Chapter One Hundred and Forty-One: Family Ties

 Thankfully after Oscar was forced into the car he contented himself with giving everyone the silent treatment, which made for a very quiet trip into the shops.

“Does your Mum want low-salt or regular stock?” Peter asked as the trio wandered around the shop, Belle pushing the cart and Oscar walking silently yet determinedly next to her.

“She usually goes for the regular stuff, otherwise she says she just has to add the salt back in anyway.” Belle replied. “Isn’t that right Ozzie?”

Her comment was met with stony silence.

“See?” She turned back to her father. “Agrees with me.”

“That never works Belle. I used to do that to you all the time to get you to talk to me when you were that age and you would never give in.” Peter put two containers of stock in the trolley.

“Yeah, but you also made bad jokes which just made me madder.” Belle pointed out. “And making someone who is mad laugh just makes it worse in the long run.”

“If you say so.” Peter chuckled. He reached up to get a packet of gravy, only due to his lack of height, he couldn’t.

“Dad, we’re both impossibly short, give up.” Belle groaned as Peter started jumping.

“Oh come on, I can get YIKES!” Peter and everyone else dropped to the floor as a bullet landed just above his head! The gravy powder flowing onto him would have been funny in any other situation, but now it was just a reminder of how close that had been. “Don’t tell me someone is trying to kill me AGAIN!”

Belle pushed in the face of her Giggles watch, hoping that at least one of the Knights was paying attention. She then crawled over to Oscar, who was curled up in a ball, crying with fear.

“It’s okay kiddo, everyone is fine!” She tried to cheer him up.

“What if you or Daddy gets k-k-killed?!” Oscar sobbed.

“No one is getting killed.” Peter said firmly.

“On the contrary Mister Masters, it’s time that you and the rest of the Council died.”

Belle hissed. Two men in white button-up dinner shirts and black pants had guns pointed at them. On the shirts was the long-forgotten symbol of the Silent Lake Gang.

“Don’t even think about it!” Belle cried. Oscar began to cry harder.

“Shut the brat up. Now die Masters.” One of the men aimed his gun at Peter and fired. Thankfully, Peter moved out of the way, but his leg was hit in the process. Terrified, Belle grabbed some tins of stock and threw them at the Lakers, hitting one near his eye and the other ones gun.

“That hurt you little - STOP THROWING THINGS AT US!” One of the goons cried as Belle kept throwing tinned goods to protect her father.

“She broke my gun Stu!” The other goon looked tearful.

“Marty, it’s a gun, cope.” Stu rolled his eyes. “I got smacked in the face and you don’t hear me crying.”

“I’ve had this gun since I was in the Mob!” Marty sobbed.

“I’ll give you something to cry about - look out!” Stu pulled Marty down as a shower of throwing stars headed straight for them!”

“Got here just in time! How’s your Dad?” Lady Starlight jumped down from atop the aisle. “Waste of good kidney beans you know.” She looked at some of the tins Belle had used for ammo.

“You take what you can get. I’m gonna get Dad and Ozzie out of here.” Belle said. “Where’s Sunlight and Moonlight?”

“They’ve got the door in case any more of them show up. Looks like Laker Dan has been recruiting.” Lady Starlight said as they both helped Peter to his feet. “You okay Peter?”

“Just feeling a bit weak. I’m kinda sick of being shot at.” Peter groaned as some of his weight hit his injured leg, making him wince.

“Hey, you can’t just LEAVE!” Stu got up and reached for his gun. A throwing star put paid to that idea. 

“We can and we will.” Belle snapped. They helped Peter towards the door, Oscar clinging onto his sister tightly, when naturally Laker Dan had to be dramatic and break through the intricate skylight above them.

“I can see why Marion fired you two before she went mad.” He looked angrily at Stu and Marty, who both groaned. He then turned to Peter, Belle and Lady Starlight. “I told you Belle, I was going to kill all of the Counsellors, and your father is no exception. He’s as much a part of the problem as the rest of them are.”

“You’re even more of a problem!” Belle fired back.

“Whatever. Now stand aside and I’ll let you and the boy live.” Laker Dan pulled out the Mystic Eight Gun.

“I have a NAME!” Oscar snapped, eyes still red and wet.

