Author: Crofton77

Once again we find our heroes at
Pleasantville Dam, happily fishing.

“This dam has stood the test of time
for two hundred years. My fore-father built it with his best friend,
Louis.” Joe looked proudly at the feature. “However I don't
think it will last too much longer.”

“Do they have a plan to fix it?”
Sunny asked, rubbing some more suncream onto her arms.

Joe scoffed. Peter shook his head.

“Of course not. I've only been
petitioning for it for the past three years.” He scowled as Belle
hauled in another large fish.

“You know that they're corrupt in the
Council Daddy, why don't you just take the money from the coffers and
do it yourself?” She asked innocently.

“What, and be as bad as those I'm
trying to prosecute? No thank you!” Peter admonished her.

“It was just a suggestion.
Considering how much damage would be done if the dam DID burst, I
think it's a good one.” Belle replied haughtily.

“You're having another good idea
before me?!” Charlie yelped. “What on earth is going on?!”

It took Thomas, Daniel, TJ, Peter, Joe
and Sunny to stop Belle from strangling her best friend with the
fishing line.

–

Belle was still stewing later that
afternoon. Charlie didn't help the situation any and insisted on
needling her when he could. The others had gone home for the
evening, and the pair were in their tree waiting for Bill and Betty
to finish making dinner.

“Next you'll be able to use the-,”
Charlie taunted, but silenced when he saw the look on Belles face.
“You're hilarious when you're mad, you know that right?”

“You're a pain Charlie. Why do I
hang out with you again?” Belle frowned at him.

“Because I know too much.” Charlie
teased, pinching her cheek affectionately.

“Like Mr. Wuzzy-Fuzzles?” Belle
smirked.

Charlie shut up after that.

Belle enjoyed her little victory. She
looked out towards the road, noticing a beat-up old Crummydore
mounting the curb.

“Visitors?” She said quizzically.

Inside, Peter had also noticed the
Crummydore. He'd just finished giving Bill a piece of his mind when
he noticed who was driving it.

“Get Beauty inside. NOW.” He
commanded his brother.

“You do it yourself!” Bill snapped.

“Bill, NOW.” Peter gave him a Look.
Bill stepped back.

“Okay, whatever. BELLE! GET INSIDE
NOW!” Bill yelled as he headed up the stairs.

“What's up?” Joe asked.

“Jessie and Johannas.” Peter
replied.

Joe froze.

“BELLE! NOW! NO ARGUMENTS!” Bill
roared as he entered her room.

“But-,”

“NOW!” Bill reached through the
window and grabbed her. Charlie followed her inside.

“Close the windows and stay put!”
Bill warned. He'd just noticed the car too – and he knew what it
meant.

“Uncle Bill-,”

“Belle, trust me on this. Do as
you're told.” Bill growled. That instantly silenced Belle, who was
now a little scared.

Unlike her older brothers, Jessie
looked like her mother, only with her fathers dark hair instead of
the blond hair the boys shared with their mother. She was tall and
thin with dark circles under her blue eyes.

Her boyfriend Johannas was just as
thin, with a shaved head, numerous tattoos, brown eyes and a leering
smile. He stank of alcohol and he hid his red eyes behind a pair of
oversized sunglasses.

Jessie had left the Masters family
before Belle was born. She couldn't stand the Masters Code nor the
Improbability Clause, and thought both were old and antiquated (and
in the case of the Improbability Clause, completely fictional). The
fight that she'd had with Joe the night before she left was much,
much worse than the petty squabbles between Joe and his sons, and it
had left Joe in tears. That night Peter and Bill turned on their
sister and refused to acknowledge her as their relation. It had
killed Peter inside to do it, as he had been raised to believe his
number one priority was to protect his siblings at all costs.

Seeing her now, he realised that she
had never changed. Even as children, she'd been the odd one out.
She'd never fully embraced the family Code, or the friendship with
the Beglys for that matter. There was nothing anyone could have
done.

“What does she want?” Bill growled
after he got back downstairs.

“I don't know, but she better not
think that Johannas is coming inside.” Peter said firmly. Last
time Jessie had come back with Johannas, he'd tried to molest Belle
in her sleep. Peter had caught him before he even got close though,
and had earned himself his second scar in the process. Belle
thankfully had no idea what the ensuing fight had been about,
assuming that the argument had just been the stock standard one that
was always going on.

The three went outside to meet the
unwelcome pair. Belle peeked underneath her curtain, then quickly
closed it again. Johannas scared her.

“Are you okay?” Charlie asked.

“Jessie and Johannas.” Belle
replied. Charlie hugged her. He had a quick look outside too, and
saw the three Masters men standing outside. Thomas was outside too,
pretending to weed his petunias.

Jessie got out of the car, and walked
towards her family. Johannas leaned back against the car, smirking.
Two of his friends were sitting in the car, big, hulking men who
oozed trouble.

“Jessie.” Peter frowned.

“Peter. Bill. Dad.” Jessie glared
back.

“What are you after?” Peter asked
unkindly.

“What, I'm not allowed to come and
see my family after so long?” Jessie bit back.

“Considering what happened last time,
I think I have the right to be wary.” Peter said, glaring at
Johannas, who chuckled.

“Get out of it Peter, he didn't hurt
her.” Jessie snapped.

“Only because I stopped him.” Was
the cold reply.

The two siblings glared at each other.

“Aren't you going to say anything
Dad?” Jessie turned to her father.

“I've said all I ever have to say to
you Jess.” Joe said sadly. “You won't listen to me.”

“All you ever talk about is that
stupid Code.” Jessie fired.

“It's our family Code! YOUR code!”
Bill protested. “You're one of us!”

“Apparently not any more.” Jessie
glared at him. “You're right Jo, I don't know why I came back.”

“I told you they wouldn't have a bar
of it.” Johannas sneered. “They don't care about you.”

“Unfortunately that happens when you
get your heart broken.” Peter snarled.

“You can't even let it go for the
sake of your own niece or nephew? Pathetic.” Johannas got up off
the car and walked towards Peter. Bill and Joe flinched as he stood
right in front of the oldest Masters son.

“You're pregnant Jessie?” Peter
asked, looking down his nose at Johannas.

“Yes. I am. I came to you for help
and instead I'm being thrown out.” Jessie rounded on him.

“We'll help. Just keep Johannas away
from us.” Peter said.

“Johannas is the father. If you help
me, you help him.” Jessie bit back.

“Then we have nothing to discuss.”
Peter finished the conversation.

“I'm your sister.” Jessie began to
tear up.

“And you hurt my brother and my
father. Your little boyfriend tried to hurt my daughter. I think I
know whose side I'm on.” Peter looked at his baby sister. Pregnant
with the fools child. He pitied her a little.

Two tears leaked from Jessies eyes.
Johannas fumed.

“You made her cry you bastard!” He
roared at Peter.

“She made us cry.” Peter replied.

Johannas swung violently at Peter, who
dodged. With one hand to the chest, he sent Johannas flying to the
ground.

Thomas roared with laughter. Johannas
had landed in a muddy puddle, and his pants were now stained brown.
Peters expression hadn't changed.

His two friends suddenly leaped out of
the car and headed towards the three Masters. That's when Thomas got
up and came over.

“I'll handle these two.” He
smirked. Peter groaned.

“They're younger, stronger and faster
than you.” He said. “You're going to get thumped.”

“Heh. Improbability time.” Thomas
replied.

The two thugs rushed at him. One went
to punch Thomas, and ended up getting his fist caught. Thomas threw
him aside easily. The other tried to grab him around the throat from
behind. Thomas merely leaned back, causing the thug to slip on the
wet grass. He went down, Thomas landing heavily on top of him.

“And done.” Thomas got up, proud of
himself.

“Come on Jo, let's go.” Jessie
pulled Johannas up as his friends rushed back to the car. He swatted
her away angrily.

“Get your hands off me bitch!” He
shoved her aside and stalked back to the car.

Jessie took one last look at her
brothers and father. Peter, the way she'd always remembered him,
with his neat short hair and short build. Bill and Joe, both tall
and solid with long hair, the only difference between them being the
number of scars and Bills blond hair against Joes dark hair. With
one last glare, she jumped in the car and the group drove off.

Thomas grinned and got up.

“Did you see that? How good was I
Ow!” Thomas bragged as Peter smacked him upside the head.

“My ONE moment of badassery. ONE
moment, and you RUINED it!” Peter fumed.

Sometimes it's hard to be a Masters.

Mobster Marion and Master Revolver
walked into the Misneach compound, towards the large group of about
100 men and women, all loyal to the Death Valley Mobsters.

“Hello our loyal followers.” Master
Revolver spoke, silencing the crowd.

“You've probably noticed, but there
seems to be a disease rampant in Pleasantville. That sickness is the
Noble Knights of the Last Order and their little pals Chuckles and
Giggles!” Mobster Marion began.

“It's time we fixed what has been
wronged. Ever since the birth of Pleasantville the Death Valley Gang
and the Mobsters of Misneach have ruled this city with an iron fist.
The order MUST be restored.” Master Revolver punched his palm,
inciting excitement amongst the group.

“That is why the Death Valley
Mobsters have been born – because our word is law in this city, and
they'd best not forget it!” Mobster Marion roared.

A great cheer went up.

“Tonight.” Master Revolver grinned.
“Tonight, at midnight, we march on Pleasantville. Tonight, at
midnight, we take back our city!”

The roar went up, and the two leaders
grinned.

Those brats would pay.

–

Daniel grimaced. Sunny glared back.
She quickly looked back over Daniels shoulder to Petunia, who nodded.

CRACK!

“MY LEG!” Daniel cried, limping
away from the crease almost the moment the cricket ball hit his shin.

Meanwhile, Belle lifted one finger into
the air. TJ and Sammy were furious.

“SHE DELIBERATELY AIMED FOR HIS LEG!”

“HOW CAN YOU GIVE THAT OUT?!”

Charlie watched the cricket game from
the big tree, not particularly interested. He was filled with a mix
of sadness and fury, both at his grand-father and himself. If he'd
only been faster. If only his grand-father had just stayed home. If
only he'd never donned the Chuckles costume. If only…if only…

It was no good thinking about what
could have been, you couldn't change what had happened. You could
only go forwards, and try not to make the same mistakes again.

Would he end up being as stubborn as
his grand-father had been? Was he going to suffer a similar fate?
Could Belle stop him, or would she end up failing like Joe had?

Or was he too much of a Begly? Would
he end up like Grandpa Tim, who died peacefully in his sleep after
saying good-bye to everyone?

It was doing his head in.

“Are you okay?” Belle was suddenly
next to him. How long had he been thinking?

“No.” Charlie didn't see the point
in lying to Belle. She'd know. She always knew.

She bent down and kissed his cheek.
“It would have been the way he wanted to go, you know that.” She
looked towards the creek. “Maybe I was wrong to try and stop him
from joining us.”

