Chapter Forty-Nine: Acceptance
Bill
Masters wiped down the restaurant bench, watching his niece play with
Lizzy Begly. Technically Lizzy SHOULD have been washing dishes, but
who was Bill to deny the baby Madeliene her favourite babysitter?
Masters wiped down the restaurant bench, watching his niece play with
Lizzy Begly. Technically Lizzy SHOULD have been washing dishes, but
who was Bill to deny the baby Madeliene her favourite babysitter?
The
pair were happily reading a book together, while Bill prepared for a
huge event being held at his restaurant – some 90th
birthday party for one of Pleasantvilles big families. He was hoping
it would go off without a hitch, business had been waning since the
appearance of the Emerald Mobsters, who made life a bit more
difficult for the citizens of the besieged city. Going out was more a
mission than anything, and most people played it safe in their homes.
pair were happily reading a book together, while Bill prepared for a
huge event being held at his restaurant – some 90th
birthday party for one of Pleasantvilles big families. He was hoping
it would go off without a hitch, business had been waning since the
appearance of the Emerald Mobsters, who made life a bit more
difficult for the citizens of the besieged city. Going out was more a
mission than anything, and most people played it safe in their homes.
The
television droned on quietly in the background as Lizzy read aloud to
Madeliene, who was fully focused on the story before her. Bill was
about to start getting the cutlery out and onto the tables, when a
news alert came on.
television droned on quietly in the background as Lizzy read aloud to
Madeliene, who was fully focused on the story before her. Bill was
about to start getting the cutlery out and onto the tables, when a
news alert came on.
“The
Death Valley Mobsters are attacking Pleasantville Central Apartments,
from what we know they're after one of the residents about a owed
debt!” The reporter yelped. “HERE'S CHUCKLES AND GIGGLES!”
Death Valley Mobsters are attacking Pleasantville Central Apartments,
from what we know they're after one of the residents about a owed
debt!” The reporter yelped. “HERE'S CHUCKLES AND GIGGLES!”
“Oh
Belle!” Bill groaned. “Don't you go getting yourself OR Charlie
hurt!”
Belle!” Bill groaned. “Don't you go getting yourself OR Charlie
hurt!”
Lizzy
watched the television as Chuckles got thrown by one of the Emerald
Mobsters into Sir Dark and Sir Lionheart, knocking the latter two
down while winding the former. She desperately wanted to help, but
her mind was still scattered. Thankfully her sister and Hugo were
away that week, making her feel a little less pressured.
watched the television as Chuckles got thrown by one of the Emerald
Mobsters into Sir Dark and Sir Lionheart, knocking the latter two
down while winding the former. She desperately wanted to help, but
her mind was still scattered. Thankfully her sister and Hugo were
away that week, making her feel a little less pressured.
“I
wish I could help.” Lizzy sighed.
wish I could help.” Lizzy sighed.
“Best
not to.” Bill advised, tweaking something within the young Begly.
“You wouldn't be much help when they're already outnumbered by
Emerald Mobsters, especially with Marion and Revolver keeping tabs on
things. Those two will make life so much more difficult…Liz?”
Bill looked around. Lizzy had disappeared. “She's gone. Huh. ARGH
MY EYE!” He suddenly grabbed at his eye, which was now violently
and uncontrollably twitching.
not to.” Bill advised, tweaking something within the young Begly.
“You wouldn't be much help when they're already outnumbered by
Emerald Mobsters, especially with Marion and Revolver keeping tabs on
things. Those two will make life so much more difficult…Liz?”
Bill looked around. Lizzy had disappeared. “She's gone. Huh. ARGH
MY EYE!” He suddenly grabbed at his eye, which was now violently
and uncontrollably twitching.
–
"We're
completely outnumbered and there's only so much Emerald power I can
absorb before I get sick!" Giggles groaned to Lady Luck.
completely outnumbered and there's only so much Emerald power I can
absorb before I get sick!" Giggles groaned to Lady Luck.
