Soon, they arrived back at Baker Street and Katie watched as Basil did tests on the paper. Meanwhile, Fidget had taken Olivia and Cherry to Ratigan's hideout. While they were getting there, Ratigan was pestering poor Mr. Flaversham again about making a certain thing for an incoming plot. Ratigan was watching Flaversham work the robot that would soon look like Queen Mousetoria. Hiram did the best he could, so he wouldn't end up seriously hurt if he didn't follow Ratigan's orders. He just didn't want to do anything bad and he deeply missed his daughter. He flinched at the incoming light as Ratigan was now in to check up on him. He had the metal basis about done.
"How are we doing today, Flaversham?" Ratigan asks, using his usual charming personality.
Hiram blinked with a sigh. "I've been better, sir..." He did not like anything in this situation he was in.
"Is our robot almost done?" Ratigan asks.
"I still need more tools and gears..." Hiram informed, Fidget was sent to get just those things, also two girls, specifically Olivia and Cherry, he didn't know they were on their way though.
"Oh, yes, they'll be coming soon, along with a little present or two." Ratigan says. He set the ballerina flower doll dancing.
Hiram just felt shattered inside. Fidget finally came back with the hostages while Olivia looked horrified in his grasp.
"Father!" Olivia cries.
Ratigan watched.
"Olivia!" Hiram gasped.
Cherry stomped on Fidget's foot as he made him let go of Olivia to meet with her father. Olivia ran over to her father and hugged him.
"You see, we had your daughter and new guest brought in." Ratigan says, allowing the hug.
Fidget hopped about moaned about how his 'good foot' was hurting.
Hiram happily hugged Olivia tightly, he almost cried once he got to hold her in his arms once again. He then looked over to Cherry. "What happened to you?"
Cherry shrugged. "I dunno, I was thrown in a bag, it's been a crazy week for me so far!"
Olivia hugged him still. Ratigan pulled Hiram away then after Olivia was being pulled away with Cherry again. Fidget came to take Cherry and Olivia back away, seperating them again. Ratigan smiled charmingly. Olivia was crying out for her father as she was pulled away.
"Please, Professor..." Hiram frowned to Ratigan as Olivia was taken away.
"You know what will happen if you don't finish it." Ratigan says, flicking his bell. While inside, though his darling kitty Felicia wouldn't come.
"Y-Yes... Just don't hurt my daughter... Or that new friend of hers..." Hiram sounded terrified, but obedient.
Ratigan crushed the doll before leaving. "Have it ready for tonight." he growls as he left.
Hiram flinched at the door slam, but agreed to do so. Cherry and Olivia struggled as Fidget was dragging them outside and into a glass bottle. Fidget shoved Olivia into the bottle, and then managed to get Cherry in too.
"Don't worry... We'll get out of here..." Cherry said to Olivia in the most comforting way she could.
Olivia hugged Cherry. Cherry gently hugged her back, humming a soothing song.
Basil turned the light on as he took out his magnifying glass to take a closer look at the paper as he was with Dawson and Katie still. "Offhand, I can deduce very little... Only that the words are written with a broad-pointed quill pen which as splattered twice..." He sniffed it a bit. "Written by a bat who has drunken Rodent's Delight, a drink only found in the seediest of pubs."
Katie grimaced and glanced over from her spot by the window.
Basil grabbed his microscope to thoroughly discover this. "Coal dust... Clearly of the type used in sewer lamps." He went off to purposely catch the paper on fire.
Dawson watched him. Katie continued to stare out of the window. She knew what happened here, Basil would discover where Fidget drank. Basil used several chemicals involved with this and once the liquid finally dropped green into the blue and made red with red dust about, he was excited and even congratulated Dawson for helping. He finally concluded the 'salt water' came from a place called the Riverfront Area. Dawson was slightly amazed. Katie sighed softly. She hadn't touched her tea or crumpet.
"We'll have to report to the Rat Trap," Basil concluded. "Incognito of course."