“Get out of here Belle, and take Ozzie with you.” Peter commanded.

“NO!” Belle and Oscar cried.

“Yes.” Peter said firmly. “I’m your father, I make the rules.”

“He’s also clearly smarter than you’ll ever be.” Laker Dan smirked.

“You’ve fallen. To think I looked up to you.” Belle glared.

“I touched a nerve I see. Now move or all three of you will die here.” Laker Dan pointed the gun at Ozzie.

“NO!” Ozzie screamed as Belle dragged him away.

“I’m not letting my only brother get killed.” Belle growled. “And I won’t let Dad die either!”

They rushed to the car, Lady Sunlight and Lady Starlight close behind while Sir Moonlight stayed by the door.

“What can you do?” Ozzie whimpered as they made it to the car.

“I can’t do anything, but Giggles can. You really think I’d leave home without my gear?” Belle grinned.

“There’s a bin in the alley back there you can use for cover, and Sunlight will keep watch. I’ll go back in there and see if I can buy some time.” Lady Starlight rushed back in, throwing stars ready to be thrown directly at Laker Dan.

“You don’t have to do this Dan. You know that.” Peter tried pleading for his life. 

“It would look mighty suspicious if I killed all of the Counsellors except you.” Laker Dan replied. “Besides, you’re part of the problem. You could have done something by now.”

“I tried Dan!” Peter cried. “Lord knows I tried, you know I did!”

“That’s why I’ve allowed you to keep yapping.” Dan frowned. “But now you OUCH!”

Sir Moonlight had fired an arrow that had grazed Laker Dans cheek. Hissing with anger, he turned to fire back at the Outer Knight of the Last Order.

“You’ll pay for that you rich, snobby ARGH!” Dan cried again.

Lady Starlight had sneaked back in, and hit Dan in the arm with a throwing star. In his fury, he pulled the star out of his elbow and aimed the Mystic Eight Gun at the Knight.

“YOU SHOOT MY BABY SISTER AND WATCH WHAT HAPPENS TO YOU!”

“Chuckles! Lady Sunlight!” Peter cried in relief as Chuckles bolted towards Dan, the Lions Claw Blade drawn and the Arm Scythes armed.

“You really haven’t learned not to bring a sword to a gunfight have you Chuckles? You dolt.” Dan smirked, now aiming the Mystic Eight Gun at Chuckles.

“I brought a gun!”

Dan couldn’t get out of the way in time - Giggles fired the Lucky Seven Gun at him from the skylight he had broken, hitting him in the shoulder.

“Lucky!” Giggles cuddled her gun.

“You witch!” Dan screamed in fury.

“See what happens when you take us on? We’re family, and you’re disowned!” Lady Starlight exclaimed.

“Yeah!” Her siblings agreed.

And just to add insult to injury, little Ozze had run back in after his beloved older sister. He threw a packet of flour at Dan, that smacked the Silent Lake Gang leader in the head and exploded, covering him with flour.

“A satisfying conclusion to the day.” Giggles nodded.

–

“And then of course after that the police showed up and we all scattered.” Hugo explained as the group sat around the hospital room. Peter’s leg was mostly fine. No bones broken, but the muscle would take a while to heal.

“The police are going to be even worse now that most of them are Troupers.” Belle groaned, leaning back in her chair. “Even the Mob and the DVG never infiltrated the police like this.”

“Yes, well, unfortunately Jones got his claws into Dingbat, and it was all downhill from there. DAMN Daniel, if he hadn’t murdered Dingbat all of them would be in gaol right now.” Peter groaned. “Can someone please get me some water?”

“No use crying over spilled milk. Again.” Lara got her husband a drink. “We just have to do what we can do and hope that Webster can do his job.”

“It’s a lot to put on Webster though…” Belle sighed.

“He has help. Trust me, your fathers little stunt with the Ruby Suit might have caused some angst, but we do have people on the inside on our side. Trust us.” Lara patted her head.

Chapter One Hundred and Forty: Sibling Rivalry

 “And you are now officially a Jones!” Belle handed Sunny the certificate while grinning at little Marcus, who gurgled and looked up at her with dark green eyes. “I don’t know whether or not to congratulate you!”

