A day passed after the Jubilee, where in Baker Street everyone prepared to say their farewells and go their separate ways. The Illustrated London Mouse newspaper had a front picture of Basil, Dawson and Anissa bowing before the Queen, knighted for their bravery. The headline reads: Queen Honors Detective, along with more more information Queen Praises Detective Basil, Medal to be given and Time Runs Out for Ratigan, confirming the villain's death. Basil had used the newspaper to replace the portrait of his late nemesis.
"To be thanked by the Queen herself!" Dawson sighs in awe. "Oh, how very thrilling. Eh, Basil?"
Smiling contently, Basil places Ratigan's bell on the mantle as a memory of the case. "All in a day's work, doctor."
In the room with the two men, the Flaversham family and the Fletcher family were all dressed in their outing clothes, ready to leave for home. Anissa carried a bundle of her old mint green dress, having been fixed up by Mrs. Judson, but allowed to keep wearing that blue dress she had grown fond of wearing. In a box which Olivia carried, her ballerina toy mouse was mended by her father after it was once destroyed by Ratigan, but another specially gift-wrapped package was held behind Theo's back, excited to present it to the detective.
"Oh, Dr. Dawson," Olivia said, "you were wonderful."
Dawson chuckled bashfully at the child's sweet comment.
"Indeed." Hiram agreed, then he nodded his head at Theo in Basil's direction to give him his present.
Nodding back, Theo presented the gift to the sleuth with a huge grin. "Mr. Basil, we'd like to give you this." He noticed the Fletcher sisters and Olivia smiling, aware of what was inside the package.
Basil accepted with feeble protest, though he couldn't refuse a gift. "Oh! Uh, ahem! This is quite unnecessary."
"It isn't enough but..." Anissa paused, full of emotion but eager to see his reaction.
Basil carefully unwrapped and opened the present. His eyes widened in surprise, as well as everyone else's, it was a brand new violin. The detective gasps in delight, "Why...a new violin!" Immediately, he takes out the instrument and plays a brief yet beautiful tune to make sure it works. "Oh, marvelous tone! I don't know what to say."
"How about thank you?" Anissa suggested. "Olivia and I did owe you a new violin."
Everyone chuckled heartily, until Hiram checks his pocket watch and notices the time. "Oh my! We're late to catch our train. Come along, Olivia."
"Yes, Father." Olivia knew this was a very bittersweet moment to say goodbye to the sleuth who saved her life as well as her father. She embraced Basil's waist to give him one more hug before she leaves for home. "Goodbye, Basil." Olivia sniffled, on the verge of tears. "I...I'll never forget you."
A warm smile spread across Basil's face as he tenderly puts his hands on her shoulders. He would never forget her either. "Nor I you, Miss..." he couldn't help himself, so he repeated his little gag one last time, "Miss Flangerhanger."
Olivia stares for a second, but she shakes her head with a smile.
Dawson chuckled, adding the last line to that little joke. "Whatever."
Next, Olivia wanted to say farewell to the woman who helped her throughout her situation, having some to view as a second mother figure. "Goodbye Anissa," she whimpered, "I won't forget you either!" She hugged her tightly around the waist.
Anissa grew touched by the little's girl words, feeling her own tears forming in her eyes. "I won't forget you too, Olivia."
"I know I never got to know my mother, but I like to imagine she was like you."
Hearing that brought even more tears in Anissa's eyes. "Ohh, sweetie!" Overcome with emotions, she got down on her knees and threw her arms round Olivia's tiny form.
Theo started to cry at such a sentimental scene, wiping a tear aside with his sleeve as that familiar twinge of pain returned to his heart. "I just hate tearful partings," he whispered. Suddenly, he found himself caught off guard by Olivia giving him a loving embrace.
"Goodbye, Theo. I-I'll miss you," she wept.
The black mouse let out a quiet snort, sniffling a few times before he returned the embrace with equal affection. If it wasn't for her, he would still be working for Ratigan and the truth of the scandal would never have come out. He owed a lot to her, though he wasn't quite used to partings as bittersweet as this. "I'll...I'll miss you, I guess." Releasing her, Theo gently ushered her to go to her father, who stood patiently by the open door. "Go ahead. Go grown up."
