Chapter Ninety-Eight: A Short-Lived Victory

The bell rang to signify the end of another school day. After the hope of yesterday, today had been a disappointment.

Sammy was about to find out why.

“Ah, Mr. Samuel. Could I have a word to you about what my son was doing yesterday?” One of the parents approached him.

“Of course...” Sammy replied warily.

“I honestly don't believe that you should be wasting our childrens time with this wishy-washy huggy-wuggy rubbish.” The parent started.

“Of course YOU would. Your son has been attacking my daughter for weeks.” Another parent grumbled.

Sammy knew what was coming.

“My son is a respectful young man, if your young trollop can't dress appropriately-,”

Sammy quickly got between the two parents, but the damage was done. The second parent spat at the first and stormed out in a huff, and Sammy had to stop the first parent from storming after the second to thump them.

“It seems that there's a subsection of parents who don't want to take responsibility for parenting and letting our children suffer for it!” Another parent snapped.

“More like you're raising a pack of sooks who can't look after themselves!”

Sammy groaned.

--

“Hey Dan, hey 'Tunia...holy heck Sammy what happened?!” Belle rushed into Bills restaurant that evening.

“I had to stop a brawl at school today.” Sammy was deep into a very large chocolate cake and not letting up.

“It wasn't a BRAWL...although it did come close...” Tammy corrected him. “You managed to calm things down and send everyone home safely.”

“I guess I did.” Sammy began to feel better.

That was when Charlie burst in. “There's a HUGE fight happening outside of the primary school guys!” He immediately launched into his story. Belle shushed him while Sammy went pale.

“It could be something completely unrelated Sam, just eat your chocolate cake.” Lizzy tried to cheer her boyfriend up.

“What is going on, and why aren't you doing the dishes?” Bill walked out of the kitchen, throwing a sharp look at Lizzy.

“Problems at work.” Daniel quickly calmed everyone down. “Sam has had a very rough day.”

“First Teej, now Sam.” Petunia flopped into a chair.

“This is probably gonna get worse before it gets better guys.” Daniel pointed out.

“Why can't anything ever go smoothly for us?” Belle groaned.

“Because ratings.” Charlie quipped.

“Handy.” Belle replied drily as TJ walked in looking frazzled.

“Sammy, what did you DO?!” He cried. “Parents trying to kill each other all evening!”

“You're blaming ME?!” Sammy suddenly shot up, ready for a fight.

“Your name came up. A LOT.” TJ fired. “I had to sort the whole mess out AND write up the bloody report!”

“Oh you poor thing, it's not like you were threatened or anything!” Sammy snapped.

“I'm a COP, I'm always in danger!”

“It's IN YOUR JOB DESCRIPTION, it's not in MINE!”

“Guys, chill out!” Tammy and Petunia tried to pull the pair apart while Daniel got between them.

“This isn't a good sign.” Belle said to Charlie.

“Gotta break a few eggs to make a delicious omelette.” Charlie shrugged back.

“Not in my dining area you don't!” Bill yelled, scaring everyone into silence.

--

“I heard about the school today. Sounds like your new education modules aren't very popular.” Demon read his report as Giggles sorted through her paperwork.

“There were always going to be teething issues.” Giggles replied, short and curt.

“Who said it was a bad thing? I'm actually quite impressed with the amount of chaos you caused in quite the underhanded fashion.” Demon smiled at her, making her recoil.

“That wasn't the point and you know it.” Giggles snapped.

“But it could have been.” Demon pointed out.

“Not on your life.” Giggles hissed.

“You really should consider embracing your power to its fullest extent. With your intelligence and the power of your little Backpack you could easily make Pleasantville the most profitable it has ever been.”

“If you come any closer I'm calling harassment.” Giggles pulled out both the Desert Eagle and the Lucky Seven Gun.

Demon smirked and leaned back in his chair. Everything seemed to be going well. He had already made sure to keep Chuckles out of the picture by mentioning Sapphire, all he had to do now was to get into the mind of Giggles and he could finally turn the two biggest thorns in his side into his greatest allies. He wouldn't have to worry about Marions mental health or Revolvers stupidity anymore.

“I'm just throwing the idea out there.” Demon backed off a little. “You could do wonders with your own syndicate behind you.”

Giggles bristled, and left the office through the window, throwing her paperwork at him as she left.

“Of course, if you can't even use a filing cabinet then the door than what's the use of you?” Demon groaned.

