One Hundred and Twelve: The Coming Storm

Dark storm clouds rolled over Pleasantville, grumbling with the weight of the rain that was about to spill over the city. In the Begly household, the Masters were over for a roast dinner and to watch the latest reality television drama. In Sunnys house, Sunny was plotting revenge on Sammy while Patrick and Melody wondered if they should be worried. At Tammys apartment, Sammy was plotting revenge on Sunny, while Tammy and Rose wondered if he needed professional help. TJ and Petunia were home with a pumpkin soup (and an irate phone call from TJ's father). The Death Valley Mobsters were having a group therapy session at the Misneach Manor, the Jones family were out at the movies, the Crusaders were fixing up their hideout to keep out the rain (even though the rain wasn't forecast to hit Fallsville), and the Haunted Maze Troupe were in the process of developing more new and addictive substances.

It seemed like everyone had a place to be and people to be with. All except Daniel, the ex-Sir Lionheart, who felt cold and alone as he stood on Pleasant Dam. The wind blew hard at his back as he looked over the city. How had one little split-second decision turned everything upside down? One act of rage, frustration and exhaustion. How different things would have been if he had just kept his scythe down instead of killing the Inspector of the Pleasantville Police!

“You're STILL sulking. You're a mess, kid.”

Daniel groaned and turned around as the wind began to pick up. “Hey Judy.” He greeted Judith Jofrey weakly. “Why aren't you inside where it's warm?”

“Are you kidding? Revolvers got the entire Mob talking about their feelings and hugging it out. It's disgusting.” Judith stood beside her boyfriend, looking out over the city.

“How's Marion taking it?” Daniel asked.

“She's just sitting there sipping her wine.” Judith sighed. “She used to be so focused, so strong and determined. I kinda hate your buddy Charlie for taking her sword from her, twice, and just destroying everything she was.”

“You sure it was just Chuckles?” Daniel asked. “I mean, Revolver and yourself have to take some of the blame.”

“Well geez, thanks.” Judith snapped. Daniel flinched. “Don't stand there looking like a scolded puppy either, you had no right to accuse me of being responsible for my sisters mental breakdown.”

“It's true though! You and Marion have been fighting since the Crusaders came back to Pleasantville.” Daniel sulked.

Judith bit her lip. “We've been fighting a lot longer than that.” She pulled out the necklace that her sister had given her from under her shirt. “Ever since we were told that we were being separated. I hated my father for that. He took my best friend away.”

She clutched the necklace tighter. “He took her best friend away. He started all of this!”

“But then, he probably had his best friend taken away too.” Daniel pointed out.

Judith gave him a wry smile. “A vicious circle, just so we could build and keep power.”

“It worked, didn't it?” Daniel asked.

“And where did all that power get us? Absolutely no where. It's driven my sister crazy and left me exhausted, and for what? Just to get turfed out after a few years in power.” Judith grumbled. “This whole “share our feelings” afternoon is a last-ditch effort to keep the Death Valley Gangsters and the Mobsters of Misneach together, because if the Gangsters leave the alliance, they're taking all our people. No one can stand Marion anymore.”

Judith straightened up. “Anyway, nice deflection. We're here to talk about you.”

Daniel groaned.

“Don't you groan at me. You need to talk to someone. You haven't been right since the Riots.” Judith snapped. “I get it, you're on a mission and the mission keeps on failing again and again and again, mostly because of things out of your control. Like Wallace dying.”

“Will people just shut up about that already?!” Daniel snapped.

“And there it is, you feel responsible for his death even though it wasn't your fault.” Judith tried to comfort him, but he pulled away.

“Just stop trying to psycho-analyse me, because you're getting it way off the mark.” Daniel snapped, livid. “Why can't you all just let me do things my way?!”

“Well, because in eight months you won't be able to do it your way!” Judith fired as the thunder started.

“Huh?” Daniel asked.

“I'm pregnant you ass. I only got the doctors call this afternoon to confirm it.” Judith grinned.

“You're...we're...I'm...?” Daniel couldn't believe it. Judith was pregnant? With HIS baby?!

“Looks like the Knights of the Last Order and the Mobsters of Misneach are going to be linked forever. That has to be a bonus, doesn't it?” Judith asked.

Daniel was about to say yes, when he remembered.

