Author: Crofton77

 “Well, that finishes that.” Giggles said, putting the broom in the cupboard. “City Hall is ready to reopen on Monday!”

“I’ll admit, you two did do a lot to help. Thank you.” Demon spat at her and Chuckles, before stalking off back to his office.

“Wow. That had to be the most insulting thanks I’ve ever gotten.” Chuckles blinked. 

The pair looked around. City Hall now looked vastly different, having undergone a complete refurbishment since it had been shot up on the day of the March Hill Massacre. 

“No more chandeliers for the druggies to worship.” Chuckles noted, looking at the now very plain ceiling.

“A shame, they gave the place such character.” Giggles sighed.

“And the warring criminal empires don’t?” Chuckles asked drily.

The pair walked out of the building into the glowing sunset. Several Haunted Maze Troupers eyed them warily, not ready to attack the people who had helped get City Hall back together, but not at all trusting Chuckles and Giggles.

“They give me the creeps with those baby masks.” Giggles shuddered. “I was reading up on them, they’re supposed to represent “the innocence of destruction”, whatever that means.”

“They’re insane. I don’t know how they got so big or got people so loyal to their cause, but it’s scary.” Chuckles put his arm around her.

“They seem to be leaving us alone though.” Giggles rested her head on his shoulder as they headed to the tip.

“They HAVE to be an item! Look at them cuddling up!” A Trouper in a blue mask said to his red-masked companion.

“I swear they ain’t, the way they talk to each other.” The red mask replied.

Chuckles and Giggles walked to Lake Pleasant, before Giggles picked up Charlie and they flew off.

“So the Grand Reopening is on Monday.” Giggles said. “All the Counsellors will be there, so you KNOW Dan is going to try something.”

“With the entire police force there?” Chuckles asked. “Most of whom have given in to the Haunted Maze Troupe?”

“Dan has people with him, a lot of the old Mob are on his side now.” Giggles pointed out as the pair drifted towards the tip. 

“Well, we’ll just need to have the Noble Knights of the Last Order with us.” Chuckles pointed out.

“If they’re even willing.” Giggles replied.

–

“So, I’m going to be very late home on Monday, and you can blame the Mayor’s big fat ugly ego.” TJ grumbled as the rest of the Knights of the Last Order played a card game.

“You know Dan will be there if the Counsellors are going to be there.” Tammy said. “Two cards.”

“That just makes my Monday even better.” TJ continued to grumble. “Wonder if Belle and Charlie will be there as Chuckles and Giggles or if they’ll have to appear as the fine, moral, upstanding corporate citizens that they are.”

“You don’t trust Belle and Charlie anymore?” Rose asked. “Three cards.”

“When the first thing they go and do after Dan goes rogue is go to clean up our foe’s den?” Sammy said, not really paying attention to the game.

“It’s definitely not a good look, but you know why they did it.” Tammy said reasonably.

“They’re in too deep.” TJ sighed. “And I don’t think they realise it yet.”

Petunia watched her man draw another card. He looked pale and strung out. She hated everything at that moment. Why did they have to get involved with all this nonsense to begin with? It had all started because of that horrid day when the Death Valley Gang had shot up the private school – they hadn't even been private school students! Now her friends were a mess, her life was painful and stressful, and there was no end in sight.

More than once the thought of ending it all had crossed Petunia’s mind. The only reason she hadn’t was because of her beloved TJ. Someone had to look after him, especially with the strain he was under at work because of their foolish enterprise.

“Hey guys, what, no cricket?”

Everyone sitting around the cards froze as the voice of Charlie Begly hit them like a truck. Sure enough, right behind him was Belle Masters. Chuckles and Giggles had arrived!

“Hey. What are you two doing here?” Tammy asked as the pair sat down on an old couch.

“I figured we’d tell you about Monday.” Belle began.

“The City Hall reopening. We’re already planning for that.” Sammy interrupted, earning a frown from his sister.

“You guys know about that?” Belle blinked.

“I work for the cops, remember? We’re all going to be on parade for it.” TJ grumbled.

“That’s right. So, Sunny, are you able to fill in as Giggles again?” Belle asked.

“Sure.” Sunny said uneasily.

“We’ll ask Hugo to cover for me, so that Chuckles and Giggles will be there with us. They’re getting an award you know. Services to the Council for our cleanup work.” Charlie chuckled, as Belle giggled.

“Getting awards from the enemy? That’s a new one.” Petunia said bluntly.

“What? We think it’s a great joke.” Belle replied.

“Considering everything that’s happened, I thought you two would be spending as little time at work as possible.” Sammy suggested.

“Guys, drop it.” Tammy said.

“What’s THAT supposed to mean?” Charlie narrowed his eyes at the group.

“It means you’re in too deep. Soon you’ll be seeing things from their side.” TJ slammed down a card a little too hard.

“Guys, I said drop it!” Tammy tried again.

“We kinda have to, so we know how to beat them! Knowing how your enemy works is part of the game!” Belle cried, exasperated.

“The game?” Sammy stood up. “This is a GAME to you?”

“You know full well it was just a figure of speech.” Charlie stood up as well.

“GUYS!” Tammy cried.

“You guys heard Tammy, cut it out!” Rose tried.

“I think it was a fine choice of words and says everything we need to know about you.” TJ also stood up, Petunia right behind him. “You were raised privileged. You never had to worry about rent or food or getting an education. That was all handed to you. You have no reason to worry about the fate of Pleasantville except your own pleasure.”

“That’s not true!” Belle shot up. “We do this because we could have been killed eleven years ago! So many of our friends and family could have been killed! We wanted to be able to walk the streets safely!”

“You were always safe on your side of town!” Petunia snapped. “Safer than us, anyway!”

Belle and Charlie couldn’t believe what was happening. After all these years, why were the Noble Knights of the Last Order turning on them?

“GUYS!” Tammy stood between the two factions. “ENOUGH!”

The Knights had the decency to look abashed.

“We’re all tired and frustrated and hurting. We’ve been fighting this war for far too long and we’ve had so many losses it’s insane that we’re all still even here. Anyone else would have given up by now.” Tammy tried to tame them all. “It’s easy to be jumping at shadows and seeing enemies everywhere when we’ve had one of our closest friends turn on us.”

“Doesn’t help that they’ve been in the lion's den far too long.” TJ pouted.

“Says YOU! You’re a cop!” Belle fired suddenly. “How do we know you haven’t been corrupted by their drugs yet?”

“I still want to know how their drugs are so powerful and so precise.” Rose wondered out aloud.

“I was arrested by them!” TJ cried.

“You wouldn’t know what that’s like! You’ve been the big heroes of the story without any consequences at all!” Petunia added.

“I think the loss of Charlie’s grandfather and my aunt and grandfather are some pretty big consequences.” Belle shot back.

Silence settled uncomfortably over the group.

“Look…maybe it's better if we go our separate ways for a bit. We'll take care of the ground stuff, you two can do…well, the stuff you do with my Dad.” Sunny said slowly.

Everyone turned to look at her.

“I'm kinda stuck in the middle here. My family is one of the big causes of this whole mess. Belle is my family. You guys are my best friends.” Sunny admitted. “I have literally adopted Dan's only child. I'm getting pulled from all angles here.”

“At least you're open about it.” TJ said.

Silence hit again, this time simmering. 

“I think we'd better go.” Belle said finally. 

“Catch yas later.” Charlie added.

The pair walked away, defeated. 

 Sammy stood on Pleasant Dam, looking out over the city one cloudy, dreary morning. The city he was determined to protect, the city he was determined to save.

The city that had thrown him in gaol for his skin colour.

He knew that the whole reason they were still fighting was because they didn’t want anyone else thrown in gaol because of their skin colour, but Sammy still had nightmares. He still felt like people were watching him, waiting for him to mess up. He’d felt like that before the arrest, true, but it had been a lot easier to ignore it back then.

He kinda understood why Dan did what he did.

The temptation to just give up and go out west was strong. The only thing keeping him in Pleasantville was his twin. Lord knows his other brothers and sisters didn’t care.

“Hey Sammy.”

He turned around to see Lizzy walking up to him. “Tammy said you’d be here.” She told him.

Sammy gave a small smirk. He didn’t have to say anything, Lizzy knew – there was magic in being a twin.

“You feeling it, huh?” Lizzy continued. “You’ve been quiet for a while now.”

“Tammy doesn’t need me to be her voice anymore.” He chuckled, but the faintest trace of pain remained. 

“You’re more than her voice and you know it. You’re the one that kids look up to, the one who gives them so much more than most of your coworkers do.” Lizzy put her hand in his. “You’re also the best batsman I’ve ever seen.”

“Okay now I KNOW something's up.” Sammy started laughing. “Not even my sister compliments my cricket.”

“We won’t talk about what happened the last time you two discussed that.” Lizzy grinned. “You’ve still got the bruises I see.”

(How do you think they stopped Tammy from trying to kill Belle?)

“Do you want to talk about it?” Lizzy asked after they’d finished laughing.

Sammy sighed. “Would you be upset if I told you I can completely understand where Dan is coming from?”

“Nope. Remember how you talked me around?” Lizzy reminded him. Sammy smiled at her, before sighing yet again and looking out over the city.

“You don’t know what it’s like. I was made a scapegoat because of how I look. Something I can’t even change. It gets me thinking about what else I had to endure because of something I can’t change. What if Mum and Dad had been able to buy the garage when I was a baby instead of being turned away because they’re black? I wouldn’t have been in that crappy public school. Tammy and I wouldn’t have been in that car when Uncle Wallace…heck, Mum could have paid for Uncle Wallace’s rehab instead of him having to leave early.” Sammy began to feel angry. “I’ve had to fight all my life, even before your brother and Belle started their crusade, and they only did it because they felt like it. It makes me angry. They could walk away whenever they like and it wouldn’t make a difference to them. You can walk away. I can’t. I can never walk away from fighting unless I leave this city and go West. If I give up there’s consequences and that’s not fair!”

Lizzy watched as Sammy balled up his fists, his face contorted in anger. “Tammy’s done more than anyone, even though she’s suffered, and for what? Charlie is the president of the Chamber of Commerce, not her. She’s put in a million times the work that Chuckles and Giggles have! But they’ll get the glory, not us!”

“It’s not about glory really, is it?” Lizzy asked quietly. “You just want a break.”

“I don’t want to go West. I want to stay here with you, and Tammy and Rose, and Teej and ‘Tuney, and Sunny…but if I stay here I’m always on guard.” Sammy told her.

Lizzy hugged him. “I wish I could fix it.” She said.

“You’re fighting with me, and that’s enough.” Sammy replied. “I guess I should be mad at you too if I’m gonna be mad at Belle and Charlie, but I can’t.”

“I know.” Lizzy replied, not sure what to say.

Sammy put his arm around her. “I know in the end it will be okay, but right now…it’s so dark and the darkness is choking me.”

He kissed her forehead. “I’m just glad I have you and the others.”

“Love you too Sammy.” Lizzy kissed him back. “And you can always talk to me. I might not completely understand but I’ll listen.”

The pair stood on the dam holding each other as the clouds started to thin out. 

“Wait…isn’t that your brother and his girlfriend now?” Sammy noticed that Chuckles and Giggles were in the air heading towards the city.

“It looks like it. They’ve been heading out to City Hall to help clean up and keep an eye on the Joneses.” Lizzy told him.

“Don’t we have Sunny for that?” Sammy asked.

“We do, but unfortunately her parents aren’t really talking to each other, so she can’t glean much from her mother.” Lizzy signed.  “And there they go into the lake again.”

“I guess we all have our crosses.” Sammy grinned. The pair laughed.

–

“Why are you two here AGAIN?” Demon glared out of his office at the two vigilantes who were helping to replaster the walls.

