Mad Mod's Wild Fashion
Author's Note: Hello, dear readers, and welcome back to Episode 10 of my Batman '66 continuation! Like the Crazy Quilt episode, this one will also be a single-parter, but the one after this one will be a two-parter featuring Kite Man! Thank you to all those who have read my Batman stories so far, and I hope that you'll enjoy this one!
It's a fine, swingin' day at the Gotham City Fashion Expo! Models strut down the runway, flashbulbs are popping pictures for newspapers, and most of all, three very familiar people attend in order to witness the next step in Gotham City fashion!
"Gee, Dick!" Bonnie joked. "Compared to these models, even Robin looks like he could need a fashion upgrade!"
"Easy, Bonnie," Bruce Wayne cautioned her. "Crime fighting isn't about being fashionable-after all, Batman doesn't fight crime to look good, but for the sake of the good citizens of Gotham City."
As one model, Miss Gotham City, strutted down the runway, the crowd cheered louder than ever before-the flashbulbs flashed so frequently it was as if Gotham City herself was blinking. However, that wasn't the only thing blinking-the screens at the expo began turning into ones with a white background and a swirling black spiral. These screens seemed to captivate the crowd, reflecting deep within their eyes as they appeared to be pulled into a trance. The once loud expo hall slowly became so quiet that one could almost hear a pin drop. Models stood still mid-strut, their dresses sparkling in the lights.
"Is this who I think it is-?" Dick asked.
"Cover your eyes!" Bruce warned both Dick and Bonnie firmly. "And whatever you do-don't look at those screens!"
Knowing that something was up, they quickly listened, shielding their eyes with their elbows.
"There's only one person who could possibly have a motive to interrupt the Gotham Fashion Expo," Bruce remarked. "And there's only one person who has the technical know-how to hijack the expo's screens!"
"That's right, luvs!" said a voice as steps echoed across the stairs of the stage's expo hall. "Prepare for a new era of Gotham City-it's time for this city to become a grand Mod Capital!"
"Holy British biscuits," Dick murmured. "It's Mad Mod!"
Looking up while still shielding their eyes from the Hypno-Screens, they saw Mad Mod strutting down the runway in his signature Union Jack outfit and cherry-red hair, and he was carrying his red ruby cane and twirling it around in his hands.
"Oh, blimey!" Mad Mod grimaced, looking over at one nearby model. "This city's been a fashion disaster for way too long! But just you wait-Moddy 'ere will spice it up with a splash of smashin' style!"
Bruce, Dick, and Bonnie quietly snuck away into a bathroom without Mad Mod noticing. When they exited it, they appeared in their signature outfits and as Batman, Robin, and Bonnie Linseed-crime-fighter extraordinaire!
"Give it up, Mad Mod!" Bonnie exclaimed as the three of them ran up to the British-obsessed villain.
"Oh, darling!" Mad Mod teased her. "Did your outfit come straight out of your granny's wardrobe?"
"Well, at least I didn't get my fashion sense from a flagpole!" Bonnie joked, and Mad Mod scoffed in response.
"Such a stubborn lassie," Mad Mod remarked, twirling his cane. "Well, Moddy will teach you a thing or two-loyal fans, bring these crumpled crime-fighters over to me, will you now?"
At Mad Mod's command, the crowd began to corner the trio against the edge of the stage. Robin clenched his fists, but Batman jumped in.
"We can't harm these innocent citizens, Robin," he told his sidekick firmly. "They're under Mad Mod's control."
Robin frowned but nodded.
"You're right, Batman," he remarked, "but what can we do?"
"Simple, my duckies," Mad Mod grinned, looking down at the three helpless heroes. "Keep 'em lookin' sharp!"
With that, the three crime-fighters were left with the crowd nearly crushing them against the stage as Mad Mod looked down upon them with a smirk. One model wearing a silver dress and a wide sun-hat took a scarf from her outfit and tried to wrap it around Bonnie, but the crime-fighter-in-training fought with the hypnotized woman in an attempt to keep her at bay. While she was tugging in an arm fight with the model, Bonnie's gloves fell off her hands and were immediately trampled by the crowd.
"That's the least of my concerns," Bonnie murmured as the crowd continued to push and shove them against the stage like a can of sardines. "But I've got to keep fighting!"
After successfully fighting off one model, a male model with a conservative hairstyle and stereotypical tuxedo tried to comb Robin's hair, but the Boy Wonder quickly pushed him backwards.
"Aw," Mad Mod cooed, "allergic to makeovers, are we?"
Another model with a flowing pink dress went after both Batman and Bonnie. She attempted to wrap a scarf around the two of them, but the two crime-fighters fought back with equal force as the scarf hugged Bonnie's arms against her will. Bonnie attempted to tug the scarf off her body, but while doing so, the sleeves of her outfit suddenly ripped off and fell on the floor, immediately being covered with dirt by the chaotic crowd.
"Oh, bonny Bonnie!" Mad Mod laughed as he watched her struggle against the crowd. "Call yourself a crime-fighter, do you? You're more like a mystique maiden of mayhem!"
