The Day Dale Became Smart

[By Steve "Indy" Hamrick & Chris Silva]

       The tranquility of Central Park was one of the larger reasons the Rescue Rangers had stayed there so long. It was
protected and even the sounds of the city were muffled for the most part. However, this morning the tranquility was suddenly
shattered when an explosion of light produced a small, running figure and behind him a hungry cat. The being's eyes searched
desperately right and left for a hiding place, but nothing provided sanctuary. Then he spied a chipmunk who was wearing a
red-and-yellow shirt.
       "Help me, please!"
       Dale turned in time to see the little fellow--well, not so little to Dale actually--run right toward him. The cat followed suit,
and Dale grabbed the little creature's arm
       "C'mon!" Dale said, as he dragged his new acquaintance through the brush, and ended up near the tree that housed
Ranger Headquarters, where the mysterious twosome had emerged
       The newcomer pointed to a spot at the trunk. "Quick! We've got to get him to run to that spot next to the tree!"
       Dale was trying to hold the little fellow back. "Yeah, but.." Before Dale could argue, the pair was at the spot the stranger
had pointed to. Dale decided to help him and jumped out from the tree and taunted the angry cat. With a wave of the
stranger's hand, a scattering of light appeared and then a portal emerged. The cat was running too quickly to stop and went
right through the portal. The stranger shook Dale’s hand heartily.
       "Ah, thank you my friend! Thank you for helping me!" he said with a jovial voice.
       Dale looked at the strange little man. "You’re welcome...uh, you look cold. I could give you my shirt…" 
       The little man looked at Dale's shirt with apprehension. Even if he were freezing to death he would still hesitate before
actually wearing that shirt. "Uh, no...no, thank you. That's too kind. I would like to thank you properly, though! Is there
anything I could do for you?"
       Dale appeared sad. "No, not unless you can cure stupidity."
       The little fellow searched Dale’s face. "Why? Has someone you know been cursed with it?"
       "Yeah, me."
       The stranger looked Dale over even more thoroughly. "You don't appear stupid to me. Why do you think that you are?"
       Dale’s face took on a grimace. " Well, lets see..." Dale began counting off on his fingers,"Just today, I tried to make
breakfast and Chip bonked me on the head for making a mess. Then I tried to take out the trash and Chip bonked me on the
head and then I tried to clean up that mess and Chip bonked me on the head for making an even bigger mess and then I tried
to help Gadget in her workshop and she almost bonked me on the head! That's why I was out here, ‘cause everyone's pretty
steamed at me--like always."
       The stranger smiled a bit. "I know someone who's like you--believe me, you are not stupid. You are just one of those
special people that doesn't quite know how he fits into the scheme of things yet!"
       Dale shook his head in frustration. "I don't fit in. I'm the sixth wheel. I don't know why they even keep me around."
       Dale sank down on one of the trunk’s roots and the stranger sat down beside him. Somehow he was determined to help
this chipmunk. "Someday you'll learn not to measure yourself through others. Still, if you are determined..."
       Dale lifted his face in curiosity. "Determined?"
       The stranger reached around and grabbed a small sack that Dale hadn't noticed before. He eyed Dale again. "You're
sure you want more intelligence?"
       Dale did a double take. "Are you saying you can make me smarter?!?"
       "Yes. I have the ability. But I warn you--intelligence does not equal wisdom. So I say again, are you sure?" the stranger
asked, a hint of wariness in his voice.
       Dale jumped up, consumed with the idea. "Oh yes! I wanna be as smart as Gadget...no, I want to be even smarter than
Gadget!"
       The stranger reached into his back and pulled out a luminescent powder. "When I sprinkle this dust over you, your
request will be fulfilled. If you find you do not like the change, I will be here again in three days." The stranger threw the
powder in the air and it came down on Dale's head.
       A few moments passed where nothing seems to happen. But then…
       "Hmmm. Most peculiar. I feel perspicacious, sagacious...even astute," Dale noted.
       The stranger looked at Dale curiously, wondering if he'd really done the right thing. "Now remember, you must come
back here if you want to be changed back."
       Dale gave him a "I know better than that" grin. "Farewell, my friend, see you in a few days!" 

Dale rushed back to Ranger Headquarters, eager to show his friends the new, improved Dale. No one was in the main
room, and Dale started to search for them. Then Dale skidded to a halt and looked at his shirt in horror. "Good heavens,
what a fright! I must find something else to wear." Dale raced into his room and returned later with a smoking jacket and a
pipe. He sat down and started reading Hamlet. Dale poured himself a cup of herbal tea and ate a cucumber sandwich.
       Chip came in the living room, totally oblivious to Dale at first. He sat down next to Dale, reading his Sureluck Jones
book. Dale looked up from the final act wherein everyone dies-he’d found he could now speed read-and gave Chip a
snobbish look.
       "Honestly, Chip. How can you read such pedestrian piffle?"
       Chip's concentration was totally broken. He’d heard something come out of Dale’s mouth that didn’t seem to fit at all.
"What? What did you say?" Chip asked.
       Dale’s snobbish look took on a lien of superiority. "You heard me right, PIFFLE!"
       Chip just looked at him. "Dale, you used a two-syllable word intelligently in a sentence!" Chip stood up in amazement. 
       "That is right, Chip. By mere fate, I was given the singular opportunity to aid a stranger to our fair wood, and in return he
bestowed upon me a great gift! I have been given the intelligence not to do stupid things, so that I may avoid your wrath and
that of others, so as to avoid bonkings. I have a few days to decide if I would like it to be a permanent change or return to
my normal dimwitted self," Dale said.
       At that moment, Gadget strode in from her workshop. "Uh, excuse me, could anyone help me assemble my new tripolar
telescope?" Gadget asked. 
       Dale turned his attention to Gadget "Certainly Gadget, I would be most inclined to assist you."
       Chip stood there slack-jawed and dropped his book. Gadget could only manage one word. "Golly..." Dale picked up
Chip's book and looked at it disdainfully
       "Chip, it is still a book, show it some respect," Dale chided.
       Chip nearly fainted, as Dale approached Gadget. She began to wonder just what had happened.
       "Uh, gee Dale, do you know anything about parallax adjustments?" Gadget asked, trying not to embarrass him.
       Dale offered his arm. "Lead the way, fairest Gadget. My humble apologies for my making such a nuisance of myself this
morning. As you can see, I'm not myself right now."
       Gadget actually blushed. "Golly, thanks Dale." Gadget led the way into her workshop, and Dale began rattling off his
newfound knowledge.
       Chip was totally overcome at this turn of events and fainted as he watched them go in. Monty came into the room and
saw him crumpled by the sofa.
       "Crikey! Chipper, mate. What happened?" Monty asked, his voice full of concern.

       In Gadget’s workshop, Gadget stood amazed at Dale’s new ability. "Golly and an Einstein! You're a genius like me!"
Dale gave her a suave smile and kissed her hand.
       "I know," Dale said confidently. Gadget blushed again.
       Then suddenly Gadget’s mind returned to her problem. "Oh, golly! I've got to figure out the algebraic constant in this
formula on my blackboard or I'll never get the scope to work right!"
       Dale looked the figures over with a trained eye. "Please Gadget, allow me…"

       Chip blinked twice as Monty stood him up. It was a dream. It had to be. Monty looked the chipmunk over, checking
his vital signs. " Watsamatta, Chip? What's goin’ on?"
       Chip pointed toward Gadget’s workshop. "I remember Dale using intelligent words and calling Sureluck Jones piffle..."
       Monty was taken aback. "Piffle? Dale said ‘Piffle?’"
       "I think that's what it was. And then he went into Gadget's workshop. But it was a dream--it had to be!" Chip said.
       **More like Dale's dream,** Monty thought to himself.

       Gadget was totally excited-something that didn’t happen that often for her. "Jeepers, you're right Dale! It is 2x-14!" She
hugged Dale in thanks.
       "Thank you, your praise warms my heart," Dale said calmly.
       Chip reached the door to Gadget's workshop just in time to see the embrace. "IT WASN'T A DREAM!" Chip
shouted. Chip fainted again, and Dale looked over at Chip disapprovingly.
       "Your Stanislakyian theatrics do not amuse me, Chip. Is there something I can assist you with, hmmm?" Dale asked,
enjoying the moment.
       Monty blinked and rubbed his eyes. "Too-ra-loo! The bloke sounds like 'e's taken a bloomin’ smart pill!"
       Dale walked over to Monty, totally ignoring Chip on the floor. "It would seem so, does it not, Monterey Jack? But for
three days I have the good fortune of sagacity-the likes of which have never graced my mind before! I must decide which is
better, having intelligence or having none."
       Gadget was awe-struck. "Well, I sorta like you smart...."
       Foxy walked in Ranger Headquarters. "Who's being smart?"
       Monty knew that there was going to be trouble. "Uh, Foxglove....Dale's made a bit of a change today...."
       Dale came forward gallantly and bowed low. "I am well blessed in intellect, fair winged one."
       Foxy stopped in her tracks. The dressing gown, the look of superiority-it didn’t fit. "Dale, is that you?"
       "Of course, my insectivorous delight!" Dale replied.
       Foxy was getting just the least bit upset. "Insectivorous? Are you sure you’re not that alien they told me about?"
       Dale laughed contemptuously. "Ha! Ditz was an aptly named simpleton. He could naught but aspire to my intellect."
       Foxy began to back up a bit, intimidated. Gadget’s face changed from awe-struck to worried.
       "Dale, what are you saying?" Gadget asked.
       Dale looked around as a college professor might scrutinize his pupils. "You all look strangely at me..is this not what you
all desired? I am no longer Dale the fool, now I am Dale the peer!" 
       Monty’s eyes widened. "Peer? Well, for Marilyn vos Savant maybe..."
       "Ha, again! She is but a nitwit savant," Dale said.
       Gadget was caught been two extremes. But still she said, "I kinda like him this way....."
       Foxy started to feel jealous. Chip started to feel jealous. Monty started looking for a place to hide.
       Suspicion began to well up in Dale’s mind. "Could it be that the lot of you preferred the old Dale? It was handy having a
fool around to laugh at, was it not? He made you all look so good by comparison and he was convenient to blame all of your
mistakes on. Is this it, perhaps?"
       Chip shook his head and held his hands in front of him. "No..it's just..just that..."
       Monty tapped Chip on the shoulder. "I think the bloke's right, Chippah..."
       Dale approached Chip, the schoolmaster attitude taking over again. "Yes, let me hear you words, Chip. My dear friend,
who would shower me with physical and verbal abuse at the slightest provocation."
       Gadget looked down at the floor. "Chip, we do look down on him a lot. And now we're seeing the other side."
       Suddenly, Dale’s voice took on a touch of anger. "Only a fool would have endured such abuse from so-called friends
for so long."
       Chip didn’t like where this was going. "Look, it wasn't anything personal Dale! I didn't know you took it like that! I
thought you understood, it was just part of being friends...."
       Dale punched Chip in the stomach. "There you go, old friend. Nothing personal! How did that feel, hmmm?"
       Foxglove rushed over to check on Chip, and then looked up pleadingly at Dale. "Dale, what's happened to you?" she
asked.
       Dale crossed his arms in triumph. "I wised up, that's what happened! I suppose you don't like it either, do you?"

