*Chapter 16: A Surprise Trap and Proposal*

Basil, Robyn, and Dawson were led to the staircase under the trapdoor. Robyn got her ribbon out and tie her hair into a low ponytail.

"Is everyone alright?" She asked the male mice.

"I'm alright now." Dawson said. "What did they put in my drink?" Basil shushed them as he started to hear humming to himself ahead of them. They turn to see the bat holding a lantern and climb in the pipe. Basil gestured Robyn and Dawson to follow him quietly. Basil look through the pipe to see Fidget walking though with a lantern, unaware he was being followed by the trio. "Basil..." Dawson spoke.

"Shh." Basil shushed him and climbed in the pipe. "Follow me." He told Dawson and Robyn. Dawson climbed up and Robyn helped him up and she climbed in next. Robyn had a feeling she had been into this pipe before. She may be in a blindfold that night, but she remembers how narrow it was to get through with the thugs.
The trio are keeping each other close as they crawl through the pipe, Basil is following the light ahead, but he must remain calm and not get too close to Fidget.

"Great scot. I can't see a thing." Dawson said.

"Basil, are you still there?" Robyn asked, holding onto Dawson's shirt.

"Yes. Grab my coat, doctor." Basil whispered to them. The trio walked along the dark tunnel until Dawson went to the wrong direction. "No, no, no! Not that way! Dawson, look out for your-"

"D'OWWWWW!" Dawson cried out as he conked his head into a wall where the water rains out. "Confound it!"

"Doctor, are you alright?" Robyn asked.

"My head..." Dawson said as he held onto Robyn's hand and follow Basil up to the tunnel. "Do you have any idea where we're going?" Dawson asked the detective.

"Of course." Basil said. "Left turn. Right turn here, my friends." He guides his friends as long as he could see the light in the distance.

After some time of taking strange directions, Basil and the others reached the surface. The detective pushed the grate open and examine the surroundings. Dawson and Robyn joined him and see a large barrel with a golden R. The female mouse made a nervous expression. They are here.

"Aha! Dawson, Robyn, we've found it!" Basil said in a whisper, excited. "Ratigan's secret lair." He climbed out of the grate, holding it to let Dawson and Robyn climb out. "And it's filthier than I imagined." He added. He lowered the grate and hurried over to the wall with Dawson. Robyn remains at her spot by the grate. No one is around. Which is odd. Someone should be around to guard the area, right? "Robyn, come here!" Basil whispered.

"Basil, I need to tell you something." Robyn said. She walked over to him.

"No time for talk." Basil told her. He looked over to see the bottle and see a little figure curled up inside. "Look! The bottle!"

"Basil, I-"

"Robyn, stay close." Basil said as he and Dawson hurried over to the bottle. Robyn then remembered Zoe and Gustave. She looked around to find a cell barrel where Zoe was held in. But she had to talk to Basil. It's now or never. Basil climbed on the neck of the green bottle, trying to pull the cork to free the little girl. "It's stuck."

"Basil, please listen to me for a moment-" Robyn tried to explain.

"Not now, Robyn!" Basil said, trying to pull the cork out.

"Olivia." Dawson whispered as he knocked on the bottle. The figure turned its' face around and it was no other than Fidget. Dressed in a coat and a hat Olivia wore. He grinned at Dawson and blowing a kiss. Dawson stared in horror.

"SURPRISE!" The room lit up and was filled with Ratigan's henchmen giving mock-happy cheers to the trio. Robyn turned with a gasp as Basil fell off the neck of the bottle and look in alarm. Confetti rained down from the ceiling, balloons floated up in the air, and a banner unrolled reading, 'Welcome Basil' on it.
The trio heard clapping and turn to see Ratigan standing in the doorway of his large barrel, looking pleased.

"Bravo! Bravo! A marvelous performance!" Ratigan called and walk down the steps, chuckling evilly. Now, face-to-face with his enemy, Basil's face formed into a glare. His teeth clenched tightly and eyebrows were furrowed downwards. Robyn stood behind Dawson with a nervous look. "Though frankly, I've expected you fifteen minutes earlier." Ratigan said as he took out his gold pocket watch. He grinned at the detective. "Trouble with the chemistry set, old boy?" Despite giving a glare at Ratigan, Basil decided to put on a calm smile.

"Ratigan, no one can have a higher opinion of you than I have." He said. His smile quickly turned into a glare. "And I think that you're a slimy contemptible sewer rat!" The henchmen gasped, afraid of Ratigan's of his least favorite word. But Ratigan didn't react with rage. He kept his grin, chuckling, and put away his pocket watch.

"By the way, Basil." Ratigan spoke, leaning over to Basil and grab one side of the fake mustache. "I just love your disguise." He ripped the fake mustache off of Basil's face, making the detective flinch in pain as the professor scowled at him. "Really, no one would hardly recognize you." The professor chuckled. "The greatest detective, in all of Mousedom!" He laughed, humiliating Basil. But before he could go further, Ratigan noticed Robyn behind Dawson. "Ah, my dear Robyn. So wonderful to see you again." Ratigan said as he walked up to her as Dawson was pulled aside by one of the henchmen.

"Again?" Basil asked. He turned to face Robyn. "Robyn? You know this criminal?"

"Basil, I've tried to tell you! I wanted to tell you!" Robyn said. Basil stared at her in disbelief. "It's not what you think!" Then Ratigan let out a chuckle.

"Oh, this is rich! My angel didn't have a heart to tell the precious detective about us. I knew I could count on her for keeping it a secret." He said, bringing Robyn over to him to let his men see her. "I've always knew you could be a use to me, my dear." Robyn looked at him in horror.

"No!" Robyn said. She faces Basil and Dawson. "Basil, it's not like-"

"Robyn, you knew about the trap?" Dawson asked.

