Aquila - Ah, very clever! ;) You're right, that was one point I overlooked
:oops: I don't know how to argue against that, so I can't really say
anything. But thanks for pointing that out!
Trynia - When I posted the first chappy of this story on FF.net, someone told me not to worry about the size issue. So I took their advice. Yes, I guess Penfold too has a watch that can resize him. Sorry! Kim's current size will be explained in this next chapter! Thanks for pointing it out!
*
Chapter 8
"Oh, 'eck! Help! Get us out of here!"
Penfold's bravery deserting him, he started panicking and began to run around in a frenzy in the increasingly narrow space.
Kim turned to DM, fear written all over her face.
"What do we do now?" she asked desperately.
DM thought for a second. Then, he put a hand on his belt and suddenly snatched it off. As his jumpsuit was a one-piece, his trousers didn't fall down.
Kim managed to grab Penfold to stop him running around and both of them looked at DM curiously as he held up his belt and suddenly tore off the tip of one end. He then reached inside and brought out a bending pole about the size of his belt.
Kim widened her eyes and then gasped as the walls approached even nearer from both ends. They were nearly on them. The spikes gleamed menacingly, as if they could see their prey.
"Oh no, oh 'eck", whimpered Penfold, grabbing Kim's legs. She put a hand on his shoulder and then looked round at DM.
DM stood facing the still wall that was ahead of him. He felt both Kim and Penfold grab him in fear.
This has to work, he thought.
He held out the pole in his hands and then there was a sharp clang as the pole connected with the metal either side. The rumbling stopped as the walls were forced to a halt by the pole. Penfold nearly fainted as a spike stopped only two centimetres from him.
"You - you stopped it", said Kim in a hushed voice, looking around her.
"Yes, but it won't hold for long", said Danger Mouse urgently, "We must get out of here!"
"About time, too", mumbled Penfold.
DM looked up at the ceiling. He realised that the hatch that he and Penfold had been dropped through had not been completely covered by the approaching walls. It was narrow, but maybe just enough for them to get through. But how to get up there....?
"We have to climb", announced DM suddenly.
"CLIMB? Are you crazy?" cried Penfold.
"We can't get up there", said Kim to DM.
"You two can't - but I can", he answered.
"How do you mean?" Kim asked. Then she jumped as the walls gave a threatening wobble.
"Listen", said DM hurriedly, "I'll get up there as fast as I can. Then I'll open the hatchway and send a rope down".
Kim bit her lip and exchanged looks with Penfold. He just shrugged back at her.
"Kim". DM took both of her hands in his, "I promise I won't let you down".
Kim's eyes softened and she slowly nodded. DM smiled gently back at her and touched her cheek. Then his eyes hardened determinedly and he turned to the wall. He put one hand carefully around one spike and then his other hand around another. He had to be careful - he didn't want to injure himself.
He put his feet up very cautiously and settled them both on spikes. He gasped as he nearly slipped, but he managed to get a firm hold.
Now that he was in a good position, he started to climb. Kim watched him with awe - he WAS fast. But the spikes were very sharp and very dangerous. DM had to go quickly and not hurt himself at the same time. How much longer could the walls hold?
DM was nearly at the top when the walls nudged a bit. Kim and Penfold both gasped and Penfold, frightened, buried his head in Kim's waist. She hugged him close and looked up at DM. He was leaning out towards the hatchway to try and open it. In his hand he held his Swiss Army Knife.
"Please work", thought Kim to herself.
DM tried to keep his cool. If he slipped again, he would fall back down to the bottom and would not be able to get back up here in time. Luckily, the walls were so close to each other that he did not have to lean out that much.
He prised the blade of his knife through the crack and moved it around a bit. Then he took the knife out and gave the hatch a shove. It moved. Excited, DM gave it another, more stronger, shove and it fell backwards, open.
DM took hold of the edge of the hatchway and lifted himself up. He started scrambling and was almost out when he heard a snap.
Kim and Penfold both yelled as the pressure of the walls finally became too much for the pole. It broke clean in two. The walls slowly started to close in again.
