Fragmented Truths [Alpha Draft] - Chapter 23

[keybearer]

Chapter 23: The Mystery Unfolds

The Keyblade sliced through the air. Next thing he knew, Riku felt gravity dragging him down. He stretched out his arms, catching his fall at the last minute, while both Donald and Goofy zipped right up to him. After pulling him back to his feet, the two of them marched straight up to the strange mouse. His plastic eyes remained fixed on the Keyblade even as Riku scooped it up off the floor. Grinning like mad, he slapped the pistol down on the table, shifting the squirming Heartless so that it lay pressed beneath one of his arms, while he stroked his chin with the other.

“Quite the unusual weapon,” he said, striding towards to Riku. “Not the most practical, but certainly unique. In fact, I’d almost assume that it—” He paused, shooting a glare at the Heartless. “Oh, come now. There’s no use struggling!”

Riku’s mouth hung slightly ajar, and he rubbed his eyes. Just… what was going on? One minute that mouse was rushing his way with a dangerous weapon, and now he was chatting it up about the Keyblade? And while still holding onto that Shadow, too.

He groaned, pressing a hand to his temple. “Okay, first of all, you might want to drop that Heartless, unless you plan on getting your heart ripped out.”

“My heart? Well, well!” The mouse cast another look towards the Shadow with a boisterous laugh. “I’ve seen many things in all my years, but to this! This specimen, while dangerous, is far too vital of a clue to simply release. Do you know how difficult it was to corner?”

Donald’s back arched, and he thumped his staff against the floor. “Don’t you get it?! That thing’s too dangerous to keep around here, especially with a kid around!”

Dawson gulped, tugging on the collar of his suit. “Now, now, why don’t we all calm down for a moment? Surely we can resolve this peacefully, wouldn’t you agree?”

Stomping his feet, Donald scowled in Dawson’s direction. “How can we be peaceful at a time like this?! C’mon! Riku, Goofy. You guys back me up here.”

“Donald…” Kairi rolled her eyes, and she stepped up to Dawson’s side. “Relax. We won’t learn anything if we keep jumping at this mouse’s throat.”

“Quite so!” said the mouse. “Besides, I have far more important business to attend to than senseless bickering. In fact, I was going to investigate this ‘Heartless’ and my other crucial piece of evidence until the island boy nearly struck me with his Key!”

“Well, it’s not like I knew—” Riku stopped mid sentence, eyes widening. “Wait. How’d you even know I’m from an island?”

“Well, I should think it’s rather obvious!” The mouse chuckled, sliding within inches of Riku and placing a hand on his shoulder. “Your attire seems best suited for a warmer climate. Short sleeves at this time of year is simply unheard of in London, particularly given the recent weather. What’s more…” He crouched down, taking hold of Kairi’s lucky charm. Riku immediately stepped back with a sneer.

“Hey, hands off!”

“Now, now,” said the mouse. “No need to get so defensive! I was merely admiring the unique shells used to create this charm. Shells, I may add, which could have only been found in a more tropical environment.” He turned around, placing a hand behind his back. “Though, I must admit, the stitching and design of your clothing is like nothing I’ve ever heard of in any…”

Folding his arms, Riku leaned towards the mouse. “Okay, as impressive as that is… Why don’t you just tell us who you are?” Not that he didn’t have a few ideas already. After all, the guy sure talked like a detective.

The mouse blinked, bringing a hand to his face. “Oh!”

Grabbing onto his cheek, the mouse stretched at his skin and then… pulled it clear off his head, revealing his real face. With soft brown fur and a longer, skinnier snout, the mouse performed a quick bow before hurling his mask off to the side.

“Basil of Baker Street, my good fellows.”

Not even a second passed before Olivia hopped down from her chair and scurried up to Basil’s side. Unfortunately, he didn’t give her a passing glance. Instead, he pulled a string on his robes, deflating them like a balloon. With one flick of the wrist, he threw the robe aside, revealing a simple white shirt and brown sweater vest with a matching pair of trousers. Striding up to a dartboard, he grabbed at a reddish robe, which he slipped into after shifting the Heartless around once again.

With a pout, Olivia reached for his pant leg, giving it a tug. “Mr. Basil, I need your help! My daddy’s—”

“ I’m a bit busy at the moment.” He turned away, returning to the messy table. “Now, if one of you could hold onto this pest for a moment. Perhaps the, ah, ‘sparrow’ with a duck’s bill—”

He tossed the Shadow straight at Donald’s gut without a second glance. With a loud squawk, Donald hopped to the side and banged his staff against its head, sending it flying towards Goofy’s face. Slamming his eyes shut, Goofy put up his shield, and the Shadow ricocheted backwards and slid across the floor. While Dawson scrambled for a nearby stool, Riku glanced at Kairi and mouthed the word ‘mines’. It didn’t matter if Basil wanted to study this thing; that Heartless was a liability!

Crouching low to the ground, the Heartless raised its claws and hopped towards Olivia. It almost reached her, too, before Dawson lifted the foot still and drove it down against the Shadow’s back.

