Chapter Ninety-Two: Delicious

“Oi, Jacobs.”

TJ was sat at his desk at work, when suddenly he was surrounded by Officer Wallace Dingbat and three officers.

“How can I help, boss?” TJ asked.

“Well Jacobs, I think you can be very, very helpful indeed.” Dingbat sat on the edge of the desk, making it groan ominously. “You see, a little birdie tells me that you might know a thing or two about the Knights of the Last Order.

TJ did his best to look surprised. Inside, he was seething. He knew this was probably payback from Richard Dickson.

“Don't give me that look Jacobs. You're the one who gave them to Dickson.” Dingbat sneered. TJ groaned inwardly. Damn! “Mayor Jones is giving us a lot of heat to get the Knights under control. If you know where they are, and you're holding out on us, then we have a little bit of a problem.”

TJ stood up. “Sir, if I really knew anything about the Knights, don't you think I would be the first to talk? I have a reputation to uphold.”

“Oooh, he's playing the Daddy card.” Dingbat chortled. The other officers laughed. “Well Jacobs, if you really don't know anything, maybe you can help us another way.”

“And?” TJ was starting to get irritated.

“Your friends. The Masters.” Dingbat leered.

TJ might have looked calm, but inside he was piping hot. He was being backed into a corner and he didn't like it.

“Mayor Jones wants them out of City Hall. You're going to give us the evidence to do that.” Dingbat told him.

“And if there is no evidence?” TJ snapped.

“Find some.” Dingbat got up off the table, his eyes laughing in victory. He and the other officers went back to work.

--

“You're not the only one who's been recommended to dob us in.” Belle assured TJ after work that day.

“Yeah, today at work we had a big staff presentation about doing the right thing and speaking up if you think anything is wrong.” Petunia scoffed.

“You too? We had one at the school today.” Sammy told the group as they walked into Bills restaurant. “Spent the entire day listening to kids dobbing on each other for the stupidest of things.”

“Maybe I should give the same talk to my staff.” Charlie mused as they sat down.

“You? Lecture?” Belle teased. Charlie cuffed her, sending her sprawling to the ground.

“I see you two have as strong a friendship as ever.” Bill walked out of the kitchen just in time to see his niece flying to the ground.

“BFFs.” Belle groaned as she got up.

“So, what are we all having today?” Bill asked, pad ready.

“What's the newest dish?” Daniel asked.

“Thai Basil Fish.” Bill replied.

The group thought for a moment.

“Chips.” Was the consensus.

“You lot...” Bill grumbled as he went back to the kitchen to get their meal.

“So, anyone see the latest from the Brisvegas Leos?” Charlie poured himself and Belle some water, raising a few eyebrows.

“I give it another week before Matthew Boss is gone from the coaching job. Peter Kanga has been sniffing around.” Sammy replied.

“No way, he's off to the Sportsbourne Devils.” Sunny shook her head. “No way would the Leos dump Boss.”

The bell on the restaurant door tingled. No one really noticed who walked in, except Belle, who went exceptionally pale.

“Good evening Mr. Masters.” Mayor Jones said in his slick, deep, oily voice.

Sunny heard that voice and hugged Melody close to her. Jones turned to look at her.

“It would be nice to sit with my daughter and her friends tonight.” He said.

Bill clutched his pad. “Very well. Let me get you a seat.”

Jones smiled pleasantly as Bill got his seat for him. Bill looked apologetically at Sunny, who sighed.

“What do you want?” She asked her father accusingly.

“Now, now. Is that any way to speak to your father?” Mr. Jones looked down his nose at his daughter.

“It is when you're a crap parent.” Sunny muttered.

Jones pretended he hadn't heard. “I just want to reconnect with my daughter, get to know my grand-daughter. Is there anything wrong with that?”

Just as Sunny was about to tell him everything wrong with that, Mobster Marion and Master Revolver walked in.

Belle shared a Look with Charlie. Jones frowned, but continued to talk.

“It would be nice to talk to my employees too. Miss Masters and Mr. Jacobs.” He smiled politely.

“Nothing like work on your personal time.” TJ muttered.

“Nonsense! This is just a friendly dinner together!” Jones beamed at them all, making them all want to vomit and giving Sunny severe violent urges.

“I think it would be nice to sit with the Mayor and his friends, don't you?” Master Revolver asked Marion as Bill arranged their seating.