“I'm not a Knight anymore. They kicked me out.” He said miserably.

“That lot? Kick YOU out?” Judith raised an eye-brow. “They wouldn't. They love you too much. They're probably trying to give you some space to sort yourself out and you're sulking.”

“I'M NOT SULKING!” Another thunder-clap and a flash of lightening punctuated Daniels yell. The rain began to fall on the two, a few drops suddenly turning into a heavy downpour.

Both of them stood silent for a moment, letting the rain drench them.

“You shouldn't be out in the rain, it's bad for the baby.” Daniel finally said.

Judith felt her lips tug upwards. She then let out a loud laugh, unable to stop herself. That set Daniel off, and the pair of them roared with laughter while the rest of Pleasantville remained dry in their houses.

--

Marion rolled her wine glass between her fingers, watching the pale yellow liquid inside. A fine white wine from a vineyard in the Great Nations, apparently, although Marion had started caring less and less about that.

She had overheard her sister talking to someone on the phone before running off into the rainy night. It seems Judith had succeeded where Marion was failing – she had managed to get pregnant and was on the way to producing an heir.

Just another way I've failed. Marion sighed to herself. She uncrossed her long legs and got up off the couch where she had been luxuriating. She walked over to a nearby mirror and looked at herself.

Beautiful. Not a hair out of place, her blue silk dress draped perfectly over her body. Make-up was perfect, blue eye-shadow against bright red lips. Sparkly blue high-heeled shoes, and a white fur shrug around her shoulders. Everything looked perfect.

Except her eyes. The ice-blue eyes were windows to a soul that was breaking apart, falling to pieces, unable to deal with the pressure of having to keep up the pretence of everything being fine. Nothing was fine. After ruling Pleasantville for years with Demon, the Mob was cast aside in favour of the Haunted Maze Troupe after failure after failure after failure against those two monsters and their petty little Knight friends.

Everything would have been fine if Chuckles and Giggles hadn't shown up. If Chuckles hadn't stolen her sword. If she hadn't been forced into a flimsy alliance with Revolver, a man who had never had any intentions of helping her provide her people with the heir she was supposed to produce.

It was her own fault really. She should never have been so ambitious as to think that he could just pop out a kid and have that kid rule Pleasantville as the true ruler of the Death Valley Mob. Ambition had killed her father after all, as it had killed his father before him.

“Am I going to die of ambition?” Marion asked the reflection in the mirror. “Probably, but I guess it's not my problem after that.” She answered her own question.

“Are you okay Madame?” One of the butlers asked her.

“Why, should I be?” Marion asked lazily. The butler stammered for a second, before walking away, wondering if Madame had completely lost her mind.

--

“I can never really enjoy the rain. Not after the flood.” Belle looked out of Charlies bedroom window. The rain was pelting down quite heavily now, and the thunder and lightening had driven most of Pleasantville to unplug most of their electronics, fearing a power outage.

“The flood was nearly seven years ago Belle.” Charlie pointed out, lying on his bed.

“What, you don't flinch slightly when you see clouds in the distance?” Belle asked.

Charlie sighed. “Yeah, I guess I do a little. That was such a messed up summer.”

“It just goes to show how easily people forget about things. Everything was cleaned up by the time school was back in, and no one has really mentioned it since.” Belle sighed. “People have even started to forget about the DVM, since they only really showed up during the riots, and haven't been heard from since.”

“I think we've established that people aren't particularly smart.” Charlie said.

“I think it's more they don't want to know. Out of sight, out of mind, it can't hurt me anymore.” Belle pointed out.

“Which doesn't bode well if the DVM decide to make a comeback like the Crusaders and the Troupe did.” Charlie sat up.

“I wish we had Dan around still. We could talk to him about having Judith keep an eye on them for us.” Belle sighed again. “I just wish Dan was okay.”

“I know. But I also know he'll come back to us one day.” Charlie said. Why did it feel like a lie to say it? Daniel WASN'T a killer. There was no way.

“You sure? He seemed pretty upset.” Belle asked.

“I'm certain.” Charlie told her.

And that was definitely a lie.

One Hundred and Eleven: New Management

Sammy was still down in the dumps a few days later when he and Sunny sat on the dam wall talking about how they were going to lead the Knights in the face of current developments.