“Good show, doctor! And quite agile, I might add.” Basil beamed, stroking his chin. “Now, I suppose that rat with the shield could work just as well, but…”

“Gawrsh, Mr. Basil! Don’t ya think we oughta wait ‘til that Heartless is—”

Drat. It sank into the floor, slipping beneath the stool and continued to creep towards Olivia. With his fists tight, Riku stepped in its path and pointed the Keyblade straight at the ground. Smoke formed at the tip; one swing would leave that pest roasted. However, when it sprung up again, it emerged among a square of mines. Riku didn’t even have to raise his Key before a resounding BOOM, echoed throughout the room, leaving only a black stain on the floor.

Basil’s mouth flew open, and he dropped the gun on the floor. He stared, speechless, at the stain, while Riku and the others heaved a unanimous sigh. The kitchen door creaked. Seconds later, the maid burst into the room with a plate in her hands. She immediately set it down once her eyes fell on the floor.

“Good heavens! What in the queen’s name is going on?!”

“Oh, Mrs. Judson…” Basil let out a shaky laugh, running a hand over his head. “Nothing to fear! Just, ah, another one of my experiments gone awry.”

Mrs. Judson shook her head, turning back towards the kitchen. “Honestly, Basil, one of these days you’ll set the whole house on fire!”

The door slammed shut. A few seconds of silence passed before Basil scooped up the pistol, tightened his grip on the gun, and took in a sharp breath. His eyes narrowed. Wrinkles lined his snout, and his fingers twitched.

“Well, I do hope you’re satisfied! Thanks to you, I’ve lost an extremely vital piece of evidence!”

“Look, Basil, it’s not that bad.” Kairi frowned, peering down at the stain. “If you really want to know about the Heartless, you could just ask us.”

Basil squinted, loading a bullet into the gun. Licking his lips, he crouched over the table and looked back at the group. “You certainly do seem to know a lot about these Heartless creatures… And that says nothing of the strange abilities you used to dispose of it. One does not simply create an explosion—or a weapon, for that matter, out of thin air…”

Okay, this was getting ridiculous. It was like Basil purposely kept dodging the real issue at hand all for the sake of some silly experiments. Maybe he had a reason for it. Whatever reason that was, Riku didn’t care to find out. Instead, he stomped towards the detective, tapped him on the shoulder, and stared straight into his eyes.

“Are you even going to hear us out? We came here for a reason, you know.”

“All in good time!” Basil whipped back around. “But, as you can plainly see, I’m in a bit of a—”

“Please!” said Olivia. “We came all this way so we could—”

“Surely someone can keep this child busy…” He sighed, raising the pistol. “Now, Doctor. If you could fetch those pillows…”

“Now, wait just a minute!” Dawson puffed out his chest, marching over to the table. “Is it not your job as a detective to listen to your clients?”

“Well, as you can plainly see, I’m already in the middle of a crucial case. Therefore, I should think—”

“Oh, have a heart!” Goofy lowered his brow, and he threw back his arms. With his shoulders back, he trudged over to Olivia’s side, one hand resting on her shoulder. “This ain’t just any old problem we’re talkin’ about! Poor ol’ Olivia’s all alone thanks to the Heartless, and if you’d a listened, maybe you would’ve found a real lead!”

…Man, it was strange seeing Goofy so tense. So angry. Riku couldn’t help but stare as his eyes bore straight into Basil, who stood completely frozen.

The gun fell to the floor. He stumbled backwards into the table with a sharp gasp, staring down at Olivia without a word.

“Now do you get it?” Riku sighed, fingers drumming against his hip. “This is a pretty huge deal, and if you’re that interested in what’s going on around town, you might want to pay attention.”

“That’s kind of harsh, Riku, but…” Kairi frowned, placing a hand to her cheek. “Please, if you could just give her a chance. She’s already been through enough as it is.”

“I see…” Basil inched away from the table, placing the gone next to some vials. With a slump, he lumbered over to the arm chair and sank into it, continuing to watch Olivia. “Very well. I suppose I shouldn’t have been so hasty.”

An enormous smile lined Olivia’s face, and she zipped up to the foot of the chair. “Thank you very much, Mr. Basil!”

“Yes, well, do hurry.” Basil rubbed at his brow. “If your father truly has been kidnapped by those beasts, then we’ve not a moment to lose!”

“Yes, sir! I understand. But it wasn’t just the Heartless who took him!” She looked down at the floor for a moment. “There was this bat who—”

“A bat?” Basil jerked forward, raising an eyebrow. His lips quirked into a grin. “Well, why didn’t you say so?”

“Maybe because you wouldn’t let her.” Donald huffed.

“Give him a break,” said Kairi. “Anyway, do you know this bat?”

“Know him?” Basil leaped onto the back of his chair, leaning over the edge. “Miss, that fiendish cretin, if my suspicions are correct, is in the employ of London’s greatest criminal mastermind. The very target of my experiments and the horror of my every waking moment!” He scooped up a violin’s bow, directing it straight towards the painting on the fireplace. “The nefarious Professor Ratigan!”

