Chapter 21: How Strong is Love?

Never again will I look at the Great Mouse Detective again. In fact, I never want to see it again. It's all lies! All lies! I don't know the truth! No more. No more. It's all a lie. Everything. Everything that I went through. The sorrow. The anger. The pain. The pain was real!!! The touch was there! I felt it! I felt…them. Their warm embraces. His sweet kisses on my forehead. His soft words. Basil. Ratigan. I…felt them. Why? Why did it have to be a dream? Why was everything an illusion? Why? My family would tell me the same story. I was kidnapped and put into a coma by a concussion. AL tried to fight him off, but he was too strong, and he had helpers. Hayley was kidnapped, too, only a while after I was gone. My parents were taken, and were threatened to give the kidnapper money, or else their kids will die. Then, noticing the police were on his tail, he escaped, leaving us alone in the old worn warehouse. Is this a lie, too? Or is this the truth? I don't know anymore. I didn't care. It's done. The so-called dream I had is gone. It's…over.

Months have passed. The end of the school year was finished. When I went back to make up all the days I missed, people would ask me either I was feeling alright or what happened. I only told them what my parents told me. I was in a coma from a head concussion. Sure, I was happy to be back in reality, but all I went through, changing Ratigan's heart, restoring the fatherhood that Basil never got a chance to use, was all for nothing. Just a figment of my imagination. It's not a story worth hearing anyway. Nobody would care to listen. Nobody. It's now the end of July. I sat in my chair, reading away some fanfics online. I decided to take a peek through the Great Mouse Detective section. Some of them were all good. Then, a certain story caught my attention. It was like my story, only different. It was about a girl around my age at that time (she should be 18 right now), who was whisked into a world that she only thought that was just a movie. I read the whole story until it was done. It was rather good. She even did the same thing I did. She changed Ratigan's heart, and became a peacemaker between his bitter rival. I liked it. I liked it a lot. Then, I wondered. How will she react if I wrote my story? She'll probably think I copycatted her and will get suspicious. I'll be honest to her and tell her that I didn't notice her story, but will she believe me? Maybe not. Why bother her with my stupid story? It's not worth her time.

Just then, the phone rang. I heard someone answer it upstairs. My bedroom was in the basement.

"Kiara!" My mom called for me. "It's AL!" I picked up the phone in my room.

"Hello?" I said.

"Hey, K.P." AL said on the other line. "What are you doing tonight?"

"Nothing. Why?"

"I reeeeeeeeeally bored, K.P. Can I come over?"

I laughed at her comment. "AL, you know you're always allowed at our house. You have no need to ask. Don't you remember? If you want to stay the night…"

"Just say the word and be there." AL concluded. We both laughed. "Gotcha. Be there in a flash."

"Kay, 'bye AL!"

"Bye!" I hung up. Well, having AL over ought to cheer me up. I told Mom about the sleepover, and she said okay. After fifteen minutes passed, AL showed up at our doorstep. Immediately, we went downstairs and played video games until dinnertime. I showed her the new game I got, Final Fantasy VII: Dirge of Cerberus, from my parents as a get well gift, and we also played Guitar Hero. That was a fun game. It's like DDR, only you actually play a guitar. After dinner, we decided to go outside and jumped on the trampoline, acting like maniacs as we are. We played our own DDR game, ate ice cream, and finally got ready for bed.

"Ah, what a day." I said after taking a nice shower. I put on my butterfly silk pajamas with my robe and slippers. The basement is rather cold sometimes, so I wear a lot of warm stuff. AL was in shorts and her Disturbed T-shirt.

We talked about such random stuff and other blah. It was now around 10 o'clock. I looked at the clock and sighed. 10 o'clock was the time when…oh, forget it. I don't want to bring that up again. Tomorrow, I'm throwing away that movie, and forget about ever seeing it.

"Hey, what's wrong?" AL asked.

"Huh? Oh, it's nothing." I replied. She gave me a sad look, and then changed it to a smile.

"Oh, you wanna watch the Great Mouse Detective? We can make fun of Ratigan and his chunky legs!" She laughed.

"No. I rather not."

"What? But, you always wanted to watch that. We haven't seen it in a while."

"No, AL."

"Come on. You can't resist the chunky legs…" AL teased in a singsong.

"I SAID NO!!" I shouted. Silence fell. AL's smile turned into a frown.