“Yes, well, kiddo is gonna get a crash course on managing unsavory family members.” Sunny put the pages in the safe that sat in the crockery cupboard of her kitchen. 

Melody watched the scene as she sat at the kitchen counter colouring in. “Is he my brother now?” She asked, watching as Belle held the little boy and booped his nose.

“Yes he is!” Sunny grinned. “Do you remember what I told you about my big brother?”

“I don’t like Uncle Daryl.” Melody turned up her nose.

“Exactly. So you have to be nice to your little brother so you don’t become an Uncle Daryl.” Sunny walked over to the little girl and ruffled her hair.

“Okay!” Melody agreed quickly, before returning to her drawing. “I’m making this for my brother!” She told Belle who was looking at the picture. 

“It’s very good! I bet he’ll love it!” Belle smiled. “You know, I have a baby brother too.”

“Yeah! Ozzie is your brother!” Melody said beaming. “And Maddles is your sister!”

“That’s right!” Belle handed Marcus back to his new mother. “You know, I didn’t get my brother and sister until I was really old.”

“Positively ancient.” Sunny sassed.

“I have to look after my brother.” Melody said firmly. “And I have to make sure he follows all the rules!”

Both Sunny and Belle looked at each other, worried.

–

“Hi Belle-Belle! I won the spell-a-thon at school today!” Oscar bolted into the house the next afternoon, dumping his bag by the door.

“Mate, you need to put your bag away before someone trips on it.” Belle laughed. 

“You’re not Mum, you don’t tell me what to do!” Oscar jumped on the couch in a huff.

“You still need to put your bag away and get your lunch box out sir!” Lara poked her head out of the kitchen. 

“Awww!” Oscar grumbled, before picking his bag up, getting the lunchbox out and throwing the lunchbox into the kitchen.

“Come on, you’re better than that!” Belle scolded her younger brother.

“YOU’RE-NOT-MUM!” Oscar yelled at her.

“YOU-KNOW-THE why am I fighting with an eight year old?” Belle groaned as Oscar stormed off with his bag.

Lara laughed. “You two will work it out. You’re siblings after all.” She returned to the kitchen to continue cutting carrots.

“SHE’S NOT MY REAL SISTER” Oscar yelled.

“Oh dear…” Lara frowned as Belle blanched. “Look, you sort out these carrots and I’ll sort him out.”

“No problem Mum.” Belle took Lara’s place in the kitchen.

“SHE’S NOT YOUR MUM SHE’S MINE!” Oscar yelled again.

“Ooooh boy…” Belle winced.

–

“To be fair, Ozzie DOES spend every second weekend with his father, and who knows what he puts into the kids head.” Charlie tried to cheer Belle up the next day as they had lunch at Bills restaurant.

“I know, but it still stings when he says I’m not his sister.” Belle sighed, poking her seafood pasta. 

“He’s young and lashing out. Neither of us had very good emotional maturity at his age.” Charlie pointed out as Lizzy brought out his burrito. “Besides, the whole point of siblings is you take out all your emotions on them, but then no one else is allowed to, isn’t that right Liz?”

“Exactly. You know we’ve had every fight under the sun, but we’re still siblings.” Lizzy set down their drinks. “Can I get you guys anything else?”

“No thanks Liz, we’re all good.” Belle smiled at Charlie’s little sister. Lizzy grinned back, before heading to the kitchen to get the next order.

“Siblings fight all the time, it doesn’t mean they don’t love each other.” Charlie continued. “It gets easier as you get older.”

“If you say so.” Belle started to eat.  Suddenly, Izzy burst in angrily, looking like she’d been crying.

“Iz?” Charlie got up.

“Don’t speak to me, either of you!” Izzy roared at her brother. She then rounded on her sister, who was waiting by the kitchen counter. “Why didn’t you tell me Hugo had called last night?!”

“Oh bother, I forgot.” Lizzy sighed. “Couldn’t he have messaged you though?”

“YOU KNOW HE WORKS IN A SECURE AREA WHERE HE CAN’T HAVE HIS MOBILE PHONE!” Izzy yelled. “I needed to call him back urgently to let him know about the Fortane Dinner tonight, and now it’s too late and I can’t go!”

