Chapter Ten: A visit from Grandpa.

 http://gincdmon.tumblr.com/

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.

Chapter Nine: Sunny Came Home

 http://gincdmon.tumblr.com/

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.”

Chapter Eight: Sunny vs Giggles

http://nguyenquocthien.deviantart.com/

The rest of the camp flew by in a blur of fun. Although enjoying themselves as much as possible, the seven friends made sure to keep an eye out for Sunny, who seemed to be in a constant state of fury. Even Daryl was wary of his sister!

Soon, it was time to go home, much to the sadness of everyone. The seven friends were lucky enough to snaffle the back of one of the buses, where they could talk easily.

“My last time at school camp.” Daniel sighed.

“And we only have one more left.” Belle turned to Charlie, who sighed too.

“We have loads more left!” Sammy grinned cheekily.

“Yeah, but you have more years left of being bossed around.” TJ poked the younger boys forehead.

“Oww!” Sammy rubbed his head.

“So, have you two decided what you're going to do about Marion and Revolver? Dingbat is on warden duty in a month.” TJ mentioned, turning to Belle and Charlie.

“Put him back in gaol?” Charlie grinned.

“Easier said than done. We're just going to end up having to put him back every single time he escapes.” Belle groaned.

“It'll be fun!”

“It'll be dangerous.”

“Shush you lot! I'm TRYING to catch a nap here!” Petunia frowned at them. Tammy shot them all a dirty look. She had been about to doze off too.

Belle looked out of the window. Her thoughts turned to Sunny. After everything that had happened between them, why did she suddenly feel the urge to protect her long-time nemesis?

–

That night the friends had dinner at Belles place. Everyone loved Bills cooking, and Joes stories made the night all the more interesting.

“Big game on tonight too between the Leos and the Mynahs.” Daniel grinned at Charlie as they cleaned up their steaks. The Collymoddle Mynahs were one of the most despised teams in the competition, and unfortunately also one of the best.

“It'll be fine. With Jackson Blue, Louis Tiger and Joe Patrick in red-hot form, we'll whomp them.” Peter piped up.

“Don't forget Tony Rockcrusher.” Sammy added.

Belle was excited. It was the first time she had ever had so many friends over. The house was filled with laughter and fun, and she was so happy that she finally had so many people she could hang out with.

Finishing up her dinner, Belle took her plate to the sink to rinse it off for her uncle. She looked out the window.

In the opposite window, Sunny was busy scrubbing dishes. She looked lonely and sad, and Belle almost felt bad for her. She WAS lucky compared to Sunny – while she had to do chores as well, her father, uncle and grandfather helped her and each other where ever they could.

Sunny looked up and scowled, drawing the curtain across the window. Belle frowned and shook off whatever pity she had for the bully before heading back to hang out with the rest of the crew. They had gotten out the board games, and were having a blast.

Charlie was about to roll the dice for his next turn, when a bump and some laughter was heard from next door. It was pretty much ignored, they were used to it, but Belle couldn't let it go. What was happening in that household? Was Sunny okay?

“You're distressed Beauty. Are you holding something back?” Peter asked as he took his turn.

“No...yes...kinda.” Belle looked towards the kitchen.

“Are you worried about Sunny?” Sammy asked.

“She was mean to us Belle, don't worry about her.” TJ said bluntly, annoyed that Peter had just taken the lead off him.

Charlie looked at Belle. “It's against the Code for a Masters to just let things go. They don't ever hold back.”

“What about Sunny?” Joe asked. The children told him about what had happened at camp between them. Joe sat back and looked thoughtful.

“You're right to be concerned little one.” He finally said to Belle. “No one should have to live like that. It probably explains why she was so mean to you.”

“Because she hates me.” Belle sighed.

“She probably likes you very much.” Joe corrected kindly. “But she's jealous – very, very jealous. You have everything that she's craved all her life.”

“That's no excuse for being mean to us!” Charlie yelped.

“No, but it's part of the reason. It's very complicated.” Joe leaned forward. “It explains a lot of why the pair of them are the way they are. Daryl has always been spoilt, and Sunny has always been second fiddle to him. I'd love to throttle Jones if I wasn't a civilised man.”

“So what can we do?” Belle asked.

“You can't. No one can do anything. He's not exactly abusing her is he?” Petunia said slowly.

