A/N: Go Flash! Go Flash! Go Flash!
*Turns round to see everyone staring at her*
Erm, ahem, alright, I know the story's a bit overdue. I'm sorry about this, people. I'm a little mad cause I need to get started on the next story soon. Oh well. *turns off TV* If I'm gonna get any work done, I need to stop drooling over The Flash, turn off Justice League and start writing!
Please don't get confused by this next chapter - just bear with me.
*
Chapter 7
Penfold and Kim, both too scared to argue, had allowed themselves to be steered onto the couch and taken down to the Mark III. Somehow, DM managed to drive them across London whilst keeping the gun trained on them at all times.
Instead of taking them back to the old house, DM drove out into the country until he reached what looked like an abandoned prison. He put the Mark III down around the back where a collie dog stood waiting with a loop of rope.
"You've got them", smiled Woodruff, as DM motioned for Kim and Penfold to get out of the car.
"Who are you?" asked Kim fiercely, as a frightened Penfold grabbed her arm.
"My, we seem awfully curious, don't we?" said the collie. He went up to Kim and took her face firmly in his paw.
"Such a pretty woman, aren't you?" he purred. "Maybe you could - come with me for a bit..."
"Get off, you moron", snapped Kim, managing to sharply veer her head out of the collie's hands. She looked over at DM.
"DM, what's going on?" she asked.
"You'll get all your questions answered if you follow me", said Woodruff. He took the chance whilst Kim's back was turned and slipped the rope over her. As he was doing this, DM grabbed Penfold roughly and steered him over so Woodruff could tie him up too.
Once the two prisoners were firmly bound, DM and Woodruff forced them through the doors and inside.
The place had indeed once been a prison. Cell after cell greeted Penfold and Kim's eyes. The place was duty and obviously hadn't been used in a long time. Some of the windows were broken and some were boarded up. There had once been posters on the walls, for bits of paper clung to the soggy surface. There was a dank smell about the place.
DM and Woodruff suddenly turned sharply and brought the hostages into a cell that had obviously been worked on. It seemed to once have had three cells, but the walls on either side had been taken away and it was cleaner than the rest of the place.
"Ah, welcome", said a voice. Kim and Penfold turned to see a rat in a lab coat come out of the shadows. Kim didn't recognise him, but Penfold's face lost all trace of colour.
"It's Professor Crumhorn", he whispered to Kim. "He's one of our enemies!"
"Crumhorn?" asked Kim, looking up at the rat.
"That's Professor Augustus P. Crumhorn III to you!" he snapped.
"What's going on?" asked Kim. "Why have you brought us here? And why do I get the impression that you've done something to Danger Mouse?"
"Ah, quite a brainy one", smirked Crumhorn. He stepped aside to reveal a table on which lay the machine behind DM's behaviour.
"This is a mind-control ray", he explained, as Woodruff and DM allowed Kim and Penfold to come closer and take a look.
"You used it on DM!"
"She shoots, she scores", remarked Woodruff dryly from behind.
"Quiet, you fool", snapped Crumhorn at the collie.
Woodruff scowled and fell silent.
Kim turned to look at DM. So now it was all clear.
"DM", she said, turning to him firmly. "You've GOT to snap out of it. This isn't you. You're being CONTROLLED".
DM just stared back at her.
"Don't waste your breath. He won't listen to you", smirked Crumhorn. "He's going to obey ME only. He's MINE".
"I've heard that on Dr. Frankenstein", said Penfold brightly.
Kim turned to him and gave him a stern look. Penfold took the hint and like Woodruff, fell quiet.
"Danger Mouse stole the blueprints on HQ's weapons for me", taunted Crumhorn.
"How did you get him to do that?" asked Kim, glaring at the Professor with hate.
Grinning, Crumhorn held up a small remote control.
