A/N: I don't own Danger Mouse or any of the characters. Kim Taylor,
however, is my character and should not be used without my permission!
Thankyou for all the kind reviews I got from the first one - and special thanks to Sabertooth Kitty, Aquila and Trynia Merin!
WARNING! This fic is just DRIPPING with angst and despair! If you don't like it, there's the door! __ (Oh, plus a couple of Crumhorm-based episode spoilers in this first chapter).
Other than that, enjoy! :)
*
Friends and Enemies
*
Chapter One
It had been nearly two months now since Danger Mouse and Penfold had met Kim Taylor, and their lives had changed dramatically ever since.
Kim had made it as a trainee on the force. She had moved in with DM and Penfold, at least for the duration of her training, and was beginning to get used to her new surroundings. She was starting from the roots - shooting practice and simple defence moves, gradually moving upwards to the more complex activities. So far, she was doing quite well. DM enjoyed the time with her - he knew being an agent was what Kim desperately wanted, so he helped her as much as he could to boost her confidence.
When she wasn't training, Kim would help around the house and spend her time doing casual things, like listening to music or writing to her family. She still missed them, but her two new friends were making her feel welcome.
But Kim couldn't tell who was making her feel more welcome. Penfold, who had taken a shine to Kim right from the beginning, had latched onto Kim like a little brother. This had come as a pleasant surprise to her as she was the youngest in her family, and had always depended on her own two brothers. But now, having somone look up to her comforted Kim. It made her feel responsible, and helped to ease the pain inside of missing her parents.
And then there was Danger Mouse. He was kind and gentle towards Kim. His presence made her want to do more, and try and achieve everything this opportunity had to offer. Kim had never met anyone like him. She remembered that first night she'd been here, how she had been upset in the middle of the night because she had suddenly felt so homesick, and how DM had come in and sat on the bed with her, holding her, stroking her hair, whispering comfortingly. He had stayed with her until five in the morning, when she'd drifted off in his arms. When she had woken up at ten in the morning, DM had gone.
The relationship between the two of them seemed to be at a standstill, at least for now. Normally, DM and Kim would exchange at most a hug and a gentle peck on the cheek, or even the lips. But nothing more had come out of it. Kim tried not to notice this, and kept herself involved with her training and every-day activities. She knew she couldn't force anything. It was early days yet...
*
It was a chilly October morning when Penfold dragged himself down to the kitchen where Kim was making breakfast. DM was helping her.
"Morning". Penfold sat at the table and yawned.
"Good morning, Penfold", smiled DM, putting a bowl of porridge in front of him.
"Morning, Penfold", added Kim, handing him the jam, "Sleep well?"
"It was alright, except for that rain. It was thudding against the sides of the pillar-box, didn't you hear it?' asked Penfold, digging into his breakfast.
"Yes, I did", replied DM, "Just a taste of what kind of weather we'll be having for - Halloween this year".
DM seemed to pause before he said the word 'Halloween'. Kim frowned for a moment, then shrugged it off. It was probably nothing to worry about.
At that moment, the alarm rang in the lounge. DM ran right through to answer it.
"Colonel K calling Danger Mouse".
"Danger Mouse here, sir", answered DM, as the Colonel's face appeared on the screen.
"Ah, glad I reached you", replied the Colonel, "I've got an assignment for you!"
"Yes?" asked DM, "What is it this time, sir?"
"It's that Doctor Crumhorn", answered Colonel K, "He's planning something on the other side of London".
"Planning something? What?" asked DM, as Kim and Penfold came into the lounge to see what was wrong.
"That's the thing, DM", replied Colonel K, "We don't know!"
DM was surprised.
"He's in London - what could he be planning here?" he wondered out loud.
"Whatever it is, you'd better go and stop him, DM", was the answer.
"Right sir. Over and out".
The screen went blank as always and DM turned to Kim.
"Kim, I want you to stay here. Penfold will come with me".
"Right, DM", answered Kim confidently, "I'll practice my aim, then have a cup of tea waiting when you get back".
Danger Mouse smiled at her. He hoped to get this mission over with quickly so he could return. Return to be with Kim.
"So long!" He grabbed Penfold and hopped onto the couch.
"But I haven't finished my - WOOOOOOOOAH!" Penfold's whine turned to a cry as the couch dipped downwards and travelled quickly to the Mark III.
"Rotter", muttered Penfold as the car drove through the slab in the pavement and flew up into the air.