“They be doing a fine job sir, they be being very helpful indeed sir.” The foreman beamed at Chuckles and Giggles, who blushed.

“Just as long as they keep being helpful.” Demon narrowed his eyes at them.

“I don’t think he likes you two.” The foreman noted as Demon slammed his door shut, disappearing into his office.

“Well, we ARE trying to get him out of his job and arrested for various crimes.” Giggles pointed out as she smoothed a layer of plaster over some bullet holes.

“Fair enough.” The foreman chuckled. “Make sure you fill them holes proper!”

“Yes sir!” The two saluted the foreman, who chuckled again before heading off to deal with the floor-layers.

“Well, no sign of Daryl or of any of the Counsellors.” Chuckles pointed out as he stuffed another hole full of plaster. “Which means we can’t protect them.”

“I know, but we can’t be following them all around. I’m sick of Dan beating us up as it is.” Giggles replied. 

“I guess we can only do so much.” Chuckles sighed. “You spoken to any of the Knights recently?”

“Not really, no,  you?” Giggles asked.

“Apart from my sisters, no.” Chuckles smoothed over his work. “I kinda feel disconnected from them.”

“I’m sure we’ll all get together soon and figure things out.” Giggles dismissed him. “We’re all just shellshocked.”

“We don’t have time to be.” Chuckles pointed out.

They continued working in silence.

–

Petunia wiped her brow as she poured the last of the freshly made jam into the glass bottle. Her kitchen was full of preserves that she’d been making for the past hours, her garden having had a good yield that month. She sighed. It helped her take her mind off the fact that the only big brother she had ever known was now out for blood.

She looked at her watch. TJ would be home soon. Petunia put a cap on the bottle and put it with the others to be sealed. 

“Lady Luck ain’t feeling so lucky right now.” She sighed. The bottles in front of her popped, signalling they were ready to be put away. She dated them as she put them in the back of the pantry.

She heard the front door open and slam. “Hey Theodore, I’m in here!” She called out.

“DON’T call me Theodore!” TJ yelled back, before stepping into the kitchen and grabbing Petunia in a big hug. “Wow, you’ve been busy.” He looked at all of the preserves now in the pantry.

“Yeah, well, I had to do something.” Petunia shrugged. “Keeps my mind off things.”

“I know how you feel.” TJ kissed her forehead.

“How was work?”

“Painful. There’s three of us holding out against Troupe membership.”

“Timston finally folded huh?”

“They threatened his Mum. You know she’s all he has left.” 

“That’s low.”

“Tell me about it.” TJ sighed, giving Petunia another squeeze. “I got a call from Webster though. Got him some records that he needed for another one of his reports.”

“Is he any closer to finishing the case against Jones?” Petunia asked.

“You’d have to ask Belle that, but I don’t think she nor Charlie are talking to us at the moment.” TJ let go of Petunia and went to the fridge to get a drink. “They’re too busy helping clean up City Hall.”

“I don’t know why they’re bothering.” Petunia said.

“It keeps them in the loop I guess. Also means they can protect the Counsellors from Dan.” TJ pulled some cordial out of the fridge and poured himself a glass. “Did you make this?”

“Grew the lemons and limes myself.” Petunia grinned. “Saves us some money in the short term.”

“Yeah, well, that’s not going to get any easier anytime soon.” TJ told her. “The Troupe are squeezing the force hard, I could lose my job.”

“They’re not making you take any of their drugs are they?” Petunia asked.

“I’m scared they might be sneaking some into people’s lunches and drinks. I don’t eat or drink anything at work anymore. I’m too scared of what I might ingest.” TJ told her. “I think they use their drugs to try and brainwash people into joining them.”

“Wouldn’t surprise me, especially seeing the way Johannes was.” Petunia replied. “We really need to hook up with Belle again, she would probably have all the history and be able to tell you how to protect yourself.”

“Honestly, with how much time they’re spending at City Hall, I don’t think I trust them too much anymore.” TJ sat at the kitchen counter. “I swear they’re in too deep.”

“Aren’t we all though?” Petunia sighed. “Although…maybe Webster might know something? Would you rather talk to him than to Belle?”

“He’s far enough away that he can’t be influenced by the big bads I guess.” TJ sighed and sipped his cordial. “I just wish…”

“I know.” Petunia walked over to him and kissed him. “Trust me, I know.”

–

Counsellor Troy didn’t know that he was being followed as he walked up the path to his lavish estate. He didn't even know his head had been removed by the Dragon Scale Scythe until it was too late.

“Well, there's another one down.” Dan wiped the blood from his weapon. “Only a few more to go.”

He put the Scythe in its holster on his back and pulled out his phone. “Please tell me why you couldn’t have done that yourself. I am sick of the excuses from you. You’d better be there when I get back to base or I’ll know why.” 

He hung up the call then headed off home. 

 Thankfully after Oscar was forced into the car he contented himself with giving everyone the silent treatment, which made for a very quiet trip into the shops.

“Does your Mum want low-salt or regular stock?” Peter asked as the trio wandered around the shop, Belle pushing the cart and Oscar walking silently yet determinedly next to her.

“She usually goes for the regular stuff, otherwise she says she just has to add the salt back in anyway.” Belle replied. “Isn’t that right Ozzie?”

Her comment was met with stony silence.

“See?” She turned back to her father. “Agrees with me.”

“That never works Belle. I used to do that to you all the time to get you to talk to me when you were that age and you would never give in.” Peter put two containers of stock in the trolley.

“Yeah, but you also made bad jokes which just made me madder.” Belle pointed out. “And making someone who is mad laugh just makes it worse in the long run.”

“If you say so.” Peter chuckled. He reached up to get a packet of gravy, only due to his lack of height, he couldn’t.

“Dad, we’re both impossibly short, give up.” Belle groaned as Peter started jumping.

“Oh come on, I can get YIKES!” Peter and everyone else dropped to the floor as a bullet landed just above his head! The gravy powder flowing onto him would have been funny in any other situation, but now it was just a reminder of how close that had been. “Don’t tell me someone is trying to kill me AGAIN!”

Belle pushed in the face of her Giggles watch, hoping that at least one of the Knights was paying attention. She then crawled over to Oscar, who was curled up in a ball, crying with fear.

“It’s okay kiddo, everyone is fine!” She tried to cheer him up.

“What if you or Daddy gets k-k-killed?!” Oscar sobbed.

“No one is getting killed.” Peter said firmly.

“On the contrary Mister Masters, it’s time that you and the rest of the Council died.”

Belle hissed. Two men in white button-up dinner shirts and black pants had guns pointed at them. On the shirts was the long-forgotten symbol of the Silent Lake Gang.

“Don’t even think about it!” Belle cried. Oscar began to cry harder.

“Shut the brat up. Now die Masters.” One of the men aimed his gun at Peter and fired. Thankfully, Peter moved out of the way, but his leg was hit in the process. Terrified, Belle grabbed some tins of stock and threw them at the Lakers, hitting one near his eye and the other ones gun.

“That hurt you little – STOP THROWING THINGS AT US!” One of the goons cried as Belle kept throwing tinned goods to protect her father.

“She broke my gun Stu!” The other goon looked tearful.

“Marty, it’s a gun, cope.” Stu rolled his eyes. “I got smacked in the face and you don’t hear me crying.”

“I’ve had this gun since I was in the Mob!” Marty sobbed.

“I’ll give you something to cry about – look out!” Stu pulled Marty down as a shower of throwing stars headed straight for them!”

“Got here just in time! How’s your Dad?” Lady Starlight jumped down from atop the aisle. “Waste of good kidney beans you know.” She looked at some of the tins Belle had used for ammo.

“You take what you can get. I’m gonna get Dad and Ozzie out of here.” Belle said. “Where’s Sunlight and Moonlight?”

“They’ve got the door in case any more of them show up. Looks like Laker Dan has been recruiting.” Lady Starlight said as they both helped Peter to his feet. “You okay Peter?”

“Just feeling a bit weak. I’m kinda sick of being shot at.” Peter groaned as some of his weight hit his injured leg, making him wince.

“Hey, you can’t just LEAVE!” Stu got up and reached for his gun. A throwing star put paid to that idea. 

“We can and we will.” Belle snapped. They helped Peter towards the door, Oscar clinging onto his sister tightly, when naturally Laker Dan had to be dramatic and break through the intricate skylight above them.

“I can see why Marion fired you two before she went mad.” He looked angrily at Stu and Marty, who both groaned. He then turned to Peter, Belle and Lady Starlight. “I told you Belle, I was going to kill all of the Counsellors, and your father is no exception. He’s as much a part of the problem as the rest of them are.”

“You’re even more of a problem!” Belle fired back.

“Whatever. Now stand aside and I’ll let you and the boy live.” Laker Dan pulled out the Mystic Eight Gun.

“I have a NAME!” Oscar snapped, eyes still red and wet.

“Get out of here Belle, and take Ozzie with you.” Peter commanded.

“NO!” Belle and Oscar cried.

“Yes.” Peter said firmly. “I’m your father, I make the rules.”

“He’s also clearly smarter than you’ll ever be.” Laker Dan smirked.

“You’ve fallen. To think I looked up to you.” Belle glared.

“I touched a nerve I see. Now move or all three of you will die here.” Laker Dan pointed the gun at Ozzie.

“NO!” Ozzie screamed as Belle dragged him away.

“I’m not letting my only brother get killed.” Belle growled. “And I won’t let Dad die either!”

They rushed to the car, Lady Sunlight and Lady Starlight close behind while Sir Moonlight stayed by the door.

“What can you do?” Ozzie whimpered as they made it to the car.

“I can’t do anything, but Giggles can. You really think I’d leave home without my gear?” Belle grinned.

“There’s a bin in the alley back there you can use for cover, and Sunlight will keep watch. I’ll go back in there and see if I can buy some time.” Lady Starlight rushed back in, throwing stars ready to be thrown directly at Laker Dan.

“You don’t have to do this Dan. You know that.” Peter tried pleading for his life. 

“It would look mighty suspicious if I killed all of the Counsellors except you.” Laker Dan replied. “Besides, you’re part of the problem. You could have done something by now.”

“I tried Dan!” Peter cried. “Lord knows I tried, you know I did!”

“That’s why I’ve allowed you to keep yapping.” Dan frowned. “But now you OUCH!”

Sir Moonlight had fired an arrow that had grazed Laker Dans cheek. Hissing with anger, he turned to fire back at the Outer Knight of the Last Order.

“You’ll pay for that you rich, snobby ARGH!” Dan cried again.

Lady Starlight had sneaked back in, and hit Dan in the arm with a throwing star. In his fury, he pulled the star out of his elbow and aimed the Mystic Eight Gun at the Knight.

“YOU SHOOT MY BABY SISTER AND WATCH WHAT HAPPENS TO YOU!”

“Chuckles! Lady Sunlight!” Peter cried in relief as Chuckles bolted towards Dan, the Lions Claw Blade drawn and the Arm Scythes armed.

“You really haven’t learned not to bring a sword to a gunfight have you Chuckles? You dolt.” Dan smirked, now aiming the Mystic Eight Gun at Chuckles.

“I brought a gun!”

Dan couldn’t get out of the way in time – Giggles fired the Lucky Seven Gun at him from the skylight he had broken, hitting him in the shoulder.

“Lucky!” Giggles cuddled her gun.

“You witch!” Dan screamed in fury.

“See what happens when you take us on? We’re family, and you’re disowned!” Lady Starlight exclaimed.

“Yeah!” Her siblings agreed.

And just to add insult to injury, little Ozze had run back in after his beloved older sister. He threw a packet of flour at Dan, that smacked the Silent Lake Gang leader in the head and exploded, covering him with flour.

“A satisfying conclusion to the day.” Giggles nodded.