"We
have to do something, those residents can't save themselves!"
Lady Luck looked out of the window at the Emerald Mobsters who were
trying to break in.
have to do something, those residents can't save themselves!"
Lady Luck looked out of the window at the Emerald Mobsters who were
trying to break in.
"Where
are those Outer Knights of the Last Order, they'd have this sorted
out quick-smart!" One of the older residents poked his head out
of his apartment.
are those Outer Knights of the Last Order, they'd have this sorted
out quick-smart!" One of the older residents poked his head out
of his apartment.
"Thanks."
Giggles replied dryly.
Giggles replied dryly.
"Hey
guys, we managed to secure all of the doors." Sir Dark came
running up the stairs with Sir Hedgehog close behind him.
guys, we managed to secure all of the doors." Sir Dark came
running up the stairs with Sir Hedgehog close behind him.
"That
Lady Silent sure is good with technology." Sir Hedgehog said
appreciatively. "She managed to get into the security system and
locked the place down tight."
Lady Silent sure is good with technology." Sir Hedgehog said
appreciatively. "She managed to get into the security system and
locked the place down tight."
"She's
good like that. Where's everyone else?" Lady Luck asked.
good like that. Where's everyone else?" Lady Luck asked.
"Sir
Lionheart is downstairs with Chuckles at the front door and Sir Hyper
is with Lady Courage at the loading bay." Sir Dark replied.
"Although we probably have a little bit of time until they break
through."
Lionheart is downstairs with Chuckles at the front door and Sir Hyper
is with Lady Courage at the loading bay." Sir Dark replied.
"Although we probably have a little bit of time until they break
through."
"If
they don't think of cutting the power first." Giggles looked out
of the window, narrowly avoiding a bullet from Master Revolver.
they don't think of cutting the power first." Giggles looked out
of the window, narrowly avoiding a bullet from Master Revolver.
"Wouldn't
work, the building is designed to become a fortress when the power is
gone. Funnily enough, it was designed by the firm that Mr. Jones
owns." Sir Hedgehog grinned.
work, the building is designed to become a fortress when the power is
gone. Funnily enough, it was designed by the firm that Mr. Jones
owns." Sir Hedgehog grinned.
"Poetic."
Lady Luck replied.
Lady Luck replied.
Suddenly
out went the power.
out went the power.
"I
thought you said that cutting the power to this place would turn this
place into a fortress!" Giggles yelped.
thought you said that cutting the power to this place would turn this
place into a fortress!" Giggles yelped.
"Well…a
very airtight fortress…" Sir Hedgehog replied sheepishly.
"They might not be able to get in, but we can't get out either.
We're trapped."
very airtight fortress…" Sir Hedgehog replied sheepishly.
"They might not be able to get in, but we can't get out either.
We're trapped."
"Are
you telling me," Lady Luck glared at him. "That they could
now blow up this building and we'd have no way to escape?!"
you telling me," Lady Luck glared at him. "That they could
now blow up this building and we'd have no way to escape?!"
"Looks
like it. I think we fell right into a trap." Sir Dark tried to
calm his girlfriend down.
like it. I think we fell right into a trap." Sir Dark tried to
calm his girlfriend down.
Meanwhile,
outside, celebrations were starting.
outside, celebrations were starting.
"We
did it!" Master Revolver grinned at Mobster Marion. "We
finally trapped the Knights of the Last Order and those bothersome
pests Chuckles and Giggles!"
did it!" Master Revolver grinned at Mobster Marion. "We
finally trapped the Knights of the Last Order and those bothersome
pests Chuckles and Giggles!"
"FINALLY!"
Mobster Marion smirked up at the building. "And once they're
dead we can finally have the Lions Claw Blade and the Lucky Seven Gun
back!"
Mobster Marion smirked up at the building. "And once they're
dead we can finally have the Lions Claw Blade and the Lucky Seven Gun
back!"
