Chapter LI: In the case of Baker Street part III

Odd sounds filled the room, almost of popping and bubbling with odd clicks of gears and various other mechanical equipment as a mechanised clawed hand reached out and quickly picked up a tea pot quickly pouring a cup as it continued to jitter and wobble.
The odd screw doll like mannequin was handled as carefully as it could be by its controller as he moved the levers upon the control pad he was upon, as he looked with worry in his spectacled eyes.
His features were that of a brown moustache under his mouse nose along with some sideburns at his sides as well as his eyebrows, he was dressed in a green apron with a white shirt and brown trousers, revealing him to be an inventor and creator of the odd device that was being employed.
Suddenly interrupting his anxious thinking a puff of smoke filled the air interrupting his concentration as he looked at the sudden arrivals, as there was slight chuckling from one of them.
"Well I gotta say that's a mighty fine piece of work ya got there," mused Pete, for now he too had made it to this world, though of course like the king as well he had been left unaltered by the strange bindings of that world.
"Yes indeed isn't it? Ingenious if I say myself?" Came the chuckling voice revealing it to come from the very foe that Basil was so desperately pursuing… Rattigan, he walked over to his hardworking subordinate as he asked him amused as he pinched the inventors right cheek quite tightly, "and aren't you proud to be a part of it Flabbersham?"
Olivia's father hearing these words as he was then quickly released spoke as he gulped hard truly nervous and even slightly horrified at the plan that this villain was using him for, "this whole thing… it's, it's, it's monstrous!"
Hearing this Pete then laughed him self slightly as he replied, "Ha ya got that right! This plan'll leave this whole world in da shambles!"
Listening to this little number Rattigan was quite well amused as he spoke as he watched his robotic masterpiece take a spoon shakily and pour into the tea cup, "indeed now I do hope that we will have our little device ready by tomorrow evening… because otherwise you know what will happen…" with that he pulled a small golden bell with a brown handle out of his coat pocket, as he then let it gently ring slightly as he finished, "if you uh...fail?"
Looking at his two evil captors for a moment hearing of the dreadful fate that would befall him, suddenly Flabbersham looked on with contempt and resistance in his eyes as he then said boldly, "I… I, I don't care!"
With that suddenly showing his rebellious nature he pulled both levers together gritting his teeth as suddenly the machine he'd been controlling went haywire as it quickly poured the tea from the cup over it's screw head and suddenly went on to grab and pour the whole contents of the tea pot on itself.
At this point Pete was alarmed at what this machine was planning to do as he cried, "hey! What's goin on!? What do ya think yer-! Hey whooaa!" However he was cut off as suddenly the berserk controlled machine threw the teapot in his and Rattigans' direction, seeing it with wide eyes Pete quickly ducked on the floor as it flew over him and then over Rattigans head as he dodged himself looking quietly aggravated.
The machine acting more and more mad it's body bounced and stretched everywhere as it looked as though it was going to combust at any moment, Pete only continued to look on with widened scared eyes waiting for the end of the world as he clenched his eyes shut.
The machine then seemingly to have reached it's limit then suddenly collapsed and fell safely down harmless, suddenly then though a spurt of ink came forth from it's red torso body splattering Rattigans' suit making a dirty mark.
Seeing that it was safe to rise up Pete did so slowly sighing with relief slightly as Rattigan angered drew a handkerchief from his right waistcoat pocket and removed the stain as Flabbersham continued on with his angered rebellion, "you can both do what you want with me! I won't be part of this, this evil any longer!" He finished as he strode up to them boldly and defiantly.
Pete hearing and seeing the puny mouse man make his complaint then started to say some very bitter words back himself, "wait! Now you listen here ya pea-brained varmint! We're the ones who're callin the shots here! And yer gonna do what we say or-"
However then it was Rattigan who politely still smoking his posh cigarette interrupted him as he placed a hand on his huge shoulder saying, "Pete my dear friend and associate, if our dear Mr Flabbersham wishes to abdicate his position then we will simply have to accept his choice."
At this both Pete and Flabbersham were both shocked at these words and Rattigans' calm charm as the puzzled inventor asked bewildered, "what you mean you-?"
Rattigan then interrupted once more as he continued, "yes but of course… but oh um I should have you know that I'll be taking the liberty of bringing your daughter here." With that Rattigan revealed his gloved right hand and suddenly in a swirl of darkness a small image of Flabbersham's daughter Olivia appeared within his palm.
Seeing this image the mouse inventor was alarmed as he asked with anxious concern, "Oli, Olivia?"
Smiling as he had truly got the attention of his hostage Rattigan continued on, "yes… I would be truly most concerned each night… especially if I were to set the heartless upon her."
