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Wolf was BORED. Snake was BORED. Piranha was BORED. Shark was BORED. And Webs… Was in the women section of the prison.
It was sad and BORING for the Bad Guys. They all had second thoughts about turning themselves in the moment they got there. They have been trying to avoid prison, but they all took responsibility for their previous crimes… To save Diane's reputation and career. Now… They just want a way out.
Wolf was guided to the visiting chamber. His eyes brightened up upon seeing Diane. He had to be careful and not say anything that would imply Diane was an accomplice to their previous breakout or Marmalade's takedown.
"Thank goodness Diane!" Wolf couldn't help himself. "It's been torture in here! We are all divided into different cells! Limited TV and Wi-Fi! And worst of all we can only see Webs on certain days."
Diane appeared devastated when she saw how upset Wolf was. "Wolf, all I can do is give you my support. I can't give you a pardon as the only reason I was going to give you one before was due to Marmalade's experiment as he had a huge positive following… Before he was found out."
Wolf sighed. He didn't want to hear that. "Diane…"
"Wolf… You and your friends can get through this if you believe in yourselves and know that there will be a light at the end of the tunnel."
"A long tunnel. We've been stuck in this joint for weeks."
Diane frowned. "Wolf… I am sorry to say it… But you've only been in there for 2 days."
Wolf's pupils shattered like glass. "Really?"
Diane awkwardly nodded.
Wolf's ears tilted down and the poor canine slammed his snout against the desk, making doggy whines.
Diane felt so bad for Wolf. They have been trying to avoid jail… So their family wouldn't be torn apart.
"I had this coming… This is the punishment I get for thinking being thieves was the only option. If I had only realized sooner… Then we all would have better lives." Wolf blamed himself for getting into this mess. If it weren't for his "These are the cards we were dealt with, so we might as well play them" mentality, then they would have never become Bad Guys and be happy living Good Guys instead.
"Wolf… What is done is done… And there is nothing you can do to change it."
Wolf sniffled. "I know… I can only move forward and play it straight… But the thought of Webs being all alone hurts."
Diane sighed, having recognized this. "I'll be talking to her after you. I plan to visit her every chance I get."
"Thanks… That means the world." Wolf made a little weak smile under his woe. Though he wanted out, Snake did, Shark did, Piranha did, heck he is certain Webs did. If only there was some opportunity he could grasp…
"Excuse me."
"Chief!?" Wolf and Diane were met with surprise to see a nervous-looking Chief Luggins.
"Hey Diane… I know this isn't a good time, but I am gonna go back on shift soon so…"
"Oh no it's fine Chief. I am happy to see you."
Wolf on the other hand didn't know how to feel about seeing The Chief.
"Uhh, I was wondering, since you're both here… I can ask… a favor…" The Chief squinted. Biting her lips.
“What kind of favor, a raise?” Wolf was smug for only a moment before cringing at his instinctive behavior towards the Chief.
Luggins groaned. “Oh, I didn’t want to see you Wolf… But I have to.”
Diane seemed curious as she rubbed her chin. “Why Chief?”
“Because… You see… I am supposed to come to my son’s class tomorrow to show kids what a police officer does…”
“And What do I have to do with it?”
“Alex really… really wanted me to show my crowning achievement… of capturing the Bad Guys.”
Diane adjusted her glasses with a breath. “So… He wants you to bring all five of them to the school?” She guessed.
Luggins looked away, reluctantly responding. “Yes. I intend to use this to show what happens to all criminals who think they can get away with stealing.”
Wolf raised a eyebrow. “Okay Chief… Even I am pretty skeptical of that idea. Bringing the most infamous thieves in the whole city just for a class presentation is pretty out there.”
The Chief grunted at Wolf. “It is… But… He is really excited about this. He just-” The Chief sighed. “He just wants to show everyone how awesome I am and how proud he is of me.”
Diane felt heartstruck. “Awww… Chief?”
Luggins gulped. “Diane?”
“I am gonna bend some rules and permit you to take the Bad Guys to the class presentation.”
“R-Really?” Luggins was surprised at the sudden response from Diane.
Diane nodded. “I feel like having the Bad Guys come to this presentation could be good. What the kids need to stay on the true path and avoid the pitfalls of crime.”