Chapter Ninety-Seven: What Happened to Sapphire

Giggles (of the Belle variety) was busy lecturing Demon on the long-term goals for the new University that was being built on the site of the old one. Demon, meanwhile, was nearly asleep.

“And THAT is why...mate, seriously!” Belle pulled out the Lucky Seven Gun and put it to Demons head.

“You're not going to shoot me, so why should I wake up?” Demon yawned.

Giggles pouted and put the gun away.

“Your friend Chuckles however...” Demon smirked. “He'd kill me, wouldn't he? After what I did to Sapphire?”

Giggles stiffened.

“Sapphire was the boys grandfather wasn't he? Awful, awful way for a senior citizen to die...but then, some of them do ask for it.” Demon mused.

Giggles itched to take out the Lucky Seven Gun and put a few bullets in the Mayor. Knowing that it would only ruin her chances of making any change however, she went for the next best thing.

“You want to hear about my idea for the Pleasantville Public School? The School was established a hundred and fifteen years ago...”

Demon wished he'd kept his mouth shut.

--

Sunny had just put Melody down for a nap and was about to tackle the job classifieds when Cyclone Belle struck.

“Hey Belle-Belle...whoa!” Sunny cried as Belle grabbed her by the shoulders and pulled her into the cupboard under the stairs.

“Belle! What are you doing?!” Sunny hissed.

“I need to make sure Charlie doesn't hear us.” Belle told her.

“In a CUPBOARD?!” Sunny fumed.

“Your father brought up Sapphire today. He was trying to bait Giggles.” Belle said flatly.

“Sapphire? What Sapph...oh no.” Sunny groaned.

“Exactly.” Belle grimaced. “Charlie's pretty good about his grandfathers death, but if he was baited like Giggles was then it could get ugly, and it could cost us everything we've worked for. Charlie would never forgive himself if he let that happen.”

Sunny exhaled. “What are we going to do? Charlie won't like us keeping him away from City Hall, he wants to be a part of this as much as anyone.”

“We need to have a nice, calm, soothing conversation with him telling him the truth, while at the same time keeping him from going into a blood rage.” Belle told her.

--

“Oh this is so cool! You would not BELIEVE how well the children are responding to the new changes!” Sammy nearly knocked Daniel and TJ over as they walked to their hideout at the tip.

“Easy Sam! You're not ten anymore!” TJ laughed as Daniel picked Sammy up and threw the younger man over his shoulder. “Although to some people, you might as well be.”

“So Chuckles and Giggles have started to make a difference.” Daniel put Sammy down on the boot of a car.

“It's made teaching completely different, and today was only the first day!” Sammy grinned. “The kids were all talking and trying to work with each other. No tears, no fights, just a lot of learning!”

“Do I hear someone gushing over the brilliance of Chuckles and Giggles?” The voice of Charlie floated towards them.

“Yup!” Sammy waved. “Although it's more Giggles at the moment.”

The group laughed as Charlie slumped over. The ribbing continued as Belle, Sunny and Tammy arrived.

“Petunia got caught at work. She asked us to let you know she'll be home late and not to wait up.” Tammy told TJ.

TJ frowned.

“Anyway, we have to talk.” Belle began.

“But first we can have a bit of chocolate!” Sunny quickly cut in, holding up a large block of chocolate. Belle frowned at her.

“What is this?” She hissed at Sunny as the boys tore the block of chocolate apart.

“Gentle.” Sunny whispered back.

“So what do we need to talk about?” Charlie said, popping some more chocolate in his mouth.

“Are we going to get any of that?” Tammy asked.

“Charlie, there's no easy way for us to say this.” Sunny said gently. “Unfortunately, my father has started playing dirty.”

“He tried to bait me by mentioning Sapphire.” Belle dropped the bombshell.

“I BELIEVE IT WAS YOU WHO SAID THIS HAD TO BE NICE, CALM AND SOOTHING?!” Sunny roared.

“He's had chocolate.” Belle shrugged.

Charlie gulped. It had been years since Charles Howzatt had been brutally killed by Demon in the final battle between the Death Valley Gang and the Mobsters of Misneach. Charlie had never forgotten either of his grandfathers, but there was still a sting to the memory of his maternal grandfather, who Charlie had been arguing with when he died.

“You're saying I can't go to City Hall because you're afraid I'll be baited.” Charlie breathed. “I understand.”

“I know you do. You might have a mouth the size of Marions mental health problems but you're a smart bloke.” Belle hugged her best friend.

“DO YOU HAVE A SINGLE SHRED OF SENSITIVITY IN YOUR BODY?!” Sunny nearly pulled her hair out.