–

“And then of course after that the police showed up and we all scattered.” Hugo explained as the group sat around the hospital room. Peter’s leg was mostly fine. No bones broken, but the muscle would take a while to heal.

“The police are going to be even worse now that most of them are Troupers.” Belle groaned, leaning back in her chair. “Even the Mob and the DVG never infiltrated the police like this.”

“Yes, well, unfortunately Jones got his claws into Dingbat, and it was all downhill from there. DAMN Daniel, if he hadn’t murdered Dingbat all of them would be in gaol right now.” Peter groaned. “Can someone please get me some water?”

“No use crying over spilled milk. Again.” Lara got her husband a drink. “We just have to do what we can do and hope that Webster can do his job.”

“It’s a lot to put on Webster though…” Belle sighed.

“He has help. Trust me, your fathers little stunt with the Ruby Suit might have caused some angst, but we do have people on the inside on our side. Trust us.” Lara patted her head.

 “And you are now officially a Jones!” Belle handed Sunny the certificate while grinning at little Marcus, who gurgled and looked up at her with dark green eyes. “I don’t know whether or not to congratulate you!”

“Yes, well, kiddo is gonna get a crash course on managing unsavory family members.” Sunny put the pages in the safe that sat in the crockery cupboard of her kitchen. 

Melody watched the scene as she sat at the kitchen counter colouring in. “Is he my brother now?” She asked, watching as Belle held the little boy and booped his nose.

“Yes he is!” Sunny grinned. “Do you remember what I told you about my big brother?”

“I don’t like Uncle Daryl.” Melody turned up her nose.

“Exactly. So you have to be nice to your little brother so you don’t become an Uncle Daryl.” Sunny walked over to the little girl and ruffled her hair.

“Okay!” Melody agreed quickly, before returning to her drawing. “I’m making this for my brother!” She told Belle who was looking at the picture. 

“It’s very good! I bet he’ll love it!” Belle smiled. “You know, I have a baby brother too.”

“Yeah! Ozzie is your brother!” Melody said beaming. “And Maddles is your sister!”

“That’s right!” Belle handed Marcus back to his new mother. “You know, I didn’t get my brother and sister until I was really old.”

“Positively ancient.” Sunny sassed.

“I have to look after my brother.” Melody said firmly. “And I have to make sure he follows all the rules!”

Both Sunny and Belle looked at each other, worried.

–

“Hi Belle-Belle! I won the spell-a-thon at school today!” Oscar bolted into the house the next afternoon, dumping his bag by the door.

“Mate, you need to put your bag away before someone trips on it.” Belle laughed. 

“You’re not Mum, you don’t tell me what to do!” Oscar jumped on the couch in a huff.

“You still need to put your bag away and get your lunch box out sir!” Lara poked her head out of the kitchen. 

“Awww!” Oscar grumbled, before picking his bag up, getting the lunchbox out and throwing the lunchbox into the kitchen.

“Come on, you’re better than that!” Belle scolded her younger brother.

“YOU’RE-NOT-MUM!” Oscar yelled at her.

“YOU-KNOW-THE why am I fighting with an eight year old?” Belle groaned as Oscar stormed off with his bag.

Lara laughed. “You two will work it out. You’re siblings after all.” She returned to the kitchen to continue cutting carrots.

“SHE’S NOT MY REAL SISTER” Oscar yelled.

“Oh dear…” Lara frowned as Belle blanched. “Look, you sort out these carrots and I’ll sort him out.”

“No problem Mum.” Belle took Lara’s place in the kitchen.

“SHE’S NOT YOUR MUM SHE’S MINE!” Oscar yelled again.

“Ooooh boy…” Belle winced.

–

“To be fair, Ozzie DOES spend every second weekend with his father, and who knows what he puts into the kids head.” Charlie tried to cheer Belle up the next day as they had lunch at Bills restaurant.

“I know, but it still stings when he says I’m not his sister.” Belle sighed, poking her seafood pasta. 

“He’s young and lashing out. Neither of us had very good emotional maturity at his age.” Charlie pointed out as Lizzy brought out his burrito. “Besides, the whole point of siblings is you take out all your emotions on them, but then no one else is allowed to, isn’t that right Liz?”

“Exactly. You know we’ve had every fight under the sun, but we’re still siblings.” Lizzy set down their drinks. “Can I get you guys anything else?”

“No thanks Liz, we’re all good.” Belle smiled at Charlie’s little sister. Lizzy grinned back, before heading to the kitchen to get the next order.

“Siblings fight all the time, it doesn’t mean they don’t love each other.” Charlie continued. “It gets easier as you get older.”

“If you say so.” Belle started to eat.  Suddenly, Izzy burst in angrily, looking like she’d been crying.

“Iz?” Charlie got up.

“Don’t speak to me, either of you!” Izzy roared at her brother. She then rounded on her sister, who was waiting by the kitchen counter. “Why didn’t you tell me Hugo had called last night?!”

“Oh bother, I forgot.” Lizzy sighed. “Couldn’t he have messaged you though?”

“YOU KNOW HE WORKS IN A SECURE AREA WHERE HE CAN’T HAVE HIS MOBILE PHONE!” Izzy yelled. “I needed to call him back urgently to let him know about the Fortane Dinner tonight, and now it’s too late and I can’t go!”

“Shouldn’t you have had that organised before this?” Charlie raised his eyebrow.

“Shut it you!” Izzy snapped before turning back to Lizzy. “Hugo is furious at me and it’s all YOUR fault!”

“Well why WASN’T it all organised before now?! You and he are both adults!” Lizzy started yelling back.

“The Fortane Dinner isn’t such a big deal anyway, I’ve been going for years and no one important goes.” Charlie shrugged his shoulders.

“NO ONE IMPORTANT GOES?!” Both sisters rounded on their brother.

Belle slurped up her pasta as the fight got louder and louder between the three siblings. A pit was forming in her stomach at every insult. If this was the way the three Begly siblings treated each other, then what hope did the Masters siblings have?

What chance did the Jones siblings have?

–

“Oh they’ll be fine. The problem with Sunny and Daryl is that Daryl never had his sisters best interests at heart.” Tammy explained to Belle as they walked along the pier at Pleasant Lake. “Ozzie knows that you love him, and we all know Charlie and the twins adore each other. I mean, there’s times where I would happily end Sammy in a heartbeat, but I couldn’t because I love him to bits.”

“What about your other siblings though?” Belle asked.

“They don’t exist to me.” Tammy told her. “They’re another case of never having our best interests at heart. If it weren’t for Austin refusing to let me and Sammy in his car then Uncle Wallace would never have had us in the car when he crashed it.”

“Ah…” Belle looked worried.

“Our family is a mess, not gonna lie, but that doesn’t matter, as long as we have the Noble Knights of the Last Order.” Tammy smiled, although the smile wavered slightly.

“Not exactly filling me with hope you know.” Belle quipped dryly.

“Look, I know that we had problems with Dan, but we’re really tight-knit, honest.” Tammy defended her Knights. “We even have the Outer Knights working their magic!”

“Tam, I can bring down your argument in a single statement.” Belle rolled her eyes.

“Oh no you can’t!” Tammy laughed.

“Three hundred and fifteen runs for nothing.” Belle shot.

“Where ARE they, they were supposed to be here five minutes ago, I’m starving!” Sammy grumbled as he and the rest of the Knights were sat at Bills restaurant, wanting to order.

“Uh…guys?” Sunny looked out the window. “Tammy is trying to throw Belle into the Lake, and given Belle weighs 50 kilos soaking wet, she’s gonna end up in the drink shortly if we don’t get out there!” 

–

“I think I give up. Melody and Marcus are doomed.” Belle groaned as she sat in Charlie’s room, watching him polish the Lions Claw Blade. 

“It’s not THAT bad.” Charlie rolled his eyes. “Are you and Ozzie still at loggerheads?”

“He won’t talk to me.” Belle looked downcast. “And everywhere I look siblings are fighting.”

“It breaks out on occasion. It’s a full-moon thing.” Charlie shrugged. “You’ve fought with Ozzie and Mads before, it’ll be right.”

“Not like this. He’s adamant that I’m not his sister.” Belle said. “And if Ozzie and I can’t sort things out, what chance do Melody and Marcus have? They’re not blood related either.”

“It’s not about being blood-related, it’s about being stuck with each other for the rest of eternity. Sometimes that can get on peoples nerves.” Charlie said. “It’s only extreme cases like Daryl the Dumb that can never be redeemed.”

“Please don’t. I’m not looking forward to getting back to the office and having to deal with him every day.” Belle rubbed her eyes. The pair could hear Lara yelling at Oscar. “Poor kid.” 

“CHARLIE! IF YOU’RE GONNA LIVE HERE YOU HAVE TO DO THE LAUNDRY HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO TELL YOU?!” They heard Betty screaming up the stairs, her words slightly slurry.

“I worry about your Mum.” Belle said as Charlie sighed and got up.

“I worry about her too. We’re in way too deep and her mental health can’t take much more.” Charlie replied. “I’ll chat with you later.”

“Good luck.” Belle replied, jumping out of the window into the tree, then springing over to her window. 

“Oh good, you’re home.” Peter heard the noise from his room and poked his head into Belles room. “Wanna go out and get some groceries for dinner tonight? Ozzie is sulking and Lara is slamming around the kitchen.”

“Sure.” Belle readily agreed.

The pair headed down the stairs, where Madeline was playing with her blocks, Oscar was sulking on the couch and Lara was banging very loudly in the pots and pans cupboard. “Things were so much easier when Bill lived here.” She grumbled.

“We’re just going out to the shops for your groceries love, anything else you want?” Peter took the car keys off the hook.

“Take Oscar with you!” Lara yelled.

“NO!” Oscar screamed.

“Oh boy.” Peter and Belle groaned.

 “Well that’s something that happened.” Giggles watched as the foreman left, looking quite chipper despite his injury.

“He should NOT be able to walk with that bullet in his knee!” Chuckles looked astounded.

“He knows what he’s doing, unlike you lot.” Daniel commented, picking up the Mystic Eight Gun.

“Wow, mate. Wow.” Lady Courage gaped at him while Chuckles and Giggles looked offended.

“Well, I’m off. See you losers later.” Daniel grinned, preparing to leave.

“Dan, please!” Lady Courage ran after him. 

He turned to glare at her.

“For the record, it’s Laker Dan to you.”

He broke out into a run and smashed through yet another window, causing Chuckles and Giggles to cry in fury.

–

“This HAS to be illegal!” Melissa cried, looking at the letter in front of her.

“It IS illegal, I should know, I’ve been in HR long enough.” Bailey groaned next to her.

“HR?! You did NOTHING in HR except be a front!” Terry accused. “At least in Public Relations -,”

“You shot people who disagreed with us, that’s all you did in PR!” Melissa snapped.

The three former Mobsters were sitting at one of the many pubs in Pleasantville, each of them comparing the termination letters they had just received from City Hall.

“I suppose we should think ourselves lucky that they didn’t just kill us.” Terry pointed out.

“Yet.” Melissa replied dryly, chugging down her drink. “OI, bartender! Another whiskey, NOW!”

“Geez…” The bartender rolled his eyes. “Guys, I know you all got fired, but you’re taking it way too hard.”

“Easy for YOU to say, you still have a job!” Bailey snapped.

“For now. Until the Troupe decide to take me out.” The bartender told him.

“You’re a BARTENDER, you’ll be fine.” Bailey dismissed him.

“Until YOU decide to do something stupid, then I’ll get taken out as an example!” The bartender cried.

“Oh come on, you can’t be the only Mob bar in this city.” Melissa knocked back Terry’s drink. “What about Wello’s down by the lake?”

“They defected two weeks ago. They saw the writing on the wall.” The bartender frowned, before getting both Terry and Melissa new drinks. “Wish I had, but I thought after Sidewinder had popped her kid out things would look up.”

