Chapter One Hundred and Fifteen: The Return of Sir Lionheart!

The upshot of the Insurance Siege was that all the hostages were rescued long before Haiter had his men together, and Crusader Daryl and his March Hill Crusaders were forced out of the building. This infuriated Daryl no end, especially when Crusader Alex then turned around and told Crusader Roger that Judith Jofrey was the secret sister of Mobster Marion.

“And when were you thinking of sharing this information with us Daryl?” Roger asked the night afterwards as the group sat in Rogers dingy office. Alex, Aiden and Alice were sat on the small sofa, trying not to look like they were enjoying watching Daryl get ripped to shreds. “You're lucky that Alex pays attention and knows who's in charge.”

“I thought everyone knew!” Daryl felt exasperated.

“No, we DON'T know Daryl, that's the whole point. Not everyone has had the privileged upbringing you had!” Roger snapped. “Thankfully.”

“What's that supposed to mean?!” Daryl snapped, only to cop the butt of Rogers gun across the jaw.

“It MEANS, you little worm, that you've had so much handed to you on a silver platter that you have absolutely no worth or ability outside of being a hindrance!” Roger barked. “You are USELESS!”

Daryl had never been struck like that before. Demon, while dismissive of Daryl of late, had never sunk so low as to hit his son.

He felt angry. Embarrassed. Sore. Vengeful. Roger would pay dearly for that.

--

“I don't get why you're so against rejoining your friends. They miss you like crazy. Couldn't you tell?” Judith asked as she folded up cloth nappies and put them in the top drawer of the baby table Daniel had made.

“I just don't want to, okay?” Daniel groaned as he held up two pieces of plastic. “This cot is a nightmare to put together.”

“That's not going to cut it with me Lightheart and you know it.” Judith put another nappy away. Suddenly she clutched her mouth and bolted out of the room and into the bathroom. Soon Daniel heard the sounds of retching coming from down the hall. Five minutes later, after rinsing her mouth, Judith returned. “You did this to me.”

“My apologies.” Daniel got up to rub her back.

“Are you EVER going to tell me why you won't be Sir Lionheart again?” Judith pleaded.

Daniel exhaled loudly. He had to tell her something. He couldn't keep fobbing the mother of his child off.

“I just...I've made a lot of mistakes as the leader of the Knights. Huge mistakes...” He trailed off.

Judith seemed satisfied with this.

“You think Marion's never made mistakes? I mean, look at Revolver. Heck, Chuckles and Giggles have made some HUGE blues, but they still keep going. Give yourself a break already!” Judith chuckled. “No matter how far you get knocked back, you gotta keep going forward. How do you think I got so rich?”

“You inherited most of it!” Daniel teased. Judith swatted him.

“Go be with your Knights. You need them as much as they need you.” Judith said.

“Even if we end up beating Marion?” Daniel raised an eyebrow.

“I think she needs to go away for a long time, and not just to gaol. Somewhere where she can work through her issues without pressure and attacks.” Judith sighed. “But that's you trying to change the subject again.”

Daniel groaned. He went back to the cot and started trying to put it together again.

Judith sighed, and continued putting things away. As Daniel was finally getting the cot in some sort of shape, he noticed Judith putting a toy lion on a shelf.

He rolled his eyes and tried to read the instructions of the cot again.

--

“WHERE ARE CHUCKLES AND GIGGLES?!” Lady Silent roared rather loudly as she ran from three Haunted Maze Troupers.

“Chuckles and Giggles and Giggles and Chuckles...” Sir Dark already had a heavy dose of the dust that the Haunted Maze Troupe were using.

“DARN IT! Guys, get BACK!” Lady Courage cried, trying to keep the Troupers away from the others, given she was the only one with any defence against their drugs due to her mask.

“How did they get THIS much stuff to use against us?!” Lady Luck tried to drag her husband to safety.

“Demon bought it for them, then lured us out here to destroy us! WHERE are Chuckles and Giggles?!” Lady Courage yelled furiously.

