Thanks for the Memories- Fallout Boy

They walked into the bar in separate pairs. Basil and Marten went into the Rat Trap first, and then Dawson and Belladonna would enter together later on. Marten looked around the place and smiled. Now he could say he's been in a pub. The room was filled with showgirls, bartenders, and drunk misfits. Basil sauntered over to the bar to talk to the bar maid. Marten was about to follow him, but stopped when he saw something green catch his eye. He saw it was a humming bird. Her emerald feathers glittered against the dim lights above her as she daintily sipped from her pint of ale. Marten went up to her, fascinated, and saw how her ruby markings on her neck like a stunning collar that came down to a point at her bust. She was dressed in a leather jacket over a thin shirtwaist, bloomers, and had a satchel strapped across her. Her feathers on top of her hair curled slightly over her aviator goggles. She noticed Marten and chirped. "What are you ogling at boy?"

Marten jumped in surprise at how harsh her voice sounded. "Nothing." He said stupidly.

"Then piss off and stop staring at my chest." She puts down her drink and raises an eyebrow. "What you got a message?"

Marten was told to get all the information he could get. "I actually need one." He deduced that she was mail carrier; what better delivery girl than a speedy hummingbird.

"Oh really, you so slow that you didn't think of waiting for me to give it to you?"

"Well, I need it now." Marten sat down across from her. "It's a note from Ratigan—"

"The hell it is!" the hummingbird laughed. "How about you take a walk before I throw you down on your arse for lying so badly?"

Marten reddened in embarrassment, and heard Basil's Scottish dialect behind him. "I guess ya found Vicki."

Vicki looked up at him with a glare as Basil sat down next to him. "Do I know you?"

"Dontcha remember an old friend Vicki?" Basil flicked her a copper mouse-coin.

Vicki quickly caught it and smiled. "I only let one bloke call me Vicki. Where the hell have you been? Things have been getting tense around here ever since the frail you were with caused that bar fight."

"Which is why I came back to get more information." Basil leaned over to her. "Are there any new messages to or from the 'teacher'?"

"Just a few," Vicki waved down a bar maid. "Two more pints." The bar maid gives Marten and Basil their drinks. "Act like you're drinking with me gum-shoe." She told Marten. "Wow this boy you picked up is new at this." She muttered as she took another sip. "Alright, these messages have been sent to Captain Doran. But I could only meet with a bloke in a hood and cloke at the post light in the peppermint district. I can never get a good look at him he would stand at the post light until he saw me and then drop the letter on the ground and scurry away. The only thing noticeable about him was that he was mouse and his tail was crooked like it was broken. Captain Doran gave me the meeting place for these letters. The first letter was about gathering reinforcements. The second letter were instructions about a meeting to bring the 'merchandise'. The third letter was ransom instructions for someone to get back their "jewels" at a dinner party. I'm also supposed to get a letter at midnight tonight. They were all pretty cryptic, so that's all I could get from them. By the way, where is L?"

"L?" Marten asked.

Basil responded quietly. "Lestraine, Scotland Yard detective, he and I are Vicki's contacts. She works as a messenger-bird and every criminal employs here for her speed and secrecy of delivering letters. She has helped us with catching delinquents by letting us know what goes on in the letters of London's criminals."

Vicki shrugged nonchalantly. "I'm just a messenger-bird,"

"You're amazing!" Marten commented and then bit his lip in embarrassment.

Instead of making a snide comment, Vicki gave him a small smile. "Thanks kid, it's good to know someone thinks highly of me."

Marten acted like he was drinking and curled his tail around the chair leg in embarrassment and excitement.

Dawson and I walked into the bar. "Stay close dear," Dawson whispered to me.

I did as he said; making sure to keep my head down. Dawson wobbled along like he was drunk and hummed a tune. I was impressed with his acting skills; they were greatly improved.

We made our way to the back. I gasped when I saw a ring in the middle of the room; it was bare-knuckle brawl. I watch in alarm as a lizard socked a mouse in the jaw so hard that the mouse passed out. I looked away as Dawson leaned against the wall and pretended to watch the fight. "Just sit a spell and listen to everyone's conversation to see if you can catch any information about Captain Doran."

"Why him?" I whispered

"Because, he was you-know-who's second in command. Basil thinks he is currently assisting the fiend." Dawson nodded toward the ring and cheered. "Also, watch a bit of the fight, we mustn't give away our cover."

I nod enthusiastically and listened to the numerous conversations until I heard:

"So where are we supposed to meet Doran?" A lizard who looked familiar asked another mouse who was drinking a bottle of whisky.

"After the trade-off Bill, cripes you can'tttt remember shit…" the mouse slurred.

I suddenly remembered who Bill was; he was the only reptile in Ratigan's gang. I pushed away from the wall to walk toward the bet box where the two miscreants were sitting.

"So where are we going?"

"The bridge…remember that's where Rati—"

"Shh, you idiot! You know that you're not—"

I suddenly ran into a vole who was getting up with his bottle of brew. I unfortunately ran into his arm; causing his hand to jerk while his drink splashed all over him and the bottle crashed to the floor. The vole growled angrily and wrenched me up by my collar.