"With this. All I have to do is press the red button. I would give you a demonstration, but - "
By this time, Penfold was getting fidgety just standing in one spot. Trying to balance himself, he stepped backwards - right onto DM's foot. The mouse gave a cry and grabbed his foot with both hands - letting Penfold go.
When the hamster realised he was no longer in DM's grasp, he took a step away from him.
"Get him!" yelled Crumhorn.
Penfold gave a frightened squeak and started to make for the cell door. Kim tried to shake loose of Woodruff, but he had too tight a hold on her.
Penfold stopped when he realised Kim was still a prisoner. He looked at the door, then back at Kim.
"Penfold!" cried Kim. "Run! Save yourself!"
"But - but - " stuttered Penfold.
"Just go! Go and get help!"
Deciding that would be the best option, Penfold ran over to the door - but found it was locked. Throwing Kim at DM, Crumhorn and Woodruff made a run for him at the same time. Crying out, Penfold ducked and the pair tripped over him. Woodruff fell against the wall and was knocked out; Crumhorn landed on his stomach. The key to the door fell out of his pocket and Penfold scooped it up. He unlocked the door as Crumhorn was getting up and slipped out.
"CURSES!" cried Crumhorn when he realised Penfold had escaped.
"Hatta boy, Penfold!" cried Kim, struggling to shake loose of DM.
"Is Woodruff alright?" asked DM, looking down at the fallen dog. Blood was trailing out from where he had banged his head.
"Never mind about that", snapped Crumhorn. "As for that little pipsqueak, just let him go. He won't get far. Put her in another cell". He nodded at Kim.
"Right". DM dragged Kim out of the open door, and took her up to a cell on the next floor. He threw her inside and locked her in.
"DM", said Kim, peering through the bars. "Please, you don't know what you're doing. Try and get a grip. We NEED you to save us".
DM lowered his head, and then turned away. Kim heard him going back downstairs and wiped away her tears.
She only hoped that Penfold was safe.
*
"Let's go", said Crumhorn to DM. "Our inventions are waiting".
"What about Woodruff?"
"Leave him. He'll come round sooner or later".
DM frowned but nodded. Then he followed the rat out to the front of the prison. The two got into the Mark III, and drove away.
*
Penfold peeked over the edge of the thick bush he had taken refuge in, and then came out.
He looked around. The place seemed deserted. After running away from Crumhorn inside the prison, Penfold had run as fast as he could into the backyard, and had hidden. But now, he knew he had to do something to help his friends.
Speaking of his friends, hate filled Penfold as he thought of the way Crumhorn had been treating his Chief. To know the answer to DM's behaviour was a relief, but to know that he had been subjected to the power of the most evil rat in Europe was enough to dissolve that relief.
If I'm going to help DM, I'll have to go back in, thought Penfold with unusual bravery. Puffing out his chest, he went up to the back double-doors of the prison, and his bravery slowly deserting him, rushed in before he could change his mind.
Very slowly, the young hamster tip-toed along inside until he came back to the cell where he and Kim had been taken. Bracing himself, he peeked inside - and saw only Woodruff lying on the floor. Blood was making a small pool beneath his head. Penfold realised guiltily that it must have happened when he had dodged out of the room.
At that moment, the collie stirred. Penfold, speechless witrh sudden terror, looked around and saw a small bar that had obviously come off a cell door lying in the corner of the room. He ran over and picked it up as Woodruff groaned and sat up. He looked round to face Penfold.
"What happened?" he suddenly asked.
Penfold held out the bar, aiming it at the collie.
"I'm warning you", he squeaked as fiercely as he could. "If you move, I'll - I'll - "
"Woah, hey, wait a moment", said Woodruff, looking confused. He held up both hands. "What are you talking about? What've I done? And hey - " He put a paw to his head and winced. "What happened to my head?"
Penfold was confused. What was going on? Was Woodruff just acting? If he was, he was a very good actor.
"You tried to catch me", he explained tentatively. "I think you must have gone into the wall".