*
The huge house at the very end of London was unused and uncared for. Since its last owner, an old man by the name of Percy Moore, had died a year ago, leaving it to no-one, it had been left alone.
Until now.
At the very top of the house, there a was a large attic, and it was here that Dr. Augustus P. Crumhorn III was outlining his final plans for world domination.
The fiendish rat, dressed as always in his lab coat and possessing a mad gleam within his dull eyes, was just putting the finishing touches to a machine lying on the large table in front of him. He stepped back and looked at it, satisfied with the results. Then he turned and yelled down the ladder leading up here.
"WOODRUFF!"
A collie dog dressed in a crisp white shirt and black trousers came up the ladder. His eyes were round, and contained no life. He stared at everything as though it were not there.
Woodruff stopped directly in front of Crumhorn. He lifted his head slightly to meet his eyes.
"Yes?" he asked in a deep, yet flat, voice.
"Go to the kitchen", ordered Crumhorn.
Woodruff merely nodded. Then he turned and went back down the ladder, out of sight.
Crumhorn turned back to the table, to the machine he had been working on.
The object had two straight handles either side. The very tip of the machine was somewhat pointed, with a large hole in the middle. This held a green lightbulb. And on the other side of the handles, at the other end of the invention, there was a small screen with a keyboard, neatly fused into the machine. The screen was a dullish green and when Crumhorm typed a few words in, they were a lighter shade.
Break two bottles.
Crumhorn pricked his ears intently and waited for any noise. Then he smiled as he heard the distinct sound of glass breaking below.
"My mind-control ray works perfectly", he grinned, looking at the now- revealed invention. He couldn't wait to use it on his victim - Danger Mouse.
Crumhorn's eyes narrowed as he thought of some of the previous occasions when he had tried to beat his long-time enemy. Like when he had created sharks that could swim through concrete - a great invention, but unable to stand up to the White Wonder. DM had not only destroyed the sharks, but had also blown up Crumhorn's lab, which had been based in an oil refinary.
And then there was the time when Crumhorn had used his transformation pills to turn himself into a little girl to dupe DM into getting him into Fort Knox. But somehow, DM had swapped the pills for cough-drops and Crumhorn had found himself trapped in the vault with the gold that he had intended to steal for himself!
Crumhorn closed his eyes in fury. This time, he would have his revenge. Danger Mouse and that whimpering assistant of his would pay. Crumhorn had been looking forward to it for weeks. He had worked day and night on his plan and hoped that the results would be rewarding.
There was more to this feud than met the eye. A secret that DM had probably concealed from his stupid friends in the agency was a secret that Crumhorn knew all too well. And he was determined to let the truth out, to watch as it ruined Danger Mouse's life.
Thirteen years we have kept this secret to ourselves, he thought, But it's time for the world to know what their hero is really like.
And I'll be rid of him for good.
His plan was to manipulate Danger Mouse with the mind control ray. The hypnotic power within it was so strong that not even DM would be able to resist. He would be completely in Crumhorn's power, and would do everything that Crumhorn told him to. He would unknowingly destroy Penfold - and that new trainee girl who Danger Mouse spent all his time with. Then Crumhorn would sit back and watch as DM was arrested and spent the rest of his days in a jail cell. Then Crumhorn would be free to plot world domination.
Crumhorn couldn't stop himself letting out a long, evil laugh.
"It cannot fail!" he cried, "Danger Mouse is MINE!"
*
At this moment, DM and Penfold were pulling up outside the house that Crumhorn was said to be based.
"Right, Penfold", said DM in a low voice, "Be careful. This place is too quiet for my liking".
Penfold nodded as DM made his way towards the gate. Then he stopped, and looked down at himself, then back at Penfold. They were ordinary mouse and hamster size.
DM quickly activated his watch, and grew into his human size. Penfold, still waiting outside, looked around quickly and then activated his own. He too grew human-size.
DM walked through the gate and looked around.
"Come on, Penfold", he whispered, "It's all clear".
The nervous hamster came through the gate and ran to catch up with DM, who was walking quickly towards the front door.
"How do we get in, Chief?" he asked as they both stood looking at it.
"I don't know - good grief", added DM, as the door suddenly opened a crack. It was as if someone from inside had unlocked the door.
"Let's get out of here", moaned Penfold, tugging at DM's arm. He shook him off gently.
"Penfold, there's nothing to worry about", he exclaimed, "I'm right here".