The situation? Two Troupers trying to sell drugs to children again at Pleasant Park. So when the Knights of the Last Order showed up, they expected an easy time. They didn't expect an ambush.

“We're doomed if Chuckles and Giggles don't get here with the Backpack.” Sir Hyper coughed, trying not to breathe in any of the drug that had incapacitated Sir Dark.

The head Trouper had a small machine that was spewing out dust around them, making it impossible to get close. The Knights were surrounded.

“I swear if I see either of those two again...” Lady Courage growled as the noose tightened.

That's when the head Trouper dropped, and their machine smacked across the park against a tree by a replica of the Dragon Scale Scythe!

“SIR LIONHEART!” The Knights screamed in joy.

“Liiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiions...liiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiions...” Sir Dark hummed in his drug-induced stupor.

The other Haunted Maze Troupers looked at each other. One walked over to where the head Trouper lay, dizzy from the blow from the replica Scythe. He stabbed the fallen Trouper, killing him, before they all disappeared.

“You're KIDDING. The moment things don't go their way they start killing their own and running away?!” Sir Lionheart shook his head. He didn't have much time to wonder though, as he was mobbed by the rest of the Knights.

“YOU CAME BACK!” Sir Hyper cried.

“I KNEW YOU WOULD!” Lady Courage cried.

“WE MISSED YOU!” Lady Luck cried.

Lady Silent hugged her old friend tightly, while Sir Dark started singing randomly.

“We should probably fix up Sir Dark.” Sir Lionheart pointed out.

The others at least had the decency to look sheepish.

--

“So you're back for good?” Sammy asked as they let TJ sleep on a pile of old mattresses.

“I hope so.” Daniel smiled. It wasn't a complete smile, but it was much more than they'd seen for a long time.

“If you need to talk to us, we're here, okay?” Petunia patted his arm.

“I'll try to remember that.” Daniel sighed.

Then he heard the snoring.

“Have homeless people started sleeping HERE now?” Sunny asked.

“They avoid the place like the plague for some reason.” Tammy pointed out.

“Then who is it?” Sunny asked as Daniel went to look.

“You're KIDDING me!” He cried.

Fast asleep in an old car were none other than Chuckles and Giggles.

“YOU TWO JERKS!” Sunny banged the hood of the car while Petunia reached in and beeped the horn, waking the two heroes up.

“Wha-?” Chuckles bumped his head on the roof of the car.

“You two losers left us to face the Haunted Maze Troupe alone! An AMBUSH if you don't mind!” Sunny cried. “I thought I was your SISTER!”

“We were on our way to come and help you...” Giggles looked confused. “I don't know what happened!”

“Maybe you two should look at taking a break if you're randomly falling asleep.” Daniel suggested as the two got out of the old car, which promptly fell apart.

“I think we might.” Chuckles scratched his head and the whole situation.

--

Daryl Jones was furious.

He had gone for a long walk on the road between Fallsville and Pleasantville, trying to calm himself and figure out what to do. No one respected him. No one liked him.

He was the son of the Mayor! He had been School Captain, both at primary AND high school. He had grown up well-off, which had turned into filthy rich once his father had become Mayor. He wasn't a loser like the Masters or the Beglys or his snotty little sister.

Daryl growled. Sunny. She had ruined his life when she had been born – his parents had never let him forget it. He had been nice enough to allow her living space and to let her help him torment people, and what did she do? She turned on him to go and cosy up to the Masters and Begly families. It was a toss-up who he hated more – Sunny or Lady Courage.

As he walked, simmering in his hate, he stopped himself. Sunny was worthless. She could do nothing to him. As for Lady Courage, he was certain she'd be taken out by the Haunted Maze Troupe, who were far more efficient than the Death Valley Mobsters. No. Daryl's main problem right now was Crusader Roger.

After he'd lost the Ruby Suit and been kicked out by his father, he'd had no where to go but to retreat to Fallsville. In Fallsville, people were even worse off than they were in Pleasantville. Nearly everyone there was in debt to the March Hill Crusaders leader Roger. It's how he'd roped in Daryl. Using Daryl for his connections to City Hall and the Mob.