Tammy looked deep in thought. Then she jumped up and tapped her watch.

“The Knights of the Last Order? What could they do?” Daniel asked.

“Count me out.” TJ said.

“Me too.” Sammy agreed. “She was too mean to us.”

“Chuckles and Giggles will go.” Charlie stood up.

“Are you sure the situation even calls for that sort of force?” Belle rolled her eyes.

Sure enough, a cry of pain came from next door. Sunny's voice.

“Seriously?!” Belle got up and followed Charlie upstairs, where they got into their Chuckles and Giggles attire. The pair then snuck next door and peered in a window.

“Daryl!” Sunny cried, trying to get her doll back.

“Go and clean the toilet first!” Daryl laughed, holding up the doll above her head. It was a beautiful male doll, wearing a neat tuxedo and with a porcelain face.

“I DID clean it!” Sunny tried. To Giggles, Sunny looked sad and tired, nothing like the fiery bully she knew.

“Not good enough! Do it again!” Daryl commanded.

Sunny spared a glance through an archway to her parents, who were in the other room watching television. “Daryl please, don't hurt Ramjet.” She begged.

“Wonder what would happen if I smashed its face on the tiles.” Daryl mocked.

He threw the doll to the ground. Just before it hit the hard tiles, it was caught be a speeding Giggles!

“What the hell?!” Daryl cried. He moved to attack Giggles, but was stopped by the appearance of the Lions Claw Blade in his path.

“DAD!” He yelled, terrified of the combined might of Chuckles and Giggles.

Mr. Jones ran in. He prided himself on being a law-abiding, straight-edge man of the highest standard, and to see that two of the towns vigilantes were in his house greatly disturbed him.

“What is going on here?” He growled.

“Why is Daryl picking on Sunny?” Giggles asked.

“And why aren't you doing anything about it?” Chuckles added.

“I don't see how it's any business of yours how I raise my children. I request that you leave my house at once. You are trespassing on private property.” Mr. Jones glared at the pair of them.

Giggles handed Sunny her doll back. “You deserve better than this. Everyone does.”

She turned to Mr. Jones and Daryl. “You two should be ashamed of yourselves. Sunny's a human being too, no matter the circumstances of her birth.”

“You have no right sticking your noses into business that doesn't concern you.” Mr. Jones warned. “I'm surprised you two haven't been arrested yet.” He stepped towards them.

“Get out and stay out. And learn to mind your own business, no one asked you to come in and martyr yourselves.”

The pair left, both shaken by what had happened.

They got back home and changed back to their civilian clothes, then headed downstairs as the football game was starting.

“How did it go?” Bill asked as the pair sat down.

“We didn't change a thing.” Belle hugged her knees. “We couldn't save Sunny.”

“Don't be so sure. These things take time little one.” Joe put a reassuring hand on her head.

For interests sake, the Leos won 25.2 (152) to 1.19 (25) that night.

–

The next day, the friends headed to the tip to hang out and train a little bit.

“Hi-YAH!” Sir Hyper swung his nun chucks haphazardly at Sir Dark, who rolled out of the way and counterattacked. Both were laughing.

“This is training?” Giggles asked Sir Lionheart.

“Yup! So what if it isn't the super-training you and Chuckles have had, at least we're having fun.” Sir Lionheart said defensively.

“You really need to be more careful.” Lady Luck was bandaging up Chuckles, who had fallen from a pile of old TV sets laughing at the “training”.

“My bad.” Chuckles was still chortling.

Lady Silent had one eye on the monitors and another on her brother being silly with his best friends. She looked towards the monitors again, not expecting to see much (crime in Pleasantville usually took Saturdays off). She gasped.

Sunny Jones was headed right towards them!

Lady Silent bolted out of the den and raced towards Sir Lionheart. She grabbed his arm, jumping up and down like mad.

“What is it Tammy?” He asked.

“So, this is where you lot hide out. I'd heard rumours.”

It was too late. Sunny Jones had made it to the den where the heroes were hiding out!

“Sunny.” Giggles said.

“Cut the rubbish.” Sunny snapped. “I know it's you Masters.”

Everyone froze.

“And I know your little friends are the Knights of the Last Order too.” Sunny continued. “So take off the masks and let me fight you face-to-face!”

“Why do you want to fight us for when all we did was try to help you?!” Lady Luck roared furiously.