Penfold gulped, but nodded as DM pushed the door open and stepped cautiously inside.
Inside, it was huge. The place must have had at least five floors. DM tried not to marvel as Penfold stepped in beside him.
"There's no-one around, but we'd better not take chances", whispered DM, "We'll search upstairs, and then I'll take a quick look in the attic".
Penfold braced himself for those two words he hated DM using.
"Alright, Penfold - come on!"
*
DM tore himself away from the last room they had searched. He had found nothing . The place seemed empty. Had the agency made a mistake, sending him here?
There was still the attic above him. The hatch was closed, but the ladder had been folded into the hatchway.
"Penfold!" hissed DM.
Penfold poked his head around the door two rooms down.
"I'm going to take a look up here", hissed DM, "Go on downstairs without me. I'll be right there".
"Er, right Chief", replied Penfold. He made his way towards the stairs and disappeared down them.
"Alright", said DM to himself, as he jumped up to reach for the ladder. "Let's see what's up here".
*
Crumhorn smiled as he heard the hatchway open. Crouched under the the table with his mind-control ray, he heard footsteps on the ladder, and then Danger Mouse himself entered the attic.
Crumhorn scowled as he watched his enemy look around. How he would love to just leap out and fight him, hurt him, get rid of him through a slow and painful death.
No, he thought, I must stick to my original plan. I just hope Woodruff is in hiding somewhere in the house.
Woodruff, on Crumhorn's orders, had unlocked the front door, allowing DM and Penfol to slip in, but then had been told to hide in another part of the place. Crumhorn couldn't allow anything to go wrong. He had been waiting for this for far too long.
As DM passed the table, Crumhorn leapt out in front of him. Startled, DM stumbled back, but then frowned, recognising him.
"Doctor Crum - "
Quickly, Crumhorm held up the mind-control ray and switched a button on the belly of the machine.
Immediately, the ray's hypnotic green glare came to life as DM found himself immersed. He couldn't look away...he was...what was Crumhorn DOING to him...?
"You are under my influence", growled Crumhorn's voice, as Danger Mouse felt his head go round and round. He wished it would stop...he couldn't take much more...
DM swayed, and then, very slowly, fell forwards. He landed on his stomach, hearing an evil laugh somewhere above him before passing out completely.
Thankyou for all the kind reviews I got from the first one - and special thanks to Sabertooth Kitty, Aquila and Trynia Merin!
WARNING! This fic is just DRIPPING with angst and despair! If you don't like it, there's the door! __ (Oh, plus a couple of Crumhorm-based episode spoilers in this first chapter).
Other than that, enjoy! :)
*
Friends and Enemies
*
Chapter One
It had been nearly two months now since Danger Mouse and Penfold had met Kim Taylor, and their lives had changed dramatically ever since.
Kim had made it as a trainee on the force. She had moved in with DM and Penfold, at least for the duration of her training, and was beginning to get used to her new surroundings. She was starting from the roots - shooting practice and simple defence moves, gradually moving upwards to the more complex activities. So far, she was doing quite well. DM enjoyed the time with her - he knew being an agent was what Kim desperately wanted, so he helped her as much as he could to boost her confidence.
When she wasn't training, Kim would help around the house and spend her time doing casual things, like listening to music or writing to her family. She still missed them, but her two new friends were making her feel welcome.
But Kim couldn't tell who was making her feel more welcome. Penfold, who had taken a shine to Kim right from the beginning, had latched onto Kim like a little brother. This had come as a pleasant surprise to her as she was the youngest in her family, and had always depended on her own two brothers. But now, having somone look up to her comforted Kim. It made her feel responsible, and helped to ease the pain inside of missing her parents.
And then there was Danger Mouse. He was kind and gentle towards Kim. His presence made her want to do more, and try and achieve everything this opportunity had to offer. Kim had never met anyone like him. She remembered that first night she'd been here, how she had been upset in the middle of the night because she had suddenly felt so homesick, and how DM had come in and sat on the bed with her, holding her, stroking her hair, whispering comfortingly. He had stayed with her until five in the morning, when she'd drifted off in his arms. When she had woken up at ten in the morning, DM had gone.
The relationship between the two of them seemed to be at a standstill, at least for now. Normally, DM and Kim would exchange at most a hug and a gentle peck on the cheek, or even the lips. But nothing more had come out of it. Kim tried not to notice this, and kept herself involved with her training and every-day activities. She knew she couldn't force anything. It was early days yet...