Chapter Ninety-Six: The Butchers Paper

It was time for the Butchers Paper.

“Come ON Belle, we left butchers paper behind in high school!” Charlie groaned as Belle lay some sheets on the table, a red marker in her mouth.

“I love butchers paper.” Sammy already had a marker in his hand.

“You're a teacher!” Charlie pointed out.

“We use it at work for brainstorming.” TJ said, reaching out for a marker.

Charlie grumbed and picked up a blue marker.

“Ow we're gubba geed do erk totether.” Belle said as she laid out the last piece of paper.

“Marker still in mouth Belle-Belle.” Sunny pointed out.

Belle removed the marker from her mouth. “We're gonna need to work together on this if we're going to fix things around here.” She started.

“Guys, no offence, but fixing Pleasantville isn't going to happen overnight.” Daniel pointed out.

“We KNOW that. We all remember the protest.” Charlie said bitterly.

“Which is why we're going to start diverting some of the council money that has previously been used to prop up crime to create programs that move children in the direction we want them to go.” Belle said.

“Which is away from crime.” Charlie added. “We're also going to get the local police investigated.”

“I just want you guys to be careful.” Daniel said, marker in hand. “It's not just the Mob, the Gang, the Crusaders, the Troupe and the Mayor you're up against.”

“Yeah! There's a lot of small-time guys who work alone that you guys don't see.” Sammy piped up.

“And those small-timers might be tempted to join the big fish if we go too hard too fast.” Belle sighed. “Argh!”

“Relax buddy. Things will work out.” Charlie patted his best friend on the back.

“Charlie, we have limited time. There's a million legal loopholes to get through. We could be ousted any second from...you know what, never mind, you're clearly getting ready to use the Improbability Clause again so why do you need me?” Belle began to sulk.

Everyone laughed, and the planning started.

“You guys are so much more in touch with Pleasantville than we are.” Charlie noted as they filled up the butchers paper.

“Well, you have to remember that for a long time we came from those lower reaches.” Petunia pointed out. “We're just lucky we came from families that were starting to break away.”

“Except poor Dan.” TJ snickered.

“What's up with Dan's family?” Belle asked.

Everyone looked shocked.

“I thought I told you guys!” Daniel groaned.

“Told us what?” Sunny asked.

“My Dad was Laker Barrett. My Mum was his second-in-command.” Daniel told them.

Silence.

“Kinda explains how they got killed in the Battle of Silent Lake.” Charlie said.

“Yeah. His grandparents are in two minds about Dan leading the Knights of the Last Order.” Tammy grinned.

“On one hand they LOVE that he's sticking it to the Mob and the Death Valley Gangsters, but on the other hand they really wanted the Silent Lake Gang to live on through him.” Sammy chuckled.

“Wow. That was a big reveal.” Belle blinked. “Good on you for going against the flow though Dan!”

“That's why he's our leader.” TJ grinned.

“More like because he's the oldest and always had the most pocket money.” Petunia replied slyly.

“Whatever! You have to admit, he has a good pedigree for leadership.” TJ poked her back.

“Actually, the Silent Lake Gang always had poor leadership.” Belle began.

“Wow. Just run down someone's family history right in front of them. Rude!” Charlie groaned.

You can imagine how much permanent marker actually got on the butchers paper after that!

--

“Greetings Miss Masters.” Demon walked past Belles desk.

“Hello Mr. Jones.” Belle replied.

“I'm sure you're very thrilled about your friends Chuckles and Giggles having full control of the city.” Demon said.

“I'm looking forward to some fresh air and new ideas, but I don't think they'll make too much of a difference to my day-to-day work. The real risk was always the...government.” Belle tried to keep herself from giggling.

Demon raised an eyebrow.

“Ahem. Anyway, I'll just continue to do my good work.” Belle quickly calmed down.

Demon shook his head and walked away. Peter walked over to his daughter, looking irate.

“Very professional there Beauty.” He readied himself to lecture.

“I know...but give me a break, I'm in a good mood.” Belle grinned.

“Except one huge flaw in your plan.” Peter hissed. “What is everyone going to think when they don't see you and Giggles in the same room together?”

Suddenly Giggles flew in through a window and headed straight for Demons office!

“It's not the first time Sunny has filled in for me.” Belle shrugged.

“Do I even WANT to know what other plans you've got in mind?” Peter groaned.

The sound of the Desert Eagle going off in Demons office made them jump.

“Less violence for one.” Belle blinked.