At last, Olivia turned to the kindhearted doctor who supported her throughout this case. "Goodbye, Dr. Dawson."
"Goodbye, my dear." Dawson gingerly gave her a pat on the head.
Making her way up the small staircase to the front door, Olivia paused to look at her friends one last time. "Goodbye," she whispered. She left the flat with her father, closing the door on her way out. Cyril stood close by, waiting patiently as Olivia gave a friendly pat on Toby's nose when she said farewell to the saddened basset hound. He volunteered to fly them to the train station for a faster and quicker way there. With a salute, the pigeon took to the skies with his passengers.
Once the Flavershams have left, Basil couldn't help feeling blue about their leaving. "Well, uh...ahem..." He sniffled, trying not to let his emotions make him cry. "Not a bad little girl, actually."
"Not at all," Dawson agreed.
Mr. Fletcher sighed, deeply affected by all of the tears and sorrowful departing. Nevertheless, he signaled to his wife that they needed to head for home. "Come on, girls. It's time for us to go."
Anissa knew her father was correct, then she approached the detective to give him a hug by wrapping her arms around his torso and rested her head on his shoulder. "Thank you, Basil. You really helped me through a lot. I..." she sniffled, "I look forward to seeing you again." She knew this is not goodbye, for they will be seeing a lot more of each other in their courtship.
"You mean on your dates?" Primrose teased, earning her a slight nudge from Theo to shush her.
Basil returned the embrace, placing his arms around her back to hold her close. His solemn expression told how much he loved Anissa and how her leaving will despair him, but he knew this isn't the last time they'd see one another. He looked forward to courting her, even though he was knew at this. And maybe, just maybe, she might be of use to aide him in more cases in the future. "I hope to see you more, darling." He gave her hand a tender kiss, silently regretting he released her from the embrace, but he couldn't be selfish to keep her with him.
"Goodbye, Dawson." Anissa turned round to give him a farewell hug. "And thank you."
"Goodbye, dear." Dawson gave her a little squeeze back before releasing her.
The entire family departed after saying their farewells. Theo followed after, but paused to give a respectful bow of his head to Basil, who repeated the gesture with high regard. Anissa lingered at the doorway to give Basil, her boyfriend, and Dawson, her close friend, a little smile and a wave. She left the flat and closed the door behind her. Although she was happy to go home, she felt that distressing pain in her heart for leaving Basil. Her mother noticed her stiff posture, placing a hand on her back to gently lead her away with a comforting smile.
"Don't worry, dear. You'll see him again," she assured her daughter.
"Are you and father okay with me and Basil dating?"
"Of course, my dear." Lucinda made sure her husband didn't hear what she had to say next. "Although, you're father is a bit worrisome of your new boyfriend. After the Adolf situation, can you blame him?" She watched her daughter nod. "Besides, even if he doesn't accept your boyfriend, why don't you invite Basil over for dinner when your father is not home." Lucinda gave her that playful smirk while winking at her.
"Mother!" Anissa's face turned crimson red at what her mother suggested.
Inside the flat, Dawson gave a distressed Basil a pat on the back for solace, understanding the detective was already upset at Anissa's departure. He was happy for them, glad to see they have found love in each other. With a sigh, he put on his bowler hat and said, "Well, it's time I was on my way too."
"But, umm..." Basil stammered in slight protest. Truthfully, he didn't want Dawson to leave cause he had grown to enjoy his company and appreciate his assistance. "But I thought..."
"Well, the case is over and..." Dawson put on his jacket, not sure if he wanted to leave either but he made up his mind. "Perhaps it's...perhaps it's best if I found my own living quarters."
"But..." Basil's words were interrupted by a knock at the door, slightly irritated. "Oh, now who could that be?"
Dawson opened the door and there stood a lovely lady mouse with blue eyes and dressed in an elegant green dress and hat. Her expression was filled with distress and in desperate need of help.
The lady mouse hesitatingly asked, "I-Is this the home of the famous Basil of Baker Street?"
"Indeed it is, Miss." Dawson confirmed, tipping his hat politely with a grin. His smile faded to concern when he recognized her forlorn frown. "You look as if you're in some trouble."
"Oh, I am." The lady mouse commences to weeping a bit, drying her eyes with a handkerchief. "I am!"
"Then you've come to precisely the right place."