“Do you know how much trouble I'm in!? My parents aren't talking to me at the moment because YOU couldn't keep your stupid nose out of it!” Sunny fired back. “Your disgusting holier-than-thou attitude is beyond a joke!”

“Hold your tongue!” Sir Lionheart stepped forward. “We have been trying to do the right thing!”

“And that gives you the right to interfere in things that never concerned you?” Sunny fumed.

“You're being abused you stupid brat, can't you see that?!” Sir Dark yelped.

“Everything was fine before you stepped in!” Sunny was furious. Inside her felt like molten lava, she was hurt, jealous, angry, upset and alone.

“Get out and leave us alone.” Chuckles stepped forward. Sunny scoffed.

“I know all of your identities. If I went to the police right now, you'd all be screwed.” She smirked.

She flinched as the Lions Claw Blade was pointed at her, inches from her chin.

Giggles stepped forward, putting an arm across Chuckles chest.

“No Chuckles. Let me handle this.” She said calmly. She thought of what her grandfather said about things taking time. The wounds Sunny had endured wouldn't heal instantly. Until they did, she needed help. Fighting with her wasn't going to help anything.

“Sunny, we're sorry we caused you so much trouble.” She said.

Sunny stepped back. An apology?!

“We never intended to make things worse for you, we just wanted to help.”

“You condescending bitch!” Sunny screamed in fury. She flew at Giggles, who shot up into the sky and over Sunny, landing behind her.

Sunny spun around quickly and grabbed Giggles, trying to hit her. Giggles grabbed Sunny back and flew them both into the air. She let Sunny go and kicked her into a nearby pile of mouldy old mattresses.

Sunny finally landed on the ground with a soft “thud” and lay on the ground crying. Lady Luck bolted to her side to try and fix her up. Sunny submitted weakly, too tired to carry on.

“You'll be okay Sunny.” Giggles landed in front of them. She took off her helmet. “We'll be your friends and look out for you.”

Sunny looked up at Belle, before nodding weakly.

She had nothing else left.

Chapter Seven: School Camp.

http://nguyenquocthien.deviantart.com/

“Sammy, get in the canoe.”

“No.”

“C'mon Sammy, it'll be fun!:”

“No.”

“Sammy please, you got to at least try.”

“No.”

“Sammy-,”

“NO.”

Sammy stood well away from the lake where Daniel and TJ were trying to coax him into the water and into the canoe. Ever since the car accident that had taken Tammys voice, Sammy had been terrified of water, especially big bodies of water such as pools, lakes and the ocean. The car (driven by their erratic uncle) had gone speeding into Lake Pleasantville. Thankfully, the car had landed in shallow water, but it was still enough to cover the car. Tammy had slept through the whole thing, but Sammy remembered everything, from the water flooding into the car to the people who had rescued them.

“Sam, come on, you have to face your fear sometime.” Daniel tried.

“No.” Sammy sat down firmly on the dry grass. “You can't make me!”

“Come on, we'll get a canoe with Petunia.” TJ sighed.

Tammy grabbed Belles hand.

“Of course you can come with Charlie and I!” Belle grinned at her.

They picked out a pair of canoes and headed down to the lake. It was a beautiful day at Camp Tall Parakeet on the Silver Coast, great for some fun out on the water. The school had arrived at the camp the day before, and the scholars were looking forward to a week of fun and sun!

“It's ON!” Daniel cried, splashing water at Tammy, Belle and Charlie. Tammy steadied her paddle, then swept it through the water, sending a considerable amount over Daniel, Petunia and TJ.

“Who knew the littlest of us was the strongest!” Belle laughed.

“You gotta watch that one, she's a fierce little tiger!” Petunia splashed at her.

The friends were having a good time, even Sammy cheered from the safety of the shore. Of course, it wasn't to last.

Sunny and Daryl had also come to camp. Since the day at the tip, the Jones siblings had found it harder to pick on Belle and Charlie, owing to the fact that they now had the numbers behind them to defend themselves. However, the Jones siblings still took advantage of every chance they could get to make the lives of the seven friends miserable.

The two Jones siblings had a canoe to themselves, and were watching the frivolity from afar. They saw Belle and Charlies canoe swing away from the other canoe, trying to put some distance between them so they could launch another attack.

“Start paddling.” Daryl grinned at Sunny. Sunny simply grimaced, nodded, and began to paddle. She had grown into a tall, determined, beautiful teenager, although she still had a tiny scar under her eye.