“He still would have died.” Charlie
pointed out. “And he wouldn't have changed anything. You saw that
when Revolver and Marion were in gaol – Demon came to take their
place.”

“I guess so. All we can do is try to
keep them under control.” Belle sighed. “You're still going to
try, right?”

Charlie looked up at the sky through
the leaves of the tree. A tree that was over one hundred years old.
A friendship that was over 500 years old. In all those centuries,
not once had anyone given up.

Grandpa Charles hadn't given up.

“Of course.” Charlie looked up as
his best friend fondly. “I won't let this stop me.”

“You won't try to get revenge on
Demon will you?” Belle asked. “I will stop you if you try to
kill him.”

“I won't. I might be his grand-son,
but I'm not him.” Charlie reassured her.

She smiled at him. He smiled back.

“So who won the cricket game?”
Charlie asked.

“No one. It turned into a brawl and
Dad sent everyone home to cool off. They'll be back for dinner.”
Belle giggled.

“You really shouldn't have paid that
LBW.”

“Technically it WAS there.”

“You just like stirring.”

“I do.”

“Are you two going to come in for
lunch?” Bill called from Belles room.

“Just a minute Uncle Bill!” Belle
called back. She turned to Charlie.

“You're gonna be okay. I'll make
sure of it.” She said.

“I know.” Charlie replied. It
hurt, it would always hurt, but there was a light at the end of the
tunnel now, the wound was going to heal.

The pair made their way inside where
Bill had made a big pot of stew for lunch. Thomas, Betty, Izzy and
Lizzy were there, and Woof was sitting with Meow.

Charlie looked at his mother, who
looked away. He guessed that she'd never be able to fully forgive
what had happened. He also guessed his sisters felt the same way.

A shame.

The meal was still pleasant enough,
Bill and Peter soon got into a fight about the price of oil in Chyna,
Betty rolled her eyes, Thomas laughed, the twins ate in silence and
Belle, Charlie and Joe had an in-depth discussion about cricket.

It was a fun afternoon, especially when
the rest of the Knights came back over and the group headed out to
Lake Pleasant for a swim. Charlie could almost ignore the lingering
pain in his heart.

–

It was late that night, and Belle was
deep in sleep. She always slept well, even as a baby (pneumonia
withstanding, then again I wouldn't expect anyone to sleep well with
pneumonia). The three walls that bordered her bed always made her
feel secure, and crawling in the end of her bed never bothered her.

She was snuggled into one of the
corners, snoring peacefully, Meow purring away against her back, when
suddenly she was woken up to Charlie shaking her.

“Get up! Something's not right!”
He hissed.

“Go back to bed Charlie, it's 11.30
and I'm tired.” Belle rolled over. Meow glared at her before
retreating to another corner at the foot of the bed.

“But Belle-,”

“Go. To. Sleep.” Belle mumbled.
“You can even stay with me if you absolutely must.”

“BELLE!” Charlie whispered loudly
in Belles ear.

“For the love of…WHAT?!” Belle
snapped in hushed tones.

“Something's wrong. Will you do a
patrol with me?” Charlie asked.

“NO.”

“C'mon Belle, I have a hunch.”

“A HUNCH?! You woke me up for a
HUNCH?!” Belle was furious. Meow wasn't all too impressed either,
and jumped off the end of the bed and headed out of the bedroom to go
and sleep somewhere quieter!

“Belle, please, just come with me.”
Charlie begged.

“Why haven't you hit your watch? If
there's a problem, we're going to need everyone to help us.” Belle
replied, irked that her sleep was interrupted.

“I don't want to wake up everyone
just for a hunch.” Charlie replied.

“But you have no problem waking ME
up?!”

“You're my best friend.”

“You're DEAD if we don't find
anything.”

–

Chuckles felt nervous. Giggles was
jabbing him in the back, and it was only a matter of time before the
Lucky Seven Gun came out and he had no kneecaps left.

“We have been around the city TWICE.
We have seen NOTHING.” Giggles growled. “You have thirty seconds
to explain why I shouldn't eat you alive.”

“Because then you wouldn't have
anyone to activate the Improbability Clause for you?” Chuckles
tried. He knew the moment that he mentioned the Clause that he'd
just signed his own death warrant.

It was only the sound of marching feet
that saved him. Giggles grabbed him and flew him up to the top of a
building.

“Is that…the DVG?” Giggles asked.

“There are WAY too many of them to be
the DVG. And it's not the Mob either, they're all carrying handguns.”
Chuckles looked down.

“Then WHO are they? Not Demons lot
are they?” Giggles groaned. She hit the face of her watch, praying
that at least one of the Knights was still awake enough to see it.

She looked down again and was
horrirfied. Mobster Marion was walking hand-in-hand with Master
Revolver!

“We are SO screwed!” Chuckles
groaned. “If they're on the same page, Pleasantville is done for!”

Giggles stared at the pair, feeling
helpless. Her hand dropped, hitting the Lucky Seven Gun on the way
down.

She had a thought. She could take out
the pair from where she was sitting. The Lucky Seven Gun could
handle a bit of sniper action.

“Don't even think about disobeying
the Code.” Chuckles warned in her ear. Giggles slapped herself
mentally. How could she have even considered it?!

“We have to get them arrested again.”
She whispered.

“Yeah.” Chuckles looked down. The
Death Valley Mobsters were all standing in a formation, almost like
an army. Master Revolver and Mobster Marion stood in front of them.

Suddenly Chuckles had an idea.

“We need to take out Master Revolver
and Mobster Marion. If we can just hold them off until help arrives,
we'll be fine!” He said.

“Not going to happen doofus. If we
get into a fight with them, it's easily fifty to one. We'll be
killed.” Giggles replied. Chuckles ignored her. “CHUCKLES!”

Chuckles leapt from the top of the
building to a balcony below, and made his way down the building.
Giggles groaned angrily and followed him down.

“Now, our loyal Mobsters, we are
going to make this city pay for daring to try and defy – I'M TRYING
TO GIVE A SPEECH HERE!” Master Revolver fumed as Chuckles landed in
front of him.

“Let me handle this runt.” Mobster
Marion glared at the newcomer to their little party. She charged at
Chuckles and slashed downwards, but her sword was blocked by one of
the Arm Scythes. Chuckles then swung back with the Lions Claw Blade,
narrowly missing Mobster Marion but cutting off a fair chunk of
Master Revolvers hair.

“What the-? DO YOU KNOW HOW LONG IT
TOOK TO GROW THIS HAIR?!” Master Revolver was livid. Chuckles was
still fighting Mobster Marion, and his back was turned to her
boyfriend. Master Revolver grinned. He pulled out his gun

He would have fired had it not been for
a bullet landing at his feet. Giggles was in the air, and was
pointing the Lucky Seven Gun at him.

“You two are trying my patience!”
Mobster Marion kicked Chuckles in the guts, sending him sprawling
back. Giggles quickly landed next to her best friend, and pointed
the Lucky Seven Gun at their foes.

“What on earth are you trying to do
here?!” Giggles asked.

“We're seeking vengeance. Don't you
see that?” Master Revolver grinned. “We've amassed our forces,
and we're now going to remind Pleasantville of our might.”

“Will you just KILL them already?!”
Mobster Marion groaned.

“Your might?!” Giggles asked
incredulously.

“For two hundred years our families
have had Pleasantville under our thumbs. Two little brats can't stop
centuries of hard work. That is why we've decided to work together.”
Master Revolver explained.

“So, you've laid aside a
centuries-old rivalry just to deal with us. I'm flattered.”
Giggles snapped.

“Yes, well, you two ARE a fair bit of
a nuisance. You and your little Knights of the Last Order. I have
to give you credit, you've certainly managed to scare us. But that's
more due to our own complacency than any real talent you have. It's
only an accident that you two ended up stealing our sacred weapons,
that were forged for our forefathers so long ago. But now it's time
for the balance to be corrected.” Master Revolver continued on.

“You're rambling.” Mobster Marion
rolled her eyes. “Hurry up!”

“You're very impatient Marion.”
Giggles pointed out. Chuckles looked up at her. What was Giggles
doing?!

“Yes. Impatience has probably worked
in your favour, but not tonight. Tonight, we're going to savour
every last bit of your defeat. Our colossal triumph begins by making
an example of you. To make sure that no one gets the foolish idea to
try and take us on again. THAT is what tonight is about. Squashing
any hope of resistance that these foolish peasants might have.”
Master Revolver straightened himself up. “And furthermore-,”

What he would have said no one knew,
because at that moment Sir Hyper bolted past, nearly knocking Master
Revolver off his feet.

“What the-?” Mobster Marion looked
around. The night then exploded in the colours of red and blue –
the police had arrived.

“Chuckles, Giggles! Over here!”
Called Sir Dark from a nearby street. Giggles lifted Chuckles up and
flew the pair over to where the Knights were.

“What was THAT about?” Giggles
asked Sir Hyper.

“When our watches started going off,
we realised we'd probably need the police to back us up. Of course,
I never realised we'd be THIS right.” Sir Lionheart looked at the
many police officers who had now surrounded the small Death Valley
Mobsters army. Many of the Mobsters had fled at the sight of the
police lights, but a good many of them still got arrested.

Chuckles couldn't help but laugh.

“See? I told you we just had to hold
them up!” He thumped Giggles on the back. “The Improbability
Clause strikes again!”

Giggles was about to disagree, when she
realised he was right.

“The power of exposition!” Chuckles
continued to laugh. Meanwhile, Giggles had developed an eye twitch
and was fuming.

She turned around and smacked Chuckles
upside the head with the butt of the Lucky Seven Gun.

“We're going home. Good NIGHT you
guys.” Giggles grabbed Chuckles, whose eyes were watering.

“G'night Giggles! G'night Chuckles!”
The Knights waved as the heroes flew off into the night. Once
Giggles was out of earshot, they too started laughing.

Poor Belle Masters!

Charlie sat by the gravestone, hugging
his knees. Woof sat sadly beside his master, head bowed low.

He was devastated. If only he hadn't
had the idea to go running around fighting crime in the first place,
none of this would have happened. Of course, it didn't help that one
of Grandpa Tims last suggestions had been to go out and save the day.
Why did he listen to his Grandpa Tim? Why did he listen to the
Begly blood in his veins, telling him that he was invincible and that
nothing could stop him?

But you couldn't blame Grandpa Tim for
this. Grandpa Charles had always followed Grandpa Tim, had always
wanted to be like Grandpa Tim. Always wanted to be BETTER than
Grandpa Tim. It had gotten him killed. A senseless, pointless death
that proved nothing.

Grandpa Charles had been at war. He
had so badly wanted the Howzat blood in Charles to win out against
the Begly blood. To rebel against the Code and the Clause. As much
as Grandpa Charles loved Grandpa Tim, he envied and hated him.

Charlie heard a noise and looked up.
Joe Masters stood next to him, looking old and sad.