Lightning flashed as he spoke the rat’s name. All eyes fell on the portrait. That sinister grin, those beady, yellow eyes… Riku already thought the guy looked shady before, but this was too perfect. A criminal seemed like the perfect target for the Organization. Someone who’d crave the power the Heartless provided… Crave it to a point where they’d lose themselves. It’d happened with Shere Khan. Who’s to say this Ratigan wouldn’t suffer the same fate?

It didn’t explain why they’d grabbed Olivia’s father, but at least they found a connection. Now they just needed Basil to show them the way.

Pacing back and forth, Riku cast glances from the painting to Basil. “So, what can you tell us about this Ratigan guy?”

“What can’t I tell you?” Basil laughed, though his grin quickly faded. “I’ve been trailing him for years, and I’ve seen the insidious crimes he’s concocted. Everything from coldblooded murder to grand heists of crowned jewels and arson of the most unspeakable nature.” He slipped up to the banister, right below the window. “He’s a genius, a madman, and a nightmare all in one!”

Shivering, Dawson crept up to Basil’s side. “I-I say… Is he truly that bad?”

“Worse, Doctor!” Basil looked straight into his eyes. “Words cannot begin to describe that scoundrel! Some call him the Napoleon of crime, but even that is a hideous understatement. And if he’s commanding these Heartless, I can only dread what he’s plotting as we speak…”

x.x.x

Despite the bright lights shimmering from within Ratigan’s lair, Luxord opted not to join in on the merriment. Instead, he stood at the bottom of the steps, a diamond drinking glass gripped between his fingers as he took a whiff of the fresh champagne. A jovial melody danced through the air as the dirt-ridden, dizzy drunkards boasted of Ratigan’s great successes. Of course, so few remained. The Heartless that circled the old barrel were a testament to that. Peering inside, Luxord caught several Soldiers dancing atop the mountains of shimmering gemstones while the Heartless dressed as detectives swayed from side to side, and a mechanical horse bucked a muttering mouse into the champagne fountain.

It was only a matter of time before he, too, joined the ranks of mindless beasts. Then the others would surely follow, until only Ratigan and that dolt of a bat remained.

Grinning to himself, Luxord raised the glass to his lips and took a single, small sip. The song entered one final verse, as his few bumbling minions praised him as the world’s greatest criminal mind. Soon after, he heard the creak of the door and caught Ratigan skipping down the steps. He slid to a stop, adjusted his collar and turned to Luxord with a toothy smile.

“I’ve got to hand it to you, these Heartless are just as impressive as you described.” He giggled, lighting a brand new cigarette. “The whole city of London is on edge, and with the recent scare, no one will anticipate what I have in store.” He turned towards another barrel looking towards the barred up door. “I suppose I owe you my thanks…”

Luxord shook his head. “Think nothing of it. Though, if I were to make a small suggestion…”

“What?”

“Ah, well, you’ve already stacked the deck well in your favor, but…” He paused, sliding up behind the rat. “The Heartless are merely a small sampling of what the darkness truly offers. If you do wish to rule over all mice, why not go beyond adequacy?”

“You say there’s more?” Ratigan stroked his chin, his eyes slowly widening. “What else, pray tell, can you give me, then?”

“It is not a matter of giving you anything. On the contrary, you need only push yourself further, and you’ll find yourself gifted with extraordinary abilities.”

He reached his arm to the side, palm facing the ground. A black circle formed along the pavement, tendrils curling around Ratigan’s legs. In time, a corridor sprung up from the shadows. Luxord slipped inside and vanished, only to emerge atop Ratigan’s lair. With a bow, he hopped down to the ground, watching as Ratigan stared, slack-jawed at his performance. In two seconds, however, he shook off his surprise, his typical grin firmly in place once again.

He clapped his hands, eyes glistening in the dark. “What an impressive display… And convenient, too, for tonight’s big event.”

“Precisely my point.” Luxord chuckled. “Should your plan encounter a few unwanted road bumps, it shouldn’t be hard to slip into the palace undetected. But that’s not all… Not even close. Darkness has its offensive uses as well, and with the right sleight of hand, even Basil will find himself incapable to adapt.”

Ratigan shuddered and wrinkled his snout. “You keep speaking as if Basil’s going to pop up any moment, but I assure you that isn’t the case.”

Turning away, Luxord crept towards the steps and scooped up his glass. “I wouldn’t be so sure. Your bat friend lacks your style and grace. Even a fool could catch his trail, which is all the more reason to unlock your true potential. And if you are as brilliant of a criminal as your lackeys boast, then surely you’re willing to cheat. Bend the rules…”

Fingers twitching, Ratigan inched closer to Luxord, his expression blank. He stopped just a few inches from the steps, and a low chuckle, almost like a growl, escaped him. Clasping his hands together, he leaned forward into an almost-bow, tipped his hat, and resumed his giddy grinning.

“Oh, I’ve done my share of cheating in the past. What makes this any different?”

