Disclaimer: I do not own Danger Mouse (2015) or any canon characters featured within. They are the property of Brian Cosgrove, Mark Hall, Fremantle Media, CBBC and Boulder Media. I do own Emma White, Dr. Kirkland, Ms. Anderson and Jonathan Baker, among other OCs.
Notes: I hate myself for this, I truly do! This one has a bittersweet ending. The idea hit me and I had to write it because it would keep nagging at me if I didn't. There are references to past fics, especially More Than One Kind.
This is a dark fic. It includes child abuse, mentions of child slave labour and death. This is a Dangerfold fic, meaning Danger Mouse and Penfold are in a romantic relationship, but that isn't the main focus.
Isambard won't appear often, just in the first two and final chapter. After-notes won't be featured except in the final chapter.
I hope you don't tear me limb from limb for this!
(Linebreaks hate me, so I will use DMEP.)
DMEP
How peculiar! This isn't London and there's no sign of our heroes anywhere! My script says this is a Danger Mouse fanfiction, so what's going on here? Oh. Oh, now I get it! This is a story that starts before our heroes, Danger Mouse and Penfold, are called into action. Alright, let's see where this leads.
DMEP
Tmp tmp tmp tmp. Huff puff huff puff.
Those were the only sounds that could be heard on that lonely street. It was ten o'clock at night, the sky was dotted with stars. But, the little girl, running as if her life depended on it, had no time to admire the view. She was on a mission, and by golly, she was not about to stop.
At least, not until her strength started to give out on her. Her legs were like jelly, her heart was pounding in her chest and soon, it was too much. Fighting to keep a grip on the doll in her paw, she tripped over and, try as she might, could not gather the strength to return to her feet and resume her journey.
The poor girl was in a haggard state. Her clothing was ripped in many areas, her frame thin and bony, her eyes dull of any life. "Lucy..." she muttered hoarsely. "We have...to keep..." Her eyes were falling shut. No! She could not stop! She had to keep going!
A shadow fell over her. Before she passed out, the final word she uttered was "help".
DMEP
Danger Moth had accomplished her mission and was on her way back to HQ to make her report. She was gazing down at the scenery below, she always did enjoy the sight of the English landscape at night, and due to her special goggles, no bright lights were able to distract her. "It's really a lovely night," she murmured. She caught sight of someone running along the road. "Hold on, why's a child out at this time of night...?" She prepared to call out, but her voice caught as soon as the individual she'd spotted collapsed to the road and did not move.
Concern gripped her like a vice, so she swooped down. She landed just as a hoarse voice pleaded for help. Her eyes widened and she released a horrified gasp. "Emma!" She knew it was Emma White, an orphan that Danger Mouse and Penfold had assisted the week leading to Valentine's Day. There was no mistaking her, even if she'd only met her on the one occasion; the time she and Danger Mouse had to rescue her and Penfold from Baron Silas von Greenback.
An anger she never felt before came over her as she regarded the kitten's state. Her clothing was torn, her frame was bony, her cheeks hollow and her fur dry. There was no doubt in her mind that someone had brought the girl to that state, but who?
Those thoughts had to wait, she had to get Emma to the hospital immediately. She carefully scooped her up, making sure not to leave the doll behind, and took flight. She was able to hold Emma cradled in one arm, so she took the opportunity to inform her friend and fellow secret agent of what has occured.