Back, and better than ever.

True Colors

The next day, Mickey was washing his hands in the boy's bathroom when he heard the door open. He didn't think much of it, and didn't even look up until he heard a deep, angry voice sound from where the door was stationed. "Hey, I've got a bone to pick with you." He whipped his head around, and saw Mortimer looking at him, the same way Mickey once saw a lion look at a zebra at the zoo.

His eyes narrowed at the sight of the obnoxious teenager, and began to walk past him. "I have no idea what you're talking about, Bennet. I don't want any trouble, and I really need to be getting back to class, so just leave me alone." Suddenly Mortimer's hand shot out, and closed around the collar of Mickey's shirt.

"Sorry Allwine, but I don't simply leave people alone, especially when they try to interfere with me getting what I want. I know you left that kitten on Minnie's doorstep, she was telling her friends all about the 'miracle' in history class. Now listen here you little weakling, because I'm only going to tell you this once.

"That girl's mine, and judging by the way she gets so starstruck around me, I can only guess that the feeling is mutual." Mickey glared at him, barely feeling the pull as the fabric around his neck grew tighter. "Minnie isn't a thing that you can own, she's a person with emotions and feelings and dreams of her own, and one of these days she's going to realize what a sexist jerk you are."

Mortimer smirked. "You know what they say, the bigger the talk, the weaker the man. Minnie won't have a choice once I take her to the semiformal. We'll have some punch, slow dance and before you know it, she'll be too wrapped around my finger to even care about what I might say or do."

Getting angrier by the second, Mickey balled his fist and said, "If you lay one finger on her I swear I'll kill you!" He then aimed the fist right at Mortimer's face and let it fly. He saw it coming though, and with a vicious grin easily stopped the punch with the hand that didn't have a hold on Mickey's shirt.

"You think you can, little bastard? I'd like to see you try." He then let go of Mickey's shirt, kept his hold on the fist and let his own punch loose.

It hit Mickey square on his right eye, and his head hit the wall behind him; and what came after was a pain that he could only compare with the time he was bike riding with Donald, and crashed into a brick wall. Blood gushed out of his nose, and when Mortimer let go of Mickey's fist, he fell to the ground in a heap.

Mortimer looked down at Mickey and smirked, lazily saying, "I believe my work is done here." Suddenly Yen Sid burst into the bathroom, asking what was going on in a raised voice. Mortimer tried to lie in order to save his own skin, but the teacher saw through his illusions and simply told him to go immediately to the principal's office. Mickey watched the black loafers that Yen Sid was wearing come closer with hazy vision.

"Mr. Allwine, get up and come to my office now. Come on, that's it," he said as he pulled up Mickey by the arm. Yen Sid then grasped him by the shoulders, and finally put one of Mickey's arms around his shoulders, to support him more easily. Still, despite all of the pain he was experiencing, Mickey found the strength to groan inwardly as he became sure that he was definitely in trouble.

Yen Sid sat down behind his desk, and motioned for Mickey to take the armchair in front of him. Mickey nervously sat down, and braced himself for what was going to come. "I wouldn't blame you if you called my parents, but just know that I was just minding my own business in there. I wasn't looking for a fight, especially with Mortimer."

Yen Sid simply handed him a tissue and an ice pack for his eye and head, and replied. "Is that what you think I am going to do, Mr. Allwine? I've watched you over the past week, and I can tell that you aren't one to get into a fight, at least not for the wrong purposes. You welcomed Mr. Geef with open arms, a person who came to school without any friends and any reason to expect to fit in.

"You have acted above and beyond with Mr. Foray, even though he has been openly estranged from you and your father, and Mr. Bennett wasn't the only one who figured out that you must have given Miss Taylor the kitten that she was so elated about in class today. Although I know you aren't perfect, I can think of few people throughout the history of the world, that would have taken the time to act with the kindness that you have exhibited so easily."

Mickey's eyes widened at his teacher's words, amazed at what he was hearing. "You mean, you aren't going to punish me?" Mr. Sid chuckled and said, "I do not know why you are acting so surprised.

"I was listening to the whole conversation before I finally intervened, and the way you protected Miss Taylor, is something I have not heard in a long time. You're a human being, so it's perfectly natural for you to feel angry at times. Sometimes anger is the drive we need in order to do what's right, as long as we realize what we are fighting for. As long as you do that, Mr. Allwine, I see no reason why you shouldn't ever succeed."

Mickey grinned at the teacher he once thought was mean and overbearing, and thanked him fully. "Thank you, Mr. Sid. Those words were really inspiring, and I think I have a lot more confidence now." Yen Sid returned the smile and said, "you are welcome, but this must remain our little secret. Cannot have the other students thinking I've gone soft, can I?" Mickey laughed at this, shook his head and walked out the room, feeling like he could take on the world.