“What indeed,” said Luxord. “What indeed…”

x.x.x

Hunched over on the edge of the couch, Riku listened to Olivia’s words. She described everything from the cute little doll her pops invented to the sudden rattling on the door. The flickering lights. The way her father hid her in a cupboard, and the horror that overtook her once the Heartless burst in and dragged him out kicking and screaming. And, worst of all, she described the cackling, peg-legged bat who spirited them away, leaving Olivia all alone. Sure, they’d heard some of that before dropping by Basil’s office, but as her story pressed on, Riku found himself clenching his fists so tightly they stung, half tempted to hit something, as if it’d even make a difference!

But before he could damage any of Basil’s little trinkets, both Kairi and Goofy placed their hands on his shoulder and shook their heads. With a shaky breath, Riku nodded and leaned back, running a hand through his hair.

“I’m sorry, Olivia.” He looked to her, watching as she fiddled with the cuffs of her sleeves. “I’m sure it was hard enough to explain the first time.”

Basil nodded, stuffing a pipe between his lips. “Difficult, perhaps, but certainly appreciated, miss…”

“Flaversham!” said Olivia. “Olivia Flaversham.”

“Yes, well…” Basil paused, scratching his head. “If there is anything else you can tell us, even the slightest detail…”

“I wish I could, Mr. Basil.” Olivia looked down at the floor, practically wilting. “But that’s really all I know.”

Scooting up to Olivia’s side, Dawson gave her a pat on the back. “Now, now, it’s going to be all right, my dear. Why, I’m sure Basil will be able to get to the bottom of this.”

“Yes, and hopefully soon.” Basil stroked his chin and began pacing in front of the fire place. “I’m not entirely sure what Ratigan would want with a toy maker, but whatever it is, I have no doubts that it’s something truly diabolical. The question is, what…?”

Using a toy maker was awfully specific… If Ratigan was as tough of a threat as Basil made him out to be, then there had to be some kinda catch. Something Olivia’s father could offer him. Or maybe the two had old ties even his daughter didn’t know about. Really, it could’ve been anything, and the more Riku thought about it, the more his head spun. But one thing was definitely clear, especially once he looked to the floor and caught that black smudge from earlier.

Eyes narrowed, he pushed himself back to his feet with his Keyblade firmly in his grip. “Whatever we do, can’t let our guards down. After all, what’s stopping him from grabbing Olivia, and…?”

For the millionth time, thunder roared in the sky, bringing a bright flash right outside the window behind Olivia. Shrieking, she hopped back, eyes fixed on the glass, and for good reason, too! Pressed up against the window with a mouth full of jagged teeth appeared one scruffy little gremlin with wings. That bat… Fidget. Just one look at him made Riku’s chest tighten, and he stomped over to the side of the room without a second thought. Hissing, he threw one of his fists forward, sending a purple blast crashing against the window’s frame. Enough to send that creep reeling back with a yelp.

He glanced at his palm for a split-second and shuddered at the black tendrils around his fingers, but now wasn’t the time to dwell on it! Shaking his head, he whipped around and dashed for the door.

“C’mon! Maybe if we hurry, we can still catch that little freak!”

“That’s the spirit!” Basil laughed, leaping past Riku and sliding out onto the sidewalk. “Come along now! We can’t let that little vermin escape!”

With Basil at the lead, Riku and the others charged out onto the street, rain splattering all around them. Up above, a shadowy figure grunted and moaned, flapping his tiny little wings. He only made it a few inches off the ground, and even then, his hovering didn’t last long. Still, Fidget continued to rush across the street, hopping and hovering with all his might.

Stomping his feet, Donald pointed his staff straight at him, sending sparks rocketing towards his wings. Gasping, Fidget swerved to the side. Another nailed him in the back, however, sending him crashing face first into the sidewalk. But right as he clashed with the concrete, a black blog shot up from the ground, swallowing him whole. Then the swirling vortex started to shrink, leaving only a few muddy footprints in Fidget’s place. That little scumbag must’ve been using the darkness… or, if not him, then definitely his boss. Whatever the case, Riku growled at the vacant street, clutching onto Kairi’s charm for dear life.

In the corner of his eye, he spotted Dawson stumbling back into Basil and rubbing at his eyes.“Great Scott… He’s—why, he’s disappeared! Vanished into thin air…”

“Not exactly…” Riku sneered, eying the last little remnants of darkness sinking away. When the corridor faded altogether, he turned back to the others and gnashed his teeth. “Fidget escaped through darkness. It’s… like magic, I guess, only it comes from the darkness corners of the heart.”

“Darkness of the heart… What you speak of sounds so impossible, and yet…” Basil sighed. “Well, between the Heartless and what I’ve just seen, there’s no sense in doubting it. But to think that Fidget of all cretins would possess that kind of power…”

“Anyone could,” said Kairi, scooting close to Riku. “Darkness is a part of almost everyone. That doesn’t mean it’s bad, but… it’s definitely dangerous.”

“Super dangerous!” said Goofy. “Even the nicest of people can lose themselves if they ain’t careful! And for the ones who’re already rotten to the core, that darkness explodes, makin’ ‘em tougher than ever!”