"Oh, right - wait a minute, 'tried to catch you'? What do you mean?"
Now Penfold was really confused. "I don't understand. You must remember. It only happened about ten minutes ago".
"Believe me, I don't remember anything", said Woodruff, looking dazed. "The last thing I do remember is stopping a rat in his car to ask for directions. I was visiting London, and got lost".
"What happened then?" asked Penfold, lowering the bar.
"He got out the car and said he would fetch a map from his back seat. But instead, he brought out this huge machine - and then there was a light - and then, nothing".
He was taken over by the machine too! realised Penfold. And he's just been snapped out of it!
"Wait a minute - if you banged your head and then came out of the machine's power", he mused. "That means - that means we have to make Danger Mouse bang his head too!"
Woodruff looked confused. "Sorry? What are you talking about, er..."
"Ernest Penfold - but call me Penfold", said the hamster, holding out his hand.
"William Woodruff. Don't laugh", the collie mumbled. "I hate the name, so just call me Woodruff, OK?"
"Anything you say".
"Anyway, Penfold", said the collie, as he started to stand up, using the wall as a support. "What's going on?"
Quickly, Penfold explained the situation, as Woodruff nodded with wide eyes.
"And you're Danger Mouse's assistant?" He sounded impressed.
"Yes", said Penfold proudly.
"Good on you! I've always wanted to meet DM!"
"Will you help us?" asked Penfold. "Me and Kim - we can't do it alone".
"Kim? The girl you mentioned? Where is she?"
"I don't know - maybe she's still here", said Penfold.
"She must be. I mean, if they left me here - " Woodruff growled, and Penfold gulped as he saw all the dog's teeth " - They must be coming back".
"Let's look around for Kim", suggested Penfold.
The two left the cell, and started to call Kim's name.
Up in her own cell, Kim was pacing up and down impatiently when she heard Penfold's voice.
"Penfold!" She ran to the cell door, and yelled through it. "PENFOLD!"
There was a sound of running footsteps, and Penfold appeared in the hallway. Kim started to smile, but then gasped as Woodruff appeared behind him.
"Penfold! Look out, the collie's back!"
"It's alright, he's on our side", said Penfold calmly as Woodruff gave Kim a bashful wave.
"Oh - really?" Kim looked confused.
"I'll explain in a second. But I'll have to get you out of here first", said Woodruff. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small screwdriver. He stuck it into the lock and twisted it about until the door opened and Kim was free.
After a few hasty introductions and explanations, Kim said thoughtfully, "So you banged your head and came to your senses. And you say we have to do the same to DM?"
"It's the only way to bring him round from the wannabe Green Goblin", said Woodruff.
Kim gave a half-hearted smile. Obviously Woodruff was a SpiderMan fan.
"But seriously, what do you need from me?" asked Woodruff.
"Well - wait a moment, your head's bleeding", frowned Kim, as she saw the blood trail down past his left ear.
"My fault", said Penfold, blushing.
"Don't worry, it's just a bump", reassured Woodruff.
Kim nodded with one eyebrow raised.
"Do you know where DM and Crumhorn are headed?"
"No, but I keep seeing this place in London", frowned Woodruff, lowering his eyes. "A big lonely house, right on the edge of the city".
"That could be our lead", said Kim. "Only thing is, how do we get there?"
"Uh - I don't think we need bother about that", said Penfold suddenly.
Penfold had been gazing out of the window as he listened to Kim and Woodruff. But now he'd gone very pale. Concerned, Woodruff and Kim went to stand beside him and looked out into the front yard.
A huge machine stood out there. It had obviously been brought out in a truck, because it was on a sort of plate on wheels and the sides and top of the truck were lying on the grass, their hinges still attached to the plate.
The machine had three heads. One held a bunch of sharp knives; the middle held a large gun, and the last was a fiery blowtorch. It had four arms, two each side. It looked fierce.
"Uh-oh", said Kim. "This DOESN'T look good".
