Dark Days…

Chapter 1

Note: This is a continuation of "Outdone…". So, if you haven't read that yet, I'd advise you to go read it now. :3

In "Outdone…", Rico and his squad faced a challenge as they tried to save the island and stop two amateur thieves – Chill and Seaweed. They brought in Rico's unknown and estranged sister, Toasty, as she has a gift that not many have – psychic-ness. They were successful and somehow saved the island from two bombs. Chill and Seaweed were taken to jail but Chill later escaped to confront Toasty.

Rico stopped as soon as he reached the door of the elevator. He knew what was probably going on with Toasty at that moment. He knew that was going to need backup. He didn't want to bother his squad as they had worked hard the past few days. He thought about it and remembered something. He ran quickly into the hallways and found the room he was looking for – Gary's office.

He knocked on the door, hoping that would either wake Gary up or alert him that someone was there IF he was awake. Gary was awake apparently. He opened the door, surprised to see Rico.

"Gary, I need your help…" Rico said.

"Agent, what's with all the hurried-ness?" asked Gary, confused.

"Gary, did I wake you?" asked Rico.

"No, I woke up an hour ago," Gary said.

"So, wait, you're saying that…" Rico said as his eyes lit up. If the bomb would've gone off that day, Gary would've died. "You almost died?"

"What? How?"

"Uh, nevermind," Rico said. "Anyhow, I need your help. I feel that my sister is in trouble. Her friend was put in jail but just escaped. Toasty turned on her. I don't have a good feeling about this,"

"And you want me to do what?" asked Gary.

"Are you able to come with me?" Rico asked. "I can't call in my squad. They just went home. They don't want to be part of another investigation without sleep right now,"

"I can't come with you, agent. I just came back from the death. I can stay here and track your signal to make sure you are fine, however," Gary said. "You can go get a squad from the PSA if you need to,"

"I – I guess I'll just go myself," Rico said quickly. He was in a hurry to go.

"How long can you wait? Can you wait long enough for your squad to get here? I can call them." Gary said.

"Gary, don't…" Rico said.

"Alright, whatever," Gary said.

"I'll report back whenever I find something," Rico said. He hurried away without saying good bye. He teleported to the igloo neighborhoods. Gary watched as Rico went away. He started thinking.

Later…

Rico already saw it from the street. He could see a body on the ground. He pulled out his gun just in case. He waddled up to the doorstep of Toasty's igloo quickly. She was on the ground. There weren't any signs of blood, but it was still possible. Rico had worry in his eyes.

"Great," he murmured. He grabbed his phone and shook his head. As soon as he put the 'G' in 'Gary' into his phone, he became startled.

"Rah," Toasty shouted.

Rico looked down, barely dropping his phone. "Toasty!" he shouted in anger.

She had a smirk on her face. "Yeah?"

"Toasty! I – I…" he couldn't describe the anger that came over him. He was happy she was safe but mad she scared him. He was overcome with confusion. "Toasty, what the heck happened? How are okay? Where's Chill?"

"Well, looks like you've got a premonition," Toasty smirked. "Chill came here and shot me,"

"And you're okay?" Rico was stunned.

Toasty smirked and lifted up her shirt. Rico's eyes got wide in fear of what she was doing. They stopped when he saw what was underneath her shirt. "Bullet-proof vest," Toasty smirked.

"What? How did you get a bullet-proof vest? The EPF doesn't even have those yet!" Rico said. He put his gun into his pocket.

"I know, but I do," she said. "I design fashion, did you forget? The Director has me on her radar. She had me design the Delta wear."

"Is that a preliminary design of the bullet-proof vest?" asked Rico.

"No, I'm supposed to give them to the Director soon," Toasty said. "Don't get your hopes up, however, as they don't prevent the bullet from hitting you completely. I got a few bullets and scrapes,"

"I can handle that," Rico said.

"Uh-huh, sure," she rolled her eyes as did Rico.

"Alright, well, can you hook my squad up with them?" asked Rico.

"Sure, but it'll take some time. I have to make sure they are all perfect. And we have to do it on the down-low. If anyone that is against the EPF hears about it, they'll shoot you in the other spots…" Toasty said. "I don't have arm-wear or leg-wear designed yet, so we must be careful."

"Alright, thanks Toasty," Rico said.

"Well, I'm going inside." She said.

"I'm headed home, too, after I report to Gary that you're okay," Rico said.

"Alright, goodnight," she said. She turned the key in the lock that had been in the lock since Chill came and opened the door. She entered and closed the door as Rico texted Gary. He later waddled home.

A few minutes later on Sleet Street…

Sleet Street. A busy street at night. Rico wondered why he still lived there as he decided he didn't fit in there anymore. Before he became a part of Squad No. 1, he spent countless hours at parties in penguin's igloos on this street, hanging out in the street with penguins on this street and whatever else. It was worthless. He didn't fit in there. He realized how much of a waste that was. He always had contemplated moving from the street but never got a chance. And he probably never would.

One reason, of course, was that on the other sides of his igloo were Rookie and Jet Pack Guy. Rico waddled past Rookie's igloo and was going to stop by to say 'hi'. He looked in the lit window. That obviously meant Rookie wasn't asleep. He looked and didn't see anything. He didn't want to scare Rookie so he went away. But something told him to keep looking. He looked through a different window and didn't see just one penguin – but two. He couldn't make them out at first. But when he did, whatever was in place of his heart shattered and burned and he was overcome with shock and anger. In Rookie's igloo were Rookie and Dot. They weren't standing there. They were making out.