In the very early hours of the next morning, there was absolute silence in the wine cellar lair, as it had been for years until the Viper and their gang recently occupied it. But it was no ghost town, for everyone was sound asleep. Butch, Spike and Cliff were snoring in the big barrel, sleeping off the wine they had consumed last night on their boss's orders. The elderly hooded figure was asleep in one of the other barrels. Fidget, meanwhile, was asleep in his old resting area, hanging upside down.
''Oh, Lavender,'' the bat said in his sleep, giggling. ''I'm so glad you forgive me. Come here.''
He reached out his wings, as though he was sleep-walking, but his foot slipped from the old wine pourer from which it was hanging and Fidget fell the ground, rolling over like a ball as usual. ''Ow,'' he complained, rubbing his bottom. ''Why am I still accident-prone? I was having as such a nice dream about Lavender.''
Fidget perked up when he suddenly heard a voice singing in the lair. Then he froze. That voice! That voice! There was no mistake. It was the same voice he had heard that night he had seen the mysterious figure with Ratigan!
Doing his best not to make a sound, Fidget hobbled over to where the voice was coming from and hid behind the corner as he observed what was going on, and what he saw made his eyes pop! It was his boss, the Viper, standing in front of a large movable mirror … with the hood down! Fidget was seeing the Viper's true face for the first time! He watched his boss dance and sing merrily while playing about with their hair in front of the mirror.
Before the Viper could see him, Fidget hobbled back to his resting area and pretended to go back to sleep, his mind fresh with what he had just witnessed. Yes, that name he had heard the Viper shout the other day had already confirmed what he had suspecting for a very long time, but this was the icing on the cake. It was the final piece. He had to tell Basil and Olivia about it.
But how? Fidget thought. The Viper won't let me leave. But I'll think of something, I have to.
Several hours later, it was mid-morning. At Buckingham Palace, King Edward was staring out of the window that overlooked the gardens. The king thought about everything that had happened these past few weeks. Though still shocked, there was no doubt in his mind Basil was correct. The Viper had been directly under his nose all along, manipulating him, and he had never known it. The evil, callous fiend! After being close with the Viper's family for years …
''Father?''
Edward turned around and saw his son, George. ''Oh! Hello, son.''
George coughed. ''Father, I know … thing haven't been right between us lately … You must be disappointed in me. Next in line and too afraid to take up his father's mantle. I'm such a coward, I know but I'm just too scared of messing up, royally, and –''
''I told you before, son,'' said Edward, placing his hands on his son's shoulders. ''I am not disappointed. In fact, I understand how you feel. I was the same when Mother and I discussed it. I was scared, but now I am fully confident and secure in my role as monarch.'' He hesitated. ''I haven't told you this before, George, but if you are really afraid, I have found an alternate solution.''
George perked up. ''You have? What is it, Father?''
Edward nodded. He hated lying to his son, he wished he could tell him the truth about the plan, but as Basil had said, they could not take any risks of the Viper getting suspicious, for it that was to happen their plan to capture that scoundrel would go up in smoke. But it was only for a few more hours; if the plan went well, the lying would cease.
''Just trust me,'' he said. ''I will tell you later.''
''Is that why you are throwing this special private dinner?''
''Yes,'' Edward admitted and it was not a lie. The only people he had told were his personal guards, for they had an eye for spotting anything suspicious, and they were good at keeping secrets, as well as the very person who was most crucial to the plan succeeding.
''It's happening later, right Father?''
''Yes, son, in the afternoon.''
In the lair, everyone was now up and having their usual morning wine for breakfast, though Spike and Cliff were absent. ''Well, boys,'' said the Viper, in a very excited giddy voice, as though they were a child getting a new toy, ''today's the day I put my plan into motion.'' The Viper giggled. ''After these last nine years of plotting and waiting, I will finally finish what Padraic and I set out to do – revenge will be ours, and the love and respect that I deserve!''
The Viper laughed manically.
''My dear, Butch!'' the villain said cheerfully. ''I see you aren't laughing along!''
''Of course not, boss. After all, you said at the party that it only works when you do it.''
The Viper chuckled and pinched Butch's cheek as if he was his nephew. ''You're learning, my boy,'' he cooed.
''Ratigan was the same,'' Fidget added. ''He allowed the boys to cheer, but only he was allowed to laugh as he boasted about his schemes. In fact, the only time I remember him allowing us all to laugh with him was when he humiliated Basil over his trap.''
Fidget cackled, though he felt bad about it.
''Of course. One of my biggest regrets was that I wasn't there to witness it. Oh, well. I can humiliate Basil about it tomorrow. Now that I look forward to.''
