"The young czar of Russia is missing. He was set to make an announcement of his engagement to Princess Tasha of Northern Zimbabwe-"
"Quite an odd pairing.."
"…Yes." Basil continued. He shook his head "Well, Prince Petya was betrothed to the young princess, and agreed to change some arrangements once he was crowned czar-"
"Were we invited to the wedding?"
Basil stomped his foot down "Your highness, I implore you that you pay attention! This is very crucial material concerning the safety of our own country!"
The queen sat at her throne, resting her head on her palm. She sighed and waved to Basil, who stood with a notebook in front of her royal highness. He tapped his foot down as she sighed again "Proceed…"
"…. Thank you. Russia has made very important peace agreements with our fair nation. The agreement is set to be signed in fourteen days time… that is when he will be crowned. The Russian authorities and government has agreed to not make any movements until the prince is found." He sighed "Unfortunately if he does not return.. They are threatening to breech the agreement of peace and take over our monarchy.. by force if they must."
"What?" the queen gasped "Who is enforcing this? They cannot be simply permitted to take over my crown… my entire life… my people?" she softly touched her crown "Who would have the heart to breech this agreement?"
Basil worriedly looked up at his monarch "The royal adviser Roshka Rodrickovich Valsilovna has taken over the place while the prince is still missing… Even the prince's grandmother Grand Duchess Valeria Nikolaievna has no power!"
"This is horrifying!" the queen fanned herself "What shall I do? I need to stay here in London! I have no authority!"
"Your highness!" Basil bowed to her "If you will allow me, I will go myself and find the prince! My assistant Dawson and myself will take on the mission. We will find the prince, and return him back to his throne far before any hostile takeover will take place."
The queen rose from her chair, stepping down the steps of her throne "That is not an accurate search crew… I will send two of my finest agents…" she motioned for a guard to join her side. Basil's lip twitched, he stumbled "Y-You're majesty if I may, I am more than capable of taking on this mission without any hired help. The queen chuckled "If you may Sir Basil, these two are more than capable of assisting you." She turned to the guard and whispered in his ear. Basil raised an eyebrow and carefully pondered "Your majesty, if I may inquire: Did you happen to ask-"
"Yes… Yes I did." The queen said promptly.
Ratigan's head rose up from his office work, hearing cheering from outside. He rolled his eyes and continued. He then heard a large cheer again and growled, heading outside in a huff. By outside, it was clear they were still inside their lovely abode in the sewers. The lair had a large chalk drawing of a baseball diamond, for each of the bases stood large human sized gold coins. "What in the world are you doing?"
Charlie, a little young mouse, stood with a long piece of wood "We're playing baseball!"
"What?"
Fidget laughed "We're playing baseball! Rosalie taught us! It's a big deal in America right now!"
"Clearly." He said bitterly "I truly hope this 'american' activity has not rotted my child's brain?" he inquired. Charlie laughed "Come on Poppa! It's fun! You use this long stick, called a bat, then you hit the ball… and if you hit it, you get to run to each of the bases! And if you hit all four! It's a home run!" she said excitedly.
"Sounds primeval.." he said, oozing with sarcasm. He looked to the floor "I do hope this is not permanent.." he looked to the boys, setting up all of the equiptment "Boys, meeting in my office… now."
"AWWWWwwwwwwwW.." the group collectively moaned. Charlie looked at Victoria, and they groaned "Great. Kill joy is quitting the game.." Charlie said.
"KILL JOY?!" Ratigan quickly turned, his cape flapping "Charlotte Marie-"
Charlie ran up to her father, dragging the bat behind her "Daddy, you're acting like kind of a kill joy! Can't we just finish our game?" she gazed at his unenthused smile "Alright… looks like the game is finished." She turned and felt a force grabbing the bat behind her. Ratigan took the bat and mumbled "I'll show you a kill joy.." he marched up to the base and gazed right into Bill's eyes, as if hoping he'd set him a flame "Throw the ball."
Bill shook and slowly took a breath. He grabbed the ball and threw it back, time had stopped, Ratigan took a breath and swung the bat hard, giving the bat a hard and loud crack, it disappeared behind the pipes and Ratigan cheered along with the others. He ran to the first base, not noticing a large puddle in his way, he slipped and landed hard on the ground with a thud. He ached and groaned as he shook, feeling his back spasm and crack "Oh! OW!" he shouted "Get Rosalie!"