The pair made a beeline towards Tammy, Belle and Charlie. The two canoes crashed and the three friends were sent flying into the water.

“TAMMY!” Petunia cried, reaching over to grab her best friend. Tammy held on to the side of the canoe and glared at the Jones siblings, who were laughing hysterically. Suddenly, the pair were launched into the water – Belle and Charlie had swum underneath the siblings canoe and overturned it!

The friends all roared with laughter. Belle swam over to their overturned canoe, planning to right it and get back in, when she felt something grab her foot. Without warning she was back under the water, struggling to get back to the surface and fill her lungs with air. Whatever had her was dragging her down as far as it could. She saw a shadow move up past her, pushing her back down into the depths of the water before surfacing.

She struggled as fast as she could to get back to the surface, her lungs burning. The light of day seemed so far away!

Something grabbed her hand, and pulled her up into the air. She spluttered and gasped for air, holding on to Charlie who had pulled her out. Daryl was wearing a smirk, and Sunny was trying to get back into her canoe.

She looked up at Daniel, TJ and Petunia. Together, the seven friends headed back to the shore. Sammy hugged his sister the moment they were on dry ground, then suddenly he hugged Belle too.

“That was mean what they did.” He said. “I saw Daryl duck you.”

“I know. It wasn't very nice.” Belle hugged him back. They all made their way back to the camp to dry off and lick their wounds.

Soon, they were hard at the table tennis. Belle and Charlie lost every game they played, including the one they played against each other.

“That...that...” Daniel looked stunned.

“That is REALLY bad.” Sammy filled in.

“At least we're trying, right?” Charlie asked. Everyone groaned.

They heard some noise outside. Belle poked her head out of the door. “Everyone's heading back now, we'll have to go to assembly soon.”

“Ah well.” TJ yawned.

The group headed out and followed the crowd back to the cabins. Along the way, they saw something that would change things forever.

“Daryl, cut it out!” Sunny cried as Daryl flicked her with a towel behind some bushes. His moronic friends laughed.

“Don't be mean Daryl, stop picking on me Daryl.” Daryl mimed his sister cruelly. “You wouldn't even duck that unwanted bastard!”

“We'd already gotten her and her stupid boyfriend, why make things worse?” Sunny argued.

“I'm not your boyfriend.” Charlie looked at Belle indignantly. Belle looked back, just as peeved.

“You've always been soft. I remember that stupid kitten you got upset at me about.” Daryl sneered.

“Meow...” Belle whispered, turning back to the argument.

“Anyway at least I'm not like you. YOU actually hate her!” Daryl laughed.

Sunny growled. Belle looked at her from behind the bushes in horror. Sunny looked towards her feet. It wasn't hate. It was a million times worse.

“You can't even deny it.” Daryl shoved her to the ground. “You're just as unwanted as her – you weren't even meant to be born. Mum and Dad wanted another boy too.”

“Daryl is REALLY mean!” Petunia whispered.

Belle wanted to be happy. She wanted to revel in Sunnys pain. She wanted to walk away and leave the scene. But something stopped her.

A Masters never holds back.

It was wrong what Daryl was doing to his sister. Belle couldn't stand back and watch it happen.

She bolted out of the bushes and slapped Daryl hard.

“Your sister may be a cow, but she didn't do anything to you!” Belle roared.

“BELLE!” Charlie ran out beside her. Petunia and Tammy ran to help up Sunny (who shook them off) and Daniel, TJ and Sammy stood with Charlie.

“How pathetic.” Daryl sneered. “Two unwanted children.”

“Belle IS wanted thank you!” TJ fumed.

“You should see how much her father loves her!” Daniel added.

“And she's our friend!” Charlie finished.

“Whatever.” Daryl walked off, his friends in tow.

“Are you okay?” Belle asked, turning to Sunny.

Sunny was blind with rage. This girl, this stupid little girl who had been dumped on her fathers doorstep as a baby with pneumonia and on the brink of death, this stupid little girl whose father would do ANYTHING for her, this stupid little girl who had best friends and an uncle and a grandfather and now she'd really ticked off her older brother and she had no right to do that and she had no right to care and...

“DON'T you DARE speak to me!” Sunny thundered. She knew she was crying, but she was beyond caring. “You don't know ANYTHING!”