The Viper rubbed their hands together, chuckling darkly.
At that moment, Spike and Cliff entered, hoods down, a newspaper in their hands.
''Ah! Spike and Cliff!''
The Viper ran up to their bodyguards, who leaned down to hug their master. It was like three siblings hugging. ''My dears, is your friend all set? Did you give him the bottle? He knows what to do?''
Spike and Cliff nodded.
''Excellent! Victory nears, boys! By this time tomorrow, we will be celebrating in our new permanent home, and those parasites of Mousedom will bow down to a new ruler!''
Everyone cheered.
''And even better, I have manged to fool Basil of Baker Street, the Great Mouse Detective! HA, HA!''
''Careful Master,'' said the elderly hooded figure in his usual fatherly tone, taking the wine glass from his boss and handing them a glass of water. ''Don't want you to get to worked up again.''
''Of course, do forgive me, old friend, but I am just so excited.''
''I understand.''
''Hey, can I have that newspaper?'' Butch asked Spike and Cliff, holding out his hand. ''I haven't read anything for ages.''
The twins handed to their fellow lackey.
Butch read through the morning paper. ''Hey, boss, there's a piece here about Armstrong. You were right not to sneak into the prison and kill him. Judging from this, it sounds as though it would have attracted more attention towards you. You are a true genius,'' he added in admiration.
''I know I am,'' the Viper said in a prideful, boasting voice.
''Awwwe,'' Butch cooed suddenly. ''A lady mouse and her baby survived a difficult pregnancy. There were some complications as the baby boy was too big to be delivered the normal way, but the doctor managed to save both mother and child. That's a relief. I may do criminal work, but the birth of new life always–''
Butch was interrupted when Fidget pressed his wing over his mouth. ''Butch, don't say any more!'' the bat warned.
Before Butch could ask why, he felt a wave of utter fiery fury, as though the lair was on fire. The two henchmen slowly turned around and Butch knew he had just unwittingly unleashed the Viper's wrath.
Around lunchtime, the palace staff were preparing for King Edward's private dinner party. He said it was for a special occasion, but didn't disclose any more details, apart from that everyone would know soon.
''Father,'' said George, ''would it be alright if we served some blueberry juice?'' The prince held up a small bluish-black bottle. ''I just love this juice so much, I'm glad we got the recipe from Mrs Judson.''
''Yes, Mrs Judson's home-made juice does taste better,'' his father agreed. ''Certainly, son.''
In fact, it might just work out well for the plan Edward thought.
He nodded to the head chef, Mr Walker. Mr Walker was a chubby mouse with beige fur and curly hair. He knew just what to do. ''Where are you going, Mr Walker?'' asked one of the guards, as the man walked out of the front doors of the palace.
''We've run out of bread,'' Mr Walker invented. ''Don't worry, I've prepared some of the food already. The king said I could have a break.''
''We could just have it delivered to the palace.''
''No, I would prefer to buy it myself. His Majesty knows how particular I am.''
The two guards looked at each other. ''Very well, Mr Walker.''
Mr Walker bowed and left Buckingham Place. The mouse walked down the street and stopped just in front of an alleyway. Yes, this was a rather unconventional thing for him to be doing, but it was the king's orders. ''Let's see,'' he said, looking into the empty bag he was carrying. ''Bread, what else do I need?''
Mr Walker suddenly felt a cloth pressed against his mouth. Gosh, it tasted awful, as though he breathing in gas or something, he thought before he passed out.
Butch looked at himself in the mirror as he examined the ugly bruises on his cheeks from when the Viper had repeatedly struck him, after throwing his glass at the wall. He was still in shock, as though he had been told something horrendous. He had seen the Viper have outbursts before, but this was without a doubt the worst he had seen. Butch wasn't angry in the slightest at his bruises, but he was confused as to why the Viper hated another word so much, more so than the R word, as Fidget had explained to him. Was it yet another one of his private secrets?
''You alright, Butch?'' Fidget asked in concern. ''I feel responsible. I should have told you sooner, but I forgot all about it, it's been so long since the boss's last outburst over it.''
''Don't worry, Fidget. Do you suppose we will know why once the plan is complete?''
''Probably.''
Fidget felt bad, for he had a feeling he knew exactly why. Butch was a such loyal minion to the Viper he was willing to endure abuse as the result of the Viper's rage, just like he had done for Ratigan for all those years. Butch deserved to know the truth about the Viper, but Butch was no master at keeping his mouth quiet about certain things so it would risk the Viper getting suspicious, which Fidget knew Basil would not want.