"Robyn, I thought..." Basil said, trying to keep his cool. "I thought we were friends! And you had to keep this dark secret from me!"

"Basil, please! I am your friend! I never meant to-"

"Robyn!" A voice cried out. Robyn turned her head to see Gustave and Zoe being dragged out of their cell. "Robyn!" Gustave called, held back by a mouse. Robyn wanted to go to him and Zoe, but Ratigan held her back.

"Now, now. No need to rush, my dear. You have come here for another surprise." Ratigan told her. Robyn looked up at him as he held her hand. "My friends, here is the moment we have been waiting for." Ratigan announced to his henchmen. The mice made a grin as Ratigan kneeled down and look at Robyn. "Robyn Lotte, I want you to be my bride. And my queen to rule by my side of all Mousedom." Robyn gaped at him in shock. Basil and Dawson were shocked as they hear this. Zoe and Gustave watched silently as the henchmen made sure they keep quiet.

"Professor, I..." Robyn tried to speak. All eyes are on her. She looked over at Basil. The detective and the doctor stared at her in disbelief. Basil is hurt. Not only that Robyn never told him about her first encounter with Ratigan, she is asked to be the bride.

"If you refuse my proposal..." Ratigan stood up and took out his bell. "Your beloved friends will be Felicia's dinner." Robyn shook her head and turn to see her friends.

"Robyn, don't accept!" Zoe pleaded. "You shouldn't be here in a first place!"

"Silence, Miss Ginny!" Ratigan warned her. He faces Robyn. "Now, what will it be, Miss Lotte? Marry me, or your friends will suffer." Robyn's head is spinning. She didn't want to do this. But, to save her friends, she knew what she had to do. Robyn took a deep breath and look up at the evil professor.

"I...I will be your bride." She said shutting her eyes. Ratigan grinned wickedly and took her by the hand.

"That's better." He said. "Although, I do need some proof to see how serious you are by keeping your word." Robyn blinked at him. She is serious about accepting the proposal. What more could he want? "How about a little kiss?"

"What?!" Robyn cried out. Zoe and Gustave gasped. "In f-f-front of-"

"Changed your mind, my dear?" Ratigan brought up a bell, getting ready to ring for his cat to come out for a feast. "Going once..." He said. "Going twice..."

"No! Stop!" Robyn said, having her hand out to stop him. "Please. I'll do what you wish." Ratigan put away his bell and brought Robyn close to him. Basil and Dawson were held by the henchmen. Ratigan started to dance with Robyn. "What is this?" Robyn asked the professor.

"Before we seal the deal, I want us to give our guests a show." Ratigan whispered to her. He snapped his fingers and music started to play. One of the thugs started to sing for them. The mouse has muscles and has a cigar in his mouth. From the cell barrel, Mr. Flaversham could see the commotion. The violin is heard. Ratigan and Robyn are having a tango. The thug sang in his Latin accent.

"First...there is desire!
Then...passion! Then...suspicion!
Jealousy! Anger! Betrayal!
Where love is for the highest bidder,
There can be no trust!
Without trust,
There is no love!
Jealousy. Yes, jealousy...
Will drive you...mad!"

Ratigan gave Robyn a dramatic dip as they dance around the lair as the henchmen watched with grins. Basil stared at Robyn dancing with the criminal with his emerald eyes. He couldn't believe this. His childhood friend he now has feelings for, is going to be Ratigan's bride and queen. He felt betrayed as he listens to the song by a mouse.

"Roxanne!
You don't have to put on that red light.
Walk the streets for money,
You don't care if it's wrong or if it is right.
Roxanne!
You don't have to wear that dress tonight.
Roxanne!
You don't have to sell your body to the night."

As Ratigan brought Robyn's hand up to his face and kiss it gently with a cunning smile. Robyn faced him in silent. Basil silently sings to himself as he watches after the henchman finished the song.

"His eyes upon your face.
His hand upon your hand.
His lips caress your fur.
It's more than I can stand."

"Wonderful, Robyn. Now, bring those lovely lips over to me." Ratigan said, placing his finger under Robyn's chin. The mouse closes her eyes and lean over to Ratigan's face. It felt like time had slowed down as they lean towards each other. The henchmen waited with baited breath as they watch. Ratigan placed one of his hands behind Robyn's neck, the other on the small of her back. Zoe shook her head as Gustave shuts his eyes, not wanting to watch.
Ratigan and Robyn's lips met. The henchmen let out a loud cheer for their boss, finally getting what he achieves. Basil's heart stopped as he witnessed. He sings again to himself, trying to contain his anger. Robyn's hands are on Ratigan's shoulders as they kiss, making the deal offical.

"Why does my heart cry?
Feelings I can't fight.
You're free to leave me, but just don't deceive me.
And please believe me when I say I love you."

They pulled away, Ratigan grinned down at Robyn who frowned in shame. Basil couldn't take it anymore. He pulled away from the grasp of the thugs.

"Ratigan, so help me... I'll see you behind bars yet!" He yelled.

"You fool!" Ratigan shouted directly at Basil. "Isn't it clear to you?!" He grabbed the detective by the coat, lifting him up in the air, shaking him like a ragdoll. "The superior mind has triumphed! I've won!" Ratigan dropped the detective and laughed. Fidget and the rest of the henchmen joined the laugh at the detective. Basil tried to ignore the laughter. He opened his eyes and realized that Ratigan is right. The detective's face turned into defeat and slumped his posture. He is defeated. Dawson wanted to help Basil, but he didn't know how to. Robyn started to form tears in her eyes as she watched Basil who is broken.

"Basil, forgive me. Please, forgive me." She said. Ratigan's laughter continued, pointing at the poor detective hysterically.

"Oh I love it, I love it! How I love it, I love it, I love it!"