Well, that had failed, hadn't it? Daryl had no more connections to use or favours to call in. He was skint. So Roger had started spying on him and trying to turn the rest of the Crusaders against him.

If Daryl had any ounce of self-reflection he would have realised that his sense of entitlement and poor attitude were doing plenty to turn everyone against him, and Roger didn't need to do much at all. Alas, Daryl was spoiled, selfish, and just an overall crappy person. There was no room for self-reflection in Daryl. What there WAS room for however, was revenge.

Daryl continued walking down the long highway, as Pleasant Gorge came into view. He would find a way to have his revenge.

And when he did, everyone would have to respect him.

Chapter One Hundred and Fourteen: The Bash

 “Come ON Daniel, it'll be fun!” Judith Jofrey begged her boyfriend, who wasn't interested in the slightest in having a party.

“Judes, I'd rather not.” Daniel tried to push her off him.

“Look, you can't stay here, you'll have to move in with me eventually. Especially if you're going to be a hands-on father.” Judith poked his arm. “This place is a dump, and no child of mine will be seen here!”

Daniel looked at his girlfriend. She was right, technically.

“Fine, let me grab a few things.” He smiled weakly at her.

“Grab as much as you want. We have plenty of time and plenty of room in my car.” Judith touched his cheek. “We can come back later and finish it all off.”

Daniel patted her shoulder, and began to pick up some of the odds and ends he'd collected over the years, shoving them in a battered old suitcase with all of his clothes. He hesitated as he found his Sir Lionheart armour, wondering if he should pack it or leave that part of his life behind.

“You're gonna need that.” Judith noticed him looking at it.

He sighed and gave her a Look.

“Just pack the damn thing Knight.” Judith turned around and headed to the car “And hurry up!”

“I'm NOT a Knight anymore!” Daniel muttered under his breath. He packed the forsaken armour and did up the suitcase. Three-quarters of his life was in that suitcase already, he really didn't have much. What kind of father would he be, not only was he a murderer but he was also a no-hoper.

He hauled up the suitcase and headed to Judiths car.

--

“SURPRISE!”

Daniel nearly jumped a mile. Waiting in Judiths lounge room were the Noble Knights of the Last Order and their good friends Belle and Charlie!

“What the...are you doing here?!” Daniel cried, not sure if he should feel happy or worried.

“We wanted to help you celebrate becoming a father!” Sammy grinned at him. “It was Sunnys idea.”

Sunny went slightly pink, but looked pleased.

“We bought you presents!” Petunia held up a wrapped present.

Daniel half-grinned. “You guys...”

“Well, are we going to party or not?” Belle said impatiently.

“I brought my cricket set!” Charlie held up the cricket set.

“You know, maybe cricket isn't such a good idea...” Judith looked worried.

“Same teams as always?” TJ agreed instantly.

“Sounds good to me!” Daniel felt a smile spread on his face. A game of cricket with his friends. Something he had missed greatly.

“Come on, Judy's got a huge yard, let's go!” Tammy grinned.

The group trooped out to the yard, leaving Judith with a deep, dark sense of foreboding.

--

You knew it was coming.

“THE LINE IS THERE AND YOU STEPPED OVER IT!” Charlie screamed at TJ.

“GET A PAIR OF GLASSES AND LEARN THE RULES DEADHEAD!” Petunia threw down the ball and rolled up her sleeves.

Judith groaned.

“HIS FOOT WAS CLEARLY OVER THE LINE!” Sammy screamed.

“HIS FOOT WAS ON THE LINE!” Daniel screamed back.

“YOUR DEMENTIA IS CLEARY SHOWING!” Belle also screamed.

Suddenly Charlie felt his phone vibrate in his pocket. “Hi Dad...front foot fault, why? Wait...Daryl is holding one of his fathers businesses hostage? Which one? Aw, I was hoping it was his metalworks...NO I'm not being anti-competitive, I was being anti-Jones...FINE, Chuckles and Giggles will be there shortly.” Charlie hung up. “Daryl has decided to act on his Daddy issues and has taken over Demons insurance agency.”