Riku shut his eyes and turned the other way. They weren’t even talking about him, but if he didn’t watch it, they might as well could be. But that wouldn’t fly. Everything was better now… And, as if to convince himself of that, he reached for Sora’s necklace, wrapping his fingers around the chain. Then, with a smirk, he looked over his shoulder.

“That power comes with a price, though. The more you crave it, the more it starts to consume you. And if Ratigan’s lackey is lapping up the stuff, what does that say about Ratigan himself?”

“This is quite the perplexing predicament…” Basil scratched his head, peering down at the pavement. “In all my years, I’ve never dealt with such a startling case, but, on the positive side…” He crouched down, gesturing towards Fidget’s muddy prints. “It appears that our friend here has left a bit of a trail. Even with his darkness, there’s a chance we could still catch him.”

“More than a chance!” said Donald. “Look it this!”

Grinning like mad, he pointed to Dawson, who held a soggy old hat within his grasp. Not even a second passed before Basil zipped up to the two of them, snagged the hat from Dawson and raised it high above his head.

“Yes! This is precisely what we need.” He slapped a hand on Dawson’s back and tore towards the doorway without another word.

Snickering under his breath, Riku followed along with the others close behind, slipping right past Olivia and Mrs. Judson. While Mrs. Judson glared at Basil, Olivia slipped out from beneath her hand and toddled over to the others.

“Is the bat gone, then?”

“Yeah, that little pest’s flown the coup.” Riku shrugged. “But at least he left us a present. Right, Basil?”

“Well, that’s one way to put it!” He chuckled and slid over to a coat rack, tugging a brown trench coat down with one short, snappy movement. “If nothing else, it has tipped the balance in our favor… provided this darkness doesn’t put a damper on things.”

“You just leave the darkness to us,” said Donald, pulling up his sleeves. “We’ve been dealing with that stuff for months now!”

Dawson nodded. “I can say with full confidence that they’re up to the challenge. After all, they did protect us earlier…”

After slapping a deerstalker cap on his head, Basil zipped behind Dawson and draped an arm over his shoulder. “Ah, but don’t think you’re getting away either, Dawson, old boy! Given recent developments, I’m going to need all the help I can get.”

Coughing and sputtering, Dawson stumbled back into the wall. “But what could I possibly offer? After all, these four are far more capable when dealing with—”

“Oh, come now!” Basil shook his head. “Are you not an ex soldier yourself? Surely a little danger is nothing out of the ordinary for you.”

“Well, that is true, but…” He gulped. “Even so, I’m without arms, and I fear that my experience lies outside the realm of the supernatural…”

Goofy turned towards Dawson with his shield in hand and flashed him a quick thumbs up. “Aw, don’t you worry ‘bout that! With the four of us on the job, ya won’t have to worry about any ol’ Heartless. And besides, how often do ya get to go on an adventure like this?”

“I suppose you do have a point there…”

“Then why worry?” said Riku, propping his Keyblade against his shoulder. “You just leave the fighting to us, and I’m sure we’ll have this case solved in no time flat.”

Olivia placed her hands near her chest, her eyes twinkling like stars. “So you’re really going to find my father?”

Tilting his chin up, Basil adjusted his cap and strode towards the door. “Consider him found, miss Flamhammer!”

“Flaversham!”

“Yes, yes. In any case, I think it’s high time we paid a visit to Toby’s.” He winked at the group and cracked the door open.

Riku, however, remained perfectly still, raising an eyebrow at the detective. “Toby, huh? And who’s that supposed to be?”

“Oh, you’ll see soon enough!” he said. “But time is of the essence, and Ratigan will not rest for our sake.”

“You heard him, Riku.” Kairi grabbed him by the hand and tugged him towards the door. “Just think of it as a surprise!”

“Yeah, and besides,” said Donald, “I thought you would’ve gone rushing ahead of us like you usually do.”

“Oh, c’mon.” He gave Donald a shove. “It’s not like I’m always in a big rush.”

While Donald burst into a fit of squawks, Riku didn’t bother to listen. Instead, he marched right through the doorway and onto the steps, stopping just once to give the office one last look.

And just as he turned his eyes towards the arm chair, he spotted Olivia scooping up her hat, stuffing her pockets with a few cheese crumpets, and pulling her scarf around her neck. Before he knew it, that kid pushed right past him and scurried up to Basil’s side.

Once Basil spotted the kid, he peered down at her, his lips pulled into a stiff frown. “And what do you think you’re doing?”

“I’m coming too!”

“W-what?” He gasped and bit his lip. Breathing deeply, he crouched down to Olivia’s level and pointed towards the door. “Absolutely not, young lady! This trip is far too dangerous for children, and furthermore—”

Seemingly unphased by Basil’s words, Olivia skipped over to Dawson, grinning from ear to ear. “But I’ve never been on an adventure before! And I want to be there when you find my father.”

Basil groaned, his hands clenching and unclenching. “While your enthusiasm is… appreciated, you don’t seem to understand the gravity of the situation.”

Riku snorted, leaning against the door frame. “Basil, you’re dealing with a kid. The more you say no, the more she’ll want to tag along.” He looked to the others. “Remember Mowgli?”

