Chapter Forty-Four: The Outer Knights of the Last Order

http://thienuncage.deviantart.com/

"So let me get this straight." Charlie stood in the back yard, one arm in a sling. "You can make the recoil on the Lucky Seven Gun look non-existent but you can barely pick up the Lions Claw Blade?!"

"IT'S HEAVY." Was the sullen reply.

The logic behind this latest exercise was that with Charlie out of commission until his shoulder healed, it would be beneficial for Belle to be able to use the Lions Claw Blade. Given that the Lions Claw Blade was now stuck firmly in the ground in the backyard, one could surmise that the exercise was going poorly.

"I'm flabbergasted. How are you NOT able to swing a simple sword around?" Thomas shook his head.

"Same way you couldn't fire a gun if your life depended on it." Peter came to his daughters defence.

"It's a piece of metal, you simply swing it around and hit people with it!" Thomas cried.

"I think you're seriously underselling the art of sword-fighting." Peter replied.

"What would YOU know?" Thomas glared at his best friend.

"Obviously more than you!" Peter got riled up.

"You saying I'm dumb?"

"No need, it's plainly obvious to anyone with a brain!"

Enraged, Thomas slapped Peter. Infuriated, Peter slapped Thomas back...look, for the dignity of both men, let's not go into the specifics of what happened next, other than to say Charlie quickly grabbed the Lions Claw Blade and took off with Belle as to not be seen with the pair.

–

Of course, no matter how bad Belles training was going, the world wasn't going to stop. Not even a week after Charlie got shot, Ruby Daryl decided to wreck some havoc. Not trying to steal anything or help take out a historical monument to create space for progress, he just wanted to get out and hurt people.

He's not a very nice person.

“There's no point in carrying this on Ruby, your Ruby Weapons can't hurt me and I'll be lucky to get a shot in with the Lucky Seven Gun. Why don't we both just go home and call it a day?” Giggles tried to reason with the bully, both of them hovering above Pleasantville Central Park.

“Get stuffed. That Backpack of yours will give out eventually, then you're screwed.” Ruby Daryl smirked.

“Not really, I think I can make your life miserable from the ground.” Giggles folded her arms.

“Oh really?” Ruby Daryl readied himself to attack.

“Either way, I can stop you from hurting people.” Giggles said.

“Even without your little boyfriend?” Ruby Daryl sneered.

“She's still got us!” Sir Hypers faint voice could be heard somewhere below them.

“What he said.” Giggles shrugged. “Now will you please sod off or do I have to bop you?”

Ruby Daryl laughed.

“Come on then, come and get me!” He readied himself for an attack.

Giggles grinned to herself and flew towards Ruby Daryl, who started floating upwards.

Or, rather, Giggles started sinking downwards.

“This is embarrassing.” Giggles groaned as she landed squarely on her backside again.

“You make this too easy!” Ruby Daryl howled with laughter. He threw a Ruby Shard at her, making her flinch unnecessarily as it hit her, not having any affect.

“Whatever Ruby, I can still stop you from hurting people down here!” Giggles yelled angrily.

“And we can help!” Sir Dark piped up as Sir Hedgehog helped Giggles to her feet.

“Oh really? Let's see how you can deal with this!” Ruby Daryl began to form Ruby Shards in both hands. When he had ten, he started flinging them in all directions.

“Scatter!” Sir Lionheart cried. The Knights of the Last Order rushed to stop the Ruby Shards as Giggles tried to hit the Shoulder Fuses on Ruby Daryl. Ruby Daryl was wise to this strategy however, and formed two Ruby Shields to protect them. Laughing, he formed more Ruby Shards and kept throwing them, mixing in some Ruby Blasts for the fun of it.

The Knights tried to block the Ruby Weapons with whatever they could, but soon their limbs got hit and they started falling, none of them having the immunity to the Ruby Power that Giggles had.

“So Giggles, do you still think you can stop me?” Ruby Daryl grinned as the Knights lay wounded.

“I won't stop trying until I do!” Giggles snapped. She racked her brains. She had about fifteen minutes until the numbness from the Ruby Shards wore off and the Knights of the Last Order could help again. If Ruby Daryl fired off Ruby Shards in all directions again, then it was almost a certainty that someone innocent was going to get hurt.