“I couldn't save him. Not this
time.” He sighed sadly, tears falling from his eyes. “They were
my brothers, and I was supposed to look out for them.”

Charlie could see even clearer now. It
wasn't Tims approval that Charles was after – it was Joes. The big
brother. The other vital ingredient in the Improbability Clause. The
smart, strong one who always kept them out of trouble.

Charles had been jealous of the
centuries old friendship between the two families.

“It wasn't your fault.” Charlie
whispered.

“I know. But it will live with me
forever.” Joe looked up to the cloudy sky above. The sudden crack
of thunder barely registered in his psyche, but he knew it meant it
was time to go home.

“Come on Charlie. We need to go.”
He held out his hand to help the boy up.

“Oh Charles.” The old man thought
as he looked back on his best friends grave one last time. “You
meant just as much to me as Tim did.

“You were my brother too.”

–

That night, while the Masters and Begly
families, along with their friends, celebrated the life of Charles
Howzat, Master Revolver was stalking the streets of Pleasantville.

The empty alleyway was dark and
foreboding. Master Revolver smirked as he walked down it. Pulling
his pistol from his belt, he fired into a dark corner. A loud “TINK”
reverberated throughout the air, and the gunman grinned.

“So you ARE here. Glad you could
make it.” He sneered.

“Of course I'm here, I've been on
pins and needles just salivating for your arrival.” A sarcastic
female voice replied.

“Oh I bet you have.” Master
Revolver leered. Mobster Marion might have been the leader of his
most hated rivals, but she certainly was attractive!

Within a split second he found a sword
at his throat. It was no where near as long nor as intimidating as
the Lions Claw Blade, but it was at least sharp enough to tear out
his throat.

“Don't you dare mock me gunslinger.”
Mobster Marion warned. “Or I will kill you.”

“What, after you sent one of your
helicopters to rescue me? I was very touched by the way.” Master
Revolver shrugged the blade off. “Not as fine as what you're used
to wielding is it?”

“Neither is that little pistol you're
waving around.” Mobster Marion glared at the pathetic little gun in
the Gangsters hand. “However, it will make cutting you down all
the easier.”

“Heh heh heh…you're on.” Master
Revolver fired his gun, barely missing the Mobster who dodged
quickly. She retaliated with a quick jab of the sword, nicking
Master Revolvers coat but leaving him relatively unscathed.

Master Revolver fired again, twice.
The first bullet missed, but the second one nicked Mobster Marions
hand. Enraged, Mobster Marion slashed upwards, leaving a nasty cut
on Master Revolvers chest.

Both of them glared at each other. It
was on.

Mobster Marion retreated again to the
shadows. Master Revolver fumed. Even if he DID retreat to the
shadows as well, the gun going off would alert her to his presence.
Instead, he dropped to one knee.

“Giving up already? I'll make this
quick then.” Mobster Marion thought. She jumped down from the
dumpster she'd been standing on, and landed right on Master Revolvers
fist!

The wind flew out of her as his fist
sunk deeper into her stomach. He pointed the gun at her head, and
was about to pull the trigger when the butt of her sword smacked him
hard in the side of the head. They separated, both regaining their
composure.

“Not bad gunslinger.” Mobster
Marion spat, trying to catch her breath.

“You're pretty sharp yourself swords
woman.” Master Revolver replied, clutching his sore head. Mobster
Marion traced his hulking frame with her eyes, watching his powerful
muscles tense and relax.

Both of them look up a fighting stance
again. Their eyes locked, the tension rising.

Master Revolver started firing again,
each bullet being dodged with ease. Mobster Marion easy got up close
and swung her sword, narrowly missing Master Revolver.

Their faces were close. They could
taste each others breath. Master Revolver caught her lips with his
as she pushed up against him.

–

“So.” Mobster Marion traced the
hairs on Master Revolvers chest two hours later in her bedroom.

“I think we have a deal.” Master
Revolver cupped his hand around her face. “Together we'll fix
those Knights.”

“And we'll get back the Lucky Seven
Gun and the Lions Claw Blade.”

“No wonder I've always liked you.”

“Everyone likes me.”

“So arrogant.”

“I have a right to be.”

Another kiss sealed the deal. The Death
Valley Gang and the Mobsters of Misneach were no more. A far worse
threat had been born of the union of the two most despised groups in
the city.

Pleasantville now had to deal with the
Death Valley Mobsters.

 Charlie sat in the tree, looking out
over Pleasant Creek.

“It's not your fault Charlie.”
Belle tried to reason with him. “You tried to do the right thing,
it's not your fault that he got sick.”

“How do you know?” Charlie replied,
still staring at the creek.

“Because he was under stress despite
you, not because of you. Even if he was out fighting, the stress of
the battle would have triggered that heart attack. You heard him
wheezing the last time he fought Demon. The next battle would have
been his last.” Belle pointed out.

Charlie sighed. “Yeah, I guess
you're right. You always seem to be able to think things through.”

“Family gift.” Belle chuckled. She
hugged Charlie tightly.

“Thanks.” He murmured.

“You're welcome.” Belle replied.

“OI! ODD-COUPLE! DOWN HERE!” They
heard TJ yelling down below.

“WHAT?” Belle shouted down.

“WE'RE GOING FISHING! WANNA COME?!”
Sammy yelled.

“SURE!” Charlie replied.

The pair quickly got their fishing gear
and headed out with TJ and Sammy to the fishing hole near Pleasant
Dam. The others were already there waiting for them.

Daniel, being the tactful leader that
he is, had made sure that Sapphire nor Charles were going to be
mentioned that afternoon.

“Guys, before you two go and get
Belle and Charlie, I'd like to talk to you guys about Charles.”
He'd said.

“About?” Sammy enquired.

“Try and keep the talk of Charles and
Sapphire to a minimum. Charlie already feels guilty about what
happened, this fishing trip is so we can all relax and recover from
our various injuries and injustices.” Daniel started moralising.

Sammy raised his hand.

“Very funny Sam.” Daniel glared at
him.

“If Charlie brings it up-,”

“GO.” Daniel fumed while everyone
else laughed.

“I do feel for poor Charlie though,
it must be really tough.” Petunia sighed after the two boys had
left.

“Tell me about it. Part of me is
glad none of my grand-parents give a damn about me.” Sunny cast her
line and settled down, having absolutely no intention of catching any
fish, and every intention of spending the day relaxing.

Tammy looked sadly at Sunny. The
bruises were becoming less frequent, but from the looks of things the
connections that Sunny had with her family weren't improving.

“You have Joe. He looks out for
you.” Petunia tried to lighten the mood.

“And you have us.” Daniel put a
hand on her shoulder.

“Thanks guys.” Sunny smiled at her
friends.

“My grand-parents are very much the
doting type. If they knew I was out crime-fighting, they'd report my
parents to child services.” Petunia told them.

“My grand-parents keep giving me
history books about all the old wars. They think I might find
something useful in them.” Daniel chuckled. “I guess they're
right.”

“HEY! Caught anything yet?!” They
heard TJ yelling.

“That was quick!” Daniel marvelled.

“Uncle Bill gave us a ride. He's off
to the restaurant at the moment.” Belle told them as she settled
down on the picnic rug. “He just lost an argument with Dad.”

“I wonder about your family
sometimes.” Sunny shook her head.

“So do a lot of people.” Charlie
laughed. “Dad was telling me back when HE was a kid that he used
to hear them fighting all the time.”

“It works for us.” Belle shrugged.
“They all love each other.”

“And that's what counts.” Petunia
smiled.

“This is getting too sappy, can we
move on to the fish now?” TJ complained.

“Awww, doesn't TJ wanna admit he wuvs
his Mummy and Daddy?” Sunny teased.

“Oh rack off.” TJ snapped.

“Touchy.” Daniel laughed.

The two boys started wrestling, soon
joined by Charlie and Sammy while the girls laughed. The sun was
shining, the birds were singing, the fish were biting, and soon the
friends were starting to pull in a good haul.

“Uncle Bill WILL be pleased!” Belle
grinned as the ice box steadily filled up.

“Is he going to be able to use it
all?” Sammy asked, throwing back a small fish that would have been
illegal to eat.

“Yup, business is booming at the
moment, especially now with the crime rate dropping. People are more
likely to leave their homes to go out to dinner nowadays.” Belle
replied.

“It's great to know we've helped make
this city better.” Daniel stretched himself out.

“You're not going to get all sappy
again are you?” TJ groaned, lifting a rather large fish into the
ice box. “I don't think we're going to fit much more in guys.”

“I'll call Uncle Bill and we'll get
the load to the restaurant. Nothing like fresh fish to go with your
chips!” Belles stomach began rumbling.

“You think Bill will let us have
some?” Sammy looked hopefully at the catch.

“He'll have to, won't he?” Petunia
was also starting to water at the mouth.

Soon Bill arrived to pick up the load,
and not long after that the friends were digging in to freshly cooked
fish.

“This is delicious.” Sunny wolfed
down another mouthful of her fish stir-fry.

“Unbelieveable.” Petunia helped
herself to another fish ball.

Sammy and Tammy were content with their
fish and chips (battered and crumbed respectively) while Daniel,
Charlie and TJ enjoyed their fish in a spaghetti marinara. Belle was
making her way through a fish salad.

“It wouldn't be right to sell all
these fish and not let you guys have some.” Bill looked out of the
kitchen and smiled at the feasting heroes. Already people were
starting to forward in, tempted by the delicious smells and the sight
of the food. The sun was setting over Lake Pleasant, and the whole
atmosphere was brilliant.

Charlie looked around the table. He
wished his grand-father was there with them. Every time he'd been to
visit the old man in the past week, the conversation had been frosty
at best.

Charles Howzat didn't have much time
left.

The children had just finished their
meal and were about to start thinking about dessert when the sirens
started.

“On a Saturday?!” Sunny groaned.
She'd been looking forward to some cheesecake to wash down the fish
with.

“Let's go – discreetely!” Daniel
advised. They all thanked Bill for the meal, and shot out of the
back door to get changed into their gear.

–

Like Master Revolver, Mobster Marion
thought it was a good idea to have a celebration when she got
released from gaol.

Her celebration however had been a bit
more lawful. A nice party in her gated mansion hurt no one.

Until the Death Valley Gang arrived and
all-out war had started, endangering the nearby populace.

“Just concentrate on getting people
out of here!” Giggles said to Chuckles.

“Right!” Chuckles nodded. He
ducked underneath a barrage of bullets, heading into a nearby home
while Giggles helped a family out of the top-storey window of their
home. They took them to the end of a nearby cul-de-sac where they
would be safe, and where Lady Luck could look them over for any
injuries.

The heroes were going okay until
Mobster Marion sent out her bayonet squadron. It was a lot more
difficult for the heroes to go unnoticed, especially when both
Mobster Marion and Master Revolver declared them targets too.

“WHY did we get involved in this?!”
Sir Dark yelped as he dodged another bullet.