''Let's see how the boss is doing,'' the bat added, and the two henchmen made the way back to the main area of the lair, where the Viper was emerging from his bed chamber with the elderly hooded figure, who was gently holding his master in his usual fatherly fashion.
''I am feeling better now, boys,'' he said to Spike and Cliff, who pulled their master into a squeezing hug.
''Boss?''
The Viper turned to looked at Butch and Fidget, while Spike and Cliff gave them a death glare. ''Ah, Butch.''
Butch swallowed, hanging his head in shame in shame. ''Boss ... I am utterly truly sorry. I had no idea about your unfortunate affiliation with –'' he saw Spike and Cliff crack their knuckles – ''you-know-what. It will never happen again.''
''It had better not do, you imbecile,'' the Viper sneered. ''Believe me, Butch, if victory wasn't nearly in my grasp you would cease to exist.'' The villain chuckled and lifted Butch's chin with his gloved fingers. ''You've been very lucky; you have more lives than most of the minions who I have had to dispose of due to their incompetence. Are you a cat in disguise, Butch?''
''I don't think so.''
''Hmmm.'' The Viper let go of Butch and coughed. ''Anyhow, moving on. In celebration of our near-victory, you all deserve a treat so you may go to the Rat Trap for a little drink if you wish.''
Everyone cheered.
''But I'm afraid you I cannot permit you to do so, Fidget.''
Fidget felt his heart sink but didn't show it. ''I understand why, boss, but please may I? I haven't been to the Rat Trap in such a long time I want to have one more Rodent's Delight, even though Ralph and Babs are no longer running it. I've done everything you asked me to do. Please, boss?''
''I'm sorry, my dear Fidget,'' the criminal mastermind said, in a fake sad voice. ''I can't take any chances.''
''I understand,'' Fidget said, hunching up small.
''Tell you what, Fidget: once tomorrow is over, you can have all the Rodent's Delight you want. How does that sound?''
Despite the circumstances, Fidget perked up. ''Oh yes! That sounds like heaven!''
''Good. Now, Spike, Cliff, you may also catch up with some old your old friends if you wish. Take all the time you want, no need to hurry back for my sake. You deserve it after your years of loyalty to me.''
Spike and Cliff nodded and smiled their creepy smiles.
With that in mind, Fidget got an idea. Maybe I can escape after all.
''As for you and I,'' the Viper added to the elderly hooded figure, ''let us transform into our civilian counterparts.''
''Why? Where are you going, boss?'' Butch asked, tilting his head.
''To do the finishing touches,'' the Viper replied mysteriously.
The Viper and his father-figure went into one of the barrels to change, while Spike and Cliff stood at either side of the door, looking like bodyguards as usual. When they were ready to re-emerge, Butch and Fidget were banished to the far corner of the lair, for they were forbidden to see their boss's rodent self. (Yes, they could peek from behind the corner, but Spike and Cliff would catch them and they would be goners.)
''Right, my dears,'' said the Viper, ''we shall be off. I will see you later.''
After the Viper and the elderly mouse had left, Spike and Cliff and Butch donned their hoods, also preparing to venture out. ''Sorry you can't come with us, Fidget,'' Butch said sympathetically ''but it won't be for long, we'll only be a few hours. Spike and Cliff have welcomed me to meet some of their friends.''
''Don't worry, you three go and enjoy yourselves. I'm used to being left out.''
Fidget's face fell, for this was not a lie.
With a goodbye, Butch and the twins also left the lair. As soon as he heard the exit door slam shut, Fidget immediately went into action. He hobbled over to the large barrel and made his way to the shelf with journals. He reached out a shaking wing and picked up the one he was looking for, tucking the journal inside his robe. The bat felt his heart beating as fast as lightning, as though he was running for his life. Everyone would be away for a few hours, but Fidget had to do this quickly. The sooner he completed his mission, the sooner he would get back. With one wing holding onto the book in his cloak, Fidget hobbled over to the manhole cover and lifted it up.
The two guards saw Mr Walker making his way towards them, bread now on hand, but he was waking rather oddly, as though he was limping. ''Are you alright, Mr Walker?'' one of them asked.
Mr Walker nodded. Though unconvinced, the guards let Mr Walker pass. When he entered the place, he was greeted by Edward. ''Ah! There you are, Mr Walker! You got the bread? Good. Now we are all set.''
Mr Walker disappeared. When he was gone, the king looked at the two guards by the door, who gave him the thumbs up. So far so good, just as Basil had said.
At Baker Street, Basil, Olivia, Mrs Judson, Dawson and Pauline were standing in the parlour, mulling over everything that was going on. Mrs Judson was taking a break from sweeping the floor.