       Foxy led Dale into the living room and he others followed them. Foxglove was doing her best to hold her emotions in
check. "What happened to the munk I fell in love with? The guy who loves late-night movies, comic books, funny jokes?"
Foxglove’s eyes brimmed over with tears.
       "He became a munk who loves opera, Shakespeare, and independent films. But my feelings for you still hold true," Dale
said, taking her hand.
       Foxy decided to try. "Okay, what do you want to do tonight, cutie?"
       Dale wiped the tears from Foxglove's eyes. "I would love to read to you from Eugene O'Neal's ‘Long Day's Journey
into Night’". Foxy frowned in spite of her not wanting it to show. "Does it have lots of pictures?" she asked.
       Dale looked past her. "Uh, no Foxglove, there are no pictures in it."
       "But you always love pictures! You make faces like the faces in them!" Foxglove said.
       Dale held a hand up dramatically. "It is a tale of angst and woe. I could make those faces if it would amuse you."
       Foxglove looked very worried, and suddenly flew off. Dale was confused by her reaction-why didn’t she love him all
the more? "Foxglove, don't go!" Dale shouted.
       Monty put his arm around Dale’s shoulders as the formerly-dimwitted chipmunk watched Foxglove fly off. "Dale, are
you sure you're still you?" Monty asked.
       "Well, it is a change for the better Monty--I think," Gadget said, trying to remain positive.
       Dale turned fast to face Monty, the big Aussie’s arm dropping in surprise at the speed of the move. "Of course I am still
the same Dale as I always was! But now I have the critical element I have always lacked," Dale said.
       Chip couldn’t stay quiet any longer. "But Dale, you're wearing plain clothes! You haven't even cracked a smile in an
hour, and your girlfriend's intimidated by you now!"
       Dale looked back at the door where Foxglove had just left. "Perhaps she could use an intelligence upgrade as well."
       Monty shook his head. "Doesn't seem like the good 'ol Dale I know. He knew how to joke around and have fun!"
       Gadget had heard enough. "Dale, you're not uncaring like this! You're snubbing Foxglove because she's not as intelligent
as you are. Golly, I doubt I am at this point...well, it would probably be a close thing in the science and mathematics portions
on the ACT, but still…"
       Dale turned to Gadget. "So, now even you are intimidated by me! Feast or famine I suppose. You don't like me as a
fool and you don't like it when I'm smarter than you either."
       Chip caught his attention again. "Dale, you may be smarter, but brains aren't everything! You’re a fun person to be
around! I admit I let my temper get the better of me and I'll try to rein it in. But if you stay this way, you'll lose everything
that's important to you!"
       Dale’s eyes narrowed. "Now that I'm smarter, perhaps it's time I made new priorities and have new things that are
important to me."
       "What!?" the Rangers said as one.
       "Pallie, ya don't mean you're leavin’ us?!" Monty said.
       Dale turned his back on the group. "Perhaps I may look for a place where I will be appreciated. Perhaps I should free
you from the millstone of Dale that has been around your necks since the beginning of the Rescue Rangers."
       Chip ran over and stood in front of Dale. "You are appreciated, Dale! But you're trying to be something you're not and
you'll get lost in it! Please, change back before it's too late!"
       "Please, Dale!" Gadget said, desperation coming up in her voice.
       Dale pointed his finger first at Chip, then at Gadget. "You’re not so intimidating now, Chip. I'm not afraid of you
anymore. If I go back it's back to bonking for every word or deed I do! And you Gadget, your condescending tolerance for
me and my ways! Monty, you are perhaps the only who treated me with respect."
       Monty couldn’t believe the words he was hearing. "Ah've always seen ye as a mate, Dale. An' I'm tellin' ya, you're
making a big mistake if ya walk outta here!"
       Dale put his hand on his chin in mock consideration of the idea. "Do I give up this new persona to return to the scorn
and contempt that I had grown callous to?"
       Gadget could feel Dale was hurting. She wanted to help. The beautiful mouse went right up to him and put her hands on
his shoulders. "But Dale, we didn't know you saw it like that....." Gadget's eyes start to water.
       But something inside Dale turned loose and flooded past any gates of restraint he had. He shook with rage and shouted
at the top of his lungs, "HOW DID YOU THINK I SAW IT WHEN YOU ALL DAILY TREAT ME LIKE DIRT WITH
NO REGARD FOR MY FEELINGS!!!"
       Gadget was totally shocked. She covered her face with her hands and cried. Dale was too caught up in his anger for
even this to quell him, though.
       "Do you think I enjoy the abuse and ridicule that you all give me?! To be ignored, to have people laugh in my face
among countless other indignities the lot of you have done to me! Do you!?" Dale said.

       Chip could take many things, but an attack on Gadget wasn’t one of them. "How DARE you speak to her that way!?
All right, mister brain, if you think we're the worst people on earth then go find some new friends!"
       Monty moved himself between the boys. "Now Chippah, gain control....."
       Chip’s face was full of anger. "He had no right to yell at Gadget like that!"
       Dale’s eyes had turned to ice. "Excuse me,‘new’ friends? Don't you mean ‘Friends’?"
       Even Monty’s patience was wearing thin at this point. "Dale, you're burnin' yer bridges, lad..."
       Gadget couldn’t take it anymore and ran crying to her workshop. Dale grimaced-his vitriol had run its course.
       "Gadget...wait!" Dale shouted after her.
       Chip pushed him backward with both hands. "Go on! You're right. We're not smart enough for you, Dale! Go on, and
find someplace where you'll be happy!" Monty and Chip ended up pushing him out the front door.
       Dale crossed his arms. "Some friend, Chip. How many times have I had to endure your bad moods, but you've never
been very patient with me when I have mine." 
       In a dramatic touch, it began to rain.
       "I've never made Gadget cry like that! How could you? Don't come back until you can act like a gentleman!" Chip said.
       Dale laughed sarcastically. "A gentleman? Who are you to talk, Mr. Shameless Flirt?"
       Monty’s face was steeled against Dale’s attitude now. "'Fraid I'm with 'im on this one, bloke. You're a whirling dervish
like ya are now." Chip boiled, trying to hold himself back. Gadget's crying could be heard in the workshop.
       Dale didn’t let it faze him. "Perhaps you could use some intelligence as well, Chip. I could talk to my friend when he
returns. I even tire of baiting you, Chip."
       Chip’s restraint-small as it was-was exhausted. "That does it. Goodbye!"

       Chip slammed the door in his face. Dale stood out in the rain, pacing back and forth on the wet flight deck, cursing his
bizarre fate. At the same time, a short distance away Mepps wandered aimlessly around the park.
       "Mepps, get me some tuna, Mepps get me some priceless art treasures, Mepps capture me some Rescue rodents..." the
cluttered-looking cat said.
       Dale stomped away from Ranger Headquarters, not even bothering to look where he was going. "I'll show them! They'll
rue the day they chose to deface the honor of Dale Oakm...." Dale collided with Mepps.
        Mepps was stunned-not because he’d been hit in the head of course. "Hey...Ow...Hey! Oh goodie...I got a Rescue
Ranger!" 
        Dale looked up at the cat derisively. "No, my dimwitted dunsel! You got yourself a pack of trouble! Now unhand my
person, or I shall be required to use Tae Kwon Do on you!"
        "What?...what does Juan know?" Mepps asked, scratching his head.
        Dale slapped his head. "Oh, must all the world be filled with mental midgets? A demonstration then...."
       Dale found the pressure point of Mepps' thumb and a jolt of pain rode up his spine. "Owwww! Stop hurting me Mr.
Chipmunk! I give up!"
        Dale jumped up on a dead tree stump. "That's better. Now that I'm no longer a Ranger, I have to make others respect
me!"
        Mepps scratched his head again. "You’re not a Ranger any more- how come?" 
        Dale’s rage returned. "Why?! You want to know why?! Because they're all a bunch of self-centered, deprecating
bigots! They used me for their personal punching bag! Well, I'm fed up with it!"
        Mepps rubbed his sore thumb. "Well...what are you gonna do now Mr. Chipmunk?"
        Dale was caught off-guard by the question, but the answer was not long in coming. "I'm going to find someone who can
appreciate someone of my advanced intellect!"
        Mepps jumped up and down. "Please, pick me, pick me! I can appropriate your advanced intellect Mr. Chipmunk!"
        "You? You couldn't take candy from a baby without coming up on the short end!" Dale exclaimed.
        Mepps looked ashamed. "I know I'm a idiot. Fat Cat lets me know that every day. I'm sorry."
        Dale thought for a moment. "Yes, that might be an option. Take me to Fat Cat. Post haste!"
        Mepps eyes lit up. "Sure Mr. Chipmunk, right away, sir! Mepps grabbed Dale and began running.



       "I know it shouldn't have happened, Monty! I still don't understand it!" Chip said, flailing his hands.
        Monty was still trying to calm his comrade down. "Well Chippah, it did and we got a bonzer of a calamity on our
hands! Yer the leader, you gotta do somethin' before we lose Dale and Dale loses us."
        Chip sat down and tried to think. "I know, I know...but I've known him for years and never seen him like this! He's
usually such a caring person, but when he yelled at Gadget....."
        Monty took a seat beside him. "He weren't just yellin' at her, he was yellin' at all o' us! But he's jus' been keeping it all
bottled in so long he just…exploded. I don't think he feels as deeply about those things as he said-he just had to get 'em off
his chest. Course, he could have done it a lot nicer, but that's beside the point. We gotta find him before he gets into trouble!"
        Gadget came out of her workshop, still a bit shaken but better. She’d asked to be left alone when Dale stormed out
and the others had respected her feelings. How could they not with what had just happened?
       Gadget took a seat on the other side of Chip. "He's right Chip. I was hurt by what Dale said but it's obvious he's been
hurt too. There's no telling what he might do!"
        Foxglove gasped at the door. She’d come back, hoping things had gotten better. "You mean he's left!? We have to find
him!"
       "The problem is, where would a genius-type Dale go?" Monty asked. "The old Dale was as predictable as the risin’ of
the sun. But now…"
        Gadget thought a moment. "Well, if I was feeling resentful...not that I would because I don't usually get resentful...I
don't have much reason even to resent..."
       "Cut to the chase, lass..." Monty said.
       Gadget blushed slightly. "Well, I'd probably seek out someone who could help me."
       Monty stood up. "Crikey, who could help Dale, being what's he's like now?" 
       Chip began to consider the possibilities. "I don't even like to think about it. Nimnul would like to get ahold of him or...oh
no! You don't think...."
        Monty caught Chip’s line of reasoning. "Too-Ra-Loo, he wouldn't, would he? I mean he's got an axe to grind with us,
but he wouldn't do that, would he?"

       Fat Cat was in his usual sour mood. The crabby tabby was in his office, counting up the week’s paltry earnings for the
casino. "Well, what sorry excuse do you have this time, Mepps?"
       Mepps looked positively giddy. He held out his hands to Fat Cat. "Look boss, I got a Rescue Ranger!"
       Fat Cat stared at the chipmunk sitting on the desk in front of him. "What?! You're not that smart!"
       Dale put one hand on Fat Cat’s pen set and leaned against it nonchalantly. "Of course he isn't, my feline philanderer! I
asked to come!"
       "It's true boss, he asked me to bring him here, after he beat me up," Mepps added.
        Fat Cat’s eyes searched Dale’s face. "What kind of trick is this, rodent?"
        Dale’s eyes never left him. "No tricks, my felonious feline. I am here to apply myself to the simple task of bringing the
world to its knees."
       Fat Cat narrowed his eyes and extended his right-hand claw. "Take one more breath, and tell me why I should believe
any of this....."
       Dale actually smirked. "What would it take to convince you that I am serious? You settle for this paltry casino and your
insignificant criminal empire. With my help there is nothing we could not achieve!"
       Fat Cat's eyes lit up at the prospect. A troublemaker knows another troublemaker a mile away. "Oh, really? And what
do you suggest?" the portly feline asked.
       Dale rubbed his hands together with fiendish glee. "Perhaps it's time we take an upward move into the human criminal
arena."
        A slow smile crossed the criminal boss' face. "Well, we do think big, don't we? But why should I take you seriously?
You're a Rescue Ranger!"
        Dale’s anger returned to his face and even Fat Cat was surprised at the level of it. "Correction, was a Rescue Ranger! I
grew weary of their constant ingratitude and scorn! The time has come for the earth to tremble at the name Dale Oakmont!"
       Fat Cat rubbed his mustache in thought. "Very well. If that's true, then you won't mind helping me rid the world of your
former friends, will you ‘partner’?" Fat Cat offered his paw, staring at him with his big yellow eyes.
       Dale smiled and shook his paw. "With friends like them, who needs enemies?"
       Dramatic music sounded. Somewhere lightning flashed. Fat Cat and Dale laughed together insidiously. Mepps looked to
the other henchmen who had been there the whole time but had said nothing like usual. Now they just looked nervously back
at Mepps. Finally one of them thought of something.
       "Does this mean that I'll get a candy bar?" Mole asked.

