "Fantome found the underground tunnels and forced himself in. He caught us completely off guard… and he grabbed some of our costume prototypes." With Minnie's assistance, he managed to stand up, and sadly looked at the broken tubes. "He was going on about becoming the Scarlet, and about cleansing the city… I'm afraid that he's not going to stop until he actually becomes the Third Bloody Sunday."
Mickey steadily looked from person to person, surveying the intense damage as the friends tried to look at the wounds of the injured. Fantome hadn't killed them but only because he was in a rush to seize power. He wasn't going to have that kind of resistance out in the open, now that his plans had been ruined and there was no hope of the city succumbing to the chaos he desired. Wordlessly, Mickey stuck his hand in the tubes' remains, grabbing the last sword available, and headed back to the point of entry. Minnie instantly understood his idea, and made a grab for his arm. "Mickey, you can't go after him! You're injured, and now he's got more power than ever!"
"I have ta try!" Mickey took her hand, taking it off him but keeping a light hold on her delicate fingers. "Everyone else needs ta get the fires out and help the injured. He needs ta be stopped, and I'm the only one who can do it."
"You've done enough!" Tears began to build, and she pressed her face to his arm, hoping that that this upsetting image would be enough to change his mind. "He almost had you killed before… please don't…." He could make all the sound arguments he wanted and he knew none of them would satisfy her. Part of him wanted to agree to with her, to stay behind and ensure her safety personally. But he would not be the man Minnie loved if he didn't care about the safety of others. He kisses her forehead, and she knew she would not win today. She choked back further tears, trying to speak clearly. "… J-Just… promise… to come back to me."
"Don't I always?" Tearing himself apart from her was as painful as tearing off his own arm, yet he still managed to step away, and face the destruction ahead. He broke into a run, one hand placed on his new sword's handle, and joined the night as one of the shadows. The remaining allies helped each other out of the Arche, knowing the last secrets would be exposed, and that with Fantome's reign coming to an end, the Scarlet's time may have come to a close as well.
The Tache bank was one of the last buildings that had been caught up in the flames. All the employees had wisely fled, and now only one man stood in the center, as the stairs dropped around him one by one. Fantome looked up, watching his work die in red, orange, and yellow, the smog creeping downward in what he saw as enriching black. Though the roar of the flames was defiant, he could hear the footsteps carefully coming up behind him. "I knew you would come and find me, Scarlet… or should I say…" He turned on one heel, showing he had sloppily put on similar goggles and a hat matching how his opponent once looked. "Mickey Mouse? Isn't this a fitting place for your funeral?"
Mickey kept his sword at the ready, eyes blinking green and blue. "It doesn't have ta get any bigger than this. Turn yerself over ta the police, and we can end this before anyone else has ta get hurt."
"Are you still playing the role of the hero?" Fantome cackled his own stolen blade swinging in an arm with torn sleeves. "You're not the Scarlet anymore! Now, I'll take over! I'll stab the heart of this city, and when everyone sees their beloved Scarlet betraying them, I will have my Bloody Sunday! Then Queen Noelle will see the bugs of this place must be exterminated! But first, you have to go!" He charged forward with his sword out, and as Mickey blocked it with his own blade, he saw there was no reasoning with Fantome. The plan itself was insanity – even if the rest of the city didn't know Mickey's real identity, Fantome was twice his size and had a different voice.
"That's why ya've been doin' all this?" Already this battle was proving to be wholly different than the first time the two had exchanged blades, when the problems had seemed so much easier to conquer in his ballroom. Fantome had lost his calculated and calm edge, and was swinging wildly with the ferocity of a wild animal. It was taking Mickey's every last nerve to defend himself."Ta get rid of the poor? No one would ever let that happen!"
"It will happen!" Fantome swung hard downward, nearly nicking Mickey's ear. "I will have my city cleansed! I will get rid of those urchins! I built my bank to do it piece by piece, but it wasn't enough! They kept staying here, they kept fighting back to live, they kept seeking help! They don't deserve to be here! Plaguing my streets, sharing their disgusting presence, none of them understand my great will!" When he couldn't touch Mickey with his sword, he kicked at the back of Mickey's shin, sending him down temporarily. "Where you are born determines your life! Everyone should stay in their proper place! And their proper place is gone, there is no more need for them!"