Wolf grinned. This was the big break he and his pals needed.
Luggins shook her head, pinching her temple. “You have such a soft spot for these crooks.”
The governor frowned. “Watch your words Chief, I can change my mind.”
Wolf and Luggins immediately waved their hands out. “Nonono!”
“Sorry, that was disrespectful.” The Chief rubbed her shoulder.
“It’s alright. Just remember I respect these has-been crooks for their desire to change.” Diane smirked.
Could have chosen some better words than “has-been crooks”, Wolf thought.
The Chief sighed before facing Wolf. “You and your friends better not pull anything. I don’t want you stealing lunch money, have your tarantula friend hack into the report cards, or your three hungry pals eat all the cafeteria food!”
“Chief, you have my respect and word. We’ll be on our best behavior, we did turn ourselves in after all.”
“That may be true, but feeling guilt doesn’t mean you won’t go back to your dirty ways.”
Wolf pouted. She did have a point. He and his friends would have to work that out upon release. For now, he had to focus on the opportunity at hand. To demonstrate that the Bad Guys are the Good Guys, along with the chance to be out of jail, even if it is for a brief time.
---
Everyone was gathered in front of the police car.
“Wolf?” Snake, Piranha, and Shark were curious to see Wolf and the Chief awaiting them.
All of the Bad Guys were still cuffed up, although in their everyday clothing, by the Chief’s request.
“W-what’s going on?” Snake seemed worried for a moment, but noticed the confident expression on Wolf’s face, which gave him ease.
“I can’t say yet. We have to wait for a friend.”
Piranha was clueless. “A friend? You made a friend Wolf?”
Shark seemed excited. “Piranha, I think he means-”
“Hey boys!”
All at once, the guys shouted: “Webs!!”
There was Webs, being carried in a jar by a guard.
Snake’s face went soft with a smile of relief. “Out of all the tarantulas crawling around, I am happy to see you the most.”
Webs smiled back. “Thanks grumpy pants.”
Shark was concerned at Webs’ predicament though. “Is the jar really necessary?”
The Officer explained. “It is actually quite safer than crawling around on the floor, made of a hard-to-break plastic with air holes on top.”
Shark felt at ease. “Oh, I see.”
“Los Tipos Malos! Reunited at last!” Piranha exclaimed!
“Wolf, please tell me our sentence is up.” Snake appeared hopeful.
“I have good news, but that ain’t quite it.”
Snake went back to a grumpy expression. “Then what?”
The Chief walked around a corner. “Today, you five will be coming to my presentation at Golden City Elementary. You will be the prime example of what NOT to be all the while fulfilling my son’s wish.”
Webs was puzzled. “We are going to an elementary school?”
Piranha was excited. “Does this mean we are going to relearn the alphabet… Because I forgot it long ago.”
Snake hissed. “This’ll be a disaster, we’ll just scare everyone.”
Wolf kneeled towards Snake. “Snake… This is the first step to show that we aren’t scary monsters.”
Snake thought about Wolf’s words, but flinched at the memories that were playing in his head. “Wolf… I had awful experiences at school growing up… You know that.”
Wolf frowned. The memories came back. “Yeah…” But the frown didn’t last for long. “If there was one good thing that came out of it… It was that we met, and we’re still together now.”
“Yeah…” Snake’s own frown slowly vanished, but he was still uncertain. “Wolf… Kids were scared of me and I was alone before I met you in high school. It was the worst years of my life.”
The Chief seemed scattered like she was in thought.
Wolf looked at Snake with determination in his eyes. “Snake, I promise that you will not relive those experiences, I want this to be a milestone for all of us. The next step to a brand new day.”
The other Bad Guys nodded.
The Chief snapped out of her trance. “Yeah, yeah. Just get in the van, we’ll be late if you talk for another second.”
“Alright Chief.” Wolf got in, followed by the other Bad Guys.
It was a tight fit with Shark, the police car wasn’t as spacious as the one they were arrested in.
Wolf struggled. He was squished between the door and Shark. “Uh, Shark… Buddy… Could you hold in your gut?”
“I would if I could.” Shark tried to adjust himself to be comfortable.