Donald rolled his eyes. “Who could forget him?”

“Exactly. And that’s not the only thing we have to consider.” He shut his eyes, his mind flashing to Fidget’s surprise appearance. “If we leave Olivia behind, we risk her getting snatched by Fidget or the Heartless. If we take her with us, there’s still a risk, but at least we can do something about it. Right, guys?”

“Ya know, I hadn’t even thought of that.” Goofy tilted his head, giving it a scratch. “I sure don’t like the idea of takin’ her into Heartless territory, but that Fidget feller already knows she was here. Who’s to stop him from poppin’ up again while we’re gone?”

“Honestly,” said Basil, “are you all going to put sentiment before practicality? Dawson, surely you don’t think…”

Dawson shook his head, crouching to Olivia’s level. “Come now, Basil. I’m sure she’ll behave herself.”

Basil’s breathing grew more and more erratic by the second, and he ran one hand over the top of his head. Leaning back, he adjusted his cap once more and turned to face Kairi. “And I suppose you’re in agreement?”

“Yep.” She steepled her fingers and gave a soft giggle. “But if you’re really that worried, we’ll take full responsibility for her.”

“Well…” He heaved a heavy sigh, trudging ahead of the others. “I suppose there’s no way around it, then.”

With Basil’s mind finally made up, he led the others through a jungle of bushes. Branches jabbed at their sides with each step, forcing Riku to whack away with his Keyblade to avoid uncomfortable prodding. Luckily, they didn’t have to worry about it for too long; soon enough, they reached a gaping hole in the house, which Basil squeezed through on the double. Once inside, he poked his head out and motioned for the others to follow.

Pitch blackness surrounded them at first, leaving only the walls to guide them. Fortunately for Basil, Riku knew better than to fumble around in the dark. Instead, he tapped the tip of his Keyblade against the wall, illuminating the area with a bright flash of flames. Two more flames formed from the sides, courtesy of Kairi and Donald, and the three of them inched behind Basil with their weapons pointed straight ahead.

“Impressive!” said Basil, eying the flames. “I suppose this is another one of your magic tricks, then?”

“One of many.” Riku smirked. “Let’s just say we’re full of surprises.”

“Well, you may possess some clever tricks, but I’ve got quite the surprise for you…”

He came to a stop and reached for the wall. Then, with a light push, a small, circular hole opened, bringing light into the tunnel. Pressing his index finger over his lips, Basil silently slipped through this new opening and out into what Riku could only assume to be Toby’s place. But, once he emerged, he found himself staring speechlessly at his surroundings. At that moment, he felt more like a small speck than a Keyblade wielder.

Everything towered over him and his friends. Gargantuan tables piled with books surrounded him like a warped mountain range. Couches and chairs appeared hundreds of feet high, with the cracks between each cushion forming a deep, dark trench. Though he followed Basil’s lead, Riku found himself preoccupied with his surroundings more than the detective’s words. Giant pots with swirled patterns carrying tree-sized flowers, a stone bust of a man’s face, walls lined with paintings and a table coated in a golden cloth… If anything, the place looked like an upscaled version of Basil’s place, minus the weird chemicals and mouse motif.

“This Toby must be pretty huge,” he said, brushing his hand against the leg of a chair.

“Well, he’s certainly no mouse.” Basil grinned, placing a hand over his eyes. “Now, Toby? Toby! Where could that rapscallion have gone off to?”

As if to answer Basil’s question, the sound of thundering footsteps filled the room. Pressing his feet firmly against the floor, Riku, raised his weapon and kept his eyes peeled for any sudden Heartless attackers. Instead, he found himself staring at a pair of enormous, white paws while slobber dripped down onto the carpet. Looking up, he saw a pair of huge, floppy ears, a dangling tongue, and two very wide eyes of a Basset hound puppy. And, once he got over Toby’s starling appearance, he burst into laughter.

“Wait, so Toby’s a dog?”

“Aw,” said Goofy, “he’s a cute lil’ feller!”

Donald yanked on Goofy’s sleeve, pointing a finger straight at Toby’s nose. “You call that little?”

Tipping his hat, Dawson stepped right below Toby’s chin. “Well, he does seem like a friendly fellow.”

Except, once Toby got a whiff of Dawson, he lowered his head, dragged one of his paws into the carpet and started growling on the spot. This sudden reaction sent poor old Dawson scrambling beneath the nearest chair, while Basil hopped into Toby’s path with both arms raised.

“Now, Toby! Stop that this instant! This is no way to treat our guests.”

Toby’s ears drooped, and he sunk low to the floor. His lower lip quivered, and he let out a whine. With a soft ‘tsk,’ Basil patted him on the nose, and Toby soon sprung back to his feet and began sniffing the floor.

“Dreadfully sorry about that,” Basil said. “I’m afraid Toby gets a little testy around strangers.”

Dawson poked his head out from beneath the couch and shakily crept outside. “Ah, well, it’s quite all right… I’m sure he’ll warm up to us in time.”