Mickey rolled out of the way before he could be split in half, and wobbly returned to his footing. "Lemme see if I got this straight…" He planted his feet firmly in place as Fantome came for him, arms in a fevered dance. "Ya wanna get ridda everyone ya don't like, everyone beneath ya, everyone who doesn't fit inta yer perfect life… then in that case…" Their swords locked as the two bodies pushed against each other, and Mickey leaned his head in, wanting to make his point clear. "Who's gunna be left?"
Only then did Fantome stop, his eyes widening beneath the goggles that had begun to fall off his ears. Mickey took his chance and delivered a swift kick to Fantome's stomach, sending him back in stumbles. "If ya get ridda everyone ya don't think is worthy, then there ain't gunna be anyone in this city! Ya don't even care about the people who work fer ya! That means no servants, no workers, no one ta follow yer orders, no one ta drive yer carriage, and no one ta pour yer crummy tea! Everyone has a role! No one can live alone! That's why ya won't win!" Mickey held his blade high, and in a blink, it wasn't only Mickey standing there, but the Duchess, Donald, Daisy, others, hundreds of others, everyone who had found unity in France was with him and opposing Fantome. "We will stand fer each other, we will fight for each other, and we will keep livin' fer each other!"
Fantome could feel all their eyes on him now, every member of France in the building was watching him, those he abused, those who he had tried to kill, those he had gotten rid of, they all watched him, they were all together, and it was he who for once was being looked down upon. "Stop it! Stop it! Stop looking at me like that!" He jabbed the air to get rid of the illusions, but they remained, expressing their superiority in their unification, and Fantome screamed as his mind further unraveled. "I don't need any of you! I'll make this my own city! I'll kill you all! I'll kill the damn Queen! I am better than all of you! All of you! Do you hear me?" He managed to pick Mickey out of the ghostly crowd, and he bolted for the boy, the fight far from over. "I will cleanse my city!"
Mickey met him head on, as the roof began to collapse, as the smoke came down further, as the flames ate at their clothes, they went back and forth for survival of body and mind. They could not back down for their causes, even if it meant their lives. Both were injured, both were tired, and both were scarlet colored with blood and fire.
The Tache Bank was now the only building on fire, and as Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Ludwig and Gyro had traveled to offer their aide, they saw a crowd of spectators gazing upon the last remnants of the once intimidating bank. Daisy spotted Peg in the crowd, and tugged her dress to get information. "What's going on? What's everyone doing here?"
Peg didn't cast her eyes away from the billowing sight. "Some guys saw the Scarlet go into the bank. Something really bad is going on inside."
As if to prove that wasn't mere hyperbole, windows shattered with two falling bodies from a lower floor. In the seconds of their fall, all could see Fantome had tackled Mickey out and left behind any rational consequences of his actions. As they both landed, Mickey's sword left his hand, and he gasped for precious air. Fantome threw away his own blade, and picked up Mickey's, savoring the sweet injustice this would bring. "And now, YOU WILL LEAVE MY CITY!"
The shrieks, clamors, and pleas were mercy were not enough to prevent him from holding aloft what he saw as a sacred weapon – so sacred that lights from heaven were blessing him, encompassing him – but in as he looked up, it was not the grace of any deity approving his actions. Her majesty had arrived.
It should come as no surprise that the richest and most powerful people have access to the best technology. Naturally, Queen Noelle would have the best of them all, her gold and silver carriage not equipped with horses or wheels, but with harsh streams of steam allowing it to fly great distances. Nightlights affixed to the sides now shone down on Fantome, keeping his eyes as the carriage began to float downward, and the crowd parted to make way for her drop. When the steam hissed to a halt, the door slid open, and two guards dressed in blues and silver marched out. Both men took out rapiers, a yellow haired man to the left and a silver haired man to the right, and saluted as they announced the same statement. "Announcing her royal highness, Queen Noelle Odette Isabella Xyrisse!" They raised their rapiers, and she exited the carriage.
Was it her beauty that was blinding, or the jewels adorning to her pure white dress? The size of the dress appeared to make up for her small size, given that she was only a young woman, perhaps no older than the Duchess. The remaining flames highlighted her pale skin, but made no reflection on her hair as dark as the night she entered. The folds of her dress flapped akin to angel's wings, walking with quiet steps towards Fantome and Mickey. Many in the crowd bowed, save for those too injured to do so, and save for Minnie who still had to be held back lest she flee to Mickey's side.