“Because innocent lives and nobility
and because we're freaking insane!” Sir Lionheart replied, nearly
getting skewered with a bayonet.

“How many people left?”

“Too many!”

Sir Hyper ran screaming from one of the
bayonets, while Lady Courage tried fighting fire with fire and was
taking on two of the Gangsters.

“This is insane! I've seen skirmishes
between the DVG and Mob before, but this is beyond that!” Giggles
hid with Chuckles behind a house.

“Do you think this has anything to do
with that Mobster helicopter saving Revolver last week?” Chuckles
asked.

“It could very well do. Maybe
Revolver took it as an insult.” Giggles replied, sticking her head
out to check what was going on. She fired the Lucky Seven Gun at the
feet of a few goons, trying to get them away from Lady Courage and
Sir Hyper.

“This is way out of our league!”
Sir Hyper yelped as he hid with the others.

“Where are Sir Lionheart and Sir
Dark?” Lady Courage asked frantically.

“They're stuck over there with those
people. They can't get them out of to the cul-de-sac without getting
them killed!” Giggles groaned.

“We could provide a distraction.”
Chuckles piped up.

“NO.” Giggles flattened his
suggestion. “We'd get killed instantly, and then those poor
innocents would get polished off. There simply wouldn't be enough
time.”

“If they get distracted, then we've
got to try.” Chuckles pointed out.

“Well isn't this a mess?” Said a
booming voice that caused a temporary lull in the battle.

“Come on!” Chuckles grabbed
Giggles, who was furious. Damn the Improbability Clause!

“So, you're Demon.” Master Revolver
stepped forward from the group of Death Valley Gangsters, approaching
the newcomer who had walked calmly into the fray. “You're the one
who's been keeping the pests busy for us.”

“I don't approve of their meddling in
things that children should stay out of.” Demon replied. “You'll
understand I'm sure.”

“What do you want?!” Yelled Mobster
Marion from one of the mansion windows.

“I want back up. I want to know I
can count on the two most powerful fighting forces in Pleasantville
to back me when I take on the Pleasantville Council.” Demon stated.

“Whatever.” Master Revolver rolled
his eyes. “Get lost freak.”

“Do NOT mess with me Revolver. I
will kill you if I must.” Demon warned.

“I'd like to see you try.” Master
Revolver smirked, snapping his fingers. Four of the Death Valley
Gangsters surrounded him, protecting their master.

“Hmm.” Demon smiled his sick
smile.

Meanwhile, the heroes had almost gotten
the last of the unintended hostages out of the danger area and back
to Lady Luck.

“Almost there! Keep moving!” Sir
Lionheart hissed, trying to keep the small crowd inconspicuous.

“Don't you “hmm” me. Show some
respect for the most feared criminal in the city!” Master Revolver
growled.

Loud laughter was heard from the
mansion. Mobster Marion couldn't help herself after hearing that
last declaration!

“Shut up Marion!” Master Revolver
barked.

Meanwhile, the plan had worked. The
hostages were free and the heroes were safe.

“I am NEVER doing anything like that
again!” Sir Dark flopped onto the ground, head pounding.

“That was far too close for comfort.”
Sir Lionheart agreed. “If it wasn't for the Improbability Clause
we'd be in huge trouble.”

Giggles pouted.

“Yeah.” Chuckles wiped his brow.
He looked back towards where the battle had been. “Oh NO!”

Sapphire had arrived and was standing
close to where the battle had been.

“Grandpa no, you've just recovered
from your heart attack!” Chuckles groaned.

He ran towards the old man, who was
heading towards the battle armed with two knives.

Giggles ran after them, trying to get
the Backpack to work. She pulled out the Lucky Seven Gun, hoping she
wouldn't have to use it.

“Well look who else has arrived.
Hello Sapphire.” Demon sneered as the old hero walked slowly
towards them.

“GRANDPA NO! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!”
Chuckles screamed.

“So that's why the rat has your arm
thingies.” Demon looked down his nose at Chuckles.

Master Revolver backed off. He didn't
want any part of this battle. He'd done what he wanted to do, and
that was to put the Mobsters of Misneach on notice.

“I'll settle with you later Marion!”
He roared.

“Up yours too sunshine!” Was the
polite reply.

“Have fun with the old man.”
Master Revolver sneered at Demon, before taking his small army and
leaving.

Sapphire attacked first, but the heart
attack plus his bad hips had slowed him down significantly. Demon
dodged far too easily, and shoved Sapphire to the ground.

“GRANDPA!” Screamed Chuckles, but
it was far too late. Demon stomped on one of Sapphires frail wrists,
breaking it easily. With the knife that had come loose from the old
mans hand, he stabbed his prey squarely in the chest.

Finally the Backpack was going to
behave! Giggles flew furiously towards Demon, ready to belt the
living daylights out of the man. Demon ducked her first swoop,
before throwing his boomerang after her. It clipped her arm, but she
couldn't feel the pain over her fury. One boot to the chest had him
sprawled on the ground

Realising that fighting Chuckles and
Giggles alone was a bad idea, Demon quickly set off one of his smoke
bombs and escaped.

“GRANDPA!” Chuckles was still
screaming. He fell to his knees next to his beloved grand-father.
“WHAT WAS THE POINT?! WHAT WAS THE FREAKING POINT?!”

Sapphire looked up at his grand-son.
“At least…we were willing to try.”

The howls of pain from his devastated
grand-son echoed hauntingly through the night.

Charles lay in his bed, looking at the
ceiling. He'd been allowed to return to his apartment, provided he
stayed in bed and alerted the caretakers immediately if something
went wrong.

He felt lonely and angry. Charlie
hadn't needed training, it was only a ruse to keep his grand-father
out of the way. The insult stung.

Charles could have turned on the TV.
He could have read the twenty or so books that the twins had brought
him. But he couldn't bring himself to even lift his head.

He WAS getting old. He'd just had a
heart-attack, for pete's sake. His hips were constantly locking up
and his reaction time was much slower than he had once been.

His thoughts turned to the past. Joe,
Tim and him. They were unstoppable in their day.

–

“You're certain this is going to
work?” Joe looked doubtfully at the go-cart, which Tim was 100%
certain was going to work.

“Yup.” Tim grinned back.

“And you're going to beat those punks
on the other side of town?”

“Yup.”

“With no injuries?”

“Yup.”

“And the cart left in one piece?”

“Yup.”

“Even though Pleasant Gorge is full
of dangerous turns and covered with rocks?”

“Yup.”

“How?”

“The Improbability-,”

“Finish that sentence and I'll deck
you.”

Charles laughed. “You're just
jealous Joey.”

“No, I'm not. I just disapprove of
using the Improbability Clause for every little thing that comes up
out of the woodwork!” Joe fired back.

“Yup, jealous.” Charles continued
to laugh.

The three boys had been challenged by
another group of boys on the other side of the city to a go-cart
race. It was the school holidays and the perfect time for young boys
just in their teens to start causing mischief.

“This beauty will have no trouble
getting down that hill.” Tim bragged. “And she'll have no
problem beating Davis, Bull and Pitt.”

“This beauty” was made of old
plywood and tape, with some old baby carriage wheels to finish it
off.

“We're doomed.” Joe buried his face
in his hands, his long hair falling around his face. As the oldest,
Joe was usually the most level-headed and often kept the other two
out of trouble. Tim was next, and was always IN trouble. Charlie
was the littlest, and tagged along with whatever Tim wanted to do.

“You're such a spoilsport Joey.”
Tim poked his best friend in the ribs. “We'll be fine!”

“Besides, the girls will be there
watching!” Charles piped up, earning him laughs from the older two.

“Charles got a girlfriend has he?”
Joe ruffled his friends hair.

“No!” Charles shoved him back.

“Well, I will by the end of the week.
I reckon Denise likes me.” Tim smirked, proud of himself.

“Denise Fairweather? No way.”
Charles frowned. “You're too fat!”

“Yeah, Tubby!” Joe gave Tim a good
push. “You need to stop eating for a month, then you might have a
chance!”

“Yeah, and you need to eat for a
month and you might have a chance with Delilah.” Tim said slyly.

“You know that's an arranged
marriage! I have no choice!” Joe groaned.

“You like her.”

“Do not!”

“The only thing stronger than your
love for Delilah is your jealousy of the Improbability Clause.”

“GET BACK HERE YOU LITTLE RUNT!”

Charles roared with laughter as Joe
tore after Tim, who ran off laughing.

–

The kids from the other side of the
city had a beautiful new store-bought cart that looked stunning.
It's metal exterior gleamed and the paintwork was exquisite.

Joe looked doubtfully at Tims cart.
The thing looked perilously close to breaking apart, the tape looked
ready to rip at a moments notice.

“Look at THAT! No way is that even
going to make it to the finish line!” Bull laughed.

“She will too!” Tim fought back.

“Oh please, it's barely holding
together as it is!” Pitt jeered.

“One weeks pocket money says
otherwise!”

“You're on!”

“Hang on-,” Joe tried to intervene.
He really didn't want to give up a weeks pocket money, especially
when he was so close to finishing his model plane collection!

“Too late! Unless you're a wussy.”
Bull teased. The others started chanting “Wussy!” until Joe gave
up.

Four of the boys piled into the two
carts, with Joe and Davis ready to push the carts down the steep
slope that had been the bank of Lake Pleasant until it had been
drained.

“On your mark…get set…” The
weaselly, pimply Mitch from their class got ready to start the race.
No one particularly liked him, but he was good for little things like
this. “GO!”

Both boys pushed as hard as they could
before jumping into the back of the carts. The two small vehicles
tore down the slope.

“WATCH OUT!” Yelped Joe as the
poorly-constructed cart rattled over a large rock. The other cart
had dodged it, costing the driver a bit of time.

“Faster Bull!” Davis protested.

“I'm trying!” Bull roared back,
dodging another bush that the other three boys had simply gone
through.

Joe had never been so terrified in his
life. The sides of the cart were starting to fall off, and he
grabbed them tightly to keep them from flying away. Charles was
whooping with joy and Tim was fully focused on steering the
contraption…or at least pretending to, he hadn't thought about the
actual steering side of things.

The end was in sight, and the newer,
shinier cart was barely in front.

“LOOK OUT FOR THOSE LOGS!” Screamed
Joe. Precision steering was needed to get between those two
logs…and there was none.

“LEAN RIGHT!” Tim yelled back. The
three boys leaned right. It was too late, Joe only just being able
to grab Charles and pull him back before the cart smacked into the
side of one of the logs and went spinning towards the finish line,
the other cart barely avoiding getting hit.

Joe grimaced. Charles had nearly had
his face scraped off by the sharp sticks that pointed out of the
logs. The cart finally landed at the finish line, to the cheers of
the other children who had come to watch.

“YOU DID IT TIM!” Denise yelled
with joy. “YOU WON!”

“How in the-?!” Bull, Pitt and
Davis pulled up behind the three winners as the cart completely fell
apart.

