*Chapter 21: Big Ben Chase*

Robyn was lying on the large cog with her eyes closed. Her body is sore. But she got up on her hands and knees, opening her hazel eyes to see that she is inside Big Ben with large machinery around her and the sounds of tick-tock. Her some of her strands of her hair came out of her ponytail. Robyn wanted to call out for Basil and Gustave, but she was afraid that Ratigan might hear her. She continues to look around to find Basil and Gustave by climbing on the gears. Suddenly, a voice sang out, echoing inside the Big Ben for Robyn to hear.

"How you turned my world, you precious thing.
You starve and near-exhaust me."

Robyn tried not to panic as she is climbing on the gears and jump down on another large cog. Ratigan could be anywhere, following her. The mouse woman looked down to see Basil looking for her.

"Basil!" Robyn called to him. The detective looked up to see her. They continue to hear Ratigan singing to Robyn. But Gustave was nowhere to be found.

"Everything I've done, I've done for you.
I move the stars for no one."

"Robyn, stay up there." Basil said as he is about to climb up the gears. "I'm coming." Robyn didn't say a word as she stood on the cog, looking for the young rat. She is starting to worry.

"You've run so long.
You've run so far."

Robyn could hear muffled sounds coming from behind her. She turned and let out a gasp. Ratigan is there, holding Gustave with one arm, forming an evil smirk at the frightened mouse. Gustave is unharmed from the crash, but he will be if Ratigan lays a claw on him. Robyn gave him a glare as she held the hem of the dressing robe. Ratigan continues to sing to her.

"Your eyes can be so cruel.
Just as I can be so cruel.
Though I do believe in you."

His smooth voice echoes in the Big Ben. Robyn stared at him with a soft look. Gustave watched her approach him slowly, like as if she were in trance. The boy tried to get out of the strong grip, but to no avail. Ratigan uses a free hand to reach for Robyn.

"Yes I do.
Live without the sunlight.
Love without your heartbeat.
I, I can't live within you."

A gloved hand strokes Robyn's cheek as she stares up at him. The mouse took his hand, smiling at him lovingly. As he was distracted, Robyn got the dagger out and lunge it into his side. Ratigan cried out in agony and dropped Gustave. Robyn took the dagger out as Basil hurried up to the cog, leaping in the air grabbing Ratigan's cape and shoved it in two gears. This caused Ratigan to choke as he placed his hands on his neck to free himself. He looked down in anger and kicked Gustave off the gear. The boy screamed as he fell, but he landed on a gear.

"Gustave!" Robyn cried out. She looked up to see that Gustave had landed on a large gear was going towards another gear above it with teeth coming together. Gustave will be crushed to death. "Basil, we have to help him!"

"Take my hand!" Basil said as he grabbed Robyn's hand and they both jump off the cog while Ratigan is struggling to free himself from the gears his cape was placed in. They both land on the lever, pushing it down with their feet to activate the chains. "Hang on, Robyn." Basil said as he positioned her on his back and jump on the chains to reach for Gustave. The chain moved upwards, faster and faster. Basil reaching out his arm to prepare to grab Gustave once he and Robyn reach him. The young rat scooted over to the edge of the tooth as the gear above lowered closer and closer. Gustave shuts his eyes, preparing to be crushed. At the minute, Basil grabbed his hand and pull him out just as the gear made contact with the tooth.
Basil held Gustave in his arm as the boy smiled at him, thanking him for saving his life. Robyn smiled in relief and held onto Basil as they reach up to the higher level.

On the gear, Ratigan was looking up, attempting to free himself from choking as the gears were trapping him with his cape. His expression was filled with anger as he saw a trio running across the beam. Basil, Robyn, and Gustave were making their escape as lightning flashed to illuminate their shadows on the walls. Ratigan's blood red eyes turn to rage as he felt a monster is awakening inside of him. His plans were ruined, all because of Basil. But the worst part of all is that Robyn has love interest for Basil instead of Ratigan. The professor snapped as he shredded his cape, finally free.

XX

"Hurry!" Basil said as he held Robyn by the hand as Gustave ran ahead of them. But the trio halted as they reach the edge of the clock tower. They are very high up. Basil quickly pulled the boy back, not wanting him to fall off. Robyn grabbed Basil's arm, looking back where they ran, knowing that Ratigan could be gaining on them.

"Basil, what should we do?" Robyn asked.

"Look!" Gustave said, pointing at the sky. Basil and Robyn turned to see the aircraft with Mr. Flaversham, Dawson, and Zoe. They are guiding the balloon aircraft closer to the edge of the clock tower.

"Gustave, come on." Robyn said as she picked up the boy. "You go first."

"What about you?" Gustave asked as he was hoisted up in the air. Zoe leaned over, stretching her arms out to grab Gustave. "Robyn, he's coming!" Gustave said.

"I know! I don't want you to get hurt!" Robyn said. Mr. Flaversham held onto Zoe's dress, helping her to get Gustave.

"Closer, Dawson! Closer!" Basil cried out. Gustave and Zoe still couldn't reach for each other. Robyn couldn't get too close to the edge.

"Robyn, you have to throw him!" Zoe said. Gustave's eyes went wide. Robyn didn't have time to argue as she and Basil started to hear growls behind them. The mouse threw Gustave in the air and Zoe grabbed his hands and pull him up to the aircraft. Robyn turned around and let out a scream as she sees Ratigan running towards them on all fours. His suit and cape were torn. He is no longer a prideful gentleman he always pulled off, he is now a wild, deadly monster. The rat leaped in the air and pounced on Basil and Robyn, falling from the edge.

"No!" Gustave cried out in horror. "Robyn!"

"Oh dear me!" Mr. Flaversham gasped.

"We must go after them!" Dawson said as he and the toymaker are going to head below of the clock tower with the balloon aircraft.