“There are some advantages of being a snake.” Snake chuckled having wrapped himself around Shark like a scarf.
“And a little tarantula.” Webs also laughed, resting on the side of the door.
“Y una pequeña piraña.” Piranha was sitting on Shark’s lap, playfully kicking his feet. "I hope we won't have to do math when we get there… I can never figure out what 2+2 equals…"
Wolf laughed. "It's so simple Piranha, it's uhh… 7?"
Shark pondered. "I could have sworn it's 6."
Webs sighed. "That's 2+2+2 Shark, it's obviously 5."
Snake grunted. "Woah there, I thought it was 3."
The Chief growled. "You're all wrong, for a bunch of brilliant criminals, you all sure aren't bright."
Wolf crossed his arms."Oh yeah, then what's 2+2 Chief?"
The Chief smirked. "It's 9 of course."
Piranha rubbed the side of his head. "Golly, I think she is right."
---
Throughout the ride, the gang admired the city from a distance, the one where they once committed so many thefts throughout. It felt like they were home again… As the drive continued, Snake sighed.
“I grew up around here.” Snake observed all the houses.
The gang gave sorry looks to Snake. They all too well can relate to being considered a monster by others.
“The neighborhood looks cleaner now… How many garden snakes did they wack in the process?” Snake said to himself.
Wolf softly petted Snake on the head to comfort him. It worked with Snake hissing softly.
“Snake, all that is in the past. Let’s make better memories.”
Snake nodded… Though upon seeing the school in view, he gulped with dilating eyes. It hasn’t changed much over the years.
“Alright. Here we are.” Luggins pulled the car over onto the side of the parking lot. “Now… None of you dare pull a fast one.” She pointed to each Bad Guy with a glare in her eyes.
All five of them nodded, with Snake being the most hesitant as his mind was somewhere else for a moment.
---
The five were guided through the halls, with all the students in class, the halls were empty. Snake however could picture times when the halls were filled… How he had to hide from bullies chasing him with sticks, how he was sent to detention for fights he didn't start, and how… Snake snapped out of it, he didn't want to think about it anymore.
All the students were talking in excitement.
"So your mom, the chief of police caught the Bad Guys?"
"The most infamous thieves in the city!?"
"The ones who stole the love crater meteorite?"
"Uh, no that was Marmalade." Alex's tongue twisted his tongue a little. He did not like that guinea pig AT ALL.
"They were the first ones to have stolen the Golden Dolphin!”
Alex had a smug look. “My mom stopped them as they were about to walk out the door. She is so awesome, she arrested them three times.”
“No way.”
“I don’t believe it.”
Alex chuckled. “Well none of you saw those news reports then.”
The teacher spoke. She had a calm soothing voice. “Alright everyone. Settle down. Mrs. Luggins will be here any second, so be on your best behavior.”
There was a slight knock on the classroom door.
The teacher opened the door slightly. “Hello.” She said softly.
The Chief tip her hat. “Good morning… You, you okay with this right?”
The teacher sighed, tilting her head through the door to see all five Bad Guys. Piranha waved to the teacher. “Not really, but I trust the governor if she thinks this will teach the class to behave.”
Luggins gave a quiet laugh. “What better way to show what happens to those who want to grow up to be troublemakers.” She walked through the door. “Good morning class!”
“Good morning Chief!” Everyone shouted.
“Morning mom!” Waved Alex.
The rest were standing outside the door.
Wolf was leaning against the wall. “Now we just got to wait till the chief calls us in.”
Snake was breathing deeply. This is humiliating, he is an adult. They are just kids, they can’t hurt him anymore. If they try to pull anything, he’ll just hiss and scare them away.
The Chief went on, delivering her speech. “Being a police officer is a very important job in any city. There are people who want to take the quote-unquote easy way in life, take what they want and do what they want with no regard for other people. I am sure there are kids in this school who think the same way, maybe in this very class. Well I can assure you, that won’t take you anywhere.”
Webs smirked as she listened. “I have to give her this, she is good at her speeches.”
Shark nodded in agreement. “She has such a nice voice and tone. She must have been practicing for hours.”
Luggins continued talking about her job and what she does. Finally, it was time.