She shoved Tammy and Petunia to the ground in anger.

“Sunny, what's going on?” Petunia asked.

“Just...Just shut up!” Sunny roared. She glared at Belle.

“You have everything. A father who loves you, an uncle and a grandfather who would die for you, a friend who you've had for life, MORE friends who think the world of you! Why did YOU get that?! You weren't meant to be born either! I bet you never have to be silent around the house because you're a disturbance, or have to do all the chores because you're one mouth too many!” Sunny was beyond anything at that point. She ran off, crying.

“I HATE ALL OF YOU!”

The friends stood there in shock, all of them troubled by what had just happened.

“What on earth does she mean, 'not meant to be born'?” Belle looked confused.

“Beats me.” Daniel said. “But I think we've figured out why she's so mean to you.”

“Explains Daryl too.” Charlie said bitterly. Belle thought of something.

“Have you ever noticed that Sunny always has a cut or a bruise somewhere on her?” She asked.

The others looked at each other.

“You know, I think you're right.” Petunia said slowly.

“I really wonder what goes on in that Jones household.” Charlie said.

The old bell on top of the camp hall rang out, and the seven friends made their way over for the assembly.

Chapter Six: The Noble Knights of the Last Order

http://nguyenquocthien.deviantart.com/

With the leaders of the Death Valley Gang and the Mobsters of Misneach out of commission (at least until bail was posted), the crime rate in Pleasantville dropped significantly. However, there was still enough action to keep Chuckles and Giggles busy.

“I don't like it.” Thomas said to Peter as the two youngsters made their way inside their respective homes after one such escapade a few weeks later.

“I don't either. But it keeps them amused.” Peter replied, sipping his beer.

Joe had taken to training Belle in strategy on her spare afternoons, plus Charlie had constant phone calls from his grandfather talking about sword fighting, so the pair were never bored. Life was becoming full for the pair of them, especially with the school camp coming up.

“What a month.” Belle lay on a mess of branches in the tree. Charlie hung off a lower branch, watching the creek that ran behind the houses.

“It's nice to finally have a day off.” He said.

“Did you hear about Marion?” Belle asked.

“What about her?” Charlie sighed, not really interested.

“One year total, six months suspended sentence. She'll be out in five months.” She replied. “Daddy tried, but she's too well-connected.”

“You're kidding me!” Charlie groaned.

“Nope.” Belle sighed. Belle was of the opinion that her father was the best prosecutor in the world, but even he couldn't compete with the corruption of the Pleasantville council.

“And it's only a matter of time before Master Revolver escapes...again.” Charlie rolled his eyes. “First night Dingbat is on duty at the gaol and there'll be a breakout.”

The pair sighed. Suddenly there was a small but audible “Bang!” coming from the tip.

“Again?” Belle perked up.

“Police haven't found anything suspicious Belle, so don't worry about it.” Charlie yawned. Belle glared at him. He blinked.

“Oh...right...” He mumbled sheepishly. “Does this mean no more day off?”

–

It did.

“There's no one HERE Giggles, can we please go home and go play some Lethal Fight now?” Chuckles groaned as the pair searched the area where the noise had come from.

“Footprints, Chuckles. Lots and lots of footprints.” Giggles snapped the visor of her helmet back down. “In a tip that is apparently deserted most of the time.”

“And we're going to follow said footprints?” Chuckles followed Giggles as she headed towards some old cars.

She held up one finger to silence him, and walked towards the cars slowly. She pulled out the Lucky Seven Gun, and suddenly banged it on the bonnet of one of the cars.

“OW!!!” Cried a voice inside the car.

“Sir Hyper?” Giggles asked. Within seconds, Chuckles and Giggles were surrounded by the Knights of the Last Order!

Chuckles drew out the Lions Claw Blade and stood with his back to Giggles.

“So. You're the ones who have been making that noise.” Giggles said.

“And what if we are?” Sir Lionheart stepped forward. “You have no business here.”

“Please don't fight, we're on the same side here.” Lady Luck pleaded.

“Or are we?” Sir Dark glowered beneath his hockey mask. The Knights were all covered in various bits of metal and padding, probably trying to simulate armour. Sir Lionheart had an orange Lion on his chest, Sir Dark had a white unlit candle on his, Lady Luck had a green four-leaf clover and Sir Hyper and Lady Silent had yellow lightening bolts.