With that a few shadows appeared around the image of Olivia Rattigan was projecting as they surrounded the alarmed girl mouse hauntingly.
Watching what Rattigan was doing himself Pete was amazed that this guy could already use the darkness in such a way but even he had to admit that he was slightly alarmed at Rattigans' manipulative nature, but as well he couldn't help but be impressed by it too.
Seeing the image and what he was planning Flabbersham gasped, "you! You wouldn't!"
With that then Rattigans smile continued into a malicious face as his teeth clenched together and his fingers grasped tightly making the holographic shadows leap upon the helpless girl mouse erasing her in seconds, then as the image quickly died away so did Rattigans' horrible expression as he looked at his empty hand seemingly sad. Then changing once again all together he then cried angrily, "Finish it Flabbersham!!"
Flabbersham's shocked face then turned into that one of sorrow as his head bowed down and he turned back to the ruined machine picking up a wrench, realising he had no choice.
Pete then liking Rattigans' style then walked to the door with him as he turned and said to the foolish toy maker, "ya see! Now that's why ya've gotta learn to listen to yer superiors!" With that he then slammed the door behind him.
Smiling and laughing as walked out Rattigan mused as he wrote on a piece of paper with a quill as Pete caught up to him saying, "oh I love it when I'm nasty!"
Hearing Pete then replied, "well I gotta admit the same thing! Ya certainly have yer own style about goin about it I could learn a thing or two from ya?"
Rattigan smiling hearing these words as they boosted his ego replied with his usual casualness, "Oh yes I am most definitely sure but for the moment though…"
He then stopped along with Pete who both looked to see the one who had given Rattigan his power, Hari. She had now too been transformed into a mouse light red in colour as well with her long brown hair still in her loose pony tail with her usual black leather costume with a mouse tail coming out of the back. Her three moles were still visible as even on her cheeks as her green eyes were now staring upward and upon an unusual individual.
It was a grey coloured bat hanging upside down on the knob of the barrel of Rattigans hideaway. He was dressed with a black cap and blue scarf, his peg leg and normal one held on tightly as he laughed and giggled in his sleep his arms tightly folded over himself.
Looking at his dear associate Rattigan then spoke gently, "ah my dear Hari?"
Turning at the tone of his voice Hari looked at him with her cool eyes as she replied," yes? How may I be of service to you Rattigan?"
Hearing her reply Rattigan then continued, "I believe I told you to awake my dear friend Fidget?"
Listening to this Pete remembered when Rattigan had told her to do it only moments before they had gone to see that inventor guy, he thought she would have easily have done it as he asked, "yeah why haven't ya? Don't tell me that even you have a lazy side!" At this he had a slightly chuckle himself at the idea.
Hearing this question and seeing Pete's amusement Hari quietly and calmly gave her answer, "I have already tried to… but it seems that my lack of emotional tone is not enough to stir him."
Listening to this reply Pete was then utterly puzzled as he then asked, "well why didn't ya just clonk him one?"
At this a response immediately came, "I was not told to use brutality… there were no orders to act in such a manner."
Blinking at this Pete didn't know how to respond, though Rattigan then interjected for him, "oh a lack of emotion is it?... Well then I'll be the one to do the honours then."
Walking and brushing Hari to one side and near to Pete Rattigan then spoke up to Fidget a grin on his face, "Fidget…?"
Watching on both Hari and Pete saw the small bat laugh slightly revealing his sharp teeth as though the words had tickled him, but then Rattigan's tone changed all together as he cried, "FIDGET!!"
With that there was suddenly life from the bat as he fell down from his post in a clumsy fashion landing slightly disorientated, Hari was unchanged as she looked on coldly as Pete looked on blinking slightly not knowing what to say.
The bat Fidget blinked disorientated from the hard fall as Rattigan remarked brimming with sarcasm, "bright and alert as always."
Fidget still recovering from the heavy impact shook his head slightly as he looked up and saw his master as immediately stood to attention as he then said, "uh right boss ready and waitin' at your orders!"
Rattigan seeing that he had got the desired effects breathed, "good and now…" and then turned to Hari as he quickly ripped off a sheet from his notebook and handed it to her.
Looking at the list Hari was quiet as Rattigan then spoke to her the grin still on his face, "now my wonderful associate Hari I would like it very much if you were to go and acquire these items on the list and uh…" ending he then turned and looked at Fidget who was quiet still staring at his master looking baffled as Rattigan then finished, "keep Fidget from making any mistakes."
Hearing these words Hari was quiet for a moment as she looked up at him, but then finally she answered, "very well then… I and these gentlemen shall fulfil your request." With that she then walked away as Rattigan grinned further pleased.
