Chapter Ninety-Nine: The PRO

 “I loathe, detest,
despise, and ultimately HATE Mayor Demon Jones with the utmost
passion.” Belle seethed as she and Charlie pulled up to the Masters
home in the old Elantra.

“Trust me, he's not
anyones favourite person. Even his own daughter thinks he's a piece
of work.” Charlie commiserated with his best friend as he got out
of the car. “That being said, you shouldn't let it make you an
overly aggressive driver.”

(Driving tip: Driving
when angry makes you a dangerous and scary driver)

“I would really,
REALLY like to know how he got voted in as Mayor, because it doesn't
make the slightest lick of sense at all.” Belle mused as she
checked the mail after nearly taking out the garage door in her erratic parking attempt. “Even if previous Mayors were under the control
of the various crime syndicates in town, they still had the illusion
of being impartial.”

“I doubt we'll ever
have an answer to that.” Charlie said.

“Junk…bills…Dad's
magazine…the Pleasantville Revolution Organization?” Belle went
through the mail.

“Pleasantville what
now?” Charlie asked.

“The Pleasantville
Revolution Organization aims to change the culture of our city.”
Belle began to get excited as she read. “We want to improve the
lives of all citizens, without the constant fear that has plagued the
city since inception.”

“Oh…my…GLOB!”
Charlie began to get excited too. “The people are finally starting
to stand up! We're winning!”

“Oh this is a HUGE
blow to Demon!” Belle rushed inside. “DADDY! DADDY LOOK!”

“Belle! I'm not young
anymore!” Peter Masters groaned as Belle flung herself at him. “Now
what's going on?”

“The Pleasantville
Revolution Organization!” Belle grinned.

“We're finally
beating Demon!” Charlie added.

Peter took a look at
the leaflet, reading parts of it aloud. “Well done Beauty, it looks
like the people of Pleasantville are finally coming to their senses.
Hopefully this can keep gathering momentum heading into election
year.”

“That sounds
awesome.” Lara walked over from the kitchen. Belle composed herself
somewhat, her aura getting frosty.

“I guess this means
there's a chance for me this time.” Peter mused. “Maybe this time
I can beat Jones and whichever corrupt third party they throw up and
become Mayor myself.”

“This is a great
platform for you to work off love.” Lara hugged him.

Belle narrowed her
eyes. Charlie sighed. Things still weren't patched up between Lara
and Belle.

“I'm going upstairs.
Later.” Belle left the couple and trudged up to her room. Charlie
followed, worried.

“Belle, surely you
and Lara are good now.” Charlie asked as they sat down on Belles
bed. “You've forgiven your father, why not your mother?”

Belle bristled.

“She IS your mother
Belle. You might not be blood, but she would die for you just like
she would for Maddles and Ozzie.” Charlie continued.

Belle looked away.

“They both knew what
they were getting into Belle, you know that.” Charlie pressed.

“Just drop it.
Please.” Belle sighed.

Charlie knew it would
be useless to pursue it any further.

Belle lay down on the
bed and closed her eyes. “I'm tired.” She said.

“I know.” Charlie
rubbed her foot. “But unfortunately my watch is going off and I
think Lady Courage is in trouble.”

“Because of course
she is.” Belle grumbled.

—

The PRO was in full
voice against Crusader Roger and Crusader Daryl when Chuckles and
Giggles arrived at the scene. In fact, it looked like Chuckles and
Giggles wouldn't be needed at all.

“Sooooo…why are we
here again? Besides moral support?” Chuckles grinned, watching the
crowd chant loudly at the criminal organization that had tried to rob
the fledgling museum.

“Sir Dark mentioned
that Dingbat has completely withdrawn the police force. Something
about not protecting idiots that get themselves in danger.” Lady
Courage told them. “So I thought it would be a good idea in case we
need to protect these guys from harm.”

“You're all sheep!
Get out of our way!” Crusader Daryl roared furiously at the crowd,
who booed him loudly.

“Wow. A whole heap of
people putting themselves in danger for nothing and causing more of a
disturbance than the robbery would. Can't believe this is what
Pleasantville has come to nowadays.” Someone walked past, earning
themselves hisses and jeers.

“WE are here, and we
will protect those who stand up for their rights!” Giggles
announced.

“We're Chuckles and
Giggles, and we stand with the Knights of the Last Order to make sure
Pleasantville is a safe place for everyone!” Chuckles added.

The PRO cheered loudly.

Crusader Roger groaned.
“Daryl, we're leaving. This has been a bust.”

“We're giving up
against a bunch of goons who would probably run at the first
threat?!” Daryl cried angrily. He pulled out a shotgun, ready to
attack.

The crowd quickly
overwhelmed him before he could get out the first shot. The gun was
knocked out of his hands as the PRO began raining blows on him. He
tried to crawl away, but there were too many people.

“HELP ME!” He
cried.

Giggles looked at
Chuckles, who shrugged. Giggles groaned, and flew over to save Daryl.

“Take this as a
warning. Leave Pleasantville and don't come back.” She told him as
she flew him over to where Roger was waiting to drive off.

“Filthy scum. Don't
you DARE tell me what to do. You're just my fathers lapdog. Pah to
you!” Daryl lashed out as Roger took him away.

“I think that counts
as a victory today.” Lady Luck beamed.

“If you insist.”
Sir Dark still sounded doubtful.

“Come on, we finally
have the backing of the people, why do you still look so down in the
dumps? Is this because of work?” Petunia asked TJ later as they got
changed back at the tip.

“You don't know
Wallace Dingbat.” TJ warned. “I'm pretty sure he's firmly in the
pocket of Demon, and if Demon decides on payback, he's going to use
Dingbat to do it.”

—

Later on that night,
Sammy got a knock on the door. He eased himself out of his very
comfortable armchair and opened the door to immediate hostility.

“You're under arrest
for inciting violence and starting a brawl.” Wallace Dingbat
handcuffed him as two other officers forced him to the ground. “You
have the right to remain silent…”

Sammy grimaced as he
was led to the paddy wagon and rudely shoved in. So this was how
Demon was going to respond to the formation of the PRO.

The young Knight of the
Last Order had the sinking feeling he was about to become a
scapegoat.