“You were too scared to get your cart
damaged.” Tim pointed out.

“I CALL IMPROPER USE OF THE
IMPROBABILITY CLAUSE!” Joe roared furiously. Suddenly he felt a
sharp pain in face. He grabbed his eye, and was rewarded with the
sight of his own blood.

A nice big cut had opened up over his
eye. Thankfully the eye itself hadn't been damaged, but stitches
were going to be needed.

“Are you okay Joey?!” Delilah ran
over to help her friend. “Come on, we need to get you home!”

“Cripes, sorry Joey. Didn't mean for
you to get hurt.” Tim looked at Joe, scared. “You haven't lost
your eye have you?”

“NO. My dignity yes, but the rest of
me is fine thank you!” Joe walked off with Delilah. Tim and
Charles followed, feeling a bit sheepish.

“Maybe helmets next time?” Charles
suggested.

“NO NEXT TIME!” Joe yelped.

–

Two tears fell from the eyes of the old
man lying helpless in his bed. No longer racing go-carts down
Pleasant Gorge, no longer fighting wars.

He felt useless. Impotent. Alone.

Bored.

Charles reached over and grabbed the
remote. He flicked aimlessly through the channels.

There was a knock at the door.

“Come in!” He croaked. In walked
Joe Masters, the old scar from the cart-race joined by two others.
It made Joe look far older than he really was.

“Hard to believe you're older than
me.” Charles smiled wryly.

“What does that matter?” Joe asked.

“One of those scars should be mine.”
Charles said.

“Again, that doesn't matter. You have
nothing to prove Charles.” Joe said sternly. “You're my friend.”

“If it wasn't you protecting me, it
was Timmy.” Charles coughed.

“You did your fair share too. How
many times did you stop Tim and I from killing each other?” Joe
helped the other man sit up so he could have some water.

“When did we get old Joey? When did
we stop mattering?” Charles sipped his water slowly.

“We still matter mate. We're still
relevant. We're still loved.” Joe took the cup as Charles lay back
down. “You shouldn't have been so upset with Charlie. He got a
great deal out of your training.”

“It was a ruse.” Charles said.

“Because he loves you. He wants to
protect you. He also wants to learn from you. He can't do that if
you get yourself killed.” Joe tried to reason with his old friend.

Charles lay back. “I can't stop
Joey. I need to be out there. I need to be doing SOMETHING!”

Joe sighed. Charles was never going to
stop, that was true. He had always been ready to sign up to whatever
stupid plan Tim had going. He was always the first to volunteer for
a dangerous mission when they'd been at war. He'd scoffed at anyone
who hung back. He was prepared to do anything. Any dare, any
favour, anything to make himself noticed.

“You were always the oldest. You
were the one who always protected us. Tim always had the ideas. And
I was the lackey who followed along, because you two were the most
awe-inspiring kids in the neighbourhood. Everyone wanted to be you
guys. And you didn't mind that I tagged along. You made me your
friend.” Charles coughed loudly again, prompting Joe to refill the
water glass.

Joe watched helplessly as the younger
mans coughing fit got worse. He reached up to push the red button
that would call for help, but Charles stopped him.

“No, it's alright, I'm fine.”
Charles coughed out, clearly NOT fine. Joe continued to pushing the
button. “NO! Don't push that! I'm fine! I'm fine!” Charles
coughing fit soon stopped him from talking. Joe pushed the button,
and within five minutes a nurse had arrived to take care of the
situation.

The glare that followed Joe out of the
room would haunt him for the rest of his days.

It had been a few weeks since Sapphire
had joined the fight against crime. Unfortunately due to his
obstinacy and old age, his involvement in any battle usually ended up
with one or more of our heroes getting hurt.

“This is insane. Surely he can see
that he's just getting us in trouble.” Belle grumbled one day as
she sat with Charlie in the tree.

“He says it wouldn't be an issue if
we'd just him sort out the criminals his way.” Charlie sighed. “I
can't let him become a criminal himself.”

Belle reached out and grabbed her best
friends hand. “I'm sorry you're caught in the middle of this.
It's not fair on you. You shouldn't have to choose between your
family.”

“Grandpa is the one who's making me
choose though.” Charlie looked away. “He's never been like this
before. He's always been so encouraging and supportive of the Code
and the Clause.”

“Maybe it's because he feels now that
he's retired that he's not useful any more.” Belle had a sudden
thought. “Maybe if you involve him more in your non-crime-fighting
life, he might feel more valued and useful and lay off trying to get
himself killed.”

Charlie perked up. “Did you REALLY
just have a good idea before I had it?!” He looked stunned.

“What's that screaming noise?”
Thomas asked Peter, who was helping him paint the front fence.

“I think that's my daughter killing
your son.” Peter replied.

“Ah.”

–

“Hey Grandpa.” Charlie walked into
the retirement home later that day.

“Hey Charlie. You're walking a bit
gingerly aren't you?” Charles noticed Charlie wincing slightly as
he walked.

“Fell out of the tree.” Charlie
brushed him off. “I was wondering if you could help me.”

“Of course! Nothing's too good for
my grand-son!” Charles closed the door behind them and went to get
some tea while Charlie sat down.

“Now, what can I do for you?”
Charles asked after they'd settled down and were enjoying the tea and
shortbread.

“I was wondering…I really like the
Arm Scythes. It's just…I wanted to know if you'd train me in how
to use them?” Charlie asked. Both he and Belle agreed that it was
important for Charles to feel like he was still involved with
protecting the city, even if it was via proxy.

“Well, I…sure!” Charles agreed,
pleased that his grand-son was taking an interest. “Want to start
now?”

“Of course!” Charlie couldn't
believe it had worked! The pair went out into the secluded back yard,
where due to the over abundance of shrubbery, it was impossible for
anyone to see in. Outside was a small outdoor gym which Charles used
every day.

Charlie groaned inwardly. This was
going to be PAINFUL.

–

And it only got worse.

“Move it!” Master Revolver ushered
his men through the big bank doors and into the large black van that
served as a getaway.

The first night of Dingbat's shift as
Warden of the prison, Master Revolver had walked out of the door.
Literally. Dingbat had foolishly walked past his cell with the keys
hanging out of his back pocket and Master Revolver had simply walked out of
there and straight back to the Death Valley Gang.

“Hmph. Too easy.” Master Revolver
got into the back of the van as it drove away. He was relishing his
freedom, and the robbery was merely in celebration of his escape.

Suddenly, the van lurched, throwing
everyone in the back of the van into the wall.

“Let me guess. Giggles has shot out
the tyres with MY gun.” Master Revolver groaned, pulling himself
off the wall.

“YUP! Only it's MY gun.” Giggles
poked her head in one of the broken back windows. “Hi hi! You've
not finished your gaol term!”

“No. I haven't.” Master Revolver
grimaced. “Where's the truck?!”

“Truck?” Giggles asked.

“BEHIND YOU!” Sir Hyper screamed.
Giggles flew up just in time to avoid getting crushed as a large
truck rear-ended the crashed van. Master Revolver and his crew
quickly exited the side doors of the van and rushed towards the
truck. The Knights and Giggles soon surrounded them, but they were
outnumbered by the Death Valley Gang members. Most of them made it
easily to the truck.

“GO!” Master Revolver commanded.
“Leave the others!”

Giggles groaned. The tyres on the
truck had huge metal plates covering them – no way could she shoot
the tyres out.

She instead landed on top of the truck
and held on for dear life as it sped through the streets of
Pleasantville.

“Where's Chuckles when you need
him?!” Giggles tried to keep grip, but it was hard, and the
Backpack could only help so much. She'd pressed the button on her
watch, hoping someone would be able to follow, but the Knights were
too busy taking care of the remaining DVG goons to be of any help.

“She'll fall off eventually. DAMN
them! At least that Chuckles kid isn't around as…” Master
Revolver exhaled sharply. Chuckles was standing on the pavement, the
truck speeding towards him. But this Chuckles was different.

The truck was almost on top of him –
suddenly he ran towards it, the Lions Claw Blade aimed below the tyre
shields. The truck skidded and smashed into Lake Pleasant, leaving
Master Revolver fuming.

Giggles landed beside her best friend.
“Took your time.” She grumbled.

“Training with Grandpa again. Like
my new decorations?” Chuckles grinned, showing off the Arm Scythes.

“You…filthy…little…BEAST!”
Master Revolver rushed at Chuckles with a metal pipe. Instinct lead
Chuckles to put up his arm to defend himself, where the pipe met its
match in one of the Scythes.

“Seriously?” Master Revolver
looked at the metal pipe, disappointed.

Chuckles grinned. Giggles laughed.
Master Revolver fumed, until he saw a helicopter in the distance.

A helicopter belonging to the Mobsters
of Misneach.

Chuckles and Giggles tensed up. What
were the Mobsters up to now? A chain ladder was dropped behind
Master Revolver.

“HURRY UP!” One of the Mobsters
yelled at him.

Master Revolver glanced back at the two
heroes before grabbing the ladder, which took off.

“Come back here!” Giggles yelled.
She tried to take off, but the Backpack was out of charge.
“Botheration.”

“I wonder why the Mob is suddenly
helping Revolver?” Chuckles mused.

“Can't be anything good.” Giggles
replied. “Still, it looks like Sapphire is out of the way now.”

“Yeah, this past few weeks he's been
really good. He's been more than happy to train me up.” Chuckles
said as the pair headed back to the tip. “It helps too that most
of the crime has been petty stuff. Demon must have gone
underground.”

“I hope he never comes back.”
Giggles commented. “He scared me.”

–

Sitting in his lounge room, Charles was
furious. He was watching the report which clearly showed Chuckles
and Giggles letting Master Revolver AND the Mobsters of Misneach get
away AGAIN.

Ooooh, wasn't he going to have a word
with his grand-son when he next came over! Using the little
“training” excuse to keep his grand-father out of the action!

“I bet that little Masters weasel had
something to do with it too, the interfering little beast! Why can't
they do these things properly?!” He stormed into the kitchen,
grabbing the counter while catching his breath. He went to the
fridge and grabbed a drink of water.

He sat down, his chest feeling tight.
Why was he feeling so light-headed for?

He jumped as the glass fell from his
hand to the floor, clattering loudly and spilling water everywhere.
He went to reach for it, but his shoulders were burning and his neck
felt tight too. The urge to vomit gripped him as breathing became
harder.

He slumped to the floor. Not now. Not
now.

Not a heart attack.

–

“You're very lucky to be alive Mr.
Howzat.” The nurse said, taking the old mans pulse.

“Tell me about it. Why didn't you
call for help straight away?!” Betty was beside herself. She'd
already lost her mother, she wasn't ready to lose her father yet too.

Charles wasn't listening. He was too
busy glaring at Charlie.

“How could you?” He growled at the
young man.

“I did what I had to. To keep YOU
safe, and to keep the Knights safe.” Charlie said.