If he hadn’t already. The sound of Olivia’s giggling definitely pulled Riku’s focus away from the two older mice. Turning around, he spotted Toby flat on his back, kicking his feet while Olivia and Goofy scratched around his belly. Even Kairi joined in, slinking past Basil to give the pup some scratches behind the ear. If only Riku had a camera to capture this bizarre moment, but, unfortunately, it just didn’t last. Once Basil caught sight of Toby and the others, he darted over to them all with a huff and whipped out Fidget’s hat.

“Now, Toby, enough of this! Right now, I need you to stay alert. After all, I’ve got a special job for you.” He waved the hat in front of Toby’s nose.

After giving it a whiff, Toby’s eyes narrowed, and he bared his teeth, digging his paws into the floor again. Once Kairi, Olivia, and Goofy got some distance, he rolled onto his feet and turned his eyes down towards Basil with a bark.

“Yes!” he said. “Very good, Toby! You know this type well. Vile, cutthroat… Tonight, we hunt a crippled myotis!”

Toby blinked and tilted his head. Whatever Basil just said must’ve flown in one ear and out the other. Fortunately, he must’ve caught on because Basil soon cleared his throat and continued.

“…He’s a peg-legged bat with a broken wing.”

Another growl escaped him with that last detail, and he pointed his nose straight ahead, back stiff and front paw raised. Chuckling, Basil stepped to the side, pulling out the end of a leash. With a single hop, he attached the leash to Toby’s collar and hoisted himself up onto his back. Then, he waved at the others and patted his hand on Toby’s shoulder.

“Come along, everyone! I believe it’s time we paid our peg-legged friend a visit.”

Finally, they were getting somewhere. While the idea of riding an enormous dog did seem a bit rough, how could they back down now? Sure there was no saddle, but so what? It wasn’t like they hadn’t been hurled around before. So, while Dawson and Donald hesitated, Riku flung himself at the leash, climbing it like a rope. Once the others made it on board, Basil gave the leash a flick, and Toby shot out of the room, through his dog door, and out onto the rainy streets.

Their surroundings blurred as Toby bounded across the sidewalk. And, boy, was it a bumpy ride. With each step, Riku felt himself getting tugged up and down, up and down, and he had to shut his eyes to avoid getting dizzy. All the while, water splashed against his face, probably from puddles, and he soon wound up wrapping his entire arms around the collar to avoid getting thrown down onto the pavement. But, after about a minute or two, he cracked his eyes open again and leaned back just a tiny bit. After the initial shock wore off, riding Toby was almost like taking a trip to an amusement park, minus the seatbelts and the insane tracks.

But, unfortunately, this canine rollercoaster ride couldn’t last forever. Soon, Toby’s running slowed to a trot, and the intense, shaking motions ceased altogether, replaced with disappointing steadiness. And with the ride nearing its end, Riku felt reality pulling him back to his senses.

They slipped beneath a nearby street light, near a dark building with a sign that read “Toys”. Fitting, considering Olivia’s father and all. And, judging by the lopsided ‘closed’ sign in the door, the only company they’d find was Fidget himself. And, sure enough, Toby stopped right near the edge of a window sill coated in dust. There, Basil stepped along the bridge of his nose and hopped onto the ledge with Olivia at his tail. Once she reached Toby’s nose, she held out her hands, prompting Basil to stare at her for a few seconds and then, with a scowl, reach out for her and plant her off to the side.

Hopping onto the ledge, Riku stepped up to Olivia and gave her a pat on the head. “You know, Basil, you make that look so much harder than it really is.”

“Aw, I’m sure he’s got a soft spot somewhere,” said Kairi. She slid past Basil and covered her mouth, muffling the sound of her laughter.

At Kairi’s words, Basil mumbled something under his breath before breathing in and stepping straight past the others. “Well, we can debate that all we want once we’ve settled this case. Right now, though, we need to focus on the task at hand. Which brings us to…” He reached for one of the windows, tapping on the glass. “This, ladies and gentlemen!”

Squinting, Riku leaned forward to get a better look at the window, but he just didn’t see what Basil was getting at. It looked the same as all the others, really. Just a small, round piece of glass, except… On second thought, there was a tiny little hole.

“So, what are you getting at? It’s just a hole.”

“Ah, ah, ah.” Basil waved his finger. “This is more than an ordinary hole. Why, with a little ingenuity…” He grabbed Riku’s hand and stuck one of his fingers into the hole. “Here, try pulling it and see what happens.”

Well, it wasn’t like he had anything to lose. Though he didn’t quite get Basil’s suggestion at first, Riku followed his instructions and tugged his hand free. In the process, that glass window swung open and nearly nailed Donald and Goofy in the face. Fortunately, the two stepped side right in the nick of time, and Riku wiggled his arm free soon after.

“Smart trick. Maybe that bat has brain cells after all.”

“At least a handful,” said Basil, climbing through the hole. “Lucky we have you four in case of any unwanted skirmishes.”

Dawson shivered as he made his way to the window. “Even so, I do hope it doesn’t come to that.”