“Hmm? Of course.” Marion seemed distracted and twitchy. Daniel noticed. Her mental health was definitely on the decline!

Jones flinched slightly as the pair sat down, but maintained his impossible smile. “It's nice to see you both.” He said.

“Nice to see you too.” Revolver said roughly, not meaning it at all. Belle and Charlie gripped each others hands. There was definitely tension between Demon and Master Revolver!

“Even though you should be in gaol.” Jones growled under his breath.

“Shoulda, woulda, coulda. There's nothing you can do about it, unless you want more blood and secrets spilled.” Revolver shot a glare at the Mayor.

“So much for a friendly dinner.” Petunia groaned.

Then, JUST to add more fuel to the fire, Crusader Roger walked in with three of his henchmen...one of them being none other than the former Ruby Warrior Daryl Jones!

“Okay, which one of you walked under a ladder with a black cat while smashing a mirror?!” Sunny glared accusingly at her friends as the new group came and sat down at the table.

“As much as I don't like sharing a table with murderers and snitches, I believe I shall.” Roger sat down next to Belle, who nearly backhanded him furiously.

“You liar! Everyone knows it was you pretending to be my father that got the...government...involved.” She tried not to giggle.

“Oh?” Roger looked down his nose at the young Masters. “And your proof is?”

“We went to Brisvegas and saw the communication for ourselves. It came from the town of Fallsville. You know, where March Hill is?” Charlie narrowed his eyes at Roger.

Revolver, Marion and Jones all turned to stare at Roger. He brushed it off.

“Very clever.” He admitted.

“So we wasted our time going after the Masters brat after all.” Revolver grumbled.

“I'M SITTING RIGHT HERE!” Belle yelled.

“Please Miss Masters, this is a fine dining establishment...although it looks otherwise.” Jones frowned at the décor of the restaurant. Charlie had to restrain Belle from retorting.

“Forget it Gangster, you've lost Pleasantville.” Roger gloated.

“I wouldn't be so sure after the last stunt you pulled that nearly cost me!” Jones fired.

Roger growled. Darn it!

“I'm not entirely happy with anyone at this table.” Jones continued. “You're all either vying for power or keeping secrets.”

“Pleasantville was built on secrets.” Marion said, making everyone jump. “Secrets all over the place. One day all the secrets will come undone.”

“Sooner rather than later I hope.” Charlie said.

“If wishes were trees, the trees would fall down.” Revolver said. Belle eyed him warily.

“The fact is, I have no reason to work with any of you.” Jones continued.

“Except that most of us know too much.” Roger smirked.

“That may be the case, however I think I could deal with that.” Jones said. “If I had the right people behind me.”

Belle winced in pain as Charlie squeezed her hand tightly.

“Whomever can bring me the Lions Claw Blade and the Lucky Seven Gun will help me rule Pleasantville.” Jones declared.

Thankfully everyone at the table looked shocked, so Belle and Charlie didn't look too out of place with their looks of terror.

“Oh hey look, the Haunted Maze Troupe are here.” Sammy pointed to a window, where two Troupers were peering in. Because of course they were.

Chapter Ninety-One: The Tempest Starts

“NO.” Giggles smacked the hand of the Haunted Maze Trouper who was trying to sell a young man some drug of some description in Pleasantville Park.

“But I NEED it!” The man begged.

“What you need is a cold shower and some help. Call this lady, she's brilliant at peer support.” Giggles handed the man Tammys business card. “Imagine the savings you can make!”

“Saving for what?” The man said bitterly.

“Getting out of Pleasantville for one.” Giggles pointed out.

The man blinked, and with a scowl he walked away.

Giggles turned to the Trouper that was now staring blankly at her from behind the purple baby mask.

“You know what you're doing is naughty.” She scolded.

The Trouper moved their head to the side.

“Don't give me that look.” She continued.

Then the Trouper pulled out the knife (we all knew that was coming) and took a swing at Giggles, who dodged easily.

“RUDE!” Giggles frowned. “Hey, Chuckles, stabby things are your side of the family!”

“Right on!” Chuckles jumped down from the tree he was sitting in. “I'm not going to even need the Lions Claw for this!”

“Chuckles, hollow knife with drugs in it, remember?”Giggles groaned.

