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Post by dqd on May 23, 2009 20:09:03 GMT -8
((From here on out, bolditalic words are Dawson's narrative.))
It is with a heavy heart and mind, that I pick up pen and paper to literate that which has occurred most recently. Before grief and time can white wash it into a pale memory. This are , so far as my memory can serve, the true events that lead to a most tragic occurrence. The Death of Basil of Baker Street. It was on a most amiable day that this whole debacle began. Basil and I were at our digs at Baker Street when Inspector Vole had dropped off a rather insightful telegram, that had the benefit of pulling Basil out of one his more sour moods.
"Basil really, what does this all have to do with....with that fiend?" I asked him in indignation as my eyes followed him about the room. He seemed too preoccupied with closing all the shutters then to answer my inquiry.
"Basil!"
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Basil
Fantasmic Kingdom Member
"There is always a chance, Doctor. As long as one can think.
Posts: 4
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Post by Basil on May 23, 2009 21:00:07 GMT -8
"Shh, shhh- not now Dawson!" basil tutted, glancing about in caution. He scurried around the room again, collecting bits and baubles as he began to arrange things on a table that had been cleared with a swift wave of his arm and much clatter.
That note....it was Ratigan no doubt, that fiendish warmonger was up to something. Basil had been spending months compiling the evidence; and with Vole's simple note- everything was prepared to come to a single end.
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Post by dqd on May 23, 2009 22:38:20 GMT -8
I watched as he curled up in his chair once again, drawing his long fingers together and staring ahead. I leaned back in my own seat and took note of the items he had collected. Noting that a few of my own possesion were strewn in.
"What on Earth are we packing for Basil? What was in that note?" I could easily see the nervous energy that went through my friend as he sat nearly motionless. I'd learned early in our ventures that patience often got me further then insisting on anything.
This time however, the look Basil had in his green eyes compelled me to get the answers directly. For once.
"Sherringford, what did Vole deliver? You've been at wits end these last few weeks."
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Basil
Fantasmic Kingdom Member
"There is always a chance, Doctor. As long as one can think.
Posts: 4
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Post by Basil on May 24, 2009 15:12:16 GMT -8
Basil sighed and offered his old friend a wearied smile, "Forgive me Dawson; I've been at thread's end these last weeks." The manic glint had returned in his eyes as he stood up on the chair.
"What ever for?"
The genius mouse narrowed his eyes before pointing at the grinning portrait that hung above the mantle. "Ratigan." He paused to focus his wayward thoughts before leaping up and beginning to pace.
"You know well that I've played a deadly game with that villain for ages, every robbery, forgery and murder that I investigated, every clew that I picked up- held a trace of that rat's scent."
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Post by dqd on May 24, 2009 18:58:24 GMT -8
I watched him as he stilled in front of the curtains, eyes narrowed in thought. He stood so long that I thought the conversation over and had just turned back to my journal when he spoke up again.
"Reichenbach Falls"
Surprised I asked him to repeat what he had said.
"Reichenbach Falls. That's where this trail will lead us Dawson. I'm sure of it!" he paused at that before gesturing at Dawson, "That is, of course, if you are willing to follow me old fellow."
I smiled at him and hit the armrest of my chair, "Jolly Good Basil- don't think for an instant that i'd miss that capturing of that...that rogue!"
It was shortly after that we departed Baker Street in high spirits. Basil was confident that the clews that he held would be more then enough to bring that villain to justice. Everything on our way to the falls went without issue. The trains ran on schedule, the hotels were nearly empty for the season and Basil said that there were no signs that we were being followed.
I worried though, things were going too smoothly. As the outline of the mountains hiding the falls came in too view, I couldn't help the cold feeling in my stomach.
I had no idea at that moment, this would be my last trip with my dear friend.[/i]
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Post by ratigan on May 27, 2009 18:35:45 GMT -8
The underside of the train's caboose had a caboose built by mice and made for mice. When the steam locomotive pulled up to the Reichenbach Falls platform, some of the train's occupants departed and started for the platform.
Outside of the train, a couple of muscular, intimidating mice waited quietly for Reichenbach Falls' 'guests' of honor. These shady, narrow-eyed mice were obviously affiliated with Professor Ratigan, and they were sent to slow Basil, and with any luck, stop him literally dead in his tracks.
Of course, Basil was the great mouse detective, so it was extremely likely that he had anticipated that there would be untrustworthy greeters on the platform.
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Basil
Fantasmic Kingdom Member
"There is always a chance, Doctor. As long as one can think.
