Bank on It {open}

[Mechnician]

Gadget wandered down the streets of Epcot City, keeping a careful watch on the larger pedestrians, human and non-human alike, so as not to be stepped on. It wasn't all that different from New York--well, except for the ducks and dogs and other animals. Animals who were people, that is.

But walking around in plain sight without having to hide from humans, that took some getting used to. Not that she minded, you understand. It was so much nicer when everybody...every species...got along.

The little mouse's walk was interrupted by an elderly man crossing her path. His shaky movements held up pedestrian traffic a little, as he made his way slowly to the doors of a nearby bank building.

Poor old man, she thought to herself, wishing she was big enough to take his arm and help him inside.

Then, Gadget remembered her new super-powers. Reaching out with her mind to the automatic door, she willed it to slide open for him. Sure, it would've done that on its own when the man stepped closer, but that simple act made Gadget feel like a real Good Samaritan.

Smiling gently to herself, the mouse continued on her way until, when she was halfway down the block, a commotion made her turn around again. There was the old man, no longer feeble, dashing out the bank door with a sack in one hand and a gun in the other!

He jumped adroitly into a waiting sedan, which screeched away around the corner.

"What a rotten thing to do!" she exclaimed, though truly no one was listening. "And to think I deliberately helped him!"

Well, she'd just have to stop that guy and get the money back. After all, Gadget felt at least partly responsible for the bank robbery.

A quick trip under a nearby mailbox, a fast change of clothes (well, pretty fast, anyway) and Mechnician was ready to give chase.

[The Masked Mallard]

Lowering his binoculars, the Masked Mallard fanned himself with his top hat before donning it once more. The Glaswegian had been staked out on the rooftop of a building across the street from the bank. He was here today observing the bank. Recent mumblings in Epcot City's underworld had been bought to the Dream League's attention by an informant, who told them that the bank was likely going to be hit soon.

He had seen the old man enter, then the same man come out wielding a gun and carrying a loaded sack in his other hand. As the robber piled into a getaway car, the Masked Mallard took quick note of the sedan's license plate and was in fast pursuit, using his grappling hook to swing from rooftop to rooftop.

"Very clever ploy. but you forget, Epcot City has the Dream League now!" He thought determinedly, unaware that another superhero had indirectly played a role in what had happened and was now after the bank robber as well.

[Mechnician]

Flying was an awfuly handy ability to have when you were after criminals. Taking off, Mechanician gave chase immediately, but she couldn't match the speed of the racing auto. True, it was slowed somewhat by the traffic, but the driver still managed a good clip while weaving in and out around the slower vehicles.

That's two strikes against these guys, thought the mouse, bank robbery and speeding!

The simplest way to stop that car seemed like the best way, so Gadget reached out with her mind and contacted the traffic light just ahead, turning it to red on all four sides. Now, while the crooks waited for the light to change, the police would nab 'em.

Her smile of satisfaction turned into an expression of shock as the fleeing sedan barrelled through the red light. "Haven't these guys got any scruples?"

She'd been so sure of stopping the robbers that Mech had even slowed down a bit, and now she had even more ground to make up.

Just then, Mechnician noticed a masked duck swinging overhead on a grappling hook. It was another super-hero! Did he see the car she was chasing? Was he coming to help?

[The Masked Mallard]

'Those jug-heads are going to get someone killed!' An outraged Masked Mallard thought as he continued to follow the speeding vehicles. He couldn't help but think that a flyer with super-strength like Sunshine or someone like the Balloonist would've been extremely handy to have around at the moment.

The sedan was too far away for him to effect with his luck powers, and he would prefer to trail them to their hideout rather then use any of his other superpowers to stop them. The chances of an innocent bystander being hurt or property accidentally getting destroyed in such a situation was just far too great, and he knew from experience that risks were only worth taking when you were positive of the outcome. The changing of the traffic light hadn't escaped his notice. It was odd how each of the four lights had turned red like that all at the same time, instead of the usual one.

[Mechnician]

Although glad for any help the stranger might offer, there was no time right now to discuss plans or anything. They'd just have to do it by the seat of their pants. Or tights, as the case may be.

Gadget put on every ounce of speed she had, but it still wasn't enough. She had to do something different to catch up to that car so she could use her powers on it.

The mouse got her chance when the fleeing sedan veered right at the next corner and sped past a vacant lot. Now the tiny hero could cut across the corner, gaining valuable inches on her quarry.

But was it enough? She reached out with her mind and--contact! Now in touch with the machine, Mechnician could see every gear and piston, like a blueprint in her head.

She could just slam on the brakes, but that would probably injure the men inside. Instead she cut the engine and let gravity slow its momentum more gradually.

[The Masked Mallard]

The car seemed to be slowing now. Grinning triumphantly, the Masked Mallard attempted to put on an extra burst of speed that would allow him to catch up with it once and for all, but it would seem that his energy had been spent during the chasing. Finding no energy left in his reserves, he swore mentally, realizing that he would need to stop and catch his breath. It would do him no good if he confronted the crooks and wasn't even able to speak. Perhaps he shouldn't have so quickly turned down Gyro's offer of crafting him a jetpack to use for getting around Epcot City.