       The Rangers were still in a bit of a shock at headquarters, but the need to act was weighing on them.
       "So whatta we gonna do now, Chippah mate?" Monty asked.
       Foxy grabbed Chip's jacket lapels and shook him. "We've got to find my cutie! Please!"
       Monty consoled her, giving Foxy a gentle hug. "Don't worry, Foxglove, luv. Well find Dale, safe and sound! 
       Chip pulled his jacket and fedora back in place. "Okay, okay! We'll find him. I just hope we don't regret it."
        Gadget turned on him sharply. "How can you say that, Chip? Something must have happened to him to make him like
that! It's the only logical explanation!"
        Chip grimaced in thought. "I hope you're right, Gadget. For all of us."
       "Well, I guess the first place we should look is the park. If he's on foot he can't have gotten far," Monty said.
        Foxy shook her head. "I've already been looking 'round the park! I haven't seen him. But I suppose he could be
hiding…"
       Now Gadget hugged Foxglove. "We'll find him, Foxy! I've got a new invention to help us!"
       Monty thought that he’d have liked to have heard a lot of other words besides those in combination. "It should work
with no problems? Right, Gadget?"
       Gadget ran into her workshop and brought out a device with a nose taken from the Groucho Marx glasses on the end of
it. "It's my now super-sensitive smellomatic scent tracker!"
       "Gadget, you’re brilliant!" Chip said.
        Foxy looked at the curious contraption. "What does it do?"
       Gadget held up one of Dale's spare shirts. "All I have to do is turn it on, and the olfactory sensors will register Dale's
scent. Then the sensors will lead us right to him like a bloodhound!"
       Chip had heard enough. It was time for action. "Go for it!" The other Rangers instinctively grabbed hold of the nearest
furniture
       "Here we go!" Gadget said. The machine turned on, and strangely enough, it worked as promised (Well, we have to
give Gadget a break every now and then.)
       Monty breathed a large sigh of relief and wiped his brow.
        Gadget adjusted the controls and the machine began to beep. "Golly, it's got the scent! To the RangerWing everyone!"
        "I'll fly alongside, if you don't mind. Oh, my poor Dale!" Foxy cried.
       Chip flew the wing while Gadget directed Chip, using the strange device.

        On the far side of the city, a group of shady characters neared a metallic dome atop a remote hillside.
        "Are you sure this is the place, my chipmunk comrade?" Fat Cat asked. He was still suspicious, as any criminal type
learns not to trust anyone.
       Dale marched up toward the geodesic dome. "I am certain. The man is a genius and a fool at the same time, but I
believe he will come in on our side when we share our common aims."
        Fat Cat sneered. "He'd better. I'd hate to think I'd wasted an afternoon trudging up that hill. Ring the doorbell, Mepps!"
       "Okay, boss," Mepps said. The henchmen stood on each other’s shoulders to ring the bell. A trap door opened to
reveal snapping turtles, and the goon squad just managed to avoid them.
        "Well, at least his taste in welcome mats is the same as mine..." Fat Cat mused.
       Nimnul’s voice suddenly erupted from inside. "Who could it be bothering me in my secret lair? Where is that
disintegration gun..."
        The kooky scientist opened the door and was met with a unique sight. Dale stared up at him condescendingly. "You call
this place a secret? A dome on top of a big hill? Give me a break!"
       "Ack! Rodents...and felines! Argh, where is that blasted blaster..." Nimnul began fumbling around in his pockets.
        Dale cleared his throat. "If you'll put your toys away, Nimnul, we can talk about your favorite topic--world
domination!"
        Nimnul found the blaster. "You vernicious vermin! What plan could you possibly hatch in that diminutive brain that
would compare to the genius of Norton Nimnul?!"
       Dale never blinked a moment. "If you are such a genius, how is it that the Rescue Rangers have defeated you every
single time we've encountered you over the years? You have a genius for inventing, but not for plotting-that is why we need
you."
       "At least, until we're done using you.." Fat Cat said under his breath.
       "At least, until I'm done using you both..." Dale said under his own.
        Nimnul pocketed his blaster. "I'll have to think it over. I guess I can obliterate you any time I want anyway, so come in
and let's see you prove how good a plotter you are!" Nimnul opened the door wide and the group followed him.

        Foxy flew close to the RangerWing. "Are you getting anything yet?"
       Gadget was confused at the readings. "Golly, not yet. Maybe I set the nose to the scent of the fabric of the shirt rather
than to Dale."

       Gadget did a double take. "But, I just remembered! He's wearing a smoking jacket, not his shirt!"
       Chip had just remembered it too. "All right. Let's use brainwork for a minute. If Dale was going to someone he'd feel
useful with, who would he go to?"
        "A school?" Foxy asked.
       "Well, he had a monster sized chip on his shoulder-he'd go somewhere where he could show us how smart he'd
become," Monty said.
        "If he's on a power trip, he might go to the smartest person he knows of...well, beside me that is," Gadget added.
       Monty put the pieces together. "Not...not Nimnul?"
        Gadget nodded. "Yes, it makes perfect sense! Let's check it out!"
        "Oooooh, I'm afraid to go there!" Foxy said.
        "Buck up Foxy! We've gotta do it fer Dale--no matter what might be lurking up there....." Monty said. He didn’t like
the idea either. Nimnul and Dale together was a scary thought.

       "So you see, Professor Nimnul, the human world has now and forever rejected you. Help us bring the humans to
subjugation and all the world will know your name," Dale said, pitching his plan.
       Nimnul let out one of his patented mad-scientist laughs. "Yes! They must cower, and pay homage to my super genius!"
        "Not to mention super ego....." Fat Cat mumbled.
       Dale ignored his feline comrade. "Help the animal kingdom and it will help you, Nimnul. First, we must decide on an act,
something to set the tone for our little organization...shall we start small or start BIG?"
        Nimnul put his hands on his hips. "Small?! Norton Nimnul never does anything small! After all, you've got to have an
attention-getter....hahahahahahaa!"
       Dale smiled in return. "True, we must do something that will get everyone's attention. Destroy, steal or blackmail or a
combination?"
        Nimnul pulled out a remote, and the dome roof opened. A large ball on a hydraulic lift rose 30 feet into the air. "Well, I
didn't stick that thing up there to play tiddlywinks!" Nimnul shouted.
        Fat Cat stared at the device. "And what is it, pray tell? An oversized Cuisinart?"
        Nimnul pressed another button and a remote control chair floated over and cradled his posterior. "No, my feline felon,
it's an Electromagnetic Pulse Generator with a built in Tesla coil! I can wipe out every Cuisinart from here to Sheboygan!"
       Dale rolled his eyes. "We are perhaps getting ahead of ourselves. The Rescue Rangers, motivated by guilt, will come
looking for me-even their feeble intellects will probably lead them here. We should prepare. One absolute-no harm must
come to the bat, she is mine."
        Nimnul’s eyes gleamed. "The vermin!"
        Fat Cat’s pupils danced with joy as well. "The Refuse Rangers! We've got to put an end to them...."
        Nimnul flipped his wrist in an uncaring move at Dale’s request. "Bat, shmat! Whatever. But I want my revenge on
them--especially that icky fly!"
       Dale beat his fist on the table. "No! If they are destroyed how can they live to see their life's work crumble before their
eyes? What we need to do is find a way to..." A sinister idea forms in the chipmunk’s mind. "Heh, heh, heh... Professor, how
fast can you invent?"
       "How fast? How fast can you say, ‘Einstein, Van Leewenhock and Copernicus?!’" Nimnul said.
       Dale’s face was frightful to behold. "This day we may yet all have our revenge." 



The Rescue Rangers are copyright Disney and used without permission, but with the utmost respect. 


        Zipper buzzed back to the RangerWing. He indicated he'd seen nothing.
       "Keep looking, Zipper!" Gadget said. "He’s got to be out there!"
       Foxglove was glad she had echolocation, because the tears in her eyes were making it hard to see. "Please be all right,
Dale. Please."

       Dale was far from all right though. Though it depended strictly at the moment on whose side one rallied for. "We don't
destroy them, we reduce their intellect to that of your worthless henchmen, so that even Mole and Mepps could be mental
match for them. Hahahaha!" Dale said.
       More insidious laughter echoed in the dome, and more lightning strokes flashed. Dale paced back and forth. "For far to
long they have tormented me and mocked me for my feeblemindedness. Now they shall know what it is like!" 
        Mepps was totally lost. "Like what, Boss?"
       Dale caught Fat Cat’s look. "Allow me."
       **Bonk**
       "Like being a simpleton, like yourself!" Fat Cat shouted.
       "Oh, that's good Boss...." Mepps said, and fell over.
       
        Zipper signaled all clear ahead. Chip waved back at him. "Keep a look out Zipper! He's got to be up there
somewhere!" Chip said. Zipper saluted and buzzed off again. 
       Gadget looked up from her machine’s monitor. "Uh, Chip, do you think that Dale will try to harm us?"
        Chip had been thinking that possibility over too. ‘I dunno, Gadget--before today it wouldn't have entered my mind."
        "It's all like a bad dream, it is--jus' hope it don't turn into a real nightmare...." Monty added.
        Suddenly Foxglove pointed ahead. "Something's happening up there!"
       A large device altered its direction and pointed itself directly at the RangerWing.
       "That don't look good, mates," Monty said.
        Chip pulled the wheel hard. "Retreat!" Before Chip can maneuver out of the way, the RangerWing is seized by some
sort of power.
       "Tractor beam!" Gadget shouted.
       "Zippah, Foxy...save yerselves!" Monty said. Zipper steadfastly refused.
        "If you go, I go!" Foxy said adamantly.
       Chip tried every control to no effect. "Gadget, can you do anything about this?!"
       "I'm sorry Chip! We're all full power now! I'm going to have to shut down," Gadget said, turning the switch off.
       "Gadget, how can you think about sleeping at a time like this?!" Foxglove asked.

        Gadget's reply went unheard, as Nimnul's voice came over a loudspeaker. "At last-at long, long last I've got you in my
clutches! And you have an old friend of yours to thank for it!"
       Foxglove didn’t want to believe it. "NO!!!!"
       Nimnul laughed scornfully. "But let me give you the honor of hearing his voice yourselves....."
       Dale’s voice was calm, yet tinged with excitement. "So-called friends, today is the beginning of New York's first
multi-species crime syndicate! You will all have the honor of witnessing its first act of terror."
       "No, Dale! You can't!" Chip said.
       "My sweetie, a criminal...." Foxy said, lamenting.
       "Stripe me starkers!" Monty cried.
       Zipper buzzed in amazement.
       "Save me your speeches, fearless leader. The time to strike is nigh! We have prepared a special fate for the lot of
you…" Dale said. Chip and Dale could now see each other, as the RangerWing had cleared the dome's edge. Chip gasped.
        "Fat Cat too! He...he's brought all our greatest enemies together......" Chip said.
        Gadget eyes pleaded with her former friend. "Dale, don't do this!"
       Dale was unmoved. "You should thank me. I convinced them to savor the moment of revenge rather than have it all at
once. At least for now you will all continue to draw breath."
        Foxglove tried to free herself from the tractor beam and failed. "Dale, how can you think of doing this? You're turning
your back on everyone who loves you!"
       Dale looked pained for just an instant, then regained his composure. "Dummy, nitwit, goof-up. Do those sound like
endearing names?" 
       Chip noticed Dale's momentary reaction, as did Fat Cat. "Dale, we're not perfect! I admit that! But we all still love you,
even if we don't always show it!" Chip said.
       "Such sentimental drivel once would have worked on me, but I grow stronger by the moment," Dale replied.
        Nimnul was growing increasingly impatient, as all mad scientists do. "What are we wasting time for? Destroy the
vermin!"
       Dale walked to the controls of Nimnul's "Desmartification" ray. Chip didn’t really believe that his friend would do it until
that moment. Now he knew this might be his last opportunity to say anything. "Dale, if someday you are changed back--I
want you to know I forgive you....."
       Fat Cat leaned over the console. "Don't listen to him! Do it!"