Seeing the danger his friends were in, DM put a hand to his badge and suddenly pulled it away from his jumpsuit. A long string emerged from under it. DM tugged at it quickly and once it was long enough, got flat on his stomach and threw the string down to Kim. She grabbed it with one hand and took hold of Penfold with the other.
"NOW!" she yelled, and DM tugged with all his might. Kim and Penfold found themselves flying through the air. Kim looked desperately at the threatening walls...they were barely centimetres away...they weren't going to make it...
Kim closed her eyes in despair, waiting for the end. But something else happened instead.
Kim suddenly felt gentle hands around her waist, and opened her eyes. She still had a tight grip on Penfold, who had completely fainted of fright. They were no longer in their steel death-trap - they were outside, in the air, on top of the large metal box - they were free!
Kim looked around at the hatchway. She could vaguely see metal blocking the hatchway that she had narrowly been pulled out of. She felt light-headed and dizzy. The arms around her gently detached Penfold from her and the arms fell away. Kim nearly passed out when the sweet embrace returned and she was guided to the ground.
"It's alright. I've got you", a kind voice whispered in Kim's ear. She knew who the voice belonged to, and she knew now that she was safe.
Danger Mouse saw that Kim was slightly shocked and delirious over her extremely narrow escape. When he had pulled her and Penfold out of the hatchway, it had been two seconds before the walls and their deadly spikes had connected. He tightened his arms around her even more, hearing her sigh, and then he gently pulled her head back to rest on his chest. He rocked her from side to side, feeling her vulnerable, suddenly fragile body relax.
"Danger Mouse?" he heard Kim whisper.
"Yes, Kim, I'm here", he said softly to her, as she turned her head up to look at him. "It's OK".
She felt too weak to walk. DM realised he wasn't going to be able to get both her, and Penfold's unconscious form, back to the Mark III alone. The Frog Head Flyer had disappeared. Greenback had left the trio to their deaths.
Danger Mouse held up his wrist. Good job his watch was also a communicator.
"This is Danger Mouse calling headquarters, Danger Mouse calling headquarters, over..."
*
Two days later....
"Kim, you must be joking - "
"Just hear me out here, OK?"
Kim cocked her head and looked DM straight in the eye. Now that she was fully recovered, she had called DM over to her flat to tell him something - she wanted to become an agent on the force and move in with DM and Penfold.
DM could not believe what he was hearing. Surely, SURELY she couldn't be serious?
But she was.
"DM", she said gently, "I know we've been over the key points, and they're all good. My brothers, my parents, my friends, the dangers I'd face - but I'm sure I can find a way to cope".
Danger Mouse frowned, worried.
"I don't want you to do anything you'd regret", he said, "What if you never saw your family again or got seriously injured?"
"But that's not your problem", replied Kim.
She was really determined to join the force, realised DM. He inspected her for a moment.
Kim suddenly looked more different. She looked determined, strong, and fierce, ready to tackle anything that came her way. Her green eyes had a fire that DM had never seen before.
"Well - I guess - if I arranged a meeting with Colonel K", he mused.
"Really?" Kim looked up at him hopefully.
"I'll get onto him", said DM, "I'll arrange for you to see him later this week. He's not got a lot of appointments these next few days, so hopefully he'll be able to put aside some time for you. If he agrees that you can be a good agent, he'll put you on a training program with Penfold and myself".
"Do you really think he'll accept me?" she gasped.
"Well - we'll have to wait and see", he said, a small half-smile flickering across his mouth.
"Thanks, DM", she said gratefully.
DM turned to leave, but something held him back. He turned back around to look at Kim.
"And - Kim?" he asked.
"Yes?" She looked around at him.
"Erm - I'd wonder - if, maybe - if the Colonel does take you on - maybe you'd like to have a hot chocolate with me at the Cat and Mouse?" he asked.
"The Cat and Mouse? What's that?" Kim asked.
"It's a really cosy coffee house quite near here. It was built especially for all trainees and members of the force", said DM, "You'd enjoy it there, I'm sure".