“That blasted brat Daryl is to blame. Why on earth would he kill Judith anyway?!” Bailey sipped his gin and tonic.

“Word has it he wanted Marion to wipe out the Crusaders because Roger wouldn’t coddle him.” The bartender told him. 

“Entitled brat.” Melissa sipped her new drink. “Ugh. Jones really needed to pull that kid in line earlier.”

“Yeah, well, he’s stuffed himself by not acting. He’s Mayor in name only now, Daryl owns the joint pretty much now.” Terry knocked back his drink in one hit. “Should put a stop to those Chuckles and Giggles characters now.”

“Oh please, nothing will stop them. They’re like warts, once you got ‘em you can’t get rid of them.” Bailey snorted.

It was at that moment that Laker Dan walked in, the Dragon Scale Scythe hooked to his back, and the Mystic Eight Gun resting on his hip.

“Bug off, we’re closed.” The bartender told him as he sat down at the bar.

“To me, the father of Judtih’s heir?” Dan raised an eyebrow.

“Well there’s nothing to BE an heir to any more, so bug off.” Bailey snapped.

“Oh, but there is. How would you like your jobs back?” Dan asked. “I’ll have a beer thanks.” 

The bartender grumbled as he got Dan his beer. Bailey, Melissa and Terry eyed the newcomer warily.

“I’m going to take out every single Counsellor in this city. I’m also going to take out the Mayor and his useless son.” Dan told the group, who didn’t look impressed.

“Great, and then the Troupe will just put in their own people. Get real Dan.” Melissa continued to sip her drink.

“Not if we get rid of enough of them.” Dan pointed out. “I bet there are plenty of ex-Mob still in this city who would LOVE a bit of revenge.”

“The Mob is dead.” Terry insisted.

“But the Silent Lake Gang is just waking back up.” Dan told them. “I’ve already been in contact with a few of my parents' old contacts. We can take over this city and make it a better place.”

“Pfft.” The three at the bar rolled their eyes.

“I kinda figured you’d be like that. So how about some incentive?” Dan pulled out the Mystic Eight Gun. “I’ve already killed Counsellor Barry, and I have no problems killing you three.”

“Oh please.” Bailey snorted. With a bang, he suddenly lay dead on the ground. Melissa and Terry jumped up in horror.

“Mate there’s no call for that!” The bartender looked horrified at what Dan had done. “You’ve gone too far!”

“Have I?” Dan sneered. “You lot are just as responsible for ruining this city as your bosses are. I’m giving you a chance for redemption, and he threw it back in my face.”

Melissa cried silent tears as Terry looked terrified. “Fine, we’ll do it, just don’t shoot.” Terry raised his hands.

“I figured you might.” Dan smirked. “I’ll see you in Oaksville tomorrow morning.”

With that, Laker Dan left.

–

“Dan’s gone full murderer now. There’s no redemption for him.” Sunny told the others as they sat in Bill’s restaurant. 

“I can’t deal with this right now. I really can’t.” TJ buried his head in his hands. “Especially if he’s getting the Silent Lake Gang back together.”

“Do you think he’ll dob us in?” Belle asked, feeling worried.

“If he does, we’re doomed.” Petunia said. “We’d be dead within the hour.”

“I don’t think he would, because that would mean giving Jones an advantage.” Tammy said. “And he wouldn’t want to do anything that would give Jones any sort of hint or tip.”

“But if he tells his fellow Lakers…” Charlie trailed off. Belle shook her head.

“A lot of the Silent Lakers that survived were absorbed by the Mob. If Dan is smart he’ll know not to trust any of them.” Belle told him.

“That’s not very reassuring considering how stupid Dan has been recently.” TJ groaned. “We’re sitting ducks.”

“No, we’re not. We have one very, VERY potent ace up our sleeve, although I hate to call him that.” Sunny said. “Dan never picked Marcus up from when he left him with me.”

“Ohhhh no, that’s not good.” TJ’s head hit the table. “If he’s leaving Marcus behind then he’s gone.”

“I don’t think so. I think he knows that no matter what, we’ll protect his son. We won’t let anything happen to Marcus.” Tammy said. “But it does mean he can’t dob us in, otherwise Marcus is at the mercy of the Haunted Maze Troupe.”

“Can you fix up the paperwork to make the adoption at least look legal?” Sunny asked Belle. “The boy is my son now, and I want to make sure I can give him the best care I can.”

“I’m sure I can fix something up. Do you want him to be Marcus Jones instead of Marcus Misneach or Marcus Lightheart?” Belle asked, getting out her pocket notebook.

Sunny hesitated. “We’ll go with Marcus Jones, and make Lightheart his middle name.” She finally decided. “That way he’ll be more protected, being a Jones.”

“I’ll get that sorted ASAP.” Belle promised, making her notes before tucking the book away.

“I don’t like the idea of taking Dan’s only son away from him.” Sammy quietly piped up. “It doesn’t feel right.”

“I know, but he’s given us no choice. You want what’s best for Marcus, don’t you?” Tammy asked him. He shrugged in return.

“I’ll look after Marcus as if he were my own. Don’t worry.” Sunny promised. “And I won’t let him forget Sir Lionheart.”

Sammy made a small noise in the back of his throat and turned away. Petunia and Tammy shared a look. What Daniel had done had left horrible scars on them all.

“What if Dan comes back for Marcus?” Charlie asked.

“That’s the other reason I want this to be as legal as possible.” Sunny said. “My son will NOT be raised by a murderer.”

“He’ll be after blood once he finds out.” Petunia warned them.

“If he comes for Mumma Bear, he can get the claws, and the bat of Lady Courage to boot.” Sunny said firmly. “Do NOT mess with my children!”

 “Tam?”

Tammy looked away from her window where she had been sitting, looking out at the sunset. She was trying not to think of the previous night and failing.

“Tam, what happened?” Rose sat next to her, looking worried. “Is this about what happened at City Hall and the March Hill Massacre?”

“It’s about everything.” Tammy looked back out the window. Rose reached out and took her girlfriend's hand. “I can’t lead the Knights. I can’t.”

“You can. They want you to. You’re the best option.” Rose told her. “I mean, we don’t know how TJ or Petunia would go, but we know Sunny and Sammy are out.”

Tammy had to smile at that.

“You’ve all done so much for this city. You’ve given so much.” Rose continued, taking Tammy's other hand. “No one blames you for wanting a break.”

“It’s so hard.” Tammy admitted. “And I’m so scared what happened to Judith will happen to you and what happened to Dan will happen to me and it will all be horrid!” 

Tammy began to cry. Rose grabbed her into a tight hug. “I want my big brother. I want Dan back.” Tammy sobbed.

Rose didn’t say anything. There was nothing she could say. Daniel wasn’t coming back any time soon, if at all. 

“I don’t want to do this anymore. I can’t. It hurts too much. It’s too hard.” Tammy continued to sob. “I’m so tired.”

“Then rest my love. Rest.” Rose rubbed her back. 

Tammy pulled away and wiped her eyes. 

“Do you have room for another Knight?” Rose asked. 

“Another…Rose NO!” Tammy shot up.

“Rose, yes.” Rose got up as well. “I don’t know much about politics or social commentary or any of those things, but I do know that life became so much better once Chuckles and Giggles with the Noble Knights of the Last Order started their work. If you can do it, I can do it too. I’ll be Lady Thorn, and I’ll take on the whole of the Haunted Maze Troupe if I have to.”

“You really would, wouldn’t you.” Tammy had to chuckle through her tears. 

“That’s why you love me.” Rose bent down and kissed Tammy gently. “You’re on the right side of the fight my love, never forget that.”

Tammy sank into her beloveds arms. Why was being on the right side of the fight so difficult?

–

A week after the second March Hill Massacre, the Noble Knights of the Last Order inducted Lady Thorn. The Outer Knights of the Last Order attended as well, as well as Sir Motor, and via video call Sir Hedgehog was there too.

“I think I speak for all of us when I say Lady Silent is our new leader.” Sir Dark said after Lady Thorn and her bull whip were inducted.

“Agreed.” Sir Hyper nodded. Everyone else nodded too. Lady Silent did her best to resist the urge to protest, and instead gave a watery smile.

“Thanks all. I’ll do my best.” She said, looking around at them all. “It’s a shame Chuckles and Giggles aren’t here though.”

“Charlie is doing some drafting up at the Chamber of Commerce office, I think he feels pretty rough right now.” Sir Hedgehog said. “Apparently the night that Dan killed Dingbat was worse than we thought. Chuckles would have killed Demon if Giggles hadn’t shot him.”

“Giggles SHOT Chuckles?!” The Noble Knights of the Last Order cried. The Outer Knights tried not to look annoyed.

“Admittedly she only grazed him, but he was going to do something he was going to regret.” Sir Hedgehog continued. “It could have ended very badly if she hadn’t been there.”

“Understatement. Can you imagine how he’d be if he’d done it?” Lady Starlight turned to her sister.

“I kinda wish he had though. I was still ready to kill her when she told us.” Lady Sunlight replied.

“She told you?” Sir Dark asked.

“She had to, she needed to explain to Mum why Chuckles had a gunshot wound on his hand.” Lady Sunlight told them.

“That really was an awful night.” Sir Moonlight shook his head. “I wish I had done something.”

“Weren’t you at the school that night babysitting?” Lady Starlight asked.

“Yeah, my little sisters football team made finals, and the school was having a disco to celebrate.” Sir Moonlight said.

“You kept those kids safe. You did something great.” Lady Silent told him. “And we need you to keep doing great things. You and your family have connections, don’t you?”

“Yes. We regularly have Counsellor Troy and Counsellor Baker over for dinner.” Sir Moonlight told them.

“Then you’re another in for us. I’m sure Belle will be able to tell you how you can help.” Lady Silent said. Sir Moonlight nodded. 

“I guess we don’t really have a game plan now that the Haunted Maze Troupe are it and a bit. We’re screwed.” Lady Luck sighed, leaning against the old stack of mattresses.

“We just need to bide our time.” Lady Silent promised her. “I’m sure there’ll be more insanity any day now.”

–

Belle was typing away furiously on her laptop while Charlie looked out of her bedroom window.

“You know, I never figured out how you got used to having to climb in the end of your bed every night.” He said, looking at how the large bed was wedged between the two walls of the narrow bedroom.

“It’s a quirk, and it’s better than having a smaller bed.” She replied, still typing furiously. “You gotta look for the silver lining sometimes.”

“I don’t see the silver lining in finding out you’d just as easily kill someone as talk to them. I’m as bad as Dan really.” Charlie flopped on the bed and stared at the ceiling. 

“I would have killed Johannes if it wasn’t for the Masters Code.” Belle pointed out. “And there is a silver lining – you learned that I would NEVER let you do anything like that.”

“And what if one day you’re not there, hmm?” Charlie glanced at her. “You can’t live in my pocket, even if you are small enough.”

“Hardy har har.” Belle bit. “I still wouldn’t let you. Trust me on this.”

Charlie looked at her, watching her type determinedly. “Yeah, you’re right.” He went back to staring at the ceiling. “I got those drafts done for the mergers and inter-business disputes processes. Hopefully your Dad will approve them.”

“I’m sure he will. You’ve been getting a lot better at creating processes.” Belle stopped typing to smile at her best friend. “You just need to keep at it.”

“I know.” Charlie sighed.

“Wanna go and check out the works on City Hall? We can dress up as Chuckles and Giggles and remind them that we’re still a thing.” Belle suggested. “I’ve caught up on all the work that I can from home, which is a fair amount thank goodness. Judith loved burying me in it.”

Charlie let the suggestion sit for a moment. “Yeah, sounds like fun. Wind old Demon up a bit.”