Chuckles grinned. He flew at the Trouper, using an Arm Scythe to knock the knife from their hand. He then used a well-aimed kick to knock them to the ground.

“Winning!” Chuckles waved to Giggles, who facepalmed.

Then a gunshot rang out, and the Trouper was dead. Chuckles and Giggles froze.

“Revolver?” Chuckles called out tentatively. Silence.

Giggles walked over to Chuckles, both the Lucky Seven Gun and the Desert Eagle drawn. Suddenly the quiet area of the park in the sunset seemed very, VERY spooky.

“It's started, hasn't it?” Chuckles gulped.

“We need to get out of here.” Giggles said.

Then the sirens and lights appeared.

--

“I can't believe this.” Peter groaned.

“Believe it. Chuckles and Giggles should think themselves lucky they're not in gaol for murder.” Judith Jofrey replied.

They were sitting in Judiths office. It was the day after Chuckles and Giggles escaped arrest for the death of the Haunted Maze Trouper.

“Especially as the whole plan was that they got arrested and out of the way.” Judith continued. “Revolver and Marion want a clear path to take out the Crusaders and the Troup.”

“Can't you talk to your sister and get her to see that turning Pleansantville into a warzone is a bad idea?” Peter asked.

“Her mental state has been going downhill since Dad died. I don't think anyone can reason with her anymore.” Judith sighed. “She won't listen to Revolver, she won't listen to Jones and she won't listen to me. Especially now I'm dating Daniel.”

“Oh?” Peter raised an eyebrow.

“She's worried if I have an heir before her, I'll steal the Misneach assets.” Judith told him. “Which is stupid, because Dan and I haven't been together all that long.”

Peter was about to reply when they heard gunfire outside. They walked to the window.

“Roger NO!” Giggles cried, shoving Master Revolver out of the way of a gunshot.

“Get out of my way brats or I'll kill you too!” Crusader Roger aimed again to take out Master Revolver. “This dog needs to PAY for what he did!”

“We don't necessarily disagree, we just think there MIGHT be better ways about it!” Chuckles fought to keep Mobster Marion from entering the fray.

“GET. OUT. OF. MY. WAY!” Marion roared, bringing her sword down on Chuckles.

“Will you calm your farm already?!” Chuckles blocked her with the Lions Claw Blade.

“Well...this is a bit obvious.” Peter folded his arms and watched everything unfold.

“I want to know where the Haunted Maze Troupe is in all of this.” Judith narrowed her eyes.

“You REALLY think they care about the death of one of their own?” Peter asked.

“I don't think they CARE, I just think they might want to make a statement so they're not seen as weak.” Judith replied. “The illusion of power is important here. That's why Roger set you up. He couldn't be seen as weak after Mark was killed.”

“But this attack doesn't make sense.” Peter looked back down. “He's left himself wide open.”

Suddenly there was an explosion to the east. Judith looked horrified.

“That BASTARD!” She cried.

“Aah. He was distracting Marion and Revolver so he could blow up the Misneach Manor.” Peter said. “It looks like there's going to be consequences for everyone.”

Chuckles and Giggles looked at each other as Marion and Revolver ran to their limo to check the damage to their manor.

The tempest had started.

Chapter Ninety: How Long Must We Sing This Song?

“So, do I really want to know the logic behind kidnapping Belle?” Daniel asked one sunny afternoon as he stood with Judith Jofrey on Pleasant Dam.

“Demon wanted revenge on Peter for alerting the authorities to the presence of the Ruby Suit.” Judith replied. “He put a hit out on Belle.”

“And your sister just happened to be the first to get to her?”

“Not really. It's a long story. Suffice to say your friend annoyed quite a number of people during her ordeal.”

“Knowing Belle I'm not really shocked.”

“She's your friend!”

“Doesn't mean she can't bore me to death.”

Judith did her best to suppress a giggle. “Anyway, you're in luck. Everyone seems to be united in their annoyance with her, for now.”

“And that means?” Daniel raised an eyebrow.

“No mischief for a while.” Judith replied.

“I doubt that.” Daniel frowned. “The Troupe are always looking to sell their drugs and cause trouble. The Crusaders will probably be looking to strike you guys first. Roger will still be pissed about Mark.”

“Do you EVER take a break?” Judith wrapped her arms around his neck. “You don't have to be the big leader all the time.”

