Here is the next chapter. Hope you like it! Enjoy!

Mean Street

Gus fluttered behind a raging Ortensia. She pushed open the doors of Town Hall and rushed pass Pete ignoring his yelling. "You can't go in there!" They stopped in front of the cell holding Minnie. She was curled up in the corner, shivering slightly. Her red polka dot dress was muddy and tattered.

"Minnie." Ortensia said quietly. The mouse stirred and looked up. At first her eyes were brown so heartwarming and kind, then she blinked. Her eyes were Thinner green again. Minnie turned away from the sensitive cat.

Gus put his gloved hand on Ortensia's shoulder. "Let's get her out." He pulled out his trusty wrench and started to tinker with the lock. "It's reinforced with toon. We need Thinner to unlock it all the way." Gus kept working on the lock while Ortensia went to locate a bucket of Thinner.

Ventureland

Mickey and Daisy cleaned the last of the Thinner welts. Oswald was already looking better. "He needs some rest." Daisy said as she started to pack the kit away. They left the room and headed towards the kitchen.

"Is it true? About the hearts?" She asked as Mickey sat in the breakfast nook.

"What about the hearts?" Mickey said looking at the animatronic.

"That forgotten toons can earn their hearts. A Gremlin came through mumbling about theories as he worked." Mickey looked away from Daisy. This Daisy never had a heart, never appeared in the toon world like real Daisy. Are both Daisies real?

"I don't know. Oswald, he is a special case, I would have never thought that he would be the toon to earn a heart. When I met him, he was mean, coarse and unrefined. Now he would give his life to anyone of you toons. He has been through so much, and not even thanked once." Mickey looked at his hands. Was it his fault? Had he never been thought up, only a sketch, would Oswald be in his place? The most recognized toon in the world.

"I would give up my fame to make him happy." Mickey said.

Oswald could not believe what he had just heard Mickey say. Oswald limped silently to the couch. He had regained consciousness and followed Mickey's and Daisy's voices. But Mickey would give up being a hero, just for his happiness. Oswald thought of the long months after Ortensia went inert. He blamed Mickey for everything. His loss in fame, his father, his misery. He blamed Mickey. Mickey did accidentally cause the Thinner Disaster, but Oswald had forgiven him for that. Together they saved Wasteland, and they will save it again.

The voices quieted in the kitchen. "We should go check on him." Mickey said. Oswald listened as Mickey's yellow shoes and Daisy's metallic feet walked to the living room. Oswald remained seated on the couch.

Daisy entered the room and put a hand to her metal bodice. Oswald sat there, one floppy ear up, the other hanging by his face. Mickey walked in behind her. He looked at Oswald and rushed to him. Mickey put his arms around His brother. Oswald winced, "Careful, I am not so lucky at the moment." Mickey gave a little chuckle. He sat right next to Oswald.

"Would you actually give up your fame for me?" Oswald asked.

"You heard that?" Mickey scratched the back of his head. "Yes I would. I would give up my fame for you. You deserve it. It was you who pressed the button to set off the fireworks to defeat the Blot. You're the one who saw the good in the Mad Doctor and made him a toon again. It has all been you. Yet I am the one who the toons look up to. Oswald you are my brother and once you earn your heart, I will step aside and let the toon world love you. Together we will be the most recognized toons in the world."

Mean Street

Ortensia entered the Emporium. "Hello Ortensia," Casey said, "What are you looking for today?"

"I need a small bucket of Thinner; do you think you have one?" She replied. Casey caressed his chin. A light bulb appeared over his head and he ducked behind the counter. Ortensia bounced nervously. Random things flew out along with "no's" from Casey; a rubber duck, a spare pin back, a tuba.

"Ah Ha! Found one." Casey popped back up. Ortensia stopped her bouncing.

"How much?" she asked pulling out her E-tickets.

"For such a lovely toon, I'll make you a deal. Ten E-tickets." Casey handed her the Thinner and she put ten tickets on the counter.

Gus had gotten through the regular lock and was only waiting on Ortensia. One the cat had left Minnie faced him and watched him with curiosity. Gus noticed that the green of her eyes was not as bright. Hopefully this wretched spell was wearing off. If it did wear off.

Ortensia rushed in. Pete had given up on keeping them out. Maybe he wasn't in league with Petetronic. She handed Gus the Thinner and watched as he worked. Gremlins had always intrigued her. The way they happily fluttered about fixing things just made everyone happy. Well almost all of the Gremlins made toons happy. At the moment it was Prescott's fault that Minnie was like this.

Gus poured Thinner on the lock. "Finally." He opened the door. Minnie did not move. Ortensia entered and kneeled to her level.

"Minnie, we are here to help. We will not hurt you." Ortensia extended her hand. Minnie looked at the sweet cat's face and back to her hand. She took Ortensia's hand. Together they stood. Ortensia resisted the urge to hug her but they had to get out.

Gus fluttered in front while Ortensia guided Minnie, who was holding her hand tightly. As they approached the door Pete stepped in their way. "I said you can't take that out there. She would cause a panic among the toons." He said.

"So, those wouldn't panic a toon?" Gus said pointing at the two Sweepers appearing behind Pete. Pete shrugged. He pointed at the Gremlin, "Get them."

Gus, Ortensia, and Minnie ran back towards the cells.

"Gus, how are we getting out of here? It's a dead end." Ortensia asked. Gus looked about.

"Minnie's cell." He said. Ortensia gave him a confused look. Gus fluttered up to the ceiling. A trapdoor opened at the first hit of the wrench.

"It's painted in above. Hand me the rest of the Thinner." Ortensia tossed the bucket to him, careful not to spill it. She put Minnie behind her and watched the door. The sounds of the Sweepers were getting closer.

Gus grunted and threw the Thinner at the painted toon. It was just enough to get rid of it. He fluttered down and picked up Minnie, who snarled at the sudden touch. Gus grabbed Ortensia's arms just in time to see the Sweepers enter the cell.

Ortensia grabbed Minnie's hand and jumped to the train platform. Gus quickly got tickets and they all hopped on the train to Ostown.