“Stand down Sir Dark!” Sir Lionheart warned.

“We've helped each other out before.” Sir Hyper piped up. “And you guys are good.”

“Thanks.” Giggles couldn't help but grin.

“How about we trust each other. On the count of three, we all take off our masks.” Lady Luck suggested.

“What do you say Giggles?” Chuckles asked.

“I don't see that there's anything to lose by working with these guys.” Giggles agreed.

“One.”

“Two.”

“Three.”

“HAVEN'T WE SEEN YOU GUYS AT SCHOOL?!” Everyone cried.

“You're Belle and Charlie, right?” Daniel asked.

“Yeah, and you're Daniel and TJ.” Belle replied.

“And you're Petunia, Tammy and Sammy.” Charlie added.

“Wait, aren't you the guys who saved us a few years ago when the DVG attacked the old private school?” Asked Belle.

“We sure helped!” Sammy grinned.

“Thanks for that.” Belle smiled back.

“And you two are the ones who Daryl Jones really has it in for.” Daniel said.

“Yeah.” Charlie sighed. “Although I don't know what I ever did to him.”

“You could hang out with us, his group don't have the strength to deal with us as well as you.” Petunia pointed out.

“Tunia!” TJ groaned.

“Well why shouldn't they hang out with us? The only reason Daryl targets them is because he has his posse. If these two started hanging out with us, he wouldn't be able to hurt any of us. You DO remember what he did to Sammy in school yesterday right?” Petunia frowned at her friend.

“I guess so.” TJ sighed.

“We don't want to cause any trouble.” Belle offered.

“It's no trouble, TJ is just stubborn.” Sammy giggled. “I like you guys!”

Belle and Charlie grinned sheepishly.

“Although if you're going to hang out with us, you should probably have watches.” Daniel pointed out.

“Watches?” Charlie asked..

Tammy produced two snap wristbands, one blue and one red. Both were rather thick and bulky, with a black face on both of them.

“Tammy made them, she's great with electronics.” Daniel smiled. “She's managed to hack into just about every security system in the city – it's how we keep track of everything.”

“Those watches we use to communicate. If someone is in trouble, they just push the face in-,” Petunia demonstrated. Suddenly, every ones watches started vibrating and a green arrow showed on the screens, pointing at Petunia.

“Awesome.” Belle grinned. Her father would certainly appreciate something like this!

“We each have a different colour – Dan is orange, TJ is white, Tunia is green, and I'm yellow. If all the colours show up at once, it means Tammy and home base are in trouble.” Sammy explained. Tammy smiled and led the group into a large pipe that had long since been buried in earth and rubbish. Inside was a desk with several keyboards attached to what looked like old computers, and the back wall and the sides were littered with old monitors, each showing what was going on in Pleasantville.

Tammy pushed a red button, and all of the watches lit up with the colours orange, white, green, yellow, red, blue, purple and grey.

“Who are the purple and grey colours for?” Charlie asked.

“No one yet, Tammy just thought it'd be a good idea to have extras in case we have new people come in.” Sammy beamed at his twin sister, who grinned back.

“Amazing!” Belle looked at the set up.

“By the way, what on earth have you guys been doing to cause all the banging that's been happening?” Charlie asked.

“Sparring. Sometimes things get too rough and things get knocked around. Today we managed to knock a gutted car off it's pile into another pile...which knocked the whole lot down.” Daniel rubbed his neck sheepishly.

“How...?” Belle looked dumbfounded.

“We were pretending the piles of cars were buildings and jumping all over them. Luckily no one was hurt.” Petunia frowned at the boys.

“Buildings are no problem for me – I can fly!” Belle laughed

“I have to ask though – how on earth CAN you fly?!” TJ asked Belle, getting over his stubbornness.

“My Dad made this for me. It took him years.” Belle showed them the Backpack. She then jumped up and suspended herself about a foot off the ground. “It's fun.” She couldn't help but brag.

And then the Backpack malfunctioned slightly and she landed on her backside.

“That happens sometimes.” She had to admit. Everyone laughed.

–

After that, the seven heroes became good friends. They were always seen together at school, they often hung out at the tip having mock battles and lots of laughs and their parents soon became friends too. Best of all was the School Camp, because finally Belle and Charlie could go without fearing what would happen to them.

Well, almost.