*Turns round to see everyone staring at her*
Erm, ahem, alright, I know the story's a bit overdue. I'm sorry about this, people. I'm a little mad cause I need to get started on the next story soon. Oh well. *turns off TV* If I'm gonna get any work done, I need to stop drooling over The Flash, turn off Justice League and start writing!
Please don't get confused by this next chapter - just bear with me.
*
Chapter 7
Penfold and Kim, both too scared to argue, had allowed themselves to be steered onto the couch and taken down to the Mark III. Somehow, DM managed to drive them across London whilst keeping the gun trained on them at all times.
Instead of taking them back to the old house, DM drove out into the country until he reached what looked like an abandoned prison. He put the Mark III down around the back where a collie dog stood waiting with a loop of rope.
"You've got them", smiled Woodruff, as DM motioned for Kim and Penfold to get out of the car.
"Who are you?" asked Kim fiercely, as a frightened Penfold grabbed her arm.
"My, we seem awfully curious, don't we?" said the collie. He went up to Kim and took her face firmly in his paw.
"Such a pretty woman, aren't you?" he purred. "Maybe you could - come with me for a bit..."
"Get off, you moron", snapped Kim, managing to sharply veer her head out of the collie's hands. She looked over at DM.
"DM, what's going on?" she asked.
"You'll get all your questions answered if you follow me", said Woodruff. He took the chance whilst Kim's back was turned and slipped the rope over her. As he was doing this, DM grabbed Penfold roughly and steered him over so Woodruff could tie him up too.
Once the two prisoners were firmly bound, DM and Woodruff forced them through the doors and inside.
The place had indeed once been a prison. Cell after cell greeted Penfold and Kim's eyes. The place was duty and obviously hadn't been used in a long time. Some of the windows were broken and some were boarded up. There had once been posters on the walls, for bits of paper clung to the soggy surface. There was a dank smell about the place.
DM and Woodruff suddenly turned sharply and brought the hostages into a cell that had obviously been worked on. It seemed to once have had three cells, but the walls on either side had been taken away and it was cleaner than the rest of the place.
"Ah, welcome", said a voice. Kim and Penfold turned to see a rat in a lab coat come out of the shadows. Kim didn't recognise him, but Penfold's face lost all trace of colour.
"It's Professor Crumhorn", he whispered to Kim. "He's one of our enemies!"
"Crumhorn?" asked Kim, looking up at the rat.
"That's Professor Augustus P. Crumhorn III to you!" he snapped.
"What's going on?" asked Kim. "Why have you brought us here? And why do I get the impression that you've done something to Danger Mouse?"
"Ah, quite a brainy one", smirked Crumhorn. He stepped aside to reveal a table on which lay the machine behind DM's behaviour.
"This is a mind-control ray", he explained, as Woodruff and DM allowed Kim and Penfold to come closer and take a look.
"You used it on DM!"
"She shoots, she scores", remarked Woodruff dryly from behind.
"Quiet, you fool", snapped Crumhorn at the collie.
Woodruff scowled and fell silent.
Kim turned to look at DM. So now it was all clear.
"DM", she said, turning to him firmly. "You've GOT to snap out of it. This isn't you. You're being CONTROLLED".
DM just stared back at her.
"Don't waste your breath. He won't listen to you", smirked Crumhorn. "He's going to obey ME only. He's MINE".
"I've heard that on Dr. Frankenstein", said Penfold brightly.
Kim turned to him and gave him a stern look. Penfold took the hint and like Woodruff, fell quiet.
"Danger Mouse stole the blueprints on HQ's weapons for me", taunted Crumhorn.
"How did you get him to do that?" asked Kim, glaring at the Professor with hate.
Grinning, Crumhorn held up a small remote control.