“There was once a group of five criminals who thought they were untouchable. They thought they could steal anything… But I caught them… Not just once, but THREE times!”
Wolf faced palm. “She just had to rub it in.”
“I have brought these five her to show that nothing in life is easy. Something that they learned the hard way.” The Chief opened the door. “You may come in.”
Wolf walked in first giving his usual smug and confident look. Then Shark, Piranha, Webs and lastly Snake… Who stared at the class nervously, seeing the eyed wide glances they had towards him and his friends.
“Hello everybody. We’re The Bad Guys.” Wolf snapped his fingers.
“Oooooo!” The class was in amazement to see them in their classroom.
Snake gulped. They were gonna throw things at him… He just knew it.
“Can you tell the class what it was like living like a thief?”
Wolf gave it some thought. “Well… How do I put this…”
“It was fun!” Piranha exclaimed.
Wolf gave a weak scowl towards Piranha. “Yeah, it was fun… At first it was. You see, we became thieves because everyone was scared of us for who we were and saw us as nothing but a bunch of monsters. So we all agreed to play the part and become the greatest thieves known to the city.”
A student raised her hand suddenly.
“Questions will be asked after everyone is done talking.”
“No, no. I am okay answering on the fly.”
“Why at first?”
“Well… Then I realized… It’s not what I really wanted. All the stuff we stole, meant nothing, it was just things… The bonds I had with my friends meant more. I wanted us all to live a life where we weren’t running away or stealing, but to build more bonds and live a life free of hate and hurt…” Wolf turned to his friends. “Together.”
All of them smiled warmly at Wolf. Even Snake felt calm by Wolf’s words.
The students looked at each other in amazement.
Another student raised his hand.
“Yes?” Wolf asked.
“That’s pathetic. You all claim to be the greatest criminals of all time, scary monsters. Yet you all suddenly decide to give it all away. All that time wasted and now you have nothing to show for it.”
Wolf felt appalled by what he said. He didn’t know what to respond.
Snake felt weak… Like he was back where he was long ago… Alone and weak.
And Misty… Well… The way the kid said it suddenly caused a memory to play in her head.
In her hands was her broken instrument. She could hear all the others laugh at her. “All that time wasted and you have nothing to show for it… But another broken piccolo.”
This was a story she never shared to everyone… Because she was ashamed of it… She wanted to be a piccolo player… But she was too strong to play the fragile instrument. So she became a police officer instead… That’s what she told everyone… What she didn’t say, was that at first, she was on a darker path… Because everyone made fun of her because of her hulk-like arms… She would use them so they would stop.
“Ahh… M-misty!” A bully shouted with him and his gang bowing down to her.
“You know the drill. Cough it up or it’s pounding time!” Misty pounded her fists together.
She became a bully. Someone the whole school feared. Even the faculty would be weary of her… But then something happened that changed everything.
On her way home from school, she noticed a small chinchilla who was being threatened by a local gang.
“Alright. You came to our turf, now you gotta pay everything you owe.” One gang member bopped her bat against the ground.
The Chinchilla shook. “I-I don’t have I swear.”
The tough lady spat close to the Chinchilla. “If you are gonna be that way. Then we’ll just have to beat it all out.”
Misty gasped… She couldn’t imagine what would happen if they attacked. The Chinchilla would most certainly be a goner…
“I’ll bash you in!” The gangster swung her bat!
“EEEE!”
POW!!
Misty slammed her fist right into the tough lady’s face all in a moment. Misty herself was just as shocked as the rest of the gang. She didn’t even think about what to do, she just acted. For the first time in her life, she used her strength to protect others rather than using it for her own desires. She kept at it, with quick and powerful motions, she fought and knocked the other gang members unconscious with both her and the chinchilla unharmed.
“Th-thank you… You saved my life.”
“I-I did…” Misty was in shock at what she did… It was at that moment she realized the fear she was inflicting on others was wrong… And that her powerful arms weren’t a bad thing. She looked at the moaning gang members. “Uh… I think we should call the cops.”
That day Chief Misty Luggins made her first big arrest. Taking down a local gang that terrorized the peace of the neighborhood. She may have lost her childhood dream of being a famous musician, but she had discovered a new purpose… To protect and serve and never let anyone innocent feel helpless again.