Basil, Raitgan, and Robyn were sliding down on the roof side of Big Ben. The rain made it more slippery. Basil and Robyn tried to dig their fingers in the rooftop, but it was no use. They fall down towards the minute hand of the clock. They land hard on it, almost laid above the edge. Basil and Robyn recovered from the fall, opening their eyes to look down at the deep drop. Basil panicked and quickly grabbed Robyn up and lean against the minute hand, holding her close. Robyn looked up at the detective.

"Basil..." She spoke.

"I've got you, darling." Basil whispered to her. Robyn held onto his shoulders, looking around. "He's gone, Little Lotte." Basil said.

"Basil! Robyn!" Dawson's voice called. Basil and Robyn look up to see their allies coming over through the rain and the wind. Basil and Robyn smiled and about to step forward. Suddenly, Ratigan yelled out and grabbed Robyn around the neck to choke her. Robyn let out a scream and managed to get free. Basil took her by the hand and attempt to make a run for it. But Ratigan blocked their direction.

"There's no escape this time, Basil and Robyn!" He growled. Basil and Robyn ran into another direction, but Ratigan was a step ahead. He blocked them and he revealed his long sharp claws. He swiped his claws as they cut through Basil's coat. Basil was struck in the face, leaving claw marks, blood drawing out. Robyn watched in horror.

"Basil!" She cried out. She tried to reach him, but Ratigan struck her in the face with the back of his paw, knocking her over near the edge. Robyn got the dagger and look up to see Ratigan striking Basil across the minute hand. The poor detective had more scratch marks on him, and his suit was ripped. Robyn attempted to leap onto Ratigan's back and stab his shoulder, making him cry out. He reached for her and throw her across to have her land next to Basil. The mad professor pulled the dagger off him and threw it aside. Now Robyn is completely defenseless. Ratigan used his claws to claw into Robyn's back, making her cry out in pain. Basil pulls Robyn away, getting away from the rat. They both look up at Ratigan, who caught up with them.

"Robyn, stay back!" Basil ordered the mouse woman, trying to block her from his enemy.

"She will join you in death in time, Basil! If I can't have her, then no one can!" Ratigan snapped, using his claws to attack the detective and knocked him off the minute hand, but Basil managed to hang on the edge of the pointer. Robyn watched in horror as she was on her side, holding her arm to stop the bleeding.

"Basil, no!" She cried out. She wanted to help him, but she was blocked Ratigan. "Leave him alone!" With inhumanly breaths through his nostrils, Ratigan brought his clawed hand up to strike Basil again. "No!" Robyn screamed. At the moment, Ratigan attacked the detective, causing him to lose his grip. Basil began to fall. He was beyond Dawson's reach and continue to fall. Robyn peered over the edge and let out a cry. "No! Basil!"

"I've won!" Ratigan exclaimed and laughed with joy. Thunder and lightning applauded him. He then grabbed Robyn's arm and swung her around to have her face him. "Basil of Baker Street is no more, Miss Lotte! And you will join him!" Ratigan said as he looks deep into the poor mouse's eyes. Robyn tried to pull away from the mad rat.

"On the contrary!" A voice spoke out. Ratigan stopped and peered over the edge as did Robyn. Basil was hanging onto the pedaling set of Ratigan's damaged blimp and was holding onto Ratigan's bell. "The game's not over yet!" Basil said with a smirk. He rings a bell. Ratigan checked his empty pocket, wondering how the detective managed to steal his possession. The moment was cut short as the clock's hour hand moved.

BONG!

The Big Ben rang, causing the vibration. Ratigan loses his balance and Robyn managed to slip away from his grasp. The rat fell off the minute hand. He made another attempt on Basil by grabbing his legs. The weight was too heavy, the ropes snapped and they both fall. Robyn peered over to see her beloved detective fall along with screaming Ratigan into the fog. Dawson and the others peered over from their balloon aircraft where Basil and Ratigan disappeared into the misty fog.
Poor Robyn started to sob, bringing her hands to her eyes.

"No..." She whispered. "Please...don't leave me." A deerstalker hat landed by her feet. Robyn turned to it and grab it. She held against her chest. "I love you." Robyn whispered as tears fall from her eyes. Zoe, Dawson, Mr. Flaversham, and Gustave lowered their heads, mourning for the detective. Dawson placed his hand on Gustave's shoulder to comfort him.
Soon, the mourning was cut short when they all hear a faint squeaky sounds coming from below. Robyn blinked and peered over to see a propeller that was flying upwards. She got on her feet, gripping on the deerstalker hat as the propeller is coming out of the fog. The rider was no other than Basil. He continued to pedal upwards and gave a relieved smile to Robyn and the others.

"Hooray!" Dawson cried out with joy. "Good fellow! Oh jolly good!"

"He's alive!" Zoe said, clasping her hands together.

"Yes!" Gustave said, jumping with triumphant. Basil got the propeller close to the minute hand so he could jump to Robyn. Once his feet is on the minute hand, he dropped the propeller down to the fog. Robyn stared at Basil with joy.

"Basil!" She wrapped her arms around him, causing him to cry out in pain. "Oh! I'm sorry!" Robyn quickly pulled away and held onto his shoulders. "Are you alright?"

"I will be, my love." Basil told her with a reassuring smile. He gave her a gentle hug. Robyn brought her head up to look at his face. Basil placed his hand behind her head gently and lean towards her. Robyn wrapped her arms around his neck and close her eyes. Finally, their lips met. They embrace each other with love. It was Robyn's real first kiss. They are truly meant to be. From friends to lovers.
In the dark skies, the clouds cleared up and the moon shines bright and the stars revealing. The balloon aircraft guide to Basil and Robyn to get them off of the minute hand to leave Big Ben.