Robin glanced up at the edge of the stage. "Batman, if we could get up there, we might have a chance!"
"Precisely, old chum," Batman agreed. "We need to gain the advantage-away from this fashion disaster!"
The Dynamic Duo and Bonnie Linseed began climbing up the edge of the stage. Batman and Robin narrowly escaped the clawing swarm, but when Batman pulled Bonnie up and the people continued their attack, Bonnie's shoes slipped free, vanishing under the ocean of hypnotized fashionistas.
"Holy missing footwear," Robin remarked as Bonnie adjusted her hair and what remained of her clothes, including her Robin-themed scarf. "Your outfit has taken quite the hit, Bonnie."
"Now now, luv," Mad Mod grinned, twirling his ruby cane. "I'd say it quite fits her. I call it-'obo haute couture! Fitting, eh?"
'If you're the new fashion guru in town," Bonnie smirked, "then I'm Yvonne Craig."
"Where's your respect for your elders, gov'nor?" Mad Mod muttered, adjusting his suit. "Shame I can't stay any longer for this artful argy-bargy, because I 'ave a makeover to plan! Ta-ta!"
With one final bow, Mad Mod ran across the stage, and the trio wasted no time in following him. However, that was when his voice was heard over a loudspeaker.
"Tut-tut, Bats," Mad Mod chuckled. "Don't you know it's rude to stalk?"
Before Batman could respond, the floor opened up underneath them, sending them flailing and trying to catch themselves with their feet.
"Enjoy the express trip, duckies!" Mad Mod laughed as they fell further and further under the stage. "And remember-mind the gap!"
"Can't…stop…" Batman remarked as the world above them grew smaller and smaller. "Walls…too smooth…"
After what seemed like an eternity of falling, the trio of crime-fighters landed with a thud and found themselves in a massive rectangular room with mirrors on two sides, and a huge Union Jack mural on the third. Each funhouse mirror-esque reflection showed the image of a famous British landmark, such as Big Ben or the Tower Bridge. The fourth side was completely dark, and the trio was unable to see what awaited them on that side of the room. There were doors on each wall, but they were all blocked by robots resembling members of the Queen's Guard-but with glowing red eyes and stiff, mechanical movements.
Bonnie winced, rubbing her bottom and adjusting her mask. "Next time," she said dryly, "I vote we take the stairs."
Before Batman or Robin could respond to Bonnie's quip, everyone suddenly heard a humming sound coming from the darker wall, and they saw two white lights resembling headlights. The darkness slowly vanished from that end of the room until the trio saw it for what it was-a giant red Double-Decker Bus that was rushing toward them. This bus had a banner on each side that said, "MOD OR BUST," as well as pictures of the Union Jack and Big Ben.
"Welcome to the Mod Mile Express, my duckies!" Mad Mod's voice echoed over a hidden loudspeaker. "Next stop-permanent fashion disaster!"
Mod Mod's laughter echoed throughout the room as they stared at the Double-Decker Bus in awe. They looked back at the exit doors, but the guard's eyes still glowed a deep red, and they each had an old-fashioned brown musket in one hand.
The Double-Decker Bus revved up as whiffs of gasoline filled the room, and the trio braced themselves for the fight of their lives.
As the Double-Decker Bus roared towards the three heroes, its horn played a warped version of "Rule, Britannia!" which echoed throughout the room. Time was running out.
"We need to act fast!" Robin exclaimed, his heart beating faster with every passing second.
Batman scanned his surroundings, searching for anything that could help them escape. His eyes suddenly rested on a battered old wooden trunk in the corner of the room.
"Look!" he called out, sprinting towards it and opening it up. They quickly sifted through the things they didn't need-a stuffed corgi, a plastic Big Ben, and a small tin container of crackers.
"Some survival kit," Robin muttered.
But Bonnie's eyes lit up as she reached the bottom. There, lying hidden underneath more clutter, was a Union Jack parasol.
"This parasol…!" Bonnie murmured, determination flashing in her eyes. "Maybe…just maybe…!"
Without a second to waste, Bonnie ran over to the panel of mirrors in the room. Carefully, she ran her fingers over it until she felt a slight gap. Then, using the tip of the parasol, she quickly pried it open, where a hidden passageway awaited them.
"This way!" Bonnie beckoned. "Hurry, in here!"
Batman and Robin quickly followed Bonnie, jumping for safety. As soon as everyone was safely inside the newly discovered room, the Double-Decker Bus crashed into the wall, creating a shower of sparks and crushing the robotic guards like tin soldiers.
"Holy parasol-powered escape!" Robin exclaimed.
Bonnie grinned and twirled the parasol playfully. "Not bad for a 'muddled maiden,' huh?"
When Batman, Robin, and Bonnie finally had a chance to look at their new surroundings, they noticed that they were now in a storage area full of extra clothes and costumes. Bonnie looked down at her former outfit, which was now reduced to shreds-aside from her mask, as well as her Robin-themed scarf, which still clung proudly around her neck.
"Time for a new look," Bonnie told them, "that's both fashionable and functional!"