Dawson looked unsure. Katie looked wondering what outfit he would have her wear.
Basil went into a closet, he found a pirate like outfit for Dawson and found a captain's coat for himself. "Now... What for Ms. Day..."
Dawson looked. Katie waited. There were few options for women to be in this time.
"Hmm..." Basil scratched his furry chin. He had a hard time finding a proper outfit for Katie around this time.
Dawson didn't come out from hiding once they arrived at the area. Katie blushed deeply, trying to pull her dress top up a little, it showed a bit too much chest.
Basil was ahead as he had his stub in his mouth, not actually smoking. He looked back and encouraged Katie and Dawson to catch up. Dawson came out trying to pull his top down to cover his stomach. Katie was blushing, her hair up as she came and stood next to Basil in a dark red, tight fitting dress. Basil waited for them as he looked around to make sure no one would ambush them this time. Dawson was complaining about his outfit too. Katie calmed her blush and tried to look sultry. She clung to Basil's arm.
Basil seemed to tune Dawson out, but did give him some advice before they actually went in. "Just follow my lead... Do as I do."
Dawson started to copy him. Katie clung to Basil making herself seem like a proper 'lady of the night'. Basil gave nods and gestures to the rodents in the bar as they went along, one who had gotten abuse from a waitress due to him flirting with her while she was flirting with him. Dawson copied him. Though he ended up bumping into a few mice.
Katie hid a squeak a few times as some of the bar people pinched her butt. Darn disguise. The two men and one woman mouse kept walking, all was well so far until a dagger nearly shot right in front of Dawson, though luckily, not injuring him. Dawson stumbled back into a lady mouse's chair and he started to apologize. The mouse woman looked a little angry at first, but she gave him a rather sneaky smile and blew smoke into his face. When she did, she let out a laugh with the mouse men she was playing cards with. Dawson got angry and almost gave them away.
Katie however giggled and pulled Dawson away. "Come on, luv... Come over 'ere and sit with yer captain." she giggles. She then sat him down with Basil, and thankful her cheeks were rouged anyway, sat on Basil's lap, to keep up pretences.
"Remember, Dawson, we're low-life ruffians..." Basil whispered sharply to Dawson, he had a small smile at Katie's method of bringing him back. He kept an eye out for anything suspicious.
On stage, there was a juggling octopus that was about the same size as the rodents in the room and even caught the three balls in his hat as the audience looked like they wanted him dead, almost as if they were expecting something a lot better. Dawson sat down. He clapped a little but quickly stopped. Katie kept an eye out too. There was booing heard from the crowd. One mouse even yelled, calling the octopus juggler an eight-legged bum. Tomatoes, cabbages, daggers, and bottles were thrown, but the cephlapod luckily got off stage before getting hit with any of the messy and threatening projectiles.
"What's yer pleasure, mates?" a large mouse woman came to the mice, taking their drink orders.
"Oh, um, I'll have a dry sherry." Dawson was about to say.
Katie made as if it was a joke on Dawson's part and giggled. "Oh, luv, yer so silly," she tells him. "In'e, Captain?" She asks.
"Very," Basil chuckled, then covered Dawson's mouth to keep him from going any further. "Two pints for me and my shipmate. Now how 'bout you, deary?" he then asked Katie.
"Make mine a glass o' wine." Katie says.
Dawson looked a little annoyed. The mouse waitress nodded.
"Oh, by the way," Basil caught her before she went off. "We just got into port. We're lookin' for an old friend of mine. Maybe ye know him... Goes by the name of... Ratigan!"
The waitress looked a little alarmed, this also got the other patrons' attentions instantly. Even the piano player.
"I... Never heard of him..." the waitress replied, though it seemed to be a lie, she walked off then.