"Okay, fine! Forget what I said! Jeez!" AL snapped and turned around on the bed, ignoring me. We got under the covers and turned off the lights. I finally dozed off until AL shook me.

"K.P., wake up." I turned on the lights. Half an hour passed.

"What's wrong?" I rubbed my eyes.

"Do you…miss them?" Huh? What is she talking about? I asked her the question. "What do you think I mean?"

I look confused. She got out of bed, and walked to her stuff. She shuffled through her bag until she pulled out…no. No way! That's impossible! "This protected you." She held out Basil's broken necklace.

"Wha- how…" I stuttered. I couldn't believe it! No way! NO WAY!!!

"I know. Crazy ain't the word to begin with, chica." AL said. "This is what saved your life, K.P. The ones that we thought were lost protected you. Basil and Ratigan." She pulled out a small golden bell from her bag. Ratigan's bell. The bell that linked our world to theirs.

"But, why? Why did you hide this from me?" I asked.

"Because your parents thought it was best for you to forget. We all thought you were gone for good. I thought I lost my best friend. We all cried. Even them." She clutched the small items. "Never in my life have I ever seen such sorrow in their eyes. Oh, K.P., their faces. They had such horror. They cried while they both held you. Basil held you close to him, while Ratigan held your hands, kissing them repeatedly."

"What happened? How did we get home?" I asked her.

"Through Ratigan's time machine. He must've forgotten of this bell. But, his eyes. He was like a lifeless doll. He told us to take you back. He told us what to tell the police. You know, that story. Then, Basil added, 'Forget us. We must forget that we ever met.' But, I knew that they couldn't. I couldn't forget them. So, I hid the necklace and bell to keep. Then, after we came home, we discovered something. You were alive! Only, the bullet put you through the coma. I wanted to turn back and tell the news, but your parents said that it was best that you forgot about them. K.P., I've known you a lot longer than anybody else. I saw it through your eyes. The hurt; I couldn't stand it! I came to thinking. Forgetting the ones you love is a horrible thing to do. K.P., go back. Go see them again." I couldn't help but cry. Then, it wasn't a dream? Everything was real? Unbelievable! I sobbed as I hugged AL. I can see them again! How will they react? It's been four months!

As I wiped off my tears, I asked AL, "What of my parents? And Hayley? Would they accept this?"

"Ah, I wouldn't worry about it. They need to understand that you have a passion for this world. This is your world, K.P., and you have people there that love you." She took me to my closet door. "I'll tell them about this. Just keep the door open."

"But, what if people come in here from that world?" I asked.

"This links to the room we stayed in. It's from the closet door." She replied with a smile. "Now go, K.P. Go back to them." I smiled at her back.

"Thanks, AL." I hugged her. I put on my necklace. I held out the bell in front of the door. I rang it three times. I opened it. I'm…..there.

It was dark in the room, but I could see because of the moonlight. It was the same bedroom Hayley, AL, and I stayed in. I saw a little light shining through the bedroom door. Someone's bound to be home. Oh, please. Please, let it be Basil. I opened the bedroom and stepped into the living room. My eyes widen. I gasped. There he was. Basil, sitting in his red chair, with a lost look. I tiptoed through until I knelt beside the chair. Basil was still looking down, not even noticing me.

"Basil?" I shook him gently on his hand. He didn't respond. I shook again. "Basil, it's me." Something reacted.

"Kiara." Basil spoke, still looking down. Does he know?

"Yes, it's me, Basil."

"Kiara." Basil said again. He repeatedly said my names a couple more times, slowly, emotionless. Oh, Basil! Please come back to your senses! I'm right here.

"Basil, I'm here. I'm alive and well." I told him.

"Kiara."

"Basil, look at me."

"Kiara."

"Basil, I'm right here!" Tears started to stream down my face. Basil kept repeating my name. "Basil, wake up! I'm here!"

"Kiara."

"Please, don't do this to yourself! Please wake up!"

"Kiara."

"BASIL, COME BACK! PLEASE COME BACK!" I sobbed in his chest. He was so cold. I probably woke up either Dawson or Ms. Judson, but I don't care! I want Basil back!

"BASIL, PLEASE COME BACK TO ME! PLEASE! PLEASE!" I cried uncontrollably.

"Kiara."