Posts: 4
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Post by Basil on Sept 10, 2009 21:11:25 GMT -8
Basil had been tense the entire trip, still as a statue but his green eyes alive and alert to every minute detail that they caught. he watched Dawson snooze a bit before the switched from the Brunigbahn to the Reichenbach-bahn for the last leg of the journey. The great detective knew that RAtigan had been aware of his last movements in lighten, and no doubt had set some sort of ambush at the railstation.
Which meant...
"Wake up Dawnson!"
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Post by dqd on Sept 10, 2009 21:19:56 GMT -8
The trip to the falls was rather uneventful, and I assumed that was through no little effort on the part of my companion. I had loaded my service revolver into my boot, the heavy weight seemed to calm my nerves. If only a little.
As we approached the train station in Switzerland, Basil suddenly startled me awake. Thinking we were under some for of attack, my hand went for my gun only to be stopped by the strong thin fingers of my friend.
Without words, the simple glance of his eyes told me to be quiet. He motioned to follow and we started towards the luggage car. I had no idea at the time what my friend was thinking, but looking back now I find it was really the safer of two options.
"Jump from the train!? Basil are you mad?!" I stood in the luggage car, a look of complete disbelief on my face. It must have made a sight, for despite our situation- a thin smile darted across Basil's eyes.
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Basil
Fantasmic Kingdom Member
"There is always a chance, Doctor. As long as one can think.
Posts: 4
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Post by Basil on Sept 10, 2009 21:24:12 GMT -8
"I'm afraid there's very little choice, old man. No doubt that horrendous sniffling fiend has some sort of welcome prepared for us." He gave a bitter smile as he worked the latch on the door open. He swung the door to the side and the countryside of Switzerland rushed past.
“I made a blunder, my dear Dawson—which is, I am afraid, a more common occurrence than anyone would think who only knew me through your memoirs.”
He braced himself, the train would slow as the final turn came along- and that would be when they would jump. It was only a ten minute hike through the woods to the town.
Only ten minutes until he finally had Ratigan in a corner.
"Ready?.....NOW!"
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Post by ratigan on Oct 2, 2009 22:31:07 GMT -8
Ratigan was attired to the hilt. Apart from his multi-part suit, he had his large cape and top hat. It was obvious that Ratigan was dressed lavishly for the occasion. It was also obvious that Ratigan was not pleased with being cornered.
He soon realized his predicament. He spun around when he heard the distinctive voice of his arch-nemesis, Basil of Baker Street. He spun so quickly that his cap swished elegantly in the air. Ratigan's yellow eyes pierced into the heroic mice.
"Basil!" growled Ratigan. "And you!" he added snidely to Dawson. He clenched his gloved hands into fists. With his goons outwitted and none nearby (even Fidget!), the villainous professor allowed the mice to make the first move before acting.
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Post by dqd on Oct 5, 2009 19:31:12 GMT -8
That moment, as I recall it now in the lonely safety of Baker Street, happened in smaller then an instant. Ratigan's face twisted in rage, my friends eyes glinting with triumph. The entire ride, no...my friends entire career had been built up towards this singular incident. I could feel the tension between the two geniuses; it was and still is one of the greatest moments of my life.
"Ratigan."
The look that Basil had was both frightening and inspiring, a manic grin on his face and his bright eyes spilling over with triumph. I could only glare in anger at the blaggard that we know had to face.
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Basil
Fantasmic Kingdom Member
"There is always a chance, Doctor. As long as one can think.
Posts: 4
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Post by Basil on Oct 5, 2009 20:12:21 GMT -8
Basil couldn't help the small triumphant smirked that broke across his face as his say the black dressed rat before him. He'd have to be patient though...never done, never done with Ratigan.
"You thought you could escape me, you venomous rouge? Ha!"
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Post by ratigan on Oct 6, 2009 2:31:14 GMT -8
Ratigan seemed to notice something, even though his eyes remained on the great mouse detective and his steadfast accomplice. He had suspiciously calmed himself down hastily, and his look of severe contempt segued into that of feigned playfulness. "Hm, hm!" he chortled as he released his fists from clenching. "Oh, I don't think I could escape from you, old boy." He grinned maliciously, exposing his very sharp, yellow teeth. "I know I can!"
The rat's eyes looked up to behind Basil and Dawson. Two of Ratigan's henchmen (one of them was a lizard who fancied ladders, while the other was just another wicked mouse) charged after the heroic mice, wielding blunt weapons.
Ratigan chuckled once more before beginning to dash away. He was hopeful that his henchmen would serve as an effective distraction, or at least help him get a running start. He hurried along the trail towards Reichenbach's waterfall, whether by choice or by chance.
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Basil
Fantasmic Kingdom Member
"There is always a chance, Doctor. As long as one can think.
Posts: 4
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Post by Basil on Dec 24, 2009 13:33:49 GMT -8
Basil tsked, his eyes still alight as he glanced at the fiend surrounding him and Dawson. So, Ratigan was not going to go calmly, he expected as much. He kept his senses tuned onto the rat, where he was heading and what route he had taken there.