Kim's eyes narrowed playfully. "Are you asking me out on a - date?"
Danger Mouse blushed a bit. "I didn't mean anything - "
"No, that's OK", grinned Kim, "I'd love to go, Danger Mouse".
"Great. Maybe we could - take things slowly from where we left off?" questioned DM.
Kim smiled softly.
"I'd like that".
DM walked over to her and before he could change his mind, gave her a gentle kiss on the cheek.
"I'll get onto the Colonel right away", he promised.
He turned again to leave but this time, Kim called him back.
"DM - there's something I've been wondering", she said curiously.
"Yes?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Well - when we all held captive - and when I was alone with the Baron, we were all the same size", Kim stated, "Does he have something to resize people in a similar way to your watch?"
"I suppose he must have had a resize-ray of some sort", suggested DM.
"Now that I think about it, there was a sort of - GLOWING when I was captured", said Kim thoughtfully, "Just before I passed out. I guess it must have been a ray then".
DM nodded.
"Will he turn up again?" suddenly asked Kim.
DM's eyes darkened.
"He always does, Kim. But don't worry. We take each day at a time", added DM soothingly, "And one day we'll get him".
He then looked at his watch.
"I really must go. Will you be alright?"
Kim smiled. "I'll be fine".
DM gave her a quick grin and then left the flat. Once outside, he looked around and quickly shrank himself down to ordinary mouse-size. Then he climbed into the Mark III which he had parked right next to the door. Luckily, no-one had seen it.
Danger Mouse grinned to himself as he started the Mark III. It hovered a few centimetres off the ground before starting down the stairs and outside into the street, heading for home.
Danger Mouse knew that the chances of Kim getting a position as a trainee were 50/50, but he found himself unable to wait for the future. He had a feeling his life was about to change.
Yes, he thought, No doubt my life IS going to have some interesting twists ahead.
He chuckled warmly to no-one in particular. Then, remembering Kim's determination and feeling it burn through him now, DM gripped the wheel and the Mark III shot off towards the darkening sky.
The End (?)
Trynia - When I posted the first chappy of this story on FF.net, someone told me not to worry about the size issue. So I took their advice. Yes, I guess Penfold too has a watch that can resize him. Sorry! Kim's current size will be explained in this next chapter! Thanks for pointing it out!
*
Chapter 8
"Oh, 'eck! Help! Get us out of here!"
Penfold's bravery deserting him, he started panicking and began to run around in a frenzy in the increasingly narrow space.
Kim turned to DM, fear written all over her face.
"What do we do now?" she asked desperately.
DM thought for a second. Then, he put a hand on his belt and suddenly snatched it off. As his jumpsuit was a one-piece, his trousers didn't fall down.
Kim managed to grab Penfold to stop him running around and both of them looked at DM curiously as he held up his belt and suddenly tore off the tip of one end. He then reached inside and brought out a bending pole about the size of his belt.
Kim widened her eyes and then gasped as the walls approached even nearer from both ends. They were nearly on them. The spikes gleamed menacingly, as if they could see their prey.
"Oh no, oh 'eck", whimpered Penfold, grabbing Kim's legs. She put a hand on his shoulder and then looked round at DM.
DM stood facing the still wall that was ahead of him. He felt both Kim and Penfold grab him in fear.
This has to work, he thought.
He held out the pole in his hands and then there was a sharp clang as the pole connected with the metal either side. The rumbling stopped as the walls were forced to a halt by the pole. Penfold nearly fainted as a spike stopped only two centimetres from him.
"You - you stopped it", said Kim in a hushed voice, looking around her.
"Yes, but it won't hold for long", said Danger Mouse urgently, "We must get out of here!"
"About time, too", mumbled Penfold.
DM looked up at the ceiling. He realised that the hatch that he and Penfold had been dropped through had not been completely covered by the approaching walls. It was narrow, but maybe just enough for them to get through. But how to get up there....?
"We have to climb", announced DM suddenly.