"You lose nothing when you better yourself." Misty Luggins glared at the kid, causing him to become quiet.
Did Wolf get that? Misty Luggins stood up for them?
Misty took a breath. "Remember, this… There are things in this world more precious than fame, fortune, or selfish desires… Please treat others like how you wish to be treated, and you'll make the world a better place for you and everyone else."
There was a moment of silence.
Misty wiped her glasses. "Sorry about that, I don't know what came over me."
The teacher shook her head slowly with a soft smile. "Oh no, I think that was very inspiring Chief Luggins."
"Alright… Is there any questions now?"
One girl student raised her hand.
"Yes?"
"Can I pet the Snake?"
Snake's eyes popped out of his face.
Luggins eyes darted to Snake and back at the girl. "Excuse me?"
"Can I pet the Snake?"
Luggins thought about it longer than she should. No way she wanted a little girl to go up and pet a dangerous convict… But then Alex was looking at her as well, like he wanted her to comply with the request.
"Uhh umm…" She turned to the teacher, expecting a response…
"This always happens when an animal is brought to school. Someone always wants to pet one." The teacher nervously laughed.
Wow, thanks for the help. Then she turned to Snake. "Would you be okay with that?" Luggins asked Snake, hoping he would say no.
"N-no, I am not a dog."
"Aww…" The girl seemed disappointed.
Wolf gave a soft look to Snake. "Snake…" He didn't want to force him to make a choice if he wasn't comfortable, but doing so would be a step in the right direction.
Snake saw the girl and was saddened. "Well… Just this once."
Luggins was surprised and worried.
"Yay!" The girl got up from her seat and walked up to Snake quickly.
Snake gulped and tensed up, preparing for his scales to be torn by her grip… Instead he was met with soft gentle pets across the scales on his head… He hissed gently.
"Aww… He isn't a scary snake they said at all." One of the students said.
Wolf chuckled. "Snake here is a complete sweetheart."
Snake felt humiliated by Wolf's words… But… This was much better than what he dealt with in school before…
The girl giggled. “I always wanted a snake, but my mom said they like to bite.”
“Hey, I don’t bite, unless someone messes with me.” Snake chuckled.
Luggins just gave Snake an intimidating stare as she adjusted her glasses.
“Just… kidding.” Snake’s chuckle became a nervous one.
The girl happily got herself back to her seat.
“Okay… Any other questions?”
Another student raised their hand. “Why is the shark and fish out of water?”
“We’ll be wherever we want.” Shark crossed his arms.
Piranha crossed his arms too. “Me too chico.”
The kid’s eyes faced the window awkwardly. “Oh… Then a better question, how did you two get legs?”
There was a long silence… Everyone faced Piranha and Shark, awaiting a response.
Shark and Piranha looked at each other and back at the kid. “They just grew.”
The kid blinked. “Okay.”
Luggins adjusted her glasses. “Okay… How about a question related to the work of law enforcement?”
Another student raised their hand.
“Yes?” Luggins answered eagerly.
“What’s the Super Ultra Crazy Max security prison like?”
Luggins’ scratched her chin. “I… don’t know actually. I have never been there.”
The boy shook his head. “Not you, them.”
Luggins’ glasses fell to the floor. Another question… To the Bad Guys.
Wolf recalled what it was like there… He didn’t want to think about it as it was the time he and Snake had a fight there. “Well, we were there for only a short time, not much to say other than it was big and spacious. And I don’t think we saw any other criminals there, to be honest.”
“Sounds like a waste of taxpayer dollars.” The rude kid from before grinned.
Luggins sighed, placing a hand on her head in agitation.
Wolf frowned. He didn’t mean for him and his friends to take the spotlight from the chief. Sure he likes to tease her, but seeing her get ignored like this felt wrong.
The teacher looked up at the clock. “We have enough time for one more question.”
One more hand was raised… It was Alex.
Luggins was delighted. Her face beamed, she could only imagine what kind of awesome question her son would have related to her job.
“Webs, what was the hardest system you ever hacked.”
“W.P.S.S.T., that darn security system was so annoying.”
Misty’s arms swung down by her sides as if a heavy burden was placed on them. She just stared into a void of shame. Her own son… chose to ask a Bad Guy a question Over his own mother.