“What happened?!” Betty asked.

“Your son lied to me.” Charles
answered.

“I did not! I asked you to train me
and I attended training faithfully.” Charlie felt insulted.

“You used your “training” excuse
to keep me busy while YOU let the DVG and the Mob escape!” Charles
yelled.

“Mr. Howzat calm down right now!”
The nurse barked angrily.

“You and your little friend conspired
against me.” Charles ignored her. “Your own grand-father.”

“It was for your own good. Look
where you are now!” Charlie replied.

“Charlie, let's go.” Thomas reached
out to take his son home.

“And YOU are going to sleep!” The
nurse jabbed Charles with a needle.

The last thing Charles remembered
before drifting off to sleep was being angry.

“I'm sorry Mum, Dad.” Charlie
apologised as the family headed out to the car.

“It's okay son.” Thomas sighed.
Betty glared at him.

“OKAY? He manipulated his
grand-father and you think it's OKAY?!” She yelped as they got into
the car.

“Dearest, please. He had good
intentions.” Thomas started the car and they drove off.

“Yeah, look where the good intentions
got him.” Izzy snapped.

“Didn't stop Grandpa from getting
sick.” Lizzy added.

“Would you prefer to have him
murdered?” Thomas snapped at his two daughters, who silenced. They
knew not to mess with their father when he was REALLY angry. “At
least if he has a heart attack at home he has a chance of being
saved. If he's killed in the streets, he has no hope.”

“He's too old to be fighting. You
guys should realise that.” Charlie added.

“You shouldn't be fighting either
young man.” Betty scowled.

“Someone has to.” Charlie replied.

“Don't get smart with me young man.
You're a hypocrite, just like your father and your little friends the
Masters.” Betty folded her arms. “This discussion is over.”

“Mum-,”

“ENOUGH.” Thomas warned.

The car trip home was deathly silent.

“YIKES!”

Giggles ducked out of the way as the
car behind her exploded. “Demon this is enough! You're going to
get innocent people killed!”

Demon stood atop a large truck, his ten
foot-men throwing petrol-bombs at the seven heroes.

“Innocent people are being killed
every day due to the negligence of our governments and law
enforcement. Any victims today are a small sacrifice to pay for the
greater good.” Demon said, watching as the carnage unfolded.

“EEK!” Sir Hyper cried as he
grabbed an elderly senator out of the way of a petrol-bomb. “Watch
out sir!”

Sir Lionheart looked at his watch. A
text message from Lady Silent had appeared.

“Police are still twenty minutes
away.”

“TWENTY MINUTES?!” Sir Lionheart
cried. “How are we supposed to even SURVIVE twenty minutes, let
alone keep the damage to a YIKES!” He rolled out of the way of
another explosion.

The news didn't help Sir Dark either,
who was trying to keep Lady Luck safe while she bandaged up another
female senator who'd been injured.

“Lady Luck, we don't have time for
this, we have to move!” Sir Dark growled at her, trying to keep one
of the henchmen at bay. The man laughed at him.

“Just a little boy trying to do a
mans work!” He taunted. Irate, Sir Dark smacked him across the
cheekbone with his metal pole.

“Okay, I'm done. She can't walk
though!” Lady Luck told Sir Dark as one of the other henchmen came
to the aid of his comrade.

“I can't keep fighting them off!”
Sir Dark protested.

Meanwhile, Lady Courage was in a bit of
hurt herself. Now sporting a pair of purple daggers painted onto her
armour, she had just sustained a nasty burn to her hand.

“We have to go to her!” Sir Dark
pointed out.

“But if we leave Senator Lucy out
here on her own, she's done for!” Lady Luck protested. Lady
Courage was still holding her own against the henchman who had gotten
her, but her hand was making it hard.

“There's too many of them!” Groaned
Chuckles, swinging wildly with the Lions Claw Blade.

“And I'm running out of ammo too!”
Giggles shot another petrol-bomb in the sky, exploding it
harmlessly.

“We need to get to Demon. We get
him, this ends. I'm going to try and get him.” Chuckles said as
Giggles landed behind him.

“Like hell you are. You even look
like you're thinking of taking him down and suddenly you've got
henchmen to deal with.” Giggles pointed out.

“SOMEONE has to take him out.”
Chuckles protested.

“Who?”

Demon chuckled at this little exchange
between the heroes. They were stuffed.

Suddenly there was a loud clattering
behind him. He spun around just in time to dodge a blue ninja
wearing a blade along each arm.

“Oh no…Grandpa!” Chuckles groaned
while Giggles proceeded to chuck a temper tantrum. “Stupid, stupid,
STUPID!”

“Who are you? You're not a Knight.”
Demon glared at the blue ninja.

“My name is Sapphire.” The ninja
lifted his arm, pointing one of the blades at Demons throat. “And
now you die.”

Demon gulped as Sapphire struck.
Fortunately for him a Giggles bullet landed at the feet of the ninja,
sending him jumping back.

“What is your problem Giggles?!”
Sapphire roared furiously.

“WE. DO. NOT. KILL.” Giggles
growled. Three of the henchmen had come to Demons aid, allowing
Chuckles and the Knights to get the upper hand against those who were
left.

Sapphire knocked two of the henchmen
away, going for Demon. Giggles took on the last one, finally
subduing him with some rope.

Demon, who had composed himself, fought
against Sapphire. He was barely holding his own.

“Chuckles, who is that?!” Sir Hyper
asked quietly after the rest of the henchmen had been taken care of.

“My grand-father. Those are his Arm
Scythes.” Chuckles sighed in frustration. He ran over and climbed
up the side of the truck to help Sapphire.

“This is too easy, you're pathetic
Demon.” Sapphire gloated. “The only reason you're still alive is
because the others are too weak to end your pathetic life.”

He stood over Demon, who had fallen and
was now at the mercy of Sapphire again. Sapphire again aimed one of
the Scythes at Demon. Suddenly pain ripped through his hips and
lower back.

“Argh! Not now!” Sapphire groaned
as his legs locked up. Damn his hip complaints!

Demon saw his chance. He grabbed his
boomerang and was about to attack, when the Lions Claw Blade appeared
in front of him. One look at Chuckles and Demon slipped off the roof
of the truck, knowing he stood no chance against the combined might
of Chuckles and Giggles.

His henchmen had slowly made their way
back to the truck, and now the group made their escape. Chuckles
quickly leapt off the moving truck, while Giggles saved Sapphire from
a certain fall.

“See you guys back at HQ!” Giggles
placed Sapphire down on the ground, before heading off.

“Ugh.” Sir Dark groaned, pulling
his sore body off the ground where he'd been resting.

The group scattered and made their way
back to the tip.

Just then, the police arrived. Timing.

–

Sapphire groaned. His hips were still
sore, but at least he could move. He'd finally gotten to the tip,
now it was just a matter of finding the headquarters of the Knights
of the Last Order.

Meanwhile, the others had hurried back
and heard the story of what had happened at the barbecue earlier that
week.

“So your grand-father thinks he can
help us?” Sunny asked.

“Yeah, but as you saw, he doesn't
really conform to our ethos.” Belle pointed out.

“Plus his age. If you hadn't stepped
in when you did Charlie, Demon would have killed him.” Daniel
pointed out.

“The whole situation stinks.” TJ
folded his arms. “I don't envy you one bit Charlie.”

“I don't envy me either.” Charlie
sighed. Tammy put an arm around his shoulders.

“I wish there was some way we could
convince him to stand down, but I doubt he'd listen to us.” Petunia
finished tending to Sammys burnt cheek.

Charlie perked up.

“Hey, maybe we could-,”

“ONE use of the Improbability Clause
per day is enough for me thanks.” Belle said dryly. Charlie
laughed.

“So, what are we going to do?”
Sammy piped up.

“What are we going to do about what?”
Another voice popped up.

“ARGH!” The eight friends squealed
in fright.

“Oh, Grandpa, it's just you.”
Charlie was the first to recover. Sapphire removed his headgear to
reveal Charles Howzat.

“What on earth were you thinking?!”
Belle fumed.

“I was just going to finish what YOU
started.” Charles scowled at the young lady. “And I suggest you
be more respectful towards your elders.”

“Grandpa…” Charlie trailed off.
“You could have been killed.”

“Not the first time.” Charles
grinned at his grand-son. Daniel frowned.

“If you're going to work with us,
then you need to subscribe to our ethics. You were going to murder
Demon.” He said.

“Yes. I was going to end his little
reign of terror and make sure no one else got hurt.” Charles eyed
off the younger man.

“We can't have that.” Daniel
replied.

“You're the leader of the Knights
aren't you? Sir Lionheart?” Charles asked.

“Yes.” Daniel looked warily at the
old man.

“And you call yourself a leader?”
Charles frowned. “I have half a mind to take the leadership of the
Knights myself.”

“We'd never follow you!” Sunny leapt
to Daniels defence.

“Not ever! Dan is our hero!” Sammy
jumped up angrily.

“Dan is the best leader we've got.
He's always looked out for us!” TJ was angry too.

“You'd throw your weight behind an
inexperienced leader instead of being smart and following me?”
Charles looked disappointed. “I was hoping you guys were
intelligent.”

“You are SERIOUSLY deluded!” Belle
yelped. “We've been doing fine without you! You're old, slow, and
breaking down, you're ideas are so out of touch it's not funny!”

“How DARE you!” Charles rounded on
Belle, who was fuming. “Insolent little brat! I'll teach you to
speak to your elders that way!”

Charles lunged at Belle, who easily
side-stepped. He attacked again, and Belle side-stepped again. This
happened four or five times until Belle finally took to the sky.

“You pathetic little coward.”
Charles shook his head. “You children have no idea. You're
letting these people get away with horrendous crimes, and they'll
keep getting away with it.”

“Last time I checked, both Marion and
Revolver were arrested. Both are currently in gaol. If they break
the law again, they'll get arrested again. They'll learn.” Belle
said, arms folded.

Charlie sat silently.

“Grandpa, you nearly got yourself
killed. If I hadn't stepped in when I did, Demon would have killed
you.” He said quietly.

“Only because your 'best friend'
stopped me from killing him in the first place!” Charles rounded
on his grand-son.

“There is a process for punishing
wrongdoers, and that process needs to be followed! We're simply here
to stop them from hurting others!” Belle yelled furiously.

“THE PROCESS IS FLAWED!” Charles
yelled back.

“THEN THERE IS A PROCESS TO HAVE THAT
FIXED!” Belle retorted.

Tammy looked at the pair, before
noticing two men walking towards them. She waved.

“Oh dear.” Thomas looked at the
scene he'd just walked into.

“Charles, Belle, what's going on?”
Joe asked.

“None of your business Joey.”
Charles scowled.

“I'll tell you on the way home.”
Belle landed beside her grand-father.

“Okay then little one.” Joe put a
hand on her head. “Get changed then let's get home, it's going to
rain soon.”