He touched down on the rooftop of the building the overlooked the empty lot the bank robbers had just driven by. Puffing, his chest rising and falling with his breathing, the Scotsman stopped, leaning over with a hand upon his right knee as his other hand clasped his chest. He didn't want to stop, but could only hope that his quarry would not get away.

[Mechnician]

Okay, the car was rolling to a stop now; so far, so good. Mech could see the robbers inside turning the key, trying desperately to get the machine going again.

Finally, they gave up, reaching for the door handles. Looks like they're going to run for it, thought the tiny hero. A little manipulation of their electronic door locks should trap them inside until the police arrived.

And that's just what she intended to do until, out of the corner of her eye, Gadget spotted that other super-hero who was coming, she'd thought, to help out. He was perched on a rooftop, gasping for breath.

Gee, maybe he was having a heart attack or something. Mechnician flew off abruptly toward the caped duck, calling out, "Are you okay? Do you need an ambulance? I know CPR!"

Behind her now, the two felons leaped out of their stalled car and broke into a run.

[The Masked Mallard]

"No... I'll be fine, lass..." The Masked Mallard replied, waving the hand that had been upon his knee. He was unaware that not only was he speaking to a mouse, but the very same mouse who had stopped the robbers. His breathing seemed to be gradually returning to normal. He noted that whoever was addressing him certainly had a unique voice. It was as though the speaker was a little person -- no, somehow they were much smaller. Finally, he raised his head and saw a small purple and light brown-colored shape hovering before him. He recoiled in surprise, not quite sure what his eyes seeing.

"Blow me bagpipes!" Snatching his spectacles off, he quickly polished them on the sleeve off his tuxedo and placed them back on his beak once more as he stared.

"Why... why you're a mouse!"

Of course he had seen mice before, but they stood much bigger and were of the anthropomorphic variety, compared to their tiny feral counterparts. This particular specimen was around the size of a normal mouse, but she spoke and wore clothes... and happened to be flying under her own power!

Unfortunately, his momentary shock had distracted the duck from his criminal quarry.

[Mechnician]

"Uh-huh," answered Gadget with a smile, not at all offended. Then, thinking maybe she ought to reply in kind, she added brightly, "And you're a duck."

"My name's Mechnician. See, it's like 'technician,' but I put an 'm' at the beginning instead of a 't.' 'Mech,' like in 'machine.' "

The tiny hero prattled happily on, glad to finally have made a friend, or at least, an acquaintance in this new city.

[The Masked Mallard]

Taken off guard by the mouse's pointing out his own species in turn, the Masked Mallard could only chuckle sheepishly. "So I am."

The wee lassie introduced herself as Mechnician. She seemed a very friendly sort. Naturally, he was curious and wanted to question her further. Did she operate by herself? What exactly were her powers (if she had any aside from flight, that is)?

"'Tis a pleasure to meet you. I'm the --"

He remembered his reason for coming out here, and whirled around to face the street. The duck could see that the robbers had bailed from their vehicle and now were fleeing on foot. How could he have allowed himself to be distracted?

"They're gettin' away!" He angrily shouted as he charged after them, not waiting for Mechnician to follow.

[Mechnician]

The elderly hero was about to introduce himself, when he suddenly shouted a warning and dashed after the criminals.

The criminals! Mechnician had forgotten all about them. "Oh, no," she wailed, "I really messed up this time!"

Pouring on the speed, the tiny hero glided after the fleeing felons, determined to do something to make up for her goof. But what? This super-hero stuff was all so new to her.

She needed a weapon, some kind of machine she could use against the bank robbers. Something like a--

"A door!" As the thieves fled down the sidewalk, they passed a market with electronic doors that swung out. Seizing control with her mind, Gadget popped the glass door open and--SPLAT! One of the crooks slammed right into it.

It seemed like poetic justice, since it was opening an automatic door that started this whole mess in the first place.

[The Masked Mallard]

The Masked Mallard sped down the street after the robbers. Even though one of them looked as old as him, the man was outpacing him because the Gentleman Crimefighter had not completely recovered from his earlier exertion. Still though, he would not give up. He was far too stubborn to admit defeat. He knew if he could draw close enough, one of his luck bolts would fix them!

However, he stopped when an electronic door abruptly shot open and nailed the both of them. Giving an mused laugh, he caught up to the dazed criminals.

"You two! Stay right here!" He commanded with a glare that often left his employees and anyone else (well, almost anyone -- it didn't work on a certain tiger or a particular kilt-wearing duck...) who got on the bad side of his civilian identity shaking in fear. "Try to move, and you'll have me to deal with." He wasn't sure if either man was aware of his enhanced strength and other powers, but he wouldn't mind showing them if he had to.

Taking out a set of handcuffs, he placed them on one of the criminals. Suddenly remembering Mechnician, he turned to look for her. "Did you do that, lass?" he asked when saw her, jerking his head at the door.