"Can't
we just blow the building up already?" Ruby Daryl groaned from
behind them. "This waiting is BORING!"
we just blow the building up already?" Ruby Daryl groaned from
behind them. "This waiting is BORING!"
"These
things take time you little brat, do you want to blow us up too?"
Mobster Marion chided. "Besides, we blew up the transformer
between this grid and the main power plant, there's no way those
brats can escape and there's nothing anyone can do to save them!"
things take time you little brat, do you want to blow us up too?"
Mobster Marion chided. "Besides, we blew up the transformer
between this grid and the main power plant, there's no way those
brats can escape and there's nothing anyone can do to save them!"
A
few metres away, hidden behind another
building, Lady Starlight heard every word of the plan. Her heart
sank. She was going to lose her brother and the woman who was like a
sister to her, before she'd had the chance to make things right with
them. She was going to lose her beloved Sir Hyper, who inspired her
and looked out for her.
few metres away, hidden behind another
building, Lady Starlight heard every word of the plan. Her heart
sank. She was going to lose her brother and the woman who was like a
sister to her, before she'd had the chance to make things right with
them. She was going to lose her beloved Sir Hyper, who inspired her
and looked out for her.
She
felt something vibrating in her pocket. It was her phone, and more
specifically, a phone call from Bill.
felt something vibrating in her pocket. It was her phone, and more
specifically, a phone call from Bill.
"ARE
YOU INSANE?" He hissed over the line. "Get your scrawny
little behind back to the restaurant NOW!"
YOU INSANE?" He hissed over the line. "Get your scrawny
little behind back to the restaurant NOW!"
"My
brother is going to die. I have to save him!" Lady Starlight
replied quietly. "If I could just restore the power to the place
then everything would be fine!"
brother is going to die. I have to save him!" Lady Starlight
replied quietly. "If I could just restore the power to the place
then everything would be fine!"
"Impossible,
the transformers have been completely destroyed." Bill told her
sternly. "Although, there IS the secret passageway to the dam
but that's been abandoned for-,"
the transformers have been completely destroyed." Bill told her
sternly. "Although, there IS the secret passageway to the dam
but that's been abandoned for-,"
CLICK.
Lady Starlight knew what she had to do. It was time to activate the
Improbability Clause and get her brother out of that building!
Lady Starlight knew what she had to do. It was time to activate the
Improbability Clause and get her brother out of that building!
She
poked her head out. The first order of business was to get past the
Death Valley Mob and that moron Ruby Daryl. Then she had to
communicate that fact to her brother.
poked her head out. The first order of business was to get past the
Death Valley Mob and that moron Ruby Daryl. Then she had to
communicate that fact to her brother.
Communication
was easy, she could just send a text message. She quickly relayed her
plan via a couple of hurried text messages. Now to deal with the DVM,
and hopefully give her friends time to get out of the building.
was easy, she could just send a text message. She quickly relayed her
plan via a couple of hurried text messages. Now to deal with the DVM,
and hopefully give her friends time to get out of the building.
"Be
careful with those explosives you fools, they're volatile and could
kill us all if you drop them!" Ruby Daryl snapped at a nearby
Emerald Mobster, who glared at him.
careful with those explosives you fools, they're volatile and could
kill us all if you drop them!" Ruby Daryl snapped at a nearby
Emerald Mobster, who glared at him.
"We're
Emerald Warriors, our suits protect us!" The
Emerald Warriors, our suits protect us!" The
Emerald
Mobster replied sneeringly.
Mobster replied sneeringly.
Lady
Starlight smirked, and threw one of her Throwing Stars at the Emerald
Mobsters arm. She scored a direct hit, and the Emerald Mobster
quickly dropped his load, causing a huge explosion in the middle of
the empty road.
Starlight smirked, and threw one of her Throwing Stars at the Emerald
Mobsters arm. She scored a direct hit, and the Emerald Mobster
quickly dropped his load, causing a huge explosion in the middle of
the empty road.
"WHAT
DID I JUST SAY?!" Ruby Daryl roared angrily, his Ruby Shield
protecting him.