*
It was a chilly October morning when Penfold dragged himself down to the kitchen where Kim was making breakfast. DM was helping her.
"Morning". Penfold sat at the table and yawned.
"Good morning, Penfold", smiled DM, putting a bowl of porridge in front of him.
"Morning, Penfold", added Kim, handing him the jam, "Sleep well?"
"It was alright, except for that rain. It was thudding against the sides of the pillar-box, didn't you hear it?' asked Penfold, digging into his breakfast.
"Yes, I did", replied DM, "Just a taste of what kind of weather we'll be having for - Halloween this year".
DM seemed to pause before he said the word 'Halloween'. Kim frowned for a moment, then shrugged it off. It was probably nothing to worry about.
At that moment, the alarm rang in the lounge. DM ran right through to answer it.
"Colonel K calling Danger Mouse".
"Danger Mouse here, sir", answered DM, as the Colonel's face appeared on the screen.
"Ah, glad I reached you", replied the Colonel, "I've got an assignment for you!"
"Yes?" asked DM, "What is it this time, sir?"
"It's that Doctor Crumhorn", answered Colonel K, "He's planning something on the other side of London".
"Planning something? What?" asked DM, as Kim and Penfold came into the lounge to see what was wrong.
"That's the thing, DM", replied Colonel K, "We don't know!"
DM was surprised.
"He's in London - what could he be planning here?" he wondered out loud.
"Whatever it is, you'd better go and stop him, DM", was the answer.
"Right sir. Over and out".
The screen went blank as always and DM turned to Kim.
"Kim, I want you to stay here. Penfold will come with me".
"Right, DM", answered Kim confidently, "I'll practice my aim, then have a cup of tea waiting when you get back".
Danger Mouse smiled at her. He hoped to get this mission over with quickly so he could return. Return to be with Kim.
"So long!" He grabbed Penfold and hopped onto the couch.
"But I haven't finished my - WOOOOOOOOAH!" Penfold's whine turned to a cry as the couch dipped downwards and travelled quickly to the Mark III.
"Rotter", muttered Penfold as the car drove through the slab in the pavement and flew up into the air.
*
The huge house at the very end of London was unused and uncared for. Since its last owner, an old man by the name of Percy Moore, had died a year ago, leaving it to no-one, it had been left alone.
Until now.
At the very top of the house, there a was a large attic, and it was here that Dr. Augustus P. Crumhorn III was outlining his final plans for world domination.
The fiendish rat, dressed as always in his lab coat and possessing a mad gleam within his dull eyes, was just putting the finishing touches to a machine lying on the large table in front of him. He stepped back and looked at it, satisfied with the results. Then he turned and yelled down the ladder leading up here.
"WOODRUFF!"
A collie dog dressed in a crisp white shirt and black trousers came up the ladder. His eyes were round, and contained no life. He stared at everything as though it were not there.
Woodruff stopped directly in front of Crumhorn. He lifted his head slightly to meet his eyes.
"Yes?" he asked in a deep, yet flat, voice.
"Go to the kitchen", ordered Crumhorn.
Woodruff merely nodded. Then he turned and went back down the ladder, out of sight.
Crumhorn turned back to the table, to the machine he had been working on.
The object had two straight handles either side. The very tip of the machine was somewhat pointed, with a large hole in the middle. This held a green lightbulb. And on the other side of the handles, at the other end of the invention, there was a small screen with a keyboard, neatly fused into the machine. The screen was a dullish green and when Crumhorm typed a few words in, they were a lighter shade.
Break two bottles.
Crumhorn pricked his ears intently and waited for any noise. Then he smiled as he heard the distinct sound of glass breaking below.
"My mind-control ray works perfectly", he grinned, looking at the now- revealed invention. He couldn't wait to use it on his victim - Danger Mouse.
Crumhorn's eyes narrowed as he thought of some of the previous occasions when he had tried to beat his long-time enemy. Like when he had created sharks that could swim through concrete - a great invention, but unable to stand up to the White Wonder. DM had not only destroyed the sharks, but had also blown up Crumhorn's lab, which had been based in an oil refinary.
And then there was the time when Crumhorn had used his transformation pills to turn himself into a little girl to dupe DM into getting him into Fort Knox. But somehow, DM had swapped the pills for cough-drops and Crumhorn had found himself trapped in the vault with the gold that he had intended to steal for himself!