“You're really bummed out about Dan huh?” Sunny asked as the sun set behind them.

“It's dumb, I know, but I've looked up to him for as long as I can remember. I have three older brothers and yet they're nothing compared to Dan.” Sammy told her.

“Well, your brothers ARE fifteen years older than you.” Sunny pointed out. “Anyway, Dan'll be back before you know it.”

Sammy wasn't so sure.

“Anyway, we're now the temporary leaders of the Noble Knights of the Last Order. We need a game plan.” Sunny continued.

“What's wrong with going on as we have been?” Sammy asked. “There was nothing wrong with Dans leadership!”

“No, there wasn't, but we're not Dan. We need to go our own way and forge our own path.”

“Didn't you say Dan would be back before we knew it? We don't want to be changing too much if he's going to return.”

“We have to leave the Knights in a good state, and we can't do that if we're too busy trying to be something we're not!”

Both of them glared at each other.

--

“Darn it Daryl!” Chuckles unsheathed the Lions Claw Blade and rushed to stop his long-time enemy from selling any more drugs.

“Back off Chuckles.” Crusader Daryl drew his shotgun out and aimed it at Chuckles. Almost immediately he felt the Lucky Seven Gun at his back.

Today in Pleasantville, Daryl had decided to try and beat the Haunted Maze Troupe at their own game. Still smarting from his fathers dismissal, he had found an overseas supplier who made cheap drugs. Daryl had refined them into gummy lollies, which he was now selling in bags outside of the high school.

“You guys are really trying to kill my entrepreneur spirit today, aren't you?” Daryl threw a baggie of powder at Giggles, fogging up her helmet. Chuckles only just got there in time to stop him from shooting Giggles in the chest.

“Leave him to me!”

Chuckles jumped out of the way just in time to dodge a baseball bat blow that was aiming for Crusader Daryl. Lady Courage was ready to attack and put her brother away.

“Courage, back up, he's got a gun!” Chuckles tried to stop her.

“COURAGE GET DOWN!” The group heard Sir Hyper cry. Thankfully Lady Courage listened and ducked, as Daryl fired off his shotgun, removing a few of her hairs.

Sir Hyper ran up to the situation as Giggles picked Daryl up and flew him into a nearby tree, making him drop his shotgun in the process. “PUT ME DOWN YOU WENCH!” Daryl screamed as Giggles tossed him into the branches. His shirt got hooked on a rather large branch, and the Crusader was stuck.

“Well THAT was annoying.” Giggles landed next to Chuckles. “Lady Courage, I get that you don't like y...Crusader Daryl...but what was THAT all about?!”

Lady Courage gritted her teeth and said nothing.

“She's just trying to stamp herself all over Sir Lionhearts Knights.” Sir Hyper grumbled.

“That has nothing to do with it!” Lady Courage screeched.

Chuckles and Giggles flinched.

“It has EVERYTHING to do with it! You don't have my back at all!” Sir Hyper yelled back.

“This is more awkward than the time great-Aunt Helga came over and told us all where she was going that night.” Giggles whispered to Chuckles, who wasn't so sure about that assessment (it was VERY awkward, great-Aunt Helga has ZERO filter).

“Well YOU didn't get here in time, and SOMEONE had to help Chuckles and Giggles!” Lady Courage fired back.

“Chuckles and Giggles were fine!” Sir Hyper dismissed her.

“Please don't drag us into this. In fact, I think I'd rather fall into the Lake.” Chuckles nudged Giggles.

“Right, we're GONE!” Giggles quickly picked up Chuckles and flew off, for once not landing in the Lake.

“You're just jealous that I was Sir Lionhearts best friend and YOU were just some forgotten bimbo!” Sir Hyper went for the jugular.

“Oh REAL mature, go straight for petty insults instead of trying to sort out the issue at hand!” Lady Courage fired back.

--

“Do you ever wonder if we made the right call putting both of them in charge?” TJ asked as he sat with Tammy and Petunia at the tip. Sunny and Sammy were both still screaming at each other a few feet away.

“I mean, on paper it's a good idea, and Dan does need a break...” Petunia sighed loudly.

“Does it HAVE to be both of them though?” Tammy muttered, getting very annoyed with the state of things.

TJ blinked, and then got up.