“Time to suit up!” Sammy immediately went into business mode. “Sorry Judy.”

“It's fine.” Judith sighed in relief.

Daniel looked crestfallen.

“We're sorry Dan. Why don't you come with us?” Sunny asked.

“And defend something that belongs to Demon? Pass.” Daniel said bitterly.

The Knights all looked at each other, before heading out. Charlie gave Daniel a hard look before he too followed Belle out.

Daniel growled, before storming back inside. Judith stood outside and felt awkward.

What a party.

--

“Tell my father that the Crusaders are very interested in resuming their negotiations with City Hall, and then maybe we can remove ourselves from his little side-business here.” Crusader Daryl said into the phone, before hanging up the phone in the office he now had under his control.

“Are you sure this was such a good idea? Maybe we should have gone for the metalworks?” Crusader Alex, who had been assigned to assist (read: try to control) Daryl by Crusader Roger asked.

“And open up the path for that idiot Begly and his metalworks to get an advantage? Please. Besides, this hurts Daddy dearest more.” Daryl reached under the desk and pulled out a key, which he then used to open his fathers liquor cabinet (Demon makes sure to keep a good supply in every business he owns).

“Yes sir.” Alex grumbled.

“Attitude Crusader, or Roger will hear about it.” Daryl warned.

It took everything Alex had not to scoff. He walked out of the office and onto the main floor, not wanting to deal with Rogers partner any longer.

“He being a loser again?” Crusader Alice asked.

“Isn't he always?” Alex grabbed a nearby gun and started checking it. “No sign of resistance?”

“The employees are too busy wetting themselves to do anything, and Haiter is just outside yelling at us through a megaphone.” Alice replied. That was when Crusader Aiden walked in.

“Ready to start killing them off when you're ready.” He said.

“Wait...killing who?” Alice asked as Alex put the gun down.

“Daryl says if Haiter tries anything we're to start killing employees.” Aiden kicked over a plastic garbage bin. “I don't like it either.”

“Well, Roger has the bloodthirsty dog he wanted.” Alex growled.

“Yeah, well, Roger is scum too.” Alice said bitterly.

Outside, Lady Silent was listening in to the conversation using her power to be completely unnoticeable.

“They're gonna start killing hostages if Haiter tries anything guys.” She said into her phone.

“Right. We'll get the hostages out and then Dorkyl can deal with Haiter.” Chuckles said.

Giggles sighed and looked at the building. They were both on the roof of a nearby building, where they could see everything that was going on.

“I think the hostages are in the breakout room at the back, that's where that guy who said they were ready came from.” Lady Silent let them know.

“Okay then, looks like there's a back door.” Giggles looked through her binoculars that Chuckles had bought her to celebrate the Leos snapping their losing streak.

“Let's go.” Chuckles nodded. Giggles grabbed hold of him and they flew down to save the day.

“I mean, I wouldn't even BE here if it wasn't for that debt.” Alice was grumbling. “The surgery didn't even work.”

“Yeah, well, Roger has his finger in the medical pie out at Fallsville too, I wouldn't be surprised if your Dad got sub-par care just because you had that debt.” Alex scoffed. “I think half of us are only Crusaders because Roger has a hold over us.”

“Like us.” Aiden put his arm around Alex. The pair had been together for years in secret, and if that secret got out...well, let's just say it wouldn't end well.

“Do you hear something?” Alice perked up, hearing a door open.

“I'm not about to go check. It might be Chuckles and Giggles, and they're the LAST people I want to fight.” Aiden brushed it off.

The others nodded their agreement.

“I wish I could read, some of these claims could be interesting.” Alice rifled through some papers.

“It's insurance, how interesting could it be?” Aiden laughed.

Just then, Haiter stopped yelling.

“Looks like it's on.” Alex sighed, rapping on the door of the office where Daryl was waiting. “You might want to come out here!”

Grumbling, Daryl came out of the office.

“Haiter looks to be making a move. It could be a matter of minutes before he strikes.” Alex said.