–

“SOD OFF YOU SODDING SODS YOU SHOULD NOT SODDING BE HERE SODDING ME OFF!” Demon roared as he stepped out of his office to see Chuckles and Giggles in City Hall helping sweep up the plasterboard that had been shot off the walls.

“We’re HELPING!” Chuckles looked offended, while trying not to remember how he had nearly split the man in front of him in two with the Lions Claw Blade.

“That they are sir, they been very helpful this past half hour with the cleaning. Thankee very much you two.” The foreman looked approvingly at the vigilantes, who beamed in response.

“Helping my foot, you’re just here to stir up trouble!” Demon barked.

“I don’t see how they could sir, they been sweeping.” The foreman pointed out.

“TESSA! Control your employees PLEASE!” Demon rounded on Tessa from Gardens and Parks, who merely snorted and walked off. 

“Wow, your power really has diminished since the Troupe now rule all.” Chuckles looked impressed.

“Nah, Tessa’s just a cow, she’s always like that no matter who is in charge.” Giggles replied.

“Wow.” Chuckles shook his head as he swept up some glass fragments.

“Get out. Both of you.” Demon snatched the broom from Chuckles hands. “I don’t need this today.”

“Awww, but we were doing so well.” Giggles pouted.

Just then Counsellors Barry and Troy walked in. Demon sighed, before handing Chuckles the broom back.

“Just make sure you do a good job then.” Defeated, Demon headed into the meeting room where the two Counsellors had set up a meeting. Chuckles and Giggles grinned at each other.

“I don’t know what his problem is. You two just keep doin’ what you’re doin’, we really ‘preciate it.” The foreman smiled at them.

Suddenly, another window smashed, and Daniel ran towards the meeting room with the real Dragon Scale Scythe and Mystic Eight Gun primed and ready!

“WHAT THE HELL I JUST SWEPT THAT!” Chuckles roared in fury.

“No time, we have to stop Dan!” Giggles grabbed him.

“Hmph.” Daniel saw the two out of the corner of his eye. He stopped, turned, and fired at them, forcing them to take cover and hitting the kindly foreman in the knee.

“Dan no!” Giggles cried, but it was no use. Daniel sneered and turned back to the meeting room, reloading as he went.

Giggles pulled out the Lucky Seven Gun and tried to shoot its cousin out of Daniels hand. He saw her reflection in the polished muzzle of his gun, and was able to dodge easily.

“The Lucky Seven doesn’t stand a chance against the Mystic Eight. Now go away and let me get rid of the infection of Pleasantville.” Daniel told them.

“Not likely. You kill Demon and all that will happen is that the most senior Counsellor, Cindy, who is a Trouper, will take over.” Giggles pointed out.

“That’s why I’m getting rid of the Counsellors too. ALL of them.” Daniel said pointedly, making Giggles angry.

“You really have gone to the dark side haven’t you?” Chuckles looked horrified.

“I’m just doing what you’re too cowardly to do.” Daniel snapped.

That was when Counsellor Barry poked his head out of the meeting room to see what was going on. He lasted about five seconds before Daniel blasted his head clean open, killing him instantly.

“DAN!” Giggles cried. Safety be damned, she flew at full speed towards her former friend.

“If I must, I will.” Daniel pointed the Mystic Eight at her, getting ready to fire. Thankfully, he had forgotten about Chuckles, and quickly had to block a swing from the Lions Claw Blade. That gave Giggles enough time to catch Daniel’s hand, knocking the Mystic Eight Gun loose.

“If you want to stop me, you’ll have to kill me.” Daniel said, throwing Giggles off his arm and using the Dragon Scale Scythe to send Chuckles flying after her.

Giggles slapped the face of her watch, praying that she and Chuckles could keep Daniel at bay until the Noble Knights of the Last Order arrived.

“This is…Dan…why?” Chuckles tried to comprehend it all. “I can’t…Dan…”

“Like you don’t want Demon dead.” Daniel pointed out.

“I do.” Chuckles replied fervently. “Oh mate you know how much I do.”

“Then stop being a coward and do it. I’ll even open the door for you.” Daniel grinned. “Make him pay for killing Sapphire.”

“He’ll pay. Oh will he pay.” Chuckles replied. “But it won’t be with blood. It will be with everything else he loves.”

Giggles felt the colour draining from her face. She didn’t like this conversation at all.

“Guys, stop it.” She said, forcing the words out. 

“Like you wouldn’t love to revive Johannas just to run him through for what he did.” Daniel smirked.

“No, actually, I don’t.” Giggles replied. “I might have been irrationally angry with him, but in all honesty outside of that I never wanted him dead.”

Now it was Chuckles turn to feel cold. He looked at his feet.

Dan groaned. “Of course you listen to your little girlfriend. You’re so whipped. Where’s your backbone?” He scoffed. “Or did you have it beaten out of you as a kid by the little snots next door?”

Chuckles nearly rose to that bait. He nearly did. He was ready to start badmouthing the Jones family, but then he remembered Sunny. The girl who had become better.

Speaking of…

“I saw the watch flashing as I was driving to go and see Mum, what’s up?” Lady Courage walked in and saw what was going on. “Oh are you KIDDING me?!”

“Oh, it’s you.” Daniel frowned. “Where’s the rest of the Order, doing positive affirmations in the trash?”

“Hilarious.” Lady Courage snapped, swinging her baseball bat dangerously. “Wanna find out?”

Daniel looked down his nose at the three of them. That was when they heard the sounds of the police arriving.

“And I hadn’t finished sweeping.” Chuckles sighed.

“Why were you sweeping?” Lady Courage looked confused.

“Long story. Time for us to go.” Giggles told her. She turned to the foreman. “I’m really sorry you got shot sir.”

“It’s all good, used to get shot all the time when I was in the Death Valley Gang!” The foreman waved them off. “See yas!”

 The group watched silently as Daniel left. None of them went after him, none of them called his name. 

Finally when nothing but the darkness of the night remained, Tammy spoke. “That was horrible. Is everyone okay?”

“No.” Belle began to cry. “Oh today has just been too, too awful! Judy might not've been the best boss in the world, but we were becoming such good friends. Oh Judy! Now Dan is gone too, and Revolver, I didn't want him to die! I didn't want anyone to die!” 

“Daryl did this. My loathsome, disgusting, worthless brother.” Sunny was shaking. “And I could have turned out just like him. Oh why couldn't we have saved him like you saved me?! Then no one would be dead!” She burst into tears of guilt and rage.

“I'm the one who left Dan, I could've stopped him!” TJ was crying too. “If only I had kept my mouth shut and not gotten arrested!”

“We both left him. We were idiots.” Sammy wiped his eyes, the tears not stopping.

“It’s not fair. We loved Dan so much. Why wasn’t it enough?” Petunia looked defeated. 

Tammy looked in the direction Daniel had gone. She was crying too. Her voice, the voice she had fought so hard for, failed her. Daniel had driven her to her therapy to get that voice back. Daniel had supported her, when even Sammy didn’t. Daniel had been her hero too. Lord knew he paid more attention to them than their actual siblings did.

She had to get up. She had to find her voice again.

“We’ll go on.” Tammy croaked.

Everyone looked at her. Tammy grit her teeth. “WE WILL GO ON.” She yelled. “WE WILL GO ON, WE WILL GO ON, WE WILL GO ON!”

She got up on one of the broken cars. “We’ll go on. We’ll fix this city once and for all. We’ll finally win and when we do, we’ll get our Dan back.” 

All of the Knights looked at her. Belle and Charlie sat by themselves, away from the group. They felt too bruised by what had happened to pay attention to what was going on. 

“We’ll get him back. It might be on the other side of the prison bars, but we’ll get him back.” Tammy said, her voice getting stronger. “We can’t give up now. We have to go on.”

Sammy looked up at his sister. The one he'd once tried to speak for. He stood up and climbed up the car to stand with her. He wouldn't speak for her, not now, but he would use his voice to amplify hers.

Petunia smiled up at them, sadly. Daniel had been a brother to her too, something she'd craved as an only child. She offered a hand to her beloved TJ, who took it before burying his head in her chest, devastated. She hugged him tightly.

Sunny looked at the four of them. Somehow she was now one of them. The five friends had opened their arms to her and Sir Lionheart had knighted her. Sir Lionheart was gone now, but Lady Silent was still here, her soft, quiet voice now more powerful than the loudest boom could be.

“We are the Noble Knights of the Last Order.” Lady Silent looked at them all. The loud and proud Sir Hyper. The deep dark connection to the enemy Sir Dark. The loving healer Lady Luck. The brave and tenacious Lady Courage. 

And, in the background, Sir Motor, Patrick to help them make getaways. The Outer Knights of the Last Order – they could be called on again. Finally, Sir Hedgehog, who was the key to winning, working hard for them in Brisvegas, getting the pieces they needed in place to finally fix things.

So what if one had fallen. Many more would before the war was over. Not just in Pleasantville, not just in their world, not just in their Universe. This was a fight for the ages, and the Noble Knights of the Last Order were ready for it.

After a sob and ice cream session.

–

Because the City Hall was not only a complete and total mess, but also a crime scene, Belle and Peter were on paid leave until everything was sorted out. Charlie, being his own boss, also gave himself some time off.

Both of them were still shellshocked – not just because of the defection, but because of the Improbability Clause. 

“How long did you know?” Belle asked the next day as they sat under their favourite tree.

“Too long. I didn’t want to be right.” Charlie told her. “That’s why I didn’t tell you, because if I told you…”

“Then it became all the more true.” Belle finished. She sighed and looked across the street. “At least you got the Lions Claw back.”

It was Charlie’s turn to sigh. “Not that I’m the true owner of it apparently. I hate that. Why did Daniel have to drop THAT on us?!”

“Because he wanted to hurt us. You know that.” Belle rested her head on his shoulder. “And he did a pretty good job.”

“Tell me about it.” Charlie sighed as Peter pulled up in his car.

“Hey kiddos. Belle, I have a letter for you. It’s from Revolver. He left it to you in his will.” Peter handed Belle a letter.

“His will? Surely it’s way too early for that, the poor bloke only died yesterday!” Belle took the letter.

“His minions are getting ahead of the curve, and you know how lawless they are. They’re getting rid of everything connected to the DVG and the Mob so they can get out of here clean. Those two gangs will never operate again.”

“Small miracle.” Belle opened the letter. 

Dear Miss Masters,

Let’s get it out of the way – I know you’re that annoying pest Giggles. I always have. We’re family after all. Distant family, but family none-the-less. If you’re reading this, my lackeys have done their work. You probably know by now that I shot myself in the head. I’m just done with it all, done with life, done with the Death Valley Gang, done with fighting. 

That being said, let me introduce myself properly. My name is Timothy Masters. My father was David Masters, his father was Toby Masters, and his father was Lachlan Masters, who founded the Death Valley Gang after his brother James, who you would know as Damon, was murdered by the March Hill Crusaders. I don’t think you come from James, but probably one of the other brothers. I researched all of this when my father died trying to kill you. When I saw your name in the paper the day afterwards and saw you had the same surname as me I got curious. When I saw the Lucky Seven Gun in the hands of Giggles it put the pieces together for me.

I don’t know how much you know about the Lucky Seven and the Lions Claw, or about the other Weapons of the Seer, but I’m sure your friend Lightheart can tell you about Bequeathed Blood. I’m 99% certain we’re Bequeathed Blood, although I don’t know how we became that way. (“He’s wrong on that count. Shame.” Belle sighed.) Ever since I killed Mark I’ve been feeling…empty. Mark and I were firm friends growing up, but he ditched us for the Crusaders who are nothing more than bullies. I don’t care how demented Marion got, there was no need for him to abandon us. He was still my friend though. It made me think of the original purpose for the Death Valley Gang – the same purpose you fight for.

