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Chapter 2: Ryo & Gadget Team-Up

Immediately back inside Ryo and Kaori's apartment, Penny thanked them for rescuing her from Dr. Spectrum.

"I would like to thank you for saving me back there."

"Nothing to it," said Ryo. "Now, then. Atsuko said that you were being held hostage by M.A.D. Is that correct?"

Penny nods her head. "Yes. We were relaxing in our hotel room and the next thing I know, I was bound and gagged by them."

"So, who are they?" asked Kaori.

"M.A.D is a criminal organization bent on thievery, ransom and even world domination. It's short for mean and dirty and Dr. Claw is their leader."

"I see. He's the one pulling all the strings" says Ryo.

Atsuko piqued up. "That's right. But, this is the least of our worries. I've recently found out that Iji-Waruta has rekindled his partnership with Dr. Claw after he..."

The City Hunter interjected her. "Stole the Blue Sapphire and carry out his plan with Waruta."

"Wowzers! You know about it, too?" cried Gadget.

Kaori answered. "We've heard about it on the news. That gem is worth quite a fortune." She turns to Penny. "But, why would they come after you? You're just a kid."

"She's right, Penny. What were you doing outside of your hotel room? I'm on an important mission to retrieve that jewel" informed Gadget to his niece.

"I understand, uncle." Penny sips her tea from her mug. "However, I'm being targeted by them."

Gadget asked. "That reminds me, what would Dr. Claw be using the Blue Sapphire for?"

Ryo replied to him. "To launch a pandemic attack all over Japan."

Everybody gasped in total shock upon the startling information Ryo had uncovered. "What?!"

"My goodness! That's terrible!" cried Atsuko.

"We have to stop him!" added Penny.

As for her uncle, however, he has other ideas. "Not you, Penny. You'll have to stay back in your hotel room with Brain for the time being."

"But, uncle, they've kidnapped me and since Mr. Saeba saved my life, I want to return the favour by helping them."

By glancing at her niece's expression, it was filled with concern. And so, with a deep sigh, he responded. "Well, alright. But, make sure that you're safe from harm."

Penny smiled and hugged him. "Oh, thank you, uncle!"

Soon after, they all drove together and search for the nuclear missile before it will be activated by Dr. Claw and his reformed partner, Waruta; by spreading a serious concoction disease across the region with the stolen Blue Sapphire and powering it up. Gadget is driving beside Ryo's Red Mini vehicle, while Penny, Atsuko and Brain sat in the passenger seat behind Kaori and Ryo.

Kaori asks Penny about getting herself caught up in this scuffle. "So, why would you do this? You should've remained back at the hotel with your dog and Atsuko."

She answered. "We're very worried about him. We can't just sit around and do nothing. Right, Brain?"

"Ruff!" Brain barked happily.

"Indeed. It's only fitting that a child like yourself would have the benefit of a doubt to ruin M.A.D.'s reputation and allow your uncle to get all the credit without knowing of what really transpired," told Ryo.

The young girl hung her head down. "That's right." She later raised it up. "Still, I'm glad that you'll be a better partner than Corporal Capeman."

Kaori raised her eyebrow in question. "Who?"

She explained. "He was my uncle's partner for a short period of time. However, during his last mission that nearly ended badly, he was sent to Metro City Police for training. He still believes that he's a superhero by imagining himself he can actually fly, but he doesn't."

Kaori stiffened her smile, during her laugh. "Right." Then, she asked her as to why herself, her dog and her uncle are doing here. "In spite of that, what brought you all the way out here from Metro City?"

"Me and my uncle were suppose to meet up with Atsuko for our vacation after she told me about..."

Ryo interjected her. "Iji-Waruta. The most feared man in all of Japan until his partnership with Dr. Claw was tarnished after the laboratory on Mount Fuji was destroyed by a fake Pit-1 microchip. That was you and your friend's doing, wasn't it?"

Penny gasped. "H-How did you know that?"

He smiled. "I'm a sweeper. I know my resources."