“Pfft. If I know anything about that force, we have at least an hour.” Daryl said. He looked at Alice. “Why are you reading insurance claims?”

“I can't read.” Alice pointed out.

“Lucky you.” Daryl snatched away the papers. He laughed. “HA! No wonder Judith didn't get much for her stupid trains, she's insured with my Dad!”

“Judith?” Aiden asked.

“Councillor Judith Jofrey, sister of Mobster Marion.” Daryl threw the papers down. “Let me know if Haiter starts anything. We'll pick a hostage to execute then.”

He went back into the office to continue drinking.

“Wait...Marion has a sister?” Alice asked.

The three looked at each other.

Chapter One Hundred and Thirteen: Pulling Together

 “And the evidence goes into the, evidence box, and the rejects go into the, waste bin...” Belle sang as she sorted out her desk. It was that kind of Friday afternoon, where nothing new really happened but you still had to look busy.

“You seem cheerful.” Helen walked over and looked over at Belles desk.

“I'm gunning for the International Acting Award this year.” Belle replied. “This place is so depressing since Giggles took out the main chandelier.”

“I know. I swear if I ever get a hold of that brat...” Helen looked murderous. Belle sighed and went back to her sorting, hoping like mad the guilt didn't appear on her face.

“MASTERS! Can I see you in my office please?” Judith Jofrey called out.

“Oh Belle, you're in for it now!” Helen gasped as Belle got up.

“I'll be fine.” Belle said shakily.

“Are you sure? I can come in as a witness for you.” Helen offered.

“MASTERS!”

“I'd better go it alone. Thanks Helen.” Belle tried to smile as she walked to the office of Judith Jofrey.

“Good luck Belle!”

“Don't let her intimidate you Belle!”

“Remember to take notes in case it needs to go to HR!”

“You haven't done anything wrong!”

It was heartening to have her coworkers believe in her...until you remembered most of them were Death Valley Mobsters.

Belle walked into Judiths office and closed the door.

“Take a seat.” Judith offered. She wasn't sitting at her desk, but rather at a little coffee-table she had set up in the office for more causal discussions.

Belle sat in one of the comfortable chairs. Judith offered her a biscuit and some tea, and she accepted. Once the tea was poured and everything was settled, Judith began.

“I'm going to come right out and say it. I'm pregnant with Daniels baby.” Judith said.

Belle had to keep herself from squealing.

“You can relax, unlike Jones office, there's no way to listen in to conversations here. I made sure of that.” Judith smiled.

“THAT IS SO AMAZING CONGRATULATIONS!” Belle squealed out in one breath. “When are you due? Does Dan know? Is he excited? Are you moving in together? Is it a boy or a girl?”

Judith laughed. It was a natural, happy laugh that Belle had never thought Judith had been capable of. “I'm a little over a month along, so we don't know the sex just yet. Dan knows, in fact, I wanted to talk to you about that.”

“Is he still in a funk?” Belle asked. “We wanted to give him some time off from the Knights to try and clear himself up, and instead he's acting like the Knights kicked him out.”

“He's been happier since he learned of the pregnancy though, which is where you come in. I want all his friends to know about the pregnancy, and have a small party to celebrate.” Judith said. “Help him reconnect to his true self. I worry that his family connections could rear their heads and take advantage while he's down and out. Much like you're family connections are trying to take advantage of you working for the Council.”

“What is UP with that?! I think it's blatantly obvious that there's no way I'd be a Haunted Maze Trouper. How'd they even get the name Haunted Maze anyway?” Belle said, annoyed.

“They know that you're ahem, friends with me, and that your father recently became a Councillor. They want to make sure they can leverage the Council through those connections, in case Mayor Jones gets out of hand.” Judith told her. “That's how your father finally got into a Councillor position. Of course, they have no idea that you're the town vigilante.”

“How do you KNOW all of this?” Belle asked incredulously.

“Because I'm still very close to Demons office, enough so that I have enough information to piece together what's happening.” Judith replied.

Belle grinned. “Answers a lot of questions. Anyway, I'll talk to the Knights and we'll try to set up a party for Dan. They really, REALLY miss him.”