“Can't help it.” Daniel hugged her back. “Unfortunately when you're the oldest of a rag-tag group of kids, you become their leader and you'll always be their leader.”

Judith looked up at her boyfriend. She felt like there was something that he wasn't telling her...

--

“A-And then...Roger just shoves me into the Trouper...and he's all “She's YOUR problem now!” and ran off!” Belle howled with laughter as she told Charlie how she had talked herself to freedom. “And the Trouper just looks at me, which is when I told him all about the beginnings of the Haunted Maze Trouple fifty years ago in Brisvegas...”

“Which I do NOT need to hear about!” Charlie laughed with her.

“I honestly don't get them.” Peter shook his head, looking up at the tree where the friends were chilling out.

“I don't either.” Thomas sighed.

“I'm glad you're safe though. I was worried there for a while.” Charlie said as the laughter died down.

“I was fine. I just figured if it was enough to get you to tune out, it would work on anyone.” Belle grinned. The grin slid off her face as she turned to look at the slowly flowing creek.

“You okay?” Charlie asked.

Belle sighed.

“The government doesn't care. No one cares except us. Why are we even bothering? Nothing's going to change.”

Charlie blinked.

“All the government cared about was getting their suit back. The people here are still so willfully ignorant. Why don't we just give up?” Belle continued.

“Belle, these things take time.” Charlie told her. “The government might not care, but they can be made to care.”

“The government has people campaigning in the opposite direction to us. People with money and power and influence. We can't fight against that.” Belle groaned.

“We CAN!” Charlie cried. “It's been done before!”

“Everything is working against us.” Belle sighed. “And what do we get for our trouble? Attacked. Kidnapped. Ostracized.”

“We're gaining allies Belle! It's hard, it's slow, but we have to do it!” Charlie took her hand. “We have to make a difference. This isn't just a Pleasantville problem, but if we can fix it here then maybe others will take heart and fix their problems too!”

Belle turned to look at the creek again.

“We need to do this together Belle. You, me, the Knights, your Dad...we all need to keep working together.” Charlie begged her. “If Chuckles and Giggles give up, your Dads arguments start ringing hollow.”

Belle sighed again.

“Please Belle?” Charlie looked quite pathetic. “Without you, I'm nothing.”

Belle laughed, scaring Charlie.

“YOU are nothing without me?” She scoffed. “Charlie, if it wasn't for you I'd never get off my butt to do anything! I'd be too busy procrastinating all day!”

“You got your degree by yourself!” Charlie pointed out.

“As a form of procrastination. If I had a choice to stay at University and do nothing but study I'd take it in a heartbeat. Alas, I have a best friend who keeps me on my toes, who motivates me and who keeps me optimistic.” Belle grinned.

Charlie smiled back.

“You're right of course.” Belle looked towards the creek again. “I just get disheartened so easily.”

“It's not going to be a quick process. You've said so yourself.” Charlie put a hand on her shoulder. “I mean, you've told me a million times about how certain interests lobby the government and that most people don't care as long as it doesn't affect them. Well, we're gonna make them care!”

Belle grinned at him.

“Wanna go out and make ourselves visible?” She asked.

“Absolutely.” Charlie replied.

So Chuckles and Giggles headed out into Pleasantville...a wise move in the end!

Chapter Eighty-Nine: The Worst Kidnapping Ever

“We need to stay calm and figure out a plan.” Thomas said.

“STAY CALM?!” Peter roared. “MY DAUGHTER HAS BEEN KIDNAPPED! SHE COULD BE DEAD FOR ALL I KNOW!”

“Chill out Pete!” Thomas tried to calm his friend down, nearly getting his head taken off for it.

“Peter!” Lara tried to pull her husband back into his seat.

They were sitting in the Begly lounge room, still trying to process what had happened. Charlie was dead silent. His best friend was gone.

“TJ is trying the best he can at work without being found out, but I think we can narrow it down to three main suspects.” Petunia paced up and down behind the couch.

“That doesn't help, no one knows where the Haunted Maze Troupe hide out, and by the time any of us got to Fallsville Beauty could be...be...” Peter began to hyperventilate.

Charlie shook his head and walked outside. There was no way Belle was dead. It was impossible. If she was gone, then so was the Improbability Clause. If the Improbability Clause was gone, then there was no Chuckles.

Charlie sat next to the tree. There was no choice. He HAD to save his best friend!

He jumped up.