"I LOVE YOU, UNCLE BASIL! I LOVE YOU! PLEASE, LOOK AT ME FOR ONCE!" I sobbed and sobbed. Basil still didn't stir. He just kept saying my name. Oh, God, please help him. He needs you more than ever! Please, bring him back! I got into Basil's lap and hugged him close to me.

"Uncle Basil…please…I…I…love…you…" I cried in between. I couldn't stop. Please, I'm begging you. Please.

"Kiara." He said again. But, this time, it was in a different tone. His fur, it's warm.

"Kiara?" I sat up. His eyes met mine. "You're…you're…" He began. I cried again. Only tears of happiness. He held my face in his hands, trying to see if this was an illusion.

"Kiara! Kiara!" He pulled me into a hug and sobbed. I joined in. He held me tighter. Oh, thank you, God! Thank you!

It wasn't long until Dawson and Ms. Judson came in. And they also cried with joy. They hugged me tight.

"I can't believe this! You're alive! We thought you were dead!" Ms. Judson sobbed.

"We were so remorse, Miss Kiara. You don't know how happy we are now." Dawson added in.

"I can't believe I'm here, too. I missed you all terribly!" I said. I looked at Basil. "What on earth happened to you? You scared me half to death!"

"Clinical depression, sweetheart." Basil explained. "Ever since I saw you dead in my arms, or I thought you were, life in London has never been the same."

"A week earlier, Basil suffered a heart attack and almost lost his life." Dawson came in. "He's been sitting here ever since." Heart attack?

"Oh, Basil!" I hugged him. He led me back into his lap and rocked me gently, kissing my forehead.

"My dear Kiara. My sweet, sweet girl." He still had his scent. It's there. The mint and pipe cigar.

"Word got out about you, Miss Kiara." Dawson came in. "London was never the same since then. Everyone grieved for you. The Flavershams, Her Majesty, the Bishops, everyone at the Rat Trap, Ratigan…"

"Ratigan?" I interrupted. "Is he all right? Tell me he's all right." Dawson looked at Basil.

"No one has seen him since." Basil answered. What?

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"He just disappeared. After sending your family back, no one saw him again." Ms. Judson replied.

"You mean…he's gone?" No, he can't do this! He must be still here! I scrambled out of Basil's lap. "We must find him! We can take Toby and…"

"We already searched, Kiara." Basil interrupted. "He's not at his hideout. We even asked his thugs, but they haven't seen him. We looked where they told us where he usually stays, but not a trace of him was found." Fear built up. Ratigan, where are you? Please, if you can hear me now…God, please bring him home. He needs to know I'm still alive!

"We'll have to tell everybody this." Ms. Judson said. "They must hear the news immediately."

"Yes, they must know." Dawson agreed.

"In time, my friends." Basil stood up. "But, I believe that Kiara would like to go to his lair, correct?" I looked at him and gave out a sad smile.

"Yes."

He saw the look and hugged once more. "We'll look again. I promise." He looked at Dawson and Ms. Judson. "Dawson, go get Toby. Ms. Judson, get my Inverness and a coat for Kiara."

Toby was awfully happy to see me. He licked me which lifted me off the ground.

"To Ratigan's lair, Toby! And be quick about it!" Basil cried. Toby saluted with his ear. How did he do that? Dawson, Basil, and I climbed up onto Toby's back and he scurried out to Ratigan's lair. I held onto Basil's waist as the air rushed through my face. Minutes passed until we reached an alleyway at a corner of Baker Street. Huh, I guess his lair isn't very far away as I thought it would be. The alleyway became darker and darker until I saw a glimpse of a pink light coming towards us. I know that light anywhere. We stopped in front of the doorstep, but I quickly dashed off inside.

"Ratigan?" I cried. I went inside. His rubies, his harp, his chair, everything in the throne room, were gone. "Ratigan?" I cried out once more. No answer. I went upstairs into the library. Nothing was left. No Ratigan. I went to the dining room. Nothing. I looked through all the barrels outside. Nothing.

"Ratigan, where are you?" Tears came down. Basil tried to stop me, but I ran off inside again. This time, I went to his bedroom. I opened the door and all that was left…was his cape, on the floor. I took off my coat and robe, and sat in front of it. I picked up the cape. My tears began to stain it.

"Ratigan…" I sobbed as I held his only opera cape. His scent was still there. A scent of sweet lemon and a nice smell of a brandy. I held it tighter. "Oh, Ratigan…please come back." I sobbed through his cape for minutes. Finally, I heard the door creak. I didn't turn around, for I believed it was Basil.