“Shouldn’t you have had that organised before this?” Charlie raised his eyebrow.

“Shut it you!” Izzy snapped before turning back to Lizzy. “Hugo is furious at me and it’s all YOUR fault!”

“Well why WASN’T it all organised before now?! You and he are both adults!” Lizzy started yelling back.

“The Fortane Dinner isn’t such a big deal anyway, I’ve been going for years and no one important goes.” Charlie shrugged his shoulders.

“NO ONE IMPORTANT GOES?!” Both sisters rounded on their brother.

Belle slurped up her pasta as the fight got louder and louder between the three siblings. A pit was forming in her stomach at every insult. If this was the way the three Begly siblings treated each other, then what hope did the Masters siblings have?

What chance did the Jones siblings have?

–

“Oh they’ll be fine. The problem with Sunny and Daryl is that Daryl never had his sisters best interests at heart.” Tammy explained to Belle as they walked along the pier at Pleasant Lake. “Ozzie knows that you love him, and we all know Charlie and the twins adore each other. I mean, there’s times where I would happily end Sammy in a heartbeat, but I couldn’t because I love him to bits.”

“What about your other siblings though?” Belle asked.

“They don’t exist to me.” Tammy told her. “They’re another case of never having our best interests at heart. If it weren’t for Austin refusing to let me and Sammy in his car then Uncle Wallace would never have had us in the car when he crashed it.”

“Ah…” Belle looked worried.

“Our family is a mess, not gonna lie, but that doesn’t matter, as long as we have the Noble Knights of the Last Order.” Tammy smiled, although the smile wavered slightly.

“Not exactly filling me with hope you know.” Belle quipped dryly.

“Look, I know that we had problems with Dan, but we’re really tight-knit, honest.” Tammy defended her Knights. “We even have the Outer Knights working their magic!”

“Tam, I can bring down your argument in a single statement.” Belle rolled her eyes.

“Oh no you can’t!” Tammy laughed.

“Three hundred and fifteen runs for nothing.” Belle shot.

“Where ARE they, they were supposed to be here five minutes ago, I’m starving!” Sammy grumbled as he and the rest of the Knights were sat at Bills restaurant, wanting to order.

“Uh…guys?” Sunny looked out the window. “Tammy is trying to throw Belle into the Lake, and given Belle weighs 50 kilos soaking wet, she’s gonna end up in the drink shortly if we don’t get out there!” 

–

“I think I give up. Melody and Marcus are doomed.” Belle groaned as she sat in Charlie’s room, watching him polish the Lions Claw Blade. 

“It’s not THAT bad.” Charlie rolled his eyes. “Are you and Ozzie still at loggerheads?”

“He won’t talk to me.” Belle looked downcast. “And everywhere I look siblings are fighting.”

“It breaks out on occasion. It’s a full-moon thing.” Charlie shrugged. “You’ve fought with Ozzie and Mads before, it’ll be right.”

“Not like this. He’s adamant that I’m not his sister.” Belle said. “And if Ozzie and I can’t sort things out, what chance do Melody and Marcus have? They’re not blood related either.”

“It’s not about being blood-related, it’s about being stuck with each other for the rest of eternity. Sometimes that can get on peoples nerves.” Charlie said. “It’s only extreme cases like Daryl the Dumb that can never be redeemed.”

“Please don’t. I’m not looking forward to getting back to the office and having to deal with him every day.” Belle rubbed her eyes. The pair could hear Lara yelling at Oscar. “Poor kid.” 

“CHARLIE! IF YOU’RE GONNA LIVE HERE YOU HAVE TO DO THE LAUNDRY HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO TELL YOU?!” They heard Betty screaming up the stairs, her words slightly slurry.

“I worry about your Mum.” Belle said as Charlie sighed and got up.

“I worry about her too. We’re in way too deep and her mental health can’t take much more.” Charlie replied. “I’ll chat with you later.”

“Good luck.” Belle replied, jumping out of the window into the tree, then springing over to her window. 

“Oh good, you’re home.” Peter heard the noise from his room and poked his head into Belles room. “Wanna go out and get some groceries for dinner tonight? Ozzie is sulking and Lara is slamming around the kitchen.”

“Sure.” Belle readily agreed.