As for Kaori, she folded her arms and thought to herself about Ryo's perverted behaviour. "That's easy for you to say, Mr. Mokkori."

Atsuko asked him about how he found about Dr. Claw and Waruta's latest scheme. "Excuse me, Mr. Saeba. Is it true of what Dr. Spectrum said to you back there?"

Ryo answered. "Yes. It turns out that Penny's abduction was all a ruse. Once she's eliminated, they'll launch a nuclear missile by utilizing the power from the Blue Sapphire and unleash a deadly virus all over Japan. It's their way of spreading fear and death."

Both Atsuko and Penny gasped in unison. "What?!"

Brain whined upon hearing Ryo's possible outcome of Dr. Claw utilizing the Blue Sapphire.

Kaori was also surprised to learn about Ryo discovering Dr. Claw's intentions with Waruta and the Blue Sapphire connection. "Ryo, are you serious?"

"Definitely. We must find it quickly or countless lives will be lost. That includes securing Penny."

Then, Gadget pulled down his window from his Gadget-mobile and asked Ryo. "Mr. Saeba, do you know where it is?"

"According to Dr. Spectrum, it's located in the north area from here. Let's go!"

While the newfound group are searching for the nuclear missile and the stolen Blue Sapphire, back at the abandoned warehouse complex from outside of the city, where Penny was originally going to be hostage, Dr. Claw has received news that Dr. Spectrum and his M.A.D agents have not only failed to capture Gadget's niece, but were also arrested by Inspector Gadget and a newcomer.

He slammed his iron gauntlet glove on his desk, where it frightened M.A.D Cat. "WHAT?! Gadget's niece has escaped?! How is this possible?!"

Waruta explained from across the table with the lights dimmed dark on both men. "It would appear that Gadget has a new sidekick other than that bumbling Capeman and yet, he took down all of your M.A.D agents before they were taken into custody."

"Is that so?" This has sparked his curiosity. "Perhaps, I shall deal with this new partner myself. No matter. I've managed to rehire another M.A.D agent of mine." He turned on his monitor to reveal a caped magician. "Great Wambini!"

"Yes, Dr. Claw? You called?" he tipped his hat to him.

The leader of M.A.D informed about his previous agent's failure. "Dr. Spectrum has failed to capture Gadget's niece and I want you to deal with her."

He nodded. "Absolutely, Dr. Claw. She will be out of your way lickety-split."

Afterwards, the monitor was turned off and Dr. Claw looks forward to confront Penny in-person once she is recaptured. "I've waited a very long time to see Gadget's niece and when I do, she will suffer!" He ends his sentence with a sickening laugh.

Elsewhere deep within the city of Tokyo, Ryo and his team are continuing their search before Dr. Claw and Waruta deploy it with a deadly pandemic disease that will result of countless victims.

For nearly half an hour, they've managed to locate the site of the nuclear missile at a local harbour just north from Tokyo and exited from their vehicles.

Penny immediately detected the shape of the nuclear missile being brought onto the ship vessel with M.A.D's logo on its side. "There it is."

"Are you sure?" asked Kaori.

She nods her head.

"Then, let's move," told Ryo as they all follow him to M.A.D's ship vessel with the loaded nuclear missile brought in by Dr. Claw and Waruta.

Upon seeing Penny within Gadget's group heading to Dr. Claw's ship vessel, the Great Wambini smirked and proceed to recapture her. "Good. She's here. M.A.D agents! Scatter! But whatever you do, bring Gadget's niece to me, alive."

They all nod their heads and hid themselves from across the ship vessel before Ryo and his group came on-board.

Fortunately for them, they've found the nuclear missile hanging above their heads on a leverage hook. But much to Ryo's close inspection, he realizes that something was indeed wrong with this scenery. "Everyone! Get out! It's a trap!"

"What?!" cried Penny.

Luckily for Kaori, she grabs both Penny and Atsuko simultaneously by leaping over before the fishing net underneath their feet was lifted and it failed to capture them, while Brain followed them.