DID I JUST SAY?!" Ruby Daryl roared angrily, his Ruby Shield
protecting him.
"What
the hell happened here?!" Master Revolver ran over.
the hell happened here?!" Master Revolver ran over.
"Something
hit my arm and I dropped the explosives." The Emerald Warrior
pulled the Throwing Star out of his arm, dripping blood.
hit my arm and I dropped the explosives." The Emerald Warrior
pulled the Throwing Star out of his arm, dripping blood.
"DON'T
pull it out you idiot, you're just going to damage yourself more!"
Ruby Daryl groaned.
pull it out you idiot, you're just going to damage yourself more!"
Ruby Daryl groaned.
"That's
a Throwing Star! The Outer Knights of the Last Order have arrived!"
Master Revolver yelled. "Lady Starlight threw that no doubt
about it!"
a Throwing Star! The Outer Knights of the Last Order have arrived!"
Master Revolver yelled. "Lady Starlight threw that no doubt
about it!"
"Well
where is she then?!" Ruby Daryl quickly got his guard up. "She's
the most dangerous of the three."
where is she then?!" Ruby Daryl quickly got his guard up. "She's
the most dangerous of the three."
"Damn
straight I am." Lady Starlight muttered to herself, throwing
another star at another Emerald Mobster who was carrying explosives.
straight I am." Lady Starlight muttered to herself, throwing
another star at another Emerald Mobster who was carrying explosives.
"IF
YOU DON'T MIND!" Mobster Marion yelled after the following
explosion. "WHAT are you idiots doing?!"
YOU DON'T MIND!" Mobster Marion yelled after the following
explosion. "WHAT are you idiots doing?!"
"Lady
Starlight is around somewhere trying to blow us up!" One of the
Emerald Mobsters complained bitterly.
Starlight is around somewhere trying to blow us up!" One of the
Emerald Mobsters complained bitterly.
"She
has to be close by. I'll go look for her while you lot clean up – and
TRY not to waste any more of those explosives, we need them for
getting rid of Chuckles and Giggles!" Mobster Marion snapped,
getting out her small katana. She began to make her way to where the
two Throwing Stars had come from. Lady Starlight saw her and quickly
made a dash for it over a nearby fence and around the back of another
building, where she could still keep an eye on proceedings and make
sure her brother didn't die that day.
has to be close by. I'll go look for her while you lot clean up – and
TRY not to waste any more of those explosives, we need them for
getting rid of Chuckles and Giggles!" Mobster Marion snapped,
getting out her small katana. She began to make her way to where the
two Throwing Stars had come from. Lady Starlight saw her and quickly
made a dash for it over a nearby fence and around the back of another
building, where she could still keep an eye on proceedings and make
sure her brother didn't die that day.
Seeing
another Emerald Mobster head towards the building with more
explosives, Lady Starlight launched another Throwing Star, causing
yet another explosion.
another Emerald Mobster head towards the building with more
explosives, Lady Starlight launched another Throwing Star, causing
yet another explosion.
"This
game is getting tiresome Knight! I WILL find you and when I do,
you're going to PAY." Mobster Marion fumed, running back to the
site of the explosion.
game is getting tiresome Knight! I WILL find you and when I do,
you're going to PAY." Mobster Marion fumed, running back to the
site of the explosion.
'This
is easy! I can keep this up all day until they run out of
explosives!' Lady Starlight grinned to herself as she set up
explosion after explosion.
is easy! I can keep this up all day until they run out of
explosives!' Lady Starlight grinned to herself as she set up
explosion after explosion.
"I
bet you're feeling pretty proud of yourself right now aren't you?"
bet you're feeling pretty proud of yourself right now aren't you?"
Never
mind – she'd just been discovered by Ruby Daryl!
mind – she'd just been discovered by Ruby Daryl!