“I bet they do.” Judith smiled.

“I mean, they REALLY, REALLY, REALLY miss him.” Belle said.

--

“YOU JUST RUSHED IN, NO PLAN, AND NEARLY GOT US ALL KILLED!” Sunny screamed at Sammy, who also had his hackles up.

“LIKE YOU HAVEN'T RUSHED IN BEFORE WHEN YOUR STUPID BROTHER WAS INVOLVED!” Sammy screamed back.

Context: Sir Hyper had led the rushed defence of a pharmacy against a pack of Haunted Maze Troupers. It hadn't gone well until Chuckles and Giggles had stepped in.

Now, the screaming match at the tip.

“The leadership of this group is appalling.” TJ grumbled.

“Well I didn't see YOU doing anything!” Tammy fired.

“It's not his job!” Petunia shot back.

As the yelling got louder, Chuckles and Giggles flew in.

“You wanna tell them about Dan NOW?” Chuckles looked at the carnage, thinking a hot chocolate and a good movie was a better option.

“WHAT ABOUT DAN?” The whole Last Order yelped.

Chuckles and Giggles took a second to compose themselves.

“I spoke to Judith yesterday at work. She and Dan are having a baby.” Giggles pulled off her helmet.

Four gobsmacked Knights glared at her. Sunny just looked at Belle with wide eyes.

“Did I say something wrong?” Belle asked.

“OUR Dan knocked up the sister of Mobster Marion?!” Sammy cried.

“I mean, I'm happy if he's happy...?” Sunny mumbled, looking confused.

“He's an idiot! What did he go and do that for!?” Petunia groaned. “Way to give Marion a path straight to us!”

“Hey, to be fair I work under Demons nose all day and he still has no clue at all who I am off the clock.” Belle pointed out.

“Working for someone is different than being family!” TJ roared.

“Ahem.” Sunny cleared her throat.

Suddenly things got very, very, VERY awkward.

“Right...sorry Sunny...” Petunia mumbled.

“But you don't consider Demon your family, do you?” Tammy asked.

“I still speak to my Mum sometimes. She likes to see Melody.” Sunny said quietly. “We're not close at all, but she's still my Mum, to a point.”

Sunny looked close to tears, and the old scar under her eye stood out. Belle rushed to hug her and Charlie scowled at the rest of the Knights.

“If Dan is happy, I'm going to be happy for him. We should be encouraging love, not breaking up families. I just keep hoping one day what I say will get through to Mum and we'll have another ally.” Sunny kept back the tears, and buried her face in Belles shoulder.

“Way to go guys.” Charlie folded his arms and glared at the Knights.

All of them looked subdued.

“We should throw a small party for Dan.” Sunny suggested. She looked at Sammy.

“Yeah, he'd like that. He'd be part of us again.” Sammy gave her a timid smile.

“Belle, you could talk to Judith about having it at her place right?” Sunny asked. “I don't think Dan would come to a party if we hosted it.”

“Good idea.” Sammy said. He and Sunny smiled at each other awkwardly.

“Okay then.” Belle sighed. “Anyway, Dad should be here soon, let's go Charlie.”

Belle and Charlie walked away, leaving the Knights feeling rather subdued.

“I guess we've been a little stupid recently.” Sammy started.

“Yeah. Especially us leaders.” Sunny replied. She sighed. “I guess I really can't understand how you guys feel. I love Dan, and I the respect I have for him...but I didn't grow up with him as my leader.”

“Yeah, you got the short end of the stick there.” TJ patted her back.

“I think we're all pretty upset about Dan leaving us in the lurch, and we took it out on each other.” Tammy piped up.

“From now on, I think we should take a minute to talk to each other first.” Sammy suggested. “Not just us leaders either. From now on, we protect Pleasantville with a plan – OUR plan.”

He grinned at Sunny, who grinned back.

“Now, can we talk about Dans party? I mean, he's going to be a Dad!” Petunia said excitedly.

The Knights quickly busied themselves with organising a baby bash – a bash to hopefully get their beloved leader back.