''I'm glad Helen and the Richmond sisters made it back okay,'' she said.
''As am I, Mrs Judson,'' Basil agreed.
''And it sounds as though Bert found a lady-friend in Cornwall,'' Olivia said, smirking.
''I know Helen wanted to be here with us, but she deserves to have a rest after the work she has done. Juliet and Marianne as well.''
Mrs Judson stared at her master as though she was seeing him in a new light. ''I know I've said this before, but are you really that same arrogant mouse who cared more his work than those around him, Mr Basil?''
Basil chuckled.
''I take that as a yes,'' said Pauline, smiling at Olivia.
''And thanks to Helen's information,'' Basil said, ''I can confirm we are very nearly there. The Viper has certainly been lying to all of us. As we discussed yesterday, I would like to have physical evidence if I could, but we may have to skip it for once.''
''Speaking of which, Basil,'' piped up Dawson, ''your plan is elaborate, like the sort of thing you would come up with, but it sounds awful risky. So much of it depends on chance. What if it backfires?''
''He knows what to do, old chap,'' Basil assured his friend. ''Besides, the few people he has told will be preparing to risk their lives by tasting it.''
''I'm concerned, too, David,'' Pauline said to her husband, placing an arm around him, ''but as Basil said, it is the only way to catch the Viper.''
''I know,'' said Dawson, ''it's just …–''
''I know, doctor,'' said Olivia, ''but we have no other choice. The Viper's biggest flaw is being arrogant and cocky, so we need to use that against them, and this is the only way.'' She smiled. ''It'll be alright.''
''I admire your optimism, Olivia,'' Dawson said, and Pauline nodded I agreement. ''I just wish I was more like that and –''
The good doctor was interrupted when there was an unexpected knock at the door. ''Who could that?'' Pauline asked. ''A guard?''
''Maybe,'' Basil said slowly, holding up his arm like a shield. He retrieved his revolver and cautiously approached the door. He opened the door and saw no-one. Only when the detective looked down, he stared at the small, cloaked figure. The hood was up, but he knew those wings and that peg-leg anywhere. ''So,'' he said. ''You've finally come.''
''Hello, Basil,'' said the figure anxiously. ''Long time no see. I –''
He was cut across when Basil grabbed him by his collar and pulled him inside, closing the door behind him. ''Everyone,'' the detective said in grand voice, as though he was giving a speech, holding up the figure by the back of the neck, ''a certain spy of the Viper's has finally made his presence known to us!''
Grinning, Basil placed the revolver in his pocket and removed the intruder's hood, to reveal none other than Fidget!
Everyone gasped.
''Him!'' Mrs Judson huffed, placing her hands on her hips.
''Well!'' Dawson agreed, stretching an arm out in front of Pauline to protect her.
''So it's true then, you really are alive,'' Pauline added.
''Doctor Dawson's wife, right?'' Fidget asked. ''Nice to finally meet you.''
Pauline nodded rigidly. ''Likewise.''
Basil placed Fidget on the ground. The bat swallowed and looked at all of the angry and distrustful faces. ''Hello,'' he said, trying to sound upbeat, waving his free wing awkwardly, his other wing still holding the book inside him. ''Guys, I haven't got much time so I'll get to the point, it's about the Viper –''
Fidget was cut off when, Mrs Judson abruptly let out a cry and swatted him with the sweeping broom, sending him flying across the room. The bat looked up and saw he had landed at Olivia's feet. He swallowed at her death glare. ''Oh, hello,'' he said, chuckling nervously. ''You've grown taller.''
''Aye, I have,'' Olivia said in a slow, stiff voice.
Before Basil could approach the bat or being near his Livy, Mrs Judson again swatted him with the broom, knocking him away from Olivia. ''You stay away from my mistress!'' she shouted.
''Ow! My wing!'' Fidget complained as he was sent flying again. As he was went flying, the wing over his stomach spread out, dropping something out from under his robe. Olivia saw and picked it up.
Basil picked him up by the back of the neck again and hung him on the coat rack. ''You look good like that,'' the detective said to his adversary with a grin.
''Basil, please!'' the bat pleaded, flapping his wings like mad. ''I know you don't trust me but I'm on your side now! I don't want to work for the Viper anymore! I've realised the error of my ways! Didn't you get what I sent to you other night?''
''We did,'' Basil said, folding his arms, ''and it was very useful. I do believe you want to redeem yourself, Fidget, and I commend you for that, but after everything you did to us both nine years ago and now, we are approaching you with extreme caution.''