Ruby Daryl readied his next lot of Ruby Shards as Giggles pulled out the Lucky Seven Gun and fired. Ruby Daryl was about to laugh that she'd missed, when he heard a loud “Clang!” behind him.

A small throwing star landed on the ground. Ruby Daryl realised that if Giggles hadn't shot the star out from the sky, then he'd be dead. He looked towards where it had come from, and saw three figures standing on a rooftop.

Two of them were female, with long, flowing red hair. They wore beautiful one-piece suits that covered from their feet to their necks, including their dainty fingers, and they both had beautiful masks covering their faces. One was gold, and the other was silver. Behind them in a very professional-looking white suit was a man with a similar mask on his face.

“What did you do that for Giggles?! I almost had him!” The one in silver yelled angrily. In her hands were a mess of throwing stars.

“Because I'm in this business to save lives!” Giggles roared back.

“You're saving the wrong ones, try saving innocent people in future!” The gold one leapt to the ground, in her hands a weird yo-yo looking thing in the shape of the sun, with the rays being golden blades sticking out of the yo-yo. The other two jumped down behind her, the one in white shouldering his bow and wearing a quiver of white arrows.

“Get out of here, let the professionals handle this, little girl.” The white one walked over to Giggles and shoved her aside.

“Rude!” Giggles scowled.

Ruby Daryl looked at the scene unfolding. “Man, I don't need this drama. I'm going to go and see what Mum's got on for me for dinner. See yas!” He turned to fly away.

“Not so fast.” The one in while loaded up his bow with an arrow. Just as he fired, Giggles slammed him to the ground, sending the arrow flying into a nearby bush.

“YOU LITTLE WITCH!” The one in white roared in fury.

“I. Save. Lives.” Giggles scowled at him. “Who the hell are you?!”

“Sir Moonlight, if you must know.” The man stood up and glared at her. “My associates are Lady Sunlight and Lady Starlight, and I think even YOU can figure out which is which.”

“No, I couldn't actually.” Giggles spat sarcastically.

“We,” Lady Starlight walked over to them. “Are the Outer Knights of the Last Order.”

“YOU ARE NOT!” Sir Lionheart raced over, livid, his Ruby wound healed. “You will NEVER be a part of the Last Order if you insist on using the same tatics that our enemies use!”

“OUTER Knights of the Last Order.” Lady Sunlight smirked. “We're not quite as pathetic as you are, even if our mission is the same.”

“We don't have the same mission.” Lady Courage scowled, standing behind Sir Lionheart.

“The liberation of Pleasantville from crime?” Lady Sunlight said. “Sounds the same as our mission to me.”

“Stay out of our way. Or we can't be held responsible for what happens.” Sir Moonlight warned.

The “Outer Knights of the Last Order” made their exit.

“Who were they?” Sir Hyper walked over, holding up Sir Dark.

“Trouble.” Giggles replied. “Lots and lots of trouble.

–

“Baby talking makes you sound like an idiot, you know that right?” Izzy smirked at Lizzy, who was gabbling to Madeliene Masters later that evening.

“She's a gorgeous little girl, aren't you sweetie?” Lizzy cuddled the baby Masters, who squealed happily.

“You are SUCH a sucker.” Charlie teased from the couch. “You'll spoil her rotten if you're not careful.”

“Wittle Maddy Masters could never be wotten, could you my little munchkin?” Lizzy cooed to Madeliene, making her siblings laugh.

“Her big sister could use some cheering up. What's with the frown?” Charlie poked Belle, who was sitting on the couch next to him.

“Just what happened today.” Belle sighed as Betty came out with a steaming hot tray of freshly roasted meat, followed by Bill Masters with the vegetables and Peter with the gravy train.

“Here mate, let me get that for you.” Thomas rushed to help Peter with the gravy train.

“It's fine mate, here, let me get your chair for you.” Peter put the gravy train down and pulled out a chair for his best friend.

“This is going to make me sick.” Lizzy gave Madeliene back to Lara and sat down.

“Tell me about it.” Belle rolled her eyes as Thomas and Peter continued to smother each other with compliments.