“Just don’t get your hopes up.” Riku sighed, sliding down from the window sill. He landed on top of a small table and promptly spun around, eying the various toys all around him.

Giant-sized dolls in frilly dresses stared down at the group with their glassy eyes. The shadows cast on their faces gave them a monstrous appearance in spite of their lacy getups and tiny little shoes. Fortunately, the other toys lacked their eerie expressions. Stacks of lettered blocks looked harmless enough, and while the shelves packed with stuffed tigers and elephants dwarfed the group, their soft, fluffy appearances made them seem like giant pillows. Nothing too out of the ordinary there.

But while Riku soaked in the sights, Basil marched straight ahead of the others, slinking behind toy drums and beneath one doll’s skirt. He held a magnifying glass low to the ground, looking left and right. Olivia trailed in his shadow and mimicked his motions up until he stopped, spun around, and stared blankly at her.

“Honestly, this is no time for games, Miss Flamchester.”

“ That’s Flaversham!” said Donald. “The least you could do is get it—”

“Shh!” Basil scowled. “Keep. Quiet. We cannot afford to let our peg-legged adversary know we’re here.”

Everyone fell silent at Basil’s command. There was no point in bickering at a time like this, anyway. Instead, they all followed him up a nearby ladder and onto a higher shelf. At the very edge, a crooked Jack in the box peered at them with a mouth full of teeth. Slapping a palm over his face, Riku shoved the ugly thing’s face aside with his elbow, giving Olivia room to slip by. She immediately whizzed past the others and towards a blue music box topped with a brass band. Though she did reach out for the crank, both Dawson and Goofy caught up with her before any unnecessary noise and nudged her along. Talk about a close call…

From there they wandered across an enormous chess board, where Basil stopped just long enough to push a rook to the side and declare a checkmate. From there, he leaped forward, pointing out a trail of muddy prints leading towards an army of naked figurines. The box off to the side read ‘Royal Guards’ and showcased a picture of some similar looking toys with one key difference: the illustrations wore bright red uniforms and bearskin hats, much like some of the Heartless from earlier.

“…That’s weird.” He stepped up to Basil, tapping his shoulder. “Got any ideas, Basil?”

Basil stroked his chin, squinting at the rows of toys. “It’s highly suspicious, yes, but… What could Ratigan want with their uniforms?”

“Psst, Basil. Over here!”

Off to the side, Donald and Goofy waved towards some lopsided toys. One, a grinning clown with a frilled collar sat with its arms stiffly by its side, while the drumming monkey next to it leaned against the wall with its spring-loaded neck stretched uncomfortably. Almost like somebody had ripped it apart. And not only that, but both figures bore huge, empty holes in their chests, leaving nothing but a few knobs and some wire. Basil immediately rushed towards these toys, peering through the holes in their chests and feeling around the few remaining pieces.

But before he could speak, a tinny melody wafted through the air, followed by a gurgling laugh. Riku stiffened in place, his eyes shooting towards the ceiling. A flash of black and yellow zipped along the rafters. Biting his lip, he pointed his Keyblade towards the ceiling and eyed Basil.

“Get back,” he whispered. “I think we’ve got—”

BAM!

Riku tumbled onto his back as a black smoke rose from his chest. A burning sensation kicked in seconds later, right as a bayonet came crashing down. Ignoring the pain, he threw up his Keyblade and rolled to the side, dodging the blow just in the nick of time. With a broad slash, he cut through the Heartless, knocking its bearskin cap on the ground. But while its body soon faded into the shadows, droves of beady eyes appeared in its place. Clawed hands burst up from the crevices, gripping magnifying glasses and more bayonets. The clip clop of metallic hooves drew closer by the second, accompanied by a clock’s ticking.

An ocean of Heartless leaped up from beneath the toys. Horses whinnied and snorted. Guards twirled their weapons and marched in place. Sleuths aimed their glasses towards the group’s feet, while Shadows and Neoshadows twitched and slashed. Basil, Dawson, Olivia, and the others all backed into one another. When a blast of light flew towards Riku feet, he soon sprung back, crashing into Kairi and Donald while the crowd closed in.

A tightness in Riku’s chest made him shudder and wince. His heart pounded as dread weaved its way through him. Swallowing hard, he took a look towards Olivia, then to Basil and Dawson. The Heartless continued to creep closer and closer. His legs trembled. His muscles tensed. This wasn’t what they’d planned. Not even close! And now, if they didn’t act soon, those pests would grab Olivia.

They couldn’t let that happen.

Slamming his eyes shut, Riku threw himself straight into the mob, dashing left and right. Pushing with all his might, he knocked the Heartless into the air and slammed them down with the pull of gravity and lightning flashes. Some exploded on the spot, others continued to creep. Rather than give them the time of day, Riku hurled his Keyblade straight forward, slicing through an entire row of guards. Each one twitched and tumbled, erupting in black fumes. A narrow path took their place—a chance to slip away! Breathing heavily, Riku turned around and pointed his weapon down the path.

All the while, that gurgling laugh shifted into a full on cackle.

TO BE CONTINUED