*Chapter 19: Save the Queen and Raiding the Palace*
Back at Buckingham Palace, many citizens of Mousedom were in the royal hall, waiting for the queen's presentation of her Diamond Jubilee. On a balcony, two of Ratigan's disguised henchmen blew into trumpets to announce the queen's entrance. Everyone looked up at the podium where the green curtains had a spotlight on. The green curtains open and the fake queen made its way up to the podium. The citizens clapped for her arrival, unaware that this queen is a robot. The robot mouse queen halted and stood still in the center of the stage and the citizens ceased their claps and ready to listen to the queen's speech.
"On this most August occasion, we are gathered here, not only to commemorate my sixty years as queen." The fake queen spoke. "But to honor one of true noble stature, that is..."
XX
Behind the curtain, Ratigan turned back to see helpless Mr. Flaversham activating the controls of the robot queen and speaking into the speaker as he followed along the words on cue cards held by Bill. Gustave peered to see the crowd watching and listening to the fake speech in awe. Ratigan smiled and patted the boy's head.
"What'd I tell you, my boy?" He whispered to him. "Not everyone is bright." Gustave shook his head in disbelief. For once, he was proved wrong. The young rat turned back to face Robyn standing behind Ratigan, holding the hems of her dress with a look in her eyes. Zoe was held back by the henchmen, with her hands tied up and gagged.
'This better work.' Gustave thought to himself as he was told about Robyn's plan by Zoe. It is risky.
"I present to you, a statesmen among mice. A gifted leader..." Mr. Flaversham spoke into the speaker as he controls the robot queen. He feels terrible about this.
XX
"A crusader for justice." The robot queen placed its' hand over the heart, continuing the speech. Every mouse is fooled by the robot. Not even one noticed a thing. "A majestic mountain of humility." The robot queen gestured to the curtains. "And my new royal consort and his bride..." Everyone grew excited, wondering what the new rulers would be. "Professor Ratigan and Robyn Lotte!"
The professor and a mouse revealed themselves to the crowd. Ratigan is dressed in overly rich royal garments. A golden crown sat upon his head, numerous gold medals along his purple robes, a huge golden belt with the letter R engraved on it. On the left side of his belt was a sword. Next to him stood Robyn, looking at the crowd in her wedding gown and wearing a crown with a veil.
Everyone gasped at the sight of the professor of terror and shock. How could their beloved queen choose this evil professor as their new ruler? A little boy mouse in the crowd blew a raspberry, but his alarmed mother covered his mouth. Robyn had her hands on the hems of her dress, making sure the dagger she had hid is there, but she didn't feel it against her thigh.
'Wait. The dagger. Where is it?' Robyn thought in panic.
Ginny was wandering through the streets of River Thames, looking for Robyn and Zoe herself. She calls out their names. But then, she spotted three mice climbing out of the sewer grate. Ginny recognized one of them.
"Pardon me! Excuse me, sir!" Ginny called out, rushing over to the detective. Basil turned to face the woman. "Are you Mr. Basil of Baker Street?"
"Yes I am. Ma'am, whatever it is you need help-"
"My daughter is missing. Her name is Zoe, and I have Robyn Lotte and Gustave that live with me at the Opera house, but they've gone missing!" Ginny said.
"Wait. You're Robyn's caretaker?" Basil asked. Ginny nodded. "Then you must come with us to Buckingham Palace. That is where they are." Before Ginny could utter a word, Basil let out a loud whistle. Barking was heard in a distance. Toby ran out from behind the building, splashed through a puddle. "Toby!" Basil called. Ginny let out a gasp as the dog halts in front of the detective.
"What in heavens?!" Ginny cried out. Dawson and Olivia appeared next to Basil. Toby gave Olivia a lick, making her giggle.
"The game's afoot Toby." Basil said. "Our queen is in mortal danger!" The dog understood the situation, and let out an angry growl. He lowered his head and the mice climbed up on his head. Ginny climbed up and held onto the collar. "To Buckingham Palace!" Basil commanded, pointing a finger in a distance. Toby took off to the destination, barking.
"Thank you, your majesty." Ratigan said as he gave a bow. Robyn turned her head back to see Gustave peeking his head out and held the dagger up for her to see. Robyn must've dropped it when she was dragged out. The plan had backfired. Robyn gestured Gustave to stay behind the green curtain and hide his dagger from the henchmen. "And now, as your new royal consort, I have a few slight suggestions." Ratigan spoke as he got out a scroll. Robyn looked up at him in confusion.
'What is he doing now?' Robyn thought. With a wicked grin, Ratigan unrolled the scroll, and it rolled down the stage.
"Not to worry, my dear. We will exchange our vows soon." Ratigan told Robyn. He then cleared his throat and got out his reading glasses. "Item one..."
In the streets, Toby sped through with his master and the other passengers on him. A large carriage pulled by two horses was about to turn from the corner. Ginny gasps as the horses rear up startled as the basset hound kept running. The human coachman tried to calm down the horses as Toby ran past the carriage.
At the front gates, Toby reached Buckingham Palace, barking. He halted in front of a cracked pillar, leading straight into the palace. Toby held up his nose as the mice hopped off and head straight through the crack.
"The last thing I ever wanted is to have Robyn marry a psychopathic criminal!" Ginny said as she ran along side with Basil.