Rosalie, a beautiful tan mouse with shining green eyes rested a hot pad on Ratigan's back and sighed, he laid on the bed belly down, with a frustrated mope on his face. "She didn't mean to say it James…"
"Yes she did!" he groaned "Ow!"
Rosalie shook her head "She is an eight year old LITTLE girl… I know what strength you have… you could rip her in half in one go!" she sat on the bed beside him "It's your own fault you-" she giggled "Threw out your back after running into a puddle…" she giggled again.
"You find my pain funny! You're just like the rest of them!" he groaned again and attepted to rise up, only to flop back again. Rosalie kissed him gently on the head "I just find it funny your taking it so seriously." She saw him mope "If it means anything to me… I married you because of your seriousness.."
"Honestly?"
She laughed "Besides being adventurous, kind, and spontaneous.." she saw him smile with pride "I knew if you were serious, you would take our marriage seriously if we were to be married.. and being handsome is a perk."
"Hmm." He pondered playfully "I guess you really do like me.." he rose up slowly "Ohhh.. I am in pain… I am getting old.."
"Don't be like that!" She stubbornly rose up off the bed.
"How?"
"It's part of life! James, you act as if I married the crypt keeper!" Rosalie laughed heartily.
"That what it feels like! I threw out my back! Playing a game of American cricket-"
Rosalie crossed her arms "Baseball-"
"Whatever." He interrupted her again "What happened to the good old days? The wonderful things I've accomplished and all the prestige.." he looked at Rosalie "Rosalie, my darling… almost all the time there is a case that needs solving.. or someone who has gone missing! We met and fell in love through a inpromtu kidnapping!" he looked at himself in the mirror "I am getting older and my life hasn't even been fulfilled to its entire potential! It is as if we're retired from our adventures-"
"We are James!" she said insistently "I didn't want to give it up either… but we had made an agreement. Remember?"
He waved his hands "Yes, yes I recall! We had agreed when Ellianna was born that we would not partake in any risky adventures at the 'risk of her and the children's safety' those were your exact words!"
"Yes they were! And I had hoped you weren't so hesitant about it!"
He quickly ignored her "Who knows when I'll throw my back out again! I am getting old my dear! Everything is creaking and breaking! I am ten years older than you!" he walked up to himself in the mirror, noticing his stomach protruding "I'm getting fatter!" Rosalie met him in the reflection "And I love you even more for it!" she patted his stomach "You know those sweets aren't just for you.."
Ratigan kissed her cheek "But you're just the best cook in this house!"
"I'm the only cook in this house!" she laughed.
Bill knocked on the door and opened it slowly "Sir?
Ratigan turned "Yes Bill?"
"You have a special summons from the queen… she says that it is urgent!"
Rosalie and Ratigan looked at eachother and shrugged their shoulders.
The queen sat across at a large table and sighed, finishing her sentiment"So you see… the prince is gone and without him reclaiming his throne, I'm afraid that our monarchy will go to ruin…" she stood straight in her chair, with confidence and grace "Now you must understand this mission will not to fruition without the two of you."
Rosalie hesitated, carefully twisting her wedding ring in frustration "Your majesty, with all due respect.. our family… I mean.." he stuttered, being afraid to upset the queen in front of her "James and I are sadly retired from this kind of work.. I truly don't want to upset you but we cannot do this right now." She insisted.
The queen sighed "I do not believe this was an agreement my dear. I had my highest expectations that you would take the responsibility of the mission along with Sir Basil. It was either you and Sir Ratigan or no one else."
Rosalie gasped "Oh your highness… well.."
"This is to help our fair nation. Think of all the prestige you will bring us! You are our only hope! Please!"
Ratigan's eyes brightened at the sudden words that left her lips moments ago. He stood up quickly right as Rosalie spoke "I'm really very sorry my queen, we will-"
"Be taking this assignment!" Ratigan finished for her. Rosalie gasped along with the queen, who quickly stood from her seat "Oh Excellent!" she ran to Rosalie and hugged her tightly "You are wonderful! I will go alert Sir Basil at once! We must send you off to Russia immediately!" she let go and ran out of the room, confidently and proudly. Rosalie shook her head "Wait… WHAT?" she looked over at Ratigan, who grinned innocently at her "Whoops?" he giggled again.