I’m going to tell you now – GIVE UP. Give up before you become another Death Valley Gang. Give up before you become what you hate, your descendants paying for it. There is no future in what you’re trying to do – it’s pointless because human nature will never change. Someone will always want more.

Take care of Lucky for me. Take care of the family for me. If I’m dead, that means the rot is gone. Farewell.

Your cousin, Master Revolver.

“Well, that was definitely a letter that told us absolutely nothing.” Belle started to scrunch it up, but then thought better of it and folded it back into the envelope instead. He’d been a distant cousin after all, she needed to have some respect. 

“I dunno Belle, maybe he’s right.” Charlie looked up at the leaves above them.

“Daniel pointed it out, there’s no way we’re Bequeathed Blood.” Belle said.

“I meant about quitting.” Charlie said. “He’s got a strong point there. Look what happened to him. His bloodline beheaded after months of depression.”

Belle pulled out the note again. “He says here about shooting himself in the head. Wow. Wonder why he didn’t follow through with it.” 

“See? He was stuffed either way.” Charlie sighed.

“But we’ve gotten so much further than Lachlan Masters ever did. He never had a Begly to keep his bloodlust in check.” Belle pointed out. “Besides, you’re the President of the Chamber of Commerce, you can’t quit now.”

“I guess not.” Charlie yawned. He pulled out his phone and checked the messages. “TJ says he doesn’t envy you one bit when you get back to work.”

“Hmm? I feel bad because he’s got to work while I get all this time off.” Belle replied.

“Yeah, but Daryl’s back in with his Dad.” Charlie told her, reading the messages.

“Oh come ON.” Belle groaned.

–

Demon Jones looked horrified at his office. His son had done a lovely job “redecorating” as part of his revenge against his father. With a sigh, he waded through the muck to his desk, grabbed his liquor key and opened his liquor cabinet.

“NO!” He cried. The little berk had taken all his booze too?!

With a groan, Demon sat at his desk and logged onto his computer. This was a PR disaster, and the Kings County state government was now on his tail. Two murders in city hall, one by someone who then went on to massacre a small town? Demon knew it was only a matter of fobbing them off until they lost interest, but even that was getting harder due in no small part to the efforts of Chuckles and Giggles, along with a certain Sir Hedgehog character that was putting huge pressure on not just the state government but the federal government for reform that would put Demon out of business and make life harder for crime.

They had to be dealt with.

Just as he was typing out another grovelling email to another senate member he had a knock on the door. 

“I’m busy trying to clean up here!” Demon yelled angrily, his concentration broken.

“Cleaning up Father? Oh, you mean covering your own worthless hide.”

“DARYL!” Demon shot up. Bold as brass, Daryl stood at the door of the office, looking smug as you like. “I should kill you where you stand, or at the very least have you arrested.” Demon grumbled. “You’ve caused no end of trouble now!”

“Awww, and I thought you wanted the Mob, the DVG and the Crusaders wiped off the map.” Daryl grinned. “And I did it all in one day!”

“You know damned well why I wanted the other syndicates around.” Demon replied. 

“Oh, but I’m so useless Dad, please tell me why.” Daryl’s perpetual smirk was irritating beyond belief. 

“So that the Troupe didn’t get any bright ideas you fool! Now with no threats to their power, I’m a sitting duck!” Demon barked angrily.

“Oh I wouldn’t call you a sitting duck Mr. Jones. I’d call you a roast duck.”

Demon felt the blood drain from his face. Andrew Haiter came and stood next to Daryl, looking grim.

“You forgot how you sent me to work with the Troupe?” Daryl looked ready to laugh. “They do. They also know I’m the one who has given them the keys to the city.”

Demon broke into a cold sweat. This wasn’t right! How had his son turned so conniving?

“So you’ll just go back to your grovelling email, and Mr. Daryl here will supervise you.” Haiter frowned at Demon, who dared not answer back. 

Daryl chuckled and sat down on the couch in his fathers office. “Isn’t this going to be fun Dad? Just you and me again, just like the good old days!”

Demon silently seethed as he returned to his email. This was bad. 

Very, VERY bad.

 “NEWS JUST IN: Marion Misneach of the Mob has laid waste to the citizens of Fallsville. The population of 200 has lost 74 lives tonight, 40 of them members of the notorious criminal organisation the March Hill Crusaders. For more on this devastating development, we go to our crew on the ground…” The radio blared as Belle and Charlie raced to the tip.

“Saw that coming a mile away.” Charlie grimaced.

“This is bad.” Belle grit her teeth, turning off the radio. They'd heard enough. 

It was dark, and the full moon loomed overhead as the beaten old Elantra made its way down the roads. 

“Two of the biggest threats to the Haunted Maze Troupe are gone, no way Marion and the Mob survive this. Argh, it's going to be brutal now the Troupe are the only game in town.” Charlie said as they pulled up to the tip.

“Until the next threat comes along, and who knows what form THAT will take.” Belle got out of the car and ran to the hideout, Charlie hot on her tail. 

They rounded a huge mound of garbage and met up with the Noble Knights of the Last Order, who were all glaring at Daniel by the light of some old neon tubing Sammy and Tammy had rigged up a long time ago.

“WHERE’S MY SWORD?!” Charlie immediately bolted towards Daniel, who smirked as the others looked confused. “WELL? Where is it?”

“Judith is dead and all you can think about is your sword? I thought better of you Charlie.” Daniel stared right into the eyes of the younger man, who stopped short angrily.

“What? You stole the Lions Claw Blade?!” Sammy cried. “Why would you do that?”

“I have my reasons.” Daniel replied maddingly. 

Suddenly a long stretch limo arrived. Out stepped Mobster Marion, looking defeated. Her makeup was smeared all over her face, her hair was a mess, her dress was torn and dirty and it was plain she’d been crying. She dragged the Lions Claw Blade behind her, to the horror of Charlie.

“It’s done. You can have the sword back, I won’t need it anymore where I’m going.” Marion said, throwing the sword at Daniels feet.

“Where are you going?” Petunia asked. “Please don’t do anything silly.”

“Sillier than what she's already done?” Belle quipped.

“I don’t know where I’m going.” Marion replied, her voice wavering. “I just know I can’t stay here anymore.”

“What about the Mob?” Belle asked.

“It’s over. So is the Gang. We’re through.” Marion replied.

“Well, makes sense given you beheaded Revolver.” Daniel pointed out.

Everyone rounded on him. “WHAT?!” Charlie cried.

“I killed him. I killed Timothy.” Marion said softly. “There is no place for me here any more.”

The light from the neon tubes left haunted shadows on Marions face. She was broken, completely and utterly destroyed. 

“There's no place for me anymore.”

She got back into the limo, and it drove off. To finish Marions story, she and the few Mobsters who went with her went overseas to the War Wastes between the Great Nations and Awesomica. She lived in a tiny hovel in a tiny village, and eventually had two children of her own before passing away relatively young, her heart forever broken at the loss of her baby sister.

The Knights and Belle and Charlie watched the limo drive away. All of them were shaken.

“I don't know what right she has to be all upset, not after all the lives she's stolen.” Sunny pointed out as both Charlie and Daniel both reached for the sword.

“Back off Dan.” Charlie growled. Daniel laughed.

“It isn't even your sword, and I don't even want it.” He reached for something attached to the hilt of the sword – it was Judith's necklace. Daniel put it around his own neck as Charlie nursed the Lions Claw Blade. 

“It IS his sword, he won it!” Belle snapped.

“Puh-lease. You don't even know the full history of those weapons.” Daniel snapped back.

“Oh, and you do?” Petunia stood up for Belle.

“Of course I do. My great-great-great-grandfather was the one who made them.” Daniel said.

The group froze.

“It was in the war, 150 years ago. He created seven weapons, weapons that could only be used by blood they had been bequeathed to, or those with extraordinary skill.” Daniel told them. “Those two were stolen by the Misneach family, thus they became the Bequeathed Blood.”

“Okay, that just sounds like a fantasy novel.” Belle rolled her eyes.

“Where do you think your father got the power for the Ruby Suit from? The power that's in those weapons, because of that talisman.” Daniel pointed to the Lion talisman on the Lions Claw Blade.

“So you're Bequeathed Blood by default.” Tammy said.

“Yup. The Dragon Scale Scythe and the Mystic Eight were buried with their creator, but my great-grandfather stole them to impress my great-grandmother, who was the heir to the Lightheart family who owned the lands of Silent Lake in the War Wastes. She had no time for that, she was a hardened criminal through and through.” Daniel said.

“As interesting as all that is, the fact is you gave Marion the sword back to kill Crusader Roger!” Sammy cried. “How could you?! How could you make yourself a killer?!”

“It’s not the first time.” Charlie said quietly.

The group didn't know where to look.

“Ah. You figured it out.” Daniel looked less than amused. “That confounded Improbability Clause.”

“Figured what out?” Sammy went pale.

“Dan killed Wallace Dingbat.” Charlie said in that same quiet voice.

It took everything he had to say it, but he’d said it. It was true. The weight of that knowledge wasn’t lifted by saying it however, if anything it became even heavier with the weight of the stares of his friends, all of them begging it not to be true.

“It’s not true. It can’t be true. Not our Dan.” Sammy almost whimpered.

Daniel grit his teeth. “I didn't mean to! I didn't want to! He just kept at me and it was hot and we'd just failed AGAIN to right any of the wrongs in this city and…”

“You murdered him in cold blood. While he was unable to defend himself.” TJ, who had been silent up to this point, stood up. “If you had killed him in a fair fight or in self-defence we would have understood, but you murdered him while he was defenceless BECAUSE HE WAS PICKING ON YOU?”

“HE TOLD ME HE WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR RIGGING THE MAYORAL ELECTION!” Daniel yelled. “What would YOU have done?!”

“HE WAS WEARING HIS CAMERA YOU IDIOT HE BASICALLY INCRIMINATED HIMSELF!” TJ roared back.

“Great job on destroying all our evidence against him by the way.” Tammy snapped.

“You would have done the same thing!” Daniel roared, his voice straining. “You remember how horrible it was!”

Charlie felt his heart drop. He’d nearly killed Demon that night, the only reason he hadn’t was because Giggles had shot him. 

Belle must've been thinking the same thing. She put a hand on Charlies back and looked at Daniel sadly. “We all make mistakes.” She started.

“HE MURDERED A DEFENCELESS HUMAN BEING.” TJ cried.

“We ALL make mistakes, and we all need to atone for them.” Belle continued, pointedly ignoring TJ. “You, in less than ideal circumstances, ended the life of another human being. It might be unforgivable, but in your right mind you would never have done it. If one of us had been there, we could have stopped you. While you alone carry responsibility for what you did, we have to acknowledge our own shortcomings that allowed it to happen.”

“Like letting Demon and his ilk run free?” Daniel shot.

“Dan, I'm not even going to respond to that. You know why we've been doing things the way we have.” Belle said evenly, trying to keep the situation under control. 

“We're FAILING.” Daniel snapped. “Nothing has gotten better, and this city is still a hellhole!”

“That's not true!” Tammy stood beside Belle. “Stop making excuses for your impatience.”

“Your actions were not only immoral but set us back. If Dingbat was alive he would have had to answer to his crimes, Sir Hedgehog would have made sure of it.” Belle continued. “And you can bet your bottom dollar if Dingbat was going down he was taking everyone down with him. Not to mention you basically murdered 75 people by proxy if you include Revolver.”

“I didn't mean for Revolver to die.” Daniel muttered.

“But you meant for the March Hill Crusaders to die. You made a conscious decision to keep killing after you made your first mistake and that is truly beyond redemption.” Belle told him.

“I got rid of two threats, didn't I?” Daniel asked. 

“You put all of us at risk!” TJ thundered. “And for what, revenge?”

“The sod who killed Judith is now out of the world, and can't hurt anyone anymore.” Daniel said bitterly.