The Queen folded her hands as she looked down at the men, and she said nothing, expression giving nothing emotional away. Fantome licked his lips, giggling erratically as he stood, keeping a boot on Mickey's chest. "My Queen! You have arrived just in time! I told you there was an emergency concerning our beloved city, and here it is!" He used his sword to point at Mickey, who stuck his tongue out in return. "I have captured the infamous Scarlet! He's the notorious thief that has been tearing our city apart! He mocks your authority, and has attacked myself and so many others! This urchin got it into his head to commit crimes but never endure punishment! I know you will do the right thing, and execute him with all due process!"
The queen still did not speak, nor did she emote, which gave Donald the time to break from the crowd, yelling "Wait! No, it's not true! The truth is… is… is that I'm the Scarlet!" anyone still bowing nearly snapped their necks to stare at Donald after such a declaration. "I can prove it, too! I can lead you to my headquarters! I… I used my uncle's money to build it! This kid was taking my place so I could run away, but I'm the one you should throw in jail! Take me instead!"
Fantome howled with laughter, slapping a hand to his face. "Oh, the futility of friendship! Do you really think you can make such claims now? The game's over! I have the real Scarlet!"
"Yes, and it's me!' Minnie took her place beside Donald, hands pressed to her heart. "I'm the Scarlet! I use my powers as the Duchess to infiltrate and fool others! It's me you should take!"
The Duke's laughter began to die down, and his hand twitched as it ran down his sweating face. "That's quite enough. There's nothing more you fools can do to-"
"The Professor was the Scarlet the whole time!" Ludwig waved his broken glasses in the air, as he and Gyro used each other for support. "I faked my death so you'd never suspect it! Don't you love a good plot twist?"
Fantome's multi-muscle twitch was starting up again. "I said that's enough, all of you-"
"I'm the real Scarlet!" Gyro took his turn, and each declaration was more powerful than the last. "I designed the costumes!"
"Stop it!" Fantome waved his sword at the crowd, thinking he could somehow scare them off all at once. "Shut up! It's over!" Even with his foot pressing hard into Mickey, the mouse was smiling from ear to ear, hoping no one was watching the water building up in his eyes. He knew he had helped the city, but to hear that they were so grateful…
"I'm the Scarlet!" Daisy joined in, and then Peg, "No, it's me!" Horace and Clarabelle called out together "We're the Scarlet!" More voices joined in, raising their fists, coughing their ashen lungs and injured bodies. "I'm the Scarlet!" proclaimed Duke Rabbit, Magica, Brigitta, Goldie, "Lock me up!" came Gladstone, Katarina, Pete, Shyster, Fou, "It was me!" Scrooge, Ducksworth, Max, Roxanne, Goofy, everyone the Scarlet had saved, everyone he had fought, they had all been touched in their own way, and now they were exactly what Ludwig and Gyro had imagined the Scarlet to be – a force, a will, a way to bring people together.
"SHUT UP!" Fantome used every ounce of air in his body to silence them, and yet they continued to each take up the hero's name. "Shut up! Shut up! The Scarlet is dead! The Scarlet is DEEEAAAD!" He held his sword with both hands, plunged downward –
And had his moustache yanked by the Queen. The one move created the silence Fantome wanted, and when Noelle spoke, it was of true calmness he could never master. "Duke Fantome Tache. I see a man in costume about to kill a young boy. I see a man who is assaulting and threatening others. I see a man whose wealth and power could have allowed him to get away with a number of awful matters. I believe I have the real Scarlet right here." She raised her other hand, signaling to her guards. "Ventus. Riku. Arrest him."
"Non!" Fantome bellowed, and he changed the direction of his blade, trying to impale the queen, but the guards were quicker than his exhausted body. Dual punches to his face and stomach made him trip backwards over Mickey's body, and he had no time to get up before the guards were grabbing his arms, handcuffing him and dragging him back to the carriage. "Non! Non non non! This isn't supposed to happen to me! I'm the superior one! Me! Me!" The silver haired guard – Riku, and Mickey gawked as the name echoed in familiar memories – stuffed a glove into Fantome's mouth to shut him up.
With no reason to keep her back anymore, Minnie was freed, and she flew into Mickey's arms as he sat up. She smothered his face in kisses, calling him a fool and declaring her love for him with every breath. He held her gently, and once Minnie was entirely sure her precious lover was alive, they both looked up to Noelle, whose face had not changed yet whose eyes were caught in wistful fondness. "Thank you, your highness." Minnie bowed her head.
"There is no need." Noelle waved her hand airily before extending it to Mickey, aiding him to stand. "Had I known that our dear Mickey was in danger, I would have come much sooner."
Mickey let go of her highness's hand when he heard his name, tired brows pushed together. "Ya… ya know my name?"