Katie frowned slightly, but covered the reason by glancing at the stage. Dawson was watching the show. This time, it was a lizard on a unicycle, balancing someone on his head. The piano played a new tune as the new act came on. Just as the lizard and frog came on stage, they were instantly booed. Projectiles were thrown at them once more and the curtains closed instantly. Sheesh, tough crowd. The piano player played a soft tune and the curtains pulled back to show a female white mouse with a blue bow, a blue under dress and she wore a dark pink coat over herself, looking a little unhappy as she started to sing. Katie looked at the female mouse. Ah, Miss Kitty. She then looked over at where Fidget would come.
Dawson looked enamored. Fidget's peg leg was heard. The rowdy male mice seemed to calm down as the female was singing to them, especially about their hard lives. The music got more lively as Miss Kitty kept singing and she seemed happier now, but that wouldn't be the best part just yet. Katie looked at Basil. Should she go and try to get information from the bat? Dawson looked almost in love at the mouse. Fidget fell but got back up. Basil gave her a quiet wish of good luck before letting her go.
He then looked to the portly mouse waitress and had a smirk as he saw that she was whispering to the bartender about something. Miss Kitty went behind the curtains as the music swelled for her and she came back out, wearing less clothes as a couple of identically dressed fellow dancers came to her sides. The lead singer removed her skirt to reveal rather revealing clothes like a Vegas show girl and threw down her skirt, wooing the mouse men.
Katie went over to Fidget and linked arms with him. "Hello, there, luv~" she says sultry.
Fidget looked confused but then devious at her. "Hi, girly." he grins.
The bartender put a lot of liquid into one mug from a vial he had, and then the rest in another. One male mouse tried to get on stage, but the others restrained him. Miss Kitty seemed to be having too much fun with that as she kicked the mouse down back to his friends as she kept singing and swooning.
Katie hid a grimace with a smile. "I'm new in this part-a town... You know where a girl can find a good place ta work?" She asks.
Fidget thought. He then nodded, maybe Ratigan would like her. "I do, I do." he says.
The mouse waitress slammed down a couple of beer mugs and Katie's glass down in front of them, telling them it was on the house. Dawson took his mug and drank it.
"Well, then, let's go~" Katie smiled.
Fidget grinned. He drank his drink quickly.
Basil looked through the glass like it was a science experiment, he put one finger in and his assumptions had been right. "Dawson, this drink's been-" he then saw that Dawson had already drank his. "DRUGGED!" This was not good.
Dawson looked very drunk. "Has a rather nice bite to it." he grins.
Fidget moved quickly, taking Katie along. Katie followed, though glanced nervously back to Basil. Basil was a little nervous about Dawson, wondering if this would give them away. He could see Katie with Fidget now as Miss Kitty continued to sing. Perhaps now would be a good time to make a move and proceed the clumsy bat. What luck! He looked to see Dawson was missing, but looked up on stage as he was joining the girls in their song and dance. Miss Kitty took Dawson by the paws and sang deeper as she wasn't even angry or annoyed that he was intruding. The twin dancers kissed Dawson on both cheeks. Dawson blew them kisses, blushing. He ended up landing onto the piano. Fidget was taking Katie down to see Ratigan. Katie kept a calm look on her face.
"Yeah!" Miss Kitty cheered as the piano player jumped back in slight alarm.
The pianist tried to knock out Dawson, but ended up hitting a more brutal and thuggish mouse. Next thing everyone knew, there was a bar fight.
"Dawson, Dawson!" Basil tried to wake up his fallen companion, they had to get moving, Fidget was taking Katie away.
Dawson was unconscious. Fidget was excited to show Ratigan. Katie was getting a bit nervous.
Basil patted him on the face. "Dawson! Come on, old fella, there's not a moment to lose!"
The other mice were beating each other senseless, even with the use of gunshots. However, Basil found a way out, there was a door on the floor that could be their escape. Dawson woke up, following Basil. Fidget crooned bits of Miss Kitty's song, holding Katie's wrist as he led her along. Basil and Dawson made it down without any harm and they watched the bat go with the newly female mouse underground. Once the bat made it through one way, it was time to sneak up behind.