       Dale looked to Fat Cat, then to Chip. "They say you can't really know someone until you've walked a mile in his shoes.
This device will let you know what my life has been like." Dale zapped them all but Foxglove. Nimnul grabbed the stunned
and horrified Foxglove as she watched and put her in a cage. As the ray began to take effect, Gadget grabbed hold of the
RangerWing’s controls.
       "Don't worry, Chip! I'll get us out of this with my plunger gun....now where's the control for it?" Gadget asked.
       "The plunger? What's a plunger?" Chip asked back.
       "Uh, who's flying the plane?" Monty asked.
       Chip pushed Gadget’s hands aside. "Lemme fly! Lemme fly!"
       Gadget pushed him back. "No fair! It's mine!"
       Monty began to shake in fear. "Mate, ain't you flyin' the plane? Zipper, you fly the plane!"
       Chip jumped up on the top of his seat. "Stay out of this! It's mine!"
       Mepps and the goon squad were totally amazed. "Uh boss? What's happened to them?" Mepps asked.
       Nimnul grabbed the plane out of the air and turned it upside down, shaking the Rangers out into a cage.
       "I told you before! They've been turned into idiots like you!" Fat Cat said.
       "Oh yeah. I forgot," Mepps said apologetically.
       Nimnul wrung his hands in fiendish glee. "At last these vermin are in my grasp!"
       Gadget looked up at Nimnul with determination. ‘We'll get out of here! I'll just...just...what will I do?"
       Chip ignored her. "I don't care! It was my turn to fly!" Chip sat down and moped.
       Mole laughed, thoroughly entertained. "They sure sound dumb, Fat Cat!"
       "You would notice..." Fat Cat said under his breath.
       Monty started jumping around and waving his fists wildly at Nimnul. "Come on, ya big dummy, I kin take you!"
       Gadget was totally at a loss. She knew she should know what to do, but she didn’t. "Golly, what do we do now, Chip?"
       Chip sat down in huff. "Don't talk to me! I don't like you anymore!"
       Fat Cat put his paws on his cheeks, admiringly. "Oh, this is too precious for words!"
       Foxglove looked on from her cage. "What have you done to them? What have you done!?"
       Dale didn’t look in her direction. "I wanted them to live life through the eyes of Dale."
       Foxglove immediately got angry. "You're not doing that! You're getting revenge on them by watching them suffer. How
could you?"
       Gadget was beginning to panic. Her very sense of well-being was gone. "I'll think of a way out of here....I've got to think
of a way out.....I CAN'T THINK OF A WAY OUT!" Gadget fell to her knees and began to cry.
       Dale looked on without pity, still talking with Foxglove. "Perhaps it was one bonk too many on the head, or one "Nitwit"
or "Goof-up" too many. I don't know-all these years of indignity were too much to hold in."
       Chip stood over Gadget, taunting her. "Sissy girl! You'll never get out that way!" Gadget didn’t reply, and kept crying.
       Dale had another idea come to mind, and focused his attention on the chipmunk that had been his lifelong friend. "Tell
me, Chip. What would Sureluck Jones do in a case like this?"
        Chip thought for a moment. And then another. "He'd...oh, I know this he'd....he'd..." Chip's face went blank. "I don't
know..." Chip whispered.
       Fat Cat looked at Chip in mock sympathy. "Aw, what's the matter? Lose your deductive skills?"
       Monty raised his fists at Dale and Fat Cat. "Come down here you pipsqueak and fight me like a man, what are ya afraid
of?"
       "I don't know," Chip repeated, in normal voice.
       Dale emitted a cruel chuckle. "You all have no idea how many times I've dreamed of seeing you like this!"
       Chip’s anger was building fast. "I don't know!"
       "How does it feel to be a dummy, Chip?" Dale asked.
       Nimnul joined in the taunting parade. "Aw, can't figure a way out, ittle man?"
       Chip shouted his reply. "I DON'T KNOW!"
       "Get used to it, nitwit," Dale said.
       Chip was near a state of panic and started shaking. Tears began to form that he desperately wanted to hide but
couldn’t. He ran to the far side of the cage. "I don't know...I don't.....I don't....."
        Monty jumped up and down, trying to get anyone’s attention. "Wiiiiimp! Why don'tcha come down ere and fight
someone yer own size?"
       Then Chip grabbed a thought. It was from somewhere in his simplest memories, but it came up like a beacon until it
reached his mouth. "But...but Dale, you're my bestest best friend, why?"
       Dale winced. He could remember the last time Chip had actually called him his best friend. Chip looked into his eyes
expectantly. But still Dale’s heart was unmoved.
       "Chip, as of this moment, our friendship is ended," Dale replied.
       Chip gasped in horror. "But...but you promised. You promised. YOU PROMISED!" Chip was overcome with emotion
and turned away crying. Foxy watched the scene with dismay.
       Dale suddenly felt very uncomfortable. "I tire of this. We should secure them for now. We don't want to have all our fun
in the first few minutes-remember, we must savor this."
        Nimnul smiled toothily. "‘Revenge is a dish best served cold.’ You've got a nasty little mind. I like it!" Nimnul used his
remote and the Rangers' cage was secured several feet above the floor.
       Dale bowed to Nimnul’s praises. "Thank you, I've always wondered what it would be like brilliant. It’s certainly
enjoyable."

       "Now where were we, before the fun?" Fat Cat mused.
       Dale leaped off the controls. "EMP!"
       Nimnul laughed heartily. "Ah yes! Global devastation!"
       Dale looked to the cage. "Tell me, Gadget, what does the acronym EMP stand for?"
        Gadget looked up slightly, her now-bloodshot eyes showing her pain. She tried to mouth a word, but instead returned
to her sobbing. Dale's cruel smile faded.
       "Yes, global devastation," Dale said, blandly.
        Fat Cat could see Dale was getting distracted. "Gentlemen, aren't we forgetting something? The ransom, perhaps?"
       Dale returned to his first line of thought. "But by demanding a ransom they can theoretically track it back to us! If we use
the EMP to cover our tracks, we could steal anything in Manhattan and the whole city will be so overwhelmed by the
disaster they won't be able to do anything to stop us."
        "Widespread chaos! My kind of plan!" Nimnul shouted.
       Dale held up his hand. "Nimnul, that is your greatest shortcoming! All you want to do is destroy-any fool can destroy.
You need a plan or goal to achieve. If you had the world what would you do with it?"
        Nimnul looked at Dale like he was stupid for asking the question. "Star in all the television commercials, what else?!"
       Dale rolled his eyes and tried to keep the sarcasm out of his voice. "Uh, yes. An admirable goal no doubt. When we
bring the world to its knees we will certainly see to it that you star in every commercial"
       Nimnul pumped his first. "Yes! Air Nimnul, here I come!"
       "What a buffoon....." Fat Cat commented.
       Dale couldn’t resist, in spite of himself. "Don't forget ‘Time to make the donuts’".
       Mole raised his hand. "Could I do that one?"
       Mepps jumped up and down. "Yeah, me too!"
       Dale smiled in mock excitement. "Why, we could make you the customers!"
       "Oh boy!" Mole said.
       Dale turned away from them and looked back to the cage. "Nimnul, when we succeed, you can own a whole network if
you wish."

       Nimnul pointed his blaster at the goon squad and they shut up. "Before these minibrained misanthropes interrupted, we
were talking about Manhattan?"
       Dale nodded. "We must plan a course of action. What do we want to steal?"
       Mole piped up. "Candy?" Fat Cat bonked Mole, then returned his attention to the matter at hand. "Gold, jewels,
stocks...."
       Dale thought it over. "We should steal enough money to fund our next project. But personally, I have nothing I really
desire. Bringing the Rangers to their knees was my ultimate goal-now with that achieved I must decide on a new goal."
        Nimnul brightened up. "Wait...I have it! The Global Gold Reserve!"
       "For once, you've had a superior idea!" Fat Cat said.
       Dale liked the idea. "A beautiful suggestion. It is what brought the three of us together as enemies-now let it bring us
together as allies! Perhaps we could set up a Swiss bank account and blackmail other countries with the threat of an EMP in
their major cities, after Manhattan."
        Nimnul nearly danced with glee. "We can succeed where Klordane failed! Oh, the sweet irony!"
        "Let's do it!" Fat Cat said, punching one paw into the other.
       Dale shouted up to the cage for effect, "You hear that Rangers! We're going to rob the gold reserve and there's nothing
any of you can do to stop us!"
        "You let me outta 'ere and I'll show you some stoppin!" Monty challenged.
        Dale took up the taunting again. "What's the matter, Monterey? You sound ‘Cheezed.’"
       "You promised...." Chip said.
       "I can't think....I can't....." Gadget said.
       Monty fell over, exhausted from his agitation.
       Dale shook his head at him. "Not much fun being stupid is it?"
       "You.....promised....." Chip repeated.
       Nimnul banged on the cage. "Sounds like a broke record! Promised, promised, promised!"
       Dale called Nimnul back over. "We need to plan. We'll need to tunnel under the reserve to plant explosives, and when
the blast knocks out their alarms and computers, that will seal the vaults. We can go in and take everything without them
being able to stop us! We will need building plans and tunnelers." 
        "Mole and his subterranean comrades can handle the tunneling," Fat Cat said.
       "I can shrink the gold with my Gigantico gun and made the robbery as easy as picking pockets!" Nimnul said, smirking
at his genius. 
       Dale was enjoying his job of leader. "Capital idea, Nimnul! That will make our job much easier, not to mention easier to
store our gold once we have it."
       Dale looked over to Nimnul’s vintage Albert Einstein clock on the wall. "Perhaps we should break for now, it is getting
late. I wish to speak with Foxglove, alone."
       Fat Cat stretched. "It's been a long day, but a good one! And tomorrow sounds really peachy....." Fat Cat and his
cronies headed back for the cat food factory. Nimnul went off to prepare for the next day’s plundering. Dale walked to
Foxglove's cage.

        Foxy looked in his eyes, hoping to find anything of the old Dale there. "Dale-cutie-please....stop this madness!" Foxy's
eyes pleaded with him.
       "How can you say that? A time is coming when none dare oppose me! Even the humans will bow before me. Then I can
give you anything you want-the crown jewels of England themselves could adorn you noble brow."
        Foxy's head falls to her chest "There's only one thing I want," she said, softly.
       "You have but to name it and it will be thine, fair one," Dale said.
       Foxy looked into his eyes. "I want the Dale I fell in love with...."
       Dale sneered at the idea. "What could you possibly see in him? He was an easily manipulated fool who was nothing
more than a doormat to his alleged friends!"
       Foxy turned half away. "He was wonderful! He was kind, loyal, gentle, and true..." Foxy's eyes started to fill with tears.
"I...I miss him so much....and if you can't...can’t give him back to me..." Foxy starts crying "Then I wish I were DEAD!"
       Dale was at once concerned and agitated. "Foxy, don't say that...Argh! Fools, all of you!" 
        Foxy ran to the bars of the cage and wrapped her wings around them, shaking them. "Where is Dale Oakmont!?
What's become of him? Dale, where are you?" Foxy fell to her knees, and the tears took over.
       Dale drew himself up to his full height. "The Dale Oakmont you knew is dead-now I, the perfected Dale, stand in his
place."
       Foxglove looked over at him, and the look was so full of hurt that it struck Dale to the core. "Foxy,...I'm sor..." Dale fell
silent and looked away. Foxglove turned away again, alone with her sorrow. Dale walked away in silent frustration.

       As he passed through Nimnul's lab, he heard the additional sobbing of the Rangers in their cage. Nimnul looked at the
unhappy chipmunk.
       "What's on your tiny mind, partner?" Nimnul asked.
       Dale tried to shut out the voices. "Oh, just pondering the cruel games that fate plays with our lives."
       **I can have the world, but I have no one to share it with,** Dale mused.
       Nimnul was oblivious, as usual. "I prefer a good game of Parcheesi myself. Just think, tomorrow will be your debut as a
criminal mastermind!" Nimnul said.
       Dale snapped out of his preoccupation. "That's right, I had all but forgotten! Perhaps I need some time to prepare.
Would you mind if I used some of your equipment? I shall return to Ranger HQ, but I would like to be able to view my
teammates from my home."
       "Not at all! A fellow genius is always welcome! Just don't open the refrigerator. There's dangerous chemicals in it,"
Nimnul said. "We wouldn’t want you falling in and turning into a chipmunk hand grenade!"
       "My thanks," Dale answered politely. Dale began setting up cameras to view the cage of the Rangers and one for
Foxglove's cage and set up a transmitter.
       Nimnul observed Dale's work and came over to the Rangers' cage. "Smile now! You're on candid camera!" Nimnul said
jokingly.
       Dale didn’t bother to look up. "Now Nimnul, be nice. Remember, savor the flavor." 
       "What's the good of winning, if you can't gloat and taunt the losers?!" Nimnul countered.
       The Rangers barely paid Dale any attention, although Chip did show a bit of interest in the camera. Dale continued his
preparations. "Bear in mind that at their current level of intelligence, such taunts have little effect. What will really get them is
their inability to stop our rampage. If you taunt them constantly they will grow a thick skin-pick your attacks and they will
hurt more."
       Nimnul did a mini-dance. "Oooooh, I like that little mind of yours! Well, if you're set up here I'm ready to go
beddy-bye. We need our beauty sleep if we're going to be effective city devastators tomorrow!"
       "Goodnight and don't let the computer bugs bite," Dale said over his shoulder. Nimnul laughed as he and Dale parted
ways. Dale turned and almost wished the Rangers goodnight, but he stopped and turned away from their hurt looks. He
quietly walked to the RangerWing and headed for the tree. 