"With this. All I have to do is press the red button. I would give you a demonstration, but - "
By this time, Penfold was getting fidgety just standing in one spot. Trying to balance himself, he stepped backwards - right onto DM's foot. The mouse gave a cry and grabbed his foot with both hands - letting Penfold go.
When the hamster realised he was no longer in DM's grasp, he took a step away from him.
"Get him!" yelled Crumhorn.
Penfold gave a frightened squeak and started to make for the cell door. Kim tried to shake loose of Woodruff, but he had too tight a hold on her.
Penfold stopped when he realised Kim was still a prisoner. He looked at the door, then back at Kim.
"Penfold!" cried Kim. "Run! Save yourself!"
"But - but - " stuttered Penfold.
"Just go! Go and get help!"
Deciding that would be the best option, Penfold ran over to the door - but found it was locked. Throwing Kim at DM, Crumhorn and Woodruff made a run for him at the same time. Crying out, Penfold ducked and the pair tripped over him. Woodruff fell against the wall and was knocked out; Crumhorn landed on his stomach. The key to the door fell out of his pocket and Penfold scooped it up. He unlocked the door as Crumhorn was getting up and slipped out.
"CURSES!" cried Crumhorn when he realised Penfold had escaped.
"Hatta boy, Penfold!" cried Kim, struggling to shake loose of DM.
"Is Woodruff alright?" asked DM, looking down at the fallen dog. Blood was trailing out from where he had banged his head.
"Never mind about that", snapped Crumhorn. "As for that little pipsqueak, just let him go. He won't get far. Put her in another cell". He nodded at Kim.
"Right". DM dragged Kim out of the open door, and took her up to a cell on the next floor. He threw her inside and locked her in.
"DM", said Kim, peering through the bars. "Please, you don't know what you're doing. Try and get a grip. We NEED you to save us".
DM lowered his head, and then turned away. Kim heard him going back downstairs and wiped away her tears.
She only hoped that Penfold was safe.
*
"Let's go", said Crumhorn to DM. "Our inventions are waiting".
"What about Woodruff?"
"Leave him. He'll come round sooner or later".
DM frowned but nodded. Then he followed the rat out to the front of the prison. The two got into the Mark III, and drove away.
*
Penfold peeked over the edge of the thick bush he had taken refuge in, and then came out.
He looked around. The place seemed deserted. After running away from Crumhorn inside the prison, Penfold had run as fast as he could into the backyard, and had hidden. But now, he knew he had to do something to help his friends.
Speaking of his friends, hate filled Penfold as he thought of the way Crumhorn had been treating his Chief. To know the answer to DM's behaviour was a relief, but to know that he had been subjected to the power of the most evil rat in Europe was enough to dissolve that relief.
If I'm going to help DM, I'll have to go back in, thought Penfold with unusual bravery. Puffing out his chest, he went up to the back double-doors of the prison, and his bravery slowly deserting him, rushed in before he could change his mind.
Very slowly, the young hamster tip-toed along inside until he came back to the cell where he and Kim had been taken. Bracing himself, he peeked inside - and saw only Woodruff lying on the floor. Blood was making a small pool beneath his head. Penfold realised guiltily that it must have happened when he had dodged out of the room.
At that moment, the collie stirred. Penfold, speechless witrh sudden terror, looked around and saw a small bar that had obviously come off a cell door lying in the corner of the room. He ran over and picked it up as Woodruff groaned and sat up. He looked round to face Penfold.
"What happened?" he suddenly asked.
Penfold held out the bar, aiming it at the collie.
"I'm warning you", he squeaked as fiercely as he could. "If you move, I'll - I'll - "
"Woah, hey, wait a moment", said Woodruff, looking confused. He held up both hands. "What are you talking about? What've I done? And hey - " He put a paw to his head and winced. "What happened to my head?"
Penfold was confused. What was going on? Was Woodruff just acting? If he was, he was a very good actor.
"You tried to catch me", he explained tentatively. "I think you must have gone into the wall".
"Oh, right - wait a minute, 'tried to catch you'? What do you mean?"