“No he's not.” Sunny said. “Did you see the security footage they blasted over the news?”

“Yes, I did.” Daniel snapped.

“So then you'd know it was my brother who killed Judith and he's still fine.” Sunny told them. “He just texted me bragging that Dad would be welcoming him back soon, did I want anything?”

Daniel froze. Daryl Jones. He was still alive and he had killed Judith.

“Marion wouldn't care, she's too far gone. You should have known better.” Sunny finished. 

Charlie still felt sick. He could have easily been Daniel. Or even Daryl. If Belle hadn't been there…

“We can fix this Dan.” Belle said, as if she'd read Charlies mind. “You've got to hand yourself in. You'll probably be gaoled for life, but we'll visit you and things will be okay.”

“WHAT?!” Daniel cried.

“If you go to Brisvegas and turn yourself in there you'll be treated fairly.” Belle continued. “No matter what we're trying to do here, we can't forget who we are.”

Daniel looked horrified. “No.” He said.

“Mate, you heard Belle, she's the only one talking sense at the moment.” Tammy put her hand on his arm, which he quickly shoved off. Daniel was seething. He'd known this would happen when he stole the Lions Claw Blade, and he hadn't cared then. Now faced with the stark reality of the consequences of his actions, he felt like it was all brutally unfair.

“Sense. Tell me, what sense is there left in this city?!” He looked at his friends. Friends he’d known forever. Friends who were like family to him. “I’ll tell you what, there’s no sense!”

“Think of Marcus! Think of your family!” Petunia pleaded.

Daniel scoffed. He had no family, just senile old grandparents and an infant son. He would have had a family, but they died in the battle of Silent Lake. 

The Silent Lake Gang. Destroyed by the Death Valley Gang and the Mobsters of Misneach. So without meaning to, he’d avenged them too.

“My family died protecting their patch. Maybe it’s time I honoured them.” Daniel said slowly.

“Dan, you’re not thinking straight, you’re still grieving. Hand yourself in mate, you can get help and we’ll look after Marcus.” Sunny begged.

“On the contrary, I think I’ve finally figured things out.” Daniel looked up at the full moon.

“Daniel, you’re not thinking of reviving the Silent Lake Gang are you?” Sammy asked. Everyone froze again.

“It’s my birthright. It’s what I was born for.” Daniel told them.

“NO, you’re no more a Silent Laker than I’m a Haunted Maze Trouper. Dan, think about what you’re saying!” Belle cried.

“Belle, you only found out a few months ago that you’re an heir to the Troupe. I’ve been a Laker since the day I was born. It’s the memories I have of my mother.” Daniel told her. “You couldn’t understand.”

“I understand more than you think.” Belle said quietly. “I never knew my mother, she dumped me when I was a newborn.”

“You think you do but you don’t. You never can. You think your books give you all the answers but you’re wrong. You didn’t even know Master Revolver was your cousin. He knew the whole time that you two were Chuckles and Giggles.” Daniel spat. 

“I had my suspicions.” Belle replied.

“And you don’t mourn him. Your own family.” Daniel looked at her, disgusted. “No wonder your mother dumped you, you unwanted-,”

“Dan, don’t!” Charlie warned.

“You unwanted bastard.” Daniel finished.

The only reason Charlie didn't slam Daniel to the ground was because a black-haired blur shot past him. Sunny slammed her fist into the side of Daniels face, hard enough that it was going to leave a very black bruise the next day.

“DON'T YOU DARE CALL MY SISTER UNWANTED!” Sunny screamed as she pummelled her former leader.

“Easy Sunny, you don't want to hurt your fists.” Belle pointed out, pulling Sunny away.

TJ looked at Daniel, sad and angry and confused and hurt. Behind him, Sammy was crying silent tears. Petunia was looking at Sunnys fists, making sure she hadn’t hurt them, and Tammy stared hard at Daniel.

He had been their leader. Their protector. Their brother. Their friend. Now he had betrayed everything that they had stood for. Memories danced in all of their minds of Daniel, being the brave and reliable Sir Lionheart, being the one they could rely on. Now it was all gone.

“As of now, Sir Lionheart is no more.” Tammy said coldly. “You are no longer welcome in the Noble Knights of the Last Order.”

Daniel exhaled. It was done. He had known this would be the ultimate price, but still he couldn’t bring himself to believe it. He had loved all of them so much – he still loved them! Now they were casting him out forever, and he had only himself to blame.

No. He told himself. It’s Demon and Daryls fault. Them and the Haunted Maze Troupe and the Death Valley Gang and the Mobsters of Misneach and all the cowards who let them get their way.

“I warn you Daniel, I WILL find the evidence I need, and I WILL make sure you pay for all the lives you have stolen.” TJ warned him as he turned to walk away. “I WILL bring you to justice for what you did to Dingbat and the people of Fallsville. Dingbat might have been an evil, racist and incompetent fool, but he deserved a fair trial and to pay for what he did. As do you.”

Daniel scoffed and began to walk away. All of them were united against him. For a moment, it stung. He would never again fight over cricket with them, or fight crime together, or eat at Bills restaurant together, or go fishing together…

But then his heart hardened as he knew that he would never fit in with them ever again. He snarled, and turned away, and thus Sir Lionheart, the leader of the Noble Knights of the Last Order, was no more.

 Crusader Roger had just returned from another successful day of torturing the populace of Fallsville. Not that they had much. He groaned and poured himself yet another whiskey. Running around Fallsville was one thing, but the true prize was Pleasantville. Unfortunately the Haunted Maze Troupe had beaten them to the punch.

That was okay, there was always time to fix that. Having Daryl Jones in the March Hill Crusaders was going to pay off eventually, especially when Demon realised that he'd never get to even meet his only current grandchild. He'd come back for Daryl purely because he was a misogynistic prat.

Speaking of…

“Anyone seen that little berk?” Roger poked his head out of his office.

“He stole your car.” Crusader Alice reminded her boss. “Which is why you ran the hat around town for a new one.”

“Surely he'd be back by now though.” Roger looked annoyed. “It's nearly dinnertime.”

Suddenly Crusader Alex bolted into the hall, terror on his face. “Have you seen the news?! It's all over the telly, they're saying one of us killed Sidewinder!”

“Wait, what?” Roger left his office and walked towards the breakout room where the television was blaring.

“Security footage taken from City Hall shows a man, estimated to be in his early to mid twenties, wearing March Hill Crusaders insignia, who was hiding in the Mayors office, where he sprung out and shot the leader of the Misneach Mobsters sister Sidewinder. Authorities are trying to piece together how the intruder got in. On the ground we have reporters ready…” The host of Pleasantville Nightly News droned on.

All the colour drained from Rogers face. 

“That's Daryl…” Crusader Aiden gulped. “He killed Judith.”

Roger could barely choke down a breath. “She's on her way, isn't she?” He said hoarsely.

No one said anything.

“Marion is on her way here. For revenge.” Roger swallowed hard. “She'll have us all slaughtered.”

“We can hold off the Mob if it comes to a battle, there's no doubt about that. Fallsville is OUR territory.” Alex grinned at Aiden, who smirked back.

“Daryl must've known Marion would come here for vengeance and set her up for a fail.” Aiden said. “Let's get everyone armed!”

“Yes…yes of course…I'll be getting ready in my office.” Roger bolted back to his office and locked the door. He sat at his desk and groaned. Daryl Jones had known Marion would march on Fallsville all right – he'd been counting on using her to kill Roger and get comeuppance for the hard love Roger had been dishing out.

“DAMN!” Roger slammed his desk. That little bastard had outsmarted him. The Crusaders had no chance of fighting off the Mob, not now. If they'd known beforehand then yes, but Marion would now only be minutes away and most of the March Hill Crusaders weren't ready for a battle. 

To prove his point, suddenly he heard the sounds of gunfire and screams of agony from the lower levels of the hideout. Suddenly he heard Alex banging on the door, begging to be let in so they could regroup.

No chance. Roger downed another glassful of whiskey and headed to the safe. No one knew it was a secret passage out of the building. Roger quickly made his exit as Alex finally got the door open.

“Sir, we've got the barricade up, we need you to-,” Alex stopped. He saw the passage. “You're running away?!” Alex cried.

“Yup.” Roger got inside the safe and slammed the door locked behind him.

“NOOOO!!!!” Alex screamed. “YOU CAN'T LEAVE US TO DIE YOU BASTARD! YOU DID THIS TO US! YOU CAN'T LEAVE US!”

He yanked at the safe door, but it wouldn't budge. Crusader Roger had truly abandoned them.

“ROGER! COME BACK! YOU BASTARD RAT, GET BACK HERE AND SAVE US! YOU DRAGGED US INTO THIS YOU BASTARD NOW COME BACK! ROGER!”

“Alex, you were supposed to bring Roger downstairs, now the Mob have overrun us!” Alice ran in screaming. “They killed Aiden!”

Alex wanted to vomit. Aiden, his beloved, was dead, and Alex wouldn't be too far behind. 

“Where IS Roger?!” Alice asked, skittish and scared. “WHERE IS ROGER? HE'S SUPPOSED TO BE HERE!”

“He escaped. The rat ran off on us. He forced us into his web and then left us to die!” Alex threw himself against the safe. 

He watched Alices face fall as she realised that she was going to die. She was going to die because Roger had promised to save her father in exchange for her service. She was going to die because Roger lied.

To all of them.

An Emerald Mobster appeared at the door. He shot both Crusaders, sticking around to make sure they died.

“You want Roger?” Alex coughed, blood choking him. “The safe is…he's in…”

And Alex joined Aiden and Alice in death.

–

Crusader Roger could hear the sound of someone following him. Lots of someones. One of the little weasels must've sold him out. 

He kept running down the long sewer corridor, where the drop from the safe had left him. He did his best to stay quiet, mentally cursing every time he stepped in water. He silently cursed himself for drinking so much whiskey. He silently cursed himself for letting Daryl get through his fingers.

If he somehow survived this, he was going to tear that little berk limb from limb. Slowly.

Roger finally made it to the gate where the sewer met Pleasant Gorge. The rain had stopped, but everything was wet still. He scrambled up the side of the gorge, slipping and cutting his hands on the sharp rocks. Finally, he reached the top. 

He looked around. There was no going back to Fallsville, not now the Crusaders were toast. He couldn't go to Pleasantville either, he'd be killed on sight.

Unless…

Killing Judith only helped Demon Jones. It lessened the strength of the Mobs influence in City Hall. If he could get to the Haunted Maze Troupe in time, then he could beg for clemency. Life in gaol was better than death.

“Now how'd I know I'd find you up here?”

Crusader Roger froze. Daryl Jones was smirking at him from the hood of his car.

“You traitorous swine…after I took you in!” Roger spat.

“You only kept me around as leverage against my father, let's not get it twisted.” Daryl laughed. “And now Marion is going to slaughter you.”

“You're the one who killed her sister, you're the one she really wants!” Roger barked.

“Prove it.” Daryl grinned. “And make Marion listen to you.”

Roger felt himself sweat. He couldn't think. He shouldn't have drank all that alcohol! Daryl got up off the boot of the car.

“Hope you can think fast. Catch ya in hell.” Daryl shoved Roger, sending the older man tumbling back down the side of the gorge where the Emerald Mobsters were searching for him.

“Ma'am, we've got him!” One of the Mobsters called Marion while two others bound and gagged Roger, who desperately tried to plead his case.

It took ten long minutes for Mobster Marion to show up, riding her gleaming black limousine. She stepped out, holding the Lions Claw Blade in front of her.

Roger desperately tried to spit out the gag and tell her the truth, but he was bound too tightly. Marion smirked, but her eyes were hollow.