“You're right Tammy! Sunny and Sammy don't have to be leaders at all!” He grinned.

“I didn't QUITE say that...” Tammy started.

“Sunny, Sammy, you've tried being the leaders of the Noble Knights of the Last Order, and, quite frankly, you both suck.” TJ steamrolled on, ignoring the dark looks he was getting from Sunny and Sammy. “I think it's time I had a go.”

“Wait up buttercup.” Petunia stood up. “Why shouldn't it be ME that gets a go first?”

“Because I'm a cop-,” TJ started.

“I'M A NURSE.” Petunia interrupted.

“Who says you're replacing us anyway?!” Sunny snapped.

“Yeah!” Sammy piped up. “Who says I wouldn't be a good enough leader by myself?!”

“You'd be woeful, that's what!” Sunny rounded on him.

As the squabbling continued, Belle and Charlie showed up. They were already wary after the argument before, but the screeching and screaming they heard coming from the tip made them seriously consider turning around and leaving.

“Someone has to go in there and say something. The Knights can't go on like this.” Belle pointed out.

“Does that someone HAVE to be us though? Can't we just get Dan back?” Charlie groaned.

“Honestly, I wouldn't trust Dan not to make things worse.” Belle said. “So get your big boy pants on, we're going in.”

“Oh boy...” Charlie groaned as the pair headed into the fray.

“Hi guys! You know we could hear you several light years away, right?” Belle walked up to the bickering Knights. “You're still having a leadership issue?”

“Well if THESE idiots would focus on the real issues instead of trying to stamp their authority we'd be quite fine.” Tammy grumbled.

“Look, all of you have your issues that would make you lousy leaders.” Belle said.

“But so did Dan, and he did a great job until...” Charlie trailed off. The idea of Daniel being a murderer crossed his mind again, but he pushed it back down.

“So if you were willing to accept faults in Dan, you need to accept faults in each other.” Belle finished.

The Knights all looked at each other.

And the bickering continued.

“Anyone would think they were talking cricket!” Charlie groaned.

“With your economy? I wouldn't be talking.” Belle muttered.

“Says you with the longest ducking streak on the planet!” Charlie fired back.

They would have continued, except the Knights were starting to drown them out.

“Look, we'll discuss batting averages later. OI!” Belle picked up an old pipe and banged it hard on a nearby washing machine, scaring everyone into silence.

“Well, at least you're all quiet.” Charlie commented.

“Now, surely you can sort this out like adults. I mean, you were all happy for Sammy and Sunny to take over at the beginning.” Belle said.

“Until THEY started fighting.” Petunia sulked.

“Only because SHE wanted to change everything on Dan!” Sammy fired, pointing at Sunny.

“Everyone needs innovation!” Sunny fired back.

“ENOUGH!” Belle and Charlie yelled.

“Sammy, SOME innovation is needed. ESPECIALLY because of what happened to Dan.” Charlie said. “That being said, you can innovate and still keep true to how Dan ran things. It doesn't have to be either or.”

“You two could work great together.” Belle added. “You just have to meet halfway.”

There was silence as everyone pondered what had been said.

Then the yelling started again.

“Wanna go get ice cream? Uncle Bill is experimenting with new flavours before starting up his ice cream bar.” Belle asked, defeated.

“Yeah, sure.” Charlie sighed.

They left the Knights to argue until well into the night.

Chapter One Hundred and Ten: Sir Lionheart vs the Knights of the Last Order

Everyone froze as Daniel sat down with the group. “You guys have another one of your Improbable Plans did you?” He asked with a grin.

“Actually Dan...we were talking about you and how worried about you we are.” TJ rubbed the back of his neck.

“You...were...?” Daniel raised his eyebrow.

“We think you should take a break for a while.” Petunia said. “Sunny and Sammy can take over the leadership of the Knights.”

If they thought Dan would be grateful, they were wrong.

“You're kicking me out of the Knights of the Last Order?!” He roared in fury. “What, you don't like my past or something?!”

“No one has EVER said anything about your past!” Sunny fired back.

Charlie looked at Belle, who was watching with interest.

“You've all been on my back since Dingbat died!” Daniel continued to rant. “What, have I become a scapegoat for all of your problems now?!”

“Dan, you've been upset and volatile since the Riots!” TJ said. “We just think some time out would be good for you!”