"CLIMB? Are you crazy?" cried Penfold.
"We can't get up there", said Kim to DM.
"You two can't - but I can", he answered.
"How do you mean?" Kim asked. Then she jumped as the walls gave a threatening wobble.
"Listen", said DM hurriedly, "I'll get up there as fast as I can. Then I'll open the hatchway and send a rope down".
Kim bit her lip and exchanged looks with Penfold. He just shrugged back at her.
"Kim". DM took both of her hands in his, "I promise I won't let you down".
Kim's eyes softened and she slowly nodded. DM smiled gently back at her and touched her cheek. Then his eyes hardened determinedly and he turned to the wall. He put one hand carefully around one spike and then his other hand around another. He had to be careful - he didn't want to injure himself.
He put his feet up very cautiously and settled them both on spikes. He gasped as he nearly slipped, but he managed to get a firm hold.
Now that he was in a good position, he started to climb. Kim watched him with awe - he WAS fast. But the spikes were very sharp and very dangerous. DM had to go quickly and not hurt himself at the same time. How much longer could the walls hold?
DM was nearly at the top when the walls nudged a bit. Kim and Penfold both gasped and Penfold, frightened, buried his head in Kim's waist. She hugged him close and looked up at DM. He was leaning out towards the hatchway to try and open it. In his hand he held his Swiss Army Knife.
"Please work", thought Kim to herself.
DM tried to keep his cool. If he slipped again, he would fall back down to the bottom and would not be able to get back up here in time. Luckily, the walls were so close to each other that he did not have to lean out that much.
He prised the blade of his knife through the crack and moved it around a bit. Then he took the knife out and gave the hatch a shove. It moved. Excited, DM gave it another, more stronger, shove and it fell backwards, open.
DM took hold of the edge of the hatchway and lifted himself up. He started scrambling and was almost out when he heard a snap.
Kim and Penfold both yelled as the pressure of the walls finally became too much for the pole. It broke clean in two. The walls slowly started to close in again.
Seeing the danger his friends were in, DM put a hand to his badge and suddenly pulled it away from his jumpsuit. A long string emerged from under it. DM tugged at it quickly and once it was long enough, got flat on his stomach and threw the string down to Kim. She grabbed it with one hand and took hold of Penfold with the other.
"NOW!" she yelled, and DM tugged with all his might. Kim and Penfold found themselves flying through the air. Kim looked desperately at the threatening walls...they were barely centimetres away...they weren't going to make it...
Kim closed her eyes in despair, waiting for the end. But something else happened instead.
Kim suddenly felt gentle hands around her waist, and opened her eyes. She still had a tight grip on Penfold, who had completely fainted of fright. They were no longer in their steel death-trap - they were outside, in the air, on top of the large metal box - they were free!
Kim looked around at the hatchway. She could vaguely see metal blocking the hatchway that she had narrowly been pulled out of. She felt light-headed and dizzy. The arms around her gently detached Penfold from her and the arms fell away. Kim nearly passed out when the sweet embrace returned and she was guided to the ground.
"It's alright. I've got you", a kind voice whispered in Kim's ear. She knew who the voice belonged to, and she knew now that she was safe.
Danger Mouse saw that Kim was slightly shocked and delirious over her extremely narrow escape. When he had pulled her and Penfold out of the hatchway, it had been two seconds before the walls and their deadly spikes had connected. He tightened his arms around her even more, hearing her sigh, and then he gently pulled her head back to rest on his chest. He rocked her from side to side, feeling her vulnerable, suddenly fragile body relax.
"Danger Mouse?" he heard Kim whisper.
"Yes, Kim, I'm here", he said softly to her, as she turned her head up to look at him. "It's OK".
She felt too weak to walk. DM realised he wasn't going to be able to get both her, and Penfold's unconscious form, back to the Mark III alone. The Frog Head Flyer had disappeared. Greenback had left the trio to their deaths.
Danger Mouse held up his wrist. Good job his watch was also a communicator.
"This is Danger Mouse calling headquarters, Danger Mouse calling headquarters, over..."