“I don't care which one of you did it. I just want all of you gone.” She said softly. “As their leader, you should have kept them under control. Their sins are your sins, and you must bear the weight of their cost.”

Roger squirmed, desperately trying in vain to get past the gag.

Above them, Daryl lit himself a cigarette. 

“She died instantly. I'm glad. I wouldn't want her to have suffered like you're going to do.” Marion steadied the sword in her hand. It still trembled though.

“Now you die.”

Daryl watched as Marion began to dismantle Roger slowly and methodically. It was disgusting and brutal. Rogers' screams echoed through the gorge. 

“Wow. I could learn a thing or two.” Daryl mused to himself. He flicked the butt of his cigarette away. He contemplated a second one, but decided to wait until the fun was over.

Finally, Roger was left on the brink of death. Marion smirked that dead smirk one more time, before turning away.

“Leave it, we have better things to do and it's almost dead anyway.” She called to her Mobsters, all of them scared of Marion.

She walked to the limo, and slid in. “Pleasantville Tip.” Was all she said.

“At once ma'am.” The driver replied. The limo shot off like a rocket back towards Pleasantville. The leftover Mobsters quickly made their way back to Misneach Manor.

Once they were gone, Daryl slid down the embankment to see what was left. Roger lay on the ground, still breathing, still glaring through his gag.

“Oh beauty!” Daryl laughed. “I get to finish you off!”

Roger coughed. He continued to glare at Daryl. The little berk had beaten him. The slimy little scum had actually defeated him.

He didn't get to think much about it, as a kick to the side of the head finished him off. 

–

“They knew where to look.” Belle said as Charlie fumed over the loss of his sword. “If they didn't the room would've been destroyed.”

They had returned back to the Begly house after being unable to find Daniel, and instead had found the Lions Claw Blade had been stolen.

“It was Dan wasn't it? DARN him!” Charlie slammed a fist on his desk, cracking the wood. “He's replacing that.”

“If you say so.” Belle looked worried.

“The Clause says so.” Charlie sighed. 

Belle touched his arm. “We need to go. We said we'd meet everyone back at the tip.” She squeezed his arm gently. “I'm sorry. I promise you we'll get the Lions Claw Blade back.”

Charlie exhaled loudly. “I know.” He took Belles hand in his and squeezed back. “We'll figure this out.”

Belle looked out the window. The rain had stopped and it was dark outside. The full moon was making its way through the clouds as a cool breeze blew.

Death hung on the air, and Belle knew the pain wasn't over yet.

 “Sitting around doing nothing blows.” Charlie sighed, lying on his bed.

“There was nothing we could do anyway. We would have been killed if we had stayed.” Belle pointed out, as she sat at his desk, reading over the news websites on his laptop. 

“Especially with you shooting out chandeliers. I still can't get past that.”

“Just shows you how far even I have fallen.”

“It's kinda refreshing.”

“I bet.”

“Hey you two, want some hot chocolate? We've been cooking and we decided that it was the best way to finish our baking spree.” Izzy poked her head in.

“Sure, we'll never say no to chocolate.” Belle grinned. Izzy dashed off to get two mugs of hot chocolate.

“You know, I'm kinda glad we decided to stay in. It looks like it will rain soon anyway, and we all know how you hate getting your cape wet.” Charlie teased.

“Almost as bad as you and your trench coat.” Belle fired back.

“I can hear them teasing each other, they HAVE to be together!” Lizzy said to her twin downstairs as she ladled the chocolate into mugs.

“Leave it alone. Please. I can't take much more speculation.” Betty poured a decent serve of rum into her hot chocolate before chugging it down.

Lizzy and Izzy looked at each other, worried.

– 

“Okay, okay, okay, the food is coming!” Daniel groaned as Marcus kept wailing. He'd had his nappy changed, now he was hungry and was determined to let the world know about it. 

Daniel meanwhile was frazzled. Not that he doubted his girlfriend could handle herself, but more that he was certain that he had pulled the wrong bottle out of the fridge to be warmed up and was in for a yelling at once Judith got home. The yelling from his son did nothing to quell his fears.

“Okay kiddo, bottoms up!” He got the bottle in the baby's mouth. Suddenly sweet silence as Marcus gobbled down his food like he hadn't been fed in years. “I feel you kiddo, I'm feeling kinda hangry myself.”

He sat down on one of the comfy chairs, watching his son drink for his life. He felt cozy, content and didn't care how much he was getting yelled at anymore. The little man in his arms made everything worth it.

Dingbat had two kids.

Except that annoying little voice. Daniel sighed. He guessed he had to accept that voice in his head, as punishment for murdering another human being. It wasn't fair, especially after all the pain and suffering that Wallace Dingbat had caused and let happen in his reign at the police, but life was never fair.

It had been a few hours now since he'd left City Hall. He wondered how much violence and bloodshed had occurred when suddenly there was a knock at the door.

He looked at Marcus, who was falling asleep over his half-empty bottle. Sighing, Daniel got up and went to the front door.

Standing there was Master Revolver, looking thin and pale.

“Wow mate, you need a protein shake or ten.” Daniel was taken aback by how sick the older man looked.

“Judith's dead. She was killed by a Crusader.” Revolver croaked out.

Daniel's world stopped.

–

“I mean, surely if I invest in Nozz softdrinks that's fine, they're local!” Charlie groaned.

“They're indirectly owned by a known investor of the Crusaders.” Belle didn't even lift her head off his desk.

“You're…” Charlie did some more typing on his laptop “Jupiter Clothing, that's small enough that it shouldn't be a criminal endeavour!”

“Lindsay from Transport, his wife owns it. I'm not sure she knows he's a Trouper.” Belle mumbled, half-asleep.

“Are there ANY local businesses apart from your Uncles restaurant that I can invest in without inadvertently supporting the local crime syndicates?!” Charlie fumed, shaking his laptop.

“You're invested with Restorative Cosmetics though.” Belle pointed out. 

Charlie blanched.

“Troupe owns controlling shares. They're not a local gang y'know.” Belle sighed.

“That just makes way too much sense.” Charlie frowned.

Suddenly Izzy burst into the room. “Dan just dropped Marcus off at Sunnys, Judith was killed!” She yelled.

“Wait what?!” Belle and Charlie shot up, horrified. The Improbability Clause began to niggle at Charlie again. If, and that was a big IF, Dan had killed Dingbat, then would he seek to kill the Crusader that left his son motherless?

“We need to stop him and talk to him. He's not thinking straight. Last thing Marcus needs is his father drinking himself to death.” Belle rushed to the door. 

“ Absolutely.” Charlie agreed, for a very different reason.

They bolted out of the house, nearly knocking over Sunny, who was holding Marcus.

“Where did Dan go?!” Belle yelped.

“I thought he'd come over here!” Sunny yelled back.

“We need to split up and find him before he does something he'll regret.” Charlie said, looking pale.

They quickly got Charlies family and they all headed out – Izzy and Lizzy were going to get Sammy and TJ, Betty headed to Daniel's grandparents place to check there before getting Peter and Thomas, Belle and Charlie headed to Daniel's place and Sunny took Marcus back to her place to look after the children. 

This suited Daniel perfectly. After everyone left, he carefully scaled the back fence where he'd been hiding on the creek bank. He scaled the big tree and forced open Charlies window. Once he was in, he looked under the bed where Charlie kept his weapons.

The Arm Scythes were on top, resting on felt. Daniel tossed these aside, not really caring if he damaged them or not. Under the felt was Charlies grappling hook and daggers, also resting on felt. Daniel shoved these aside too, before he found what he was looking for.

The Lions Claw Blade. Daniel lifted it up. He didn't know how to get the giant blade to his destination without getting spotted, but then he realised he didn't care. He strapped it to his back and left the way he came in.

He jumped back over the fence, then headed to the dock attached to Sunnys place. Sunny never really used the little motorboat that her father left there, and she wouldn't miss it. He jumped in and untied it. Immediately it started drifting in the wrong direction – Daniel needed it to go back up to where the creek met Pleasant Creek. Throwing all caution to the wind, he turned on the motor and shot off.

The creek was peaceful. Daniel began to think about what he was doing as the tiny boat shot towards the city. About why. About the consequences. 

He almost turned back, but then he remembered what Master Revolver had told him about how Judith had been shot point-blank in the head. By a masked Crusader. 

He turned up Pleasant Creek and headed towards Pleasant Lake and the CBD. Nothing mattered now. Marcus was motherless, and nothing would be done about it – in fact, Demon would probably reward the sicko who'd done it. It was time to take matters into his own hands.

But first… the tiny boat had finally reached its destination. Daniel hurried out of the boat and towards City Hall, where Master Revolver was trying to console Mobster Marion.

“He shot her in the head.” Marion wept quietly, cradling her sisters body. “Why did he shoot my baby sister in the head?”

The Haunted Maze Troupe had quickly and wisely backed off after Sidewinder had been shot, and now the Mob were left to count the cost.

“It's time to let her go now Marion, we need to put her to rest now.” Revolver was having no luck with the distraught Mobster. 

It was the scene that Daniel walked into as the rain started falling outside. The sunset was straining to be seen behind the clouds, casting an eerie red light on the scene.

“It's true.”

Marion and Revolver turned to look at Daniel as he choked out the words, looking down at his lovers almost decapitated body. The mother of his son. 

“You didn't bring the boy did you?” Revolver asked, shaken.

“What kind of father do you take me for?!” Daniel snapped. “I'm here to help Marion get vengeance for her sister.”

Marions head shot up. Daniel pulled out the Lions Claw Blade from its scabbard. 

“ARE YOU INSANE?!” Revolver cried. “She'll slaughter every member of the March Hill Crusaders!”

“Well, it was time for another March Hill Massacre anyway.” Daniel quipped. “Like you and your father weren't responsible for your fair share of murder.”

Revolver grit his teeth. “Well, it didn't get us anywhere did it? In the end we became everything my great-grandfather wanted to destroy.”

“Your great-grandfather? What does he have to do with anything?” Daniel rolled his eyes as Marion eyed off the Lions Claw Blade. 

“Lachlan Masters founded the Death Valley Gang to get revenge for the death of his older brother over one hundred years ago.” Revolver sighed.

“Lachlan…you mean Damons brother?!” Daniel cried. “He and his best friend Pythias were murdered in the March Hill Massacre!”

“His name was James Masters and yes, he moonlighted as Damon.” Revolver sighed again. “The same way Chuckles and Giggles will go, mark my words.” 

“You know who Chuckles and Giggles are.” Daniel realised.

“Always have. What other family could wield my gun?” Revolver said, voice laced with bitterness.

“Whatever.” Daniel made a mental note to deal with Revolver later. He handed the sword to Marion.

“DON'T I JUST TOLD YOU!” Revolver cried. “Once you've killed you can never go back.”

“Already crossed that bridge mate.” Daniel smirked.

Revolver sighed again. “So be it. I'll stop her my-,”

Suddenly Revolvers head went flying towards Demons office, his body crumpling where he had stood. Daniels eyes widened in horror. What had he DONE? Master Revolver now lay dead as well, and he had done nothing.

He looked towards Marion, and decided to quickly get out of the madwoman's way. 

“Good choice.” Marion hissed at him as she walked out of the building. Daniel watched her leave, horrified and disgusted. He looked over at the body of Master Revolver. A long-lost cousin of Belle, who had never revealed her secret identity, even though he could have easily. 

He then saw Judiths body. He walked over to it and fell next to her.

“I’m sorry. I couldn’t save you and I couldn’t save Marion.” He whispered.

Meanwhile, Daryl Jones was sitting in his car, watching as Marion stepped out into the darkening rain, holding the Lions Claw Blade. He saw her talk to one of her lackeys, before gutting that lackey and turning to another, who quickly rushed off to get her limo and drive her to Fallsville.

He lifted his coffee in salute before taking a sip and laughing.