Fidget hung his head. ''I understand. Thanks to you apprehending Armstrong last night it's now public knowledge I am alive, so the Viper didn't want me to leave the lair anymore. Luckily, the boss and the rest of the gang have gone out for a few hours to celebrate their near victory so I snuck out to see you. But I have to get back before they all do or the Viper will get suspicious so I need to make this quick,'' he said, very fast.
Basil and Dawson looked at each other. They had many questions they wanted to ask Fidget, but if what he said was true those questions would have to wait. They could not risk the Viper realising what they were up to, not at the last minute.
''Very well,'' Dawson relented. ''What do you need to tell us?''
''If one word rings false, I'll do something far worse than sweep you with this broom,'' Mrs Judson warned.
Fidget nodded, and opened his mouth when Olivia said: ''William! You need to see this!''
Basil walked over to his girl and saw she was holding a small book in her hands.
''That appears to be a journal,'' he deduced, taking it from her.
''Who's?'' Pauline asked, though she knew the answer.
''It belonged to Ratigan,'' Fidget piped up. ''He had quite a few journals in which he always wrote down his schemes.''
''Just like you, William,'' Olivia said with a grin. ''You're definitely related.''
To her surprise, Basil chuckled. ''Indeed we are. I presume the Viper had these journals in their possession, Fidget?'' he asked the bat.
''I snatched it as soon as everyone left, because I knew you wouldn't believe me on what I have to say unless I had proof.''
''Proof of what?'' Dawson asked.
''The Viper's true identity. Ratigan's journals reveal who the Viper is. I brought this specific one because it was the last one he ever wrote in.''
Basil took the journal from Olivia and flipped to the professor's last entry. ''That is definitely my uncle's handwriting.'' They read the entry and their eyes widened.
''This … this is it!'' Basil cried in triumph, jumping for joy. ''The cold, hard verification we needed! Our theory has been proven correct!'' The detective hugged Olivia as they shared a deep, passionate kiss.
Dawson held Pauline close and they smiled at each other, also sharing a kiss. Everyone tuned back to face Fidget. 'Now, tell us everything you know,'' Pauline said.
''Yes ma'am,'' Fidget obliged, and began to tell his story.
When he was done, Basil took the bat from the coat rack and hugged him tightly, as though he was a stuffed animal. ''Thank you, thank you, Fidget! You've given us the final piece of the puzzle!''
Olivia, Dawson, Pauline an Mrs Judson looked at one another in amusement, trying not to laugh.
''You're – you're welcome, Basil,'' Fidget giggled, not being able to remember the last time someone had hugged him.
The detective placed him on the floor and handed him back the journal. ''Now, Fidget, I want you to go back to the Viper's lair and act as though nothing has happened.''
''Yes, Basil,'' Fidget said, tucking the journal back inside his clock. ''Glad I was able to help. See you soon.''
With one last wave from his free wing, Fidget left the house.
''I don't trust him, Mr Basil,'' Mrs Judson said.
''I have reservations myself,'' Basil admitted, placing his arm around Olivia. ''But I can see it in his eyes he is genuine, so I am willing to give him benefit of the doubt, at least during this case.''
Just then, the phone rang. ''Ah, that'll be Buckingham Palace,'' Basil said, walking over to the phone. ''Oh, hello! Yes, I thought it was you. Any news?''
The voice on the other end coughed. ''Well, uh …''
Basil noted the hesitancy in his voice and turned pale, looking down at the floor as though it had disappeared. Had the Viper outsmarted them once again?
What a cliff-hanger! Now that Basil now has the final piece, it confirms his theory on the Viper's true identity, thanks to Fidget.
My grandfather has been a bit under the weather since just before the holidays, but he is getting back to normal, slowly but surely.
We finally have confirmation on who the Viper's other intended victim was, which means they were planning on finishing what Ratigan started nine years ago. The question is why? Don't worry, the whole plan will be revealed next chapter.
Well, the reunion with Fidget didn't seem too bad, though poor Fidget is always getting beat up, isn't he? Chuckle. I debated whether to have Basil or Mrs Judson swat Fidget away from Olivia. I decided on Mrs Judson because it gave her an opportunity to take part in the action, and Basil has protected Olivia plenty of times.
Time to answer some reviews:
duchessofbooks: Hello again, old friend, glad to hear from you. Trust me, you don't want to miss the next few chapters as the Viper story is coming to an end.
MillenniumPrincess: Helen, Juliet and Marianne make a good trio, don't they? And Basil has let Helen have a rest after her hard work. Another example of how far he has come since the original film.
Next time, you do not want to miss anything as the infamous Viper will at long last be unmasked, so make your final guesses as to who you think our slithery friend is.
Happy New Year and see you soon!
