Chapter One Hundred and Thirty-Eight: Who'll stop the rain?

 “Tam?”

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

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

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

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

Tammy had to smile at that.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tammy pulled away and wiped her eyes. 

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

“Another…Rose NO!” Tammy shot up.

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

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

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

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

–

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“She told you?” Sir Dark asked.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

–

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“I know.” Charlie sighed.

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

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

–

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Speaking of…

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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