Dawson quietly followed. Fidget moved quicker than normal, wanting to take Katie there quickly. He even lifted her up. Katie gasped and hoped Basil would be quick in following. Once Fidget and Katie were further away, Basil decided to take that time to now follow so it would be less suspicious. Dawson stuck with Basil. Fidget soon had Katie in front of Ratigan, then scurried off to get in a disguise. Katie looked up at the rat with wider eyes. Basil and Dawson kept following.
"Oh, who is this you brought with you?" Ratigan asked, observing Katie. "I don't believe I've ever seen you before... Then again, I never have your little friend either..."
Katie looked up at Ratigan, and keeping in character gave a sultry smile. "I can be whoever you want, luv." she winks.
"Oh, saucy, aren't we?" Ratigan chuckled as he took her one paw. "Do you like to live dangerously?"
"Danger is my middle name~" Katie smiles coyly. She was trying to keep him busy until Basil and Dawson arrived.
"How adorable," Ratigan chuckled again. "I'm expecting more company soon, perhaps you'd like to help me greet them, eh?"
Katie looked curious. "Company?" She wonders.
"Ah yes, the icing to my cake," Ratigan had a small, though clearly evil smile to the female. "I've already had the Flavershams over."
Katie looked worried, but tried to hide it quickly.
"Ah, ah, ah, musn't spoil the surprise until the other guests come along." Ratigan chuckled, not going to tell her.
Katie gave a fake smile. Fidget was in a bottle, pretending to be Olivia.
Ratigan saw this and checked the time. "Should be arriving any moment..."
Katie looked curious.
Ratigan put his arm around Katie, trying to sweet talk her. "I'm sure you know about Queen Mousetoria... There's going to be a new sheriff in town though..."
Katie looked up at him. "A sheriff, huh?" She asks.
"It's an expression, dear," Ratigan chuckled, thinking she was confused with how he delivered that. "You'll find out soon enough..." he then opened a door that showed Olivia and Cherry. "NOW GET IN THERE!" he shoved Katie inside with his other hostages.
Katie stumbled over as she was shoved in. Olivia ran to Katie and hugged her.
"Katie!" Cherry nearly gasped.
Unlike with Hiram and Olivia, Ratigan actually didn't break up the heartwarming reunion moment between the two. He let them get it out of the way before he spoke again.
"Cherry... Olivia." Katie says quietly.
Olivia cried into her skirt.
Cherry held Katie with Olivia. "I missed you so much..."
Ratigan nearly looked annoyed with the girls reuniting.
"I missed you too." Katie murmurs.
"You still have one last chance, 'Brie'." Ratigan threatened Cherry.
"I said no, you can keep your crummy plans to yourself!" Cherry sneered.
"Suit yourself, this time, I won't be defeated," Ratigan snarled. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have some personal business and a score to settle!" he slammed the door on them, leaving them trapped inside.
Dawson came through with Basil. Katie glared at Ratigan.
"I hate him..." Cherry grumbled, at least she was with Katie again.
Basil and Dawson poked their heads through the wall they hid behind and looked to the bottle to see 'Olivia' in her coat and hat, lying down in her bottle prison. The two mice ran over, trying not to get caught while they would go to their rescue. Basil went to the neck of the bottle and tried to pull the cork. "It's stuck!" he groaned while trying to get the cork off. "I wonder where the other girls are..."
Fidget suddenly turned around. Katie tried to get Basil's attention. Dawson looked surprised as they seemed to trigger a 'party'.
"SURPRISE!" a bunch of mice suddenly yelled, making Basil fall from the neck of the bottle.
Everyone clapped and laughed as there was suddenly balloons and confetti and a welcome banner for the mouse detective.
Fidget grinned, getting out of the bottle.
"Basil." Ratigan greeted.
Basil glared harshly at the rat, nearly clenching his teeth.