Pete was a little surprised as he'd never heard her use those words before once, as she then walked past him he then spoke aloud quietly to himself smiling, "hmm well fancy bein' called a gentleman first time fer that one! Oh that's right-"
Quickly he then caught up to Hari as Fidget trailed after them as he caught up to her he then asked, "so uh? What's on that list there?"
Pausing for a moment Hari looked at him unchanging as ever as Pete himself stopped, and before any words were exchanged Hari simply gave the list to Pete for him to examine as she then continued onwards.
Blinking as she left Pete was baffled as he stared down at the paper, it had messy black ink all over it making it difficult for him to decipher looking at Fidget who too was looking at the list handed it to him as he asked, "hey bat boy, what's it say here?"
Fidget holding the list in his hand looked at his boss's usual messy writing as he said, "well uh, let's see here…" with that he pointed at the words of the list as he studied each word speaking them aloud, "Tools, gears, girl, uniforms-"
"NOW FIDGET!!!" It was Rattigan who had heard his subordinate muttering loudly and if that was one thing Rattigan do well with it was patience.
The yell scared Fidget and Pete witless, as Fidget cried loudly not wanting more earache, "I'm goin! I'm goin! I'm goin!!"
Pete quickly followed after for he got enough of that type of treatment from Maleficent and he didn't want refreshers! "Wait up! Wait up!" He called as he carried his heavy bulk running.
Hari in the meantime was waiting for the two by the sewer cover as she had her arms crossed, Rattigan watched from the entry of his barrel headquarters as they then all entered and left. Grinning he turned and went to enter for now he believed that his friends should meet the heartless…
In the darkness of the sewer Pete tagged Hari as Fidget led them through the dark and dank depths, not liking it he then asked her quietly, "hey are ya sure that it was a good idea to be lettin' that guy use the heartless… ain't that against what Maleficent wants I mean-"
"My lady commanded to use any means to acquire what we are after… and that rat's lust for power and ego are good catalysts for darkness… besides the more he changes into the heartless… the more my lady gains hearts…" Hari spoke as she interrupted him.
Hearing Hari speak these dark words Pete quietly grew a little frightened once more, as he was still unsure if she was truly trustworthy.

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"This case is most intriguing, with it's multiplicity of elements, it's many twists and turns…" Basil spoke with a wide grin on his face as he was told what had happened to Olivia's father.
Nozomi and the others watched as he walked back and forth in thought unsure of what he was going to conclude to, speaking aloud Nozomi spoke her mind, "well it can't be more twisted than the times he's turned and walked in the room," she whispered aloud slightly as she whispered it in king Mickey's ear. The king hearing her couldn't help but let a small laugh out as he tried to cover it slightly with his gloved hand. Riku only shook his head himself as a small smile appeared too, for Basil had turned around and around almost like a clock during this whole discussion.
Basil hearing this remark with his sharp eyes looked in their direction for a moment as he then turned back and said aloud, "now! You're certain you've told me everything?" He asked Olivia as he turned and faced her pointing with his smoking pipe, as she looked at him curiously being held by the shoulders by Dawson who looked just as perplexed.
The suddenness of his voice made Nozomi and the others look back with full attention, for not only was he sharp eyed, he was sharp with his hearing too! Basil continued on talking to Olivia as he asked," the slightest detail maybe important."
Olivia answered him despite her perplexed expression as she told him, "its just as I said, and then my father was gone."
Hearing that again of Olivia's father going missing Nozomi thought back to her own lost master and thought horrible it must be for her, her face look saddened for a moment but then before she could say anything Dawson instead spoke, "what do you make of it?"
At this she looked up as Basil was still deep in thought, king Mickey seeing him like this walked over as he asked him, "yeah, what do you make of it Mr Basil?"
Hearing the questions being asked Basil looked from Dawson and then to Mickey as he then turned away again and started to wonder again as he spoke aloud, "Rattigan's up to something, the crime of the most sinister nature no doubt…"
He then walked up a small flight of stairs near the big window leading to the front door showing the darkness of the night; Olivia followed him closely, seeing them both do this Nozomi chased after them herself as she walked behind Olivia.
As the three of them made it to the front of the window Basil then spoke once more, "the question is… what would he want with a toy maker?" He questioned as he put the smoking pipe back to his lips once more, looking as curious as ever.
Hearing him answer Nozomi put a hand to her own chin looking deep in thought, Olivia looked up at her as she asked, "what do you think Nozomi?"
Thinking as best she could she began to say something, "well… umm…"
Meanwhile Riku watching the king and Dawson debating over what could be going on walked over to Nozomi and Olivia as he watched her concentrated gaze.