"Why, of course." Noelle smiled timidly, at last showing emotion as she touched her cheek, her white skin making her blush come in harder than it would for most people. "You don't remember me? … Well, I can't blame you. I have not been on these streets in a long time… and this city has paid for it." She faced the flickers of flames that destroyed the bank floor by floor, eradicating Fantome's power for good. "I abandoned my friends to take a hold of my royal duties, but I was only a child… so much was expected of me, and I did not know how to use the power I was born into. Playing with you, and the other children, that was my escape. But once I left you, I was afraid to come back, afraid to expose the lies I led you all to believe… and because I was not looking after my city, it has endured so much suffering. I cannot apologize enough for all I've neglected to do."
Minnie and Mickey exchanged shrugs, and the Duchess tried her hand at questioning. "Forgive me, your highness, but… what do you mean, playing with him?"
"I played with you too, Minerva… No, Minnie." Now her smile became teasing, tilting her head as some of her hair fell forward. "You weren't the only spoiled girl who ran to the streets and played with the lower class. I even mixed up my name to keep up the charade. Do you not remember little Xion?"
"X… Xion?" Mickey's jaw dropped so far that he thought he'd hit the ground. He did remember little Xion, but who would have guessed the shyest and quietest girl out of their group was the most important person in all of France?
Xion – Noelle – bent over to touch Mickey's chin and return his jaw up. "As I said, the errors that this city has gone through are my own. Perhaps it is fortunate that Duke Tache called me, so I could return to where I belong, and where my help is needed. I must no longer hide away. All I ask in return is for you two to invite me to the wedding."
"W-W-Weddin'?" Mickey's jaw was promptly down again, and Minnie flushed darkly, needing Mickey's arm to keep from falling over in shock.
"Of course." She repeated, turning her back to the embarrassed mice. "Everyone in our group could see you two were meant for one another. It broke all the hearts of the girls… Selphie, Kairi, even I held a torch for you. But we understood very early that you only had eyes for the other. Now, if you'll excuse me… I must tend to my people." She approached the masses, and knelt down before them, taking a young child's hand, and asking what she needed. She did this for all around her, asking what they needed, and what had gone wrong.
The wind was picking up, and Minnie felt she was becoming curled up in the remnants of Mickey's cape. She could see their friends approaching, and she looked to him, fingers curled up on his heart. "… What do we do now?"
Mickey didn't know. But as long as he had a moment to breathe clearly and think clearly, he took it to kiss her cheek. He felt her smile as they pressed their cheeks together, the future far away and unimportant. They had each other now.
One Year Later.
Her high heels almost boomed in the quiet of the night. It had rained earlier, but she kept her umbrella up, in case of any leftover surprise showers. She supposed it wasn't the smartest ideas to take this journey at night, but anticipation hadn't allowed her wait any longer. Exchanging letters with Duke Roger had been fun, but soon it wasn't enough for her, and she wanted to meet the man in person. She had booked the boat from America at once, though she was now having trouble remembering his directions. She stopped on the sidewalk, and set aside her umbrella to pull out the letter from her purse. After brushing some stray red hair from her eyes, she reread his words, smiling as she tried to imagine his voice reading it out loud.
After calling her his loveliest Jessica, he had praised the new school that was finally finished near the restored Arche. Ludwig Von Drake and Gyro Gearloose had successfully returned to society, and their smartest student, Max Geef, was helping them come up with a way to transmit moving images using televised views, whatever that meant. Until their project was complete, they, Roxanne and Goofy used the school as a home and as a way to stay with their new family. She was to take a left at the school, and go across from the police station that had taken down its guillotine by orders of Chief of Police Horace Horsecollar. Deputy Clarabelle Cow might be patrolling the street nearby, but as Jessica looked around, the cow was nowhere in sight. Perhaps she was keeping guard of the jailed Shyster, Gladstone, and Fou, but speculation was not for now.
Then Jessica was to make a right at the church that was still going through construction, with the project being looked over by Donald and his fiancé Daisy. Scrooge was reluctantly helping to finance the project, with support from his trio of girlfriends who had yet to nail a ring on him. Jessica was more than welcome to attend the party for when it was finished, and there had been rumors that Donald's country were allowed to come for the celebration. Then Jessica was to round the corner near the winery that had been built over the remains of the former bank, headed by Peg, her apprentice Katarina, and the awkward boyfriend Pete. Roger planned to invite her to have a drink there once Jessica arrived.