"She will not. I assure you that, Madame Ginny." Basil said.
XX
On the balcony, Fidget was carrying Queen Moustoria who is tied up and gagged. He held her up above his head, the queen's eyes widen as she looks down what was waiting below the balcony. Felicia opened her mouth wide, waiting to be fed.
In the hallway, Basil was running ahead of his group. They must save the queen before they get to Ratigan.
"Bye bye!" Fidget cackled. He was about to throw the helpless queen down to Felicia, but Basil grabbed the queen from the bat's grasp. Fidget slipped off the balcony and cried out as he sees the jaws of the bat. He grabbed on the railing of the balcony and shook his good foot at Felicia. "Down, down, kitty, down!"
Suddenly, loud barking is heard from the distance. Felicia turned back wondering where it was coming from. Toby is charging towards her, barking angrily. The cat let out a loud screech before running away from the basset hound.
"Item 96!" Ratigan let out a chuckle and continued. "A heavy tax should be levied against all parasites and sponges. Such as the elderly, the infirm, and especially...little children." Ratigan grinned as he turned upside down to face a boy. The mother pulled the boy away in horror. Robyn watched and listened to this in shock. The elderly mouse with a cane came up to the professor, outraged by the new rules.
"That's ridicules! You're insane!" He said. Ratigan frowned and stood straight up to face the elder.
"Perhaps I haven't made myself clear." He said. He snatched the cane from the old mouse who fell. Robyn gasped, covering her mouth with one hand. Ratigan broke the cane in two. "I have the power!"
"Of course you do." The robot queen spoke. Ratigan's grin grew wider, hopped on the pillars of the stage.
"I am supreme!"
"Only you!" The robot queen said in agreement.
"This is my kingdom!" Ratigan let out a laugh as his shadow towered above the crowd who watched in terror. Robyn watched in fear. Ratigan has gotten crazy. After finishing the announcements, Ratigan decided now is the time to exchange vows. He took Robyn's paws with a gentle smile. "And now, we shall exchange our vows. That is of course with your highness's permission?" The robot queen stood still and did not reply. Ratigan's smile turn to concern and lightly hit the robot. The robot began to function and spoke.
"Most absurdly." It said. The eyebrows furrowed into an angry expression. "You insidious fiend!"
"What?" Ratigan's expression turn to shock. Robyn blinked at the robot. Did Mr. Flaversham go against Ratigan all of a sudden? The crowd lean their heads in, wondering what was happening.
"You're not my real consort!" The robot queen spoke out loud. "And this lady is not your bride!"
"Oh, what a sense of humor." Ratigan said, placing his hand over the robot's mouth, making a nervous grin at the crowd.
"You're a cheat, fraud, and imposter!" The robot queen said, getting out of the hands of a professor. Ratigan managed to cover the mouth and hissed at the curtains.
"Flaversham!" Robyn started to listen to the robot's words carefully. She couldn't help but to think the speech sounds familiar. Could it be?
"A corrupt, vicious, demented, low-life scoundrel!" The robot queen said. "There's no evil scheme you wouldn't concoct!"
Robyn peered behind the curtain and see Basil controlling the robot and speaking through the speaker instead of Mr. Flaversham. He and Dawson are alive and well. The goons were tied up and gagged by Dawson and the queen herself. Zoe and Ginny were hugging each other as did Olivia and her father. Robyn wanted to cry out in joy, but she must keep quiet as Basil is using the controls to humiliate Ratigan as payback.
"Robyn!" Ginny said, bringing Robyn over and embrace her and Gustave. "Thank goodness you're alright!"
"Madame Ginny! I thought I'd never see you again!" Robyn said. Zoe came over to Robyn's side. Gustave got the dagger out. "Get me out of this thing." Robyn said. Gustave gave Zoe the dagger and ready to cut the dress off.
"You professor..." Basil said, moving the levers back and forth.
XX
On stage, the robot started to break into thousand pieces. All is left is eyes and teeth. Ratigan watched in shock and terror.
"Are none other than a foul stentious rodenscious! Commonly known as a..."
"Don't say it!" Ratigan said, grabbed the neck, face and eyes turned red with rage. Coming out of the curtains is Basil, pointing at him.
"SEWER RAT!"
"AAAGGGGGHHHHHH!" Ratigan screamed, feeling the word had stabbed him in the back.
"Arrest that fiend!" Basil yelled. Ratigan turned to see his enemy alive and well. He then noticed that Robyn isn't with him on stage. Suddenly, Basil's companions, including Mr. Flaversham and Queen Moustoria jumped on Ratigan, attempted to bring him down. Then, the whole royal hall started to become a brawl. The citizens of Mousedom started to fight Ratigan's goons.
XX
Behind the curtains, Robyn is in her undergarments and have the dressing robe on. The sleeves reached her elbows and the dress is touching the floor. Robyn puts her hair in a low ponytail. Olivia and Gustave peered out to see the fight going on.
"I have to help Basil!" Robyn said, taking Gustave's dagger.
"What? No!" Ginny said, grabbing Robyn's hand. "You mustn't go out there! Ratigan could-"
"Mother, we must help! Ratigan has done too much damage!" Zoe said, cutting her mother off. "We owe it to Basil." Robyn left them to join the fight. Unaware to anyone, Fidget got himself free from the ropes and smiled wickedly.