“We're worried about you!” Tammy added.

Sammy remained silent, looking at the ground.

“I don't need this right now. The KNIGHTS don't need this right now.” Daniel went on the attack. “The Haunted Maze Troupe is running Pleasantville at the moment. The Death Valley Mobsters are falling apart, and who knows when they'll go nuclear and start taking out everything they can. The Crusaders are causing trouble. Please tell me how you're supposed to handle all of that without ME!”

“Dan, it's only temporary!” Sunny pleaded.

“I'm out of here. You do whatever you want.” Daniel got up, turned around and stormed off, seething with anger and guilt. "Just don't come to me when everything fails!"

“Well...well.” Charlie was speechless. Everyone was.

"I guess this means we're in charge now Sammy." Sunny looked at Sammy, who still had his head down.

Sammy didn't say a word. 

--

Daniel was lying in his little studio apartment, trying to ignore the nagging thoughts that his friends somehow knew about what he'd done.

He hated his room. It was made of unpainted wood with one brick wall that had a tiny window in it. The bathroom had a shower curtain around it, and the door needed to be yanked hard before it would open.

Why had his life turned out so poorly. If he'd just kept to his family destiny and started up the Silent Lake Gang again he could have been living the high life.

“NO. We don't think like that!” Daniel shook himself. “The Silent Lake Gang were CRIMINALS who got off on hurting people. The Knights of the Last Order are different! I'M different!”

He looked out his pathetically tiny window into the little yard that he had. Was he different though, or had he been lying to himself for twenty-four years?

He got up and went to his little kitchen sink. Above the sink was a cupboard, Daniel reached up and took a cup out of it. He filled the cup with water and chugged it down.

There was a knock at the door. Daniel groaned, before going over and yanking the door open.

“You're a world-class sulker, you know that?” Judith Jofrey walked into his apartment.

“I'm not sulking.” Daniel put his cup into the sink.

“Then why aren't you with your friends? You lot are always together.” Judith looked around the apartment, not looking impressed.

“We're not joined at the hip.” Daniel sat back down on his bed.

“I'm not saying you are. I'm saying that you've spent 90% of your time recently away from your closest friends when usually it's the other way around. That usually points to something major changing, and usually for the worse.” Judith sat down next to him. “You've been very agitated as of late.”

“Why is everyone on my case?!” Daniel shot up, angry.

“I'm not on your case, I'm WORRIED about you!” Judith also shot up, starting to get annoyed. “Why are you so insistent on pushing away everyone who cares about you?!”

“I'm NOT!” Daniel snapped.

Judith sighed. She walked over to her boyfriend and hugged him.

Daniel wrapped his arms around her and sighed.

--

“Dan really had a fit today huh?” Charlie commented as he and Belle walked along the Creek home after another victorious battle against Crusader Daryl (long story short, don't attack a chocolate store. Ever).

“Did you notice he got really agitated about his connections to the Silent Lake Gang and the Dingbat murder?” Belle pointed out.

The Improbability Clause activated, but Charlie didn't say a word. Because there was no way that it could be the case. Daniel wasn't a killer.

“I think he just feels guilty because the Knights of the Last Order were the ones who left Dingbat vulnerable to attack.” Charlie surmised instead.

“That makes sense.” Belle agreed. “Anyway, more importantly, what are we going to do about Haiter?”

“Who knows. Honestly, I kinda feel like Dan. Every time we seem to get a step ahead, someone shoves us ten steps back. It's tiring.” Charlie said, kicking a stone.

“I know. Wanna go on a holiday?” Belle suggested. “We could invite the Knights and let them sort themselves out.”

“No one has time for a holiday Belle. We're not all lawyers at City Hall.” Charlie chuckled, putting his arm around her.

“You try living in the belly of the beast. It's not fun, especially as they still haven't fixed our chandelier.” Belle sighed sadly.

“It's a bloody chandelier!” Charlie groaned as they took the footpath that would take them home.

“It's the PRINCIPLE of the thing Charlie!” Belle shoved him. He shoved her back.

“Sometimes I really have to wonder if those two are dating or not.” One of the neighbours watched the pair as they fought all the way home.

“Mind your business Maud.” Her husband snapped.

The pair made it home alive, only to find Harold and Lady waiting for them.