"Right then you brigands, I'm far to close to allow a couple of seedy chaps such as you stop me."
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Post by dqd on Dec 24, 2009 18:02:59 GMT -8
It should not have been a surprise, and by Basil's reaction he'd been expecting something of the sort. I was not without my own preparation, I had my service revolver in my hand before I could realize what I was doing. I watched Ratigan for as long as I could before I could not risk my attentions to waver.
It was then I made a fateful decision. Perhaps, with hindsight, if I had not decided in such a way, my friend would still be at my side.
"Basil! Go after him! I can take these...these degenerates on my own."
I could only glare at the two henchmen, aiming between the two as I risked a glance towards Basil. It would be better if he went after Ratigan, I would follow of course but I could not let two simple bafoons stop us.
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Post by ratigan on Jan 13, 2010 0:57:50 GMT -8
Ratigan's speed was steadfast; he ran as fast as he could, along the path leading up to a particularly fierce waterfall. But for Basil and Dawson, there was the matter of Ratigan's two thugs. Fortunately for the great mouse detective, the doctor volunteered to handle the duo by himself, and thus allow Basil time to pursue his nemesis.
The evil mouse and lizard started for the portly doctor, but their eyes widened and their mouths froze opened when they saw Dawson's gun. They proceeded to reach for the night sky and shake in fright when Dawson aimed between them.
"Don't shoot, guvnor!" the lizard pleaded to Dr. Dawson.
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Basil
Fantasmic Kingdom Member
"There is always a chance, Doctor. As long as one can think.
Posts: 4
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Post by Basil on Oct 3, 2010 20:12:52 GMT -8
Basil stopped only long enough to meet the doctors gaze. Steadfast and loyal...he could not have asked for a better partner on this adventure. With a triumphant look in his green eyes, the mouse detective chased after the infamous genius. The landscape passed him by at a quick rate, but he was not satisfied. That fiend was mere feet before him , the only thing between them were scant breaths.
He could hear the rushing din of the waterfall growing louder, if Ratigan made it to the top there was a good chance the rat would be trapped by the sheer cliffs of the pathway he now raced over. It was his only chance, a chance that Dawnson had given him and a chance that Basil was not going to waste idly.
"Ratigan!"
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Post by dqd on Oct 3, 2010 21:28:40 GMT -8
"Off with you!"
I couldn't simply let them walk off though. My gaze went to their own weapons; while my own constitution had changed from my days in the army. The strength that came with a tour in Afghanistan was not about to vanish so quickly.
"Drop your weapons."
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Post by ratigan on Oct 21, 2010 17:06:27 GMT -8
The thugs would have attempted to counter-attack, or retrieve Dawson's weapon, if it were a blunt instrument of some sort. Unfortunately, the weapon in question was a revolver, and the ruffians knew better than to take their chances over a firearm. They dropped their weapons, while keeping their hands in the air. They shivered as they stared at the protected doctor.
Meanwhile, Ratigan was at a dead end. There was nowhere to go, outside of a fatal drop down the falls. He snarled softly when he realized the dead end, but with the time he had he quickly examined his surroundings hatched a plan. He removed his top hat and placed it at a specific spot on the ground, and then stepped back into a very shadowy part of the rocks. He was completely hidden from sight, and remained still, even sparing his breaths so he can completely vanish. His plan was for Basil to examine the hat, the the bullseye mark for his improvised trap...
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Basil
Fantasmic Kingdom Member
"There is always a chance, Doctor. As long as one can think.
Posts: 4
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Post by Basil on Oct 31, 2010 22:25:20 GMT -8
The detective reached the summit swiftly, falling behind by only a few yards. A few yards that he was cursing himself for as he found the area empty save for the fiends hat. Cautiously, Basil moved forward, sharp eyes flickering over every detail. Ratigan had been there, the prints in the dirt were proof enough. From the point where Basil now stood...the foot prints moved along...towards the hat.
"...where are you, Ratigan." Basil called out in annoyance, straightening himself and keeping his wits about him as he stepped closer towards the black top hat. "It's over."
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Post by ratigan on Nov 24, 2010 19:38:27 GMT -8
"Yes," growled Ratigan. The tone in Ratigan's voice was rare. It was more gravelly than usual, and only surfaced when he was completely overtaken by hatred. Professor Ratigan, Basil's lifelong nemesis, sprang from his perfectly concealing shadow of a hiding spot and struck Basil from the back of the head at the opportune time.
With his teeth bared, his lips curled, his contemptible eyes burning on Basil, Ratigan struck again with his fist. "It's over for you, Basil!"
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