Now Penfold was really confused. "I don't understand. You must remember. It only happened about ten minutes ago".
"Believe me, I don't remember anything", said Woodruff, looking dazed. "The last thing I do remember is stopping a rat in his car to ask for directions. I was visiting London, and got lost".
"What happened then?" asked Penfold, lowering the bar.
"He got out the car and said he would fetch a map from his back seat. But instead, he brought out this huge machine - and then there was a light - and then, nothing".
He was taken over by the machine too! realised Penfold. And he's just been snapped out of it!
"Wait a minute - if you banged your head and then came out of the machine's power", he mused. "That means - that means we have to make Danger Mouse bang his head too!"
Woodruff looked confused. "Sorry? What are you talking about, er..."
"Ernest Penfold - but call me Penfold", said the hamster, holding out his hand.
"William Woodruff. Don't laugh", the collie mumbled. "I hate the name, so just call me Woodruff, OK?"
"Anything you say".
"Anyway, Penfold", said the collie, as he started to stand up, using the wall as a support. "What's going on?"
Quickly, Penfold explained the situation, as Woodruff nodded with wide eyes.
"And you're Danger Mouse's assistant?" He sounded impressed.
"Yes", said Penfold proudly.
"Good on you! I've always wanted to meet DM!"
"Will you help us?" asked Penfold. "Me and Kim - we can't do it alone".
"Kim? The girl you mentioned? Where is she?"
"I don't know - maybe she's still here", said Penfold.
"She must be. I mean, if they left me here - " Woodruff growled, and Penfold gulped as he saw all the dog's teeth " - They must be coming back".
"Let's look around for Kim", suggested Penfold.
The two left the cell, and started to call Kim's name.
Up in her own cell, Kim was pacing up and down impatiently when she heard Penfold's voice.
"Penfold!" She ran to the cell door, and yelled through it. "PENFOLD!"
There was a sound of running footsteps, and Penfold appeared in the hallway. Kim started to smile, but then gasped as Woodruff appeared behind him.
"Penfold! Look out, the collie's back!"
"It's alright, he's on our side", said Penfold calmly as Woodruff gave Kim a bashful wave.
"Oh - really?" Kim looked confused.
"I'll explain in a second. But I'll have to get you out of here first", said Woodruff. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small screwdriver. He stuck it into the lock and twisted it about until the door opened and Kim was free.
After a few hasty introductions and explanations, Kim said thoughtfully, "So you banged your head and came to your senses. And you say we have to do the same to DM?"
"It's the only way to bring him round from the wannabe Green Goblin", said Woodruff.
Kim gave a half-hearted smile. Obviously Woodruff was a SpiderMan fan.
"But seriously, what do you need from me?" asked Woodruff.
"Well - wait a moment, your head's bleeding", frowned Kim, as she saw the blood trail down past his left ear.
"My fault", said Penfold, blushing.
"Don't worry, it's just a bump", reassured Woodruff.
Kim nodded with one eyebrow raised.
"Do you know where DM and Crumhorn are headed?"
"No, but I keep seeing this place in London", frowned Woodruff, lowering his eyes. "A big lonely house, right on the edge of the city".
"That could be our lead", said Kim. "Only thing is, how do we get there?"
"Uh - I don't think we need bother about that", said Penfold suddenly.
Penfold had been gazing out of the window as he listened to Kim and Woodruff. But now he'd gone very pale. Concerned, Woodruff and Kim went to stand beside him and looked out into the front yard.
A huge machine stood out there. It had obviously been brought out in a truck, because it was on a sort of plate on wheels and the sides and top of the truck were lying on the grass, their hinges still attached to the plate.
The machine had three heads. One held a bunch of sharp knives; the middle held a large gun, and the last was a fiery blowtorch. It had four arms, two each side. It looked fierce.
"Uh-oh", said Kim. "This DOESN'T look good".