       As the RangerWing powered down, Dale stepped off and headed for the door. It creaked loudly under the pressure of
his hand-something he'd never noticed before
       "Needs oiling. Guess I'd better get Gad..." Dale pushed the idea away and stepped in. He turned on the lights and
looked around. No smells of Monty’s cooking coming from the kitchen, no sounds coming from Gadget's workshop, no
arguing from Chip, no buzzing from Zipper.
       No heartfelt welcome from Foxglove
       Dale found he actually had to force himself to speak. "Ah, peace and quiet. Now for a little television..." Dale set the
television to view the broadcast from Nimnul's lab. He again saw his broken hearted friends in tears.
       "How the mighty have fallen....How the fallen have become mighty," Dale muttered, with sadness entering his voice.
       Suddenly, Chip looked up at the camera and seemed to be staring into Dale's soul. The eyes repeated those desperate
words he'd heard just an hour ago. Dale picked up the remote and began desperately flipping through the channels to find
something to raise his spirits.
       "Got to be some happiness for me somewhere..." Dale said. Finally, he stopped at a familiar face that he’d come to
enjoy.

       "Hello, I'm Peter Graves-tonight on Biography we'll be looking at the life of Judas..."
       Dale grabbed the remote fast. "Yargh!" The guilt-ridden chipmunk flipped the channel.
       "Tonight on the History Channel, the story of Benedict Arnold and his legendary betrayal."
       Dale pulled out one of the videotapes Gadget made for her VCR and put it in. The movie "The Princess Bride" came on
in the middle. An old woman comes on, booing in his face
       "You had true love, and you treated it like garbage! Slime! Muck! Filth! Boo, boo, BOOOOOOOOO!"
       Dale dove for the VCR and hit the pause button. The old woman on the screen stared at him, her eyes bulging. Dale
shut his eyes and laughed a loud sarcastic laugh.
       "Even television has turned against me!"
       Dale stared at that awful face and suddenly remembered another line from the film. "Thanks for reminding me of that!
Why don't you just give me a paper cut and pour lemon juice in it?"

       Dale wandered from the room--aimlessly at first, then the idea came to him that everything in Ranger Headquarters was
his now. He started out, investigating his property.
       Dale entered the room he shared with Chip. He glanced around at first, then approached the large set of shelves that
were filled with the detective books that Chip had accumulated over a lifetime. Dale picked one up and paged through it.
Now that he had robbed Chip of his intelligence, he'd probably never want to read another detective story again. He'd get so
frustrated, never being able to figure out who did it. That sudden realization was like a slap in his face.
       "That's another one you bungled, Sureluck...."
       Dale let the book drop, the look on his face as empty as the sound of the echo upon its impact. Dale couldn't imagine
Chip's life without his detective work. It was the very essence of Chip!
       **That's probably what Chip's wondering right now,** Dale thought.
       Suddenly, a favorite quote of Chip's came to his mind. It worked its way to his lips like a foreboding epitaph-"He was
the best and wisest man I have ever known...."
       "And I turned him into Dale."

       Unwilling to face the increasingly troublesome feelings, Dale went to Gadget's workshop. "It's all mine now. Who can
imagine the wonders I will build here...not Gadget...anymore..."
       Everywhere Dale looked, Gadget's kind face haunted him. Memories of old cases and inventions poured into his
memory. Then one thing in particular caught his eye--the propeller copter that Gadget helped him to build into his dinner
jacket when he played Double-O-Dale.
       "She shed compassionate tears for me in my sorrow that day. She'd probably be afraid to come in here now. She'd feel
so bad, having the desire to invent but not the intelligence to do it. If she did try to invent something she'd probably end up
killing...herself..."
       He looked back at the invention, but now the face in his mind was the bloodshot eyes looking at him from a face filled
with despair. "She was the most brilliant person I ever met and I turned her into Dale also."
       Dale placed the copter down, almost reverently, and went into Gadget's bedroom. Another face stared at him here.
Dale looked at the picture of Geegaw Hackwrench that sat on Gadget's nightstand. Geegaw was smiling and giving a
thumbs-up
       "If he was here he'd break my neck for what I did to Gadget and the others. And so would Chip's parents, and Monty's
and Zipper's and Foxglove's...and mine."

       Looking for solace, Dale went to what had been his second favorite place in headquarters--the kitchen refrigerator. He
opened the door, and found himself face-to-face with a wedge of Brie '86. Dale slammed the door and stifled a sob. "He
didn't even do anything...and now he's Dale too....Monty would probably be as big a danger in the kitchen now as I had
been then. And poor Zipper! He no doubt felt almost as unappreciated as I have and I made him Dale as well."

       It was increasingly difficult walking through headquarters. Dale could hear the Rangers' voices in his head and twice he
jerked around--certain he'd heard one of them call his name. Dale walked again to the living room. He turned the television
back on and returned to the channel with the Rangers. He steeled himself and tried again to convince himself that they had
brought this all on themselves. But the only sound he heard besides the sobbing was Chip continuing to mutter, "You
promised".
       Dale jumped up from the coach and came to within an inch of the screen. "Okay! I promised! Are you happy!? Will it
make you happy to know I ruined your life, Chip Maplewood! Well I did! I ruined your life! I ruined your life....and mine…"
       As if he heard him, Chip’s recital suddenly changed. "You said you'd always be my friend..."
       Dale felt like he had suddenly been struck by a two-by-four in the face. THAT promise, that's what Chip had been
talking about. Dale staggered back and fell onto the sofa. "I'm no friend...not to you, not to anyone...."



       In his mind, Dale returned to his early childhood. He was walking through the woods on the way home from school
when he heard someone crying. He followed the sound and saw a chipmunk boy his own age sitting on a log, crying his eyes
out. Dale knew the boy. He was Chip Maplewood-a pushy, bossy, short-tempered kid who was a very sore loser. Still, he
was a very bright and clever kid, and all the grown-ups liked him but none of the kids could stand him. Dale walked over
and sat next to him on the log
       "Watcha cryin' for, Chip?" Dale asked innocently.
       Chip had turned away from him to hide his tears. "Go away!"
       Dale broke out his patented smile. "C'mon, cheer up! I don't like it when anyone's sad..."
       Chip managed to turn around, a pitiful sight. "You want to know why I'm crying? I don't have any friends!" 
       Dale smiled the more. "Sure you do! Everyone has friends! Why there’s...there's.....uh......"
       Chip cried even harder. "See? I don't have a single friend in the whole world! Everyone hates me!"
       Dale came closer and put a hand on Chip's shoulder. "Well, I don't hate you."
       Chip managed to compose himself a bit. "Well, you don't now, but if you were my friend you'd hate me too."
       Dale sat by Chip and looked him in the face. "Let me be your friend and I promise I'll never, ever hate you."
       Chip pouted. "No! You'll be my friend for a little while, but then I'll say or do something and you'll hate me and stop
being my friend!"
       Dale raised his hand in oath. "I promise I'll always be your friend, no matter what you may say or do."
       Chip wiped his eyes and smiled at Dale. "You really mean that? You promise?"
       Dale chuckled. "Cross my heart and hope to die!"



       The image faded and where a happy youngster had sat a moment ago, a solemn adult sat now. "And by my own mouth
am I condemned," Dale said. His words echoed in his mind as he got up, doing his best not to look at the face on the
television. He turned it off quietly, and went to his room.
       Dale saw the photos of himself with his parents. He turned away, ashamed.
       "Got to get some sleep..."
       He looked at his vast comic book collection. They held no interest for him now. Not only had he robbed his friends of
their greatest joys, he had robbed himself as well. "Not even Kablammo Man can save me now."
       Dale fell into a fitful sleep. He tossed and turned, muttering unintelligible words. Then from somewhere, Dale heard a
voice that was familiar--only it was not familiar

       "Wake up, you big dummy! I gotta bone to pick with you!"
       Dale started, and at first saw nothing. Then he heard someone clear a throat, and turning to his left was face to face
with-himself. Or rather a spectral after-image of his former self, Hawaiian shirt and all. The red shirt had gone to pink and the
yellow to a paler version. Dale could see right through his doppelganger, and that scared the willies out of him.
       "YAAAAAAAH!" Dale pulled the covers up-only his large eyes peeped over them.
       The spectre was still there, and not in a good mood. "That's right Mr. Big Brain! I'm a ghost, the ghost of Dale past."
       Dale quivered under the covers. "W..what do you want?"
       The spectre floated right over Dale. "I WANT YOU TO STOP RUINING MY LIFE, YOU IDIOT!" Then the ghost
rattled chains that mysteriously appeared from nowhere.
       Dale was caught between panic and fear. "NO! Go away! You're dead! You're dead!"
       The apparition pointed a finger right in Dale’s face. "I got news for you. I'm you. As long as you're alive I'm alive."
       "I didn't know what would happen! I didn't!" Dale pleaded.
       The ghost’s face was unchanged. "Well, whose fault is that?"
       Dale looked to the left and right, trying to think of an excuse. "It was that crazy dude with the powers! He made me this
way!"
       "No, you asked to made this way! You have no one but yourself to blame for every bit of this!" the ghost answered.
"Did you talk to your FRIENDS and ask them for guidance to help you use your new knowledge for good? No, you used it
to show off and to humiliate your friends! You’re no better than what you imagined them to be!"
       Dale felt pinned and wanted to be anywhere besides where he was. "They....they had it coming! They didn't love me the
way I was--they tortured me!"
       The ghost shook his head in contempt. "You ARE a dummy! And you still are one, you're just a brilliant one now!"
       Dale squirmed, perspiration forming on his brow. "I've shown that I'm better than even the best of the Rangers' enemies!
I have respect, I....."
       "You have lost the love and respect of everyone you've ever cared about," the image said with condemnation.
       Dale threw the covers off. "NO! NO!"
       "You've always had more brains and sense than you use. That is the true sign of a fool," the ghost noted.
       Dale grabbed at the spectre, trying to silence him. It was useless, and the voice continued to haunt him. "They treated
you like an idiot because your actions left them no other choice!"

       The emotions were too intense, and Dale began to cry. His spectral companion floated down next to the bed. "If their
words or actions hurt you, why didn't you tell them?"
       Dale was a mix of anger and guilt. "I'm not an idiot! I'm not!" He began to cry again. " I'm not...."
       The ghost’s face was one of sympathy now. "You can't escape it, Dale. I should know, I'm you."
       Dale looked up at the spirit floating next to him. "I was afraid, okay!? I was afraid!"
       The ghost’s face went past sympathy to one of true concern. "Can you say the words Dale...what are you really afraid
of?"
       Dale was crying openly now. "I was afraid.....I was afraid...that....they....would....REJECT ME!" Dale buried his face in
the covers and bawled. "I rejected them because I was afraid they'd reject me!"
       The spirit of Dale past looked down on him softly. "Dale, even at your most idiotic bungling they never let you down,
they never abandoned you...they never stopped loving you."
       "I know...I know. I let them down. It was me. I deserved what I got--I didn't believe in them! WHAT HAVE I
DONE!?" Dale cried in horror.
       "Dale, if any of them were mad at you and you were in danger, do you think any one of them would hesitate to risk their
lives to save yours?" the spirit asked. All Dale could do was shake his head.
       Dale past became choked up. "And what of Foxglove?"
       Dale's mind went immediately back to how he’d left her--betrayed and in despair. "Oh, she loved me! She loved me
and I didn't listen!"
       Dale past became visibly angry. "You're darned right she loves you, you brainless idiot! If I wasn't a ghost, I’d beat the
stuffing out of you for how you treated her...she loves you more than life itself and you betrayed her!"
       Dale fell to the floor and looked up at the spirit of his former self, desperately putting his hands together and holding
them up to the spirit, begging. "Please! Please tell me it's not too late! I don't care what happens to me! Tell me what to do!"
       The spirit looked down at him. "I wish I could help you, but I can't, I'm Dale past. I've got a brain the size of a chickpea.
If you want to rescue your friends, you're going to have to use that new brain. You can rescue them, because you know they
would have rescued you."
       Dale stopped, and dried the tears from his eyes. A look of moral determination came upon him, such as he had never
had before. "I'll do it! I'll save them! They may never forgive me for all this, but I owe them my life a hundred times over!"