Bonnie walked around the room, finding various clothing pieces and tossing them behind a small room divider.
A short-sleeved green top…
A yellow utility belt…
Black leggings…
Bright yellow go-go boots…
Fingerless red gloves…
When Bonnie was satisfied with the selection for her new outfit, she eagerly hopped behind the room divider. Off went her old, torn clothes, and on went her new, sleek outfit. When she was done changing, she dramatically showed off her new outfit to Batman and Robin-complete with her signature mask and scarf.
"Holy quick change!" Robin exclaimed. "You look great, Bonnie!"
"Crime-fighting fashion isn't about vanity, Bonnie," Batman told her, "but I must admit, your new outfit marks a striking combination of fashion and function."
"Thanks, boys," Bonnie said, putting her hands on her hips. "But I'm not just Bonnie Linseed anymore. I'm the Mystique Maiden!"
"A truly fitting name for someone who uses quick thinking such as yours to fight crime," Batman said, nodding thoughtfully. "Well done, Mystique Maiden."
"Did I tell you that you look good in those leggings, Bonnie?" Robin asked.
Bonnie blushed, and Batman chuckled and patted his shoulders.
"You're growing up, Boy Wonder," Batman smiled underneath his cowl as Robin nodded in understanding. "The transition from adolescent to teenager might not be easy, but you've just shown that you can make it all worthwhile."
"Pardon to interrupt," Bonnie remarked, "but we need to stop Mad Mod and his 'groovy' takeover!"
"Let's hurry!" Batman remarked as they ran swiftly through a door of the storage area.
Back on the stage, Mad Mod was basking in the crowd as they hummed along with a song that he wrote called, "Long Live King Moddy!"
"Aw, it feels mighty good to be king!" Mad Mod boasted.
"But not for long, Mad Mod!" Batman declared, running towards Mad Mod with Robin and Bonnie-now the Mystique Maiden-by his side.
"Blimey!" Mad Mod cried out, nearly tripping on his cane in surprise. "You lot were supposed to be taking a one-way trip on my Mod Mile Express!"
"It looks like your bus schedule is a little behind," Bonnie (the Mystique Maiden) giggled as Mad Mod looked at her with interest.
"Well, well, misbehaving maiden," Mad Mod grinned. "I see you've 'ad quite the upgrade! But that still won't be enough to stop my Hypno-Screens!"
"You're right, Mad Mod," the Mystique Maiden said firmly. "But with Batman and Robin by my side, we're unstoppable!"
"Right-o, then!" Mad Mod grinned, tapping his cane on the stage. "But I still have this entire crowd under my control!"
"He's right, Batman!" Robin whispered.
"Fear not, old chum," Batman reassured him, covering his eyes just enough while still scanning the stage. "Knowing how Mad Mod's Hypno-Screens work, they operate through a central control node. If we can interrupt the signal, we can stop this fashion freak-fest!"
Robin noticed a nearby wooden table, and on the top of it was a metallic transmission device. Thinking fast, Robin grabbed it before Mad Mod could fully register what was happening.
"You 'lil snot!" Mad Mod exclaimed once he figured out what was going on. "Don't you know not to touch other people's property?"
"Well, this property is about to go out of style!" Robin said firmly, pressing a button on the transmitter which said "HYPNO-SCREEN DEACTIVATION" above it. As soon as Robin pressed it, the Hypno-Screens that once took over the expo immediately turned off, freeing the crowd from their control.
"You cheeky lot!" Mad Mod yelled, trying to run down the stairs before being stopped by the mob in front of him. "I'll-"
Mad Mod then ran the opposite direction, towards Batman, Robin, and the Mystique Maiden, in an attempt to run backstage.
"A pip pip and cheerio, Mad Mod!" the Mystique Maiden exclaimed, noticing an umbrella nearby lying at the edge of the stage. She picked it up and threw it in front of Mad Mod. In a panic, the umbrella caught onto Mad Mod's cane, causing it to fall out of his hands. It rolled across the stage and fell within the crowd, just like Bonnie's former outfit. And the crowd, now free of being controlled by Mad Mod's Hypno-Screens, was now cheering on Batman and Robin.
"You rotten rascals!" Mad Mod huffed indignantly. "You ruined my fashion sense!"
"The only fashion disaster," the Mystique Maiden said, walking up to the British fashionista, "is you, Mad Mod."
"Oh, doll," Mad Mod said, bowing to Bonnie dramatically and staring up and down at Bonnie's superhero outfit. "Your new outfit is quite the upgrade! If only all the goody-goods had your sense of style!"
Author's Note: With that, that's Episode 10! What did you think? Clever readers might have noticed that I based Mad Mod's appearance after the one in the Teen Titans TV show, primarily because that's his most iconic look, plus I could see it fitting in the Batman '66 show. With Bonnie finally getting a costume to call her own, what do you think will happen next? What villains would you like to see? Feel free to review, favorite, etc., and stay tuned for Episodes 11 and 12 next week, both featuring Kite Man!
Until then,
Gabe S. :)