"He's gone. I'll never see him again." I cried. Footsteps approached. "I want him back so bad. I wish I could see him once more." I heard him knelt down behind me. "I want him to know…I love him so much. I love him, my best friend. I want him back!" My voice broke as I cried and cried. Ratigan is truly gone. Why? Why can't he come back? "I'm begging you, Lord. Please let me see him. I don't care where or when, I want to see him!" I cried out. At that moment, I felt a hand on my cheek and soft lips kissing the other. The hand…it feels like it's…covered. I opened my eyes as two arms wrapped around my waist and dragged into a lap. Is it…? A worm like tail curled up around me gently. Soft lips behind me kissed my head. Drops of tears pattered on top. It's…it's…

"I love you, too, Kiara."

The voice that I prayed to come said. Tears gushed out as I turned around and hugged the man that came to see me. Ratigan, oh, Ratigan, you came back!

I sobbed as he stroked my hair and shushed me gently. "Shh, I'm here. I'm here. It's okay." He whispered softly. I kept sobbing as he kept comforting me.

"You came back! You came back!" I cried.

"Yes, I know. I felt something telling me to come back. When I did, Basil was there, telling me that you were here." His voice started to break. He was ready to cry. I didn't mind. I'm only happy, no, thrilled to see him. "Oh, Kiara, I thought I lost you forever." I placed my hands on his face.

"Don't you remember what I said? I'll always be with you." He kissed my hands and held me close.

"I'll never let you go again. Never." I heard the door creak a little. Basil came in and smiled.

"Good to see her again, huh?" He said. Ratigan chuckled.

"Don't let me have all the fun." We got up and I hugged Basil.

"Looks like my family are now complete." I said. Basil's ears then perked up.

"That reminds me, what of your family? Do they know where you are?"

"AL went to tell them. It's okay, Basil. I'm not gonna let myself forget you, nor everyone else."

"But, your family doesn't know about us that well. They still think that I'm the villain here." Ratigan said.

"I'm sure we can explain all of this. There's got to be a way. I know it."

Just then, Gus came inside. "Boss, there's someone outside to see you." He looked at me. "So, she wasn't lying after all. You're alive!" He came up to me and hugged me.

"It's nice to see you again, Gus. What did you mean by 'she'?" I asked.

"Your sister. And she brought the family with her." Hayley? Mom? Dad? They're here? I quickly grabbed both Ratigan's and Basil's hand and we rushed out of the door. We ran until we bumped into Bill and Fidget with my family following behind them.

"Kiara!" They both cried and tackle hugged me. I nearly lost my balance through the impact. We laughed.

"Careful, you guys. Don't suffocate her." Gus said. My parents stood where they were, but Hayley and AL hugged Basil and Ratigan.

"It's so good to you, Ratigan!" Hayley cried out as she hugged him.

"Same here, darling." He ruffled her hair.

"My, you've grown since last time, AL." Basil said to her.

"Eh, gotta put meat on these bones." AL giggled.

"Indeed." Basil chuckled. Our laughter died down as my parents approached us.

"So, you both are the ones who were taking care of my daughter, huh?" Dad asked. He was talking to Basil and Ratigan. I wonder what my parent's are going to say.

"Yes." Basil spoke without hesitation. Ratigan answered as well.

"Thank you for everything." Mom bowed. "You don't know how much we missed her, even when our other daughter was taken."

"Mr. and Mrs. Phoenix, I have a confession to make." Ratigan spoke. My parents stared at him, waiting for him to speak.

"I'm afraid you can't thank me, though. I'm the reason why your daughter, Kiara, was here in the first place. I took her away from you. I wanted to keep her for my selfish needs. I…was in love with her." My parents were silent for a moment.

"Did you…harm her in anyway?" I knew what my dad was actually asking for. Ratigan knew, too.

"I did not do anything that would displease you on your daughter. I didn't force in anything she wouldn't like. I swear on it. But, I did hit her when I lost my temper. You can't imagine how many times I wish to take that back. But, I promise you, I did not do anything that you would disapprove of." He spoke in a calm voice. "You may hit me now if you want to."

My parents kept looking at him when he said that. Finally, my mom stepped up to him. "Did she hit you back?" She asked. He nodded. "Then, there's no reason to hit you again. You already received the punishment." Then, my dad followed.