       "I just hope that that they can forgive..." the spectre said as he vanished. Dale did not hear those last words, as he’d
already run to Gadget's workshop, with an idea already forming. Hands flew to spare parts and tools and quickly a machine
took shape. It was a good thing too, for Dale found himself squinting at the first rays of dawn. Dale worked frantically,
building what looked like a simple closed circuit TV camera. Thirty minutes later, he smiled proudly at his invention. For the
first time he realized the joy Gadget must have felt at the moment of completion.
       With no time to spare, Dale slipped the remote control for the camera into his pocket and headed for the Ranger Wing
and a meeting with his evil cohorts. "They'll never notice the difference! I don't deserve it, but I feel so happy...." Dale said,
all of a sudden realizing he really was happy. He knew he’d find a way to free his friends and see them safely out of the
terror they’d been thought. Dale actually chuckled as he loaded the camera in the RangerWing



The Rescue Rangers are copyright Disney and used without permission, but with the utmost respect. 


"Where is that rodent?" Nimnul said, pacing expectantly. As dawn broke over the smoggy skies of Manhattan, evil forces
assembled for a sordid purpose. Fat Cat watched his new partner in crime with a superior’s indifference.
       "I dunno, but if he's not here soon we'll go ahead without him!" Fat Cat snarled.
       Mepps tapped Fat Cat on the back. "Uh, but Boss, isn't he the one that came up with this idea?"
       "What, you would begin without me? Surely you jest!" Dale asked rhetorically.
       Fat Cat held his paws out to Dale as the chipmunk entered the room. "Ah, mi amigo! We wouldn't have thought of it!"
       Dale wasn’t impressed. "I'm sure of that. Are Mole and his people ready?" 
       "Yes, those dimwitted diggers are just waiting for the signal," Fat Cat said, pointing a remote Nimnul held.
       Nimnul looked at the equipment Dale had with him. "What’s this? I thought you already had them under surveillance....."
       Dale climbed up on a lab stool. "As we are all still a little hesitant of working with each other, I thought it an act of good
will. While you and Fat Cat are overseeing the Moles and the transportation of the gold, someone must stay behind to
supervise the operation of the EMP generator. You can take the Rangers with you so to show that I'm not planning any
deception. This portable camera allows me to watch their faces as they see the robbery taking place under their very noses."
       Fat Cat sneered. "Of course you're planning a deception! You wouldn't be a criminal mastermind if you weren't!" Fat
Cat grabbed the cage.
       Dale tried to keep calm. "Now Fat Cat, if you destroy them now, how can they see your ultimate victory? Remember,
you can only kill an enemy once, but you can humiliate them for a lifetime."
       Fat Cat eyed the cage. "Who said anything about destroying them? I'm going to give them a front row seat to the
goings-on!" Fat Cat smiled toothily at the caged-up Rangers.
       Dale nodded with a look of understanding. "Ah, forgive me. It's a hold over from the old days. Please, let me install my
camera, I want to be able to see every moment of their despair!"
       Nimnul pointed a thumb to the other cage. "What about the bat?"
       "Let her stay! She's not important anyhow," Fat Cat said.
       Dale shook his head. "Take her as well. I want them all to see our triumph." Fat Cat put the cage down in Dale's vicinity,
and Dale installed the new camera and removed the old one. Then he picked up a clipboard and began making some notes.
Eventually he looked up to the cage.
       "So, Chip? What is your master plan for defeating our daring robbery?" Dale asked.
       Chip shook his fist at Dale. "You bad munk! Someone will stop you!"
       Dale dared not show his true emotions. He was their only hope now. "Chip, you simpleton. There is no one to come to
your rescue and there is no one brilliant enough to stop us all. So, enjoy the show."
       Nimnul cast a sarcastic eye at Chip. "My, aren't we the bossy one today?" The scientist plucked Foxglove out of her
cage and stuck her in with the Rangers. Dale turned to Nimnul.
       "Nimnul, our alliance has worked well so far, but we must be able to tolerate each other. We all have great big egos,
and it will be our greatest struggle to cooperate," Dale said.
       "Ego? Moi? I am merely the greatest scientist alive! What's egotistical about that?" Nimnul asked flatly.
       Dale crumbled up the sheet of paper he was writing on and hurled it at Chip. It hit him in the nose. "Be silent, Chip.
Your words fall on deaf ears."
       Chip fumed a bit and kicked the piece of paper to the far side of the cage, near Foxglove. Gadget came over to him.
       "Come on, Chip. He's not worth it," Gadget said. Chip turned away and went with Gadget back to Monty, Zipper and
Foxglove.
       **She's right, Chip. I'm not worth it,** Dale repeated in his mind. Then he turned his attention to his cohorts. "Let's get
this show on the road," Dale said.
       Nimnul took a seat at the controls of the EMP generator. "Time to rise and not shine, big city!"

       Nimnul set the controls for a 30-minute delay-enough time for he and Fat Cat to get to the Global Gold Reserve and
prepare to direct the hauling of the gold.
        "We’ll be back soon!" Fat Cat said, almost singing it. The feline boss stopped when he got outside. "Mepps, I don’t
trust him. Stay here and watch what he does."
        "Uh, okay boss," Mepps said. "Does that mean I get some fish?" Fat Cat ignored the question and marched on with
Nimnul.

       Dale had waited until he was sure they had left. Then he pulled out the plans for Nimnul’s machine and set to work. Dale
was working so hard to deactivate the machine of mass destruction, he didn’t become aware of an extra presence.
       "Say, is there some fish in here?" Mepps asked.
       Dale started and nervously looked at Mepps. Under any other circumstances he would enjoy running mental rings
around the dumb cat, but now was not the time. "We're fresh out Mepps. Perhaps you could get some from the fish market
across town?"
       "But the Boss wanted me to stay here....." Mepps said.
       Dale had to get rid of him fast. "Mepps, remember when I hurt you in the park?"
       Mepps thought hard a moment. "Uh, yes?"
       "Do you believe I can hurt you worse than I did in the park?" Dale asked pointedly.
       Mepps still stands there blank-eyed. "Uh, yes....."
       Dale put his hands on his hips. "Do you want me to hurt you worse than I did in the park?"
       "Uh.....no," Mepps replied.
       Dale jumped from the console to the stool next to Mepps. "Then will you PLEASE go far away from here, so I don't
have to hurt you?!"
       Mepps looked at the menacing eyes, and decided he'd best go. He ran for it as Dale pretended to reach for him. Then
Dale looked back at the clock nervously. Mepps was an unanticipated delay. He would have to work harder. Before starting
his work anew, Dale removed the remote from his pocket.
       "I'm so sorry, everybody," Dale said, as he pressed the button.

       In the cage, Foxglove noticed the piece of paper had some writing on it. She picked it up. ‘Get them in front of the
camera, Foxy. The camera will restore them. You're on your own after that.’
       "Hey, look at this!" Foxglove said. Chip and the others came over, conveniently in front of the camera
       Chip reached for the paper. "What is it? It's mine!"
       Gadget pushed him aside. "Hmph! It's my turn to be leader now!"
       Chip pushed back. "No! I'm the leader!"
       "Bzzzzzzz!" Zipper buzzed threateningly-well, for a fly anyway.
       "You couldn't lead your way out of a sewer drain!" Monty said.
       Chip turned around at that insult. "Oh, yeah?"
       Monty pulled down Chip’s fedora on his head. "I says I'm leader cause I'm bigger than you!"
       Chip fixed his hat back. "I'll take care of that!" Chip and Monty prepare to jump at each other.
       "Boys! All the same!" Gadget said, shaking her head.
       Gadget snuck up behind Chip and took his hat off and put it on her own head. "I'm wearing the hat so that makes me
leader now!"
       Suddenly, Foxglove gets an idea. "Stop it! All of you stop it and stand still right now or you don't get any supper!"
       Chip stopped his attack. "Aw, do we haveta?"
       Foxy stomped her foot. "Yes, you do! Stand right in front of the camera, all of you!"
       Gadget folded her arms. "But it's my turn to be leader! I never get to be leader!"
       Foxy took on a stern look. "Gadget, you'll not get to use your workshop for a week if you don't stand right there."
Gadget turned still as a statue.
       "That's better, everyone," Foxy said. Then she looked up at the camera and whispered, "C'mon Dale, please be
back....."
       Chip grabbed his hat and put it back on his head. "Ahhh. Now I'm leader again!"
       The camera flared to life.

       ZAP!!!!

       The Rangers blinked and rubbed their eyes. "Crikey! What in blazes just happened?" Monty asked.
       Fat Cat was caught off-guard by the flash and reacted in his usual way. "Yack! Stupid camera!" Fat Cat ripped it away
from the cage.
       Gadget considered Monty’s question. "Well, from a physics perspective I’d say...waitaminit...I can think again!"
       Chip smiled. "You're right Gadget! That surge must've reversed the process! We're back! And in Fat Cat's clutches
again. Well, it's not like this is the first time."
       Foxy held up the paper. "Here, look at this guys!" 
       Chip read the note. "What is going on in Dale's head? First he betrays us and now he restores us?"
       Foxy clasped her wings together. "I knew my cutie couldn't stay bad!"
       "We'll deal with that later! Right now, we've got to figure out how to stop all this!" Gadget said.

       "I've got to figure out how to stop all this!" Dale said. Dale could see he was nearing his goal, with time to spare. But as
he looked around Nimnul's lab, he saw many other terrible things the madman had created. Even if he stopped the EMP,
what other horrors would Nimnul create here? He realized he would have to do more than destroy the EMP generator-he
would have to destroy the whole base.
       The EMP’s automated voice came over a loudspeaker. "Five minutes to activation...." a female voice said blandly.
       Dale realized that to stop the horror he created might not leave him enough time to escape. "I'll have to hot-wire this
jalopy," Dale muttered, pulling off the panel to the EMP. When he did, alarms went off everywhere. Again, Dale worked
frantically, watching the seconds of his life tick away.

       "Warning--tampering detected. Countdown at 60 seconds....59...58.." the voice announced.
       Dale leaped from the machine and ran. "What'll I do? I can't...wait, the refrigerator!"
       Dale grabbed a stick and forced the latch on the fridge. Several bottles of chemicals were inside

       "47...46...45..."

       Dale quickly scanned the labels. "Trinitrotoluene...hydrochloric acid...." The chipmunk worked frantically, pouring the
chemicals into a large flask. Then he grabbed Nimnul's remote and activated one of the mechanical hands. The hand took the
flask and placed it right in front of the EMP generator's emitter.

       "20...19....18..."

       Dale jumped onto the emitter. "Now if I only have time to wire it!" Dale rode another mechanical hand to the emitter,
ripped out an ignition wire and stuck it in the flask.

       "9...8...7..."

       Dale pressed the remote again and the hand stretched up, its left finger reaching the dome. Dale jumped and made the
roof.

       "4....3...."

       Dale slid down the roof, and looked at the sky. "I may not make it, but I'm a Rescue Ranger to the end!"



       KA-BOOM!