"Damn brat! Watch where yer walking." The vole spat in my face.

I grimaced and gagged as his revolting, alcohol breath hit my face. "Ew."

This only made him angrier. "What? You don't like my pretty face?" he shook me as he snarled out his weak sarcasms. "Do you even know who I am?"

"No."

That was not the greatest answer as the vole shook me while hissing. "I am Willy Bronk! Best bare-knuckle boxer in this pub, and yer worst nightmare."

Dawson managed to get through the crowd and grabbed the Willy's arm. "Oy, let me get you another brew."

The vole shook him off. "Not now old man, I need to teach this runt a lesson on pub etiquette."

Dawson held the Willy's arm and gave it a twist. The vole sneered and threw Dawson into a table. I kicked him in the stomach, but it was like hitting a brick wall. Willy was about to punch my face when Marten suddenly appeared struck the vole in the face and karate chopped the arm that held me. The vole let out a yell of surprise and fell over while dropping me. Marten had both fists up; ready for the vole. When Willy jumped up; Basil suddenly stood in between them and said. "Hold it mates! How about we do this like gentle-rodents and settle this in the ring? So we all could put some money on it?" All the rodents and reptiles cheered in agreement.

Willy gave a smug grin. "Alright, but just to let you know, I don't take it easy on rookies." He jumped over the ring's wall and threw off his shirt.

Basil turned toward Marten and said. "Alright, I know you did some boxing right? Well this is just like that; except you don't get any gloves and your opponent is trying not just to beat you, but cripple you to boost up his own reputation in the ring and gain some money. Other than that; no pressure."

I felt Dawson help me up as I exclaimed. "No! No way you're going in there!" I told Marten who was looking at the ring with a small smirk.

"Now, now, I've been in plenty of matches; they're not that all that difficult." Basil alleged.

"Then you go in there! Don't send my brother in!" I wanted to shake Basil for his imperturbable attitude.

"I don't think Mr. Bronk would agree to that arrangement." Basil commented.

The boxer suddenly shouted. "Oy! Marten-boy! You gettin in here? Or do I have to pull you in?"

Marten rolled his shoulders in anticipation as he leapt into the ring and threw off his shirt. I gaped as I heard the betting start.

"Trust me, he's safer in there than having a pub fight that doesn't have any rules to protect him." Basil murmured to me. I bit my lip as I watched Marten.

Basil muttered to Dawson. "I thought I told you to keep an eye on her."

Dawson sighed. "I did."

The two squared off; fists raised. Willy made the first strike, which Marten blocked. I winced when I heard the bones of their hands collide. Marten then gave the vole a right hook in the middle of the block and received a blow to the stomach. Marten doubled over as Willy raised up his hands for praise. Marten suddenly socked Willy in the stomach and head. When Willy was dazed; he then landed another blow to his jaw. The vole staggered back. Marten waited for his opponent; who finally recovered and threw many wild punches. Marten blocked each one and gave the vole a skull-splitting left hook. The vole fell to the floor. Marten looked over at me with a wide smile and was then distracted by someone next to me. I saw a beautiful hummingbird standing beside me and watching Marten with a smirk on her beak. I suddenly looked back at the ring to see Willy jump up and hit Marten in the chest. Marten stumbled back and hit the wall.

"Come on gum-shoe! Give him what for!" The hummingbird laughed merrily.

Marten looked at the bird and beamed. He threw himself off the wall and gave the vole a combination of punches. He then finished with a rough uppercut; knocking Willy out cold. When the vole was knocked out; everyone started cheering and groaning at Marten's win. I cheered in relief as Marten waved at the applause happily.

Something else caught my eye; I saw a dark green frog sitting in the corner whistling at Marten. Something about the frog's amethyst eyes were familiar. I walked over to the amphibian curiously. I noticed that the frog was a she and she gave me a smile and wave. She then put a finger to her lips and pointed to her left. I see Bill and the mouse walking through a different door. I looked back at the frog; only to see she was gone. I quietly slipped through the door and followed Bill and the mouse. I saw we were in a hallway that held dressing rooms. I leaned against the corner and listened to their conversation.

"Alright," Bill said. "Now we can talk about the hound Dan."

"Finally!" Dan droned. "Do we need to get more paint for that mutt? Remember when we had to haul that huge can of paint? That was freakin heavy."

"No, we should be good, but we need to find a new place to keep the mutt."

"Why? This hound is suppose ta' distract Basil, so why not just let it—"

I understood that the hound that chased Basil and me belonged to Ratigan. I was about to race back to the others, but as soon as I tried to take two steps; I tripped.

"What was that?" Bill asked.

When I heard the two vermin walk toward me; I jumped up and ran into the nearest room and locked the door. I realized that I was in a showgirl's dressing room and that Bill and Dan weren't about to let me go. The two animals banged on the door:

"Oy, who's in there?"

"Open the door!"

I couldn't find a door to escape through and the only things in the room were showgirl costumes. There was only one thing I could do; I quickly stripped down and wrenched on a costume.