---
The Bell rang, all the students who were heading home by bus said their good-byes to the Bad Guys, while the others who would walk home stayed to ask more questions.
“Wolf! Can I get your autograph?”
“Snake, can you tie yourself in a pretzel?”
“Shark, what was the biggest thing you ate?”
“Piranha, say something in Spanish!”
“Webs, can you actually make webs?”
Snake couldn’t believe the positive attention they were getting. His tail was wagging and his heart was warmed. In fact, the whole gang was wagging. Maybe just because they were considered scary animals by some, didn’t mean they have to be considered scary by others.
Wolf was happy for Snake, he could see by his smile that the whole trip helped showed that they can be good… But he knew there was one thing that had to be taken care of…
When the other Bad Guys went to continue to answer questions, Wolf saw Luggins sitting on a chair in the corner, looking at the floor.
“Chief?”
“Yes Mr. Popular?”
“I uh… I didn’t mean to steal the show, this was supposed to be your thing.”
“It’s my fault for giving in to Alex’s wishes… To think the kids look up to a bunch of criminals more than the chief of police…”
Wolf had to think of something. He doesn’t like seeing the chief look so down. “A friend once told me, that… Even if no one seems to respect you or even care, helping others is never wasted.”
“What?”
“Well it was something like that, but Chief, you are amazing! Out of every cop in the city, you give it your all. You arrested so many crooks and you managed to arrest us three times!”
“Well, I did…”
“You said it yourself, there are things more valuable than fame and fortune.”
Luggins thought back to how she saved that Chinchila… She got in trouble and was scolded by her parents despite doing the right thing… But she would never take it back because she saved someone, knowing that was enough for her.
“Thanks Wolf.” Luggins slowly formed a smile… Usually, when Luggins smiles at Wolf, it’s a smile of intimidation as she would be about to bust him… But here, it’s one of gratitude. Just then she snapped out of it. “Are you trying to butter me up so I can go easy on you? Give you a shorter sentence perhaps?”
Wolf gulped. His attempt to cheer up the Chief backfired. “Wha-no no?”
“MOM!”
“A-Alex?” Misty was surprised to see her son return. She thought he was going over to his friend’s house after class.
Alex was upset. “I am sorry. This was your presentation, I should have asked you a question.” He was guilty. He was the one who wanted his mom to bring the Bad Guys.
The Chief simply had a face of reassurance. “Hey… I am your mom, you can ask as many questions about my job whenever you want.”
“Thanks mom, you’re the best chief in the wholewide world.” Alex hugs her fullheartedly.
“And you’re the best son a chief could have.” Even if being a police chief can be a thankless job at times, all Luggins needs to know that she is helping people and that her son loves her.
“I gotta go, bye mom! Bye Mr. Wolf!” He waved to the other Bad Guys as he ran past them. “Bye guys!”
Luggins waved. “Be careful when crossing the street!”
Alex yelled back with a thumbs up! “I memorized traffic safety like the back of my hand!”
Luggins chuckled… And noticed Wolf was waving as Alex left. “Now where was I?”
Wolf fiddled with his paws nervously. “Uh… You were about to take us back to jail?” He really hoped the Chief wouldn’t try to pull anything to make their situation worse.
The Chief grinned sinisterly. “Well, I can’t trust leaving you or your friends there for a whole year can I?”
“Uhh… What do you mean?”
“For now on, you and your friends will be under my constant watch. So you’ll be going on parole with MY rules and not the rules of the prison.”
“Ch-chief, you can’t be-” Wolf’s pupils shrank upon the realization. “Wait, parole?”
“For the next 11 months. Then, I want you all back in the cells for the last month. That’ll scare ya straight.” She snickered.
The whole gang overheard and zipped right over to The Chief.
“THANK YOU!” Shark screamed as he hugged the Chief.
“URK!”
And then Piranha joined, Wolf, Webs, and lastly a reluctant Snake.
“I can’t believe I am doing this.” Snake sighed as he joined the hug.
The Chief was confused by this reaction, but she’ll take it. It’s the least she can do for her arch-nemesises. And if she is lucky, she’ll catch them in the act and arrest them again.