July 27 - Teamwork
Jul. 31st, 2021 05:51 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
pompey_01Author: Pompey
Universe: Great Mouse Detective (movie-verse)
Rating: G
Warnings: timetraveling crossover crackiness
Word count: 575
Summary: History repeats itself, and fanboys come in all shapes and sizes.
Prompt: July 27 – To say nothing of the cat
Over time, our home at Baker Street has seen countless representations of all forms of animal-life, but the little band of rodents – and insect – that graced our sitting room were in some ways the oddest I had ever seen. It was not merely their accents (mostly American with one Australian) nor their clothing (scant, informal, and shockingly masculine in the case of lone female mouse) but something else I could not quite put my claw on.
One of the two chipmunks, he of the black nose and brown jacket and hat, kept hopping and peering about at everything, almost as if he recognized our things. “It’s like a perfect replica!” he exclaimed in an unusually high voice. “The violin, the fireplace, the chemistry set . . . but where are – ”
The second chipmunk, with a large red nose and brightly colored shirt, elbowed the first chipmunk sharply as Basil and I appeared to our visitors. Rather than calming, the first chipmunk froze with an expression of pure delight. “Basil of Baker Street and Dr. Dawson!” he squeaked, his voice going higher yet.
The female mouse sighed and stepped forward with an outstretched paw. “Hi! I’m Gadget. This is Monterey Jack,” she waved in the direction of the very large mouse with a red moustache and green eyes, “and Zipper.” The green fly buzzed in acknowledgment. “That’s Dale,” Gadget continued, pointing at the second chipmunk, “and that’s Chip.” We all looked towards the first chipmunk, still frozen in place.
“We’re the Rescue Rangers,” Dale offered when Chip made no response.
“Delighted to meet you all,” Basil replied with perfect aplomb. “I trust your visit here has something to do with the grey tom cat you are currently tracking in order to stop him from committing some nefarious deed?”
For a moment the other Rescue Rangers looked as stunned as Chip still was. “Golly!” Gadget exclaimed. “How did you know that?”
Basil pulled a long, grey hair from the clothing of Monterey Jack. “The scent of male cat is faint but unmistakable. You were very close to the cat a short time ago but none of you show signs of injury or fright. Therefore the close contact was deliberate or made in such a way that your safety was assured. The name of your group indicates you are in the crime-solving business, making the former reason most likely. Why would a group of prey animals deliberately seek out close contact with a cat? Because said cat is himself a criminal.”
“Crikey! You really are the world’s greatest mouse detective!” Monterey said appreciatively. “Pallies, if anyone can help us stop Fat Cat, it’s Basil of Baker Street.”
“Fat Cat?” I couldn’t help but ask.
Chip finally unpetrified enough to answer. “He’s a criminal mastermind. He’s runs all kinds of schemes in the f– ah, back where we come from and we’ve got to stop him and get him back home before he starts doing the same thing here.”
Basil smiled at me. “We know a few things about breaking up criminal masterminds’ rings, eh Dawson?”
“We do indeed,” I answered, smiling back.
“Then you’ll help us?” Gadget asked.
“Certainly, my dear lady. Lead the way.”
As we began to file out, I noticed Chip had gone very still again with his paws clasped and a grin on his face. “We’re actually working side by side with Basil and Dawson!” I heard him whisper as though to himself.