The pair headed down the stairs, where Madeline was playing with her blocks, Oscar was sulking on the couch and Lara was banging very loudly in the pots and pans cupboard. “Things were so much easier when Bill lived here.” She grumbled.

“We’re just going out to the shops for your groceries love, anything else you want?” Peter took the car keys off the hook.

“Take Oscar with you!” Lara yelled.

“NO!” Oscar screamed.

“Oh boy.” Peter and Belle groaned.

Chapter One Hundred and Thirty-Nine: A potent ace

 “Well that’s something that happened.” Giggles watched as the foreman left, looking quite chipper despite his injury.

“He should NOT be able to walk with that bullet in his knee!” Chuckles looked astounded.

“He knows what he’s doing, unlike you lot.” Daniel commented, picking up the Mystic Eight Gun.

“Wow, mate. Wow.” Lady Courage gaped at him while Chuckles and Giggles looked offended.

“Well, I’m off. See you losers later.” Daniel grinned, preparing to leave.

“Dan, please!” Lady Courage ran after him. 

He turned to glare at her.

“For the record, it’s Laker Dan to you.”

He broke out into a run and smashed through yet another window, causing Chuckles and Giggles to cry in fury.

–

“This HAS to be illegal!” Melissa cried, looking at the letter in front of her.

“It IS illegal, I should know, I’ve been in HR long enough.” Bailey groaned next to her.

“HR?! You did NOTHING in HR except be a front!” Terry accused. “At least in Public Relations -,”

“You shot people who disagreed with us, that’s all you did in PR!” Melissa snapped.

The three former Mobsters were sitting at one of the many pubs in Pleasantville, each of them comparing the termination letters they had just received from City Hall.

“I suppose we should think ourselves lucky that they didn’t just kill us.” Terry pointed out.

“Yet.” Melissa replied dryly, chugging down her drink. “OI, bartender! Another whiskey, NOW!”

“Geez…” The bartender rolled his eyes. “Guys, I know you all got fired, but you’re taking it way too hard.”

“Easy for YOU to say, you still have a job!” Bailey snapped.

“For now. Until the Troupe decide to take me out.” The bartender told him.

“You’re a BARTENDER, you’ll be fine.” Bailey dismissed him.

“Until YOU decide to do something stupid, then I’ll get taken out as an example!” The bartender cried.

“Oh come on, you can’t be the only Mob bar in this city.” Melissa knocked back Terry’s drink. “What about Wello’s down by the lake?”

“They defected two weeks ago. They saw the writing on the wall.” The bartender frowned, before getting both Terry and Melissa new drinks. “Wish I had, but I thought after Sidewinder had popped her kid out things would look up.”

“That blasted brat Daryl is to blame. Why on earth would he kill Judith anyway?!” Bailey sipped his gin and tonic.

“Word has it he wanted Marion to wipe out the Crusaders because Roger wouldn’t coddle him.” The bartender told him. 

“Entitled brat.” Melissa sipped her new drink. “Ugh. Jones really needed to pull that kid in line earlier.”

“Yeah, well, he’s stuffed himself by not acting. He’s Mayor in name only now, Daryl owns the joint pretty much now.” Terry knocked back his drink in one hit. “Should put a stop to those Chuckles and Giggles characters now.”

“Oh please, nothing will stop them. They’re like warts, once you got ‘em you can’t get rid of them.” Bailey snorted.

It was at that moment that Laker Dan walked in, the Dragon Scale Scythe hooked to his back, and the Mystic Eight Gun resting on his hip.

“Bug off, we’re closed.” The bartender told him as he sat down at the bar.

“To me, the father of Judtih’s heir?” Dan raised an eyebrow.

“Well there’s nothing to BE an heir to any more, so bug off.” Bailey snapped.

“Oh, but there is. How would you like your jobs back?” Dan asked. “I’ll have a beer thanks.” 

The bartender grumbled as he got Dan his beer. Bailey, Melissa and Terry eyed the newcomer warily.

“I’m going to take out every single Counsellor in this city. I’m also going to take out the Mayor and his useless son.” Dan told the group, who didn’t look impressed.

“Great, and then the Troupe will just put in their own people. Get real Dan.” Melissa continued to sip her drink.