Parents.

Chapter Forty-Three: Chuckles Gets An Owchie

http://thienuncage.deviantart.com/

The peace lasted for all of a month. During that time our heroes went swimming, had fishing and camping trips, played games, went to watch the Brisvegas Leos repeatedly lose (but always believing they would finally win!), ate food and read so many books that everyone began to despair of Belle having a social life.

When it finally ended, it ended with a bang.

“Give it up Revolver!” Giggles flew alongside the truck that the Death Valley Mobsters were speeding down the main street in. In front of them was a armoured van full of priceless jewels. Beside it, Chuckles was speeding along on his motorcycle, yelling directions at the driver.

Up ahead, Sir Lionheart and Sir Hedgehog were getting ready to plant roadspikes, while Sir Hyper and Sir Dark cleared the streets of any innocent bystanders.

“I'm coming with the armoured truck, be ready with the spikes after we come past!” Chuckles said into his watch.

“No problemo!” Sir Lionheart turned to Sir Hedgehog. “Time to roll!”

Sir Hedgehog ran to the other side of the road. The armoured car sped past, and Sir Lionheart rolled a line of road spikes out towards Sir Hedgehog.

“Look out! Here comes the DVM!” Sir Hedgehog yelped.

As expected, the truck ran over the road spikes and blew all of its tyres, sending it spinning. Giggles floated in the air, trying not to laugh as the truck stopped right in front of an adult store.

“Not funny you little pest!” Master Revolver jumped out of the truck and slammed the door shut.

“You're right, it's freaking HILARIOUS!” Giggles giggled (oh har har har), until she landed on her backside, courtesy of the Backpack again.

“You should really get that fixed.” Master Revolver pointed out.

“It's a work-in-progress.” Giggles shrugged, getting up and rubbing her sore bottom.

“Anyway, time to sort you out!” Master Revolver aimed his shotgun at her.

“Rude!” Giggles frowned. She pulled out the Lucky Seven Gun and aimed it back at him.

“Well this looks entertaining.” Chuckles walked over casually.

“I wouldn't be so cocky. It's sheer dumb luck that you lot are alive at the moment.” Master Revolver snarled.

“A sword to a gunfight Chuckles? REALLY?” Giggles shook her head at her best friend.

“At least SOME of us have class.” Chuckles stalked off. Without warning, Master Revolver turned his gun on Chuckles and fired, striking him in the shoulder!

“CHUCKLES!” Giggles cried. She fired the Lucky Seven Gun at Master Revolver, hitting the hand that had shot Chuckles. As Master Revolver dropped his shotgun and yelled in pain, Giggles flew over angrily and kicked him fair in the face.

“HOW DARE YOU SHOOT MY BEST FRIEND?!” She screamed in rage. “And in the BACK as well you COWARD!”

“Police are coming Giggles, we need to get outta here!” Sir Hedgehog called to her. Chuckles was being held up by Lady Courage and Sir Hyper, while Lady Luck was looking at his shoulder.

Giggles gave Master Revolver one last kick to the crown jewels before escaping with the others. She was seething. How could she have let Chuckles get shot?!

Chuckles leapt gingerly into her arms and she flew back to the tip.

“You okay mate?” Giggles asked as they soared through the sky.

“He shot me. How rude!” Chuckles said, affronted.

“We'll get Petunia to look at it when we get back to base. She'll fix it up no problem.” Giggles promised.

Suddenly, the Backpack gave out again.

“FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THAT IS GOOD IN THIS WORLD!” Chuckles roared angrily as Giggles managed to straighten up.

“Sorry.” Was the sheepish reply.

–

“Aren't you just the cutest?” Lizzy Begly lifted up baby Madeleine Masters, who squealed with laughter.

“You're smitten.” Izzy laughed as Lizzy danced around the Begly lounge room with the baby Masters.

“I can't help it.” Lizzy defended herself. “Isn't that right Madels?

Madeleine hugged Lizzy tightly in response.

Suddenly, Belle and Charlie burst in, with Thomas and Betty close behind. Petunia was with them, and started directing everyone at once.