Seizing the moment to reveal what he was trying to say earlier, Basil appears behind him and puts his arm around Dawson. "Ah! Allow me to introduce my trusted associate, Dr. Dawson, with whom I do all my cases. Isn't that right, doctor?" he asked, hoping to convince him to stay as his partner.
Dawson seems surprised at first, but then contemplates what the detective is offering him. "Huh? What?" He watched Basil extend his hand out as an offer of partnership. He gladly shook Basil's hand and accepted the offer, beginning their newfound friendship. "Oh, yes. Yes. By all means."
This sentimental moment lingers for a bit as Basil chuckled while adjusting his necktie, and then gets straight to serious business for his new client. His words brought lady mouse and Dawson to his attention, "As you can see, Dawson, this young lady has just arrived from the Hampstead district and is troubled about the disappearance of an emerald ring missing from the third finger of her right hand. Now, tell me your story and, pray, be precise."
Outside Basil's window, Toby was sitting outside and has an ear lifted so he can listen with interest. The dog nodded along with Basil's conclusion. Up above him, Sherlock Holmes was playing his violin from the upstairs window in his flat.
Sophy carried the Fletcher family homeward on her back, giving a parting howl back to her boyfriend, Toby, when she left. Even though she was upset to leave him, the spaniel knew she'll be seeing him a lot more when their masters are courting.
"So what will you be doing now that you're no longer a crook, Theo?" Primrose asked the black furred mouse sitting behind her and Anissa.
"Your father has given me a job," Theo explained with a smile, "he's set me up in a small house near the park to live. It's a modest little place, but it's perfect."
"Oh, that's wonderful!" Primrose was happy for him, then turned to her sister. "Hey, be sure to tell us all about what you did with Basil and Dawson at dinner, right!"
Anissa nodded in response, then she glanced back at Baker Street listening to Sherlock's beautiful violin melody and her thoughts entirely on Basil. "I really look forward to seeing you again soon," she whispered. For now, what she needed is a good supper and a good rest to take a break from these past few days. She had succeeded in her mission of avenging her sister, but in the process, she had fallen in love with the greatest detective in all Mousedom, and she couldn't have done it without his help.
From that time on, Basil and I were a close team. But don't worry, Anissa will join our team very soon. And over the years, we had many cases together. But I shall always look back on that first with the most fondness: my introduction to Basil of Baker Street...the Great Mouse Detective.
Goodbye so soon
And isn't it a shame
We know by now that time knows how to fly
So here's goodbye so soon
We'll go our separate ways
With time so short I'll say so long
And go
So soon
Goodbye
Goodbye so soon
And isn't it a shame
We know by now that time knows how to fly
So here's goodbye so soon
We'll go our separate ways
With time so short I'll say so long
And go
So soon
Goodbye
But this is not the end of this story, because there is more adventures to come and another evil lurking somewhere in the unsuspecting streets of London. Hidden within an abandoned warehouse in the waterfront, a familiar-looking rat made sure nobody saw him when he dismounted off the raven and scurried inside an open hole in the wall. He mounted a rifle over his shoulder - the very same air gun which he used to shoot at Anissa several days ago. This is the same rat who nearly killed her, the one whom witnessed Ratigan's death and Basil's escape.
The gentleman rat scurried past giant barrels and machines to search for his new employer, the one who hired him after the unfortunate death of Professor Ratigan. He found her sitting on a chair, her figure concealed by the shadows. She was a lady alright, not to mention a rat, dressed in black mourning attire. Her ears pricked up when she heard the hired assassin come in.
"Madam, I'm sorry to tell you this..." the gentleman rat reported, "but the Fletcher girl survived. I was intended to shoot at Basil, except the girl got in the way. I thought for sure her death will make Basil suffer as revenge for what he did to Ratigan. It didn't. And I did try to save Ratigan when he fell..."
The lady rat held up a hand to silence him, lifting her head and spoke in a witch-like raspy voice, "You did your best, Captain Doran. Nevertheless, we have plenty time of time to prepare."
"Prepare for what?" Doran raised a puzzled eyebrow.
Turning her head toward him, the lady rat's scarlet eyes gleamed an aura of malice and vengeance as she buried her claws on the wall, leaving engravings. "Revenge against Basil of Baker Street... and anybody close to him."