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…"
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
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.