“What happened?!” Izzy noticed that Belle was holding a sodden red rag to Charlies shoulder.

“Master Revolver shot Chuckles.” Thomas told them, pulling a chair from the dining room into the lounge room so that Petunia could get started on cleaning Charlie up.

“Owch.” Was Charlies contribution to the chaos.

“How did it happen?!” Izzy cried as Lizzy went to sit on the couch near her brother.

“Giggles and Master Revolver were having a stand-off when Revolver turned around and shot Chuckles in the back.” Petunia said. “Thankfully it only went through his shoulder, no major organs hit.”

“WHY DIDN'T YOU FINISH OFF REVOLVER?!” Izzy roared at Belle. “YOU COULD HAVE GOTTEN OUR BROTHER KILLED!”

“I'm not a killer Izzy, you know that.” Belle scowled as Peter Masters ran in.

“Is Charlie okay?” He asked.

“Never better.” Charlie groaned sarcastically.

“Oh good.” Peter took Madeleine off Lizzy, who was staring daggers at Belle. “Oh dear, we're not going to have THIS fight again are we?” He sighed.

“We wouldn't be having it if these two could do their job correctly!” Lizzy scowled.

“It's not OUR JOB thank you, we happen to do it out of the goodness of our hearts.” Charlie scowled as Petunia stitched up his shoulder. “OW!”

“Well you should do it properly or not at all!” Izzy snapped. “You got Grandpa killed-,”

“UPSTAIRS.” Thomas Begly pointed to the stairs.

“Dad-,” The twins began to protest. However, one look from their father was enough to have them both begrudgingly head up the stairs to their room. Betty followed them, looking harassed.

Not long after, Daniel and Sam burst in.

“I found the bullet!” Sam grinned, holding a small bullet in his hand. “I also found the one you shot Revolver with. Should I give it to him?”

“In his shoulder would be fantastic.” Charlie quipped dryly, feeling sorry for himself. Petunia had finished stitching him up and was admiring her handiwork.

“No fighting now for at least a month.” She said, setting his arm up in a sling.

“Say WHAT now?!” Charlie cried.

“The bullet fractured your shoulder blade. You're going to need to rest for a long time.” Petunia told him matter-of-factly.

“I really don't like Master Revolver right now.” Charlie groaned.

–

“What's the matter with my girls today huh?” Hugo Graziano, son of business mogul Great Graziano, looked bemused at the Begly twins as they all sat together in a high-end restaurant for lunch the next day.

“Nothing.” Izzy scowled, viciously ripping a bread roll in half and dipping one of the halves into her pumpkin soup. Lizzy rolled her eyes.

“We're a bit upset that Chuckles managed to get shot, personally we think he, Giggles and the Knights of the Last Order need to step up their game.” She smiled at Hugo.

“You mean those vigilantes?” Hugo looked amused at Izzy. “I don't know why they don't just mind their own business.”

“Especially if they're not going to do their job properly and get themselves shot.” Izzy growled through a mouthful of bread.

Hugo chuckled. “I didn't have you two pegged as social justice warriors.”

Lizzy narrowed her eyes at him. “You do realise we live in a city where we could get mugged at any second and our legal system wouldn't do a thing about it?”

“Oh come on, you would NEVER get mugged with me around. I'll protect my girls.” Hugo patted her cheek. Izzy giggled as Lizzy blushed.

“Have you girls ever thought of joining the cause yourselves?” Hugo asked as they continued their meal.

“Not really. Like I said, it needs to be done properly. It's sheer dumb luck that Chuckles and Giggles are so well-armed, and you've seen what the Knights have got.” Izzy replied, completely ignoring the fact that the Masters have been gunslingers for centuries and that the Howzats were brilliant hand-to-hand combat specialists paired with the Begly swordsmanship and blacksmithing.

“Fair enough. Although it IS a bit rich of you to dump on Chuckles and Giggles when you're not prepared to put yourselves on the line as well." Hugo pointed out.

"Is it rich of someone to criticize a meal without being a chef?" Lizzy frowned.

"I'm just saying..." Hugo threw up his hands. "Put yourselves in their shoes."

"You have no idea." Izzy said bitterly. "You seriously have no idea."