       Fat Cat and Nimnul were jolted by a slight rumbling. The Rangers noticed it as well, and how distracted the villains
became.
       "I'll try to unlock the cage with my tail," Gadget said. Gadget inserted her tail into the key hole.
       Fat Cat was too caught up in dreams of greed to notice. "That must be it! Time to go up!"
       Nimnul laughed in triumph. "Ha, ha! The sound of televisions blowing up, computers crashing, planes falling! Music to a
mad scientist's ears!"
       Fat Cat leaned into the hole his minions had made. "Dig you moles! Gold and glory await us!"
       Lost in their greed, Nimnul and Fat Cat abandoned the cage with the Rangers. Chip watched them enter the hole and
then turned to Gadget. "Now's our chance! Hurry, Gadget!" Chip said.
       Click 
       "Works like a charm, if I believed in charms that is," Gadget said.
       Monty opened the door. " Well, Sureluck, do we go after the baddies or poor Dale?"

       Nimnul, Fat Cat and the goon squad emerged in the gold room to find....two armed guards with...
       "Rottweilers!" Fat Cat screamed.
       One of the dogs licked his chops. "Oh, look at that big tubby kitty!"

       Chip smiled when he heard the sound of dogs barking and guards yelling echoing through the tunnel. "We go get Dale!"
Chip shouted.
       The second dog was drooling. "Let's do lunch, Razor!"
       "Right on, Blade!" the other shouted.
       "Retreat!" Nimnul cried.
       The Rangers just managed to avoid being trampled by the criminals when they ran out of the hole--who had a problem
all their own.
       "We've been double-crossed!" Fat Cat shouted, a pair of sharp teeth at his heels.
       Nimnul’s pants seat was gone and his boxers were covered with pictures of Einstein’s face. "I'll never...NEVER work
with a chipmunk again!"
       Razor had just finished running Nimnul up a telephone pole and looked over his shoulder at Blade on Fat Cat’s tail.
"Mmm...save those moles for me!"
       From his perch on the pole, Nimnul could see that the explosion had really come from his lab-or rather the smoldering
crater that used to be his lab. "MY LAB!!!!!" Nimnul shouted and jumped down, forgetting the dog. Nimnul stopped short in
agony, which was the wrong move, because Razor's friend Blade gave him a new kind of agony.
       "MY BEHIND!!!"
       "Here kitty, kitty, kitty," Razor taunted.
       "I hate Rescue Rangers! I hate ‘em, hate ‘em, hate ‘em!" Fat Cat yelled, his henchman right behind him. The Rangers
laughed as Nimnul, Fat Cat and the rest disappeared from sight.
       "Serves 'em right! Chip said.
      
       It took several minutes, but the Rangers made their way to Nimnul’s lab. The devastation was complete. Only a few
large building fragments had survived. Kirby and Muldoon of the local police force were already leaving from checking the
scene when Foxglove started looking through the wreckage of the lab.
       "Dale..." Foxglove said, starting to cry.
       Suddenly, Chip realized what Nimnul had said about not trusting a chipmunk. "Then...Dale was up there! NO!"
       Monty caught up with Chip. "C'mon, maybe he got out alive!"
       Gadget kept the probabilities of that chance to herself. With Foxy leading the way, the Rangers begin to search the
wreckage together.
       "He's got to be alive! He's got to be!" Foxy said, turning over some rubble.
       "Zipper, mate. Look everywhere!" Monty said. Zipper saluted and checked hard and fast.
       Gadget appeared out of part of a drainage pipe. "I don't see him! Maybe he got away before the blast!"

       Foxy looked all around and then stopped. "Wait, I see something!"
       Chip ran to her. "What is it, Foxy?!" Everyone gathered around Foxglove. Foxy half-ran, half-flew over to a brick. A
piece of cloth from Dale's jacket was caught on the corner of it.
       "It's Dale…it's Dale's!" she cried.
       Chip knew she was right. "Monty, he could be trapped under there!" Monty began digging wildly in the debris. Chip and
the others joined in.
       "Dale! Dale, are you there? DALE!" Chip shouted. The digging went on for a half hour, with no result.
       Monty finally gave out. "Chip...I..I hate to even say this, but...."
       "No! He's not dead!" Chip yelled. "He can't be!"
       Gadget was covered with dirt and perspiration. She slowly stood. "Chip, he'd be here if he was. He gave his life to...."
       Chip looked to the two of them wildly. "NO! Noooooooooooooooooo!" Chip dug all the harder.
       "Chip, get a grip lad!" Monty said.
       Foxglove collapsed to the ground, pounding the ground and sobbing. Chip’s hands were getting cut. "I don't care if he is
evil! He's my first and best friend!"
       Gadget came over and put a hand on Chip’s shoulder. "Chip, the...the blast pattern is so wide that it's improbable he got
away in time...."
       Monty put his hand on the other one. "Now Chip, true he put us in a predicament in the first place, but he sure enough
got us out o' it."
       Foxglove was crying her eyes out. "I wish I were dead too!" 

       Chip tried to dig more but his hands wouldn’t let him. He stood up, and fell into Gadget's arms in a combination of
exhaustion and surrender to the inevitable.
       "He's dead! He's dead!" Chip cried. Gadget comforted him as best she could, since she was crying too. Monty took off
his flight cap respectfully as tears came from him too.
       "He was so good-hearted! And then to have this happen....." Gadget said.
       Monty did his best to comfort his friends. He'd seen far too many friends laid to rest, but none before were close enough
to be like a son to him. Zipper patted Monty on the shoulder, knowing more than the rest the private pain he was
experiencing.
       Chip hugged Gadget tighter, venting his frustrations. "It's not fair! It's just not fair!"
       Gadget patted him on the back. "I know Chip, I know. Don't hold it in...."
       Chip couldn’t see for the tears. "I want my best friend back!"

       The Rangers stayed until sunset...there was no way of moving from the spot until a memorial was made. Finally, the
others convinced Chip to come. He did, clutching the note that Dale had written--the last link he had to his partner and friend
       "I'll never forget you, Dale. And I swear I'll make whoever is responsible for this pay! They'll all pay!" Chip promised.
       As the Rangers moved out of sight, a lone figure moved in the rubble--his tattered jacket a testament to his narrow
escape. The dust and soot-covered form watched them go
       "The buck stops with me, Chip. Only me."



       The next morning, the mood at Ranger Headquarters was somber. No one could think of anything but their fallen
comrade. Chip developed a fever and became bedridden by afternoon. Monty pulled Gadget aside after she'd brought him
his lunch.
       "It's guilt lass, nothin' less. Seen it a hundred times," Monty said.
       Foxglove hung from a branch on the tree. She hadn't eaten since the day before, and just hung there, crying
       Gadget had tried to help them both, but this kind of pain was beyond anything she knew. "Golly Monty, is there anything
we can do?"
       Chip spoke from his bed, semi-delirious. "I didn't know, Dale! I won't bonk you again, I promise!"
       Monty looked in the door sadly. "We've gotta get 'im through this--make 'im see it weren't his fault!"
       Gadget began crying again. "But Monty, it was our fault!"
       "That's what I mean, luv! It's was all of us, but 'es takin' the full load on himself!" Monty said.
       "Dale, I was wrong!" Chip said, flailing his arms.
       Gadget looked on sadly. "But you know well enough that it's Chip's way to bear the whole burden himself."
       "I know lass, but this is diff'rent. We've gotta turn 'im from this--it's not good a'tall!" Monty said.
       Gadget looked up into his eyes. "But how, Monty? And what about Foxglove? That's a crisis waiting to happen."
       Monty thought it over. "That might be jus' the thing!" Monty ran outside.
       Foxglove was still crying when Monty found her. He picked her up and took her inside to Chip's room.
       "No, I don't want to!" Foxy argued, as Monty shut the door.
       Gadget looked again at Monty, confused. "Monty, I don't understand. What will this accomplish?"
       "Wait Gadget-luv...." Monty said, and indicated they should listen at the door.
       Chip barely knew that anyone else was there. "It was all my fault...."
       Foxglove shook her head. "No, I should have been the one!"
       Chip stirred weakly and looked up. Foxy came over to him. "You were.....his friend but I LOVED him!"
       Chip sat up on his elbows. "I loved him too! He was more than a brother to me!"
       "And he loved us!" Foxy said. Chip and Foxglove embrace, comforting each other's pain.

       Outside the door, Gadget smiled at Monty. "Monty, you're a genius!"
       "Not really, Gadget-luv. Just experience...misery loves company," Monty whispered.
       Gadget fought back the next round of tears. "We all loved Dale, and he loved us. That's how I'll always remember him."
       Monty crept away from the door. "We'd best leave 'em be for now, Gadget. They'll be all right."
       Monty hid his tears as best he can as he headed to the kitchen with Gadget. She made herself a cup of coffee. "What
happens now, Monty? Can we go on without Dale?" 
       Monty sat down next to her. "I dunno lass. Ya never know how important someone is till they’re not there. It's goin' ta
take Chip and Foxy time to get over this blow--not to mention the rest of us." Monty blew into his hanky
       "It just seems that my life is nothing but saying goodbye to people I love," Gadget lamented. Monty hugged Gadget
hard.
       "I know it's hard, lass. Been through a lot of it meself. But it's better to have loved someone than not. Otherwise, you'll
be mighty alone in the world," Monty said.
       Gadget stared blankly at the table. "This all just seems like a terrible nightmare. I just want to wake up and hear Dale
again, see the television on with Dale asleep in front of it and a million other things about him that annoyed me that I'll miss for
the rest of my life."
       "I know. Me too. C'mon--I'll make you a cheese soufflé," Monty offered.

       Monty got some food on to cook as evening turned to night. Unknown to the others, an extra pair of eyes had watched
everything from outside and an extra heart had suffered with them. Suddenly, Dale saw a small flash of light at the base of the
tree that he'd been waiting for. Dale raced down as the stranger began to look for him.
       "Friend? Friend, are you here?" a voice inquired. 
       Dale grabbed the little man by the shoulders. "Make me stupid again, I beseech you!"
       The stranger pushed Dale away. "So you found that being intelligent was not the answer to all your problems, eh?"
       Dale nodded, his appearance now ghastly. "It is a torment to my soul and has brought ruination upon me and nothing but
suffering to those that I love! I beg you, turn me back."
       The stranger looked Dale over hard. "Are you sure? Do you really want to return to your past life, where you were the
object of ridicule?"
       "For the great and terrible misdeeds I have inflicted on my loved ones, I can never go back to them. Change me back so
that I may nevermore menace others with my intellect!" Dale pleaded.
       The stranger smiled. "Good--you have learned that wisdom is better than intelligence. I will change you back. But you
may learn that it is much easier for others to forgive you than for you to forgive yourself. Nevertheless, you are what you are.
It only remains for you to discover it."
       The stranger took a pinch of powder from his pouch and threw it into the air over Dale. Dale felt disoriented for a few
moments.

       "Could you say that again? I understood you a few moments ago. But now...I'm dumb again."
       The stranger tipped his hat to Dale. "Precisely. Well, good fortune to you my friend. I must be getting back to my
village."
       The stranger opened the portal again and another small being similar to him poked his head and shoulders through. A
heart was just visible on his upper arm.
       "Hefty! What is it?" the stranger asked.
       Hefty grimaced. "Who else, Papa Smurf?"
       The blue-skinned elder knew immediately. "Brainy again. Well, farewell friend! Have a smurfy day!"

       The two unique beings disappeared into the portal and Dale was alone again. He returned to Ranger Headquarters and
could see Monty and Gadget hugging Chip and Foxy. The group went to bed, and Dale waited for a few hours then sneaked
into headquarters. He looked around sadly, knowing how much he would miss them all.
       Dale crept to the room he shared with Chip. He quietly gathered together a few belongings and looked at the pictures
on the wall. He wanted to take them with him, but he couldn't bring himself to do it. He knew it would only help to forever
remind him of his betrayal. He gathered together some of his belongings and made his way to the kitchen and finding a piece
of paper he sat at the table and composed a note
        


       Dear Everybody,

        At first I wanted it to appear I died in the explosion, to spare the Rescue Rangers and my family the
shame of my deeds. But then I realized that you might feel sorry for me, which you did. I didn't want that. I don't
deserve that. I want you all to hate me forever for what I did, just as I'm going to hate myself forever for what I
did. I hurt the people I love most in the world and I'll never even be able to face myself in a mirror again. 
       I know that nothing I say or do can ever make up for what I did, but if it's any consolation, I'll never smile,
laugh or be happy ever again. I'm not smart anymore. I had the guy that made me smart reverse that. Now I'm
almost like before, but now I can't be like before. I'm wiser now. So for the good of everyone I'm going far
away where I can't hurt anyone ever again.