Then he remembered that he had no clue on how to do it, and the one person who could have helped him was the one he was trying to save.

He sat back down, feeling defeated.

Then he jumped back up again. There were multiple Masters that he could get to help him! Peter was too distraught, and Madeleine was too young, but there was still Bill!

He bolted inside to get his Chuckles gear.

“What are you doing?” Thomas asked as Charlie sped past.

“I'm gonna get Bill to help me with the Improbability Clause and get Belle back! I just need my Chuckles uniform!” Charlie replied.

“Hold it.” Peter and Thomas said.

Charlie stopped.

“What's going to happen when whomever kidnapped Belle sees that Giggles is also missing?” Peter pointed out.

“You can't go as Chuckles. You have to be careful.” Thomas added.

The pair gave each other some serious side-eye as Charlie slumped.

He bolted up to his room and flopped onto his bed with all the drama that his devastation would allow him.

--

Next morning, things looked even bleaker.

“She really is gone.” Peter looked at his breakfast, unable to touch it.

Lara uncomfortably served Oscar and Madeleine their breakfasts. She couldn't help but feel like this whole mess was her fault, and that the Masters family would have been better off not knowing her.

Meanwhile, Charlie had awoken with a sense of duty, of purpose, and of well-meaning but misguided determination.

“I WILL find Belle!” He jumped out of bed and got dressed. He bolted out of the house (grabbing some toast on the way) and rushed to Bills Restaurant. If he was going to find Belle, he needed the Improbability Clause. To use the Clause, he needed a Masters.

“Hi Bill!” Charlie burst through the back door of the restaurant.

“Why are YOU so perky?” Bill snapped, pouring himself a coffee.

“We're gonna find Belle!” Charlie announced.

Bill looked at the young man for a long time. “I don't know whether to pat you on the head or shake my head at you.” He sighed and looked up at the young man. “I'll probably shake my head though since you're now taller than me.”

“I need a Masters to use the Improbability Clause.” Charlie told him.

“And why do you need the Improbability Clause?” Bill asked.

“To find my best friend.” Charlie pointed out.

“How about no?” Bill started getting the kitchen organised.

“And why not?” Charlie looked offended.

“Because unlike my brother and my niece, I'm not a complete brainiac know-it-all.” Bill pulled on his apron. He stopped.

Charlie was grinning from ear to ear.

“Oh no.” Bill groaned.

“Thanks Bill!” Charlie bolted from the restaurant.

“Oh lordy...” Bill groaned again.

--

“Charlie, what are you doing?! Why aren't you helping us search for Belle?” Lady Luck cried into her phone.

“Because she's fine.” Charlie replied, sipping on some iced tea.

“Tell him he's a jerk!” He heard Lady Courage in the background.

“Lady Courage says you're a jerk. How can you be so relaxed?!” Petunia cried.

“I think he's finally snapped!” Thomas said.

“Dad says he thinks I finally snapped.” Charlie repeated.

Suddenly, Mobster Marions limo pulled up. The door was kicked open and out flew Belle!

“Take her!” Marion cried, slamming the door. The limo sped off.

Peter and Thomas looked at each other, shocked.

“Nicely done Belle!” Charlie got up and helped Belle to her feet.

“Explain?” Peter hugged his daughter.

“Belle never shuts up.” Charlie grinned.

Belle broke out of her fathers arms and proceeded to chase Charlie up the tree.

“You guys heard that, right?” Thomas picked up Charlies phone.

“I give up.” Lady Luck hung up.

--

“I heard a few things while I was kidnapped.” Belle said as the group sat at the tip later on.

“Between lectures you mean.” Charlie grinned.

“Demon is beyond furious. That's why I was taken. He blames Dad for all of this.” Belle ignored him. “He's also kicked Daryl out.”

Sunny started laughing.

“That could be dangerous if Daryl decides to do his own thing.” Daniel frowned at her.

“Daryl doesn't do anything he hasn't been told to do first. He's a follower, and if he can find someone who will let him do what he likes, only then will he be a threat. Until then, he's going to lay low.” Sunny told them. “Daryl Jones is no longer a threat.”

“Everyone is busy regrouping right now. It's a race to see who can get their bearings first.” Belle told them.

“Thankfully we seem to be prepared.” TJ breathed a sigh of relief.

“I hope you're right.” Daniel frowned.