Jessica had found the winery, but she had also found trouble. Her letter was snatched out of her hands, and brute, dirty claws grabbed her throat, slamming her into a nearby wall. "Hold it right there, madam!" A snarling dog held her in place, with three other beagle faced goons at his back. "Don Karnage hasn't had a robbery gone right since… ever! But this time, there's no disguised dummy to stop me! So hand over all of your money, or we will hand over your life!" He paused, realizing the threat was mixed up. "… No, Don Karnage means… we will… hand over… oh, I can't even think of anymore ridiculous metaphors! Someone help me!"
"That's my job, sir."
Karnage looked up in time to have a red boot kick him in the face from above. As Karnage reeled and tried to collect any loose teeth, the other dogs advanced on the one who had interrupted their crime. Jessica rubbed her eyes to make sure this was real, and indeed, there stood a mouse dressed in a red costume, with propped up goggles and a feathered hat, having stepped out from a romance novel. "Going after a newcomer to our fair city? Shame on you boys. That's not how you greet a lady." He pulled out his sword, and easily sidestepped the thugs who came after him. He drew little blood, and only sought to stop them, not kill them. "If you've got an apology ready, I'd be happy to hear it." Even his voice carried secrets, clearly altered but she did not know how.
Karnage could see his men being beaten without much effort, and knew in little time he'd be next. Maybe this time, the dog could catch the mouse off guard! Grinning wickedly, he pulled out a stolen dagger from his belt, and advanced behind the hero. He aimed to stab through that red cape –
Until he felt someone else tapping his shoulder. Again, he looked up, and he saw a young lady standing sideways on the wall, magnet boots keeping her in place. "Couldn't wait your turn?" She too had an altered voice; she too wore boots, a cape, goggles, and weaponry around her waist. But unlike the red vigilante, her theme was purple, including purple hairclips to keep her ponytail in place. Karnage gaped, so she gave him another kick to the face, this time costing him both front teeth. She daintly landed on the ground, smoothing down her clothes. "I hope I'm not late?"
"Not at all, most precious." He casually flipped one goon over his shoulder, leading the girl to punch the same villain away. "An entrance is everything, after all." It under a minute, all four vagabonds had been beaten into humiliation until they had the sense to run away with literal tails between their legs. "Looks as if I took most of the fun. My apologies."
Jessica had not blinked once during the entire affair, thinking if she had she would have missed more incredulous moments. When speech returned to her, the possibility of this all being a dream became less likely. "Who… who are you?"
The one in red tipped his hat as he returned his sword to its scabbard. "Who we are is an excellent question… but during your stay here, you will find that what we are has more value. I am the Scarlet."
"And I am his wife, the Violet." The girl finished, offering a curtsey. "We help the rich and the poor, for we help all people who wish to help others. We shatter the lines that divide us, and seek to keep the France that has equality as the norm. Those who seek to harm others for their own greed shall meet the kisses of our blades. We are the unity that France shall always keep."
Jessica wasn't sure if she understood, but perhaps Roger would be able to explain it better. She reached for her purchase, wanting to find a suitable reward. "Thank you… let me-"
"No need, my lady." The Scarlet waved the matter off. "As long as you spend another night safe, then we are satisfied. But the night is young, and no matter whom reigns, dark hearts still abound. Adieu." Another tip of his hat, and then he ran up against the wall, the Violet joining him in defying gravity soon after. Soon Jessica could only see their silhouettes against the full moon.
Fantome would never see life outside a jail cell again, but those with cruel intentions would always seek ways to further their dark ambitions. Perhaps there would be some day when heroes weren't needed, but it wasn't tonight. The mice chuckled as they heard Gyro's praise on a job well done, and Ludwig give off commentary about how their next prose-filled speech should go. The Scarlet rolled his eyes, but then kept them firmly on the Violet, who was prancing from tile to tile in glee. "I think I'm getting better at this!" She chirped, twirling for her next leap.
"I know you are. But maybe tonight, you could work a little less." He caught up to her, and then picked her up before she had time to reason what happened. Then she was in his arms, being carried as he zig-zagged around chimneys like he had over a year ago when the Scarlet had whisked the Duchess away from danger. "There, much better!"
"Says you!" She pretended to punch his chest, kicking her feet about as she snickered and wrapped her arms around his neck. Until they found the next fight, she would enjoy the best way to travel. She kissed his jaw line, and softly whispered to him. "You'll love me, no matter how late I am, or what trouble I'll get into?"
"Don't I always?"
The End.