Continuing to stare even after Riku made it over Olivia saw that maybe Nozomi had come up with something, "well maybe he wants to infiltrate the toy industry or something?"
Blinking as she said this, as did Riku Olivia asked, "why? What'd he want to do that for?"
Hearing her question Nozomi then answered with a slight shrug, "I don't know I'm just guessing… maybe he's gonna put bombs in teddy bears or something?"
Hearing this answer Riku then said annoyed, "that is the most stupid answer I've ever heard!"
Breaking out of her thoughts Nozomi saw him as he looked at her with an annoyed gaze replying back herself quietly agitated, "well excuse me! It wasn't meant to be taken seriously! I was just saying what first popped into my head!"
Olivia stared as Riku retorted back looking to the side, "well I should only expect a daft answer like that from a dummy like you."
Hearing this answer Olivia looked up at Nozomi as she was now cross herself as she replied angrily, " don't call me a dummy! I get enough abuse from Cait sith without you-!"
"Aaaaaagggghhhh!!!" Olivia suddenly cried in fright as the lightning fell down and there in the darkness was a horrible fanged face as it looked on with a devilish grin, Nozomi herself was freaked out as she stare wide eyed as the others all gasped and turned and saw the awful sight themselves.
The horrible face then became alert and scared itself by the sudden sound and looks from everyone in the room, for now he'd been spotted! He quickly fell clumsily off the windowpane as he made his getaway.
"All of you quickly! We've not got a moment to lose!" Cried Basil as he went straight to the front door and opened it running into the cold night.
Recovering from her sudden fright Nozomi chased after him quickly as she called, "hey Basil wait up!"
After exiting the others quickly followed after her as they made it outside to find any traces of the horrible scoundrel! Arriving upon the wet pavement under the street lamps, there was no trace at all as everyone looked left and right and all over.
"Darn it we missed him!" Riku said angrily, as he couldn't believe he'd been so off guard!
Hearing him Dawson spoke in reply as he looked around pulling his jacket slightly trying to become more comfortable, "indeed there's no sign of the black heart anywhere."
Listening to this Nozomi made her own reply, "yeah, I mean where did he come from anyway! I mean there's no way we'll be able to fin him in this weather with-"
However she was interrupted as Basil had got on his feet and was now on the ground as he had spotted something, "not quite miss Nozomi, he left some rather unusual footprints."
Hearing this everyone then all looked immediately down as they then all saw what he was talking about as there were muddy footprints all across the pavement, though what made them unusual was there was only one foot print mark and the other was a small round circle, this showed definitely he had a peg leg.
Basil then continued with his explanation, "they obviously belong to the same fiend who abducted the girls father, Rattiagan's peg legged lackey!" As he was brimming with success.
Looking at the footprints the king then question, "I wonder though how he managed to make such dirty prints?"
However before the mouse detective or anyone else could give him an answer, Dawson suddenly spoke up as he found something, "uh Basil?"
Everyone looked in his direction as held a small black something in his hands curious Nozomi walked over and asked, "what's that?"
Looking at her the doctor began to answer, "well my dear it's-"
Suddenly he was cut off as Basil grasped the object in hands as he cried, "aha! Excellent work old man!"
Baffled Nozomi then decided to ask the so-called great mouse detective, "so what is it?"
Breaking out of his moment Basil quickly told the clueless girl, "this my dear is a cap and the very lead to our suspect!" With that he then suddenly darted off and ran beck into the house as he was clearly fired up.
"Mr detective wait!" Cried the king as he chased after him, the others seeing this then quickly themselves ran after him.
Meanwhile back inside the maid Mrs Judson was busy comforting Olivia from the sudden rush of events as she told her patting her head, "now there's nothing to be afraid of my dear."
Suddenly then Basil ran in between the two of them making Mrs Judson pull Olivia to her out of the way of the stampeding detective looking at him annoyed while Olivia looked baffled.
The others then finally arrived in as well as they all gathered inside, looking at them all Olivia asked, "is the bat gone?"
Looking down at her seeing her concerned Riku smiled as he got down and said gently, "yeah he's gone, vanished."
Olivia smiled in thanks at his gentle behaviour to her, Nozomi herself was still surprised to learn now that Riku was even a little bit good with kids, though she did wish he'd show her that some of that kind of polite behaviour a little more to her too.
But then she was interrupted by Basil's over enthusiastic voice, "ah but not for long miss Flamhammer!"
Annoyed Olivia quickly replied back, "Flabbersham!"