[Mechnician]

The door idea worked just fine, knocking the two crooks flat, though it's not at all certain that Gadget could've done more than slow them down. Even so, she cringed a little at the sight of the men splatted like that. After all, bad guys are people, too.

As the masked duck took charge, the little mouse sent a grateful smile his way. "Golly, it's sure a good thing you were here to capture these guys."

"Did you do that, lass?"

A slight blush rose to her tiny cheek. "Uh-huh. I have a sort of a power over machines." Offering her hand in a friendly way, Gadget continued, "I'm Mechnician. Oh, I said that already. I should ask who you are. I'm kind of new around here."

[The Masked Mallard]

"Think nothing of it, lass," The duck waved off the mouse, smiling a bit as he did. "Actually, I couldn't have done it without your help."

He handcuffed the pair of crooks to a nearby bicycle rack, and, going inside the market, asked one of the employee at the register to call the police to come and pick them up.

When Mechnician held out her hand, the Masked Mallard instinctively moved to shake it before realizing that he would probably need to go a different route due to his cohort's small size. So instead he politely offered his index finger.

"I am the Masked Mallard. Where do you hail from?" He cordially introduced himself. The mouse reminded him a bit of his former pilot Launchpad: absentminded but friendly, and much less dense (thankfully!).

[Mechnician]

Mechnician shook the extended finger heartily. "Nice to meetcha, Masked Mallard." She almost commented that mallards were supposed to be green, but quickly changed her mind, thinking it might be too personal a comment.

"I'm from New York. The city, not the state. Well, the state, too. I thought, with so many super-heroes here, that Duckburg was a better location to use my powers for crime-fighting."

"So, here I am." And that was that, it seemed. "Have you been crime-fighting long? 'Cause I'm pretty new at this super-power stuff. I could sure use a few pointer."

Even with his mask, it was obvious that the Masked Mallard was a senior citizen. He probably had a lot of good advice to give.

[The Masked Mallard]

The Masked Mallard chuckled in amusement, but it was a hearty, warm chuckle. He never would have guessed that he would be shaking hands with a superpowered mouse by the end of the day!

"The pleasure is all mine's, lass."

The hand (finger?) shake ended, and the Gentleman Crimefighter found himself nodding as he listened to Mechnician.

"I'm no professional just yet, but I had my fair share of adventures," He admitted. "If it's training you need, then you've come to the right place. Tell me, have you heard of the Dream League?"

Not only did he believe that he could help Mechnician, but the duck thought that she had the potential to be a Dreamer. A superhero who had technology-related abilities would prove quite useful for the Dream League. Better she join them then end up in the clutches of someone like Shere Kahn or Mirage. They'd probably manipulate the poor creature into carrying out their dirty work.

[Mechnician]

At the mention of 'training,' Gadget's tiny ears perked up. That sounded like just the thing.

"The Dream League?" Mechnician returned the elderly duck a blank stare. "No, never heard of it. What is it?"

Could it be a sleep-study clinic? A bowling league?

[The Masked Mallard]

"Ye mean you've never heard of the Dream League?" The Masked Mallard asked in mock-disbelief, eyebrow ridges shooting up and azure eyes growing large.

Had he been someone like Duck Avenger, he might have actually been somewhat offended, but the old duck understood that the Dream League hadn't had many big cases outside of Epcot City and still weren't world famous (yet).

Giving another one of his hearty chuckles, indicating that he wasn't serious about his previous comment, he continued. "The Dream League is a coalition of superheroes here in Epcot City. When there's a big threat, we're the first line of defense," Here, a note of pride entered his voice. "I happen to be a founding member. We can train you if that's what you're looking for. I can take you meet them if you wish."

There, he'd leave that tidbit hanging in the air and see if she would bite.

[Mechnician]

Gadget's eyes grew wide behind her goggles as the Masked Mallard explained the purpose of this Dream League.

"Sorry I've never heard of your group, Mr. Mallard. I don't know much about super-heroes, but it sounds like a teriffic idea, the heroes working together and all."

The caped duck's offer really took her by surprise. "You mean it? You'd really let a novice like me join you? Golly, that's so nice!" She was sure that any advice the pros had to give would be useful.

"I could help you out, too, if you had anything that needed to be repaired. I'm pretty good at fixing stuff."

[The Masked Mallard]

The Masked Mallard waved the mouse off when she admitted that she hadn't heard of the Dream League. "'Tis perfectly alright. You're an out-of-towner, after all." He began the trek back to where he had parked one of the sleek street vehicles the Dreamers employed, known as a Comet.

"And working with a team is very handy when you deal with some of the things that we do." The duck admitted. While initially he had been very wary of the other superheroes, he had come to realize that a team of heroes could accomplish more together then one could.

He nodded in response when she expressed amazement at being offered admission into the league. "Every hero has starts out as a novice, even me. Your powers are quite remarkable, and we could always use an extra hand with our equipment. I think you and our resident technician would get on famously. He also has a fondness for machines and building them."

He had lost track of the time while speaking with Mechnician. "Shall we go to the Overlook then?" He asked.