"I've
beaten you before Ruby, and I'll happily beat you again!" Lady
Starlight cried, pulling out some more Throwing Stars.
beaten you before Ruby, and I'll happily beat you again!" Lady
Starlight cried, pulling out some more Throwing Stars.
"True,
you HAVE beaten me, but can you beat me AND the Emerald Warriors
without your little friends?" Ruby Daryl clicked his fingers,
summoning the ten Emerald Mobsters to deal with the Outer Knight of
the Last Order!
you HAVE beaten me, but can you beat me AND the Emerald Warriors
without your little friends?" Ruby Daryl clicked his fingers,
summoning the ten Emerald Mobsters to deal with the Outer Knight of
the Last Order!
"I'm
sure I can make your life hell until Chuckles and Giggles get here
with the rest of the Knights!" Lady Starlight smirked, trying to
appear braver than she felt.
sure I can make your life hell until Chuckles and Giggles get here
with the rest of the Knights!" Lady Starlight smirked, trying to
appear braver than she felt.
"Chuckles
and Giggles aren't going anywhere brat, and now, neither are you!"
Ruby Daryl readied a Ruby Shard to incapacitate Lady Starlight with,
with the Emerald Mobsters following suit with various Emerald
weapons.
and Giggles aren't going anywhere brat, and now, neither are you!"
Ruby Daryl readied a Ruby Shard to incapacitate Lady Starlight with,
with the Emerald Mobsters following suit with various Emerald
weapons.
"Not
good!" Lady Starlight backed off slightly. Ruby Daryl grinned
and threw the Ruby Shard, which never made it to its intended target.
good!" Lady Starlight backed off slightly. Ruby Daryl grinned
and threw the Ruby Shard, which never made it to its intended target.
"HOW?!"
He roared in fury. Lady Starlight almost cried with happiness.
He roared in fury. Lady Starlight almost cried with happiness.
"GIGGLES!
You're safe!" She yelled.
You're safe!" She yelled.
"Thanks
to you Lady Starlight, you've done great!" Chuckles also
appeared, holding the Lions Claw Blade ready for action.
to you Lady Starlight, you've done great!" Chuckles also
appeared, holding the Lions Claw Blade ready for action.
"What
the hell?" Master Revolver saw what had happened.
the hell?" Master Revolver saw what had happened.
"No
point blowing that place up now, there's no one in it!" Giggles
laughed at the look of fury on her hated enemies faces.
point blowing that place up now, there's no one in it!" Giggles
laughed at the look of fury on her hated enemies faces.
Mobster
Marion grimaced. She glared at Master Revolver and Ruby Daryl, as if
this was somehow their fault.
Marion grimaced. She glared at Master Revolver and Ruby Daryl, as if
this was somehow their fault.
"We're
leaving. You win this time, Chuckles and Giggles!" She ordered
her forces back.
leaving. You win this time, Chuckles and Giggles!" She ordered
her forces back.
"I'm
glad you see it our way!" Chuckles waved pleasantly as the Death
Valley Mobsters left. "And now we're going to head home too."
glad you see it our way!" Chuckles waved pleasantly as the Death
Valley Mobsters left. "And now we're going to head home too."
"Yeah,
home sounds good around about now. Although I don't think your Uncle
is going to be very happy with me." Lady Starlight made her way
to the tip with her two companions.
home sounds good around about now. Although I don't think your Uncle
is going to be very happy with me." Lady Starlight made her way
to the tip with her two companions.
"Why?"
Asked Giggles.
Asked Giggles.
"Hey
Bill…why is your eye twitching?" Peter Masters walked into the
restaurant to pick up his daughter. "And where's Lizzy?"
Bill…why is your eye twitching?" Peter Masters walked into the
restaurant to pick up his daughter. "And where's Lizzy?"
"The
stupid freaking CLAUSE!" Bill roared.
stupid freaking CLAUSE!" Bill roared.