Crumhorn closed his eyes in fury. This time, he would have his revenge. Danger Mouse and that whimpering assistant of his would pay. Crumhorn had been looking forward to it for weeks. He had worked day and night on his plan and hoped that the results would be rewarding.
There was more to this feud than met the eye. A secret that DM had probably concealed from his stupid friends in the agency was a secret that Crumhorn knew all too well. And he was determined to let the truth out, to watch as it ruined Danger Mouse's life.
Thirteen years we have kept this secret to ourselves, he thought, But it's time for the world to know what their hero is really like.
And I'll be rid of him for good.
His plan was to manipulate Danger Mouse with the mind control ray. The hypnotic power within it was so strong that not even DM would be able to resist. He would be completely in Crumhorn's power, and would do everything that Crumhorn told him to. He would unknowingly destroy Penfold - and that new trainee girl who Danger Mouse spent all his time with. Then Crumhorn would sit back and watch as DM was arrested and spent the rest of his days in a jail cell. Then Crumhorn would be free to plot world domination.
Crumhorn couldn't stop himself letting out a long, evil laugh.
"It cannot fail!" he cried, "Danger Mouse is MINE!"
*
At this moment, DM and Penfold were pulling up outside the house that Crumhorn was said to be based.
"Right, Penfold", said DM in a low voice, "Be careful. This place is too quiet for my liking".
Penfold nodded as DM made his way towards the gate. Then he stopped, and looked down at himself, then back at Penfold. They were ordinary mouse and hamster size.
DM quickly activated his watch, and grew into his human size. Penfold, still waiting outside, looked around quickly and then activated his own. He too grew human-size.
DM walked through the gate and looked around.
"Come on, Penfold", he whispered, "It's all clear".
The nervous hamster came through the gate and ran to catch up with DM, who was walking quickly towards the front door.
"How do we get in, Chief?" he asked as they both stood looking at it.
"I don't know - good grief", added DM, as the door suddenly opened a crack. It was as if someone from inside had unlocked the door.
"Let's get out of here", moaned Penfold, tugging at DM's arm. He shook him off gently.
"Penfold, there's nothing to worry about", he exclaimed, "I'm right here".
Penfold gulped, but nodded as DM pushed the door open and stepped cautiously inside.
Inside, it was huge. The place must have had at least five floors. DM tried not to marvel as Penfold stepped in beside him.
"There's no-one around, but we'd better not take chances", whispered DM, "We'll search upstairs, and then I'll take a quick look in the attic".
Penfold braced himself for those two words he hated DM using.
"Alright, Penfold - come on!"
*
DM tore himself away from the last room they had searched. He had found nothing . The place seemed empty. Had the agency made a mistake, sending him here?
There was still the attic above him. The hatch was closed, but the ladder had been folded into the hatchway.
"Penfold!" hissed DM.
Penfold poked his head around the door two rooms down.
"I'm going to take a look up here", hissed DM, "Go on downstairs without me. I'll be right there".
"Er, right Chief", replied Penfold. He made his way towards the stairs and disappeared down them.
"Alright", said DM to himself, as he jumped up to reach for the ladder. "Let's see what's up here".
*
Crumhorn smiled as he heard the hatchway open. Crouched under the the table with his mind-control ray, he heard footsteps on the ladder, and then Danger Mouse himself entered the attic.
Crumhorn scowled as he watched his enemy look around. How he would love to just leap out and fight him, hurt him, get rid of him through a slow and painful death.
No, he thought, I must stick to my original plan. I just hope Woodruff is in hiding somewhere in the house.
Woodruff, on Crumhorn's orders, had unlocked the front door, allowing DM and Penfol to slip in, but then had been told to hide in another part of the place. Crumhorn couldn't allow anything to go wrong. He had been waiting for this for far too long.
As DM passed the table, Crumhorn leapt out in front of him. Startled, DM stumbled back, but then frowned, recognising him.
"Doctor Crum - "
Quickly, Crumhorm held up the mind-control ray and switched a button on the belly of the machine.
Immediately, the ray's hypnotic green glare came to life as DM found himself immersed. He couldn't look away...he was...what was Crumhorn DOING to him...?
"You are under my influence", growled Crumhorn's voice, as Danger Mouse felt his head go round and round. He wished it would stop...he couldn't take much more...
DM swayed, and then, very slowly, fell forwards. He landed on his stomach, hearing an evil laugh somewhere above him before passing out completely.