"Do you love our daughters?" He asked.

"In a friendly and family way, sir." He looked at him in the eye. My dad smiled.

"I like that. Looking at me in the eye. It proves that you respect us." He went up to Basil. "And what about you? Do you love our daughters?" Basil gave the same exact answer. He, too, looked at him in the eye.

"You both were very determined to save Kiara from that despicable creature. We saw how you grieved when you had Kiara in your arms, thinking that she was dead. You both love her very much, as well as Hayley, too, I believe." Mom said. Basil and Ratigan nodded. I looked at my parents, and they smiled at me.

"Basil, Ratigan, I trust you that you will take of them, when we're not here anymore?" Dad asked. They nodded again. Dad looked at Mom, and back to them, and smiled.

"Basil, Ratigan, will you be the godfathers of our children?"

Did I hear that right? Did he just ask them to be…? Basil and Ratigan looked at each other in surprise, and then smiled.

"Yes." They both answered when they looked at my parents. Holy smokes, it's actually happening! My parents are accepting them! I broke into tears as I hugged Mom and Dad. Hayley followed. They knew that was a sign of thanks.

"Now, we're a big family!" Hayley shouted with joy.

"Human world and the Great Mouse Detective world, where two mice are godfathers, UNITE!!!" AL squealed. We all laughed.

"A mouse and a rat, AL." Ratigan corrected her. What the—did he just say what I think he just said?

"Boss, you said the 'r' word!" Bill exclaimed.

"So what? I was born as a rat, and I'll remain as a rat."

"With chunky legs." AL added.

"Yes, with chunky—HEY!!!!!!!!" Ratigan fumed as everyone laughed. Now I know why. It's because he's being accepted; he's not afraid of being proud as a rat. I smiled at him. He did, too. I'm happier than I ever was before.

"We gotta tell everyone about the news! Word has to get out fast!" Fidget waved his arms up in the air.

"In the morning, Fidget." Ratigan ordered. "Right now, the Phoenixes need rest." He turned to Mom and Dad. "I hope you don't mind spending the night here. I've got room."

"Not at all. I'm rather tired myself." Mom yawned. We helped them into a barrel where they could sleep. There were only two barrels that use to kept prisoners in. AL, Hayley, and I went into the other barrel, but they both pushed me out.

"Hey!" I shouted.

"You have some making up to do, Big Sis." Hayley grinned. They closed the door. What did they mean by that? I heard Basil clear his throat.

"Oh, that." I chuckled.

"Come on, I'll let you use my bed." Ratigan said as he led me back into the bedroom.

"But, what about your stuff?" I asked.

"Didn't you see? His men are putting it back. He's moving back in." Basil answered.

"Sweet!" I cheered. They chuckled. It wasn't long of a wait when the thugs finished rearranging the furniture. I jumped on to the bed and pulled the covers over me.

"This is so cool." I lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling. Ratigan chuckled as he moved my robe on to a chair. I sat up as they moved their chairs at the edge of the bed.

"Where are you gonna sleep?" I asked them.

"On the chair." Basil answered. I gave him a look.

"You've been in a chair for a week. Get your butt in here!"

He laughed at the comment, but gave in and sat on the bed.

"You too, Ratigan." I called.

"Me? But, I don't want this scene to look perverted." He protested.

"It is not perverted! You're my godfather, for Pete's sake!" I argued. He finally gave and crawled into bed. Basil was on my bed, while Ratigan was on my right. We shut the lights out and cuddled next to each other.

"This feels so awkward. I feel like your dad is gonna kill me." Ratigan spoke.

"Don't worry so much. You're not tempting to do anything, are you?" I asked him.

"No."

"Then, why worry? You guys mean so much to me. I trust you all. I know you wouldn't hurt me or put me in danger's way. You're part of the family now." Basil took held of my hand.

"And I'm happy to be in it." Ratigan took my other hand.

"Me, too."

I chuckled. I started to doze when Basil spoke.

"How did you survive from that bullet?" He asked. Ratigan wanted to know, too. I smiled. I held out the broken necklace that Basil gave to me.

"You all saved me." I said.

I could tell that they were smiling in the dark. They kissed me on the cheek goodnight as we fell asleep. I know that tomorrow is going to be marvelous. For there will be more smiling faces to greet me in the morning. Also, there was something I've wanted to see since I've heard of it. It's time that I visited Mrs. Sherlockson.