“Not if we get rid of enough of them.” Dan pointed out. “I bet there are plenty of ex-Mob still in this city who would LOVE a bit of revenge.”

“The Mob is dead.” Terry insisted.

“But the Silent Lake Gang is just waking back up.” Dan told them. “I’ve already been in contact with a few of my parents' old contacts. We can take over this city and make it a better place.”

“Pfft.” The three at the bar rolled their eyes.

“I kinda figured you’d be like that. So how about some incentive?” Dan pulled out the Mystic Eight Gun. “I’ve already killed Counsellor Barry, and I have no problems killing you three.”

“Oh please.” Bailey snorted. With a bang, he suddenly lay dead on the ground. Melissa and Terry jumped up in horror.

“Mate there’s no call for that!” The bartender looked horrified at what Dan had done. “You’ve gone too far!”

“Have I?” Dan sneered. “You lot are just as responsible for ruining this city as your bosses are. I’m giving you a chance for redemption, and he threw it back in my face.”

Melissa cried silent tears as Terry looked terrified. “Fine, we’ll do it, just don’t shoot.” Terry raised his hands.

“I figured you might.” Dan smirked. “I’ll see you in Oaksville tomorrow morning.”

With that, Laker Dan left.

–

“Dan’s gone full murderer now. There’s no redemption for him.” Sunny told the others as they sat in Bill’s restaurant. 

“I can’t deal with this right now. I really can’t.” TJ buried his head in his hands. “Especially if he’s getting the Silent Lake Gang back together.”

“Do you think he’ll dob us in?” Belle asked, feeling worried.

“If he does, we’re doomed.” Petunia said. “We’d be dead within the hour.”

“I don’t think he would, because that would mean giving Jones an advantage.” Tammy said. “And he wouldn’t want to do anything that would give Jones any sort of hint or tip.”

“But if he tells his fellow Lakers…” Charlie trailed off. Belle shook her head.

“A lot of the Silent Lakers that survived were absorbed by the Mob. If Dan is smart he’ll know not to trust any of them.” Belle told him.

“That’s not very reassuring considering how stupid Dan has been recently.” TJ groaned. “We’re sitting ducks.”

“No, we’re not. We have one very, VERY potent ace up our sleeve, although I hate to call him that.” Sunny said. “Dan never picked Marcus up from when he left him with me.”

“Ohhhh no, that’s not good.” TJ’s head hit the table. “If he’s leaving Marcus behind then he’s gone.”

“I don’t think so. I think he knows that no matter what, we’ll protect his son. We won’t let anything happen to Marcus.” Tammy said. “But it does mean he can’t dob us in, otherwise Marcus is at the mercy of the Haunted Maze Troupe.”

“Can you fix up the paperwork to make the adoption at least look legal?” Sunny asked Belle. “The boy is my son now, and I want to make sure I can give him the best care I can.”

“I’m sure I can fix something up. Do you want him to be Marcus Jones instead of Marcus Misneach or Marcus Lightheart?” Belle asked, getting out her pocket notebook.

Sunny hesitated. “We’ll go with Marcus Jones, and make Lightheart his middle name.” She finally decided. “That way he’ll be more protected, being a Jones.”

“I’ll get that sorted ASAP.” Belle promised, making her notes before tucking the book away.

“I don’t like the idea of taking Dan’s only son away from him.” Sammy quietly piped up. “It doesn’t feel right.”

“I know, but he’s given us no choice. You want what’s best for Marcus, don’t you?” Tammy asked him. He shrugged in return.

“I’ll look after Marcus as if he were my own. Don’t worry.” Sunny promised. “And I won’t let him forget Sir Lionheart.”

Sammy made a small noise in the back of his throat and turned away. Petunia and Tammy shared a look. What Daniel had done had left horrible scars on them all.

“What if Dan comes back for Marcus?” Charlie asked.

“That’s the other reason I want this to be as legal as possible.” Sunny said. “My son will NOT be raised by a murderer.”

“He’ll be after blood once he finds out.” Petunia warned them.

“If he comes for Mumma Bear, he can get the claws, and the bat of Lady Courage to boot.” Sunny said firmly. “Do NOT mess with my children!”