As for Gadget, he shouted. "Go, Go, Gadget-Legs!" His spring legs was activated while jumping over his colleagues and the fishing net until he landed on his feet next to Ryo. "Thanks for the warning."

That was the least of Ryo's worries and saw a M.A.D agent coming from behind his back to hit him. But Ryo dodged his oncoming punch and knocked him out with a devastating punch to the gut and he was knocked out. Four more came in, but just like the previous M.A.D agent, he was able to take them down with ease. "My, my. Some M.A.D agents they turned out to be."

"Wowzers! That was incredible! I could've done it myself" told Gadget to Ryo.

"That movement. Is it true that you're a..."

Just then, two loud screams alerted Ryo and Gadget.

"Kaori!"

"Penny!"

Once they've reached to the front of the ship vessel, they've noticed that they're nowhere to be found and all they see are Atsuko and Brain unconscious; let alone the out cold M.A.D agents that Ryo had clobbered earlier.

"Atsuko, wake up!"

The young black-haired Japanese girl responded by re-opening her eyes and sees Ryo staring back at her. "Mr. Saeba."

"That nuclear missile we saw was a decoy, wasn't it?"

Atsuko nodded. "Yes, it was. I thought it looked like the missile, but it was different."

Ryo looked across the ship and asked her about the others. "Where's Kaori and Penny?"

She retorted. "When we came aboard and split up, the Great Wambini threw knockout gas at us and took them hostage."

"The Great Wambini? Where have I heard that name from before?" thought Gadget.

"Another M.A.D agent, I presume. But judging from your appearance, I take it that you're a cyborg" says Ryo.

Gadget's eyes were widened with surprise. "You know what I am?" Then, he rethinks about his niece. "Wait! We've got to find Penny!"

"Not yet. I need to know more about yourself and Dr. Claw. What do you know of him?" he asked the inspector.

"Me?" He thought for a moment, then came up with an unlikely answer by shrugging his shoulders. "I don't know."

Ryo, Atsuko and Brain all fake-dropped from his silly response.

"You can't be serious!"

"You're supposed to be the world's greatest inspector!"

"Ruff!"

"But, I am!" cried Gadget.

Whereas Ryo, he still doesn't believe about Gadget's so-called reputation. "From what I can tell, you don't think very well and keep messing up with your missions. Is that it?"

"That's ridiculous! I've arrested all of the M.A.D's agents from across the globe. Except for Dr. Claw. What makes you think that I'm not?"

Ryo countered. "Why don't we head over to Tokyo Police headquarters and ask Saeko."

Gadget recalled the attractive female detective from earlier in the day and hearts appeared in his eyes. "That beautiful woman?"

Atsuko and Brain smacked themselves in the face in utter disgust.

The City Hunter rolled his eyes. "Didn't I told you from before? She works for the Tokyo Police and is also skilled like me."

The Metro City detective immediately changed his expression. "Oh, sorry about that. In fact, I'll call Chief Quimby to provide us the details necessary. Go-Go Gadget Phone!" A phone appeared from his grey hat and phoned Quimby. "Hello, chief? Mr. Saeba wants to meet with us at Tokyo Police headquarters."

"Is Penny safe with you?"

He replied about his niece being recaptured. "No, that missile was a fake and they've got Penny and also Mr. Saeba's partner."

"I understand, Gadget. I'll meet you there as soon as possible."

While Ryo, Atsuko and Gadget meet up with Chief Quimby and Saeko at Tokyo Police Headquarters about the ongoing situation regarding Penny and Kaori's abduction and the search for the stolen Blue Sapphire from Dr. Claw and Waruta, over at an abandoned warehouse from the outskirts of Tokyo, inside a locked room that was Kaori as she woke up and finds herself with Penny being held as hostages with the door locked and one window.

She shook Gadget's niece a little. "Hey, Penny! Wake up!"

The moment she felt Kaori shook her body, she started to murmur and as she rubbed her eyes, she glanced back at her. "Y-You're Mr. Saeba's partner, aren't you?"