“Belle, you're coming with us!” Harold thundered, walking towards her.

“No, I'm not.” Belle shoved her grand-father away and walked inside, Charlie giggling behind her.

“BELLE! YOU'LL PAY FOR THIS!” Lady roared as the door slammed shut.

“Belle, close the door behind you properly please.” Peter said as his daughter flopped on the couch.

“You're not gonna lecture me are you?” Belle asked.

Peter narrowed his eyes at her.

“Yes Dad.” Belle couldn't help but smile.

“Anyway, how was things with the Knights? All good?” Lara asked, putting the finishing touches on a steak Diane.

Belle looked at Charlie. Charlie looked back.

“Oh dear.” Lara sighed.

Chapter One Hundred and Nine: Chuckles Musings

Today it was Charlies turn to stand at the Pleasant Dam and look out over Pleasantville, his mind ticking over like an engine ready to blow.

So many things didn't make sense to him. Like why, even though Dingbat had been murdered, were people ignoring his many faults and jumping directly to replacing him? Weren't they even going to investigate WHO killed him? Or was that just going to be another one of Pleasantvilles dirty little secrets.

Then there was Belle and Lara. How had their relationship mended so quickly? Belle had said that between a mother and a daughter sometimes things just didn't need to be said. Masters, they were so EMOTIONAL...

And speaking of the Masters Clan, why all of a sudden were Harold and Lady poking about? Surely they would have known they would have zero chance of winning Belle over to the Haunted Maze Troupe, not after how much effort she had put in to trying to bring Demon Jones down. If anything, they'd want Belle dead. That wasn't even touching the fact that Belles alter-ego was none other than Giggles the Great Defender, and if they'd known THAT little titbit it'd be on for young and old.

But the one thing that was troubling Charlie the most was – you guessed it – Daniel and his behaviour over the past week or so. He was the only one who hadn't stood by TJ at the big police funeral for Wallace Dingbat, he was acting out, he was avoiding everyone...Belle believed that he was just exhausted after yet another setback, and while Charlie could definitely relate – they all could – it just didn't seem like Daniels character to just give up. He was the leader of the Noble Knights of the Last Order, and he had nearly always been the one to provide order and poor batting.

Charlie sighed. Maybe it was just that being a leader had finally worn him down, just like it had when the flood had hit. Charlie wasn't certain though. He rubbed his face, his beard scratching at his hand. He just didn't have all the pieces of the puzzle, he needed Belle for that. Belle had already given him every scrap of information that she'd been able to source.

Still, it would be nice to have her here to bounce ideas off. She was out with her mother and sister, doing shopping for a family picnic that they were holding that weekend. Charlie sighed, and was just about to leave when Daniel appeared.

“Hey Charlie. You come here to think too huh?” Daniel walked over, looking a little pale, a little tired.

“Yeah, but it doesn't really work without the other half of the Improbability Clause here.” Charlie grinned as Daniel leaned on the guard rail. “You look absolutely wrecked mate. Anything I can help with?”

“Just tired and fed up of everything.” Daniel sighed. “It just feels like I can't do anything right.”

“Oh, I hear you 100%.” Charlie chuckled. “Just ask Belle.”

Daniel grinned, but the grin didn't make it up to his eyes.

“I was pretty impressed when you told us you're the heir to the Silent Lake Gang.” Charlie continued. Daniel looked surprised. “I mean, your whole childhood would have been based around being groomed to take over, even after your parents died. To turn your back on that and lead the Knights of the Last Order...mate, that takes GUTS!”

Daniel smiled, this time looking a bit more genuine. “It was them, really.”

“Them? Oh, you mean the others?”

“Yup. Before the private school shut down, the public school was tiny. There was barely anyone to make friends with. TJ and Petunia started school not long after my parents died, and I think their saviour complexes got the best of them. TJ has always wanted to be a cop and protect the innocent, and Petunia is just the most mothering and beautiful soul. That's why Sammy and Tammy latched onto us.”

“Sammy said Tammy latched on to Petunia because she was so kind, and he looked up to you especially. You've always kinda been his hero.” Charlie said, looking out over Pleasantville. “He'd do anything for you.”

Daniel nearly told him. He nearly told him that the great Sir Lionheart who everyone loved and admired was nothing more than your everyday killer. He nearly admitted that he was the criminal that he had been raised to be.