       Sincerely,

       Your worthless, backstabbing, untrustworthy, former friend, Dale

       P.S. I just took some of my clothes and things. I didn't steal anything.
        


       It was before dawn the next morning and it was Foxglove who was up first, strangely enough. She hadn't slept well and
hadn't eaten much in the last two days. Hunger drove her to the kitchen. But it was forgotten when she saw the paper
       "He's alive....." The paper began to shake in her wings and she tried to get a louder voice out but couldn't. Fortunately,
Monterey came in at this moment and caught her before she hit the floor
       "What is it, Foxy? You sick?" Monty asked. Then Monty saw the paper.
       "EVERYONE! COME QUICK!" he shouted.
        Chip had already gotten up, and was on his way into the living room when he’d heard Monty. "What Monty?" Chip
asked in a monotone voice.
       Gadget ran in, with her nightgown on. Zipper buzzed inquiringly.
       Monty's tears were overflowing, as he showed the letter to Chip. "HE'S ALIVE!"
       Chip collapsed to the floor.
       "Alive...." Foxy muttered, shaking all over.
       Gadget read the letter. "Oh, heavens!"
       "And the poor bloke blames 'imself for everything that 'appened!" Monty said.
       Gadget ran toward her workshop. "We've gotta find him!"
       "Find him..." Foxy mumbled, still in shock.
       Zipper brought a thimble of water and dashed it in Chip's face and then brought another for Foxglove.
       Monty pulled him up. "Don't just lay around, Chip! We gotta find Dale!" He gave him a swift kick in the backside
       Chip snapped out of it. "Dale....Dale! You're right! To the RangerWing, pronto!"

       Soon the heroes were scouting high and low for a depressed chipmunk. Gadget set the RangerWing in a zigzag
searching pattern. "We've got one chance, Chip! His note said he took some of his clothes."
       "So?" Chip asked.
       Gadget changed direction again. "So he's likely changed into his old clothes! And my super-sniffer has the scent of those
clothes!"
        Chip brightened up like a lit candle. "Gadget, I could kiss...uh, I mean, that's brilliant, Gadget!" Gadget flipped on the
sniffer, and immediately a blip came on the screen.
       "There he is! He's a mile or so out, north by northwest!" Gadget said, turning the plane in the right direction.

        Dale was getting frustrated. He had just gotten used to being brilliant and now he wasn't smart any more. **Where do
you go to get away from people?** As he was walking, he heard the unmistakable sound of the RangerWing above.
       Gadget noticed a flash of red. "There's something moving down there, Chip! It's got to be Dale!"
       Dale began running, and then Chip saw him too. "No, Dale! Please don't run!"
       The RangerWing hugged the treetops as Dale tried to elude them. Gadget’s skill was too much for him though, and Dale
put his hands up in surrender. He was shaking badly when the Rangers landed and jumped out of the plane.
       "Don't hurt me, I give up! NO, I deserve it, hurt me!" Dale said.

       The Rangers all surrounded him and Dale shut his eyes, waiting for the pounding he knew was coming. Instead they all
hugged him as one. Never in his whole life was Dale more shocked.
       "Dale, that plan of yours was the craziest, kookiest, most wonderful thing I've ever heard of!" Chip said.
       "You were magnificent!" Gadget said. "You stopped Fat Cat and Nimnul and destroyed Nimnul’s lab all in one fell
swoop!"
       Monty patted him on the back. "Right-o, pallie! You pulled off the greatest operation since the time I stopped the great
Siberian Husky Strike!"
       Foxy hugged him hard. "Dale, you're back! Oh, my cutie"
       The words were like knives in Dale’s conscience. He lowered his head in shame and began sobbing. "I'm so ashamed!"
       Chip grabbed him and hugged him. "So am I!"
       "We all drove you to this, and it shouldn't have happened!" Gadget said.
       Foxy got on her knees. "Please come home, cutie! Please!"
       Dale was completely astonished at all this. "Are...are you saying you don't hate me?"

       Monty drew back a step. "Hate you? Why would we?"
       Dale looked down. "Well, for all those mean things I said and for making you all stupid and being mean to you while you
were stupid."
       Gadget put an arm around him. "But Dale, you could have walked away and left us stupid, but you didn't! You risked
your life for us! You've got to forgive yourself, and let it go!"
       Suddenly the words of Papa Smurf returned to Dale. "But….but how can I put doing such terrible things behind me?"
       "Well, I think Gadget made a good suggestion. Forgive yourself first! We love you, and we're not going to hold it against
you, so why should you?" Chip asked.
       Foxy hugged Dale and kissed him. Dale was beginning to waver, but was still totally aghast at their reaction. Monty
could see it in his face, and came over to him. "This whole thing came 'bout 'cause we weren't honest with each other. From
now on, we've all gotta be more open and honest. Right?"

        Dale just looked at his friends in astonishment. It was too much to believe that they could forgive him of such offenses!
He looked into Foxglove's beautiful eyes, which just a short time ago had been filled with sorrow and were now filled with
joy. Dale still held Foxglove in a tight embrace.
       Dale dried his tears. "Yes, we must be honest. I've been an idiot over the years. That will stop. I'm no Einstein, but I am
smarter and wiser than I have acted."
       Chip felt the guilt pangs again. He couldn’t stay silent. "Don't you understand? We know what happened was partly our
own fault! We should have known you were hurting all this time but we didn't. I'm so sorry, Dale. I'll never bonk you like that
again, my friend. I promise!"
        Dale looked pained, and a similar measure of guilt came up in him as well. "Chip, I'm sorry I broke my promise to you.
I hope you can believe me when I say that when I realized I had broken that promise I did hope I would die."
       Chip took his hand and shook it. "I believe you, Dale! But why didn't you ever speak up before now?"
        Dale looked still more pained, but he saw encouragement in Foxglove’s eyes. "I was…I was afraid that if I said
anything you would all reject me."
       Gadget was shocked at the words. "Reject you?!"
       Dale hung his head. "I felt I had so little value to the Rangers that if I didn't let you all abuse me you would just kick me
out."
       Chip raised Dale’s head. "Dale, we'd never do that! You're more than just a team member--you're the heart of the
team! Without you...the Rangers wouldn't be the Rangers!"
       Monty patted Dale on the back. "Hear, hear!"
       "There's no fun if you're not around!" Gadget said.
       Dale's eyes filled with tears again, and Foxglove wiped them away. "Haven't I told you you're the light that fills up my
day? Well, I'm not the only one that's true for, cutie!"
       Chip smiled at the words. "I'd hate to think what my life would have been without you, Dale! I wouldn't be who I am
now!"
       "Yer the only one who can make me laugh when I'm down, mate!" Monty said.
       Dale smiled and laughed. It felt good to be able to do that again.
       Gadget felt her tears forming too. "And you're the only chipmunk that can play Double-O-Dale so well!"
       Monty held out his big hands. "Aw, c'mere pallies!"

       The Rangers assembled for a big group hug around Dale. Dale looked into Foxglove's eyes again. He kissed her.
Foxglove was overjoyed and amazed at the same time.
       "Dale! You...you kissed me!" Foxglove said, trying to convince herself of it.
       Dale looked at her lovingly. "Foxglove, you are the best thing that's ever happened to me..."
       Foxy was more excited than anything. " Yes, darling?" she asked.
       Dale found his thoughts were clearer than they had been in some time. "I've imagined what spending the rest of my life
without you would be like and..."
       Foxy's knees started to buckle.
       "Yes,...and..." she said nervously.
       "Foxglove, will you marry me?" Dale asked.
       Foxglove nearly fainted, but something in Dale's eyes gave her strength. A sound started forming in the back of her
mouth that turned into a squeal.
       "YES!" Foxglove shouted. Foxy showered him with kisses.
       Monty patted Dale on the back again. "Way to go, pallie!" Monty gave the happy couple a bear hug.
       Gadget was overcome in the moment. "Oh, golly! This has got to be the happiest moment I've had in years!" Gadget
joined in the hug.
       Chip looked at Dale in a sort of amazement. So much so that Dale couldn’t ignore the gaze. "What is it, Chip?" Dale
asked.
       "Dale, you've matured!" Chip said. Chip reached out his hand to Dale, and Dale smiled at Chip. "Yes I have, Chip. It's
been a painful journey, but the rewards were worth it all." Dale took Chip's hand and pulled him into a hug.
       "Welcome home, Dale!" Chip said wholeheartedly.
       "Y'know, I think we'd better get back to headquarters. We've got a weddin' t'plan!" Monty said cheerfully.

       Dale gave his arm to Foxglove. "So, to celebrate why don't we take all of tomorrow off, Chip?"
       Chip pulled his fedora down. "Great idea. Let's take off the whole week!"
       The rest of the Rangers nearly fainted. "A whole week?" Gadget asked in astonishment.
       "Crikey! The lad must still have a fever!" Monty said, checking Chip’s brow.
       Gadget came over to Chip. "Golly Chip, have you changed too?"
       Chip looked a little sheepish. "Guys, I realized when I thought Dale was gone that a lot of the problem was mine. I
haven't been setting a very good example. Well, I'm turning over a new leaf! From now on, we'll do things in moderation."
       Dale nearly fainted, but Monty caught him. "Yeah...if we can strap you down long enough to keep you from goin' to the
police station every day," Monty said.
       Chip blushed for the 4,868,932nd time.
       Dale was overcome at the turn of events. "It's unbelievable-less than an hour ago it seemed like my life was over, and
now I'm the happiest chipmunk in the world!"
       Chip got into the RangerWing. "Well, it couldn't happen to better friend, Dale! And I expect you to help keep me in
check, too."
        Dale helped Foxy in and then joined him. "And I expect you to keep me from going back to being a dummy."
       "Don't worry Dale--in my book, you're the best and wisest munk I ever knew!" Chip said.
       Dale got a humorous look on his face. "And speaking of books, Chip. Would you mind if I started reading some of your
detective books? I need the practice."
       Chip nearly fainted. "Uh, sure, if you like! But what do you mean ‘you need the practice?’"
       Dale fastened his seat belt. "Perhaps it's time I started learning to be a detective as well as humor administrator and
reading detective books is how you started out."
       Chip thumped Dale kindly on the shoulder. "Dale, I know you'll be a good one."
       Dale smiled at the gesture. "I'll never be Sureluck Jones, but just maybe I can be a good Dr. Blotson."
       "Dale, you can go as far as you can dream--and with you, that's a long, long, way..." Chip said.
       Dale’s look suddenly turned crafty. "True-I'll start with detective and work up to ruler of the galaxy!"
       Foxy giggled. "Now cutie, what would you do as ruler of the galaxy?"
       Dale thought it over a moment. "Oh, I dunno, plot to be ruler of the universe?"
       Gadget giggled at this one, as she started the RangerWing. "Okay, ruler of the universe. It's time to go home."
        "Uh, do you all know you're still in your jammies?" Dale asked suddenly.
       The Rangers all did a double take, and Monty shrugged his shoulders. "Well, nothin' like a pajama party to liven things
up, what? Let's get back to HQ and bring out the cheese and popcorn!"
        "And I gotta call Mom and Dad! It's been ages since I saw them last," Dale thought out loud. He was so glad that he
could call them. He’d nearly lost everyone he cared about, but he wasn’t complaining at how things turned out. Papa Smurf
was right-wisdom was better than intelligence. And at that moment Dale felt wiser than he ever head.
       Everyone had a good laugh at their embarrassing clothes situation, and Dale joined in the frivolity. He found to his delight
that he finally felt a part of the laughter and not the object of it. As the Rangers left for home--pajamas and all-Dale hugged
Foxglove tightly and made himself a silent promise. He knew now that he would be more than able to keep it. The rising
RangerWing caught the first rays of the sun as it rose above the horizon, and its brightness was matched only by the
brightness in Dale’s heart and the smile on his face. A new day had begun for the Rangers-and particularly for one Dale
Oakmont.




The Rescue Rangers are copyright Disney and used without permission, but with the utmost respect.