"That's right." She looks around the area and realizes that both she and Penny are being held hostage. Inside is a small window with thick bars and a solid door that is now currently locked. "We need to find a way out of here."

"Oh, no!" cried Penny.

"What's wrong?" Kaori turns around and notices that Penny is starting to shiver.

"M-My wristwatch and my computer book! They're both gone!"

"What's so special about them?" says a concerned Kaori.

Penny explained. "My wristwatch is actually a communicator that I can contact with my dog, Brian through his dog collar and my computer book is how I was able to see what Dr. Claw is up to."

Unknown to them, they're being carefully watched through a video camera on the top corner of the wall.

"So that's how you were able to foil their plans. That's impressive for a young girl like yourself." Kaori paused for a moment and realized something. "Wait a second. Are you saying that it wasn't your uncle preventing their schemes and it was you this whole time?"

"Yes," says Penny sadly.

Kaori felt bad for Gadget's niece. She couldn't believe that a girl younger than her is brave enough to stop Dr. Claw's plots and not her uncle, the so-called greatest detective in the world, Inspector Gadget. As a result, she became MAD's prime target.

Elsewhere, back inside the warehouse, Dr. Claw is watching them closely from his screen monitor by the video camera. He became genuinely pleased to see his true enemy captured, along with an extra hostage. He turns to The Great Wambini.

"Excellent work, Great Wambini. Gadget's niece won't be going anywhere. Right, MAD Cat?"

The feline growled with excitement after being purred by its master.

Right after that, the MAD magician bowed to him. "All in a day's work, Dr. Claw. Using a decoy missile was my idea and they fell for it. So, where's the real one?"

"It's stationed down in the basement and once it's operational through the power of the Blue Sapphire, I will spread a deadly disease across all of Tokyo!" he ends his sentence with a menacing laugh.

Whereas The Great Wambini, he became curious about the second person sitting next to Penny through the monitor. "But, Dr. Claw, what about the other woman? I've never seen her before. She was with that other guy and if what Dr. Spectrum said was true, he must've been the one that took down all of your M.A.D agents easily."

That made the leader of M.A.D grew with interest. "Yes, Waruta told me that earlier. In fact..." He laughed again and made a shocking statement. "I will be holding both of them hostage!"

"When will you be launching the missile, Dr. Claw?" thought The Great Wambini.

"Very soon, once Waruta arrives. In the mean time, keep a very close eye on our prisoners. They must not be allowed to escape."

"As you wish." After he bowed to him, he left Dr. Claw's room and stood against the wall next to the door, where Kaori and Penny are being held at. Then, he pulls out his magic wand, made a quite chant towards the door and it was covered with magic dust. He snickered to himself. "That will hold them."

Back inside their cell, Kaori peeked her eye through the keyhole of the door and noticed a man standing guard. This might be their chance of getting free.

"I've got an idea of how we can get out of here."

"But, how? There's nothing we can do without my wristwatch and computer book. It's hopeless." Penny hung her head down.

Kaori, on the other hand, wasn't willing to quit right away. "Not when it comes to a situation like I have." Then, she pulled out a big 100-ton hammer from her back pocket and wielded in her hands. "I'll break it down!"

She charged towards the door and as she swung her 100-ton hammer hard, it let out a startling surprise: instead of the door being knocked down, it released an electrical shock on Kaori and she screamed in agony. Afterwards, she collapsed to the ground and her body was nearly sizzled.

Penny came running over to check on her. "Kaori! Are you okay? Say, something!"

It didn't take long for her to recover from the aftershock she received. "What happened?"

"I did!" says a booming new voice. "I cast a spell on the door by covering it with electricity. Any attempt of escaping from here is next to impossible! Face it, you're trapped!" He lets a loud laugh.

"The Great Wambini! I should've known!"

"The Great who?" thought Kaori.

Gadget's niece continued. "He is one of Dr. Claw's agents. He was the one that used knockout gas on us and ended up here. Oh, I hope Uncle Gadget is okay."

Kaori was thinking the same thing about the City Hunter as well. "Ryo..."