Acting incredibly loosely casual Basil replied simply, "whatever, now we simply pursue our peg legged friend until he leads us all to the girls father," he spoke as he quickly threw away his dressing gown and put on a coat that was hidden in a grandfather clock.
Hearing this explanation though Nozomi was a little dismissive as she wondered how they'd even do that, but before she could speak her mind Olivia grabbed onto Basil happily crying, "then you'll get my daddy back?!"
She held onto his back tightly as he looked at her surprised, Nozomi smiled herself as she laughed aloud saying, "awww ain't that cute!"
Basil though hearing this was not at all impressed by her words or Olivia's actions as he slid the girl off saying, "yes I'm sure but on the other hand I do not need inappropriate words or manners at this time."
Looking at him wishing to continue the mocking as he was finally saying something a little more to her Nozomi said, "yeah sure."
However once again Basil chose to ignore Nozomi's rudeness as he then turned to get a longer coat saying, "now come along everyone we all must be off to Toby's!"
Hearing that name Riku creased his eyebrows asking, "Toby's, who's Toby?"
Listening to the question Basil quickly answered buttoning the coat up, "oh yes why you all must meet him, he's just the chap for this, for there are going to be battles to be fought and fiends to vanquish and I will need all the support that I can have!"
At this point it was then the king spoke, "wait a minute fight? How do you that there's gonna be a fight, and that any of us here can even do battle?"
At these words it was then Nozomi realised the same thing too for if they revealed their weapons in battle it would show that neither she him or Riku belonged in that world… and that would lead to more further problems.
However before she could say a word it was then Dawson intervened, "ah yes, uh Mickey brings up a good point I mean why would you want them or even me to come along for this?"
Looking at the doctor and then the other Basil quickly told them all wiping clean a magnifying glass on his arm he, " well I should think that a stout hearted army mouse like you would leap at the chance for adventure!"
Dawson rather taken with the compliment replied, "well yes I am rather curious."
Listening to these flattering words Nozomi wasn't impressed as she said, "well that's all well and good but what makes you think that we can-"
Suddenly she was cut off as Basil then walked up to her and looked at her with a grin of success on his face. This made Nozomi suddenly nervous, as he seemed almost crazy to her.
But then Basil went on to finish his explanation, " I can tell that you clearly and your other comrades as well…" he spoke as he turned and looked at Riku and the king who looked back at him unsure themselves, with that he then said, " have far more experience then I or anyone else in this room… KBM."
On this note Nozomi's eyes widened as did Riku's and the king's but before they could say anything Basil once again continued on, "so I shall have you all accompany and have your assistance." He finished with a grin as he held his hand out to Nozomi to shake.
Seeing him do this with the devilishness in his eyes Nozomi could almost read his mind of what he was intending to do, either they join and work with him on the case or he'd announce to the world of their true identities… which was something that nobody wanted at all.
Realising that she had no choice Nozomi reached her hand forward and joined it with Basil's in a shake, saying acting innocent, "um sure okay… we might as well I suppose."
Hearing this Basil was brimming at his triumph as he continued on, "excellent! Now we must be on our way!"
As he walked away it was then Riku walked up to her as he watched Basil walk away quietly, seeing him Nozomi whispered, "it looks we couldn't hide it afterall…"
Hearing her Riku looked and replied, "Yeah looks like it… he is definitely sharper then he seems…"

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Making it back to them breathing his tongue hanging in and out heavily Fidget was trying to recover his lost energy from the near capture, looking up at his new two leaders he looked at them with annoyance slightly, he then complained, "why'd you guys leave me high and dry! If Basil catches us we're done for." He finished as he dreaded to think of what the boss would do to him.
Pete was looking around the corner of the street making sure no-one was trailing after them while Hari on the hand had been looking into the distance for a moment but then hearing Bat's question she looked down at him as she answered, "I only requested you to make a simple surveillance… was the girl there?"
Hearing this question Fidget was quiet for a moment still needing to recover a tiny bit more, Pete then had finished checking as he then walked back over and said, "right it's all clear no interlopers or nothin'!" He smiled satisfied.
Listening to his report Hari looked at him for a moment as she then looked back to Fidget saying. "Good… now did you see her?"
Finally recovered Fidget then spoke, "yup, she was there that all right, also Basil hhhhmmmm and some fat guy, a black mouse guy a white one and a dark grey one wearin' a moon locket and flower thing."
Hearing this explanation and listening to the description of the other guests and hearing HER description Hari then said, "I see… good then, it seems fate has had them tag together it will be interesting to see where this leads."
Fidget didn't understand at all what she was talking about… but Pete did all too well and without another word Hari walked away from the two of them into the darkness. The two of them quickly followed in pursuit to the mission at hand.