He didn't, but boy did he want to.

“You and Belle are two sides of the same coin.” Daniel chose to brush it all off instead. “Thanks for the chat.”

“No problem.” Charlie stretched. “And good timing, Giggles is here to give me a lift!”

“Hiya boys!” Giggles landed between the two. “Coming Chuckles?”

“Sure am!” Charlie pulled on his beanie and tied a scarf around his face. “Later Dan!”

“See yas.” Daniel watched as they headed towards the city. He couldn't help himself though. “Three...two...one...”

Do I really need to tell you what happened next?

--

It was still on Chuckles mind as he watched the new Inspector Andrew Haiter was sworn in at a rather overdone ceremony a few days later. Next to him, Sunny had once again stepped up as Giggles.

Belle was standing with the rest of the Council employees, and in front of them were the Counsellors, with Peter Masters standing behind Judith Jofrey. TJ was standing perfectly still in the police ranks, and Petunia was standing in the crowd.

Chuckles wished like crazy he had his best friends ability to see all the little parts of the situation that he couldn't. No matter how hard he tried, he never seemed to notice the tiny little details that made the difference. Even from where they were standing on a nearby building, the real Giggles would have been able to pick out interesting little details that when put together would perhaps reveal a clue to what their next move should be.

But hey, Chuckles grinned to himself, if he could do that, it wouldn't be the Improbability Clause anymore, would it?

Later, he caught up with the real Giggles as she finished putting her costume on.

“So, what did you see at the ceremony?” He asked her as she pulled on the Backpack.

“The police weren't in a great formation, half of them were bunched together a little closer, although it wasn't too obvious. TJ is pissed, he was in charge of the formation. Demon looks like a pig in mud, hope he falls down the stairs one day, and I swear Haiter has the perfect poker face.” Giggles finished fastening up the Backpack.

“There's a divide now in the police department. We just have to find the battle-lines.” Chuckles deducted.

“Also Dad didn't look to healthy.” Giggles added.

“He drank waaaaaaaaaaaaaay too much beforehand.” Chuckles finished his deduction.

“Sounds fair. Come on, let's go.” Giggles picked him up and the pair flew over the city.

“I spoke to Daniel at the dam recently.” Chuckles said as they soared through the air.

“So did I. Did you get the feeling there was something he wanted to tell you but didn't?” Giggles maneuvered over a power pole, nearly smashing Chuckles foot into it.

“WATCH WHERE YOU'RE FLYING!” Chuckles roared.

“I AM!” Giggles shot back. “Did you even hear what I asked?”

“I DID!” Chuckles snapped. He thought back to his talk with Daniel. “Yeah, I think I did. Do you think he's gonna quit the Last Order?”

“I don't know. It really seems like he needs a break from it.” Giggles landed on the Pleasantville First Bank. “But...”

“There's something else going on.” Chuckles finished her sentence as a plane flew overhead with a “BELLE MASTERS SHOULD JOIN THE TROUPE” banner on it. “I just don't have enough pieces of the puzzle to figure it out.”

The pair sank deep into thought for a minute.

“Maybe we should suggest he takes a break.” Chuckles mused.

“That would be a good idea. Why don't we run it past the Knights first? It's technically their area after all.” Giggles suggested.

“Even better!” Chuckles grinned.

The pair hugged, before taking off and flying right into the “BELLE MASTERS SHOULD JOIN THE TROUPE” banner.

And then falling into the lake.

--

“That's actually a good idea.” Sunny smiled as Belle emptied her Giggles helmet out onto the ground of the tip.

“Who's gonna be the leader of the Knights in his absence though?” TJ asked.

“Sammy or Sunny.” Tammy said.

“In that case, I vote Sunny. She's older and more experienced than I am.” Sammy said.

“Except one thing – I'm a parent, and I'm not always going to be able to get out.” Sunny pointed out.

“Unless it's the Crusaders and Daryl is around.” Charlie teased.

“That's a special case.” Sunny shrugged with a grin.

“Maybe two leaders then.” TJ suggested.

“That would work!” Sammy said.

“I think that would be great!” Petunia added. “Two heads are better than one!”

“Two heads are better than one for what?”

Everyone looked as Daniel walked over, still looking tired.