*
Two days later....
"Kim, you must be joking - "
"Just hear me out here, OK?"
Kim cocked her head and looked DM straight in the eye. Now that she was fully recovered, she had called DM over to her flat to tell him something - she wanted to become an agent on the force and move in with DM and Penfold.
DM could not believe what he was hearing. Surely, SURELY she couldn't be serious?
But she was.
"DM", she said gently, "I know we've been over the key points, and they're all good. My brothers, my parents, my friends, the dangers I'd face - but I'm sure I can find a way to cope".
Danger Mouse frowned, worried.
"I don't want you to do anything you'd regret", he said, "What if you never saw your family again or got seriously injured?"
"But that's not your problem", replied Kim.
She was really determined to join the force, realised DM. He inspected her for a moment.
Kim suddenly looked more different. She looked determined, strong, and fierce, ready to tackle anything that came her way. Her green eyes had a fire that DM had never seen before.
"Well - I guess - if I arranged a meeting with Colonel K", he mused.
"Really?" Kim looked up at him hopefully.
"I'll get onto him", said DM, "I'll arrange for you to see him later this week. He's not got a lot of appointments these next few days, so hopefully he'll be able to put aside some time for you. If he agrees that you can be a good agent, he'll put you on a training program with Penfold and myself".
"Do you really think he'll accept me?" she gasped.
"Well - we'll have to wait and see", he said, a small half-smile flickering across his mouth.
"Thanks, DM", she said gratefully.
DM turned to leave, but something held him back. He turned back around to look at Kim.
"And - Kim?" he asked.
"Yes?" She looked around at him.
"Erm - I'd wonder - if, maybe - if the Colonel does take you on - maybe you'd like to have a hot chocolate with me at the Cat and Mouse?" he asked.
"The Cat and Mouse? What's that?" Kim asked.
"It's a really cosy coffee house quite near here. It was built especially for all trainees and members of the force", said DM, "You'd enjoy it there, I'm sure".
Kim's eyes narrowed playfully. "Are you asking me out on a - date?"
Danger Mouse blushed a bit. "I didn't mean anything - "
"No, that's OK", grinned Kim, "I'd love to go, Danger Mouse".
"Great. Maybe we could - take things slowly from where we left off?" questioned DM.
Kim smiled softly.
"I'd like that".
DM walked over to her and before he could change his mind, gave her a gentle kiss on the cheek.
"I'll get onto the Colonel right away", he promised.
He turned again to leave but this time, Kim called him back.
"DM - there's something I've been wondering", she said curiously.
"Yes?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Well - when we all held captive - and when I was alone with the Baron, we were all the same size", Kim stated, "Does he have something to resize people in a similar way to your watch?"
"I suppose he must have had a resize-ray of some sort", suggested DM.
"Now that I think about it, there was a sort of - GLOWING when I was captured", said Kim thoughtfully, "Just before I passed out. I guess it must have been a ray then".
DM nodded.
"Will he turn up again?" suddenly asked Kim.
DM's eyes darkened.
"He always does, Kim. But don't worry. We take each day at a time", added DM soothingly, "And one day we'll get him".
He then looked at his watch.
"I really must go. Will you be alright?"
Kim smiled. "I'll be fine".
DM gave her a quick grin and then left the flat. Once outside, he looked around and quickly shrank himself down to ordinary mouse-size. Then he climbed into the Mark III which he had parked right next to the door. Luckily, no-one had seen it.
Danger Mouse grinned to himself as he started the Mark III. It hovered a few centimetres off the ground before starting down the stairs and outside into the street, heading for home.
Danger Mouse knew that the chances of Kim getting a position as a trainee were 50/50, but he found himself unable to wait for the future. He had a feeling his life was about to change.
Yes, he thought, No doubt my life IS going to have some interesting twists ahead.
He chuckled warmly to no-one in particular. Then, remembering Kim's determination and feeling it burn through him now, DM gripped the wheel and the Mark III shot off towards the darkening sky.
The End (?)