“Yes Pa.” Belle skipped off to the
hideout to get into her civilian attire. Charles glared after her.

“Back off Charles.” Joe warned.
“Leave my grand-daughter alone.”

“If she gets in my way, she'll get
what's coming to her.” Charles replied, before walking off angrily.

“Grandpa!” Charlie tried to run
after him, but was stopped by his fathers hand on his shoulder.

“Leave him be son.” Thomas said
softly. “You can't help him now.”

Charlie was tired, and glad to be
heading home after a long day at school. The biology exam had been
nothing short of the purest torture. He felt like he could never
fully enjoy anything ever again, the exam had been so painful, so
dull, so unfair, so-,

“GRANDPA CHARLES IS COMING! GRANDPA
CHARLES IS COMING!” Lizzy and Izzy grabbed his hands and spun him
around the lounge room almost the second he walked in the door.

“Grandpa?” Charlie looked at the
pair, dumbfounded.

“YUP!” The pair grinned back.

“OH MY GOD! GRANDPA CHARLES IS
COMING! GRANDPA CHARLES IS COMING!” The three danced around the
room. Charles Howzat had been working in Central Ostraya as a
teacher. He had been pretty close to retirement the last time
Charlie had spoken to him, and was looking forward to coming back
home to Pleasantville.

“Will you lot can it!” Thomas
walked in.

“Why is Grandpa coming home? Is he
retiring?” Charlie asked.

“Yup. He's been told that he's too
old to continue working. So he's off to the Happy Old Farts home.”
Thomas sat down on the couch.

“Joe will be pretty thrilled too –
he, Grandpa Charles and Grandpa Timmy were best friends.” Izzy
said, unable to contain her excitement.

“Those two will be able to chat about
the old times. I bet they have a lot of stories from the war they
can share!” Lizzy added, bouncing around the room.

“He can show me his old sword fighting
moves.” Charlie grinned. Thomas and Betty were a match made in
heaven, as the Beglys by trade were blacksmiths and metalworkers,
while the Howzats had a history of sword fighting.

“He can babysit you three while your
mother and I get some quality time together.” Thomas thought out
loud.

“No. No more siblings!” The three
children cried out.

–

It was late Saturday morning when
Charles arrived at the Begly house. Betty had gone to pick her
father up from the airport in Brisvegas, while Thomas and the
children got his new accommodation sorted.

They were just putting the television
in position when the car pulled up at the apartment.

“GRANDPA CHARLES! GRANDPA CHARLES!”
The three Begly siblings ran out of the apartment towards their
grand-father.

“Hey kiddos. Look at how big you all
are!” Charles climbed gingerly out of the car. He hadn't aged
well, and his joints were stiff and sore.

“Grandpa! Let me take your bag!”
Charlie grabbed the old mans luggage.

“Come on Grandpa, we cleaned
everything up for you!” Izzy grabbed his hand while Lizzy got the
door.

Charles smiled at the three, and sighed
as he walked in the door. “It's true then. I am old and retired.”
He looked around the room.

“Did we set everything up right
Grandpa?” Lizzy looked up anxiously.

“You guys did amazing, thank you.”
Charlies sighed.

“You're coming to our place for
dinner tonight, aren't you Dad?” Betty asked, looking at some of
the art on the mantelpiece.

“Of course dearie. Just let me get
freshened up.” Charles smiled at his oldest daughter.

–

It was early evening when they finished
dinner, the Beglys and Masters sitting in the shared backyard eating
barbecued ribs.

“This is GORGEOUS!” Belle grinned,
stretching out her arms, belly full of pork.

“Isn't it just?” Joe agreed with
her. “And my best mate is back too.”

Charles laughed.

“Everyone knows you and Tim Begly
were the best of friends Joey, I just tagged along.” He took
another mouthful of beer. “Those were the days.

“Yeah, you and Timmy going at each
other hammer and tongs, and I always had to break you two up.” Joe
smiled at the memory.

“He was such an arrogant tosser
though.” Charles smiled fondly. “Don't know why, he was such an
ugly mug.”

“Still managed to woo Denise!” Joe
laughed. Charles scowled. “Oh don't look like that Charlie, you
didn't say anything!” Joe patted his old friend on the back.

“What happened?” Izzy asked
innocently.

“Your Grandma Denise Fairweather was
the most beautiful woman you ever saw. I was madly in love with her
until your Grandpa Tim got a hold of her.” Charles sighed
melodramatically. Inside, the wound still burnt hot.

“Tim had a way with women. Thomas
seems to have gotten his mojo from him.” Peter laughed.

“I call incorrect use of the
Improbability Clause!” Bill chortled, making the table erupt in
hysterics.

“Do you lot STILL believe in that
stupid dumb luck?” Charles asked. “I suppose you still follow
that Code religiously too!”

“The Masters Code and the
Improbability Clause are over 500 years old.” Joe pointed out.

“And besides, without the Code and
the Clause, we wouldn't be able to be Chuckles and Giggles.” Belle
piped up.

“Ah, yes, I've been wanting to talk
to you two about that.” Charles straightened up. “I want to join
you on your crusade.”

The table went dead silent.

“Um, aren't you a bit old to be
running around Pleasantville in a dodgy costume?” Charlie asked.

“Nonense. A bit of experience would
help you.” Charles brushed him off. “I don't understand why Joey
hasn't put his hand up to help you.”

“Because I know I'm too old and I'd
be a liability.” Joe said quietly. “I coach from the sidelines
if I have to be involved.”

“Ah, I see. Being the “strategist”
as it were.” Charles frowned.

“It was my job.” Joe narrowed his
eyes at Charles.

“Was hiding behind the Code your job
too?” Charles shot.

“You know I'd never willingly take
the life of another, no one should ever be expected to!” Joe
snapped.

“We had no choice, it was WAR!”
Charles fired angrily. “You're still a coward I see.”

“YOU TAKE THAT BACK!” Peter and
Bill roared furiously. NO ONE called their father a coward!

“You and Tim, always hiding behind
those old family traditions which should have died out a long time
ago!” Charles muttered bitterly. “At least one of us has
gumption.”

“Charles, listen to me, you know you
can't go out and fight anymore. Even these two shouldn't be out
there.” Joe tried to reason with his old friend, but Charles was
having none of it.

“At least your daughter seems to have
her priorities straight.” He looked at Belle, who recoiled and hid
behind her father.

“I still follow the Code. So does
Charlie.” She said quietly. Charles narrowed his eyes at his
grand-son.

“No. You two need to listen to me
and stop relying on these outdated methods that this old man
preaches. He nearly got us all killed 40 years ago with his stupid
moralising.” Charles frowned. “If you're going to do a job, do
it right. If you're too scared to get blood on your hands then leave
it to those who will.”

“It's not about being scared Charles,
it's about doing the right thing and following the rules!” Joe
began to seethe. Peter and Bill stood behind him.

“What are rules if they allow people
to get hurt?!” Charles fought back.

“It's not the rules that are getting
people hurt, it's the people who can't be bothered following the
rules that are doing the damage! Listen to yourself!” Joe stood
up, an imposing figure in front of his two sons.

“Boys, sit down. Why ruin a lovely
dinner-,” Betty tried, but was cut off by her father.

“YOU listen to yourself! You're a
coward, you always have been, and you're now trying to stop the one
member of your family who actually has any guts from fulfilling a
very noble destiny!” Charles stood up too, just as furious.

“Grandpa, please sit down. We're
just trying to do the best we can, and Joe is right, you'd only get
in the way and cause issues.” Charlie tried.

“You still don't need to follow that
stupid Code! If you had disposed of Revolver and Marion properly,
then you wouldn't be here sitting on pins and needles waiting for
them to get back out and cause harm again!” Charles bellowed.

“Yes, but that would make the
children as bad as the ones they're fighting!” Joe tried to reason
with the now irate man.

“At least the city would be safe.”
Charles growled.

“At the expense of the childrens
innocence?” Joe glared.

“How can any child be innocent in
this day and age?” Charles sat back down. “You're a fool Joey.
An old fool.”

“We'll just see about that won't we?”
Joe continued to glare. “I can't believe you'd sacrifice your own
flesh and blood-,”

“Some sacrifices need to be made Joe,
don't you DARE judge me for mine!” Charles was back up again,
knocking over his chair.

“Maybe we'd better get out of
here…” Belle whispered to Charlie.

“Don't you DARE leave this table!”
Charles rounded on her.

That did it. Peter stood between the
two and glared threateningly at Charles.

“Beauty. Please leave the table.”
He said coolly. Belle skipped away as quickly as she could, this was
one fight she didn't want a bar of!

“Don't you move young man.” Charles
stopped Charlie from walking away. “You're not a coward like her.”

Peter growled. Charles eyeballed him.

“Go on. Hit me. Or are you just as
cowardly as your father?” He taunted the oldest Masters son.

“I don't hit unless I'm struck
first.” Peter replied. He felt his fathers hand on his shoulder.

“You're a good boy Peter. You and
Bill head inside with Belle.” He said. Peter nodded and headed
back inside, his brother putting his arm over his shoulders.

Joe looked at Charles, and shook his
head sadly.

“I'm sorry about dinner Betty, I know
you went to a lot of trouble to put this together. I thank you for
inviting us, and hopefully we can get together sometime without the
arguments.” He walked back inside where Peter and Bill were
comforting a shaken Belle.

“Well. That was a bit of a downer.”
Thomas sighed as the Beglys cleared the table.

“I have half a mind to never invite
those Masters over again!” Betty seethed. Thomas was taken aback.

“What do you mean?! Both of them
were equally to blame dearest, besides you can't just cut off our
closest friends over a stupid little incident like that!” He tried
to comfort her. She rounded on him.

“I knew you'd take their side, you
always do! My father happens to be your FAMILY Thomas, or have you
forgotten that?!” Betty snapped angrily, slamming down the cutlery
on the bench.

“The Masters are as good as family,
and the Improbability Clause-,”

“IT'S STUPID, that's what it is!
Nothing more than make-believe rubbish!” Betty stormed on.

Listening in were the three siblings.
Charlie was indignant.

“The Improbability Clause isn't
rubbish, I've used it plenty of times!” He said.

“It's dumb luck Charlie. You need to
grow up.” Izzy pointed out.

“What the-? You're Beglys just as I
am!” Charlie was shocked. How could his sisters deny their own
birthright like that?!

“We're also Howzats Charlie, and
unlike Beglys, we stick to our familys side and defend each other.”
Lizzy narrowed her eyes at her brother.

Charlie couldn't believe his ears. His
own sisters, who had looked up to him for years, were defying him.

“I love Grandpa Charles as much as
you do, but even I know he's wrong on this one. Just because you
love someone doesn't mean you have to agree with everything they
say.” Charlie tried to reason with them, but the girls were just as
stubborn as their grand-father.

“He's not wrong Charlie, I can't
believe that you'd say that!” Lizzy cried in anguish.