–
"So
that's why I've decided that I'm going to focus more on my studies
and leave the superhero stuff to Belle and Charlie." Lizzy
explained to her sister and Hugo that night.
that's why I've decided that I'm going to focus more on my studies
and leave the superhero stuff to Belle and Charlie." Lizzy
explained to her sister and Hugo that night.
"You've
always been on my side when it comes to that stupid Code and that
ridiculous Clause, when did you start talking nonsense?!" Izzy
cried in hurt and anger.
always been on my side when it comes to that stupid Code and that
ridiculous Clause, when did you start talking nonsense?!" Izzy
cried in hurt and anger.
"When
I found out it wasn't so much nonsense as it was common sense and
team work." Lizzy shrugged.
I found out it wasn't so much nonsense as it was common sense and
team work." Lizzy shrugged.
"Whatever.
Looks like we'll have to give up the hero caper too if you're not
going to join us." Izzy sighed in resignation.
Looks like we'll have to give up the hero caper too if you're not
going to join us." Izzy sighed in resignation.
"It's
a shame, we were having such fun." Hugo agreed with Izzy.
a shame, we were having such fun." Hugo agreed with Izzy.
"Yes,
well, it's not about fun, it's about doing the right thing and making
sure that Pleasantville has a future." Lizzy told them.
well, it's not about fun, it's about doing the right thing and making
sure that Pleasantville has a future." Lizzy told them.
They
were sitting in the living room a few days after the dramatic rescue,
and Lizzy had finally worked up the courage to tell her sister the
truth. It had been hard, and Izzy wasn't thrilled about it, but what
was done was done, and it couldn't be changed.
were sitting in the living room a few days after the dramatic rescue,
and Lizzy had finally worked up the courage to tell her sister the
truth. It had been hard, and Izzy wasn't thrilled about it, but what
was done was done, and it couldn't be changed.
"I
don't know why you had to go and change your tune though. I guess
that baby has had more influence on you than I thought." Izzy
slumped back into the lounge.
don't know why you had to go and change your tune though. I guess
that baby has had more influence on you than I thought." Izzy
slumped back into the lounge.
"Amongst
other things." Lizzy shrugged. Just then, there was a knock at
the door.
other things." Lizzy shrugged. Just then, there was a knock at
the door.
"I'll
get it!" Thomas walked from the kitchen to the front door. "Hi
Sam, how can I help you?" Thomas opened the door to Sam, who was
looking particularly handsome that day.
get it!" Thomas walked from the kitchen to the front door. "Hi
Sam, how can I help you?" Thomas opened the door to Sam, who was
looking particularly handsome that day.
"Good
afternoon Mr. Begly, I was wondering if the lovely Miss Lizzy would
like to come out for a walk to the dam?" Sam poked his head in
the door, looking for Lizzy, who had gone bright pink.
afternoon Mr. Begly, I was wondering if the lovely Miss Lizzy would
like to come out for a walk to the dam?" Sam poked his head in
the door, looking for Lizzy, who had gone bright pink.
"I
reckon 'Miss Lizzy' would love to go for a walk." Charlie poked
his head out of the kitchen to needle his sister, who poked her
tongue out at him.
reckon 'Miss Lizzy' would love to go for a walk." Charlie poked
his head out of the kitchen to needle his sister, who poked her
tongue out at him.
"I'd
love to go for a walk." She got up and smiled at Sam, who
grinned back.
love to go for a walk." She got up and smiled at Sam, who
grinned back.
"Have
fun on your walk Miss Lizzy." Izzy teased.
fun on your walk Miss Lizzy." Izzy teased.
"Don't
be home too late Miss Lizzy." Betty called from the kitchen.
be home too late Miss Lizzy." Betty called from the kitchen.
"Don't
forget your hat Miss Lizzy." Thomas grinned, handing his
daughter her hat.
forget your hat Miss Lizzy." Thomas grinned, handing his
daughter her hat.
Lizzy
couldn't help but chuckle, and yes, she did enjoy her walk with Sam
very much indeed!
couldn't help but chuckle, and yes, she did enjoy her walk with Sam
very much indeed!