“You're pretty much asking me to
choose Grandpa Charles over Grandpa Tim!” Charlie tried to defend
himself.

“No we're not!” Izzy looked
insulted. “Grandpa Tim died a long time ago!”

“Come on Iz, let's go to our room.”
Lizzy pulled her sister away, leaving Charlie feeling lost and
alone.

–

Back at the retirement home, Charles
lifted an old wooden box out from underneath the bed. He opened it
carefully and laid the contents out on the bed.

Two long blades. Both had a solid
leather strap near the end so they could be worn along the users
arms.

Charles strapped them on, and started
shadow-boxing. The Arm Scythes had served him well over the years,
and they would serve him well again.

Bill was rapt. His restaurant was
FINALLY open! The beach-themed burger restaurant was situated right
where the creek fed into the lake, lending itself to some fine views.

“This is the best Uncle Bill.”
Belle said one day as she tore into her steak burger. The restaurant
was empty except for the seven friends and Bill.

“I'm surprised it's not more
expensive.” Daniel added.

“I like to keep things affordable,
that way more people can enjoy my work.” Bill replied, wiping a
glass. “So what do you youngins have planned for today?”

“Study.” Charlie groaned.

“More study.” Belle added.

“So much studying.” Daniel sighed.

“Even more studying.” TJ piped up.

“Studying too.” Petunia caught on.

“No studying for me, we had our exams
yesterday.” Sammy grinned, earning him a few dirty looks. Tammy
simply smirked.

The bell on the door rang, and in
walked Sunny. She smiled shyly at the group of friends.

“Hi Sunny! How are things?” Belle
pulled up a chair next to her.

“Getting there I guess.” Sunny
shrugged. She sat down, looking uncomfortable. Petunia cleared her
throat.

“We were just talking about the exams
we have next week.” She told Sunny. “Apparently the twins have
already had theirs.”

“Seriously? I'm not looking forward
to the maths one. That's going to get ugly.” Sunny said.

“I'm not looking forward to the
biology exam. That one is going to be painful.” TJ groaned.

The sound of sirens in the distance
made them all stop.

“That's odd. Marion and Revolver are
still in prison, and most of the DVG and the Mob have gone
underground.” Daniel looked out the window.

“Do you think we ought to check it
out?” Charlie asked.

“I think so. Sorry Bill, can you
keep this warm for us until we get back?” Daniel started to grab
his things and head out of the door.

“I suppose.” Bill sighed as the
group minus Sunny stormed out, nearly knocking over poor Joe as he
walked in.

“Young hooligans.” He chuckled
fondly. He saw Sunny sitting by herself at the now abandoned table.

“How have you been recently Sunny?”
Joe sat down next to her where his grand-daughter had been sitting.

“In some ways it's been easier.
Daryl doesn't give me nearly as much grief as he used to.” Sunny
replied. She sighed.

“But in other ways…my parents still
don't talk to me as much as they used to, especially my Dad. He's
gotten a fair bit angrier nowadays.”

“I understand.” Joe said, putting a
hand on her shoulder. “You love them and you want them to love
you.”

“You make it sound so simple.”
Sunny replied.

“It probably is.” Joe smiled
kindly.

Sunny looked out of the window.

“I want to get back at them too.”
She said suddenly. “I want to prove to them that I'm just as good,
if not better than Daryl.”

“Also understandable.” Joe nodded.

“I wish I could go and help the
others. I could repay them and get back at my parents at the same
time.” Sunny got up. Joe got up too.

“No. It's too dangerous.” He said
sternly.

“You let Belle out.” Sunny pointed
out.

“That's not my decision.” Joe
replied. “Her father thinks she can handle it.”

“Then why not me?!” Sunny
protested. Joe looked at her.

“Come with me. There's some old gas
masks out the back that the contractors left behind, good strong
ones.” He said.

–

For the first time in a long time
Giggles was scared. The man in front of her in the weird dragon mask
had rigged the tall Council building near the middle of the city to
explode, which would take out many of the buildings around it.

Lady Silent was quickly trying to
diffuse the explosives with the help of a bomb expert, while the rest
of the Knights of the Last Order and Chuckles were fighting off the
dragon-mans minions.

“Who ARE you?” Giggles asked. They
were both on top of the building, the sun still high in the sky above
them.

“I am Demon.” The man said. His
dragon mask was black with gold trim, and only covered the top half
of his face. His mouth was painted red and his face painted white.
He was dressed in a white karate uniform with a black belt, and black
combat boots. He held a large boomerang, wooden with beautiful
native decoration.

“Demon, huh?” Giggles drew out the
Lucky Seven Gun.

“That doesn't belong to you.” Demon
pointed out.

“So? Would you prefer it in the hands
of Master Revolver?” Giggles shot back.

Demon didn't reply. Instead, he aimed
the boomerang straight at Giggles and threw it. Giggles shot up into
the air.

“HA, you miss-OW!” She cried as the
boomerang came back, slicing into her leg and returning to Demon.
Blood poured from the wound.

Giggles knew she was in trouble if she
had to get to ground. She had about nine minutes of air-time left.

Demon threw the boomerang again, this
time Giggles was able to shoot it out of the air. It went flying
back towards Demon who caught it easily.

“Damn him!” Giggles thought. Just
then, the Backpack cut out.

“Of all the times for it to
malfunction…” She growled, landing on her bad leg.

“This city, it's Council, it's cops,
everything in this city is corrupt. The system has failed when
children think they have the right to stamp their authority on the
city. Pleasantville needs to start again.” Demon stood over her.

“You're kidding. You're having a go
at US for being vigilantes? What about you?!” Giggles pointed out
the hypocrisy.

Demon laughed.

“YOU serve the corrupt system. I
wish to destroy it and start again.” He told her.

“With a name like Demon?”

“You're exceedingly nit-picky you
know that?”

Giggles groaned and tried to stand up
again. Demon kicked her over.

“Now. It's time for me to take the
first – OW! WHAT IS IT WITH PEOPLE GETTING SMACKED OVER THE HEAD
IN THIS CITY?!” Demon screamed in pain as he was hit over the head
with a metal baseball bat.

Giggles almost laughed. The person who
had hit Demon was wearing a gas mask, a pair of blue swimming
goggles, a bicycle helmet and various pieces of cricket padding.

“Leave Giggles alone.” The figure
said.

Demon growled.

“Who are you?”

“None of your beeswax. Leave Giggles
alone.” The figure repeated.

“Very well, I seem to have
miscalculated. Never matter. My men and I shall return.” Demon
said. Two smoke bombs went off.

“Damn!” Giggles cried. The smoke
cleared and Demon was gone.

“Are you okay?” The figure asked,
helping Giggles up.

“Yeah. Nah.” Giggles tried to put
some weight on her injured leg. Thankfully it was only a cut, but it
was still a deep one that would need stitches.

“We'd better get back to the tip.
Your grand-father will meet us there.” The figure said. Giggles
gasped

“Sunny?” She asked.

The figure nodded. Giggles smiled
underneath her helmet.

“Good on you Sunny!” She laughed.

She quickly fiddled with the Backpack
(which had simply had a momentary glitch, how's that for timing?)
before flying herself and Sunny back to the tip, where Chuckles and
the Knights of the Last Order were slowly making their way in.

“They all escaped. Smoke bombs.”
Chuckles flung himself down on one of the old mattresses.

“What happened to your leg?!” Lady
Luck cried, throwing herself at Giggles wounded leg and starting to
clean it.

So Giggles told them about Demon, and
how he wanted to rule over Pleasantville.

“Is he insane? The Ostrayan
Government would send in the Army and squash him flat.” Sir
Lionheart scoffed. “But you haven't gotten to who this is, or why
they're here!” He pointed to Sunny.

“It's me!” Sunny pulled off her
mask. The others gasped.

“You saved Belle?!” Chuckles asked
incredulously.

“Well, yeah.” Sunny shrugged.

“You're really brave!” Sir Hyper
looked up at her.

“A little bit.” Sunny blushed. Sir
Lionheart walked over to her, suddenly having an idea.

“Put your mask back on.” He said
solemnly. Sunny did so, and Sir Lionheart led her into the middle of
the group. Silence fell.

“You have shown great courage, not
only to save Giggles, but to see your old ways of bullying us were
wrong, and that you can have friends.” Sir Lionheart said. “Please
kneel.”

Sunny got down on one knee, shaking.

“Lady Silent, go and get one of the
other watches.” Sir Lionheart commanded. Lady Silent quickly
retrieved the purple watch and handed it to him. He faced the
kneeling Sunny.

“You have shown yourself worthy of
being our friend, and you have shown yourself worthy of being a
Knight. I dub thee Lady Courage!” Sir Lionheart touched her
shoulders with his slingshot.

Lady Courage! Sunny felt tears welling
up behind her eyes. Someone valued her. Someone cared about her.

She finally had friends who wanted her.

“Arise Lady Knight!” Sir Lionheart
helped up the newly coronated Lady Courage.

“I hate to break up the impromptu
party, but Belle needs medical assistance yesterday!” Lady Luck
piped up.

Within the hour Belle was stitched up
and heading back home with her grand-father and uncle. Looking out
of the window, she smiled.

“You were right Pa. All Sunny needed
was time and friendship. Now she's come good.” She said.

“Aren't I always right?” Joe
replied gruffly as Bill turned into their street.

“Your tipping would suggest
otherwise.” Bill shot back.

“Was I talking to you?”

“Chill out you old git.”

“Watch your mouth you little-,”

“I love this family.” Belle hugged
herself.

–

“And how was your day Daryl?” Mrs.
Jones sat at the dinner table eating roast beef and mashed potatoes
and roast pumpkin.

“Pretty busy, I had to do my speech
about the School Camp today. Being the School Captain is hard
sometimes.” Daryl grinned, shovelling his dinner into his greedy
mouth. “Plus we had revision for our Maths exams.”

“And your day?” Mrs. Jones looked
down at Sunny, who was eating slowly.

“Fine.” Sunny replied, pushing her
beef around the plate.

“So do you think you're going to pass
the Maths exam?” Mr. Jones quizzed his son. Sunny tried to pay
attention to the conversation, but soon it just became a drone in the
background.

It wasn't her fault that her mother had
gotten pregnant again after they'd had Daryl. It wasn't her fault
she was a girl. As much as she was happy with her new friends, the
pain of rejection from her parents hurt.

She did the dishes, cleaned up the
kitchen and the lounge room, put a load of washing through the drier
and then headed upstairs to her bedroom. Her homework was already
done and she was tired.

She looked out of her window towards
the creek. Her parents small boat was sitting tied to the back
fence. They were rich, but money would never help Sunny.

She was about to cry herself to sleep
again like she had so many nights before, when she noticed the gas
mask out of the corner of her eye.

“No. I won't cry anymore.” Sunny
thought to herself. “I'm Lady Courage, and I am important.”